Movies

The Burned Barns (Crime, Drama, Mystery)

Set in the snow-covered French countryside on the border with Switzerland, “The Burned Barns” comes to Blu-ray and DVD on Tuesday, August 23, from Cohen Film Collection.

The body of a young woman is found savagely murdered near the isolated Burned Barns farm run by Rose (Oscar-winner Simone Signoret, “Room at the Top”) and her family. The police work begins and the investigating judge, Pierre Larcher (Alain Delon), soon comes to suspect that Rose’s family, and in particular her sons, may have played a role.

Signoret and Delon are outstanding as two forces playing a game of wits with profound consequences. The 1973 film by Jean Chapot features a stunning soundtrack by electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre and is presented in French with English subtitles. Bonus features include a detailed 26-minute interview with the crew.

Sniper: Rogue Mission (Action, Thriller)

The latest installment of the “Sniper” franchise, “Sniper: Rogue Mission” is now available on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

When a crooked federal agent is involved in a human sex trafficking ring, Sniper and CIA Rookie Brandon Beckett (Chad Michael Collins) goes rogue, teaming up with his former allies Homeland Security Agent Zero (Ryan Robbins of TV’s “Riverdale”) and assassin Lady Death (Sayaka Akimoto) to uncover the corrupt agent and take down the criminal organization.

Josh Brener (TV’s “Silicon Valley”) and Dennis Haysbert (TV’s “24”) co-star in this intense, gritty action thriller.

The Tarzan Vault Collection (Action, Adventure)

“The Tarzan Vault Collection,” featuring “Tarzan of the Apes” (1918), “The Adventures of Tarzan” (1921) and “The New Adventures of Tarzan II” (the complete version of the 1935 film serial), swings onto special edition Blu-ray and DVD on Tuesday, August 23, from the classic film restoration and streaming company, The Film Detective.

Edgar Rice Burroughs’ hero has thrilled movie audiences since the days of the silent screen. “Tarzan of the Apes,” with the brawny Elmo Lincoln in the leading role, introduced the character to movie audiences and told the traditional tale of how the orphaned heir to the Greystoke fortune became lord of the jungle. Lincoln was so impressive in the role that he returned three years later in “The Adventures of Tarzan,” this time to rescue his beloved Jane from the clutches of the evil Queen La.

By 1935, the public was still fascinated by the nobleman who apes had raised, now played by Herman Brix (a.k.a. Bruce Bennet) in “The New Adventures of Tarzan.” Brix, a star shot putter at the 1928 Olympics, needed all of his muscle to portray Tarzan in this tale of missing jewels and explosives powerful enough to destroy the world.

The highly anticipated special edition release is presented from original 35mm archival elements and is priced at $38.95 on Blu-ray and $24.95 on DVD. Bonus features include a full-color booklet insert featuring three original essays by authors Don Stradley and Jennifer Churchill; the original featurette “Drawn to the Jungle: The Early History of Tarzan in Comics” by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures, featuring an all-new interview with author/filmmaker Donald F. Glut; a full-length commentary track for “The Adventures of Tarzan” and “The New Adventures of Tarzan II” by award-winning journalist/historian Ed Hulse; the original feature production “Swinging into Action: The Early Adventures of Tarzan on Film” by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures, featuring exclusive interviews with author/film historian C. Courtney Joyner, producer/film historian Bruce Scivally and literary historian Richard Heft; and “Law of the Jungle: The Cinematic Adventures of Herman Brix,” a preserved interview with the film star, a.k.a. Bruce Bennett.

Vivo (Animation, Adventure, Comedy)

“Vivo,” an animated musical adventure featuring all-new songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda, is now available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Vivo (voiced by Lin-Manuel Miranda), a one-of-a kind kinkajou, spends his days playing music with his beloved owner, Andrés (voiced by Juan de Marcos). But when tragedy strikes, it’s up to Vivo to deliver a message that Andrés never could: a love letter to his old partner, the famous Marta Sandoval (voiced by Gloria Estefan), in the form of a song. Yet in order to get to Marta, who lives a world apart, Vivo will need the help of Gabi (voiced by Ynairaly Simo) — an energetic tween who bounces to the beat of her own offbeat drum — to fulfill his owner’s wishes.

Viewers can enjoy The Sing-Along Edition of the film and karaoke along with Vivo. Additional special features include the “My Own Drum” remix lyric video and “Behind the Animation.”

TV Shows

South Park: The Complete Twenty-Fourth Season (Animation, Comedy)

Comprised of “The Pandemic Special,” which was the highest rated and most-watched cable comedy telecast of 2020, and the “South ParQ Vaccination Special,” which was the highest rated original cable comedy telecast of 2021, “South Park: The Complete Twenty-Fourth Season” is now available on Blu-ray and DVD from Paramount Home Entertainment.

In the latest must-own season, Randy comes to terms with his role in the COVID-19 outbreak as the ongoing pandemic presents continued challenges to the citizens of South Park. The kids happily head back to school, but nothing resembles the normal that they once knew — not their teachers, not their homeroom, not even Eric Cartman.