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One of the best films of 2021, the Oscar-nominated “West Side Story” (20th Century) arrives on 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD and earns an immediate place in your library. This first release is a little lean on extras, but it does include a new documentary from Laurent Bouzereau, the king of “making-of,” offering a look at Steven Spielberg’s process in crafting this electrifying musical.

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“The 355” (Universal Home Entertainment) An impressive line-up of stars can’t save this spy thriller from being more by-the-numbers than a Sudoku.

“Belfast” (Focus/Universal) Kenneth Branagh racked up Oscar nods and very mixed notices for his nostalgic coming-of-age drama.

“Coming 2 America” (Paramount Home Entertainment) Were you a fan of the original “Coming to America”? Enjoy seeing every gag repeated if not cut-and-pasted from the first movie.

“Cosmic Dawn” (Kino Lorber) After witnessing her mother’s alien abduction as a child,...

As the pandemic continues to catalyze major life changes, motivating — or necessitating — many to make a new start, a film such as “Golden Voices” resonates even more deeply. This neatly observed, rueful Israeli dramedy from Soviet expats Evgeny Ruman and experienced Dp Ziv Berkovich (marking his first time as a screenwriter) centers on a sixty-something married couple, long-time film dubbers from Moscow, who make aliyah to the holy land in 1990, part of a wave of Soviet outsiders who struggle to assimilate and find a new way to earn a living. With its committed performances and considerable humor, this mostly Russian-language Music Box Films release appeals to an older demographic and has been doing decent art-house business.

Following the fall of the Iron Curtain, Soviet Jews are finally allowed to leave the Ussr. Most immigrate to Israel, among them Victor (Vladimir Friedman) and his wife Raya (Maria Belkin). With their Russian...

Exclusive: The 34th Israel Film Festival Los Angeles has confirmed its line-up for this year’s edition, which will be held entirely online for the first time.

Running December 13 – 27, the fest will screen 23 features, including two U.S. premieres, Israel’s Oscar submission this year, Asia, as well as a number of past Ophir award winners. The event will also host Q&As after each film with talent.

Asia opens the festival having recently won Best Film at this year’s Ophir Awards, Israel’s top film awards, which automatically makes it the Oscar contender for 2021. The film also won Ophirs for Best Actress, Supporting Actress and Cinematography.

The festival will present its 2020 Iff Lifetime Achievement Award to Meir Feningstein, the event’s founder and executive director. It will also screen concert documentary Poogy / Kaveret 2013 Reunion Concert, centered on the band for which Feningstein is the drummer.

“As the world faces enormous disruption and loss,...

Exclusive: Bruce Campbell (Ash vs. Evil Dead), Devon Sawa (Final Destination) and Michael Jai White (Spawn) have joined the cast of director Casey Tebo’s Black Friday. Set on the busiest shopping night of the year, Black Friday, the story follows a group of disgruntled toy store employees who have to defend themselves from legions of holiday shoppers when a mysterious alien parasite sends them on a murderous rampage. Cast also features Ivana Baquero, Ryan Lee, and Stephen Peck. Warner Davis of the Warner Davis Company produces alongside Mfw Productions. Andy Greskoviak wrote the script. Pic shoots November 16 in Boston.

Rogo Productions, the London-based indie production company, has named Howard Cohen and Natalie Hill join as Co-Creative Directors. Cohen’s work as a producer includes Sky’s Play Your Pets Right, BBC’s Impractical Jokers, Stacey Dooley Investigates for BBC3, Unrighteous for Dave, and two episodes of Sky’s scripted Urban Myths series.