Hope everyone out there is feeling alright after daylight savings time took an hour of sleep away. Those who are still groggy may want to stay indoors and catch up on some home video releases – these are just some of the highlights. As always, please note that many of the titles featured below were reviewed in depth during their theatrical release. Click on the links to read more about them. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to check some of these titles out!
Big New Releases!
The Book Thief – Positioned and released to attract Oscar buzz late last November, this drama is now hitting DVD/Blu-ray store shelves. Based on the bestselling novel, it follows a young girl in Nazi Germany whose family attempts to hide a Jewish refugee. The girl forms a friendship with the outcast and begins stealing books for him, but it isn’t long before the authorities begin closing in. Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson and Sophie Nelisse headline the cast. Reviews weren’t particularly strong, with many suggesting that the excellent cast could only do so much to salvage a screenplay that isn’t as tense as it should be and comes across as overly sentimental. Read the original review here.
The Broken Circle Breakdown – This drama from Belgium was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the recent Academy Awards. It also received mostly positive reviews and critics praised both the music and performances of its romantic leads. However, viewers looking for lighter fare should be warned, this film travels down some dark roads. The story involves a Bluegrass musician who falls for a singer. They start a band and a life together, but their relationship begins to crumble after their young daughter is diagnosed with terminal cancer. It’s exceptionally well crafted and acted, though also one of the saddest films of recent memory.
Inside Llewyn Davis – Many thought that the latest effort from the Coen Brothers (Fargo, No Country for Old Men) was an Oscar shoo-in. However, despite generally excellent reviews, it only received nominations for cinematography and sound. The title character is a gruff and difficult folk singer struggling to survive in Greenwich Village circa 1961. Many critics and audiences seemed to admire the film more than love it, with several claiming the prickly protagonist was too difficult to empathize with. Now renters can make up their own mind. Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake, F. Murray Abraham and John Goodman lead the accomplished cast. It certainly had a fan or two around here – see how it placed on the site’s end of the year list.
Homefront – In the mood for something very, very silly? Action fans may want to give this effort a try. Written by Sylvester Stallone, it tells the story of an ex-DEA agent who moves with his daughter to the Louisiana backwoods and soon runs afoul of a local drug lord. Reviews were mixed, with a few more falling on the negative side than positive. While most agreed that the story was generic, a few press members appreciated the over-the-top work from those cast as the film’s villains. Jason Statham essays the role of protagonist, while James Franco, Kate Bosworth and Winona Ryder play the drug addled heavies. Read the original review right here.
Out of the Furnace – Another Oscar hopeful that got shut out, this gritty, violent drama also deals with shady backwoods characters. The plot involves a troubled war vet who finds himself in over his head when he decides to bare-knuckle box for cash in a league run by some very shady drug dealers. When the fighter disappears, his ex-con brother steps up to find out what happened and, if need be, take vengeance. The amazing cast includes Christian Bale, Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson, Zoe Saldana, Sam Shepard, Forrest Whitaker and Willem Dafoe. Reviewers were split on the film, complimenting the work of the cast for elevating and adding depth to an otherwise routine, Death Wish-like revenge flick.
Blasts from the Past!
While there isn’t a high profile release this week, there are plenty of independent flicks that horror and cult movie fans might want to give a try. The new Scorpion Entertainment Blu-ray of Dogs boasts a re-mastered widescreen edition of the low budget 1976 ecological horror flick. David McCallum stars with character actor George Wyner as university professors who discover that neighborhood canines are turning against their owners and tearing them apart. Eventually, the strays and pets alike rampage across campus and tear up a lot of term papers, among other things. This shot-in-San Diego flick is a little rough (or, uh, ruff), but it may provide drive-in movie fans with a few B-movie chills.
There’s also Patrick, a low budget Ozploitation (meaning genre flick from Australia) feature from 1978 that follows a comatose teen with telekinesis. The nasty, bedridden supernatural kid begins causing strange accidents to those around him, leading to plenty of scares. Severin Films releases a Blu-ray/DVD combo with plenty of extras and a commentary from the film’s director, Richard Franklin (Road Games, Psycho II). This effort certainly possesses some creepy moments. The movie is actually quite well regarded and has numerous fans, including director Quentin Tarantino. Please note: the release of Patrick has been changed to March 25th.
Those who want to stay on the same geographical region may also enjoy the Blu-ray/DVD of Thirst, an Australian flick also being released from Severin Films. Made in 1979, it’s a vampire flick starring David Hemmings and comes with a commentary track.
As if that weren’t enough, Dead Kids aka Strange Behavior, once again being released in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo package from Severin Films. This Australian/New Zealand co-production from 1981 has the distinction of being the first horror film ever shot in New Zealand. The plot involves a drug used to control subjects that unfortunately causes them to go “mental” instead. Michael Murray and Louise Fletcher star. It too features several extras including a couple of commentary tracks.
Finally, those seeking to know more about Australian genre films in general might get a kick out of Ozploitation Trailer Explosion, a package released this week from the same company that includes nearly three hours worth of trailers for all kinds of low budget Aussie movies produced in the 70’s and 80’s.
You Know, For Kids!
There are plenty of direct-to-DVD kids titles coming this week, just some of which are listed below.
Barbie: The Pearl Princess
Bubble Guppies: Animals Everywhere
Dennis the Menace – Vol. 1 – 33 Episodes (Animated)
Digimon Date Squad: Season 5
Flintsone Kids: Rockin in Bedrock
Lego Star Wars: The Yoda Chronicles
Monsters vs. Aliens: Supersonic Joyride
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Transformers Armada: The Complete Series
Veggie Tales: Veggies in Space
Winnie the Pooh – Springtime with Roo
On the Tube!
After several high profile releases in the last few weeks, it’s slowing down on the TV show front. Fans of actor Carrol O’Connor will have plenty to be happy about, but there isn’t a lot for anyone else.
In the Heat of the Night: Seasons 2 and 3
In the Heat of the Night: Season 6
In the Heat of the Night: Season 7
Nova: The Great Cathedral Mystery
Trinity: The Complete 1st Season
Vikings: The Real Warriors (BBC documentary)