Phil Villarreal's novel, Zeta Male, is available at Amazon.
TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) Here are the best of this week's crop of home video releases:
Ballers: Season 1
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson continues to expand is repertoire, starring as a former NFL player turned agent who is making his way in the cut-throat business. While unafraid to deal with the brutal side of the business, the half-hour comedy takes on the feel-good tone of "Entourage," infusing you into a world of thrills and excess. The Blu-ray/digital copy combo includes 2-minute "Inside the Episode" featurettes for each episode.
The Confirmation
Clive Owen stars in this downbeat character study, about an alcoholic absentee dad who bonds with his estranged son over an unlikely weekend spent scrounging for stolent tools, fixing a vehicle and learning some hard lessons about life. A low-key heartwarmer, the film is an excellent rental for those looking for something different. The Blu-ray/digital copy combo has featurettes that explore the characters and actors' performances.
Hail, Caesar!
Taking a turn into wacky farce, the Coen brothers enlist George Clooney, Channing Tatum, Josh Brolin and Jonah Hill to pay a gently mocking tribute to Hollywood in the mid-20th century. Zany capers, oddball conspiracies and hard-boiled yarn -- as well as a showstopping dance number led by Tatum -- intermingle for a joyous film experience (read my full review here). Extras in the Blu-ray/DVD/digital copy combo include cast interviews and several featurettes about themes in the film.
Hello, My Name is Doris
Sally Field shows she's got plenty left in the tank, delivering a standout performance as an aging office drone who finds new passion by pursuing a delusional crush on a much younger coworker (Max Greenfield). The Field character is at the same time wince-inducing and inspiring, as she makes new friends, discovers a passion for electronica music and turns heads at home and at work. The Blu-ray boasts an alternate opening, deleted and extended scenes and filmmaker commentary.
The League: The Final Season
The FX comedy, about a group of fesity frenemies who go at each others' throats in an online fantasy football league they take way too seriously, finishes on a strong note. The gang runs into real-life pros, gather for crazy schemes and take pleasure in humiliating each other, just as fans have come to expect over the series run, which spanned the better part of a decade. A gag reel, extended episodes and deleted scenes fill out the DVD package.
Shaun the Sheep: The Farmer's Llamas
Hot off of last year's silver screen expedition, the stop-motion British charmer continues his adventures in this TV special about llamas that visit a family farm. The DVD includes two bonus episodes and featurettes about the llamas, the director's philosophy and the making of the film.
Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness 4K
The two J.J. Abrams-directed "Star Trek" films blast onto 4K, looking and sounding far better than they ever had on home video. Available separetely, the films make for one heck of a warm up for the third film, due in theaters this summer. The movie's effects shine in ultra-HD, bolstering the strong character work Abrams and company provided in the films, which rejuvenated the franchise. Extras in the 4K/Blu-ray combo inlcude digital copies and an overwhelming amount of extras, examining various facets of the film and franchise as a whole.
Studios provided review screeners.
