Here are this week's hottest home video releases.
The Bye Bye Man
A mysterious entity grows in power and influence every time his voice is spoken, making life tough for some hapless tinkerers with the supernatural in this horror thriller. Faye Dunaway and Carrie Anne Moss lend some star power to what is otherwise a cast of unknowns. This is a shameless B movie, but it thrives on its silliness and cheap scares to stay entertaining. The Blu-ray/DVD/digital copy combo sports few notable extras.
Hidden Figures
Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae excel in career-defining roles in this best picture Oscar-nominated real-life story of three black mathematicians who broke down barriers in NASA and helped thrust the U.S. into the lead in the 1960s space race. Director Theodore Melfi's film, which features a strong supporting turn by Kevin Costner, was one of the most exuberant efforts of 2016. The 4K/Blu-ray./digital copy combo is loaded with background featurettes, deleted scenes, a set visit and commentary by Melfi and Henson.
Monster Trucks
This bizarre yet strangely entrancing family flick features an alien who takes up residence -- hermit crablike -- in the bones of an old vehicle, bringing it to a sort of Herbie-like life. Lucas Till plays a teen who gets behind the wheel and rides the beast to popularity, as well as trouble with law enforcement and mobsters. Danny Glover, Amy Ryan and Rob Lowe make appearances, helping to lift the flimsy film's cachet. Extras in the Blu-ray/DVD/digital copy combo include deleted scenes, production diaries, a gag reel and a look at the effects.
Silicon Valley: Season 3
One of HBO's most entertaining comedies continues to find its nerdy voice in its third frame, with the talented ensemble of T.J. Miller, Zach Woods, Kumail Nanjiani and Martin Starr forming a rapport comparable to that of "The Big Bang Theory." Geeky laughs and references pepper the season. Extras in the Blu-ray/digital copy combo include deleted scenes.
Veep: Season 5
HBO's Julia Louis-Dreyfus vehicle thrives as it reaches the half-decade mark, with her President character locked in a tense electoral battle with a challenger. With writing that pulses with social commentary, political insider references and off-the-wall humor, the show plays to its strengths and gives fans just what they've come to expect, with plot twists that aren't afraid to mess with the status quo. The Blu-ray/digital copy combo includes
The Young Pope (Digital)
A stirring, gleefully bizarre HBO miniseries features Jude Law as an unconventional, politically conniving pontiff who artfully manipulates the establishment and strong-arms his disruptive vision into the Vatican. Surreal interludes keep things lively and unpredictable. The series is available on platforms including iTunes, Vudu and Google Play before it hits disc.
