This Week on DVD & Blu-ray (02-21-12)
With this being Oscar week, the spotlight is on two releases that were overlooked by the Academy – one thankfully so, while the other quite erroneously. First, there’s the underwhelming collaboration between Clint Eastwood and Leonardo DiCaprio, ”J. Edgar”, that came out last fall. It initially earned some end-of-the-year nomination buzz, but that thankfully that fizzled out. But “Martha Marcy May Marlene”, an impressive directorial debut from writer/director Sean Durkin, was erroneously overlooked - maybe because, like the titular character (excellently played by Elizabeth Olsen), Oscar was confused. Whatever the reason, this uneasy character study is definitely worth your time. Other titles out today: the Bret Ratner/Eddie Murphy (no Oscars for them!) semi-hit, “Tower Heist”, also starring Ben Stiller and Matthew Broderick, and “London Boulevard” the directorial debut of Oscar-winning screenwriter William Monahan ( “The Departed” ), starring Colin Farrell and Keira Knightly, which saw a limited release overseas with only a short VOD release here in the States.
Beauty and the Beast 3D (1991)
written by: Roger Allers, Brenda Chapman, Chris Sanders, Burny Mattinson, Kevin Harkey, Brian Pimental, Bruce Woodside, Joe Ranft, Tom Ellery, Kelly Ashbury, and Robert Lence
produced by: Don Hahn
directed by: Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise
rating: G
runtime: 84 min.
U.S. release date: January 6, 2011
When “Beauty and the Beast” originally came out in the fall of 1991, I was a sophomore in college into films such as “Rush”, “Star Trek IV: The Undiscovered Country”, “The Fisher King” and “The Last Boy Scout”. Say what you will about that selection, but needless to say, a fairy-tale romance/musical was the furthest thing from my mind. Come to think of it, Barry Sonnenfeld’s “The Addams Family” was released on the same day and I think I opted for that instead. That’s just where I was at the time and I never caught up with Disney’s 30th animated feature, until now. It took a 3D post-convert to do it, but I finally saw the award-winning film loved by many, Best Picture nominee and two-time Oscar winner (Best Original Score and Best Original Song), and for that I’m glad, but that’s about it.
Oscar-Nominated DOCUMENTARY Shorts (2012)
For some reason, the studio behind “God is Bigger than Elvis” did not offer their Oscar-nominated Documentary Short to be included in Shorts International’s limited run currently making the rounds in select theaters. But the four (out of five) films that were shown are exceptional – all very powerful, important and emotional, in their own way. You won’t find any feel-good vibrations coming from any of these films though, so be forewarned. In traveling to Baghdad and Islamabad, we witness the horrors humans inflict on each other. We also visit the survivors of a devastating natural catastrophe in Japan and then head to Alabama to find a man who’s seen his share of humanity’s ugliness. Out of all the Oscar-Nominated Shorts (Live-Action and Animated), this is the batch that are the overall best.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011)
written by: Eric Roth (screenplay) and Jonathan Safran Foer (novel)
produced by: Scott Rudin
directed by: Stephen Daldry
rating: PG-13 (for emotional thematic material, some disturbing images, and language)
runtime: 129 min.
U.S. release date: December 25, 2011 (limited) & January 20, 2012 (wide)
There were a handful of crowd-pleasing and manipulative movies released in 2011, but none of them earned as vitriolic a reception as “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” did. It’s been called precocious, pandering, and cloying by critics, and even some avid moviegoers, while some viewers have found it satisfying despite its blatant heavy-handed nature. And now the latest Oscar bait from director Stephen Daldry has acquired a Best Picture Oscar nomination, a move which baffled many, including myself, and elicited even more vehement disapproval. While I’m not as outraged by this film’s existence, I do find myself perplexed that a cast of actors – who usually deliver performances ranging from good to great – are unable to redeem a film that, at its best, feels like a trite Hallmark special and, at its worst, a typical Lifetime movie.
This Week on DVD & Blu-ray (02-14-12)
Oscar-Nominated LIVE ACTION Shorts (2012)
Each year we stare blankly at the Shorts that show up on the Academy Award nominations list, and we wonder what they’re about, who made them and (more importantly) how to view them. After all, how else to make an informative decision in your Oscar Pool? Well, this time of year, Shorts International releases a one-week run of the Live Action, Animated and Documentary Shorts in limited theaters across the U.S. If you’re lucky enough to catch them, you’ll find yourself more prepared come Oscar night.
Oscar-Nominated ANIMATED Shorts (2012)
Each year we stare blankly at the Shorts that show up on the Academy Award nominations list, and wonder what they’re about, who made them and (more importantly) how to view them. After all, how else to make an informative decision in your Oscar Pool? Well, this time of year, Shorts International releases a one-week run of the Live Action, Animated and Documentary Shorts in limited theaters across the U.S. If you’re lucky enough to catch them, you’ll find yourself more prepared come Oscar night.
Safe House (2012)
written by: David Guggenheim
produced by: Scott Stuber
directed by: Daniel Espinosa
rating: R (for strong violence throughout and some language)
runtime: 115 min.
U.S. release date: February 10, 2012
I recall a made-for-TV thriller called “Safe House” , released back in 1998 that was quite good. It starred an ex-covert operative played by Patrick Stewart, who is now being pursued for information he knows that could incriminate the President. The kicker – at the same time, he’s also facing his own mortality with early signs of Alzheimer’s setting in. The titular “safe house” was the character’s own home, which he had outfitted to barricade against the outside world with various defenses and security measures. Since almost no one saw it, it would be just the right material for a feature-length big-budget treatment or even a taut indie sleeper – too bad the new Denzel Washington/Ryan Reynolds movie, “Safe House” has no relation to that “Safe House”.
The Woman in Black (2012)
written by: Jane Goldman (screenplay) and Susan Hill (novel)
produced by: Richard Jackson, Simon Oakes & Brian Oliver
directed by: James Watkins
rating: PG-13 (for thematic material and violence/disturbing images)
runtime: 95 min.
U.S. release date: February 3, 2012
Hammer Film Productions is a UK company responsible for releasing Gothic horror films known “Hammer Horror” from the 50s through the 70s. Then the horror genre went a considerably different direction, leaving behind foreboding mansions shrouded in fog, creepy townsfolk, and things that go bump in the night. Hammer Film producer Simon Oakes has recently staged a revival of atmospheric horror films, with its first hit being the 2008 American remake “Let Me In”. Last year saw the release of two unsettling thrillers, “The Resident” and “Wake Wood”, that had supporting roles for potentially creepy actors, Christopher Lee and Timothy Spall (respectively), and were both released Direct-to-DVD and VOD in the States. Thanks to the “Harry Potter” films, “The Woman in Black”, will undoubtedly be the most successful film yet of the Hammer revival, with Mr. Potter himself, young Daniel Radcliffe headlining the film in his first post-Potter feature film.
This Week on DVD & Blu-ray (02-07-12)
