It’s another busy week, with plenty of interesting titles coming in a variety of genres. As always, be sure to click on any links to read more detailed reviews. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, but sure to give one of these titles a try!
Big New Releases!
Annabelle – This horror-chiller is a spin-off of the hit film The Conjuring. It tells the history of a very possessed doll that causes great trouble for a newly married couple. Critics were far less enamored of this picture than its cinematic forebearer. The majority claimed that while it provided the occasional jolt here and there, the characters weren’t engaging and the plot devices predictable. They generally felt like it was a cash-in on the success of The Conjuring and wasted the considerable talents of supporting actress Alfre Woodard. Read the site’s full-length review here.
The Boxtrolls – Likely to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Animated film in the next couple of days, this flick details the adventures of a family of very unusual, subterranean creatures. They find themselves under threat from a nasty character who wants to wipe them out. Critics were positive about the movie… while they suggested it wasn’t as effective as the studios previous efforts (Coraline and Paranorman), they still called it an impressive looking kids flick with an original story. Ben Kingsley, Jared Harris, Nick Frost, Richard Ayoade and Tracy Morgan provide the voices. Those who want to read a more detailed review can click here.
The Drop – A local robbery causes all sorts of trouble for a bartender in Brooklyn in this character-based crime drama. As secrets are revealed, mobsters and underworld figures play a large role in the proceedings. The movie received mostly raves, praising the work of the cast and calling it a low-key potboiler that delivers a few knockout moments. It boasts an impressive cast that includes Tom Hardy, Noomi Repace, Matthias Schoenaerts and James Gandolfini. You can read all about it in specific here.
The Green Prince – Documentary fans may want to check out this effort about the son of a Palestinian Hammas leader who went undercover and provided information to Israeli agents. Some critics found the doc timely and interesting, although others found it slight and were unhappy that important questions (most notably, why the subject chose to do what he did) went unanswered.
Life’s A Breeze – The plot of this small, Irish comedy/drama involves a family under financial stress who are struggling to survive, but cope in their own eccentric ways. The movie garnered mixed notices, with most suggesting that the characters were all quite lovable. However, about half noted that the cast were let down by a predictable and bland story. Pat Shortt and Eva Birthistle star.
Lucy – An experimental drug is released into a young lady and unlocks the full potential of her brain in this popular action/thriller from director Luc Besson (Leon, The Fifth Element). It received mixed notices, although more appeared to be positive than negative. All stated that the movie was fast-paced and stylishly shot, but several had major issues with plot holes and found that the curious themes were played out in a dopey manner. It stars Scarlett Johansson and Morgan Freeman. Read a detailed review of the film right here.
The Mule – This Australian comedy/crime picture is reportedly based on a true story about a drug-mule who is captured by police, but attempts to literally withhold the criminal evidence from coming to light. Despite the gross-out concept, the press were pleasantly surprised by the flick. They suggested that it made for a decent and at times unexpectedly hilarious black comedy. One expects you just have to have a strong stomach to appreciate it. The cast includes Hugo Weaving and Angus Sampson.
The Pirates – In this South Korean period action/comedy, a Royal Seal is lost at sea and swallowed by a whale. A series of pirates all attempt to catch the mammal and retrieve the prize. While this picture broke all kinds of box-office records in its homeland, it received lukewarm reaction from reviewers in this part of the world. All of them seemed impressed by the visuals, but about half found the movie overlong and felt that the attempts at humor didn’t translate well.
Rudderless – Actor William H. Macy directs this indie drama about a father depressed following the death of his musician son. When he finds a collection his boy’s unrecorded songs, he learns and performs then, leading to a surprising change in his life. The movie garnered more pros than cons from critics, who called it manipulative but extremely well-acted. Billy Crudup plays the father, with supporting roles from Anton Yelchin, Felicity Huffman and Lawrence Fishburne.
White Bird in a Blizzard – There is a wide range of opinions surrounding this independent coming-of-age melodrama. The plot tells a pulpy story of a young college discovering her sexuality after the disappearance of her mother, and returning home to learn more sordid details about what happened. Some have described as over-the-top and campy, others found it fascinatingly odd, and a few even found it haunting. Guess it’ll depend on the individual. It stars Shailene Woodley, Christopher Meloni, Eva Green, Thomas Jane and Gabourey Sidibe.
The Zero Theorem – Director Terry Gilliam (Brazil, 12 Monkeys, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) delivers another trippy tale in this independent sci-fi fantasy about a computer hacker trying to solve the mysteries of the universe. No doubt things take a surreal turn as existential events progress. Opinion was wildly split on this title as well. About half of critics found it to be a unique and gorgeous dystopian vision, while others found it too chaotic and unfocused to appreciate. The incredible cast includes Christoph Waltz, David Thewlis, Peter Stormare, Ben Whishaw, Matt Damon and Tilda Swinton.
Blasts From the Past!
Shout! Factory have another interesting Blu-ray on the way for the 1981 Oscar-winning comedy/drama On Golden Pond. It stars Jane Fonda, Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn in this tale of a strained family coming to heal – it also grapples with themes of mortality. Despite being a small drama, the movie was the second highest grossing movie of that year, amassing nearly $120 million at the box office. Sadly, it’s hard to imagine an original dramatic film being a massive hit today. The Blu-ray features a director’s commentary and featurettes about its production.
They haven’t been mentioned often in the past, but Twilight Time often puts out a lot of older flicks on Blu-ray. This week they have a few more up for grabs. Unfortunately, if you want the extremely entertaining 1985 horror/comedy Fright Night, you’re already too late. This company has a frustrating habit of putting out limited runs of its titles (in this case, 5000), leaving a lot of fans out in the cold if they don’t find out early enough. While one can understand a smaller distributor trying to create a demand for its product by producing a small quantity, in this case it has left a lot of people flummoxed. I’d like to suggest in the future that they would be better accepting all orders until a specific cut-off point prior to its production. That way anyone who really wants the film can purchase it and not have to search on Ebay for overpriced discs from sellers.
The company is also releasing limited Blu-ray runs of the 1969 suspense/thriller The Bride Wore Black, the 1981 drama Breaking Away, and the great 1985 Woody Allen title, The Purple Rose of Cairo. They have editions of 3000 and haven’t sold out yet (as of this writing).
Not to be outdone, Criterion have a Blu-ray of the 1942 Preston Sturges romantic comedy The Palm Beach Story. It follows an inventor and his wife who hatch a scheme to raise funds by having her divorce him and marry a multimillionaire so that they can fund the project. The disc includes a new digital restoration and features about the famed director and his cinematic work.
Olive have a load of Blu-ray titles as well – they include the 1985 French mystery/drama La Belle Captive, the 1955 crime drama Track the Man Down, the 1955 thriller The Weapon, the 1953 western Woman They Almost Lynched, and finally, the 1954 drama World for Ransom.
With the Turner biopic currently playing at the movies, Strand Releasing have decided to put out a film on another influential artist. Love is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon is a 1998 production that stars Derek Jacobi and and a pre-Bond Daniel Craig. Finally, Warner Bros. are bringing out a Blu-ray of the 1956 epic, War and Peace.
You Know, For Kids!
There’s not a lot out there for youngsters this week, but here’s what is being made available.
The Boxtrolls
LEGO Ninjago – Masters of Spinjitsu: Season 3, Vol. 2
On the Tube!
It’s a bit quiet on the TV show front as well, but you can pick up a classic series or two. Here’s the theme from one coming your way this week. It’s the 70s sit-com hit, Welcome Back, Kotter. Further below is a clip from the show featuring a young John Travolta. Enjoy!
American Experience: Edison (PBS)
Klondike Gold Rush (PBS)
Little House on the Prairie: Season 4
Nature: Invasion of the Killer Whales (PBS)
Nova: Killer Landslides (PBS)
Nova: Surviving Ebola (PBS)
Satisfaction: Season 1
Swamp People: Season 5
Welcome Back, Kotter: Season 2
Wolfblood: Season 3