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New DVD releases range from tales of the barbershop to a guy who cuts it very close.

“Barbershop: The Next Cut,” 3 stars: Workers at the shop arrange a weekend ceasefire among local gangs. The script by Tracy Oliver and Kenya Barris is a strong balance of serious and funny that is accented by comedians who love to improvise. Cedric the Entertainer continues to shine as the shop’s veteran employee, Eddie.

“Criminal,” 1.5 stars: Killer (Kevin Costner) gets the memories of a government agent. Costner ventures into “Silence of the Lambs” territory playing Jericho Stewart, a criminal with no moral compass. His violent ways are the aftermath of a childhood injury that affected the part of his brain that understands right from wrong. Costner’s portrayal of both the psychopath and the pseudo-psychopath is the most interesting thing in the movie.

“The Boss,” 0.5 stars: Business leader (Melissa McCarthy) is not greeted with open arms after a stint in prison. The film is about as funny as getting fired on your birthday. Not only is this movie devoid of any humor, it promotes both the forced labor and physical abuse of children. Try laughing at that.

“Hardcore Henry,” 2 stars: This is a movie that is so much like a first-person shooter video game that a joystick should come with every DVD. The entire movie was shot using a GoPro camera fastened in front of the face of the actor. That means every scene is from the hero’s point of view, whether it be a gun battle in the streets, a fight with a tank in the woods, a bloody conflict in a brothel or one of the other countless excessive scenes of death and destruction.

The film is to action movies as “The Blair Witch Project” is to the horror genre. Both depend entirely on the gimmicky way the production has been put together and banks on no one noticing that there’s less plot than in a one-panel comic strip.

ALSO NEW ON DVD

“Sing Street”: Boy starts a band to impress a girl he likes.

“The Invitation”: Divorcees’ past haunts the present.

“Soledad”: Driver makes an unlikely friendship with a high school girl.

“The Boy Who Cried Werewolf”: No one will believe story of a werewolf attack.

“NOVA: Operation Lighthouse Rescue”: Efforts are made to save a historic lighthouse.

“Jack Irish: Season 1”: Guy Pearce stars in this conspiracy thriller.

“Opry Video Classics”: Includes performances by Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Waylon Jennings and more.

“I Am Wrath”: Man starts his own investigation into the death of his wife. John Travolta stars.

“Nature: Nature’s Perfect Partners”: A look at how animals form alliances.

“Hellhole”: Woman sent to sanitarium is terrorized.

“River”: Goes from the shores of the Mekong River up to the mountains in the north.

“Lee Scratch Perry’s Vision of Paradise”: Documentary filmed over 15 years on the man who created reggae and dub.

“The Last Diamond”: Planned robbery goes bad when the thief falls for the target.

Melissa McCarthy stars in ‘The Boss,’ recently released on DVD.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_Boss-Image-1.jpg.optimal.jpgMelissa McCarthy stars in ‘The Boss,’ recently released on DVD.

In this image, Nicki Minaj, foreground from left, Eve and Common appear in a scene from the film, “Barbershop: The Next Cut.” The film was recently released on DVD.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_109825504-534423d8ebe540a2865f21d59d633780-1.jpg.optimal.jpgIn this image, Nicki Minaj, foreground from left, Eve and Common appear in a scene from the film, “Barbershop: The Next Cut.” The film was recently released on DVD.
‘Barbershop’ is a cut above the rest

Rick Bentley

The Fresno Bee