Summer has begun! For those keeping count, there aren’t quite as many releases this week as usual. All the same, there are several noteworthy titles. As always, you can click on the links to read full reviews of some of these flicks. 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!
Blood Ties – This period crime drama set in the 70’s involves a pair of brothers. A young and idealistic cop decides to help his troubled older brother, who has just finished serving a lengthy prison sentence for murder. The officer wants to assist his brother in going straight, but the two find themselves taking separate paths that presumably lead to a violent end. Clive Owen, Billy Crudup, Marion Cotillard, Mila Kunis and Zoe Saldana star. Critics were evenly split on the effort. Some enjoyed the performances and the tonal ode to 70’s cinema, but just as many found that style was all the film had to offer. Negative notices suggested that the script was clichéd and that there was nothing here viewers hadn’t seen before. Interested parties can now make up their own minds.
Enemy – Here’s a independent arthouse effort that is certain to garner a big reaction – it definitely divided audiences and a few critics at the preview screening this writer attended. An introverted university professor discovers that his doppelganger lives across town, and becomes obsessed with him. Unfortunately, his double leads a nasty life. When they agree to meet, the two lives converge and influence each other in bizarre ways. Jake Gyllenhaal plays the identical main characters. Some found it dark and a wee bit pretentious. However, the majority of the press were extremely impressed with Gyllenhaal’s performance(s) and found the effort both strangely captivating and difficult to shake. Read the site’s original review here.
Repentance – In this independent suspense thriller, a spiritual adviser who promotes positivism in life finds his approach tested by a new, mentally troubled client fixated on the recent death of his mother. There weren’t a lot of reviews for this effort, but the few that exist are less than complementary. While they found the subject matter interesting and complemented the work of the cast, many stated that it wasn’t particularly effective in generating chills and that it ultimately falls apart with an over-baked climax. Anthony Mackie, Forest Whitaker, Mike Epps and Sanaa Lathan star.
Rob the Mob – A couple who specialize in robbing mob related social clubs attract the attention of crime syndicates and the FBI in this low-key, 90’s-set romantic comedy/drama. They try to go straight, but soon one of them becomes fascinated by a mob trial involving Gambino crime family head John Gotti. This limited release didn’t get a lot of promotion but did receive some decent reviews – while a few found the movie’s tonal shifts odd, almost all called it warm and enjoyably offbeat. It features Michael Pitt, Nina Arianda, Andy Garcia, Ray Romano, Griffin Dunne, Burt Young and Frank Whaley.
Winter’s Tale – The highest profile film of the week didn’t make much of a box-office splash when it was released around Valentine’s Day. Based on the acclaimed book by Mark Helprin, it tells the fantastical tale of a timeless love that spans over a century. Specifically, a relationship between a charming small time crook and a terminally ill young woman from a wealthy family. In order to be with her, he must face otherworldly obstacles. Unfortunately, the flick received poor notices. Critics suggested that something got lost in translation and lambasted its melodramatic and cornball overtones. Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown-Findlay, William Hurt, Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly lead the cast. Maybe you just have to be a romantic to enjoy it. Be sure to read our original full length review right here.
Wolf Creek 2 – Finally, this sequel is the follow-up to one of the creepier and more disturbing horror efforts of the last decade. Tourists who find themselves stranded in the Australian outback must contend with a sadistic bushman who expertly hunts people down as though they were game. One can safely assume that this movie was not sponsored by the Australian Tourism Board. Unfortunately, most reviewers didn’t voice approval for it either. While all admitted that it was appropriately disturbing, many felt that the sequel offered little that was new and lacked the tension of the original film.
Blasts From the Past!
By the far the pick of the week has to be Criterion’s new Blu-ray of the 1964 Beatles classic, A Hard Day’s Night. For those who haven’t seen it, it captures the band just as they exploded in popularity. It’s a shaggy madcap farce that features lots of music and plenty of laughs. Many film historians have also credited its cinematic importance – particularly the opening three minutes, in which viewers are treated to a precursor of what would become the modern music video. This release features loads of extras, including a director approved restoration and transfer of the film, documentaries (both new and from the production), deleted scenes, a crew commentary and Beatles interviews from 1964. The film’s director Richard Lester has even included a short film from the era that he made with Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan of The Goon Show. If you’re a music buff, this is a must own!
For those who prefer horror flicks, ADA Corp is releasing a Blu-ray of the 1979 cheesy cult effort Screamers (aka The Island of the Fishmen). This Italian B-movie production was released by Roger Corman in the US and features a mad scientist who turns humans into amphibious monsters. They soon go on the rampage in a small fishing village. It’s a pretty terrible flick, but may provide some “bad movie night” laughs. It also features a great 70’s cast that includes “Bond girl” Barbara Bach, Joseph Cotton, Mel Ferrer and Cameron Mitchell. Alas, there are no special features listed, so one must assume that the film contains only the US cut (the Italian version reportedly contains nearly half an hour of different footage – Corman’s people re-shot and re-cut portions for its American release).
You Know, For Kids!
Here are the most notable kid’s titles coming your way!
Dora’s Magical Sleepover
Dragon Ball Z: Season 5
Lucky Dog (feature)
Octonauts: Calling All Sharks
Sid the Science Kid: Now That’s Using Your Brain
On the Tube!
There’s plenty for TV show fanatics as well, including a discounted re-release of My Favorite Martian: Season 1. The 1963-66 show capitalized on the Space Race and the public’s fascination with science-fiction, providing viewers with a sit-com about a friendly but sardonic Martian who lives on Earth with a human roommate. Here’s a clip.
American Experience: Freedom Summer
Brain Games: Season 3 (National Geographic)
The Bridge: Season 1
Comedy Bang! Bang! Season 2
Dragon Ball Z: Season 5
Duck Dynasty: Season 5
Escape from a Nazi Death Camp(PBS)
Jack Taylor, Set 2
Lost Girl: Season 4
Masters of Sex: Season 1
Mama’s Family: Complete 4th Season
My Favorite Martian: Season 1
NYPD Blue: Season 6
Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season 6 (Blu-ray)
Witches of East End: Complete 1st Season