Weekly Rundown (01-26-10)
4:33 AM January 27, 2010
ARTIE LANGE: Jack and Coke
Image / 2009 / 87 mins / Unrated
MSRP: $19.98, Blu-ray $24.98
If you like Howard Stern, you'll love his comedic sidekick, Artie Lange. Shot at a New York comedy club, chock full of Artie fanatics, this blue comic quickly dives into the brash offensive humor that has become his trademark.
If profanity and vulgarity isn't your cup of tea, you should probably steer away from this almost ninety minute comedy bit, as its chief goal is acheving maximum offensiveness. Nothing is sacred or off bounds, including the recent death of Heath Ledger.
Artie goes after A-Rod, Mike Tyson and Tom Brady so hard it'll make you cringe. Not for the faint of heart, this is probably one better left to watch alone or with the guys.
Universal / 2007/123 mins / Rated R
MSRP: $20.99
Based on the book by Christopher Hampton, the film is set during 1935 surrounding the events of the Tallis family. When Briony Tallis (Saorise Ronan) sees her older sister Cecilia (Keira Knightly) and Robbie Turner (James McAvoy) at the fountain of their family's estate, her jealous misinterpretation of what is happening sets into motion a series of unfortunate events that will have lasting repercussions for all of them.
Robbie, who is the son of the Tallis family's maid, has his college tuition paid for by the family. His plans of going to medical school go awry, when Briony reads a letter intended for his sister causing her to believe Robbie is a deviant. When her cousin is raped, she tells the police it was Robbie, when in fact it was a visitor to the estate.
A sweeping weepy soap opera with standout performances by both Knightly and McAvoy, Atonement promises to pull on the heartstrings in this moving 2007 melodrama, directed by Pride and the Prejudice's, Joe Wright.
Now available on Blu-ray, the exquisite landscape and lush visuals are picture perfect in full 1080p, usining the AVEC MPEG-4 codec on BD-50 dual layered disc. The audio quality is as masterful as Dario Marianelli's moving score with extras including seven minutes of deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurettes including feature commentary by the director, interviews with Knightley and McAvoy as well as a brief featurette examining how the novel was brought to life.
THE BOYS ARE BACK
Miramax / 2009 / 104 mins / Rated PG-13
MSRP: $19.99
Here is another underrated film starring Clive Owen about the story of Joe Warr, a successful sportswriter thrust into single-fatherdom, caring for his two boys after the death of his second wife (Laura Fraser) who loses her battle to cancer.
Artie, Joe's youngest, is in denial when dealing with the news of his mother's death. His older teenager son, Harry, returns to Australia to be with his father when he discovers the tragic news.
Given the subject matter, this film could have easily slipped into the maudlin tone of a Lifetime movie, however with the powerful and moving performance of Clive Owen, the movie manages to pack some genuine emotional turns and some terrific performances, particularly by Nicholas McAnulty, the youngest son.
Tough not to resist, especially if you're looking for a find in the rental market, "The Boys Are Back" provides mild relief in the cluttered market of weekly DVD releases.
DEARLY DEPARTED
Echo Bridge / 2009 / 84 mins / Unrated
MSRP: $16.95
Celebrity scandal, death and murder have finally found their way to DVD and Blu-ray with the short documentary titled, Dearly Departed. Hollywood is the breeding ground of the famous and tour guide Scott Michaels (E!'s "20 Most Horrifying Murders") knows the famous better than most.
Dearly Departed is an all-access pass to the backlots of Los Angeles, focusing on locations where the famous and infamous met their untimely demises. You'll venture into the Viper Room where River Phoenix died and the site where the Black Dahlia was discovered. The documentary also visits many other hot spots including the places where Robert Kennedy was murdered and Janis Joplin's body was found and delves into the controversy surrounding Marilyn Monroe's death.
Not a bad way to blow 84 minutes.... and at less than twenty bucks!
MGM / 2009 / 107 mins / Rated PG
MSRP: $39.99
A lot has happened since Irene Cara's catchy hit spawned from the popular 1980's dance flick--and not all of it good. The 2009 remake tries in earnest to pull you in with a veritable grab bag of dance numbers including jazz, hip-hop, ballet and tap set against the backdrop of a current day performing arts academy.
It's "American Idol" meets "All That Jazz" in this updated look at a group of students attending the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Who is talented enough to rise through the ranks and who will fall by the wayside, never to experience even fifteen minutes of... FAME?
Unfortunately, not many succeed in this overwrought remake. Neither the characters nor performances are particularly that memorable or outstanding. The Blu-ray edition offers both theatrical and extended cuts as well as fifteen deleted scenes. The added fat of the extended edition is simply superfluous. The eleven character profiles and Fame National Talent Search Finalists offered as part of the special features to generate an "American Idol" type fervor inevitably fall short of the goal.
A more interesting redo of the material would have been in documentary form rather than in a fictionalized drama. The producers would have been better served portraying the lives of the real students of the academy, capturing their own private dramas and dreams. I would sashay past this one and pay my respects to the original.
I Heart Jonas
Walt Disney / 2009 / 155 mins / Rated G
MSRP: $19.99
The male version of Hannah Montana comes to DVD and Blu-ray just in time for Valentine's Day with "I HEART JONAS". Pulled from their popular Disney show, fans will get a chance to revisit the lovable antics of three of the world's most famous musicians.
Louis Armstrong Concert
'Good Evening Ev'rybody'
Image / 2009 / 92 mins / Rated G
MSRP: $24.98
Rare footage of the jazz legend Louis Armstrong will be released for the first time in a rousing concert that pays tribute to the legendary trumpeter on his 70'th birthday party. "Good Evening Ev'rybody" brings together Armstrong and musical greats for a never-before-released concert performance in his honor at the Newport Jazz Festival. Guests include Dizzy Gillespie, Mahalia Jackson, Jimmy Owens, Bobby Hacket, Wild Bill Davison and Ray Nance.
Shown in a shorter version to great acclaim on PBS in 2008, this DVD includes the full feature length version with bonus features and tracks. This is a true delight as you get a chance to revisit some of the songs he made classic, like "Hello Dolly", "Them There Eyes", "Nobody Knows the Troubles I've Seen", "When the Saints Go Marching In", "Mack the Knife" and of course, "What a Wonderful World".
My only complaint is the grainy black-and-white footage which deserved a digital face lift to help find its way to both old and new audiences everywhere.
Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT
Sony Pictures / 2009 / 111 mins / Not Rated
MSRP: $39.95
After months of preparation, Jackson was just eight days away from returning to England for the last rehearsal of his limited-run final concert when the unthinkable happened. On June 25th, Jackson was pronounced dead and the perpetual traveling circus of press that constantly haunted the icon would swoop in for their final meal.
This Is It focuses its energy, thankfully, on none of it. Instead, director Kenny Ortega chooses to focus entirely on the concert itself; the choreography, the pyrotechnics, the glitz…and the incredible talents of the ultimate front-man who was about to make the comeback of his career and of the century.
Regardless of how you feel about Jackson, publicly or personally, you can’t deny the man’s talent. At 50, the King of Pop shows virtually no progression in age in both his ability to move and sing. Watching him riff with one of the background singers is nothing shy of magic as you quickly realize the depths of his talents to move a crew of dancers that watch him in utter awe.
It’s moments like these that really shine through in This Is It, beyond all the hype, publicity and never-ending sensationalism surrounding the King of Pop. Despite chastising the crew after the impromptu rift, stating he needed to save his voice, it’s abundantly clear Jackson enjoyed the moment as much as they did. Michael Jackson is and was a performer, and watching him here makes you wonder why it took him over a decade to return to the stage.
Director Kenny Ortega carefully pieces together various numbers forming a musical tapestry. Sometimes dressed in an over-sized silver coat and orange pants, Jackson looks as if he raided Rod Stewart’s early wardrobe, while other times he is sporting more traditional outfits from his Bad period. Nevertheless, in typical Jackson fashion, he is always looking hip, representing his own personal style which has added to his imprint. Jackson and Ortega had plenty up their sleeves to wow both the fans and critics, starting with a clever working of “Smooth Criminal” from the Bad album, which included some creative editing of Jackson into classic film noir movies from the 1940s to include Rita Hayworth and Humphrey Bogart. Although not completely successful, it was nonetheless entertaining, as well as visually stimulating.
Some of the more poignant moments, however, were equally lasting, including a stand-out tribute to The Jackson Five, where Jackson himself took a moment to thank members of his family. Listening to him croon “I’ll Be There” takes on a whole new relevance, with nearly four decades instantly evaporating before your eyes.
Obviously close to Jackson’s heart, in this concert, was to raise worldwide awareness of the damage humans are doing to the Earth, exemplified in “Earth Song” from the HIStory collection which interjects an elaborate video of a little girl sleeping peacefully in a rain forest until man’s destruction slowly envelopes around her.
Watching Jackson perform, one is amazed not only at how strong his voice is but the incredible dance moves he manages. There is no sign of the frail specimen we saw during his trial or creature-like appearance exploited in the tabloids. Though rather thin, the performer seemed to come alive whenever he was on stage, as if literally being nourished by the performance itself.
Much will be said and written about this documentary — many seeing it as yet another way to cash in on the tragic icon, a man gifted with so much talent and whose life was cut short among sordid details. Despite it all, the one abundant, inescapable truth even the most ardent critic would have to admit is Michael Jackson had a deep abiding love and respect for his fans. It’s this purity that not only defines the performer but constantly rings true whenever he’s on stage. Aside from the body of music he’s left us with, this is perhaps Jackson’s greatest legacy.
This may be it for now, but not for a long time to come.
Paris, Texas
Criterion / 1994 / 147 mins / Rated R
MSRP: $39.95
Harry Dean Stanton plays Travis Henderson, a man who has been missing for four years when he suddenly appears in a vast Texas desert. After he collapses in a local bar, a German doctor (Bernhard Wicki) picks him up and phones his brother Walt (Dean Stockwell) who lives in Los Angeles. Walt picks up him up and the two head back to L.A. as he slowly unravels the mystery of where he's been the past four years.
In Los Angeles, Travis meets Walt's wife and his son and the three slowly develop a relationship. Written by Sam Shepherd, Paris, Texas is a quintessential character study, lined with fine performances by the entire cast, including Nastassja Kinski, who plays Travis's ex-wife.
Presented in director Wim Wender's preferred aspect of 1.78:1 with MPEG-4 AVC transfer, this Criterion collection also includes some fascinating behind the scenes featurettes, including director commentary, interviews with cast and crew members as well as a 46 page illustrated booklet and interviews with Shepherd, Kinski, Stanton and Stockwell.
Saw VI
Lionsgate Films / 2008 / 95 mins / Unrated
MSRP: $39.95
There are few movie franchises which are virtually unstoppable as far as the sequel machine is concerned. Like the Final Destination franchise, the Saw films have emerged as mainstay for horror film lovers, delivering non-stop chills and gore with a simple formula that never gets old.
VI picks up with Special Agent Strahm dead and Detective Hoffman emerging as the unchallenged successor to Jigsaw's legacy. However, when the FBI draws closer to Hoffman, he's forced to set a new game into motion, lending new light to Jigsaw's grand scheme.
With the unrated and very graphic Blu-ray release, fans of the genre will get their money's worth in blood and gore. Filmmakers would be smart to let the franchise rest before churning out a Saw VII. If anything, it might be time to reinvent and reinvigorate the form by setting it in a new environment, with a new serial killer.
That said, Saw VI caps off nicely with a string of grisly deaths that will certainly satiate the most refined horror movie fanatic's tastes.
Surrogates
Disney/Buena Vista / 2009 /88 mins / Unrated
MSRP: $39.99
Bruce Willis returns to familiar territory playing an FBI Agent investigating the mysterious murder of a college student linked to the creator of a high-tech human surrogate phenomenon that allows average individuals the ability to purchase physically perfect versions of themselves, while their human versions sleep peacefully in their own homes. Think Avatar meets the latest Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue.
Directed by Jonathan Mostow (of Terminator 3:Rise of the Machines), Surrogates has it's moments, mostly in the action sequences but suffers in a case of the 'been there, seen that' script of cliches from movies of the 70's, 80's and 90's. There's a little borrowed from "Westworld", "Futureworld" and "Blade Runner" in a story that seems like a watered down version something Rod Serling and Ray Bradbury might have come up with.
That said, Willis does what he can with the material, though it's hard to distinguish his character from the Die Hard pictures, John McClain and Tom Greer. If you're looking for any type of morality tale, even something as weak as 'beauty is only skin deep', don't look for it here. This is a simple action picture with a gimmick--
--unfortunately, there's not a lot of meat on the bone here to add up to a truly satisfying movie experience.
Not much to be found in terms of extras, other than some deleted scenes, audio commentary and music video. The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 does what it's supposed to, delivering fine detailed picture, making it almost impossible to detect the CGI enhancement to wipe at least a decade off Willis' face in his Surrogate form.
Toolbox Murders
Blue Underground / 1978 / 94 mins / Unrated
MSRP: $29.95
Long before the Saws of the world existed, simple slasher classics like the original "Toolbox Murders" of 1978. Due to the enormous success of "Halloween", other filmmakers quickly discovered the fertile market for killer on the loose premises. This one is simple enough--a lunatic runs around an apartment complex, this one apparently chock full of hot looking flight attendants ready to be served up, one-by-one with murder weapons pulled from a toolbox.
This grindhouse classic features some exploitative, over-the-top murders which would eventually serve as inspiration to Quentin Tarantino. Watching it now, over thirty years after it's original release, it feels a bit tame and kitchy but all the more effective considering the time.
Extras on this blu ray release are worth the price of admission, including an "I Got Nailed in the Toolbox Murders" with a new interview with film's star Marianne Walter. Also included is an interesting audio commentary with producer, director of photography and actress Pamelyn Ferdin as they reminisce about the filming of the movie.
Triangle
Icon Entertainment / 2009 / 498 mins / Rate R
MSRP: $39.95
From horror writer/director Christopher Smith comes an oddly intriguing psychological thriller that tries to breathe new life into an old cliche, this one, the Bermuda Triangle.
When Jess (Melissa George) sets out on a yacht with a group of friends, she can't shake the feeling that there is something wrong. Her suspicions are quickly realized when the yacht hits a storm in the famed Bermuda Triangle and the group is force to board a passing ocean liner to get to safety. The ship appears deserted but Jess is convinced she's been on the boat before.
Soon, they begin to realize they are not alone. Someone is intent on hunting them down and it's up to Jess to put the pieces of the puzzle together before this ship of fools goes down for good.
Okay, I know on the surface it sounds cheesy, but this is a terrific direct-to-video thriller. It's a satisfying mind-twister with a great pay-off you don't see coming. Bringing to mind other at-sea-thrillers like Dead Calm and Ghost Ship, Smith does a fine job paying homage to the genre while generating a new classic.
Wild Ocean
Image Entertainment / 2009 / 40 mins / Unrated
MSRP: $24.98
Visually stunning, this 2009 documentary was released in IMAX taking viewers on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to the depths of the ocean splendor during nature's greatest migration spectacles. Filmed off the wild coast of South Africa, Wild Ocean plunges viewers into an underwater circle of life smorgasbord of dolphins, sharks, whales, seals and fish.
An eco-friendly documentary, Wild Ocean, like March of the Penguins, educates and enlightens it's viewers on the delicate ecological plight of some of the oceans most fascinating creatures.
The Blu-ray comes as close as possible to imitate the incredible detail of the IMAX experience, with vivid colors and breathtaking visuals of the underwater kaleidoscope. A must-have for any nature enthusiast!
Whip it
20th Century Fox / 2009 / 120 mins / PG-13
MSRP: $39.95
Fresh off of "Juno", Ellen Page stars in the Drew Barrymore starring/directing vehicle, Whip It. Set in the world of roller derby, Page plays Bliss Cavendar, a small-town nobody with dreams of stardom.
Rather than conform to her family's desire for her future, Bliss decides to shake things up by landing a spot on a roller derby team and changes her name to "Babe Ruthless", the hottest chick on the speedway.
Barrymore takes a co-starring role, with some funny appearances by Juliette Lewis, Marcia Gay Harden, Daniel Stern and Jimmy Fallon (why she couldn't convince her on-again/off-again boyfriend Justin Long for a cameo is anyone's guess).
Sure you've seen this all before, but Barrymore keeps it fresh and the plot moving in this 2009 midland feature from Fox. This is breezy, harmless fun--and proves Barrymore might just have more up her sleeve as a promising comedy director in the future.
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Warner Home Video / 1985 / 48 mins / Not rated
MSRP: $14.99
Twenty-two years after the CBS debut of "A Charlie Brown's Christmas", CBS commissioned an hour cartoon version of the popular stage play by the same name, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown". As expected, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy and the rest of the gang return in a musical salute to the world's biggest blockhead.
Digitally remastered with bright vibrant colors popping off the screen, this Charlie Brown classic will instantly transform you back to your childhood. This is definitely one of the better Charles Shultz translations and spurred yet another resurgence in the Peanuts franchise when this originally aired in 1985.
With several catchy musical numbers, Warner Home Video wisely decided to re-release this Schultz classic, sure to find new audiences in the generations to come.
$5 a Day
Image Entertainment / 2008 / 98 mins / Unrated
MSRP: $35.98
As the world's biggest Christopher Walken fan, the master has found himself another juicy comedic role as Nat, an off-the-wall con artist and dead beat dad in this quirky family comedy released in 2008. We discover Nat as he tries to reconnect with his terminally ill son, Flynn (played by Alessandro Nivola) as he abducts him into a harried cross-country jaunt to seek out an experimental drug treatment.
Part Lorenzo's Oil, part The Last Detail, Nat has to pull off some outrageous schemes to drum up cash to finance their tour (thus the title, $5 a Day). Armed with an all-star cast with Sharon Stone, Amanda Peet and Dean Cain, it's a wonder this off beat charmer didn't find an audience in the theater world and garner any indie awards.
If you love Walken as much as I do--you will find $5 a Day a cheap gem in the rough that's almost impossible to resist.
Posted by Erik Candiani | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

