DVD Weekly
DVD’s I Bought This Week - March 11
Posted by Brian C. Gibson (brian@filmschoolrejects.com) on March 11, 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.
No Country For Old Men
Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Cast: Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Tommy Lee Jones
Rated: Rated R for strong graphic violence and some language
Synopsis: Normal guy finds money while a really creepy guy is hired to find the money. A couple of exploding brains later…
Special Features: The Making of No Country for Old Men, Working with the Coens, Diary of a Country Sheriff
Why Buy It?: This was one my favorite films from last year, and the best picture of 2007. That alone makes this a must buy. I think their official slogan for this DVD release was “Buy it, or Javier Barden will make your head explode.” This movie was so awesome, it had me creeped out the whole time.
Formats: Blu-ray, Standard DVD
Appleseed Ex Machina (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Director: Shinji Aramaki
Cast: Kara Greenberg, Ai Kobayashi
Rated: Rated PG-13 for action/violence and brief strong language
Synopsis: John Woo styled retaliation against a terrorist plot
Special Features: Team-Up: John Woo and Shinji Aramaki, Revolution: Animating Ex Machina, The Appleseed Chronicles: The Definitive History, East Meets West
Why Buy It?: For someone who does not like anime to call an anime film a must buy, that means it is a must buy. I loved the first Appleseed film, and this one does not disappoint. Appleseed Ex Machina combines awesome sound, awesome visuals and John Woo to make this one of my favorite home theater demo DVD’s in a long time.
Formats: Blu-ray, Standard DVD
Dan In Real Life
Director: Peter Hedges
Cast: Steve Carell, Dane Cook, Juliette Binoche
Rated: Rated PG-13 for some innuendo
Synopsis: Steve Carell vs. Dane Cook death match over a girl
Special Features:Featurettes, Deleted Scenes, Commentary, Outtakes
Why Rent It?: I wasn’t particularly interested in this film, especially because they dubbed it ‘this year’s Little Miss Sunshine’. I think this comparison was made almost solely on the fact that the film stars Steve Carell. The film also stars Dane Cook, which makes my eyes burn. Nonetheless, I will see anything with Steve Carell in it.
Hitman (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Director: Xavier Gens
Cast: Timothy Olyphant, Dougray Scott, Olga Kurylenko, and Robert Knepper
Rated: Rated R for strong bloody violence, language and some sexuality/nudity
Synopsis: Well dressed bald man saves hot russian woman
Special Features:Alternate Scenes, Deleted Scenes, Alternate Ending, “Digital Hits”, “Settling the Score”, “In the Crosshairs”, “Instruments of Destruction” (Parts 1-6), Outtakes - Gag Reel, 20th Century Fox Preview, Forced Trailers, Teaser Trailer, Theatrical Trailer
Why Rent It?: An awesome guilty pleasure, but probably not worth buying…yet. I stayed away from this one almost solely because I know I will be able to buy it from Best Buy in three months for $9.99. Awesome movie though, and thank god it never took itself too seriously.
Formats: Blu-ray, Standard DVD
Bee Movie
Director: Steve Hickner, Simon J. Smith
Cast: Ray Liotta, Jerry Seinfeld, Renée Zellweger, Matthew Broderick, John Goodman, Chris Rock, Alan Arkin, Kathy Bates, Larry King, Barry Levinson, Rip Torn, Colin Quinn, Oprah Winfrey
Rated: Rated PG for mild suggestive humor, and a brief depiction of smoking
Synopsis: Bee sues humans, causes apocalypse
Special Features: Trailer
Why Avoid It?: This movie temporarily made my brain seize. After watching it, I no longer knew where I was or why I was there. All I knew was that I had just lost a portion of my life and I was very confused. This movie will ruin your children, I promise.
Formats: Blu-ray, Standard DVD
Sleuth
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Cast: Michael Caine, Jude Law
Rated: Rated R for strong language
Synopsis: Two men in a deadly game of confusing the audience
Special Features: Audio Commentary with Director Kenneth Branagh and Actor Michael Caine, Audio Commentary with Actor Jude Law, “A Game of Cat and Mouse: Behind the Scenes of Sleuth” Featurette, “Inspector Black: Make-Up Secrets Revealed” Featurette, Previews
Why Avoid It?: At least you would think that a movie with these two actors should be good, but stop… because you won’t enjoy Sleuth if you keep thinking. Confused? Now you are ready to watch Sleuth.
Formats: Blu-ray, Standard DVD
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3 Comments
March 11th, 2008 at 10:12 am
No Country for Old Men is unassumingly clever, even funny at times… what happens next is always unexpected and yet it never goes “over the top.” well done indeed.
March 11th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
I agree that “Sleuth” isn’t worthy or purchase but it’s, at the very least, worth a rental. I haven’t seen the original so no comparisons on whether it’s better or worse but as it’s own film, it is interesting and Branagh does incorporate some interesting visuals.
May 10th, 2008 at 11:40 am
You know what you really missed in one of the categories…August Rush! THAT’S A GREAT MOVIE!