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New on DVD: ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ hits the right notes

By Rick Bentley, Tribune News Service
Published: February 15, 2019, 6:00am

The DVD to own this week is the tale of rock star Freddie Mercury in “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

“Bohemian Rhapsody” 4 stars: The examination of the creative and destructive nature of genius through Freddie Mercury (Rami Malek) and Queen offers insight into both the musical madness of the band and the emotional insanity Mercury dealt with during his short-lived career. He died in 1991 at the age of 45 from bronchial pneumonia brought on by AIDS.

Anthony McCarten’s (“Darkest Hour”) script hits all the big tent moments, ranging from Mercury’s unusual relationship with Mary Austin (Lucy Boynton) to the creation of some of Queen’s most memorable works. Just when the film begins to slip into a master class in music, McCarten directs the story back to one of the many personal relationships. There are some gaps in the story, but that’s always the case with a biography.

As for the music, not every great Queen song is featured, but their catalogue of hits would also dramatically increase the movie’s running time. What is included makes this a soundtrack that is a must to own, even if you have every Queen album.

Also on DVD

• “The Front Runner”: Hugh Jackman portrays politician Gary Hart.

• “Frontline: Documenting Hate”: Two-part investigation into white supremacy groups in the U.S.

• “The Poison Ivy Collection”: Contains the four films featuring the deadly temptress.

• “Moko Jumbie”: Young woman returns to her home in Trinidad only to find forbidden love.

• “The Happy Prince”: Oscar Wilde looks back at his life with wit and irony as he lies on his deathbed.

• “Nude Area”: Director Urszula Antoniak’s film about forbidden love told in 15 dialogue-free vignettes.

• “At Eternity’s Gate”: Willem Dafoe stars in this film based on letters written by Vincent van Gogh.

• “Nobody’s Fool”: Wild child (Tiffany Haddish) looks to her conservative sister (Tika Sumpter) to get her life in order.

• “Rick and Morty Seasons 1-3”: The box set contains 31 episodes of the animated series.

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