THE WEEK OF JUNE 29th 2010
GROUP EDITED by: TROY ANDERSON
HOT TUB TIME MACHINE
Director: Steve Pink
MGM/FOX
CLICK HERE TO BUY IT AT AMAZON!
Special Features
Hot Tub Time Machine was a fun comedy, but I’m tired of the 1980s now. When you look at the half-hearted embrace of the Reagan/Thatcher era, you have to wonder why? Sure, it’s fun to talk about cocaine and fear of AIDS-related death. But, the jokes you can mine out of that material isn’t any better than any other time. This film is still pretty good, even though it comes with an unnecessary Unrated cut. What got axed from the film to drop it down to an R? I didn’t see the little fat kid from “Sex Drive” plowing any ass. What’s sadder is the fact that John Cusack is stuck with the thankless role of the old bastard. It’s weird to throw an 80s icon on the backburner, but Rob Corddry and Craig Robinson pick up the slack.
THE CRAZIES (2010)
Director: Breck Eisner
CLICK HERE TO BUY IT AT AMAZON!
Special Features
• Featurettes
• Motion Comics
• Storyboards
• Image Gallery
• Screenplay
• Trailers
The Crazies (2010) was a horror remake that almost worked. Director Breck Eisner is one of those guys who is just the right project away from exploding. Sure, he’s had a misfire with Sahara in the past. But, the guy is right in the same place that Gore Verbinski was when The Ring was being developed for an American remake. There’s talent exhibited during the horrific action scenes and rushed crowds of potentially infected vs. the Army. But, you’ve got a weird mix of B-list actors and character talent that seems to fight over the story direction. When the third act comes along, it poops the bed harder than Batman begun. On the upside, Anchor Bay/Starz/whatever they are now produced a truly incredible Special Edition package that would put most major studios to shame.
THE LEOPARD (CRITERION COLLECTION)
d. Luchino Visconti
CLICK HERE TO BUY IT AT AMAZON!
• Commentary
• Documentary
• Interviews
• Trailers
• Newsreels
• Gallery
• Essay
The Leopard was one of the most important works of Italian Cinema. When Criterion first delivered a superb 3-Disc DVD release, no one thought it could be topped. The tales of Don Salina and his battles with the warring factions of 1860s Italy. Unlike most historical epics, Visconti taps into something amazing with Burt Lancaster’s performance. Sure, he’s there for key moments in Italy’s national history. What’s different is that he’s emotional in his response to the seething seas of change around him. People make him angry, women make him lustful and the threat of loss makes him defensive. This isn’t a passive tale of costumed aristocrats sitting around and moaning. This is a living, breathing work of art.
NIGHT TRAIN TO MUNICH
d. Carol Reed
CLICK HERE TO BUY IT AT AMAZON!
Special Features
- Interview
- Booklet
Night Train to Munich is
one of those great Carol Reed movies that came out before his Post World War II golden period. Rex Harrison and Margaret Lockwood star as the leads in this unofficial sequel to The Lady Vanishes. Lockwood is the daughter of a Czech scientist who manages to escape the Nazi Invaders. The guy’s kind of a douche, since he left his daughter behind to get sent to a concentration camp. Harrison plays a British agent who works with Lockwood, so that she may escape the foul Germans and flee to England. It’s a film very much of its time, but the espionage and adventure is a refreshing addition to the Criterion Collection. What’s also amazing is the level of restoration shown to the new transfer for the DVD. I have never seen this film look better and I recommend a viewing to all.
NETFLIX INSTANT VIEW (POURING THE DIRT INTO BLOCKBUSTER’S GRAVE)
New movies to watch instantly
New TV to watch instantly