An unorthodox hero, a mystery fueled by tattoos and a tale of survival are topics of top DVDs released Aug. 21.
• “Deadpool 2”: It’s neither the suit nor the special effects makeup that makes Deadpool come to life. It’s Ryan Reynolds.
All of it starts with a tragedy in Deadpool’s life that sends him on a revenge mission that turns into a self-discovery trek. Deadpool meets Russell (Julian Dennison), a young mutant who has had his fill of the sadistic tactics used on him and other mutants as a way of converting them into “normal” human beings. Deadpool and Russell end up behind bars but aren’t there long, as Cable (Josh Brolin) arrives from the future on a mission to kill the young mutant.
The majority of “Deadpool 2” is a production that hits you in the face with the action and slams your funny bone with juvenile humor. Reynolds provided a comically dangerous performance in the first “Deadpool,” and in the sequel, to shake up the comic book movie world. The films show it is possible to make a massively entertaining action movie that fires off one-liners faster than bullets.
• “Blindspot: The Complete Third Season”: A new set of tattoos emerges, a bounty is put on Jane Doe (Jaimie Alexander) and the rest of Kurt Weller’s (Sullivan Stapleton) FBI team is kidnapped in this NBC drama. In other words, just another day at the office for this group.
The series works on multiple levels. If you are a fan of mysteries and puzzles, each episode is sparked by one of the many tattoos on Jane’s body. The fun is not only the mission that comes from these clues, but watching Ashley Johnson’s character decipher them.
It also works as a family drama with Jane and Kurt trying to deal with their own problems while adjusting to life with Jane’s newfound daughter.
• “The Walking Dead: The Complete Eighth Season”: Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and the Alexandrians go to war against Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and his forces. As has been the case from the opening episodes, this is not a TV series just about fighting zombies, but a smartly written examination of the human spirit. It continues to dig deep into the story of survival wherein the battle with other humans is really the greatest threat.
The DVD set also includes behind-the-scenes extras, including three audio commentaries and three featurettes offering an in-depth look at the making of the eighth season. The home entertainment release also includes six extended episodes not seen in the broadcasts.
Also on DVD, Blu-ray
• “Ash vs Evil Dead”: The third and final season features Ash (Bruce Campbell) learning he has a daughter, who he brings along when he fights demons.
• “Hillary”: The drama follows the life and story of mountaineer and philanthropist Sir Edmund Hillary.
• “NCIS: The Fifteenth Season”: NCIS Special Agent Leroy Gibbs (Mark Harmon) leads the NCIS troupe.
• “Bleeding Steel”: A Hong Kong police inspector (Jackie Chan) learns that a biochemical invention has been surgically implanted into his missing daughter.
• “The Ninth Passenger”: An evil passenger slips aboard a yacht and starts slaughtering the party crowd. Jesse Metcalfe stars.
• “Gotham: Season 4”: Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie) continues his battle with the city’s villains while Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) grows closer to becoming Batman.
• “First Reformed”: Rev. Ernst Toller (Ethan Hawke) plunges into his tormented past — and equally despairing future — until he finds redemption.
• “Strait-Jacket”: Joan Crawford stars in this chiller from pioneer horror movie producer William Castle.
• “Jack Ryan Collection”: Includes “The Hunt for Red October,” “Patriot Games,” “Clear and Present Danger,” “The Sum of All Fears” and “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.”
• “The Terror: The Complete First Season”: Royal Naval expedition is sent to find the Arctic’s Northwest Passage but instead discovers a monstrous predator.
• “Black Water”: Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren star in this tale of spies and survival.
• “The Outback”: Three-part series explores the people and animals of Australia’s Kimberley region in North West Australia.
• “The Tingler”: Vincent Price stars as doctor who discovers a parasitic creature that grows on the spinal cords of terrified people.
On digital HD
• “Ocean’s 8”: Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) concocts the greatest heist of her career. Will be available on Blu-ray and DVD Sept. 11.
• “Adrift”: A couple must find the strength to survive a catastrophe at sea. Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin star. Will be on DVD and Blu-ray Sept. 4.
