In case you can’t make it out to the movies this week, here are some highlights of the many, many titles coming to home video. It seems almost overloaded, but at least that means that there should be something available for everyone. Be sure to check them out, and as always, click on the links for full reviews. Okay, here we go!
Big New Releases!
A.C.O.D. – This comedy follows “adult children of divorce”. Specifically, its protagonist, who realizes that he was an unknowing participant in a divorce study group as a young boy. Naturally, this revelation causes him to re-evaluate and re-experience much of his childhood angst. The amazing cast includes the very talented Adam Scott, Jane Lynch, Catherine O’Hara, Amy Poehler and Richard Jenkins. It ended up receiving mixed reviews from the press, with many commending the hilarious work of the stars but saying the humor and satirical gags were hit and miss.
Lee Daniels’ The Butler – A huge success earlier in the year, this box office hit follows the life of a White House butler who served eight presidents over more than three decades. Forest Whitaker stars as the titular character along a mass of recognizable faces including Oprah Winfrey, Terence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., Alan Rickman, Robin Williams and John Cusack. For the most part, critics were positive about this drama, with only a few critiquing the sentimental tone. The film garnered a lot of Oscar buzz earlier in the year, but momentum seems to have died down recently. Now viewers can check it out for themselves.
Carrie – Critics were split about this retelling of the classic Stephen King horror novel. The story follows a supposedly homely and shy high school student who learns she possesses telekinesis and ultimately takes revenge on her teenage tormentors. Those who hadn’t seen the original film from 1976 seemed to be a little less critical than those who had, who deemed this remake an ineffective cash grab. Chloe Grace Moretz and Julianne Moore star as Carrie White and her devoutly religious mother. Read the original full length review here.
Enough Said – This small, independent romantic comedy garnered a lot of press upon its release due to the tragic death of co-star James Gandolfini. He stars with Julia Louis-Dreyfus as a pair of divorcees who begin dating each other. Their relationship comes under scrutiny when Dreyfus’s character discovers that her new boyfriend is the ex-husband of her best friend. It’s a fairly standard premise, but the press loved the work and chemistry of the two stars and unanimously endorsed it. Read the original review here.
Fruitvale Station – Here’s another small film that received unanimous praise upon its release and even took Grand Jury Prize at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. This dramatic true story follows a day in the life of a 22 year old Bay-area man who was gunned down by BART officials at a subway station. Michael B. Jordan stars with Octavia Spencer also featured as the protagonist’s mother. Many called it a powerful and moving film, and it topped numerous Best of the Year lists. This is a title that could snag an Oscar nomination later this week.
Riddick – Sci-fi, action and horror film fans might get a kick out of this sequel to Pitch Black and The Chronicles of Riddick. It finds the title character imprisoned and stranded on yet another remote planet filled with nasty monsters. As genre releases go, this title got decent reviews with many finding it a fun romp and far more effective than the first sequel. Vin Diesel, Katee Sackhoff, Bokeem Woodbine and David Bautista make up the human cast. Read the site’s full length review here.
A Single Shot – This independent thriller features a poor backwoods hunter who accidentally misses his animal target and ends up gunning down a woman carrying a box full of money. He attempts to cover his tracks and keep the cash, leading to all sorts of problems. Sam Rockwell, Jeffrey Wright, Kelly Reilly and William H. Macy star. It didn’t get a big release and received mixed reviews, with many finding it interesting but ultimately succumbing to unbelievable plot twists.
Short Term 12 – A film festival favorite and one of the best reviewed films of the year, this small drama is set around social workers in a home for at risk teens. Following the lives of both the supervisors and the young residents, the film attempts to paint an intimate portrait of the psychological states of its characters. Critics praised the performances of the cast, including lead Brie Larson. This is another title that has the potential to garner a surprise Oscar nomination. Read the original review here.
The Spectacular Now – This coming-of-age romantic-comedy-drama follows an unexpected romance between a popular teenage high school senior and a more introverted girl. Surprisingly, it struck a chord with critics, who championed the film’s sensitive approach to its subject matter and its attempts to avoid the genre formula. Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley play the leads, with support from Jennifer Jason Leigh, Brie Larson, Bob Odenkirk and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Read the review here.
You’re Next – In the mood for something both funny and scary? This efforts stands as one of, if not the best reviewed horror films of the year. The indie flick pays homage to slasher films of the early 80’s with heavy doses of black humor. A wealthy brood gets together for a family dinner only to find themselves trapped and under assault by weapon wielding masked killers. It didn’t make much of an impact at the box office, but should find its audience on DVD. Sharni Vinson shares the screen with indie film directors Joe Swanberg (Drinking Buddies) and Ti West (The House of the Devil). Read the original review here.
Blasts from the Past!
Rewind This! (DVD & VHS) – Here’s an interesting concept – a documentary about the cultural impact of home video, specifically the proliferation of VHS in the early 80’s. The project interviews moviemakers (including arthouse director Atom Egoyan as well as exploitation filmmakers Frank Henenlotter and Charles Band), home video entrepreneurs and collectors who go in depth about the importance of the format. It certainly sounds like an intriguing project.
Thief (Criterion) – Director Michael Mann’s first feature film credit was this effective and revered 1981 thriller starring James Caan as a tough guy safecracker who gets in over his head with the mob. Oozing with style, Mann would go on to create Miami Vice and direct several notable titles including Manhunter, The Last of the Mohicans, Heat, The Insider and Collateral. This disc include a new 4K transfer which should allow those neon lights to pop off the screen. It also includes a commentary track with numerous other extras. If you’re a fan of the film or the director, you’ll want this terrific film in your life.
You Know, For Kids!
This week finds a wide variety of releases for children as well. Take a look!
Dinosaur Train: I Love Dinosaurs (PBS)
Henry Hugglemonster: Meet the Hugglemonsters
Lego: Ninjago & Hero Factory
Marvel Knights: Wolverine vs. Sabretooth
Scooby-Doo & the Vampires
SpongeBob & Friends: Patrick SquarePants
Tad: The Lost Explorer
On the Tube!
Best of Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild
The Many Loves of Doby Gillis: Season 2
Top Gear 20
Yu-Gi-Oh! Classic: Season 3