Disney’s return to under the sea tops the DVD releases for the week of Sept. 19.
“The Little Mermaid”: Halle Bailey stars in this live-action version of the beloved 1989 animated musical, with a supporting cast that includes Melissa McCarthy, Javier Bardem, Daveed Diggs and Awkwafina.
“Ultimately, the film rests comfortably on the artfully scaly shoulders of Bailey’s Ariel, a sea princess who needs no human male to save her, but who nonetheless pines for a life in the sunshine,” writes Seattle Times film critic Moira Macdonald in her review. “Bailey gives a glowing performance of effortless starshine; her singing voice has both sweetness and power, and her smile is the sort on which dreams dance.”
Also new on DVD
“Past Lives”: A married writer reconnects with her childhood sweetheart visiting New York from Korea and the two contend with their past connection.
“Biosphere”: Sterling K. Brown and Mark Duplass star as two friends locked in a sealed biosphere after an apocalyptic event tangle with the complexities of evolution and human nature.
“Fire Country: Season One”: A young convict signs on with a crew of wildland firefighters in this new CBS action drama.
“Prisoner’s Daughter”: Drama about a father who returns home after a 12-year prison term and struggles to reconnect with his daughter and grandchild. Starring Brian Cox and Kate Beckinsale.
“The Collective”: A group of assassins square off against human traffickers in this action flick.
“What’s Love Got to Do With It?”: London-set romantic comedy about a documentary filmmaker chronicling her friend’s arranged marriage.
“The Trial”: Orson Welles’ 1962 film adaptation of the Franz Kafka novel enjoys a Criterion Collection release on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD.
Digital HD
“Retribution”: The latest action movie from Liam Neeson finds him driving his kids to school when he learns there is a bomb in the car.
“Ditto”: Korean drama about college students, living two decades apart, who are able to communicate using a time-spanning radio.
