OUT OF THE BLU

Anyone who watched TV a quarter-century ago is bound to remember Morton Downey Jr., no matter how much some of us have tried to forget. But if you ever wanted a better understanding of this controversial media figure, here's your chance. Oscar-winner Nicolas Cage and an especially interesting John Cusack dramatize the Robert Hansen murders, while Mira Nair's latest gives us a fresh perspective on nationalism.

Évocateur: The Morton Downey Jr. Movie (Magnolia)

This documentary by Seth Kramer, Daniel A. Miller and Jeremy Newberger tracks the meteoric rise and fall of the notoriously vitriolic talk show host, now 12 years deceased. A late-'80s blip on the pop culture scene (perhaps more of a "bloop" for the sheer impact of his brief but resonant tenure), Mort embodied much of the blue-collar rage of America, particularly as we transitioned from Reagan to Bush. But were his chain-smoking, vein-bulging, goober-flying histrionics on a variety of nightly hot-button topics merely an act to build a reputation and garner ratings?

The filmmakers pull no punches as they paint their portrait of The Father of Trash Television, seeking out many an absurd relic of the era on their quest. Extras include a commentary from all three directors, a collection of classic MDJ moments, a look at the stylized animation created for the film, and more.

The Frozen Ground (Lionsgate)

You know you're a prolific serial killer when the law can't even keep an accurate body count: Based upon the true story of Robert Hansen, who reportedly killed between 17 and 21 women in Alaska over a 12-year period, The Frozen Ground reteams Con Air stars Nicolas Cage and John Cusack in this tense thriller. Incredibly, one would-be victim (the ever-lovely Vanessa Hudgens) has escaped, and she could be the key that a hard-nosed state trooper has been looking for to crack the case once and for all, but it still won't be easy.

In addition to a high-definition Digital Copy, this edition is enhanced with quite a few bonus features, including writer/producer/director commentary, deleted scenes with optional commentary, a behind-the-scenes featurette and extensive cast and crew interviews.

The Reluctant Fundamentalist (IFC Films)

Adapted from Mohsin Hamid's 2007 bestseller, The Reluctant Fundamentalist serves as a revelation about the prejudices perhaps inevitably faced by a Pakistani, or a Muslim, cluing us in on an aspect of modern life that too few of us ever even think about. When an American is kidnapped in Pakistan, the CIA suspects the charismatic young Changez, a hardworking Wall Street up-and-comer. But as he shares his tale with an open-minded journalist, the remarkable truth of his journey unfolds. Despite an exceptional cast and direction by the acclaimed Mira Nair, this effective drama was little-seen theatrically, but is recommended on Blu-ray.

There's just the one supplement but it's solid, an above-average half-hour "making of."