Hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend. Despite the holiday, there are a few new releases coming your way. Read all about the highlights below and there’s even a link to click on for a detailed review of a classic title. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure and check some of these out!
Big New Releases!
A Birder’s Guide to Everything – Ben Kingsley and Kodi Smitt-McPhee star in this small, father/son relationship drama about a teen trying to work out a strained relationship with his dad. When the boy thinks he’s discovered a new bird, he runs away on the eve of father’s remarriage to try and identify it, forcing the two leads to re-examine their relationship. The press were for the most part positive about the film. While they admitted that the coming-of-age tale was a familiar one, many believed that the performances made up for it.
Cheap Thrills – This independent black comedy has an interesting premise. It’s about a family man who has not only lost his job, but it also on the brink of being evicted. He meets some wealthy, weird characters in a bar who offer money if he and his friend participate in some shocking and outrageous dares. The movie was positively received, with many calling it a disturbingly effective and twisted comedy with some memorably bizarre moments. Pat Healy, Sara Paxton, Amanda Fuller, Ethan Embry and David Koechner star.
The Dinosaur Experiment – Known in some circles as Raptor Ranch, B-movie fans looking for cinematic cheese may want to give this effort a try. It stars Lorenzo Lamas and Jana Mashonee as townspeople who come under assault by a group of hungry velociraptors – sounds like it’s some pretty goofy stuff.
Endless Love – In the highest profile release of the week, overprotective parents attempt to keep their privileged girl away from a young man residing on the wrong side of the tracks. While the 1981 original that this effort is based off of wasn’t particularly well received, it was a hit. Unfortunately, this update tanked with not only critics but at the box office as well. Reviews suggested that besides being overly melodramatic and ridiculous, the characters were blandly written and the romance passionless. Looks like this effort is exclusively for tween girls. It features Alex Pettyfer, Gabriella Wilde, Robert Patrick and Bruce Greenwood.
Gambit – Here’s a movie with incredible pedigree made in 2012 that struggled to get released in North America – it’s finally making its home video debut this week. Colin Firth, Cameron Diaz, Alan Rickman, Stanley Tucci and Cloris Leachman star in this comedic thriller written by Joel & Ethan Coen (Fargo, No Country for Old Men). It’s a remake of a well regarded Michael Caine flick from 1966 about an art curator who tries to con his nasty employer. Reviews were very mediocre with many stating that despite the talent involved, the end result was unremarkable and failed to match the effectiveness of the original. Now viewers can make up their own minds.
Journey to the West – Also known as A Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons, this Chinese action adventure/fantasy follows a Buddist priest who attempts to protect a small village from three demonic forces. Director and action movie star Stephen Chow (Shaolin Soccer) stays behind the camera this time out. Despite his absence on screen, Chow’s movie received strong notices during its limited release. A few members of the press even called it among the director’s best work. They described it as an enjoyable, high energy effort filled with some impressive and amusing martial arts sequences.
Run & Jump – It didn’t receive a whole lot of press, but this independent drama starring Will Forte was very positively reviewed. Many journalists called it an intimate, well acted effort that provides authentic and surprising moments for its characters. The plot follows an American doctor who goes to Ireland to study a family after their patriarch suffers a debilitating stroke. It co-stars Maxine Peake and Edward MacLiam.
The Trials of Cate McCall – This Lifetime TV courtroom drama about a troubled lawyer taking on a big case hasn’t gotten any reviews yet. Still, it features some big names in its cast that make it worth a mention. The performers include Kate Beckinsale, Nick Nolte, Clancy Brown and James Cromwell.
Blasts from the Past!
There are a few releases of note this week. MPI is releasing a Blu-ray of the 1974 movie Dan Curtis’ Dracula, starring Jack Palance. For all the details about this effort, click right here.
Shout! Factory is bringing the 1983 Friday the 13th knock-off Sleepaway Camp to Blu-ray. It features a bunch of camp kids being viciously eliminated one by one by a mysterious killer. Despite having a similar set and approach to the more famous series previously mentioned, this title is notable for its unusual and memorably shocking twist at the end. The disc includes a restored transfer of the film, several commentary tracks, a lengthy documentary and various other extras.
Also coming to Blu-ray is the long out-of-print 1989 slasher Death Spa. The plot features a brutal killer wiping out health club patrons. I guess working out isn’t always good for one’s health. Horror fans will be pleased to see original Dawn of the Dead star Ken Foree in a supporting role. The disc provides the uncut version of the film, as well as a commentary, making-of featurette and a trailer. It might be a fun bit of cheese for 80’s B-movie fans.
Those looking for something less graphic can compare the new version of Endless Love with the original drama from 1981. It stars Brooke Shields Martin Hewitt and is considered a far more outrageous, violent and over-the-top effort. Believe it or not, Lionel Richie crooned the title track. The tune was a hit single back in the day and received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song (it ultimately lost the award to Arthur’s Theme by Christopher Cross).
Criterion has a couple of notable Blu-ray releases this week, including director Howard Hawkes’ 1948 Western Red River, starring John Wayne. It contains the director preferred original theatrical version of the movie and a longer, pre-release cut. The disc also includes numerous interviews with critics and filmmakers on the title’s importance. A personal highlight has to be director Wes Anderson’s 2004 effort The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Criterion has pulled out all the stops on the release, including a new director-approved transfer, commentaries, making of documentaries, musical performances, deleted scenes and several other features.
You Know, For Kids!
It’s a slow week for children’s entertainment, but those who enjoyed the How to Train Your Dragon film (and are looking forward to its upcoming sequel) may want to pick up the second installment of the animated TV series.
Dragons: Defenders of Berk Part 2
On the Tube!
There’s a wide variety of TV related titles coming as well, including the classic series The Bob Newhart Show. You can watch Bob walk to work below and check out other highlights of new series hitting store shelves on Tuesday.
The Bob Newhart Show: The Complete Series
The Bridge: Season 1
Cimarron Strip: Complete Series
Covert Affairs: Season 4
Craft in America – Industry: Season 5 (PBS)
Diagnosis Murder: Season 6
Diagnosis Murder: Season 7
Diagnosis Murder: Season 8
Dragons: Defenders of Berk Part 2
Ghostquake aka Haunted High (SyFy TV movie)
Jack Irish: Set 2
Longmire: Seasons 1 & 2
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries: Series 2
Nature: Touching the Wild – Living With Mule Deer
Pioneers of Television: Season 4 (PBS)
Suits: Season 3
The Trials of Cate McCall (Lifetime TV movie)
Universe – Season 7: Ancient Mysteries Solved
Wallander: Season 3