DVD’s I Bought This Week – June 17th
Posted by Brian C. Gibson (brian@filmschoolrejects.com) on June 17, 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.
Chaos Theory
Director: Marcos Siega
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Emily Mortimer
Rated: Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, sexual content and language.
Synopsis: An efficiency expert’s life spins out of control by fate.
Why Buy It?: Other than the fact that I, admittedly, have a man-crush on Ryan Reynolds in a totally platonic way, I really enjoyed Chaos Theory as a complete package. This is one of those films that slipped under the radar but it wasn’t because it was one of those crappy beginning of the year releases. If you like Reynolds and you like to smile, this is a must buy. Go big and pick up Definitely Maybe as well on DVD next week
Formats: Standard DVD
Be Kind Rewind
Director: Michel Gondry
Cast: Jack Black, Mos Def, Danny Glover
Rated: Rated PG-13 for some sexual references.
Synopsis: Two guys making home movies, in a non-creepy way.
Why Buy It?: This is one of the most heart-warming films of the year. I usually like Jack Black’s stuff, and Mos Def is usually a very good actor (except that voice in 16 Blocks). To see these two very fun actors being driven by one of the most creative minds in Hollywood, is truly an amazing experience. I even liked Gondry’s Science of Sleep, so if you like his films you will definitely like Be Kind Rewind.
Formats: Standard DVD
The Sword in the Stone
Director: Wolfgang Reitherman
Cast: Karl Swenson, Rickie Sorensen
Rated: G
Synopsis: An unsuspecting boy unlocks the key to a kingdom.
Why Buy It?: I buy all Disney movies. No, I’m not one of those moms who buys everything before it will be thrown into the vault. But I am one of those obsessive compulsive DVD collectors that buys everything before it will be thrown into the vault. The Sword In The Stone is a timeless classic, and underrated as far as Disney flicks go.
Formats: Standard DVD
So I Married an Axe Murderer
Director: Thomas Schlamme
Cast: Mike Meyers, Nancy Travis
Rated: Rated PG-13 for nudity, language and mock terror.
Synopsis: A poet thinks he marries an axe murderer, comedy ensues.
Why Rent It?: This still stands as my favorite Mike Myers next to Wayne’s World. On the downside, I have seen this at least one-hundred times on HBO. Needless to say, I have seen this enough to not want to buy it on DVD. For those of you who haven’t seen it, or it has been a while, it is at least worth watching as a rental. You get a peak at Myers as Fat Bastard before Austin Powers.
Formats: Standard DVD, Blu-Ray
The Nude Bomb
Director: Clive Donner
Cast: Don Adams
Rated:
Synopsis: KAOS plans to drop a bomb that would destroy all the world’s clothing, so they can corner the entire world’s clothing market.
Why Buy It?: After seeing Get Smart, and loving it, I am totally in a Maxwell Smart mood. Our own Kevin Carr told me that this film would need to be included on my list. I kind of trust Kevin’s recommendations, but I have heard this sells for like $3.99 in a bin at Walgreens. I will stick to the rent first, buy later rule on this one.
Formats: Standard DVD
Super High Me
Director: Michael Blieden
Cast: Doug Benson
Rated: Rated R for pervasive drug content and language.
Synopsis: A stand-up comedian smokes weed for 30 days straight to see what the effects would be. I can’t remember what he found.
Why Rent It?: This was a really funny take on Morgan Spurlock’s Super Size Me, but fell short on being an actual documentary. This played out more like a stand-up comedy DVD, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but it was big on laughs and short on intelligent entertainment. Maybe I’m just asking too much from a movie about getting really really high.
Formats: Standard DVD
Fool’s Gold
Director: Andy Tennant
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson
Rated: Rated PG-13 for action violence, some sexual material, brief nudity and language.
Synopsis: Ben and Tess try and recapture their chemistry from a previous film, and looks for gold.
Why Avoid It?: I will admit to liking How to Lose a Guy In Ten Days. It was one of those chick flicks that a guy could enjoy, because it was when McConaughey still had man leverage from films like Amistad, U-571 and Reign of Fire. But since he has now become the king of romantic comedies, and an unreachable standard for all men to try and imitate, I’m just done with his movies.
Formats: Standard DVD
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins
Director: Malcolm D. Lee
Cast: Martin Lawrence, Cedric the Entertainer
Rated: Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, language and some drug references.
Synopsis: A man from the big city reunites with his family in the south.
Why Avoid It?: I thought this movie was already basically made. Cedric the Entertainer was in Johnson Family Vacation, which is eerily similar to this one. Maybe its just a coincidence, maybe its poor judgment. Maybe it is just another one of those movies that I forgot even existed, so I don’t feel too bad ignoring it.
Formats: Standard DVD
My Mom’s New Boyfriend
Director: George Gallo
Cast: Meg Ryan, Antonio Banderas, Colin Hanks
Rated:
Synopsis: An FBI agent has to spy on his own mom, how funny.
Why Avoid It?: Straight to DVD goodness here. Meg Ryan and Antonio Banderas clutch to this film like an innertube while their careers go down the drain. At least Banderas has his voice acting to lean on. To add insult to injury, Colin Hanks is throwing any good will that he has gained with his father’s name. A bad movie, and a bad choice to even watch it.
Formats: Standard DVD
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