By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Mr. Holmes and the latest Terminator film are on Blu-ray, DVD
ded63ae3db2c7f1b81483c8f97ad95e34c83abc295380b8cb63ad7ed6be99d94
Ryan Reynolds is the subject of a sci-fi experiment in "Self/less," now on Blu-ray and DVD. - photo by Chris Hicks
A Sherlock Holmes movie that imagines the detective at age 93 arrives on Blu-ray and DVD this week, along with Arnold Schwarzeneggers return to the franchise that made him a box-office superstar 30 years ago.

Mr. Holmes (Lionsgate, 2015, PG, featurettes). With two currently successful TV series about Sherlock Holmes, both set in the modern day, as well as dozens of past varied incarnations, you might understandably think there isnt much more that can be done with the worlds greatest detective.

And then along comes this one, a first-rate iteration set in post-World War II rural England, which finds a retired Holmes in his 90s (Ian McKellen), keeping bees and attempting to rewrite an important case. Holmes feels his late friend Dr. Watson fictionalized the story a bit too much, but as dementia makes inroads, hes having trouble recalling the true events. He also finds himself encouraged through a friendship with a young boy whose father was killed in the war and whose mother (Laura Linney) is his stressed-out housekeeper.

The result is a completely engaging comedy-drama, beautifully shot on location and directed with attention to detail by Bill Condon (best known for the final two Twilight movies) and impeccably performed by a sterling cast, led by McKellen, who deserves to be remembered around Oscar time.

Terminator Genisys (Paramount, 2015, PG-13, featurettes). Strange, less-than-satisfying reboot of the Terminator franchise No. 5 in the series essentially reworks the origin storys framework into a sequel with an altered timeline as John Connor (Jason Clarke) sends Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) back in time to protect Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke) but instead finds shes a soldier fighting against Skynet with her guardian Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger). J.K. Simmons and Matt Smith co-star.

Self/less (Universal, 2015, PG-13, audio commentary, featurettes). This so-so sci-fi borrows liberally from dozens of other films, ranging from Frankenstein to The Bourne Identity, as the consciousness of a dying billionaire (Ben Kingsley) is implanted into an artificially grown younger body (Ryan Reynolds). But Reynolds has hallucinatory flashbacks that send him in search of the secret behind what seems to be a memory. Co-stars include Matthew Goode, Michelle Dockery, Victor Garber and Derek Luke.

Zarafa (Cinedigm, 2015, not rated, in dubbed English or in French with English subtitles, featurettes, trailers). This beautifully animated French childrens fable set in the early 19th century follows Maki, a 10-year-old Sudanese orphan who escapes across the savannah, becomes protector to an orphaned baby giraffe named Zarafa and goes through a variety of adventures, from heading aloft in a balloon headed for Paris to landing on a pirate ship.

Two Men in Town (Cohen, 1973, not rated, in French with English subtitles, audio commentary, trailers; eight-page photo booklet). Set in the 1950s, this low-key melodrama follows an ex-safe cracker (Alain Delon) released early from prison and determined to go straight. But, of course, the old gang comes calling, and worse, a dogged police detective (Jean Gabin) wants to send him back. It's the third and final teaming of the two stars, with Delon particularly effective. Based on experiences of director/co-writer Jose Giovanni. American actress Mimsy Farmer co-stars; young Gerard Depardieu has a small role.

A Tale of Two Thieves (Virgil, 2014, not rated,). The story of Englands Great Train Robbery when 2.6 million pounds was taken from the Royal Mail Train during a meticulously staged crime some 50 years ago has been told and retold in numerous documentaries and dramatic re-creations. The focus of this documentary is robbery participant Gordon Goody, now in his 80s, who opens up about his life of crime and names a member of the gang that had previously remained elusive.

Trainwreck (Universal, 2015; R for sex, nudity, language, drugs; R-rated and unrated versions, deleted/extended scenes, audio commentary, featurettes, bloopers, trailers). Amy Schumer wrote and stars in this sleazy romantic comedy, directed by Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin) about a writer who doesnt believe in monogamy and who panics when she falls for the subject (Bill Hader) of an article shes writing.

Flowers in the Attic/Petals on the Wind/If There Be Thorns/Seeds of Yesterday (Lionsgate, 2014-15, not rated). The popular four-film Flowers in the Attic TV franchise, based on V.C. Andrews books and produced for the Lifetime Channel, stars Ellen Burstyn and Heather Graham in horror stories about abused children and incest in the ultimate dysfunctional family.
Sign up for our e-newsletters