This Week on DVD & Blu-ray (07-17-12)

 

From the Spanish-language Western comedy “Casa de mi Padre” starring Will Ferrell to the sci-fi action flick starring Guy Pearce that seems like “Escape from New York” in Outer Space, there’s quite a variety to choose from this week. Those are certainly a couple releases from earlier this year that I look forward to catching up with, mainly for the actors and the concepts, or rather, gimmicks. The ensemble comedy “Friends with Kids” and the Turkish drama “The Turin Horse” will also be added to my ever-increasing long list. Of the other new releases on this list, I’ve seen Lasse Hallstrom’s romantic dramedy “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” and was smitten by its charm, despite it’s flaws, Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt were a joy to watch together. And then there’s “The Three Stooges”, which despite some praise (believe it or not), well, I just can’t seem to even consider subjecting myself to watch it – at least not yet.

 

 

There’s quite a bizarre array of titles making their way to Blu-ray for the first time. The two standouts though are Martin Scorsese’s “Mean Streets” and 1952’s “Singin’ in the Rain”, directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Dolan, which is packaged in a handsome extensive collection celebrating 60 years of the classic musical. If none of those interest you – then you’re crazy – and you might as well watch a couple Chuck Norris flicks making their way to Blu-ray.

 

 

I haven’t gotten around to reviewing Mel Gibson’s latest “Get the Gringo”, but I found it to be a fun and funny crime noir jaunt, reminiscent of his previous hard-boiled flick, “Payback”.  It feels like Sam Peckinpah grittiness combined with the pulpy novels of Donald E. Westlake. I’ve heard from reliable sources that “American Masters Johnny Carson: King of Late Night” is a great look at the iconic star who paved the way for everyone else doing late night gigs. So, at some point I’ll have to catch up with that special on DVD.