DVD’s I Bought This Week: February 17th
Posted by Brian C. Gibson (brian@filmschoolrejects.com) on February 19, 2009
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.
Midnight Meat Train
The Pitch: Vinnie Jones doing what he does best, being a scary bastard.
Why Buy It?: Not that I’d call this one scary or anything, but it is seriously effed up. Clive Barker is a weird guy. I mean I love his stuff. Remember Nightbreed? That movie was insanely awesome. This one is messed up, and totally gave me a new fear of public transit. Seriously though, I really enjoyed this one. It had some pretty awesome kills, and didn’t have a horribly cliched ending like most movies do today.
Blu-ray Available: Yes
Choke
The Pitch: A twisty tale of sex and choking on food.
Why Buy It?: I am a huge fan of Chuck Palahniuk’s work. I was so happy to hear that Choke was being adapted. Not to mention, Sam Rockwell was probably the best choice for Victor. If you like twisted, dark comedies…make sure to put this on your list. I loved it and will gladly slap down my cash to buy it.
Blu-ray Available: No
Body of Lies
The Pitch: Terrorism, Ridley Scott style.
Why Buy It?: Can you really ever go wrong with a Ridley Scott film? I really don’t think you can go wrong with a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe. I was a little underwhelmed with this one, but I still liked it a lot. It’s more than a solid film. I don’t know if I’d spring for Blu-Ray, but I will certainly buy it for the performances.
Blu-ray Available: Yes
Changeling
The Pitch: A mediocre movie that plays out like an Oscar wishlist.
Why Rent It?: Angelina Jolie is trying to show that she has some acting chops. I think she should stick to being hot, and then work on her form when no one wants to see her assets anymore. I know that may come off as misogynistic…but her Oscar was a fluke. She has a bit of talent, but is a star for her looks. Also, Eastwood needs to start focusing on one film at a time. This whole releasing two films in the fall thing, not working too well.
Blu-ray Available: Yes
Quarantine
The Pitch: Clover-tine.
Why Rent It?: This one was ok. I mean I didn’t love it, but it was still solid. I was surprised that I liked it as much as I did. It wasn’t blazingly original, considering it would seem that it tried to directly capitalize off of Cloverfield’s success. This movie is fun. However, there isn’t much beneath the surface though…and that makes it a rent for me.
Blu-ray Available: Yes
Flash of Genius
The Pitch: A tale of windshield wipers…seriously.
Why Rent It?: I like Greg Kinnear. I think he has a tendency to pick horrible films though. I mean he has picked some great ones, but often because he has been forced back into supporting roles because of his choices with leads. I have heard pretty good things about this one though. So I will check it out. Anyone have any opinions?
Blu-ray Available: No
High School Musical 3
Synopsis: A good reason to be blind and deaf.
Why Avoid It?: There needed to be three of these? I thought the dream was dead when Vanessa Hudgens bared all for High School Nudical. I have never, and likely will never see one of these. Thank god for being able to turn a blind eye. Who knows, maybe one day these movies will be considered art or something. And maybe Mike Tyson will be thought of as a genius. What if he ended up curing cancer or something, wouldn’t that be a trip?
Blu-ray Available: Yes
Hounddog
The Pitch: That Dakota Fanning rape movie…
Why Rent It?: I wish I could get away from calling this movie “that Dakota Fanning rape movie”, but that pretty much sums it out. It’s not like a great work of art or anything. If people will pay to see this, then they are really paying to see Dakota Fanning get cinematically raped. I may be totally in the wrong here, but did anyone else hear “What a great movie!”? Not me, I heard “Dakota Fanning gets raped in Hounddog.”
Blu-ray Available: No
How to Lose Friends and Alienate People
The Pitch: Strike two for Simon Pegg.
Why Rent It?: Just like with Run Fatboy Run, I tried to like this one. I totally have a man crush on Simon Pegg. I think I may have told him something of the sort the last time I saw him. However, this one just wasn’t good. Pegg is good, as always. The movie though? No good. No point. No going back to the time when I hadn’t seen this. I will just try to not remember anything about it.
Blu-ray Available: Yes
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