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My Life As a Zucchini, Get Out on Blu-ray, DVD, streaming
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"Max 2: White House Hero" is a new, straight-to-home video sequel to the theatrical family film "Max." - photo by Chris Hicks
A wide variety of genres are among new movies on home-video platforms this week.

My Life As a Zucchini (Gkids/Universal, 2017, PG-13, in French with English subtitles or dubbed English, featurette, trailer, short cartoon: The Genie in a Tin of Ravioli). This French stop-motion cartoon for adults is a stirring exploration of heartbroken but spirited children who, after losing their parents, re-create another version of family in an orphanage. The subject matter is tragic, but the treatment is warm, loving and imaginative, making this a one-of-a-kind film experience. It was an Oscar nominee for best animated feature. (The English soundtrack features voices by Will Forte, Nick Offerman, Ellen Page and Amy Sedaris.)

Get Out (Universal, 2017, R for violence and language, deleted scenes/alternate ending, audio commentary, featurettes). When a young black man (Daniel Kaluuya) goes with his white girlfriend (Allison Williams) to visit her upscale parents (Bradley Whitford, Catherine Keener), hes disturbed by an unsettling atmosphere, but even more by the bizarre behavior of the parents black servants. This scary horror yarn is also a dark satire with something to say about racism. It is marred only by one obnoxious, foul-mouthed character (broadly played by Lil Rel Howery) that seems to have stepped in from some other film. It was written and directed with a sure hand by Jordan Peele (of the Key & Peele comedy team).

The Great Wall (Universal, 2017, PG-13, deleted/extended scenes, featurettes). The great Chinese director Zhang Yimou (Raise the Red Lantern, House of Flying Daggers) stumbles with this tale of a mercenary warrior (Matt Damon) who finds himself in the middle as Chinese soldiers guarding the Great Wall of China are attacked by marauding creatures. It has mindless action and thats about all. Willem Dafoe co-stars.

Max 2: White House Hero (Warner, 2017, PG, featurettes). This straight-to-video, family friendly sequel to the theatrical film Max finds the military canine assigned to the White House Secret Service detail, where he helps the presidents son and the daughter of the Russian president foil a plot to pit the two countries against each other.

On the Road to Somewhere (IndiePix, 2017, not rated/probable R for some language, in Spanish with English subtitles). This gentle, leisurely comedy-drama is easy to take, as three teenage pals in the Dominican Republic an aspiring photographer, a hopeful writer and one who simply wants to see his girlfriend and say goodbye before she moves to New York take a summer road trip after finishing high school. Along the way, their car breaks down repeatedly and they meet a variety of characters. It is more realistic and much less raunchy than similar American movies.

The High Schoolers Guide to College Parties (MVD, 2017; not rated/probable R for sex, nudity, language, drugs). A high school nerd wants to get into his obnoxious cousins university and fraternity, so he tries to win him over by throwing a college party in true Animal House style.

XX (Magnet, 2017; R for violence, language, drugs; featurettes, photo gallery). This is a quartet of horror stories directed by and starring women: The Birthday Party (with Melanie Lynskey), Her Only Living Son, Dont Fall and The Box.
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