An acclaimed AMC series raises its stakes to extreme heights in the top new DVD releases for the week of Nov. 24.
“Better Call Saul: Season Five”: Over the course of four seasons, we’ve seen Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) devolve into his Saul Goodman persona, grappling with the death of his brother, Chuck (Michael McKean), his strange partnership with Kim (Rhea Seehorn), and deep down, his love of the game.
That slow burn explodes this season, with Jimmy inserting himself into the drug war between Lalo Salamanca (Tony Dalton, whose deranged performance continues to delight) and Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito). Whereas Walter White (Bryan Cranston) quickly dove right into criminal activity in “Breaking Bad,” it’s clear that Jimmy, who assumes picking up $7 million in cash for Lalo’s bail across the U.S.-Mexican border would be an easy peasy chore, is simply in way over his head.
It’s thrilling to watch and it’s the series’ best season yet, with breathtaking cinematography by director of photography Marshall Adams.
After seemingly taking on more and more pro bono work to assuage guilt from the more capitalist-driven Mesa Verde case and ensuing problems, leading to such extreme conflict between Kim and Jimmy that she decides they either need to cut ties or get married, she also puts herself into the game, demanding an explanation from Lalo as Jimmy’s field trip to Mexico results in his disappearance. At first it seems she’s also in over her head, but as she saves Jimmy from Lalo’s repeated questions and proposes her own unhinged scheme, Kim’s breaking bad packs the greatest punch.
Also new on DVD Nov. 24
“The Irishman”: A truck driver (Robert De Niro) rises up in a Pennsylvania crime family and earns a spot working for Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino).
“After We Collided”: In this sequel to 2019’s “After,” Tessa (Josephine Langford) and Hardin (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) reel from their devastating breakup.
“Ava”: After doubting her superiors, an assassin (Jessica Chastain) becomes a target.
“Blinded”: Sundance Now series follows a reporter (Julia Ragnarsson) who hits it off with a bank director (Matias Varela) whose company is shady in more ways than one. In Swedish.
