An animated prequel film tops the DVD releases for the week of Dec. 17.
“Transformers One”: The franchise’s latest entry turns back the clock to when bitter enemies Optimus Prime and Megatron were young friends. The impressive voice cast includes Chris Hemsworth (Optimus), Brian Tyree Henry (Megatron), Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne and Keegan-Michael Key.
“Engaging in a way the live-action offerings rarely are — and coherent in a way they almost never are — ‘Transformers One’ serves up a fast-paced, humor-filled and untold origin of future rivals Optimus Prime and Megatron,” writes The News-Herald critic Mark Meszoros in his review. “Does it matter that you can see every plot point, every twist, coming? Not when the movie is meant for kids, who are likely to be sufficiently surprised at the desired moments.”
Also new on DVD
“Joker: Folie a Deux”: Director Todd Phillips and star Joaquin Phoenix return for the sequel to their 2019 smash with Lady Gaga joining the fray as Joker’s main squeeze, Harley Quinn.
“Terrifier 3”: The gore-pushing boundaries of the horror series featuring Art the Clown are tested in this Christmas-set threequel from writer-director Damien Leone.
“Conclave”: A conclave of cardinals gather to elect a new pope, tangling with scandal and rumor among their ranks. Starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow.
“Piece by Piece”: A documentary about musician, producer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams’ life, done in Lego style.
“The Apprentice”: Biopic centered on the tutelage of Donald J. Trump (Sebastian Stan) under the guidance and mentorship of Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong) starting in the 1970s.
“Absolution”: Liam Neeson stars as an aging mob enforcer diagnosed with CTE seeking to make things right in his personal life.
“Sleep”: A man’s sleepwalking proves to be deadly dangerous in this Korean horror comedy.
“Blue Bloods: The Final Season”: The CBS police procedural starring Tom Selleck turns in its badge after 14 seasons.
“SEAL Team: The Final Season”: Receiving an honorable discharge following its seventh season is the Paramount+ drama centered on the exploits of the elite special forces group.
“Severance: Season 1”: A corporate drone (Adam Scott) volunteers for a mind-altering procedure in this futuristic Apple TV+ drama. Christopher Walken, John Turturro and Patricia Arquette also star.
“The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – Season 2 – The Book of Carol”: This six-episode entry from AMC continues the story of Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) in France.
“Ghosts of Red Ridge”: Western that finds a frontier sheriff grappling with outlaws terrorizing his town.
“Evil Does Not Exist”: Janus Contemporaries release of Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s drama about a father and daughter living in a rural hamlet outside Tokyo who find their tranquility disturbed by city transplants.
