—Across the Line: The Exodus of Charlie Wright (already released; $27.98): Starring Aidan Quinn, Andy Garcia, Mario Van Peebles, Gina Gershon and many others, this indie drama focuses on financial guru Wright (Quinn), who flees to Mexico after his business is exposed as a Ponzi scheme. However, he has to contend with the FBI (Van Peebles and the hot Jordan Belfi, who plays a gay agent); a gang lord (Garcia); and hit men (headed by another hot guy, Luke Goss) while searching for his daughter. What could be a routine shoot-'em-up is leveled by looks into the backgrounds of the main characters—which could have you sympathizing with all of them.
—Blackmail Boys (Aug. 30; $19.99): TLA Releasing's 67-minute follow-up to the Shumanski brothers' 2009 drama, Wrecked, features Nathan Adloff as art-school student Sam, who turns to prostitution after moving to Chicago to pay his bills. Boyfriend Aaron (Taylor Reed) joins Sam, and they embark on a twisted journey. Extras include a making-of featurette and Q&A footage from the movie's New York City premiere.
—Blue Mountain State: Season Two (Sept. 13; $29.98): I remember laughing out loud constantly during the first season of this bawdy comedy set at a college—especially when Cloris Leachman did some naughty things to members of the titular football team. The second season of the SPIKE TV series (released on Lionsgate) promises to be just as nasty—and comedic. Guest stars include Denise Richards, Stacy Keibler, UFC's Chuck Liddell and NFL greats Bill Parcells, Bill Romanowski, Boomer Esiason and Brian Bosworth.
—The Conspirator (Aug. 16; $29.95): The true story behind one of the world's most well-known assassination as Lionsgate debuts this film that stars Robin Wright and James McAvoy. During a courtoom trial involving the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, an attorney realizes that his client may be innocent. The rest of the all-star cast includes Kevin Kline, Danny Huston, Evan Rachel Wood and Tom Wilkinson.
—The Conversation (Oct. 25; $24.99 on Blu-ray): The classic Francis Ford Coppola thriller, nominated for three Oscars, is on Blu-ray for the first time. Gene Hackman stars in the film as an expert wire-tapper and spy who becomes ensnared in a web of murder and secrecy.
—The Fish Child (already released; $19.95): The Fish Child (El Niño Pez), the latest film from celebrated Argentine director Lucia Puenzo (XXY), tells a tale of forbidden lesbian romance and a crime heist gone awry that boasts beautiful cinematography and performances Inés Efron and Argentine pop star-turned-actress Mariela Vitale, who portrays the title character. The movie also stars Carlos Bardem, brother of Javier Bardem.
—Goblin (already released; $26.98): I hate to say it, but Halloween will be here before you know it—so you might as well get in the mood. Hunky Gil Bellows (from TV's Ally McBeal and the film The Shawshank Redemption) and veteran actor Donnelly Rhodes co-star in the film about denizens of a small town who are haunted by the title creature each Halloween.
—Leading Ladies (Sept. 13; $24.95): Rhythmic movement is at the center of this movie from Wolfe Video in which one woman becomes pregnant while her sister plans to come out of the closet, putting their mother's pursuit of the midwest Regional Ballroom Competition in jeopardy. The film stars choreographer Melanie LaPatin of So You Think You Can Dance and also features dancers from that show, including Kherington Payne (Fame) and Benji Schwimmer. Special features include outtakes as well as alternate and extended scenes.
—The Lincoln Lawyer (already released; $29.95): For the men, there are Matthew McConaughey and Ryan Phillippe; for the women, you have Katherine Moennig (Shane on TV's The L Word). You also have a slew of other recognizable actors—including William H. Macy (as an investigator who may be gay), Marisa Tomei, Bryan Cranston, Josh Lucas and John Leguizamo—in this Lionsgate thriller about attorney Mick Haller (McConaughey) defending a playboy (Phillippe) who could also be a murderer. Special features include a one-on-one with McConaughey and Michael Connelly, who wrote the best-selling novel of the same name.
—The Presence (Oct. 4; $19.98): Oscar winner Mira Sorvino, Justin Kirk (Weeds; Angels in America) and Shane West co-star in this Lionsgate film about a woman who is stalked by an increasingly possessive spirit. Extras include a making-of featurette; audio commentary with the writer-director; and storyboards with commentary.
—Prime Suspect, Series 1 and 2 (Aug. 23; $24.99 each): See the series that started it all. Oscar and Emmy winner Helen Mirren entrances as Detective Jane Tennison in this police drama originally broadcast on PBS. In the opening series, DCI Tennison seizes the opportunity to head a murder investigation while also dealing with sexism and her own demons. Acorn Media previously released Prime Suspect: The Complete Collection in September 2010 (DVD 9-vol. boxed set, $124.99).
—Wishful Drinking (Sept. 13; $19.98): In the HBO adaptation of her acclaimed autobiographical stage production, actress/author/Hollywood royalty Carrie Fisher gives a raucous performance that slowly strips away her celebrity veneer with unflinching honesty, discussing everyone from her own father, Eddie Fisher, to Star Wars mastermind George Lucas. Wishful Drinking on DVD includes "My Alleged Mother," an exclusive and candid interview with Fisher's mom, actress Debbie Reynolds; and deleted scenes.
*All prices are for the items on DVD (not Blu-Ray), unless otherwise indicated.
—Andrew Davis
(Andrew@WindyCityMediaGroup.com )
