advertisement

DVD previews: 'Fury,' 'The Judge' come to video

Here's a look at DVDs coming out Tuesday, Jan. 27:

"Fury" (R, 132 minutes, Sony): This bloody World War II action film takes its name from the sobriquet of a Sherman tank, emblazoned on its barrel. But the real action takes place inside the battered vehicle, among members of its tight-knit crew. Set in 1945, during the Allies' final push into Germany, "Fury" is a tale whose message can be summed up as follows: "Ideals are peaceful; history is violent." But the better story centers on the man who delivers that nihilistic assessment, the battle-scarred tank commander known as Wardaddy (Brad Pitt), a kind of damaged, tough-but-tender father figure. As rendered by filmmaker David Ayer ("End of Watch"), the combat narrative in "Fury" makes for the more familiar of two competing story lines. Although filmed with a visceral beauty, the movie is only passably interesting as a war movie. Contains violence and language. Extras include a "Blood Brothers" featurette. Also, on Blu-ray: deleted and extended scenes and three featurettes.

"The Judge" (R, 141 minutes, Warner): "The Judge," a courtroom procedural tucked into the folds of a family melodrama, feels like one of its own characters, a onetime champ who could have made it to the big leagues, had his potential not been squandered by someone else's poor choices. The movie certainly has casting on its side, as heavyweights Robert Downey Jr. (playing predatory Chicago defense attorney Hank Palmer) and Oscar nominee Robert Duvall (his estranged father) trade punches in a mutual game of rope-a-dope. Contains language and sexual situations. Extras include a "Getting Deep With Dax Shepard" featurette. Also, on Blu-ray: commentary by director David Dobkin, an "Inside The Judge" featurette and deleted scenes

"The Remaining" (PG-13, 83 minutes, Sony): A low-budget, low-impact attempt to rewrite the Book of Revelation as a horror flick, beginning at the hotel wedding of Skylar (Alexa Vega) and Dan (Bryan Dechart). The bride's devout Christian parents would have preferred a church, but Skylar's not the truest of believers. The reception has barely started when the end times begin. The souls of the faithful are transported - or "raptured" - to heaven, leaving a disconcerting array of corpses. Then come the fires, storms, demons and loud noises. The movie relies on the instinctual human fear of death, but its message is that dying is a promotion. So why do the dwindling wedding party mourn the ones they've lost? Contains violence and thematic elements. Extras include a deleted scene and a making-of featurette.

Also: "Days and Nights," "The Seagull," "Big Driver," "Open Windows," "La Cienaga," "Why Don't You Play In Hell?" "Mas Negro Que La Noche ("Darker Than Night"), "Born of War," "The Story of Women and Art" and "Feed the Gods."

Television series: "Downton Abbey Season 5," "Mama's Family: Mama's Favorites, Season Four" and "Maison Close: Season One."

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.