For the week of March 18, two of 2013’s most acclaimed films arrive on Blu-ray this Tuesday. First is Disney’s double Oscar winner, Frozen, which has grossed nearly $400 million domestically and $1 billion worldwide. Also coming off of awards season is David O. Russell’s American Hustle, starring Christian Bale and Amy Adams. Saving Mr. Banks and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom round out the new releases this week.
Frozen has captured the hearts of young and old and even still in wide release, finds its way into many Blu-ray collections. Frozen is a new spin on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen. Elsa (Idina Menzel), the new Queen of Arendelle, accidentally freezes the lands with her ice powers. Realizing what she’s done, Elsa flees to live a life of isolation. But her feisty sister, Princess Anna (Kristen Bell) goes after her in hopes she’ll end this eternal winter.
Frozen arrives from Buena Vista Home Entertainment in a standard combo pack and various retail exclusives. The standard version available is a Blu-ray, DVD, Digital HD combo pack. Walmart is offering the Blu-ray with the choice of an Elsa or Anna Disney Infinity character. Best Buy’s exclusive includes a bonus book, while Target has a bonus disc included in marked combo packs. Extras include: The Voice of Frozen, Frozen Art Gallery and Deleted Scene.
Sony Pictures is releasing ensemble film, American Hustle. American Hustle is based on true events, which an FBI agent (Bradley Cooper) joins forces with veteran con artists to take down a New Jersey politician. The film was nominated for 10 Academy Awards a few weeks ago and also stars Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence and Jeremy Renner. American Hustle is available as a Blu-ray, DVD, UltraViolet combo pack.
SEE ALSO: We Live Film grades American Hustle
In addition to Frozen, Buena Vista Home Entertainment is also releasing Saving Mr. Banks this week. Starring Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson, Saving Mr. Banks, like American Hustle finds its inspiration in actual events. Set in the 60s, British author P.L. Travers (Thompson) travels across the pond to meet with Walt Disney (Hanks) to adapt her beloved book Mary Poppins for the big screen. Saving Mr. Banks is released as a Blu-ray, Digital HD combo pack.
The final film for the week is again, based on a true story. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom stars Idris Elba and Naomie Harris, chronicling the life of former South African president, Nelson Mandela. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom comes this Tuesday to home media as a two-disc Blu-ray, DVD, UltraViolet combo pack from Starz/Anchor Bay.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Matt Marshall is a YouTube movie reviewer who hosts MNMreviews. He has a B.A. in Communications/Journalism from St. John Fisher College and resides in Rochester, NY.