New DVD and Blu-ray releases for Jan. 15 include the mediocre “Bookshop” and the awful “Speed Kills.”
• “The Bookshop”: Director/writer Isabel Coixet’s (“Learning to Drive”) adaptation of Penelope Fitzgerald’s 1978 novel has the feel of a book collecting dust on the back shelf of a closet. There’s an expectation of great potential considering the lineage, but on closer examination, the experience teeters on tedium so much it ends up a mystery of what the draw was in the first place.
A widow (Emily Mortimer) takes a major emotional and financial leap in 1959 to open a bookshop in the conservative coastal town of Hardborough, Suffolk. She opens her bookstore as a loving tribute to her dead husband. But it is met with resistance.
This unfolds in a production that is melancholy in mood, arthritic in movement and emotionally stagnant. It would have to find a major boost of energy just to be considered a worthy presentation on “Masterpiece Theatre.” The only saving grace is the beautiful performances by Mortimer and Bill Nighy.
• “Speed Kills”: John Travolta’s film career continues to sink slowly into the cinematic sunset. His latest starring role is in “Speed Kills,” the pseudo-biographical tale of real-life boat racing champion and master salesman Don Aronow (changed to Ben Aronoff in the film). The offering is such a shipwreck the name change ends up being a way to protect the innocent.
Twenty years ago, Travolta would have been perfect for the role as Aronoff is a major player who charms everyone he meets. Travolta played such a role beautifully in 1998’s “Primary Colors” as Gov. Jack Stanton. But the twinkle that was once in Travolta’s eye has been replaced by a look of desperation to find a good role. There’s no self-confidence in his walk and no energy in his performance.
Also on DVD, Blu-ray
• “Jonathan”: Bill Oliver’s directorial debut is the tale of two brothers who live inside the same body.
• “NOVA: Flying Supersonic”: A look at the international race to develop the world’s first supersonic airliner, the Concorde.
• “Old Man and the Gun”: Robert Redford stars in this mostly true story of Forrest Tucker, who at 70 escaped from prison and robbed several banks.
• “Nature Cat and Mr. Hide”: Nature Cat is looking to dethrone Ronald as the neighborhood Hide ‘N’ Seek champion.
• “Garfield: 20 Stories”: Includes 20 episodes from the Saturday morning cartoon.
• “Untouchable”: An examination of the legal and social system’s treatment of sexual offenders in the United States.
• “Halloween”: A woman has waited 40 years for Michael Myers to return. Jamie Lee Curtis stars.
• “Obsession”: Brian De Palma’s 1976 film looks at two marriages that lead to similar kidnappings.
• “The Plague of the Zombies”: An evil presence lurks within the darkness of a remote 19th century Cornish village.
