DVD’s I Bought This Week: September 23rd
Posted by Brian C. Gibson (brian@filmschoolrejects.com) on September 23, 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.
The Godfather – The Coppola Restoration
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Cast: Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton.
Synopsis: Godfather is Italian for, an offer you can’t refuse.
Why Buy It?: Why shouldn’t you? I don’t have to tell you why…do you know why? Because the first two films are two of the highest rated and most critically acclaimed films of all time. The third, with the quasi-incestuous story-line, was a bit of a stinker…but this is cinematic royalty here folks. Don’t mess with this one or you will wake up in a pool of blood, cozying up to a dead horse’s head. Not literally of course, but you know what I mean.
Friday The 13th – Season 1
Synopsis: Cursed antiques, graphic TV horror, any other requests?
Why Buy It?: This was a show that when I got a little bit older, and caught this on late-night, scared the crap out of me. It is really tame to go back to it, but it is still a damn good show, and will certainly fit well into my collection. I can’t wait to revisit this one.
L.A. Confidential
Director: Curtis Hanson
Cast: Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Bassinger
Synopsis: Three cops playing their parts at police corruption, murder and making people pee their pants.
Why Buy It?: This is easily one of the best films made since I was born. This one goes hand in hand with The Usual Suspects, and brought Noir back to American film in a big way. Not to mention, this one launched the careers of Crowe and Pearce. If you thought Crowe was a badass in Gladiator, Maximus would of had his hands full with Bud White.
Leatherheads
Director: George Clooney
Cast: George Clooney, Renee Zellweger, John Krasinski
Rated: Rated PG-13 for brief strong language.
Synopsis: Football played in the oldey-timey days, before zippers and interwebs.
Why Rent It?: The more and more I see him in romantic-comedy-type roles, I despise George Clooney. I really appreciate his more eclectic and dramatic roles. That being said, I despise Renee Zellweger even more. I think she is a horrible actress. That being said, I really like John Krasinski. That being said, I will give this one a chance, but I have my eye on that Clooney fella.
Run Fatboy Run
Director: David Schwimmer
Cast: Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton, Hank Azaria
Rated: Rated R for language, some violent content, brief sexuality and drug use.
Synopsis: So an American, a Limey and a cliché walk into a bar…
Why Rent It?: If there were any way to describe this film without using the word cliché, I would be flabbergasted. My love for Simon Pegg made me go see this one, but then i realized that it was directed by Ross from Friends. There are some laughs, but more importantly there are not a lot of them. This is a must see for any Pegg fans, but just your average rom-com cliché film.
Deception
Director: Marcel Langenegger
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Ewan McGregor, Michelle Williams
Rated: Rated R for sexual content, language, brief violence and some drug use.
Synopsis: It was sexy and deceptive…and then came Ewan McGregor.
Why Rent It?: This one perked my interest. I had not heard of it, and it has a pretty stellar cast. One worry of mine though was, in fact, the casting. I like Ewan McGregor, but he is not really like the cool, decptive, sexy guy. Hugh Jackman is always worth watching, and Michelle Williams isn’t hard on the eyes. Despite some bad buzz, I want to check this one out.
Sex and The City
Director: Michael Patrick King
Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon
Rated: Rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity and language.
Synopsis: It is kind of like that TV show that used to be on HBO.
Why Avoid It?: First off, I won’t knock Sex and The City. I get it. I don’t get into it, but I get it. With mixed reviews, this one was hit or miss for fans and critics. Anyone who expected more than just a 2 hour episode of the show is ambitious but naive. Hollwood goes with what works, and apparently middle-aged, semi-attractive socialites do it for some people.
Pathology
Director: Marc Schoelermann
Cast: Milo Ventimiglia, Michael Weston, Alyssa Milano
Rated: Rated R for disturbing and perverse behavior throughout, including violence, gruesome images, strong sexual content, nudity, drug use and language.
Synopsis: Medical students come pretty close to losing their licenses…
Why Avoid It?: Eh, it’s just not good. I wanted to like it, especially because the studio let us rub elbows with the stars and screenwriters. It is kinda like when someone you know sets you up on a blind date. They mean well, they have good intentions and they want you to be happy and like what you see. However, when you meet the final product…you politely thank them and go finish your night with Cinemax. That makes sense right? Not bad, but not good. I wasn’t a fan.
High School Musical 2
Director: Kenny Ortega
Cast: Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale
Rated: Rated R for strong sexual content including graphic dialogue, pervasive language, drug content and brief nudity…jk omg!
Synopsis: High School Musical, two.
Why Avoid It?: One: I am not a huge fan of musicals. Two: I am not a big fan of teeny Disney products. Three: I would burn my clothing while still wearing it if I had to see this in a theater. So why would I buy it or subject myself to even watching it. If you are reading this, survey says that 70 percent of you are male and over the age of 18. So you might agree. For everyone else out there, ladies, sorry for blasting Carrie and the gang… girl power.
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