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.

Cloverfield

Director: Matt Reeves

Cast: Michael Stahl-David, Mike Vogel, Lizzy Caplan, T.J. Miller, Jessica Lucas, Odette Yustman

Rated: Rated PG-13 for violence, terror and disturbing images

Synopsis: A rude monster crashes a party thrown by twenty-something New York socialites.

Why Buy It?: Cloverfield is without a doubt one of my favorite studio releases of the year thus far. The film has been shrouded in mystery since the teaser trailer, and there is still a sense of mystery even after seeing the film in theaters. This is definitely one of those “you need the DVD” films, because it can help to revisit things you may have missed. Multiple viewings and special features alone make this one a must buy.

Formats: Standard DVD

Charlie Wilson’s War

Director: Mike Nichols

Cast: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams

Rated: Rated R for strong language, nudity/sexual content and some drug use.

Synopsis: A fun loving Texas congressman means well, but unknowingly commits one of the worst party fouls in American history.

Why Buy It?: I loved this film so much. It had humor, heart and smarts. Another classic film from Mike Nichols, Charlie Wilson’s War is a film that can be watched for its several merits. By the acting and script alone, this film can be re-visited several times. The film chronicles a major turning point in our culture, giving an eye opener to a majority of Americans who can’t even remember the 80′s apparently. I am not saying this is historically accurate, but the basis for the story is true.

Formats: Standard DVD

The Savages

Director: Tamara Jenkins

Cast: Laura Linney, Philip Seymour Hoffman

Rated: Rated R for some sexuality and language.

Synopsis: Two siblings find eachother through their father’s needs.

Why Rent It?: With Charlie Wilson’s War this week and Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead last week, 2007 was quite a year for Philip Seymour Hoffman. This is the third and quietest film of the year for the Oscar winner, that could have very well been yet another Oscar nominated role for him. This was a great film, but the slow pace makes this one that might only be viewed once…and not many times more.

Formats: Standard DVD, Blu-Ray

The Orphanage

Director: Juan Antonio Bayona

Cast: Belen Rueda

Rated: Rated R for some disturbing content.

Synopsis: A family moves into an orphanage, creepiness ensues.

Why Rent It?: I did not get to catch this one in theaters, yet I wished I had. I heard mixed things from The Orphanage. This leads me into one of those situations that I always find myself hating. For instance, I hated it when Quentin Tarantino was producing films, and the studio would advertise the swill as “Presented by Quentin Tarantino”, as if to help you ignore the quality of the film or the fact that it was directed by someone else. It just sucks that this film needs to be pushed as a product of “The visionary director that brought you Pan’s Labyrinth.”

Formats: Standard DVD, Blu-Ray

One Missed Call

Director: Eric Valettem

Cast: Ed Burns, Shannyn Sossamon

Rated: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and terror, frightening images, some sexual material and thematic elements.

Synopsis: Failing to screen their calls, people hear their own deaths in a cell phone call.

Why Avoid It?: Because you can? Avoid this one like an oncoming vehicle. If it was any indication at Comic-Con, Shannyn Sossamon broke down into a hysterical fit on stage during the junket for this film. I like looking at her, but can she display any range? Maybe she is destined to be the quirky hot girl with no reason to smile, or maybe she is just destined to make more bad movies. Oh, and Ed Burns…just because you have a hot wife and made some amazing films over a decade ago, that doesn’t mean its ok to finance your “passion projects” with horribly done studio films. PS, you haven’t even done a good passion project in over a decade either.

Formats: Standard DVD

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