Arthur/Arthur 2: On the Rocks (Blu-ray Double Feature) [Blu-ray] [Standard]

Arthur [DVD]

GLADIATOR - Blu-ray - Ridley Scott (BLADE RUNNER, ALIEN) transports Hollywood to second-century Rome in this rousing historical epic that proudly harkens back to such films as BEN-HUR and SPARTACUS. Russell Crowe plays Maximus, a Roman general who leads the troops in conquering Germania for the empire. When an aging Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) tells Maximus that he'd like him to rule Rome once he's gone, a classic confrontation ensues between the brave and charming soldier-who wants to return home to his wife, son, and farm-and the jealous and conniving Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the emperor's only son, who is thirsty for power. Bought as a slave by the profiteering Proximo (Oliver Reed, in his last role), Maximus must kill or be killed in the ring, battling to save not only himself but the future of the very empire that he loves and honors. The film features a terrific battle sequence (that recalls the beginning of SAVING PRIVATE RYAN), huge crowd scenes of thousands of people, and even a little romance, albeit mostly taboo. The impeccably choreographed gladiator scenes are violent yet thrilling, flashing by like lightning. GLADIATOR is a glorious spectacle filled with heart and soul. Color/154 min/R/widescreen.

Three-disc set includes Scream (1996)Director Wes Craven's slyly self-referential shocker follows a group of high school horror film fans in a small California town who are systematically slaughtered by a mysterious masked slasher. Newscaster Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) thinks this killer also did in teenager Sidney Prescott's (Neve Campbell) mother the year before, even though the supposed murderer is behind bars. Skeet Ulrich, David Arquette, Rose McGowan, Matthew Lillard, and Drew Barrymore co-star. 111 min. C/Rtg R Scream 2 (1997)The ghost-faced killer from the first film is gone, and the survivors are trying to get on with their lives. But when the debut of a horror movie based on the murders called InchStabInch is marred by copycat killings, it becomes clear to everyone that a new round of terror is about to begin. Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Jerry O'Connell, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Jada Pinkett star in this spooky, witty sequel. 120 min. C/Rtg R Scream 3 (2000)The third time is a bloody charm in Wes Craven's cut-and-cut-up series. Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), now a recluse working for a women's crisis hot-line, travels to Hollywood, where cast members of film-within-a film InchStab 3Inch are being slaughtered and pictures of Sidney's mother are being left at the crime scene. Courteney Cox Arquette, David Arquette, Patrick Dempsey, and Parker Posey co-star, with several surprising cameos. 117 min. C/Rtg R