It’s another hot one today, here in Montreal. A great day to stay inside, crank up the AC and enjoy a new Blu-ray disc. As has frequently been the case of late, we’ve got another new release from Criterion sitting in the top spot, followed by a Hollywood blockbuster. I hate to say it though, that I’m actually most excited about my #4 pick this week. Perhaps its a result of coming off a week of Comic Con updates or perhaps I’m just in the mood for something animated but I can’t wait to sink my teeth into DC Comics next superhero cartoon feature! Those things just keep getting better and better!

1. THE SECRET OF THE GRAIN

The Secret of the Grain is one of the films that Criterion is bringing to Blu-ray through their deal with IFC. It’s a stirring drama charting the struggles of a complex French-Arab family in the French port town of Sète, where Tunisian immigrant Simane lives with his lover and her daughter, while opening a restaurant specializing in his ex-wife’s couscous and fish – a controversial decision that throws the family into anarchy.

Special Features:

• High-definition digital master, approved by director Abdellatif Kechiche with DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
• New video interview with Kechiche
• Sueur, Kechiche’s extended reedit of the climactic belly-dancing sequence, featuring a new video introduction by the director
• New video interview with film scholar Ludovic Cortade
• Excerpt from a 20 heures television interview with Kechiche and actress Hafsia Herzi
• Video interviews with Herzi, actress Bouraouïa Marzouk, and the film’s musicians
• Theatrical trailer
• New and improved English subtitle translation
• PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by film critic Wesley Morris

Amazon: $30.99

2. CLASH OF THE TITANS

Clash of the Titans – yes, the remake this time, not the Harryhausen original – arrives on Blu-ray without the much derided post-production 3-D process partly responsible for the unfavourable response to the film when it debuted in theatres. Will this high-octane retelling of the 80s classic film about the Gods of Greek myth fare better now that its on home video, safely tucked away from the competitive environment of the big screen?

Amazon: $24.99

3. IP MAN

Who doesn’t love Donnie Yen? And really, who doesn’t love Bruce Lee? Just stop yourself if you’re about to answer in the negative, because I’d really like us to remain pals. Ip Man is the story of the Wing Chun master who would go on to teach Lee everything he knew. The film features some of the most stunning fight choreography you’re likely to see on film while remaining down-to-Earth and faithful to the real-life story of Ip Man. See this film before the sequel hits! Highly Recommended!

Amazon: $20.99

4. BATMAN: UNDER THE RED HOOD

The Purolator man literally just delivered my review screener of Batman: Under the Red Hood. And now I’m wishing that I didn’t have to go into the office and could stay home and geek out with this newest DC Comics animated hero-fest! I’ve heard great things about this film but, despite my enthusiasm, I’m not getting my hopes up too high for it to deliver. The story seems a little obvious to me, with the unfortunate inclusion of characters that break the vibe of the noir, realistic setting that Batman stories excel within (is Amazo, a robotic villain from the Universe spanning Justice League story really the right choice of adversary for this tale?) That said, bring it on! I can’t wait to watch!

Amazon: $19.99

5. CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON

You might recall that Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was previously released on Blu-ray, exclusively in a 3-disc set from Sony (read my full review here.) Well, now it’s finally available on its own in a brand new Blu-ray edition that is identical in every way to the previous disc, with the exception that it adds a brilliant new commentary from cinematographer Peter Pau! Is it worth ditching your old disc for the new? Probably not. But completists and über-fans of the film should take note.

Amazon: $16.99

ALSO AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY THIS WEEK
Clicking an image will take you to Amazon.com where you can learn more about and purchase the Blu-ray disc:

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