By David Weiner
9:09 AM PDT, August 2, 2011
Anne Hathaway & Jesse Eisenberg voice the colorful birds of 'Rio,' plus "United States of Tara," 'Spy Kids,' 'Conan the Barbarian,' 'Ferris Bueller' and more in this week's new releases.
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'Conan the Barbarian' & 'Conan the Destroyer' on Blu-ray
Universal Home Entertainment
As you prepare for the return of 'Conan the Barbarian' on the big screen August 19 -- starring Jason Momoa as the sword-wilding Cimmerian -- travel back in time to the hugely entertaining original adventures starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, now on Blu-ray! In 1982's 'Conan the Barbarian,' directed by John Milius and co-written by Oliver Stone, Conan teams up with a thief (Gerry Lopez), a wizard (Mako) and a beautiful warrior (Sandahl Bergman) to track down the snake cult leader (James Earl Jones) who destroyed his village, enslaved him and murdered his parents. In 1984's more campy 'Conan the Destroyer,' the muscled hero adds Grace Jones and basketball great Wilt Chamberlain to his band of fighters in a quest to rescue a young princess (Olivia d'Abo) and steal a magic crystal from a magic fortress.
'Better Off Dead...' on Blu-ray
Paramount Home Entertainment
I want my two dollars! The classic '80s dark comedy stars John Cusack as Lane Meyer, an awkward teen who decides he's, well, better off dead after his girlfriend (Amanda Wyss) dumps him for a more popular guy -- until he befriends a beautiful foreign exchange student (Diane Franklin) who helps him turn his life around. Also starring Curtis Armstrong, David Ogden Stiers, Taylor Negron and Vincent Schiavelli.
'The Magnificent Seven' & 'The Return of The Magnificent Seven' on Blu-ray
MGM Home Entertainment
The landmark 1960 western classic and its equally classic 1966 follow-up are now on Blu-ray! The Western that launched the film careers of Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson and James Coburn also stars Eli Wallach, Robert Vaughn and Yul Brynner as gunfighters hired by a small Mexican village tired of being ravaged by an army of marauding bandits. In the thrilling sequel, the legendary Magnificent Seven thunder through Mexico in search of their compatriot, who has been taken hostage by a band of desperados.
'Spy Kids' 1-3 on Blu-ray
Lionsgate
'Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4D' explodes into theaters August 19, so what better way to get primed than to watch the first three 'Spy Kids' flicks on beautiful Blu-ray? Follow the adventures of top-secret spies Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino and their spy kids, Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara, as they battle baddies including Sylvester Stallone and Alan Cumming in 'Spy Kids,' 'Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams' and 'Spy Kids 3: Game Over,' all written and directed by Robert Rodriguez.
'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' 25th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray
Paramount Home Entertainment
The John Hughes '80s classic is back to celebrate its 25th anniversary on Blu-ray. Matthew Broderick is Ferris Bueller, the most popular guy in high school who decides to call in sick (or, shall we say, barf up a lung?) and go on a downtown Chicago adventure with girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara) and best bud Cameron (Alan Ruck) -- all the while dodging Principal Rooney (Jeffrey Jones), who knows that Ferris has to be up to no good!
'MST3K vs. Gamera'
Shout Factory
This 5-disc deluxe edition in a collectible tin features the hilarious, wisecracking "Mystery Science Theater 3000" crew -- Joel Robinson and his faithful sidekicks Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot--as they take on five fire-breathing Gamera flicks: 'Gamera,' 'Gamera vs. Barugon,' 'Gamera vs. Gaos,' 'Gamera vs. Guiron' and 'Gamera vs. Zigra.'
'Exporting Raymond'
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Talk about lost in translation! This amusing, frustrating and insightful documentary follows Emmy-winning "Everybody Loves Raymond" creator Phil Rosenthal as he struggles to adapt one of America's favorite sitcoms into a successful Russian TV show, "Everybody Loves Kostya." Can he cross the cultural divide and find common ground in comedy?
'United States of Tara' The Third Season
Showtime
Toni Collette is back in her award-winning role as one woman haunted by a cast of characters -- all in her own head -- in the quirky comedy from the mind of writer Diablo Cody. In season three, the battle for the student body begins when Tara goes back to college with all of her alter egos, who quickly turn the school upside down and send her family's complicated, ridiculous life into a tail spin. Eddie Izzard guest stars alongside John Corbett, Rosemarie DeWitt, Brie Larson and Keir Gilchrist.
'Eastbound & Down' The Complete Second Season
HBO
Danny McBride is back with more outrageous behavior as the foul-mouthed, washed-up former Major League pitcher Kenny Powers. In season two of the hit HBO show, Powers has left his North Carolina life behind to lick his wounds and make a fresh start in a small Mexican town -- and to bless the locals with his awesomeness. Michael Pena also stars.
'Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost'
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Tom Selleck is back in the newest installment of the popular crime drama series. Adapted from characters created in the late Robert B. Parker's bestselling novels, the mystery follows Jesse Stone, chief of police in the small town of Paradise, MA, as he sets out to avenge the lost innocence and subsequent death of a young girl he once mentored. Kathy Baker, Saul Rubinek, William Sadler and William Devane also star.
'Soul Surfer'
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
The incredible true story of one-armed surfer Bethany Hamilton splashes onto the big screen with this heartwarming, inspirational tale starring Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, Carrie Underwood and AnnaSophia Robb as Bethany. Bethany lost her arm in a shark attack at age 13. Lucky to survive, she defied the odds and pursued her passion for riding the waves, going on to compete and win professional surfing competitions.
'Rio'
20th Century Fox
Anne Hathaway and Jesse Eisenberg lend their voices to this fun animated tale of two domestic macaws caught up in a South American adventure. Jane Lynch, Jamie Foxx, George Lopez, Tracy Morgan and Leslie Mann also lend their voices to the story of Blu, a sheltered, endangered bird living the cush life in Minnesota. When Blu is separated from his owner in Rio de Janeiro, he must fend for himself in the wild and learn to fly in order to escape a group of bungling animal smugglers.