DVD previews: 'Selma,' 'Black or White'
Here's a look at DVDs coming out Tuesday, May 5:
"Selma" (PG-13, 127 minutes, Paramount): Director Ava DuVernay has created a stirring, often thrilling, uncannily timely drama that works on several levels at once. Yes, it's an impressive historic pageant, and one that will no doubt break the ice for similar-themed movies to come. But DuVernay has also rescued the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. from his role as a worshipped - and sentimentalized - secular saint. The most riveting passages of "Selma," which chronicles three marches King planned and finally led from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., in 1965, aren't the speeches and skirmishes that led up to the marches but instead can be found in the meetings between King (David Oyelowo) and President Lyndon Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) as they argued the issue of voting rights. Oyelowo doesn't mimic King so much as channel him: His voice, devoid of King's familiar church-bell timbre, is his own, and he uses it to create a bona fide character rather than a superficial impersonation. Contains thematic material, violence, a suggestive moment and language. Extras include commentary, deleted and extended scenes, featurettes, and a music video of the Oscar-winning "Glory" featuring John Legend and Common.
"Black or White" (PG-13, 121 minutes, Fox): A grandfather (Kevin Costner) is suddenly left to care for his beloved granddaughter (impressively played by cute-as-a-button Jillian Estell). When her paternal grandmother (Octavia Spencer) seeks custody with the help of her brother (Anthony Mackie), things get ugly with finger-pointing, dirt-digging and accusations of racism. The girl, meanwhile, is torn between two families who love her deeply. The performances are fantastic, with Costner acting in his trademark low-key naturalistic style and Spencer as the picture of no-nonsense maternal love. But their efforts can't make up for overly simplified characters, not to mention melodramatic exchanges. Contains language, drug use, drinking and violence. Extras include a making-of featurette. Also, on Blu-ray: a Costner and "Family First" featurettes.
Also: "Mr. Turner," "Spare Parts," "Miss Julie," "Against the Sun," "The Last Five Years," "Amira & Sam," "Lost Rivers," "Love, Rosie," "Goodfellas 25th Anniversary Edition," "Great Figures of the Bible" (1999), "Frank Sinatra: 5 Film Collection," "Hating Obama," "Mad Max Collector's Edition" (1979) and "Mahogany The Couture Edition" (1975).
Television series: "Masters of Sex: Season Two," "Masterpiece: Mr. Selfridge Season 3," "Dancing on the Edge," "Jamaica Inn," "Halt and Catch Fire: First Season," "Sesame Street: Elmo The Musical Volume 2: Learn and Imagine," "White Collar: Complete Collection," "Scooby-Doo! 13 Spooky Tales: Surf's Up Scooby-Doo!" and "Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal Season 1."
Coming out Friday, May 8:
"Fifty Shades of Grey" (R, 125 minutes, Universal): Adaptation of E.L. James' best-selling erotic novel about a kinky billionaire and a virginal college student is a better film than the source material deserves. Director Sam Taylor-Johnson and screenwriter Kelly Marcel stripped out the more idiotic dialogue, streamlined the preposterous plot and, most important, cast Dakota Johnson, the daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, in the lead role. Johnson brings a steady stream of humor to the part of college senior Anastasia Steele, while also nailing the sexy ingénue vibe. Irish actor Jamie Dornan portrays the wounded moneymaker with such restraint that he never channels anything more than his own good looks. Contains strong sexual content, language and nudity. Extras include a behind-the-scenes look and a featurette that offers profiles of cast members. Also, on Blu-ray: unrated version, profiles of Dornan and Johnson, and the characters they play, featurettes, set tours and music videos from Skylar Grey, The Weeknd and Ellie Goulding.