This Week in DVD & Bluray (02-23-10)

There is virtual cornucopia of DVD and Bluray releases coming out this week.  Old classics, lesser-known indies, big studio releases, and future cult hits alike will all be hitting the shelves tomorrow and it’s your job to read up on the new batch before you make your home viewing decisions!

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The Informant! (2009) – DVD / Bluray

Matt Damon plays Mark Whitacre, clueless corporate whistle-blower who gets in his dealings with the FBI.  Many believe Damon should have received a Best Actor nomination for this performance.  Ultimately, Soderbergh’s “The Informant!” fell a little flat for me.

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The Box (2009) – DVD / Bluray

Richard Kelly, the writer-director that brought us “Donnie Darko” and “Southland Tales”, presents the “Twilight Zone”-esque “The Box” about a couple that is faced with a difficult decision.  If they push a button on a small wooden box, they give a million dollars cash, but simultaneously take the life of someone they don’t know.  Follow the link to read the KEEPING IT REEL review of “The Box”.

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Everybody’s Fine (2009) – DVD

Robert De Niro stars as a widower that is alone for the holidays.  Instead of staying home, he decides to go on an impromptu road trip to visit all of his grown children.  Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale, and Sam Rockwell all play De Niro’s children, none of whose lives seem to be as perfect as they look.

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The September Issue (2009) – DVD

Coined as the “real ‘The Devil Wears Prada’”, this documentary features Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour as she prepares for the fall-fashion issue in 2007.

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Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant (2009) – DVD / Bluray

A teenage boy (Chris Massoglia) breaks an age-old truce between two warring groups of vampires.  John C. Reilly plays a vampire who takes the teen under his wing and introduces him to an underworld filled with circus freaks and crazy creatures.  If this is your cup of tea, go for it.

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Dead Snow (2009) – DVD / Bluray / Netflix “Watch Instantly”

YES!  A group of friends enjoy a skiing vacation to Eastern Europe, when they run into a Nazi-zombie army that haunts the mountains where they’re skiing!  From the trailers, this looks like an AWESOME b-horror film!  If you are a Netflix subscriber, check this one out on “Watch Instantly” as early as this week!

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The Damned United (2009) – DVD / Bluray

In 1960s England, this film tells the story of Brian Clough’s short-lived career as the manager of Leeds United, defending English football champions.

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Motherhood (2009) – DVD

Uma Thurman stars as busy mom / blogger who enters a writing contest a parenting magazine.  As she writes her article, she comes to realize what is really valuable in her life.  To me, this seems like kind of a dud, but it played at opening night of the 2009 Chicago International Film Festival, so this may be worth a watch.

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The Crazies (1973) – Bluray

The remake of George A. Romero’s 1973 zombie film “The Crazies” is hitting theaters this Friday, so what better time than now to check out this original in stunning high definition?

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–       Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010) – DVD / Bluray – If you are a comic book fan, you may love this.

–       Sorority Row (2009) – DVD – After a prank in the sorority house leaves one of their sisters dead, the sorority decides to keep it a secret.  Unfortunately for them, a mysterious killer knows what they’re hiding.

–       The End of the Line (2009) – DVD – Narrated by Ted Danson, this documentary is basically “The Inconvenient Truth”, but about global over-fishing and its effects on the overall health of the environment.

–       Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead (2007) – Bluray – A fast-food chicken restaurant is built on a Native American burial ground.  When the spirits get stirred and upset, they return in the form of Indian chicken zombies looking for revenge!

–       Wrong Side of Town (2010) – DVD / Bluray – WWE superstars Rob Van Dam and Bautista play ex-Navy Seals seeking revenge for the killing of Van Dam’s wife.  Enough said.

–       Nurse Jackie: Season One (2009) – DVD / Bluray – Edie Falco, of “The Sopranos” fame, plays a nurse surviving the daily task of saving lives in a New York City hospital in this hit Showtime series.

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As always, go forth and conquer the video stores, Netflix queues, and Redboxes near you!