Not Much Out This Week On DVD — Theaters A Better Pick

As the temperatures soar across the United States, many Americans will be looking for the cool comforts of their own homes or local theaters for entertainment. Theaters may be the best bet for those looking for the screen to satisfy their free time because there is not much out this week on DVD and digital that critics enjoyed. However, if home is where the heart is, here are the top picks on DVD to choose from.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2

In 2002, My Big Fat Greek Wedding surprised many critics and audience-goers alike with just how well it did at the box office and critically. The film managed to take in a worldwide gross of over $368 million. With a small budget of just $5 million, My Big Fat Greek Wedding was one of the most profitable movies of 2002. As with most successes, Hollywood looked to capitalize 14 years later with a sequel.

The cast of the original for the most part return for My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2. Nia Vardalos returned to write and star in the sequel. Universal invested $18 million in the project. However, despite making $82 million worldwide, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 can’t help but be considered a box office disappointment.

Critics rated it rotten on Rotten Tomatoes at 28 percent. At the end of the day, the consensus thought was that there were too many “sitcom gags and stereotypes never coalesces into anything resembling a story with a purpose.” Fans were a little nicer to it, rating it at 60 percent.

The Brothers Grimsby

The shock and awe that Sacha Baron Cohen used to help fuel his rise to stardom seems to be faltering with critics and fans alike. His latest venture into the world of strong sexual content, nudity, violence, and drug use could not find any audience. The Brothers Grimsby managed just a 38 percent rotten score from critics, but the all-important fan vote only gave it 46 percent.

The Brothers Grimsby unites a soccer hooligan with his long, lost, secret agent brother. The two reunite to try to help save the world from a terrorist attack. Hijinx naturally ensues. James Berardinelli of ReelViews may have summed up best what everyone felt about The Brothers Grimsby.

“A production that fails in every way at every turn.”

Grimsby made less than $7 million in the United States. It squeaked out just $25 million worldwide. With a budget of $35 million, this may be the last time we see a studio take a chance on one of Cohen’s films.

Midnight Special

Jeff Nichols and his favorite actor, Michael Shannon, have Midnight Special out on DVD and digital this week. While Nichols’ films are critically acclaimed, the box office draw hasn’t been there. Midnight Special only made $6.2 million worldwide.

The movie follows a man and his son who has special powers. They find themselves on the run from the cult who hold the child to god-like status and the government who are looking to exploit the boy’s powers for their own doing. For Star Wars: The Force Awakens fans, Adam Driver, who played Kylo Ren, also stars in Midnight Special.

Reviews of Midnight Special have been mixed, but most seem to enjoy some aspects of it, like Adam Graham of the Detroit News.

“Nichols has earned the right to take big leaps. Even if he doesn’t stick the landing, it’s a thrill watching him try. He, too, is something special.”

Embrace of the Serpent, Anesthesia, Knight of Cups, and The Hollow Crown: War of the Roses are also out this week on DVD. Fans can pick up Season 2 of How to Get Away With Murder and Season 6 of Workaholics if they are looking for something to pass the time until the fall when the new episodes start premiering as well.

[Image via Universal Pictures]