DVDs I Bought This Week - May 6th

Posted by Brian C. Gibson (brian@filmschoolrejects.com) on May 6, 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.

Bella

Director: Alejandro Gomez Monteverde

Cast: Eduardo Verástegui, Tammy Blanchard

Rated: Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and brief disturbing images.

Synopsis: A New York love story about a soccer star and a waitress

Why Buy It?: This was one of the best well received films of last year, but sadly it was only shown in a limited amount of theaters. I know that the synopsis makes it sound like a run-of-the-mill romantic date movie but, while it is a romantic date movie, it is also much more. More lies beneath the surface of this one, and I assure you that it is worth checking out.

Formats: Standard DVD

I’m Not There

Director: Todd Haynes

Cast: Cate Blanchett, Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, Richard Gere

Rated: Rated R for language, some sexuality and nudity.

Synopsis: A movie about Bob Dylan, for those who dabble in recreational drugs

Why Buy It?: So I must admit, I didn’t quite understand this one at first. But I’m Not There is one of those films that once you do get it, it is phenomenal. On a side note, who does not want to see the only other film that Heath Ledger and Christian Bale appeared in together. This one will be remembered for a long time, and for good reason.

Formats: Standard DVD

Twister: 2-Disc Special Edition

Director: Jan de Bont

Cast: Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, Cary Elwes, Philip Seymour Hoffman

Rated: Rated PG-13 for intense depiction of very bad weather.

Synopsis: People throwing tin cans at a tornado

Why Buy It?: This is one of those rare DVD’s where the presentation supersedes the quality of the film. While Twister is not a fantastic film, it is a corner-piece of any catalogue for Home Theater supremacy. You can play this on almost any home theater and make it sound 50% more expensive. Oh, and you get to see Helen Hunt when she was sort of hot and Philip Seymour Hoffman when he was sort of young and still working on those acting skills.

Formats: Standard DVD, Blu-Ray

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie

Director: Jim Mallon

Cast: Trace Beaulieu, Michael J. Nelson, Jim Mallon, Kevin Murphy, John Brady

Rated: Unrated

Synopsis: Every year Hollywood makes hundreds of movies. This is one of them.

Why Rent It?: If you don’t know what Mystery Science Theater is, stop reading, run out and buy one of the seasons on DVD and prepare a thank you email. If you do know what MST is, then you can join me in my boyishly cute grin of happiness. This is a great piece of comedy that any fan of laughs and old sci-fi flicks can enjoy. I love this little trivia tidbit though: “By many accounts, making the movie was not a happy experience for the filmmakers, due to frequent studio interference. Years later, at a cast reunion appearance in New York City, Trace Beaulieu was asked what the worst movie featured on MST3K was. His reply was, Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie.”

Formats: Standard DVD

A Collection of 2007 Academy Award Nominated Short Films

Director:

Cast:

Rated:

Synopsis:

Why Rent It?: Pretty cut and dry here. This is a collection of short films (Live Action and Animated) that were nominated for a 2007 Academy Award. The shorts include: At Night, The Mozart of Pickpockets, The Substitute, Tanghi Argentini, The Tonto Woman, Even Pigeons Go To Heaven, Madame Tutli-Putli and Peter & The Wolf.

Formats: Standard DVD

Serial Mom

Director: John Waters

Cast: Kathleen Turner, Matthew Lillard, Ricki Lake

Rated: Rated R for satirical presentation of strong violence, vulgar language, and sexual episodes.

Synopsis: Based on a true story, of a suburban mom serial killer. As told by John Waters.

Why Rent It?: This one is probably even worth a purchase, but I won’t given how many times I saw this on HBO as an adolescent. I can remember watching this one almost every Saturday Night when I was 12. One watch, and I might even be able to rehearse the lines. Nonetheless, this is the role of Kathleen Turner’s career and just an awesome movie. If you have never, then see it now.

Formats: Standard DVD

Teeth

Director: Mitchell Lichtenstein

Cast: Jess Weixler

Rated: Rated R for disturbing sequences involving sexuality and violence (both in the form of a penis-eating vagina), language and some drug use.

Synopsis: The scariest thing ever…A cute girl’s hoo-hoo has teeth.

Why Rent It?: This seriously might be one of the most messed up ideas for a movie, ever. A cute girl apprehensively works through her sex life, while dealing with the insecurities of living life with teeth in your vagina. No matter how crazy and original an idea this film might be, I still don’t want to purchase a personal nightmare of mine on DVD.

Formats: Standard DVD

P.S. I Love You

Director: Richard LaGravenese

Cast: Gerard Butler, Hillary Swank, Harry Connick Jr., Lisa Kudrow

Rated: Rated PG-13 for language, some innuendo and sexuality.

Synopsis: King Leonidas dies valiantly, only to live immortally by leaving love notes to Hank Swank.

Why Avoid It?: Why…why…WHY? Gerard Butler totally was the alpha male for about 6 months, before this heap hit theaters. I know I am probably offending my mom and some girls that i know by saying this, but get a life! No guy is going to leave you a bushel of love letters to read after his death. Look on the bright side though, if you act quick and marry him, he might leave you something in his will. On a side note, who would win in a fight? Leonidas or any of the roles that Hank Swank buffed up for?

Formats: Standard DVD, Blu-Ray

Over Her Dead Body

Director: Jeff Lowell

Cast: Eva Longoria Parker, Paul Rudd, Jason Biggs

Rated: Rated PG-13 for sexual content and language.

Synopsis: Eva Longoria Parker’s career dies, while Paul Rudd clutches a life raft and finds a hotter chick.

Why Avoid It?: Here is another train wreck that would be sure to melt off any man’s face. Here we have one of the biggest media whores in the business, who jumps at the opportunity to use her newly attained post-wedding name. Longoria Parker cannot act, and hopefully she can extend some of her luck to her new husband. On a side note, I hate the Spurs. Oh and shame on you too Paul Rudd, I expect these kind of shenanigans from Jason Biggs but not you.

Formats: Standard DVD

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