By Harley Lond - 12/20/16 at 01:56 AM CT
FROM THE BIG SCREEN:
There's more coal than toys in this week's home entertainment Christmas stockings: Three lacklusetr, by-the-book examples of super-safe Hollywood studio filmmaking. There's Clint Eastwood's "Sully," a bio-pic about Captain Chesley Sullenberger, who glided his disabled airplane onto the frigid waters of the Hudson River in 2009, saving the lives of all 155 people aboard, starring the ever-reliable Tom Hanks with Aaron Eckhart, Laura Linney, Jamey Sheridan and Anna Gunn, from Warner; "The Magnificent Seven
THIS WEEK'S BEST BETS:
Originally scheduled for last week, "Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box Limited Edition Trilogy
" is a limited edition run of 10,000 deluxe box-sets featuring Clive Barker's iconic and seminal horror classic --- with new 2k restorations of "Hellraiser," "Hellbound: Hellraiser II" and "Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth," along with hours of 
archival content and newly produced extras including audio commentaries and interviews with Clive Barker, Doug Bradley and Sean Chapman in his first interview on the "Hellraiser" films in decades. The four-disc Blu-ray set will also include the newly edited version of "Leviathan," the definitive documentary on photo for Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box Limited Edition Trilogy"Hellraiser" and "Hellbound: Hellraiser 2." A new documentary, "Hellraiser: Evolutions," will also be included and will look at the evolution of the hit horror franchise and its enduring legacy. Also included are a host of rarities and never-before-seen footage from the movies, including the legendary "Surgeon" scene from "Hellbound: Hellraiser 2," the subject of fierce debate amongst fans for many years, now finally unearthed for its home video debut. The limited edition Blu-ray comes with an exclusive illustrated 200-page hardback book featuring new writing from Clive Barker archivists Phil and Sarah Stokes, and a 20-page booklet featuring never-before-seen original "Hellraiser" concept art. The limited edition packaging is adorned with incredible new artwork from Gilles Vranckx alongside a set of five exclusive art cards and a fold-out reversible poster. From Arrow Video/MVD Entertainment.It's been called The Greatest Story Hitchcock Ever Told. In 1962, Alfred Hitchcock, then at the height of his fame, sat down with director Francois Truffaut, the rising star of the French New Wave, to reveal in detail the making of the long string of hits that earned him the title Master of Suspense. The interviews became the basis for
the book "Hitchcock/Truffaut," one of the most acclaimed and widely read books about the cinematic process. Now, critic and filmmaker Kent Jones brings the pages to life in "Hitchcock/Truffaut
" (2016), a feature film that honors its source material while also serving as a moving and entertaining portrait of two great directors talking shop. Based on the original recordings of this meeting, Jones' film illustrates the greatest cinema lesson of all time and plunges us into the world of the creator of "Psycho," "The Birds," "Vertigo" and dozens of other thrilling masterpieces. Jones has expanded on the original book by including insightful new interviews with many of today's most renowned directors (and Hitchcock aficionados), including Martin Scorsese, David Fincher, Arnaud Desplechin, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Wes Anderson, James Gray, Olivier Assayas, Richard Linklater, Peter Bogdanovich and Paul Schrader. On DVD, Blu-ray Disc from Universal.BUZZIN' THE 'B'S:
In "The Disappointments Room
" (2016), Dana (Kate Beckinsale), David (Mel Raido) and their five-year-old son, looking for a fresh start, move from the big city to a rural Southern mansion in need of restoration. But the young family's dream home quickly becomes a chilling nightmare when Dana discovers a hidden room in the attic, unleashing 
unexplained events that test her sanity and slowly reveal shocking secrets from the past. Stars Kate Beckinsale, Mel Raido, Lucas Till, Duncan Joiner and Gerald McRaney. From Fox ... "Goat
" (2016), starring Nick Jonas, Ben Schnetzer and James Franco, follows 19-year-old Brad (Schnetzer), newly arrived to college and desperate to belong, who takes a cue from his older brother Brett (Jonas), and decides to pledge a fraternity. At first, it’s all parties and girls. But as Brad enters into the final stretch of the pledging ritual—known as “hell week”—things take a violent, humiliating turn. What occurs in the name of "brotherhood" tests both boys and their relationship in brutal ways. From Paramount ... "Maximum Ride
" (2015) brings to life the extraordinary journey of six DNA-enhanced young orphans with the ability to fly who are on a mission to rescue the youngest of their flock while discovering the diabolical, scientific secrets of how they came to exist. Based on the James Patterson 
book series. Stars Allie Marie Evans, Patrick Johnson, Lyliana Wray, Luke Gregory Crosby, Gavin Lewis, Tetona Jackson, Zayne Emory, Carrie Wampler, Peter O'Brien. From Paramount ... Sheri Moon Zombie, Jeff Daniel Phillips, Elizabeth Daily, Meg Foster, Kevin Jackson, Richard Blake, Judy Geeson, Malcolm McDowell. Afraid of clowns? From the macabre mind of Rob Zombie comes "31
" (2016), a horrific story of five carnival workers who are kidnapped on Halloween and held hostage in a large compound. At the mercy of their captors, they're forced to play a twisted game of life or death called 31. For the next 12 hours they must fight for their lives against an endless parade of homicidal maniacs. On DVD, Blu-ray Disc from Lionsgate ... "Greater
" (2016) is a sports biopic that follows the career of Brandon Burlsworth, who was told he wasn't good enough to play Division I football. Yet the too-short and too-fat Burlsworth (Chris Severio) took a risk and walked on to the Arkansas Razorbacks in 1994, becoming the most respected player in the history of the program. On DVD, Blu-ray Disc from Well Go USA.FOREIGN:
In "Children of the Mountain
" (2016 -- USA/Georgia/Ghana), after an affair with a neighbor's spouse, Essuman (Rukiyat Masud), a yam seller, gives birth to Nuku, a baby boy born with a cleft lip, cerebral palsy and Down's syndrome. Led to believe she's the owner of a "dirty womb" from Ghanian old wives' tales, her future as a wife is shattered as her lover, Ejah (Adjetey Anang), rejects the child and the community eyes her with suspicion. As Essuman searches for a cure to her son's illnesses, she encounters futility at hospitals and dubious religious leaders and medicine men, all while oscillating between devotion to her son and her desperate attempts at self-preservation. Will she give in to the pressures of Ghanian society and abandon her child in favor of a clean slate? Or will she seek a more hopeful future n the rural mountains of Ghana -- where the souls of children are said to wait? Ghanian filmmaker Priscilla Anany captured the "Best New Narrative Director" award at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival. From Candy Factory Films.FOR THE FAMILY:
"Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors - Circle of Love" (2016) is the sequel to "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors," based on the inspiring true story of Dolly Parton's remarkable upbringing in rural Tennessee. This edition continues with the story of young Dolly Parton as the Parton Family experiences a true Christmas miracle drawing the Partons closer together than ever --- with deepened faith and love for one another. From Warner.
FROM TV TO DVD:
"Department Q Trilogy" (2016 -- Denmark) is perfect for lovers of Nordic noir, with moody characters, forbidding shadows, icy atmospheres, and horrific crimes. Based on Jussi Adler-Olsens international bestsellers, the "Department Q" series introduces maverick detective Carl Mørck (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) who, after majorly botching an assignment, is relegated to reviewing cold cases. With his new partner Assad (Fares Fares) and secretary Rose (Johanne Louise Schmidt), the moody Mørck digs into shocking unsolved mysteries including the kidnapping of a high-ranking government official, a brutal prep school murder and a bloody message from two children presumed dead. Three stylish thrillers: "The Keeper of Lost Causes," "The Absent One" and "A Conspiracy of Faith." From IFC Films.
Check out other December 20-December 26 DVD/Blu-ray releases and reviews at OnVideo.
