Two emotional tales are featured in the new DVD releases for Oct. 8.
• “Toy Story 4”: The first three films in the “Toy Story” saga were as close to a perfect trilogy as possible. They not only introduced iconic animation characters Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) but gently embraced young and old with observations on friendship, growing up, being different and the need to be wanted.
The films set the writing, directing, acting and animation bars so high that even a movie as good as “Toy Story 4” comes up short in comparison. It’s like a G.I. Joe doll with one arm missing or a Monopoly game without the shoe — there is still a lot of fun to be had even with a few shortcomings.
Most of the story takes place during a road trip by Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw) and her family to help the youngster deal with going to kindergarten. Her attachment to a toy made from scraps of garbage sets in motion most of the action and is the catalyst for the key story about what it means to be needed. There are also discussions about self-worth, the necessity of finding one’s own way and how saying goodbye is a hard lesson. The writing is crisp, just not as emotionally sharp as in the first three movies.
“Toy Story 4” introduces several new toys, Forky (Tony Hale), Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks), Bunny (Jordan Peele), Giggle McDimples (Ally Maki) and a quartet of the creepiest ventriloquist dummies you will find this side of a “Twilight Zone” episode. Keanu Reeves lends his voice to a Canadian daredevil toy, Duke Caboom, who could star in his own series. The problem is the shopping cart of new characters cuts into the time for many of the familiar faces.
• “American Woman”: Deb Callahan (Sienna Miller) is an emotionally mangled mother and grandmother whose life wanders between bad choices and not-smart decisions. That changes when Deb’s teenage daughter mysteriously disappears and Deb must face the harsh realities of having to raise her young grandson while trying to deal with her own pain, anger and fears.
It might sound like the disappearance would be the heart of the film, but it is really just a spark to the emotional wildfire Miller gets to play. She does an Oscar-worthy job of taking the character from a neurotic mess to a mature soul without any steps feeling forced or false. This is all accomplished without having broad elements to play such as Deb suddenly becoming a super sleuth to find her missing child. This is a real and relatable character from start to finish.
The film works because of Miller. She doesn’t just say the right words to generate emotional responses, but has a way of transforming herself to the point she actually seems to be a different person by the end of the movie. Miller’s done exceptional work over the years, but “American Woman” is a masterclass in the difference between saying lines and living the role.
Also on DVD
• “Annabelle Comes Home”: Demon doll escapes from glass prison and awakens other evil spirits.
• “Gwen”: Young woman must find the strength to guide her family through the darkness.
• “Deadwood: The Movie”: Timothy Olyphant stars in this continuation of the cable Western series.
• “Family”: Young woman tries to deal with how the family life she has always hated has changed dramatically.
• “The Wedding Guest”: Trip to a wedding could include a kidnapping. Dev Patel stars.
• “Light of My Life”: Father (Casey Affleck) struggles to protect his daughter in a world where a plague has wiped out nearly all of the world’s female population.
• “Red Joan”: No one realizes a very unassuming woman (Judi Dench) has a dangerous past.
• “Splash and Bubbles: Pole to Pole”: Splash, Bubbles and their friends learn all about the many different ways life thrives under the sea.
• “The Ice King”: Documentary on how John Curry transformed ice skating from a dated sport into an art form.
• “Kung Fu Monster”: Martial arts icon Louis Koo stars in the Hong Kong wuxia fantasy.
• “Life with Lucy: The Complete Series”: Lucille Ball plays a grandmother who inherits her husband’s hardware store.
