This is the first post in a new weekly article for The Film Stage. I’m a huge DVD collector, as I’m sure many of you out there reading this site are. Some weeks I just can’t wait for Tuesday to hit so I can go over to my local rental store and pick up some awesome films I want to watch a couple hundred times more or even click on Amazon and order some great Blu-rays that just came out.
Each week I, along with other writers from The Film Stage on occasion, will pick a few of the flicks coming out on DVD/Blu-ray to highlight (whether it be for good or bad reasons) for you to buy, rent or avoid like the plague. This week my picks are:
Grab ‘Em Right Away:
Pontypool (2008)
Directed by: Bruce McDonald
Written by: Tim Burgess
Starring: Stephen McHattie, Lisa Houle & Georgina Reilly
Why should you buy this? If you are a fan of zombie films then you know exactly what you love about them. What I love about this one is that it is through the eyes of this frustrated radio broadcaster that you just have to empathize with. While watching this film, from moment to moment just imagine yourself in this man’s shoes (or his chair) as he is attempting to comprehend this news. You hear locals calling in to say that people are eating each other and all the crazy things that are occurring in this small Canadian town. It does go off the deep end with it’s explanation of how the ‘virus’ is being spread towards the end but at the same time it works in the context of this film so well that you’ll want to watch it again and again. You have to love Stephen McHattie‘s performance as Grant Mazzy. His voice is so interesting to listen to I wish he did a weekly podcast.
Give ‘Em Hell Malone (2009)
Directed by: Russell Mulcahy
Written by: Mark Hosack
Starring: Thomas Jane, Ving Rhames, Doug Hutchinson & Elsa Pataky
Why should you buy this? Thomas Jane plays a hard headed PI who’s looking for answers. Some tough thugs are trying hard as hell to kill him. It’s a fine movie that you enjoy from beginning to end as Tom Jane does an amazing job throughout. I especially love Doug Hutchinson as Matchstick, the crazy guy who’s been burned one too many times and wants to make sure everyone learns not to play with fire. The film is campy fun and has a lot of overacting that I miss in the subdued films of today.
Avoid it Like The Plague:
This Is It (2009)
Directed by: Kenny Ortega
Starring: Michael Jackson
Why should this be buried in some landfill in the middle of nowhere? Because this should never have been seen. Michael Jackson was busy rehearsing for his concert and since he died they had nothing to show us but this footage. I understand that he was an amazing performer, as I’m I a huge fan of him, but it doesn’t show here. Most of the time he’s restraining himself throughout the rehearsal just so that he won’t be worn out for the actual concert. It’s apparent in every scene that this is just a cash grab by someone who is sad that they had to refund all those tickets for a concert that didn’t happen.
Jordan’s Blu-ray Deals of the Week:
There are a number of great deals on Amazon right now, but they may go away before the week’s end, so get them while you can. I’ve highlighted the best deals below and you can check out the rest over at Slickdeals.
L.A. Confidential [$11.99]
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang [$11.99]
The Aviator [$7.99]
The Rest:
Bright Star
Surrogates
Whip It
Saw VI
Little Ashes
I Hope they Serve Beer in Hell
The Boys are Back
Southland (First Season)
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Soul Power
Pride & Prejudice (Bluray)
Atonement (Bluray)
Fame (1980) (Bluray)
Bridget Jones Diary (Bluray)
Roberto Rossellini’s War Trilogy (Rome Open City/Paisan/Germany Year Zero) (Criterion Collection)
Paris, Texas (Criterion Collection)
Do you agree with our picks? What are you getting this week?