It’s Tuesday again, so it’s time to see what’s hitting shelves this week on DVD.Grab ‘Em Right Away:
The Damned United
Directed by: Tom Hooper
Written by: Peter Morgan & David Peace
Starring: Michael Sheen & Timothy Spall
Why should you buy this? The film is about the great young English football manager, Brian Clough. The centerpiece of the film is Clough’s 44-day spell as manager of Leeds United. Everything else in the film is either leading up to those 44 days or the story of the consequences of what happens during those days. This film stands out as special because, unlike every other cliche sports film, it doesn’t make the team’s success/failure the only important element of the story. The real heart of this film is watching the developments in the relationship between Brain Clough and his assistant Peter Taylor, which is great because both Michael Sheen and Timothy Spall give us some great performances in this film for us all to enjoy. It also works as being one of the few really well done English football movies I’ve ever seen.
Give it a Chance:
The Box
Directed by: Richard Kelly
Written by: Richard Kelly & Richard Matheson
Starring: Cameron Diaz, James Marsden & Frank Langella
Why should you rent this? After Richard Kelly gave us the brilliant science fiction film Donnie Darko he gave us the flop Southland Tales. The young man’s finally returned to give us this thriller. So the question I ask myself is does he redeem himself for Southland Tales or is it just another good idea lost in science fiction with little to add to the genre? I must say that this film doesn’t get Mr. Kelly out of the dog house but at the same time reminds us of the greatness that was promised with his debut film. During the first hour of the film you find yourself asking yourself “would I push the button?” Soon after that we are taken on this rollercoaster trying to figure more and more about this man with the box. The film falters towards the end in how it poses more of a commentary on people as to their greedy nature while at the same time still trying to keep up this magic-like explanation that never seems to hold water. Watch it for the great cinematography and some great thriller elements that the movie provides. This is definitely one of the better shot films of 2009.
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant
Directed by: Paul Weitz
Written by: Paul Weitz & Brian Helgeland
Starring: Chris Massoglia, John C. Reilly & Josh Hutcherson
Why should you rent this? If you’re a fan of fun, cartoony vampire films then this is definitely for you. Yes I know it’s no Let the Right One In but it is a fun film about vampires and freaks and an introduction into a story that I’ve probably seen a billion times. But I’m okay with seeing it once more here. I kind of like how Crepsley gives us a different take on vampires being a somewhat more mainstreamed in that he isn’t all about feeding on humans but rather getting what he needs to survive, without killing, and moving on. The film is cartoony and enjoyable, definitely something to share with the younger crowd if you happen to have any of those in the house. And yes, it is better than Twilight.
Avoid it like the Plague:
The Informant!
Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
Written by: Scott Z. Burns & Kurt Eichenwald
Starring: Matt Damon
Why should you this film be sent to prison for a decade or so? I’m a big fan of Steven Soderbergh, because he is one of the few directors out there today who actually takes risks and is always open to trying something different each time he approaches a new film. This, however, means that every once in a while he’ll end up doing something that just doesn’t work. Enter The Informant!. How can I put in words how unfunny this movie really is? When I’m watching a movie with such great performances and all I can find funny is how insane the music cues are in the film, I consider it a failure. Matt Damon gives one of his best performances, yet that I can’t seem to comprehend how someone looked at this and said, “this is funny”. Soderbergh could’ve easily made this into a serious drama about the corporate price fixing and it would’ve been brilliant but he reaches out for this dry serious humour that I just don’t get. The film is brilliantly shot and definitely was made with a specific vision in mind, I just didn’t like what I saw.
Jordan’s Blu-ray Deal of the Week:
500 Days of Summer [$12.99] (Target, In-store)
The Rest:
$9.99
The Vicious Kind
Jersey Shore: Season 1
Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths
Everybody’s Fine
The September Issue
Night Court: Season 3
Nurse Jackie: Season 1
Motherhood
May Way for Tomorrow (Criterion Collection)
FlashForward: Season 1 Pt. 1
Sorority Row
Dead Snow
Crude
Blu-Ray
Grumpy Old Men/Grumpier Old Men
Ichi The Killer
The Crazies (1973)
What are you picking up this week?
