Top DVDs: Western remains magnificent for home-viewing
According to my estimates, the DVD/Blu-ray Disc rentals and sales offerings (all subject to change and based on staff and web reviews; NP means not previewed) include:
New releases
1. “The Magnificent Seven” (PG-13); Grade: B with Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt in an exciting reboot of the Western favorite.
2. “Sully” (PG-13); Grade: A; with Tom Hanks in director Clint Eastwood’s drama about the “Miracle on the Hudson” water landing.
3. “Suicide Squad: Extended Cut” (Unrated) Grade: NP; with Will Smith, Jared Leto and Margot Robbie in an extended adaptation of the DC Comic about supervillains who participate in government missions.
4. “The Secret Life of Pets” (PG); Grade: A-; with the voices of Kevin Hart, Ellie Kemper and Louis C.K. in the animated smash about what pets do when their owners are away from home.
5. “Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life” (PG); Grade: NP; with Lauren Graham and Griffin Gluck in a comedy about a quiet teen who grows tired of his school’s obsession with the rules and stifling creativity.
6. “Blair Witch” (R); Grade: D; with Callie Hernandez and Brandon Scott in a flat reboot of the found-footage fright favorite.
7. “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” (PG-13); Grade: B; with Tim Burton directing a visually impressive dark fantasy.
8. “Jason Bourne” (PG-13); Grade: B; with Matt Damon returning for the fourth time as the agent who seeks the secrets of his past.
9. “Florence Foster Jenkins” (PG-13); Grade: A-; with Meryl Streep in the art-house hit about a socialite who plans to perform at Carnegie Hall despite a questionable amount of talent.
10. “The BFG” (PG); Grade: B; with Mark Rylance and Ruby Barnhill in Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of the Roald Dahl children’s book about a friendly giant.
11. “Don’t Breathe” (R); Grade: A-; with Jane Levy and Stephen Lang in the hit chiller about a robbery gone very wrong.
12. “Snowden” (R); Grade: B; with Joseph Gordon-Levitt in director Oliver Stone’s drama about the former government contractor who leaked classified information involving U.S. surveillance programs in 2013 and was charged with espionage.
13. “American Honey” (R); Grade: NP; with Sasha Lane, Shia LaBeouf and Riley Keough in a road picture about the lifestyle of teen drifters.
14. “Storks” (PG); Grade: NP; with the voices of Andy Samberg, Jennifer Aniston, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele and Danny Trejo in a computer animated tale about a stork transporting a baby home.
15. “Finding Dory” (PG); Grade: A; with the voices of Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks and Idris Elba in the Disney/Pixar computer-animated smash that grossed more than $1 billion globally.
Making the grade
1. 1. “The Magnificent Seven” (PG-13); Grade: B
2. “Sully” (PG-13); Grade: A
3. “Suicide Squad: Extended Cut” (Unrated); Grade: NP
4. “Storks” (PG); Grade: NP
5. “The Secret Life of Pets” (PG); Grade: A-
6 . “Jason Bourne” (PG-13); Grade: B
7. “Finding Dory” (PG); Grade: A
8. “Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life” (PG); Grade NP
9. “Blair Witch” (R); Grade: D
10. “American Honey” (R); Grade: NP