DVDs I Bought This Week - May 13th

Posted by Brian C. Gibson (brian@filmschoolrejects.com) on May 13, 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.

Indiana Jones - The Adventure Collection

Director: Steven Spielberg

Cast: Harrison Ford

Rated:

Synopsis: An archaeologist robs graves, and consequently has to run from boulders.

Why Buy It?: Why not? It’s Indiana Jones. It is my childhood, and if you are reading this site it probably has a place in your heart too. Now I know a set came out awhile back but, even if you do own it already, this one has some extras. Buy this one and get amped for Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull. I should not have to convince anyone to buy a set that includes three of the greatest films ever made.

Formats: Standard DVD

The Great Debaters

Director: Denzel Washington

Cast: Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker

Rated: Rated PG-13 for depiction of strong thematic material including violence and disturbing images, and for language and brief sexuality.

Synopsis: An African-American college debate team goes on to challenge Harvard in 1935

Why Buy It?: I have always been a fan of Denzel’s work in front of the camera, and why not be a fan of his work in the director’s chair? This one is supposed to be really good and I can’t wait to check it out. On a side note, Forest Whitaker named his son after Denzel…so this movie stars Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker and Denzel Whitaker. Weird, I know.

Formats: Standard DVD

Youth Without Youth

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Cast: Tim Roth, Alexandra Maria Lara

Rated: Rated R for some sexuality, nudity and a brief disturbing image.

Synopsis: A man struggles with his really big brain.

Why Rent It?: This is one of those films that I’d like to try and not believe the hype. This is Francis Ford Coppola’s first film in almost a decade. However, that doesn’t make it a masterpiece all by itself. Tim Roth has always been solid in my mind, and Coppola has directed some solid favorites of mine. However, this film does carry alot of baggage. It has been reported that over 170 hours of film was shot. Coppola has always taken great pains in editing, but does that work for or against this one? I will rent it to find out.

Formats: Standard DVD, Blu-Ray

Autism - The Musical

Director: Tricia Regan

Cast:

Rated:

Synopsis: A group of Autistic kids work together to form a live musical production

Why Rent It?: I have heard that this is one of the best documentaries in the last few years. Always open to new documentaries, I will gladly check this one out. I won’t lie, a documentary has to be pretty special for it to be worth buying. Nonetheless, I could end up buying this one in the end. For now though, I am more than willing to rent it and see what I think.

Formats: Standard DVD

Untraceable

Director: Gregory Hoblit

Cast: Diane Lane, Billy Burke, Colin Hanks

Rated: Rated R for grisly violence and torture, and some language.

Synopsis: An FBI internet ‘expert’ can’t pinpoint the IP address of a serial killer.

Why Avoid It?: Untraceable makes me think someone made it their goal to make Saw for my mom. I can just imagine some 20-something screenwriters who think they have the next new torture porn, but then they find out that Diane Lane was cast and that the film would be primarily advertised on easy listening and soft rock stations. This one was originally titled Streaming Evil, but grandma would never go see that. Add a dash of Colin Hanks, and some grisly violence and now you have a recipe for garbage.

Formats: Standard DVD, Blu-Ray

Mad Money

Director: Callie Khouri

Cast: Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah, Katie Holmes

Rated: Rated PG-13 for sexual material and language, and brief drug references.

Synopsis: An Oscar winner, solid actress and a prisoner in her own life all plan to sabotage their careers.

Why Avoid It?: Free will buddy. This is one of those rare occurrences that the title of the film can offer up the only explanation as to why it was made. Diane Keaton might have been tricked into this one in her old age, and Katie Holmes has an excuse to just want to be out of the house…but Queen Latifah too? I was just starting to think about possibly respecting her. Oh, what a mess. I’d rather watch Death Bed: The Bed That Eats People.

Formats: Standard DVD

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