Somehow last week went by without my noticing. Maybe it’s because there was nothing on the DVD shelves really worth talking about. Anyhow, here I am with this (and last) week’s edition of TFS’ DVD Picks of the Week:
Grab ‘Em Right Away
The Messenger
Directed by: Oren Moverman
Written by: Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Ben Foster & Jena Malone
Why should you buy this? Because it’s one of the most original and moving war films in the last decade. Every time someone says ‘war’ movie people all get up in a furore as to how cliché they are and how it’ll move from point A to point B with a massive body count built throughout the journey. Here, however, we are back in the U.S.A. seeing the tragedy that’s created when family members are informed of their child, husband/wife or father/mother’s death in Iraq. Where people had issues with the non-actors’ reactions in Up In The Air during the firing sequences this film improves on exponentially by hiring real actors who know how to access the right range of emotions for the cinema. Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson are a pair of true characters that so interesting it’s hard not to fall in love with the film.
Check it Out
Invictus
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Written by: Anthony Peckham & John Carlin
Starring: Morgan Freeman & Matt Damon
Why should you rent this? Nelson Mandela has been appointed President of South Africa. Now, his first order of business is put the dread of Apartheid behind his nation by trying to bring them together and forgetting about the racial oppression that once was rampant in the country. To achieve this, he decides to back the country’s rugby team during the upcoming World Cup, despite it’s white, racist origins. It’s a huge underdog tale of how a broken team comes together and helps mend a nation. Though it is at times slightly disorientating to the uninitiated to the sport, director Clint Eastwood focuses on the spectators more than the players during the game scenes, making said game more interesting. It’s not a perfect film, but an interesting take on the Mandela story.
Edge of Darkness
Directed by: Martin Campbell
Written by: William Monahan & Andrew Bowell
Starring: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone & Danny Huston
Why should you rent this? Because it’s a pretty cool action revenge flick. Last year we were treated to Taken where Liam Neeson kicked ass from here to Paris. In this film Mel Gibson’s daughter is murdered and he needs to know why. So he kicks ass from here to another place in town that I don’t know because I don’t know America’s geography. I particularly like Ray Winstone in this movie, as I do in most movies he’s in. He’s got an eerie aura that adds depth to his character. His performance is worth the watch alone.
North Face
Directed by: Philipp Stölz
Written by: Philipp Stölz & Christoph Silber
Starring: Benno Fürmann, Florian Lukas & Johanna Wokalek
Why should you rent this? Because it’s one of those extreme “based on a true story” stories that you’ve never heard before. You may have heard of the Eiger Mountain in the Alps? Well, in 1936 the steep north face of the mountain was yet to be conquered by any climber in the world. Toni and Andi were two German climbing enthusiasts who wanted to be the first. This is the tale of them, as well as other teams, attempting to conquer this insurmountable task. And even though the film gives away it’s ending around halfway through, it wins me with its visual brilliance and dramatic charm. It’s also nice to see the Nazi Party perceived from the periphery. For some Germans the Nazis merely existed, nothing more. That kind of candor is bold.
Avoid Like the Plague
Legion
Directed by: Scott Stewart
Written by: Peter Schink & Scott Stewart
Starring: Paul Bettany, Lucas Black, Tyrese Gibson & Dennis Quaid
Why should you not save the world from the apocalypse? Because this boring action film will survive. I find it so sad that an action film with enough guns to invade a small nation had such uninteresting action. It’s like watching a sniper scope for hours. You see a man miles away, and he’s hot down repeatedly every few minutes. Not very appealing is it? Well it’s the same here. Most of the enemies are kept at arm’s length and never given an exciting moment to shine. When Stewart finally gets to the Angel vs. Angel fight you’ll be snoozing.
Daybreakers
Directed by: Michael Spierig & Peter Spierig
Written by: Michael Spierig & Peter Spierig
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Sam Neill & Willem Dafoe
Why should you just let the vampires bite you? Because it gives you one of the most nonsensical explanations to the ‘vampire’ race since Near Dark. I was in on this movie from the get go. I like the idea of an apocalyptic film where it’s vampires are facing extinction as opposed to humans. However, the filmmakers drop the ball completely when they decided to bring in all the antidote rubbish. When the biggest laugh you get is watching Willem Dafoe sport his ridiculous southern accent, you know something is wrong. Not a good movie at all. Worth maybe a rental if you like B-horror flicks.
Jordan’s Blu-Ray Deals of the Week
Walmart is doing an excellent 3 for $30 Blu-Ray Deal with a ton of titles to choose from. More get added/taken off each day so keep checking. Free shipping as well!
The Rest
Daria: The Complete Animated Series
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: The Complete Fifth Season
Valentine’s Day
Extraordinary Measures
The Spy Next Door
The New Daughter
Walkabout (The Criterion Collection)
Blu-ray
Hang ‘Em High
The Magnificent Seven Collection
The Man in the Iron Mask
Robin Hood: Men in Tights
History of the World: Part 1
The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid, Part II
High Anxiety
M (The Criterion Collection)
Outlander
Carlito’s Way
Appleseed
What are you watching this week?