There are plenty of notable movies coming to Blu-ray and DVD. Keep reading to get the low down on all of this week’s highlights. As always, you can also click on the links to read full reviews of some of these titles. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these flicks a try.
Big New Releases!
Authors Anonymous – It can be tough to be an unpublished writer. This comedy deals with a group of frustrated, struggling scribes and examines how their relationship changes after one of them suddenly finds success. Unfortunately, the movie only received a limited release and reviews were less than stellar. They all seemed to suggest that the movie didn’t go far enough to satirize its subject, and the end result was dull and formulaic. It features Chris Klein, Kaley Cuoco, Dennis Farina, Dylan Walsh and Teri Polo.
Almost Human – Sci-fi horror enthusiasts may be curious about this flick released by IFC. It’s about a man who appears to be abducted by alien forces – his return to Earth coincides with a series of brutal murders. More members of the press were negative than positive on this effort, stating that it looked good but didn’t feature well rounded characters. Furthermore, they reported that the internal logic of the story just didn’t hold up.
Ernest & Celestine – This French/Belgian film received loads of acclaim upon its North American release earlier in the year. The story follows the animated adventures of an artistically inclined mouse who befriends her community’s greatest enemy – a large bear. Together, they learn that they have a lot in common and attempt to disprove the prejudices against them. The film was an Academy Award nominee for Best Animated Feature at last year’s Oscars. Critics unanimously called it an unusual but endearing effort for all ages that comes with an important message. The all star cast lending voices to this English language version include Forest Whitaker, Mackenzie Foy, Lauren Bacall, Paul Giamatti, William H. Macy, Megan Mullally, Nick Offerman and Geoffrey Wright.
The Grand Budapest Hotel – Here’s another critical hit from director Wes Anderson (Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, Moonrise Kingdom). His latest eccentricity follows the comic misadventures of a hotel concierge in Eastern Europe. When one of his guests passes away, the lead is left a valuable possession in her will. He soon finds his life in danger from the rest of her family. The press raved about it, calling the effort one of the director’s best – a fun zany madcap farce with some dark, thoughtful underpinnings. It stars Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Jude Law, Saoirse Ronan, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum to name but a few. Read the site’s original full length review of the film right here.
Joe – Nicolas Cage received a great deal of praise for his work in this independent drama from director David Gordon Green (Snow Angels, Pineapple Express, Prince Avalanche). The story involves a antisocial, tough as nails ex-con who befriends a troubled, lower class teenage boy with a violent, alcoholic father and ends up becoming the kid’s mentor of sorts. It’s a grim character piece that impressed a great many reviewers. In addition to suggesting that it features Cage’s best onscreen work in years, they also stated that it was a tough, moody and ultimately moving story.
The Lego Movie – One of the year’s biggest successes is also arriving on store shelves this week. Based on the popular brick toy line, this animated tale tells the story of a lonely construction worker who finds a mysterious block and is prophesized as a hero who will save the land of Lego. Along the way, plenty of pop culture gags ensure. It received great praise, with the press suggesting that not only was it visually impressive with plenty of laugh out loud moments, but also took the time to develop an interesting message. Voice actors include Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Morgan Freeman, Charlie Day, Liam Neeson and plenty of celebrity cameo voices. Read a full length review of the film here.
The Machine – A pair of computer programmers create artificial intelligence and then see it stolen by the government. Even worse, it’s soon turned into a weapon in this independent sci-fi fantasy thriller from the UK. This film got a very limited release but was met with mostly positive reviews. Some disliked its final resolution, but most comments were appreciative of its attempts to deal with a big subject on a limited budget. They also felt it handled the material in a manner superior to its recent big budget counterpart, Transcendence.
No Clue – In this independent comedy, a beautiful woman with a missing brother accidentally walks into the wrong office and assumes an adman is a private investigator. To stay in her company, he decides to play the part and take the case. Of course, he ends up in over his head with various crooks and potential killers. Unfortunately, reviews weren’t particularly strong. They suggested that some of the humor was forced and that the film was ultimately low on laughs. Curious parties can now rent it for themselves and make up their own minds. Brent Butt, Amy Smart, David Koechner and Kirsten Prout star.
Walk of Shame – This comedy was slated for a wide summer release in theaters but ended up getting limited play only a few weeks back. It involves a reporter who engages in a one night stand and finds herself stranded with no wallet, cell phone or car in downtown LA – and only 8 hours to get to an important job interview. It doesn’t sound like that impossible of a mission and critics were less than impressed with the result. They noted that the screwball humor misses the mark and the weak, plothole-ridden script leaves its talented star adrift. Elizabeth Banks leads a cast that features James Marsden, Gillian Jacobs and Kevin Nealon.
Also released this week are a few smaller titles of note that haven’t been reviewed. Brave souls can take a chance on the thriller Joy Ride 3 (honestly,. I wasn’t aware that there had been a Joy Ride 2). But that’s not all… there’s also a horror flick called The Monkey’s Paw featuring Stephen Lang (Avatar) as well as the Corin Nemec (Parker Lewis Can’t Lose) science fiction B-movie Rise of the Dinosaurs, also known in some circles as Jurassic Attack. Good luck to you.
Blasts from the Past!
It’s a busy week for Criterion. My personal highlight would the eerie 1975 Aussie art film Picnic at Hanging Rock from director Peter Weir (Gallipoli, Witness, The Truman Show). This early effort is an expressionistic period tale about the mysterious disappearance of several girls while on a school field trip. It’s not a crime procedural and doesn’t answer any questions. Instead, it is a haunting mood piece that excels in creating a sense of foreboding. In fact, the movie was so successful in its day that it’s been thought to be based on a true story. The new Criterion Blu-ray clears up this assumption, as well as providing a great transfer, interviews and a new “making of” segment. It also includes an early short from director Weir.
The 1974 documentary Hearts and Minds is also getting the lavish Blu-ray treatment from Criterion. It’s an extremely well regarded chronicle of the Viet Nam war and the opposing attitudes towards the conflict. Director Peter Davis was heavily involved in this Blu-ray, personally approving the restoration and providing a commentary. Extras also include two hours of outtakes and a large booklet with essays and other curios.
Criterion is also releasing the 1963 French black and white film Judex. It is a cinematic homage to classic silent thrillers that follows a masked figure out to take down an evil banker. This unusual movie comes from director Georges Franju (also responsible for the uber-creepy 1962 effort Eyes Without a Face). Over the course of five decades this release has become a well regarded classic in its own right. The Blu-ray also features a new restoration of the film as well as a lengthy documentary and interview with Franju.
You Know, For Kids!
Most of the best bets for little tykes are from the new release section above, but here they are listed again.
Ernest & Celestine
The Lego Movie
Power Rangers Megaforce: Ultra Defenders
On the Tube!
It’s a fairly lean week for television releases, but here are some of the notable ones arriving this week. Perhaps the most popular title is the Teen Wolf television show. In the goofy spirit of this column, please get “a keg of beer” and enjoy this trailer for the original 1985 movie that the series is “loosely” based on.
DCI Banks: Season 1
Death in Paradise: Season 1 (BBC)
Good Witch’s Gift (Hallmark TV Movie)
House of Cards: Season 2
Masterpiece Mystery: The Escape Artist (BBC)
Pennsylvania Ballet at 50 (PBS)
Scott & Bailey: Season 1
Teen Wolf: Season 3, Part 2