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Transcendence
The Blu-rays and DVDs out this coming week start with Transcendence, a sci-fi thriller directed by Wally Pfister and starring Johnny Depp.
Dr. Will Caster (Depp) is one of the leading scientists in the world due to his pioneering work in creating sentient artificial intelligence. However, with fame and success comes the attention of a technophobic extremist group seeking to put an end to his work before he creates something beyond human control. When Caster is shot by a member of the group and falls victim to radiation poisoning, there is no hope for his survival.
With the help of his wife Evelyn (Rebecca Hall) and friend Max (Paul Bettany) he decides to continue his latest project by linking his mind with that of the computer and creating technology more intelligent than the collective capability of the entire human race. While his earthly body dies, Caster’s mind is fully embedded within the computer and he soon begins to exercise the potential of his newly-gained power. But with this power comes great destruction which threatens the future of mankind…
Transcendence is out on Monday on Blu-ray and DVD.
The Changes (1975 TV series)
Directed by John Prowse, the long awaited DVD premiere of this influential science-fiction series, which was first broadcast on BBC1 in early 1975. Well remembered for its unsettling depiction of a society in meltdown, The Changes paved the way for the likes of Survivors and Day of the Triffids.
When a strange noise is emitted from machinery and electricity pylons, previously placid and easy-going folk turn violently against the technology that surrounds them ruthlessly attacking radios, TVs and other domestic appliances. In the devastating aftermath, young Nicky Gore (Victoria Williams) is separated from her parents, but finds a surrogate home with a group of Sikhs. But they soon are dubbed ‘The Devil’s’ Children by superstitious locals and Nicky is accused of sorcery by a witchfinder. In grave danger, she is forced to find a way to escape, find her parents and uncover what caused the world to become so unbalanced.
This highly acclaimed series was adapted from Peter Dickinson‘s best-selling trilogy by Anna Home (who would later become chief executive of the Children’s Film and Television Foundation), and features music by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop’s Paddy Kingsland (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy). Its gritty depiction of a near-apocalyptic world, and its integration of Sikh characters make it as progressive and fascinating now as it was when it was first broadcast.
Episodes: The Noise, The Bad Wires, The Devil’s Children, Hostages!, Witchcraft!, A Pile of Stones, Heartsease, Lightning, The Quarry, The Cavern
Special features:
- At Home in Britain (1983): a short film made by the COI to educate a wide range of UK viewers about everyday lives and different faiths of Asian residents living in Britain
- Stills gallery
- Illustrated booklet featuring essays by Paddy Kingsland, Peter Wright, Michael Bonner, Lisa Kerrigan, Kathleen Luckey and Rebecca Vick
The Changes is released DVD.
Locke
Tom Hardy, Ruth Wilson and Olivia Colman star in this thriller from writer and director Steven Knight. Ivan Locke (Hardy) is the head of a successful construction company and is happily married to Katrina (Wilson) with whom he has two sons, Eddie (Tom Holland) and Sean (Bill Milner). However, he must risk it all to ‘do the right thing’ when he faces the consequences of a past mistake.
He learns that Bethan (Colman), a woman he had a one-off encounter with some months ago, is pregnant and he decides to leave Birmingham and drive down to London so he can be at the birth of his child. The film follows Locke in his car through the whole journey as he has phone conversations with his wife, children and colleagues and talks to his father as though he is there with him. Will his decision cost him the life he has worked so hard to obtain? The cast also features Andrew Scott, Ben Daniels, Danny Webb and Alice Lowe.
Read our Locke review here.
Locke is released on Blu-ray and DVD.
Tarzan
CGI animation following the story of the boy who was raised by apes after the death of his parents. Tarzan (voice of Kellan Lutz), who has been raised in the jungle after his parents were killed in a helicopter crash, is forced to confront William Clayton (Trevor St. John), the present CEO of the company formerly owned by Tarzan’s father, Greystoke Energies, when a mysterious power source is found near his home. With the company moving in to exploit this new resource, Tarzan seeks the help of the conservationist Jane Porter (Spencer Locke) in putting an end to their destructive intentions.
Tarzan is released on Blu-ray 3D & 2D and and DVD.
Other film releases out this week on both Blu-ray and DVD:
- Frau Im Mond (Woman In The Moon) (Blu-ray/DVD double pack)
Heli
The Informant
The Last Showing (Robert Englund)
Kelly Reichardt Box Set (Old Joy, Wendy and Lucy, Meek’s Cutoff)
The Washing Machine: Limited Edition Tin
The Werner Herzog Collection (18 films)
Other films on DVD:
- Adjust Your Tracking: The Untold Story Of The VHS Collector
Arthur & Mike (Colin Firth, Emily Blunt)
Cycling with Molière
Goddess (Ronan Keating)
A Good Man (Steven Seagal)
A Haunting in Massachusetts
I Am Divine
Ilo Ilo
When I Saw You
All other releases:
- Jethro Tull: Thick as a Brick (Blu-ray & DVD)
Justin Heyward: Spirits… Live At The Buckhead Theatre, Atlanta (Blu-ray & DVD)
Nekomonogatari Black (Blu-ray and DVD)
TV Series out this week on Blu-ray and DVD:
- Battlestar Galactica: The Final Season (Blu-ray)
The Boy From Space (1980) (DVD)
Coast Series 9 (DVD)
Elementary Season 2 (DVD)
Endeavour: The Collection (Pilot & Series 1-2) (DVD)
The Railway: Keeping Britain on Track (BBC Series) (DVD)
The Route Masters: Running London’s Roads (BBC Series) (DVD)
The Underground (BBC Series) (DVD)
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.