KOKO: THE GORILLA WHO TALKS, out now on DVD

PBS Distribution released “KOKO: THE GORILLA WHO TALKS” on DVD. It’s been more than 40 years since Koko, the only “talking” gorilla in the world, captivated the public with her uncanny ability to communicate with humans. Her unique life, which she continues to share with Penny Patterson, the psychologist who adopted her as a baby, is revisited in-depth in this new documentary.

The program takes viewers back to 1971, when Project Koko started as Penny Patterson’s Ph.D. assignment to teach sign language to a baby gorilla. As Koko began to communicate with Penny, an intense bond formed between them and the teacher transformed into both mother figure and companion for more than four decades. The public’s fascination with Koko made her a star.

“KOKO: THE GORILLA WHO TALKS” is available now on DVD, out  August 9, 2016. The run time of the program is approximately 60 minutes and has an SRP of $24.99. The program will also be available for digital download.
Koko’s unique life has been filmed every step of the way; more than 2,000 hours of footage exist, capturing the dramatic moments, many of which appear in this film, including Penny’s battle to keep Koko from being reclaimed by the zoo where she was born, Penny’s clash with academic critics who doubt the validity of her claims, the founding of The Gorilla Foundation, and the image of Koko mourning the death of her kitten – a moment that bought her international fame. 

“KOKO: THE GORILLA WHO TALKS” is presented as part of a multi-title co-production deal among PBS, BBC and BBC Worldwide North America. The partnership provides a pipeline of the high-quality, entertaining factual programs that PBS and BBC audiences have come to expect.


KOKO: THE GORILLA WHO TALKS
Street Date: August 9, 2016
Genre: Documentary
Run Time: 60 minutes
SRP: DVD $24.99
Format: DVD

PBS to Release Brit Crime Drama, The Tunnel on dvd/BD

PBS Distribution announced today it is releasing the critically acclaimed British crime drama “THE TUNNEL” on DVD and Blu-ray. “THE TUNNEL” from the makers of the Broadchurch series is set against the backdrop of Europe in crisis. When a prominent French politician is found dead in the middle of the Channel Tunnel, straddling the border between the UK and France, detectives Karl Roebuck, played by Stephen Dillane (Game of Thrones) and Elise Wassermann, played by Clémence Poésy (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Parts I and II) are sent to investigate on behalf of their respective countries. The case takes a surreal turn when a shocking discovery is made at the crime scene, forcing the French and British police into an uneasy partnership. As the serial killer uses ever more elaborate and ingenious methods to highlight the moral bankruptcy of modern society, Karl and Elise are drawn deeper into his increasingly personal agenda.

“THE TUNNEL” will be available on DVD and Blu-ray August 9, 2016. The run time of this program is approximately 450 minutes on 3 discs. The DVD SRP is $49.99 and the Blu-ray SRP is $59.99. The DVD and Blu-ray also includes 20 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage, cast interviews, and more.

BBC's The Tunnel announced for August 9 release

PBS Distribution announced today it is releasing the critically acclaimed British crime drama “THE TUNNEL” on DVD and Blu-ray. “THE TUNNEL” from the makers of the Broadchurch series is set against the backdrop of Europe in crisis. When a prominent French politician is found dead in the middle of the Channel Tunnel, straddling the border between the UK and France, detectives Karl Roebuck, played by Stephen Dillane (Game of Thrones) and Elise Wassermann, played by Clémence Poésy (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Parts I and II) are sent to investigate on behalf of their respective countries. The case takes a surreal turn when a shocking discovery is made at the crime scene, forcing the French and British police into an uneasy partnership. As the serial killer uses ever more elaborate and ingenious methods to highlight the moral bankruptcy of modern society, Karl and Elise are drawn deeper into his increasingly personal agenda.

“THE TUNNEL” will be available on DVD and Blu-ray August 9, 2016. The run time of this program is approximately 450 minutes on 3 discs. The DVD SRP is $49.99 and the Blu-ray SRP is $59.99. The DVD and Blu-ray also includes 20 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage, cast interviews, and more. The program will also be available for digital download.

“THE TUNNEL” is based on the original hit Swedish series from Filmlance International “The Bridge,” created by Hans Rosenfeldt, Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein, “THE TUNNEL” is a Sky Atlantic HD UK and CANAL+ France co-production from Kudos and Shine France Films in association with Filmlance and distributed by Endemol Shine International. Executive producers include Jane Featherstone, Manda Levin, Karen Wilson and Ben Richards alongside Nora Melhli, Director of Drama at Shine France Films and Lars Blomgren, Managing Director of Filmlance. The series is produced by Ruth Kenley-Letts.

Deep Purple's "Live at the NEC" out on DVD in September

On September 14, 2002, hard rock pioneers Deep Purple took the stage for a landmark concert at the NEC in Birmingham, England to bid farewell to founding member and keyboard legend Jon Lord.

 

On August 26, Eagle Rock Entertainment will deliver this very concert with the release of Live At The NEC on DVD and Digital formats [MSRP $14.99]. Previously only available as part of the Around The World Live boxed set, this film is being made available for the first time as a standalone DVD.

One of the most emotional concerts in Deep Purple’s long career, Live At The NEC is a unique experience in that it features both their keyboard players on stage – Jon Lord and Don Airey. Lord had announced his retirement earlier that year, and Airey was subsequently brought on board. Airey serves as the principal keyboardist throughout the show, culminating in a solo before the lights drop, and Jon Lord appears for a storming version of “Perfect Strangers.” The two share keyboard duties for the rest of the night, in a fitting passing-of-the-torch moment.

At 109 minutes total, Deep Purple (Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Steve Morse, Ian Paice, Lord and Airey) kick out all the classics: “Smoke On The Water,” “Woman From Tokyo,” “Space Truckin’,” “Highway Star,” “Speed King,” “Lazy,” “Hush,” and more. In addition to this fantastic set, Live At The NEC includes bonus interviews with Ian Gillan and Roger Glover.

Jungle Book Comes to Life on DVD, Blu-ray August 30.

And venture deep into the jungle with in-depth bonus features.

Audiences were mesmerized by Disney's live-action epic adventure "The Jungle Book," which has earned more than $911 million at the global box office to date. Critically acclaimed, Jon Favreau's stunning live-action reimagining of Walt Disney's animated classic, will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD on August 30.

MASTERPIECE MYSTERY!: INSPECTOR LEWIS SEASON 8 on DVD/BD in August

PBS Distribution announced it will release “MASTERPIECE MYSTERY!: INSPECTOR LEWIS SEASON 8” on DVD and Blu-ray in August. Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox return for one last time as Inspector Lewis and Inspector Hathaway, investigating new cases of murder and other crimes in the seemingly perfect academic haven of Oxford.

The arrival of new Chief Superintendent heralds a fresh dawn for Oxfordshire Police, although the high flyer soon clashes with Robbie Lewis over the latter’s more traditional approach to detective work. With forensic pathologist Laura Hobson contemplating early retirement, and the new boss pilling on the pressure, will Lewis finally decide to call time on his policing career?

“INSPECTOR LEWIS SEASON 8” will be available on DVD and Blu-ray August 23, 2016. The run time of the program is approximately 270 minutes on 2 discs. The DVD SRP is $29.99 and the Blu-ray SRP is $34.99.

Puerto Ricans in Paris Arrives on DVD/Blu-ray

Two hardheaded New York detectives invade the City of Lights to unravel a high-fashion counterfeit investigation in Puerto Ricans in Paris, a rollicking cop comedy available on Blu-ray and DVD on August 2, 2016 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

From co-writer and director Ian Edelman (How to Make it in America), Puerto Ricans in Paris teams up Luis Guzmán (Boogie Nights, We're the Millers) and Edgar Garcia (How to Make it in America) as brother-in-law police partners hot on the haute couture case. The hilarious action comedy also stars Rosario Dawson (Marvel's Daredevil), Miriam Shor (Younger), and Rosie Perez (Pineapple Express).

The fashion world of Paris is not ready for Luis (Luis Guzmán) and Eddie (Edgar Garcia), two NYPD investigators recruited by a fashion agency to track down the thief who has stolen its latest handbag designs. Barreling through the fashion shows, nightclubs, and hipster cafes of Paris, these two strangers in a strange land must use their wits to track down the elusive thief and collect a large bounty that would change their lives back home. Puerto Ricans in Paris is a laugh-out-loud, fish-out-of-water comedy.

History Channel's Roots Arrives on DVD/Blu-ray on August 23

A powerful reimagining of the essential American story, HISTORY’s Roots arrives on Blu-ray  and DVD on August 23 from Lionsgate. Debuting on Memorial Day, the premiere episode of Roots was watched by 14.4 million total linear viewers over the course of all premiere week telecasts. Based on the Alex Haley novel and inspired by the wildly successful 1977 series about one family’s struggle to resist the institution of American slavery, Roots is the can’t-miss television event of the year. 

“Nearly 40 years ago I had the privilege to be a part of an epic television event that started an important conversation in America,” said LeVar Burton, Co-Executive Producer and the original Kunta Kinte. “I am incredibly proud to be a part of this new retelling and start the dialogue again, at a time when it is needed more than ever."

The 4-part miniseries is brought to life by an all-star cast including Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland), Anna Paquin (TV’s “True Blood”), Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix), Jonathan Rhys Meyers (TV’s “The Tudors”), Mekhi Phifer (The Divergent Series), Tip “T.I.” Harris (Ant-Man), Matthew Goode (TV’s “Downton Abbey”), alongside breakouts Regé-Jean Page and Malachi Kirby.

"FRONTLINE: THE SECRET HISTORY OF ISIS” on DVD in August

PBS Distribution announced today it is releasing “FRONTLINE: THE SECRET HISTORY OF ISIS” on DVD. “They came out of nowhere.” That was the common refrain when ISIS captured the world’s attention by seizing large swaths of Iraq, declaring an Islamic caliphate, and initiating a series of deadly terrorist attacks around the globe, including those in Paris and Brussels. But the program reveals in grim detail, the emergence of the brutal terrorist group should not have been a surprise — especially to the U.S. government.

“FRONTLINE: THE SECRET HISTORY OF ISIS ” will be available on DVD August 9, 2016. The run time of the program is approximately 60 minutes and the SRP is $24.99.

Going behind the headlines, the film shows how Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a one-time thug turned jihadi leader, was able to outmaneuver the American government for a time and build a brutal terrorist organization that would destabilize the Middle East and inflict violence around the world.

A Hologram for the King Arrives in August

Academy Award winner Tom Hanks (Best Actor, Forrest Gump, 1994) stars in the classic fish-out-

of-water tale A Hologram for the King, available on Blu-ray (plus Digital HD), DVD (plus Digital)  August 9 from Lionsgate.  Based on The New York Times best-selling novel of the same name by David Eggers, the humorous and touching film about one man’s quest to find professional (and personal) redemption was written for the screen and directed by Golden Globe nominee Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run). Alexander Black (Tim), Sarita Choudhury (TV’s “Homeland”), Sidse Babett Knudsen (TV’s “Westworld”), Ben Whishaw (Spectre) and Tom Skerritt (TV’s “Pickett Fences”) co-star.

Academy Award winner Tom Hanks delivers one of his most engaging performances as Alan Clay, a recently divorced American businessman who is sent overseas to pitch a state-of-the-art holographic teleconferencing system to a king. As Alan vainly tries to navigate new and unusual customs, he finds himself thrust into a series of wonderful misadventures, and a fateful encounter that changes his life forever.

The A Hologram for the King home entertainment release comes with three all-new behind-the-scenes featurettes including “From Novel to Screen: The Adaptation of A Hologram for the King” looking at the transition from best-selling novel to feature film; “Perfecting the Culture” highlighting the impeccable production design behind A Hologram for the King; and a “Making Of” featurette rounding out the bonus footage with in-depth interviews and behind-the-scenes peeks at the creation of the film. A Hologram for the King will be available on Blu-ray and DVD for the suggested retail price of $24.99 and $19.98, respectively. 

Manhattan Night Arrives in August on DVD and Blu-ray

Explore the darker side of New York City in the sexy thriller Manhattan Night, arriving on Blu-ray

and DVD (plus Digital) on August 2 from Lionsgate. Based on the acclaimed novel Manhattan Nocturne, Manhattan Night stars Academy Award winner Adrien Brody (Best Actor, The Pianist, 2002) alongside a sizzling cast including Yvonne Strahovski (I, Frankenstein), Campbell Scott (The Amazing Spider-Man 1 & 2), Jennifer Beals (Flashdance), with Linda Lavin (“Alice”) and Steven Berkoff (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo).

Based on The New York Times “Notable Book of The Year” noir thriller, this pulse-pounding mystery begins as reporter Porter Wren (Brody) meets attractive widow Caroline (Strahovski). When she asks him to solve the bizarre death of her filmmaker husband (Scott), Wren is unable to refuse — or resist — her. But when a rich mogul blackmails him into investigating Caroline, the reporter realizes this job could cost him everything.

Manhattan Night bonus features include audio commentary with Director Brian DeCubellis, Actor Campbell Scott and Cinematographer David Tumblety; a behind-the-scenes featurette; deleted and extended scenes; “The Watcher” featurette; and a look at the director’s notebook and storyboards. The film will be available on Blu-ray and DVD for $19.99 and $19.98, respectively.

Mother's Day Arrives on DVD and Blu-ray in August from Universal

A big-hearted comedy invites us all to enjoy laughter, tears and love when MOTHER'S DAY arrives on Digital HD on Blu-ray and DVD on August 2, 2016, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

From Garry Marshall, the director of Pretty Woman and Valentine's Day, comes MOTHER'S DAY, an all-star comedy that celebrates parenthood and family. The star-studded ensemble film follows three separate-but-connected families and explores the many types of relationships among children and their mothers. It's a comedy that will make you laugh, cry and cheer!

Jennifer Aniston (Horrible Bosses, "Friends"), Kate Hudson (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Almost Famous), Julia Roberts (Eat Pray Love, Erin Brockovich) and Jason Sudeikis ("The Last Man on Earth," "Saturday Night Live") lead an incredible cast in a film that connects the lives of a group of people maneuvering their way through relationships and family dysfunction in the week leading up to Mother's Day. The Blu-ray and DVD feature even more funny and feel-good moments with a gag reel and deleted scenes.

Also starring Shay Mitchell ("Pretty Little Liars"), Timothy Olyphant ("Justified," Live Free or Die Hard), Britt Robertson (Tomorrowland, The Longest Ride) and Hector Elizondo (Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries), MOTHER'S DAY tells a fun and relatable story that can be enjoyed by all generations, making it the perfect family night movie!

Sony Pix Awards Us With "The Bronze" in August

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced plans to release indie comedy The Bronze on Blu

-ray and DVD this August 2. The film was co-written by, executive produced by and starring Melissa Rauch (“The Big Bang Theory”) and follows a washed-up former gymnast whose local celebrity status is threatened by an up-and-coming younger athlete.

“We are always looking for films and talent that are both original and push the creative envelope, and we found that in The Bronze,” said Steve Bersch, president of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions. “Melissa Rauch delivers a 10.0 performance as Hope Ann Greggory, and we’re very happy that Sony could be part of the film.”

The film's cast also includes Gary Cole (“Veep”), Thomas Middleditch (“Silicon Valley”), Sebastian Stan (Captain America: Civil War), Cecily Strong (“Saturday Night Live”) and Haley Lu Richardson (“Ravenswood”), with cameos from 1996 U.S. Olympic gold medal winners Dominique Dawes and Dominique Moceanu, as well as former Russian Gold medalist Olga Korbut.

THE BOSS Arrives in August from Universal

 Academy Award-nominated Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids, The Heat) takes charge in the outrageous, hilarious new comedy The Boss, arriving on Blu-ray and DVD on August 23, 2016 for public libraries, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. The Blu-ray and DVD feature even more fun and hilarity with deleted scenes, extended scenes, a gag reel, and alternate ending not seen in theaters! The Blu-ray features even more extras including an exclusive look at Melissa's original 2005 comedy performance as Michelle Darnell at the world famous Groundlings;  the act that brought The Boss to life!

 Melissa McCarthy stars as Michelle Darnell, a titan of industry who is sent to prison for insider trading. After doing her time, Michelle emerges, ready to rebrand herself as America's latest sweetheart, but not everyone she steamrolled is so quick to forgive and forget. With nowhere to go and no one to scam, Michelle is forced to move in with former assistant Claire (Kristen Bell – Frozen, "House of Lies") and her young daughter, Rachel. Now at her lowest point, Michelle wastes no time in devising a winner-take-all plan to rebuild her empire. Can she reclaim her status as the No. 1 screwer, or will the love of one family screw her for good?

McCarthy and Bell are joined by an all-star cast including Peter Dinklage ("Game of Thrones"), Kathy Bates ("American Horror Story," Tammy) and Cecily Strong ("Saturday Night Live"). The Boss also features cameos from some of Groundlings' favorite graduates including Michael McDonald, Steve Mallory, Ben Falcone, Damon Jones and more!