‘The Raid: Redemption’ is all about the action
Survival is the theme of two new DVD releases this week.
“The Raid: Redemption” : This ultra-violent story of a special tactical team’s ill-fated raid on a high-rise run by a crime boss is the best battle in a building since Bruce Willis blasted his way through “Die Hard.” Compare the violence in the two movies and “Die Hard” comes across like an evening in a luxury suite.
This isn’t the kind of movie where you expect anything more than a superficial story line and stereotypical characters. Rama (Iko Uwais) is a rookie cop who is about to become a father. He’s assigned to a team invading a tenement and has to deal with a personal mission along the way. His mission is the second-least-interesting part of the film behind the bland title.
Plot and character development are beaten out of existence because it’s all about the action. There’s never a dull moment.
“Dexter: The Sixth Season” : The cable series starring Michael C. Hall gets better with each season because of brilliant writing and the convincing performance by Hall as a serial killer who works in a Miami police department. The cliffhanger at the end will make you want to subscribe to Showtime just to see what happens in the next season.
As always, Dexter’s killing rivals, played by Colin Hanks and Edward James Olmos, are solid and that makes for an engaging game of cat-and-killer mouse.
Also out on DVD this week
“Community: The Complete Third Season”: Bonus material includes “A Glee-ful Community Christmas” feature.
“Breathless”: Texas Gothic tale starring Gina Gershon and Kelli Giddish.
“Jaws”: The Steven Spielberg film is now on Blu-ray.
“Dance Moms: Season One”: Lifetime series looks at the pursuit of the ultimate National Dance title.
“Elmo’s Alphabet Challenge”: Includes seven video game spoofs.
“The Smurfs and the Magic Flute”: Animated film starring the real blue crew.
“Titanic: 100 Years in 3D”: Combines 3-D imagery of the wreck with stories of passengers and crew.
“Suddenly Single”: A contemporary love story starring Garcelle Beauvais.
“Assassin’s Bullet”: Former FBI field agent (Christian Slater) investigates killings of high-priority terrorists.
“Happy Endings: The Complete First & Second Seasons”: Elisha Cuthbert stars in this ABC comedy.
“American Pickers: Volume Four”: Two antique hunters dig through homes and barns.
“Pawn Stars: Season Five”: Rick Harrison and crew deal with more buyers and sellers.
“Glee: The Complete Third Season”: Chris Colfer stars.
“August”: A look at love and intimacy in the modern world.
“Fresh Beat: The Wizard of Song”: Marina gets swept into the lands of Oz.
“Stallone Collection”: Includes “Rambo: First Blood,” “Cop Land” and “Lock Up.”
“Vega$: The Third Season Volume 2”: Robert Urich stars.
“Kill List”: An ex-soldier becomes a contract killer.
“Marvel Knights Astonishing X-Men: Torn”: Emma Frost’s erratic behavior sends the team into a spiral.
“Tonight You’re Mine”: Two feuding rockers get handcuffed together.
“Jay & Silent Bob Get Old”: Jay and Silent Bob go to England.
“Madness”: A quiet weekend is ruined by a murderer.
“Juan of the Dead”: Alexis Diaz de Villegas stars.
“Tai Chi - Discover the Ancient Art”: Jian Liu Jun offers help with exercise and meditation.
“Traintastic Adventure”: Latest release in the “Chuggington” saga.