Fresh on Blu-ray: ‘ROGUE ONE’, ‘OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY’ and more

Preston Barta // Editor

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY
Rated PG-13, 133 min.
Director: Gareth Edwards
Cast: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk, Donnie Yen, Wen Jiang, Ben Mendelsohn, Forest Whitaker, Riz Ahmed, Mads Mikkelsen and Jimmy Smits

After the travesty of the PHANTOM MENACE and the other two child-pandering, politically heavy prequels in the STAR WARS saga, it’s understandable to be a little worried about any new additions. But if the latest films in the STAR WARS franchise have taught us anything, it’s that good ones can still be made.

In ROGUE ONE — set just before the events of 1977’s A NEW HOPE — we follow a wayward band of Rebel fighters (Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk, Donnie Yen and Wen Jiang) who convene to carry out a daring mission: to steal the plans for the Death Star before it is used to enforce the Imperial reign and destroy all that is good in the galaxy.

In all, there are things ROGUE ONE misses (that sense of adventure and lovable characters all around), but there’s a whole lot more it hits right on target. The pace may be more slow-cooked and its tone may be bleaker than we’re used to, but the film’s nostalgic images, Michael Giacchino’s vigorous musical score and director Gareth Edwards’ impressive action set-pieces (especially one involving Darth Vader, which will go down as one of the saga’s most iconic scenes) make the force strong with this one.

Grade: A

Extras: Sadly, there’s not a commentary track for the film. However, signs point toward the possibility of re-release down the line, like Lucasfilm did with THE FORCE AWAKENS. For now, there’s still plenty to admire: an hourlong behind-the-scenes that gives in-depth character analysis and a slew of featurettes that showcase the film’s Easter eggs.

• Movie Review: ‘ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY’ – Rebels with a cause (by Preston Barta)
• 12 fundamental fun facts learned at the ROGUE ONE press conference (by Courtney Howard)
• Why ROGUE ONE’s Orson Krennic rules and Jyn Erso drools (by Courtney Howard)

Jennifer Aniston plays Carol Vanstone, the CEO of a data storage company called Zenotek. Her hard-partying brother, Clay (a very funny T.J. Miller), runs a branch in Chicago. But because their numbers are down, Carol is threatening to shut down the branch, unless Clay and his chief technical officer (Jason Bateman) impress a potential client (Courtney B. Vance) with an office party and close the sale to save all of their butts.

OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY may not be the laugh-a-minute holiday comedy that the trailers sell it as, but it’s the kind of movie you might play in the background in the company of friends, while you cook dinner and have conversation, to occasionally tune in for the good chuckles.

Grade: B-

Extras: Includes the unrated and theatrical cut, a commentary with the directors, outtakes, behind the scenes and deleted scenes.

• Movie Review: ‘OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY’ comes bearing gifts and lumps of coal (by Jared McMillan)

YOUTH IN OREGON
Not rated, 99 minutes.
Director: Joel David Moore
Cast: Frank Langella, Billy Crudup, Mary Kay Place, Christina Applegate, Nicola Peltz and Josh Lucas

The film’s DVD art makes it seem like a dark comedy much like LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. While there are plenty of moments that are both dark and funny, this is a classic case of an original premise (a 79-year-old father wants to take a road trip to Oregon to be legally euthanized) loaded with detours.

There are some good themes within and touching moments with its star-studded cast (Frank Langella, Billy Crudup and Christina Applegate), but it runs out of gas far too quickly.

Grade: C+

WE DON’T BELONG HERE
Rated R, 92 minutes.
Director: Peer Pedersen
Cast: Catherine Keener, Anton Yelchin, Kaitlyn Dever, Maya Rudolph, Riley Keough, Molly Shannon and Cary Elwes

There are many recognizable names in this thriller, including the late Anton Yelchin (who is very good here in one of his last performances), but its unconventional structure and twisty nature twist too far. Perhaps it’s best that its story of a dysfunctional family with secrets be kept a secret itself.

Grade: C-

Also available this week: DON’T KILL IT, PATERSON (James Cole Clay’s review) and WE GO ON.