DVDs I Bought This Week – June 3rd
Posted by Brian C. Gibson (brian@filmschoolrejects.com) on June 3, 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.
Dirty Harry Ultimate Collector’s Edition
Director:
Cast: Clint Eastwood
Rated:
Synopsis: You don’t assign him to murder cases, You just turn him loose.
Why Buy It?:The synopsis above is the actual tagline from Dirty Harry. How cool is that? Can you even really name a 1970’s character more iconic than Eastwood’s Harry Callahan? No joke, a police department in the Philippines supposedly ordered a print of the movie for use as a training film. Can’t you just imagine a bunch of cops running around waving 44 Magnums? That’s a world that I would want to live in.
Formats: Standard DVD, Bluray
Control
Director: Anton Corbijn
Cast: Sam Riley, Samantha Morton
Rated: Rated R for language and brief sexuality.
Synopsis: A haunting look at the life, and death, of the lead singer of Joy Division.
Why Buy It?: It was hard for me to keep this off of my own personal top ten list for 2007. This is just one of those films that have to be seen. First of all, the film was shot beautifully. The choice of black and white was very appropriate. Also, Sam Riley gives a performance to be proud of. In watching the film, you can really feel the pain and confusion that would have driven a popular lead singer to take his own life at 23 years old.
Formats: Standard DVD
The Machine Girl
Director: Noboru Iguchi
Cast:
Rated: Unrated
Synopsis: A dad and his two daughters go on a road trip after hearing about their mother’s death.
Why Rent It?: So I will give you 30 seconds to tell me why you should not see a movie that features a girl with a machine gun for an arm, a flying guillotine, ninjas and a drill bra. The trailer for this one totally sold me. Luckily it is not a film that takes itself seriously, it just aims to entertain in a way that any of you Planet Terror fans are familiar with.
Formats: Standard DVD
Semi-Pro (Two-Disc Unrated “Let’s Get Sweaty” Edition)
Director: Kent Alterman
Cast: Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, Will Arnett, Andre Benjamin
Rated: Rated R for language and some sexual content.
Synopsis: The owner of an ABA team would literally wrestle a bear to make it into the NBA.
Why Rent It?: I know this is a Will Ferrell movie, and history tells me that I should be buying it. Sadly, seeing this one once…is enough. Ferrell is as funny as usual, but something is missing. Probably a supporting cast. Ferrell’s funniest films have always come alongside some stellar company, and were usually written or directed by Adam McKay. This is just one of those rent it-laugh-forget it type movies.
Formats: Standard DVD, Bluray
Meet The Spartans
Director: Jason Friedberg, Aaron Seltzer
Cast: Kevin Sorbo, Carmen Electra
Rated: Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content throughout, language and some comic violence.
Synopsis: A painful parody of recent films
Why Avoid It?: Imagining witnessing the sinking of the Titanic, while being continually sprayed in the eyes with pepper spray. Not even Carmen Electra is a sight for those sore eyes in this film. It’s nice to see that they are still making films to entertain all those high school dropouts that think Canadia is a country, but can’t point out Canada on a map. These movies just make my brain hurt, and I don’t want to waste any more time showing it any attention.
Formats: Standard DVD
The Eye
Director: David Moreau, Xavier Palud
Cast: Jessica Alba, Parker Posey
Rated: Rated PG-13 for violence/terror and disturbing content.
Synopsis: Eye transplant = eye see dead people.
Why Avoid It?: This is what big hollywood actors might call “an easy paycheck.” I am totally ok with Parker Posey doing this because, as history has shown, she performs in many independent films. Jessica Alba on the other hand, this one paid for her baby’s education. This is yet another example of Hollywood rehashing someone else’s good movie into a crappy remake. One thing this one has going for it – some very attractive actresses. Where has Fernanda Romero been all my life?
Formats: Standard DVD
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