DVD’s I Bought This Week - July 15th

Posted by Brian C. Gibson (brian@filmschoolrejects.com) on July 15, 2008

A wise man once said “It’s not just about seeing Star Wars two weeks before everyone else. You’ve gotta plow through crap like Marie Antoinette and Catwoman as well.” I have the fortune of being able to see all of the films that I want, and find out that they are only worth one viewing (or less) before I would willingly pay for the DVD…and subsequently end up hating myself later. But for every The Whoopee Boys there has to be an Indiana Jones, and because of the great films I am able to put myself further in debt every week.

The Bank Job

Director: Roger Donaldson

Cast: Jason Statham, Saffron Burrows

Rated: R

Synopsis: Ocean’s 11 with a nice warm cup of tea, and Jason Statham.

Why Buy It?: Many people were billing this as an English Ocean’s 11. First off, is that a bad thing? Not really. The Bank Job is definitely a heist movie, and done very well. This was an easy one for me, as I like twisty heist movies and Jason Statham.

Formats: Standard DVD, Bluray

Meet Bill

Director: Bernie Goldmann, Melisa Wallack

Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Jessica Alba, Elizabeth Banks

Rated: Rated R for language, some drug use and sex-related material.

Synopsis: The easiest decision for a man ever, dumping his wife for Jessica Alba.

Why Rent It?: I have developed an affinity for Aaron Eckhart over the years, that has only grown with each film. I have been more than curious as well, as to how Jessica Alba is lending herself to more and more indie flicks. There is something that you can really appreciate about a beautiful actress trying to develop some range. Meet Bill is a film I did not know much about, but you really can’t go wrong with Eckhart.

Formats: Standard DVD

Penelope

Director: Mark Palansky

Cast: Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Peter Dinklage

Rated: Rated PG for thematic elements, some innuendo and language.

Synopsis: A girl who is cursed with a pig nose is looking for love, awwww.

Why Rent It?: I was afraid this was going to happen. I developed another man-crush without even realizing it. I have liked James McAvoy in every film he has done. He was awesome in his most recent film, Wanted. Well Penelope is a film that wrapped up just before McAvoy really hit it big. I can really appreciate the acting prowess of the two leads, so I would gladly give this one a viewing. Oh, and Peter Dinklage…c’mon.

Formats: Standard DVD

College Road Trip

Director: Roger Kumble

Cast:Martin Lawrence, Raven-Symoné

Rated: G

Synopsis: A hilarious college road trip movie, just missing the funny parts.

Why Avoid It?: The only reason that I’d ever give this one a chance, is because it is a Disney film. However, this is not like a top notch Disney production. This is like one of those scripts that are constantly sitting on studio desks that just get replicated and changed just a tiny bit as to trick audiences. Martin Lawrence, start swearing again and save your career. If you can drop an F-bomb, you might be able to gain some old fans.

Formats: Standard DVD, Bluray

Step Up 2 The Streets

Director: Jon Chu

Cast: Briana Evigan, Robert Hoffman

Rated: Rated PG-13 for language, some suggestive material and brief violence.

Synopsis: Teens sort out their differences in a way as old as time, break dance fights.

Why Avoid It?: Really? Another break dance fighting movie? Why do the studios keep pumping this garbage out? I really want to live in these magical worlds that films depict. Cocktail’s illegal underground bartending competitions. Over the Top’s illegal underground arm wrestling competitions. Balls of Fury’s illegal underground ping pong tournaments. I’m not being sarcastic, I really want to live in these worlds.

Formats: Standard DVD, Blu-Ray

Shutter

Director: Masayuki Ochiai

Cast: Joshua Jackson, Rachael Taylor

Rated: Rated PG-13 for terror, disturbing images, sexual content and language.

Synopsis: An ironic concept, people finding something really scary on film…when I find it scary that this even made it onto film.

Why Avoid It?: Because no one should see this. Joshua Jackson’s career died with Gordon Bombay’s knee. Maybe Hollywood will start remaking some films from another country like, let’s say, Indonesia. Yeah, let’s remake Lady Terminator. That was meant to be a joke, but I’d totally go see a remake of Lady Terminator.

Formats: Standard DVD

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