A Chef, British TV and a Magic Cat on Home Video
JON FAVREAU (right) stars in CHEF. ©Open Road Films.

JON FAVREAU (right) stars in CHEF. ©Open Road Films.

By a Front Row Features Staff Reporter

Audiences know Jon Favreau these days as the director of big budget blockbusters like the “Iron Man “ franchise and “Elf,” but he also is a pretty good actor. In “Chef,” arriving on DVD and Blu-ray Tuesday, he plays a disenchanted master chef who reignites his love for cooking and his family during a road trip through some of America’s most mouthwatering food destinations. The Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, and Digital HD with Ultraviolet are produced by Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

The writer/director/actor stars in this heartwarming comedy, which has something on the menu for everyone. “The Chef” Blu-ray Combo Pack includes deleted scenes, as well as feature commentary with Favreau and the film’s technical advisor and co-producer, food-truck pioneer Roy Choi.

The set up: An online feud with an influential food critic (Oliver Platt) and a creative disagreement with his investor (Dustin Hoffman) convince Carl Casper (Favreau) to hang up his apron at a posh Los Angeles bistro and get his mojo back in Miami’s Cuban-inspired cuisine. When his ex-wife (Sofia Vergara) helps him get a fresh start with a rundown food truck, Carl and his best friend and sous chef Martin (John Leguizamo) head across the country with Carl’s young son Percy on a culinary adventure that helps Carl rediscover what matters in life.

“Iron Man’s” Robert Downey Jr., returning a favor, also stars alongside Scarlett Johansson (“Her,” “The Avengers:), Bobby Cannavale (“Blue Jasmine”), Amy Sedaris (“Strangers with Candy”), in this comedy, which was released earlier this year in theaters.

The Blu-ray Combo Pack includes a Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD with UltraViolet. Bonus features on Blu-ray and DVD include deleted scenes and a feature commentary by Favreau, and chef and co-producer Choi.

Also available Tuesday is the new, star-studded BBC Scottish crime drama “The Field of Blood,” staring BAFTA winner Jayd Johnson, David Morrissey (“The Walking Dead”) and Peter Capaldi (“Doctor Who”) and the final episodes of “Agatha Christie’s Marple,” Series 6, starring Julia McKenzie; and extremely fun animal documentaries with the star of Doc Martin in ”Martin Clune’s Wild Life.” All three titles are also available to stream at Acorn.TV.

Shout! Factory releases “Thunder and the House of Magic,” on DVD and on two-disc Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack (Blu-ray 3D and 2D, DVD and digital), available exclusively at Wal-Mart stores. This whimsical animated family adventure tells the story of Thunder, an abandoned kitten who stumbles into a magical old mansion operated by an array of automatons and gizmos.

Owned by a retired magician, the house is occupied by an assortment of his wacky assistants who don’t all welcome the new houseguest. But when the magician lands in the hospital and his scheming nephew puts the mansion up for sale, Thunder and his new friends join forces to save their magical home. Brimming with colorful animation and endearing characters, this motion picture delivers a fun and captivating movie experience for the entire family. The film includes music by singer Selena Gomez.

The Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack allows viewers to enjoy “the family friendly animated feature on the platform of their choice and includes the movie presentation on Blu-ray 3D and 2D, DVD and a digital version of the movie. The movie can also be seen in select U.S theaters and on VOD. Bonus features include a making of featurette and more.