Wednesday, November 30, 2011

New Releases on DVD/Blu-ray: November 29th


This week in DVD/Blu-ray we had some good releases...and some bad one (like always), but some very cool movies were finally released--particularly The Cave of Forgotten Dreams by Werner Herzog and the excellent looking Another Earth, which both deserve a solid rental. However, you also have 30 Minutes or Less starring Jesse Eisenberg and Friends with Benefits--which was a huge shitstorm. Here's out write-up.



The Art of Getting By

It’s a hip coming of age story about a slacker teen named George (Freddie Highmore) who won’t do his homework. George is lazy, disrespectful, and a smartass. So pretty much he’s an asshole. Luckily he’s a high school senior and maybe he’ll turn it all around , and get the girl and learn some lessons, (insert other coming of age bullshit) just in time to graduate. Basically George has to learn to give a shit about life and find out what he really cares about. I had a little hope at points during the film that there might be a shred of originality since there was a little bit of gravity to some of the events in George’s dysfunctional family and loves lives, but instead there is an hip indie soundtrack complete with a homework montage to cover up for what isn’t in the film. If you’ve seen any other movies in the same genre than you’ve seen this one. Skip it.

2 out of 5



30 Minutes or Less

Directed by Ruben Fleischer, who most recently brought us Zombieland (2009), this movie is about a pizza delivery guy (Jesse Eisenberg) who's kidnapped by two bumbling criminals who force Eisenberg to rob a bank. In typical R-rated comedy style, there's sexuality bursting in the humor and swear worded comedy that's sure to make your 13-year-old cousin laugh, but it's not an extremely funny (or likable film). Jesse Eisenberg stars as the same guy you've seen him as for the last five or six years of movies. Other than Danny McBride nothing about this movie really did anything for me. Chalk this up as another forgettable comedy to be lost in the cosmos.

2 out of 5 stars



Another Earth

Unfortunately we didn't have the chance to screen this film this week, but it's about a duplicate Earth being discovered and the trials of a young girl and a composer try and figure out life in the shadow of another Earth. The premise and trailer makes it look very promising for being a small budget offering and this is one of those science fiction movies that remains under the radar, but full of reasons to watch it.




Cave of Forgotten Dreams

Werner Herzog returns with another documentary--join him as he explores a cave no one has ever had the opportunity of filming in as he captures the history and elegant allure of its cavernous walls and chambers. There are definitely some weird moments in this documentary as well as some scripted outings, but overall he proves his unflinching prowess as a filmmaker constantly challenging himself with new material and tight paces. This is a worthy follow-up to his last film, Encounters at the End of the World, and one I wholeheartedly recommend for the beautiful photography and story.

4.5 out of 5



One Day

Anne Hathaway sucks and so does this horrible, terrible, preposterous movie where she plays a girl who has sex with a guy on her graduation followed by the film following her through her life as that same day gets revisited. What a bland movie and one that's devoid of anything of value. The script is unsettlingly barren and boring. Hathaway has nothing to offer here, other than an overly dramatic nature that became completely annoying as the film wore on. Avoid this one and burn whatever copies you can find.

1 out of 5



Tucker and Dale vs. Evil

Two rednecks, just trying to go about their business, keep getting attacked by college students who think that they're blood-thirsty murderers. While we didn't have a chance to screen this, it sounds like a fun and clever horror-comedy. We're going to check it out and write a review soon.




Friends With Benefits

Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis try their hardest in a romantic comedy that attempts to think outside the box. Unfortunately, it stays trapped in the box, becoming more agonizing than usual by pointing out its own flaws. While the cast is game (Woody Harrelson as a gay coworker is especially good), they can't overcome a weak script and the agonizing conventions of the genre. Only recommended for those who really, really like romantic comedies (or those who want to see the butts of JT and Mila Kunis's body double).

1.5 out of 5

Be sure to check out our post-screening reflection about Friends with Benefits for a more detailed review here as well as our podcast about the film here.

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