NATURE: THE STORY OF CATS” to DVD/BD in December

PBS Distribution announced today it is releasing “NATURE: THE STORY OF CATS” on DVD and Blu-ray. Cats are one of the most diverse and studied mammals in the world, yet only now is their real identity being understood. Evolutionary tricks and adaptations have contributed to their successful survival. In fact, all 37 species of the cat family behave similarly in the way they hunt, utilizing flexible spines and sharp teeth to catch their prey. No surprise, then, that they are one of the greatest predators since the dinosaurs and are still evolving.

“NATURE: THE STORY OF CATS ” chronicles the 11 million year history of how the most widespread carnivore on the planet evolved, from their roots in ancient rainforests to today’s popular house cat. The latest discoveries by scientists studying their physiology and behaviors are also incorporated into the series.

 “NATURE: THE STORY OF CATS” will be available on DVD and Blu-ray December 27, 2016. The run time of the program is approximately 120 minutes and the DVD SRP is $24.99 and the Blu-ray SRP 29.99. The program will also be available for digital download.

The first episode, Asia to Africa, shows how the first cats arose in the rainforests of Southeast Asia and moved throughout the continent adjusting to other environments such as high altitudes (snow leopard, Pallas’s cat) and frozen forests (Siberian tigers). The film introduces the most ancient type of cat existing today, the rare clouded leopard, whose genetic blueprint is shared by all cats. Learning how to become ambush predators through play is one of the crucial traits that all young members of the cat family must develop in order to survive in the wild. Cubs of species like the clouded leopard don’t have much time to master these skills before their mother forces them out to find their own territories as solitary predators. It is one of the reasons that around nine million years ago, the ancient tree climbing felines began to fan out all over Asia.

Deepwater Horizon Surfaces on DVD/BD on December 20

Academy Award nominee Mark Wahlberg* re-teams with director Peter Berg (Lone Survivor) in the tense, moving action drama Deepwater Horizon, arriving on Digital HD December 20th from

Summit Entertainment, a LIONSGATE Company. Filled with powerful performances and “white-knuckle tension” (USA Today) Deepwater Horizon will be available on 4K Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray and Digital HD), Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD), DVD and On Demand January 10. Rotten Tomatoes Certified Fresh, Deepwater Horizon honors the brave men and women whose heroism would save many on board, and change all of their lives forever. This epic story of survival also stars Kurt Russell (The Hateful Eight), Academy Award nominee John Malkovich (Best Supporting Actor, In the Line of Fire, 1993), Gina Rodriguez (TV’s “Jane the Virgin”), Dylan O’Brien (The Maze Runner franchise), and Academy Award nominee Kate Hudson (Best Supporting Actress, Almost Famous, 2000). 

Mark Wahlberg leads an all-star cast in this unforgettably powerful film inspired by a thrilling story of real-life heroes. For the one hundred and twenty-six people aboard the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig, April 20, 2010, began like any normal day. Before day’s end, the world would bear witness to one of the greatest man-made disasters in U.S. history. Deepwater Horizon reveals the brave acts of the men and women who rose to the challenge—and risked everything to lead others to safety.

Acclaimed "American Honey" Hits BD and DVD on December 27

Revealing the provocative, rebellious and impulsive lifestyle of a band of millennial road warriors, 2016 Cannes Jury Prize Winner American Honey hits Blu-ray (plus Digital HD) and DVD on

December 27 from Lionsgate. Theatrically released by A24, and written and directed by Academy Award winner Andrea Arnold (Best Short Film, Live Action, Wasp, 2004), critics are calling American Honey “a raunchy, rapturous teenage dream” (Entertainment Weekly) and “a new classic” (The Atlantic). Rotten Tomatoes Certified Fresh, the steamy film takes a raw and intimate look at modern-day adolescence. American Honey stars newcomer and breakout star Sasha Lane in a “fierce” (The New York Times) performance alongside Riley Keough (Mad Max: Fury Road) and Shia LaBeouf (Transformers franchise).

An astonishing portrait of youth on the American fringe, American Honey is told through the eyes of a vivacious teenage rebel who joins a group of fellow misfits hustling and partying their way across the country. Bursting with electric, primal energy, American Honey is an immersive, exhilarating odyssey of heartbreaking beauty — a generation-defining film that celebrates the defiant resilience of youth in pursuit of the American Dream.

In a Valley of Violence Rides in on DVD/BD on December 27

A mysterious drifter enters a forgotten town in the edgy action film, In a Valley of Violence, available on Blu-ray and DVD on December 27, 2016 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. From acclaimed director, Ti West (The Sacrament, The Innkeepers), and famed producer Jason Blum (Insidious, The Visit), the film stars Academy Award nominees; John Travolta (The People v. O.J. Simpson, Criminal Activities) and Ethan Hawke (Sinister 2, Maggie's Plan). The In a Valley of Violence Blu-ray and DVD include bonus content that takes viewers on a wild ride behind the scenes with an exciting inside look at the making of the film.

Ethan Hawke stars as Paul, a lone drifter who wanders into the forgotten town of Denton, Texas – dubbed by locals as the "valley of violence". There, he picks a fight with the wrong man, Gilly (James Ransone), the troublemaking son of the town's unforgiving Marshal (John Travolta).  As tensions arise between Paul and Gilly, an inevitable act of violence starts a disastrous chain reaction that quickly drags the whole town into the bloody crosshairs of revenge.  Only the world-weary Marshal struggles to stop the violent hysteria, but after a gruesome discovery about Paul's past...there's no stopping the escalation.

"I Am Bolt" Dashes to DVD on December 6

In cinemas around the world on November 28, I AM BOLT will give audiences a unique portrait of I AM BOLT the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt. With unprecedented access to the Olympic and sporting legend as he trains, travels, races and relaxes, the film also spotlights Bolt's other roles as best friend, teammate and son and will be available on DVD on December 6, 2016 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

With unparalleled access to all facets of his life on and off track, audiences will see for the very first time what being Usain Bolt is really like – from his grueling training schedule, major setbacks and challenges he faces in order to achieve his dreams on the global stage to his downtime with friends and family.

Featuring archive footage from Bolt's youth, in-depth interviews with those closest to him – his parents, best friends, agent, coach and fellow athletes – and fascinating footage shot by the man himself over a legacy-defining period in his career and life, I AM BOLT offers an intimate portrayal of a globally adored icon.

A MAN CALLED OVE Arrives on DVD/BD on December 27

Sweden’s official entry for the best foreign language film at the 89th Academy Awards, A  MAN CALLED OVE arrives on DVD, Blu-ray on December 27, 2016 (preorder November 22, 2016) by Music Box Films Home     Entertainment. Based on the international best-selling novel by Fredrik Backman, A MAN CALLED OVE is the film adaptation written and directed by Hannes Holm, which tells the story of an ill-tempered, easily-provoked old man whose world is shaken in ways he never would have imagined.
A MAN CALLED OVE (official trailer below) is one of Sweden’s most successful domestic films of all time and will be one of top grossing foreign language art house releases in the US this year with over 200 engagements in all major markets and a projected box office of nearly $2 million. A MAN CALLED OVE is also one of the best reviewed films of the year with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 92%.

With his irresistible adaptation and sterling direction, filmmaker Holm finds the beating heart of his source material, while Swedish star Rolf Lassgård, whose performance won him the Best Actor Award at the 2016 Seattle International Film Festival, affectingly embodies the lovable curmudgeon Ove.

"Kicks" Jumps in on DVD/BD on December 6

A boy and his two friends venture into the tough streets of East Oakland to retrieve a pair of stolen sneakers in the edgy drama Kicks.  The gritty tale from Focus World, available now on Digital HD and On Demand, comes to Blu-ray and DVD on December 6, 2016 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. The Blu-ray and DVD feature bonus content, including interviews with the cast as well as an official photo gallery that gives viewers an in-depth look inside the film's unique style – which earned it the Best Cinematography award at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival – and a deeper understanding of the story.

15-year-old Brandon (Jahking Guillory) longs for a pair of the freshest sneakers that money can buy – to help him escape the reality of being poor and picked on by everyone. Working hard to finally get the Kicks shoes, he finds they have made him a target after they are promptly snatched by a local hood. Brandon and his two best friends embark on a dangerous and exciting journey where nothing is as simple as it seems in this unique and memorable coming-of-age story. The cast includes Mahershala Ali (Marvel's Luke Cage).        
        

The film will be available on Blu-ray and Digital HD with UltraViolet and DVD.

• BLU-RAY unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6x the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound. 
• DVD offers the flexibility and convenience of playing movies in more places, both at home and away.
• DIGITAL HD with UltraViolet lets you watch movies anywhere, on any device. Users can instantly stream or download movies to watch on iPad, iPhone, Android, smart TVs, connected Blu-ray players, game consoles and more.

BONUS FEATURES ON BLU-RAY, DVD AND DIGITAL HD

• Kicks: One-on-One – The cast discusses the story at the core of Kicks.
• Photo Gallery

TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAY:Street Date: December 6, 2016
Copyright: 2016 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Selection Number: 62174463
Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2.40:1
Rating: Rated R for violence, drug/alcohol use and language throughout, and sexual content-involving teens
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French Subtitles 
Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/Dolby Digital 2.0
Run Time: 1 Hour 27 Minutes

TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD:Street Date: December 6, 2016
Copyright: 2016 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Selection Number: 62174468
Layers: Dual
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40:1
Rating: Rated R for violence, drug/alcohol use and language throughout, and sexual content – involving teens
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French Subtitles 
Sound: English Dolby Digital 5.1/Dolby Digital 2.0
Run Time: 1 Hour 27 Minutes