Film Foxhole will be on hiatus until further notice

After much deliberation, I have decided to take a break from maintaining this blog in order to focus on more pertinent matters. As such, my weekly recommendations will be discontinued for the time being. I do not expect this hiatus to be permanent, or prolonged; I hope to resume updates sometime in Q1 of 2012, likely accompanied by various alterations. Until then, I wish you all Happy Holidays ahead.


-Steven H. Gibbs

11/01/11 Recommended New Releases

I do not have any recommendations among the titles making their way to home video today, but I would like to remind you that the 50% off sale on all Criterion Collection titles begins today at Barnes & Noble.

Though all is quiet on the film front, there are several stellar video games hitting shelves today:

[NOTE: Target is running a Buy 2 Get 1 Free special on select video game titles this week; according to their website, Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception and GoldenEye 007: Reloaded are eligible for this deal, but it would appear that The Lords of the Rings: War in the North and Sonic Generations are not.]

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (developed by Naughty Dog; published by Sony Computer Entertainment) - Nathan Drake returns for the latest installment of the beloved Playstation 3 franchise. In addition to the Standard Edition ($59.99), there is also a Collector's Edition ($99.99) as well as an Uncharted 3 Playstation 3 Console Bundle ($299.99). The Collector's Edition sports: a collectible Steelbook case that houses the game disc; wearable replicas of Nathan Drake's belt buckle and ring necklace; a Nathan Drake statue by Sideshow Collectibles; a traveling chest package to house all of the goods. Meanwhile, the Console Bundle includes a 320GB Playstation 3 console, the Standard Edition of Uncharted 3, and 1 controller. As for what deals retailers have this week:

Kmart - Shop Your Way Rewards Members (which is free to join) will receive a $20 Gaming Coupon* with purchase; you can also purchase Uncharted 3 with the new Sony Wireless Stereo Headset for $120 all-together (and you will still receive the aforementioned $20 Gaming Coupon, too). Those who purchase the Uncharted 3 Playstation 3 Console Bundle will receive a copy of Uncharted Dual Pack (includes the first and second installments) free.

Best Buy - Save $25 when you purchase Uncharted 3 and a Sony Wireless Stereo Headset ($99.99; the Kmart deal is better by $15, not to mention the $20 Gaming Coupon). Save $40 when you purchase the Uncharted 3 Playstation 3 Console Bundle and Uncharted Dual Pack (essentially, you receive the latter item for free, making it identical to the Kmart deal).
 

Collector's Edition (Click to Enlarge).

The Lords of the Rings: War in the North (developed by Snowblind Studios; published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment) - A role-playing game set in the northern regions of Middle-earth during the events of J.R.R. Tolkien's novels as presented in Peter Jackson's film trilogy. The Standard Edition is available for Playstation 3 ($59.99), Xbox 360 ($59.99) and PC ($49.99); a Collector's Edition ($139.99) is available for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. In addition to the game, the collector's edition includes: a Ranger of the North quiver case; a hardcover artbook; a disc containing an inside look at the music of the game, which was composed by Inon Zur; a War in the North theme pack (Playstation 3 only); the Ranger of the North avatar outfit (Xbox 360 only). Here are what retailers are offering:

Kmart - Shop Your Way Rewards Members (which is free to join) will receive a $20 Gaming Coupon* with purchase.

Best Buy - Receive a free Snow Troll Figurine with purchase; you can also save $20 if you purchase a copy of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy on Blu-ray with the game. Also, there is a coupon in the latest issue of @Gamer magazine for $15 off the game. If you do not subscribe to the magazine (which is $15 annually), you can pick up an issue for $5 or - and this may vary from store to store, but the one here in Wilmington NC does it - you may be able to receive a free copy of the current issue if you present your GameStop PowerUp Rewards card to a Customer Service Associate.

Collector's Edition (Click to Enlarge).

GoldenEye 007: Reloaded (developed by Eurocom; published by Activision) - a remastered edition of the recent Wii title (which itself was a re-imagining of the Nintendo 64 classic); it is available on the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 for $59.99. Given that the title features Move support in the Playstation 3 version, it would make sense that there is also a Playstation Move bundle for GoldenEye 007: Reloaded dubbed the "Double 'O' Edition." It retails for $149.99, and includes (in addition to the game): 1 Playstation Eye camera; 1 Playstation Move Motion controller; 1 Playstation Move Navigation controller; 1 Playstation Move Sharp Shooter; DLC voucher for multiplayer character Hugo Drax and Moonraker Laser Pistol weapon (this voucher comes with the Playstation 3 Standard Edition, too). The only deal appears to be at Kmart, where Shop Your Way Rewards Members (which is free to join) will receive a $15 Gaming Coupon* with purchase.

Double 'O' Edition (Click to Enlarge).

Sonic Generations (developed by Sonic Team; published by SEGA) - This latest installment in the largely decadent franchise seeks to breath much-needed life into the famous hedgehog. When a new villain known as the Time Eater sends Sonic and his pals spiraling through time, he must race through familiar territory in order to save his friends as well as time itself - but he is not alone, as he meets up with his old self, Classic Sonic, who is ready to lend a hand. It is available on the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 for $49.99. Here are what the retailers are offering:

Kmart - Shop Your Way Rewards Members (which is free to join) will receive a $15 Gaming Coupon* with purchase.

Best Buy - Sonic Generations will be on sale this Thursday only (November 3rd) for $39.99. Additionally, the latest issue of @Gamer magazine has a coupon for $10 off the title. Patient gamers can wait until Thursday to combine both offers and nab the game for $29.99 (though @Gamer coupons say they are not valid with sale prices, Best Buy changed their policy in June to allow it; the text on the coupons simply has not been changed to reflect it). If you do not subscribe to the magazine (which is $15 annually), you can pick up an issue for $5 or - and this may vary from store to store, but the one here in Wilmington NC does it - you may be able to receive a free copy of the current issue if you present your GameStop PowerUp Rewards card to a Customer Service Associate.







*K-Mart Gaming Coupons are issued with your receipt; those issued this week are valid from November 6th to December 17th. Also, as the name implies, they are only valid on gaming products. 

10/25/11 Recommended New Releases, and Paranormal Activity 3 review

To start things off, my second review as an in-the-field writer for Film International is up, and this one is for Paranormal Activity 3. You can read it here.

Also, as I mentioned last week, Barnes & Noble will be having a 50% off sale on all Criterion Collection titles (60% in stores if you have a membership). The sale begins next Tuesday - November 1st - and will last through the 21st.

Now, on to what's out this week:

Captain America: The First Avenger - (Joe Johnston, 2011) - Chris Evans stars in the titular role as Steve Rogers, a lanky young man who seeks to serve his country during WWII. Deemed unfit for military service, he enlists in a top-secret program that turns him into a super soldier. Along with a band of allies, the hero who came to be known as Captain America battles against the HYDRA organization - led by the maniacal Nazi officer Johann Schmidt, a.k.a. the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving). Also starring Hayley Atwell, Tommy Lee Jones, Stanley Tucci, Sebastian Stan, Dominic Cooper, and Neal McDonough.

Format: Blu-ray/DVD/DC Combo - There is a 3D Blu-ray available, but the 2-disc combo pack has the same content as far as special features are concerned; the only difference is the 3D disc itself. Most retailers have the 2-disc on sale for $21.99 or $22.99 this week; Best Buy has an exclusive edition that sports an alternate slip-cover (similar to their exclusive edition of Thor, the reverse side has an image of the cover artwork for Captain America's first comic book appearance). I should mention, too, that if you are interested, the 3D edition of the film is on sale for the reasonable price of $24.99 at Best Buy this week.

Atrocious (Fernando Barreda Luna, 2010) - Along with the United States, Spain has been rather successful in capitalizing on the 'found footage' niche of the horror genre, particularly with the [REC] franchise. Now, after making a splash at the Slamdance Film Festival back in January, Atrocious arrives on DVD today, courtesy of Bloody Disgusting Selects. The official synopsis, via RottenTomatoes: "Atrocious is a gruesome, mind-bending thriller shot in a style reminiscent of The Blair Witch Project. The horror film excerpts found footage from a film reel recovered by Spanish police, documenting a family of five discovering the truth behind a dangerous urban legend. The 37 hours of found footage follow Cristian and July Quintanilla passing time at their summer home by investigating a terrifying and mysterious urban legend. As their investigation intensifies, strange occurrences in and around the house escalate rapidly, culminating finally in unspeakable atrocities."

Format: DVD - Only available on DVD; Amazon has it available for $15.99, though you should be able to find at your local Walmart for $15.00. 




Attack the Block (Joe Cornish, 2011) - The official synopsis, via RottenTomatoes: "From the producers of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, Attack the Block follows a gang of tough inner-city kids who try to defend their turf against an invasion of savage alien creatures, turning a South London apartment complex into an extraterrestrial warzone."

Format: DVD - The DVD will net you the same extras and is $3.00 cheaper on Amazon at $19.99.

Shaolin (Benny Chan, 2011) - The official synopsis, via RottenTomatoes: "As feuding warlords fight to expand their power, the noble monks of the Shaolin Temple clean up the mess left behind, tending to the injured while trying their best to protect the poor and weak. General Hou (Andy Lau) has caused much of this mess with his violent and ruthless tactics that rarely discriminate between soldiers and civilians. When Hou is betrayed by fellow general Cao Man (Nicholas Tse), he is forced into hiding, and takes refuge with the monks (including Jackie Chan) at their hidden mountain temple. As the days pass, he finds himself more and more at ease as he learns the ways of peace, and begins to release his hatred through Martial Zen. But Cao is not far behind, and war soon reaches the temple, where the monks are ready to fight back with their unstoppable Shaolin Kung Fu."

Format: DVD or Blu-ray Collector's Edition - The collector's edition sports a few additional special features, and at $18.99, the price is only $2.00 higher than the identical DVD collector's edition at Amazon,which makes it a matter of personal preference.

City of Life and Death (Chuan Lu, 2009) - The official synopsis, via Kino Lorber: "On December 9, 1937, the Imperial Japanese Army laid siege to the Chinese capital of Nanking, beginning a reign of terror that killed as many as 300,000 civilians — an infamous tragedy now referred to as the Rape of Nanking. The first big-budget fiction film by the Chinese to deal with this seminal event in their modern history, CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH is a visceral, heartbreaking portrait of life during wartime, and an unforgettable masterpiece of contemporary world cinema."

Format: DVD - Even though I am partial to Kino Lorber's Blu-ray releases, Amazon has the DVD version available for $19.99, which is $4.00 cheaper than the Blu-ray edition. However, if you have a Blu-ray player, I would say that their releases are worth the few extra dollars - even if they don't have any exclusive supplements.

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (Jalmari Helander, 2010) - The official synopsis reads: "It's the eve of Christmas in northern Finland, and an 'archeological' dig has just unearthed the real Santa Claus. But this particular Santa isn't the one you want coming to town. When the local children begin mysteriously disappearing, young Pietari and his father Rauno, a reindeer hunter by trade, capture the mythological being and attempt to sell Santa to the misguided leader of the multinational corporation sponsoring the dig. Santa's elves, however, will stop at nothing to free their fearless leader from captivity. What ensues is a wildly humorous nightmare – a fantastically bizarre polemic on modern day morality."

Format: Blu-ray/DVD Combo - In a move atypical of Oscilloscope releases, the Blu-ray release (which includes a DVD copy as well) contains an exclusive supplement in the form of the 1964 cult classic, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. Amazon has it available for $19.99, which is just $3.50 more than the standard DVD release.

Island of Lost Souls (Erle C. Kenton, 1932) - The synopsis from the Criterion webpage for the film reads: "A twisted treasure from Hollywood’s pre-Code horror heyday, Island of Lost Souls is a cautionary tale of science run amok, adapted from H. G. Wells’s novel The Island of Dr. Moreau. In one of his first major movie roles, Charles Laughton is a mad doctor conducting ghastly genetic experiments on a remote island in the South Seas, much to the fear and disgust of the shipwrecked sailor (Richard Arlen) who finds himself trapped there. This touchstone of movie terror, directed by Erle C. Kenton, features expressionistic photography by Karl Struss, groundbreaking makeup effects that have inspired generations of monster-movie artists, and the legendary Bela Lugosi in one of his most gruesome roles."

Format: DVD - Amazon has the DVD available for $19.99, but I would recommend holding off on a purchase until next week when Barnes & Noble begins their 50% off sale on all Criterion Collection titles. As I have mentioned in the past, I am partial to the DVD format since I had already amassed a substantial collection before Blu-ray took off, but like Kino Lorber releases, if you have a Blu-ray player then I would say that Criterion Blu-ray releases are certainly worth the higher price tag.

Jurassic Park Ultimate Trilogy (Steven Spielberg [1993, 1997] & Joe Johnston [2001] - It took long enough, but the much-adored films based on two novels by the late Michael Crichton are finally available on Blu-ray. To celebrate the release, Universal Studios has included an all-new retrospective divided into six parts across the three films. 

Format: Blu-ray - Though this release does have a DVD version available, the significance lies in the series' transition to the Blu-ray format. Most retailers have it available for $49.99 this week, but there is also a collector's gift set (pictured below) available for $79.99 that includes a statue of the tyrannosaurus busting through the gates of the park, complete with certificate of authenticity. Additionally, Best Buy has an exclusive Steelbook edition of the standard trilogy for $59.99; it does not include the gift set's statue, but in addition to the nifty Steelbook case you get the films on Blu-ray and DVD (and Digital Copies, which also come with the other versions). If you do not have a Blu-ray player and are interested in the new retrospective, the DVD edition is $29.99 at most retailers.

And for the gamers out there, I am sure you are well aware that one of the most anticipated first-person shooters of the year is out today:

Battlefield 3 (developed by EA Digital Illusions CE [DICE]; published by Electronic Arts) - Available for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC, Battlfield 3 is the latest installment in a series that needs no introduction for even the most casual of gamers, so I will stick to giving you the rundown of what deals some retailers have to sweeten your purchase this week. Keep in mind, too, that there is a limited edition of the game that was hyped as a pre-order incentive, but if you did not reserve a copy do not fret: the initial shipment received by most retailers should have a substantial number of limited edition copies, so it should not to be difficult to locate at all. K-mart is offering a $20 Gaming Coupon* for Shop Your Way Rewards Members (which is free to join) with purchase, as well as an additional offer of purchasing either a pair of Turtle Beach X-12 headphones for $39.99 or a pair of Sony 7.1 Surround Sounds headphones for $69.99. Meanwhile, Target is throwing in a $10 gift card is you purchase Battlefield 3 and a 12-pack of Dr. Pepper. Finally, Toys R Us is offering a $10 gift card and a 2.5' wall graphic with purchase.


 




*K-Mart Gaming Coupons are issued with your receipt; those issued this week are valid from October 30th to December 10th. Also, as the name implies, they are only valid on gaming products. 

10/18/11 Recommended New Releases

Before I begin, I would like to mention that Barnes & Noble will be having another 50% off sale on Criterion Collection titles (60% in stores if you have a membership), beginning on November 1st and lasting through the 21st. So, if there are any titles you have been holding out on, this sale might be a prime opportunity to nab them at stellar prices. Now, here are my recommendations for what's new this week:

The Last Circus (Álex de la Iglesia, 2010) - The official synopsis, via RottenTomatoes: "1937, Spain is in the midst of the brutal Spanish Civil War. A "Happy" circus clown is interrupted mid-performance and forcibly recruited by a militia. Still in his costume, he is handed a machete and led into battle against National soldiers, where he single handedly massacres an entire platoon. Fast forward to 1973, the tail end of the Franco regime. Javier, the son of the clown, dreams of following in his father's career footsteps, but has seen too much tragedy in his life - he's simply not funny and is only equipped to play the role of the Sad Clown. He finds work in a circus where he befriends an outlandish cast of characters, but as the Sad Clown he must take the abuse of the brutish Happy Clown Sergio, who humiliates Javier daily in the name of entertainment."

Format: DVD or Blu-ray - Though the supplemental content (which is identical on both formats) for this Magnet release is lacking, the pricing between the two formats makes it a matter of personal preference; Amazon has either format available for $22.99. 

Grave Encounters (The Vicious Brothers, 2011) - The official synopsis, via RottenTomatoes: "Lance Preston and the crew of "Grave Encounters", a ghost-hunting reality television show, are shooting an episode inside the abandoned Collingwood Psychiatric Hospital, where unexplained phenomena has been reported for years. All in the name of good television, they voluntarily lock themselves inside the building for the night and begin a paranormal investigation, capturing everything on camera. They quickly realize that the building is more than just haunted - it is alive - and it has no intention of ever letting them leave. They find themselves lost in a labyrinth maze of endless hallways and corridors, terrorized by the ghosts of the former patients."

Format: DVD - Only available on DVD; Amazon has it for $12.99. 

The Robber (Benjamin Heisenberg, 2011) - The official synopsis, via Rotten Tomatoes (edited for relevance): "Directed by Benjamin Heisenberg (Sleeper) and starring established actor Andreas Lust (Revanche). ...Based on a novel by the Austrian author Martin Prinz, and shot on location in Vienna, The Robber was one of the most critically acclaimed films featured at last year's New York Film Festival. The film was also an official selection at the 2010 Berlin and Toronto Film Festivals. The film's main character, Johann Rettenberger, was inspired by the life of Austrian bank-robber and runner Johann Kastenberger, a man who set records in long-distance races while - in the rest of his free time - secretly knocked over bank after bank. Widely referred to as "Pump-gun Ronnie," after the Ronald Reagan mask he wore and the shotgun used on the assaults, Rettenberger still holds the record time in the Bergmarathon, a famous race held in the Austrian Alps. Deprived of by-the-books psychological motivations and character development, The Robber paints a visceral picture of pathological compulsion and it is the rare character portrait that also excels as an action film."

Format: DVD or Blu-ray - As with The Last Circus, the two formats sport identical supplemental features and are priced such that it boils down to which format you prefer. Amazon has the DVD available for $19.99, and the Blu-ray for $20.99. 

Kuroneko (Kaneto Shindo, 1968) - The synopsis from the Criterion webpage for the film reads: "In this poetic and atmospheric horror fable, set in a village in war-torn medieval Japan, a malevolent spirit has been ripping out the throats of itinerant samurai. When a military hero is sent to dispatch the unseen force, he finds that he must struggle with his own personal demons as well. From Kaneto Shindo, director of the terror classic Onibaba, Kuroneko (Black Cat) is a spectacularly eerie twilight tale with a shocking feminist angle, evoked through ghostly special effects and exquisite cinematography."

Format: DVD - Amazon has the DVD available for $20.99, but I would recommend waiting until the Barnes & Noble 50% off sale begins in just two weeks.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Mel Stuart, 1971) - The classic starring Gene Wilder celebrates its 40th anniversary and with a commemorative boxed set.

Format: Blu-ray/DVD Combo - Unlike most similarly-conceived boxed set releases that consist of a separate DVD and Blu-ray version, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory arrives in the form of a 3-disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo (the two formats make up the first two discs while the third contains a few all-new special features). In addition to the film itself, a few items of memorabilia are included: 14 pieces of production correspondence, a retro tin with four scratch-and-sniff pencils and a scented eraser, and a 144-page behind-the-scenes book from director Mel Stuart. Amazon has it available for $43.99.

(Click to enlarge)

Finally, another of the most anticipated video games of the year is out today:

Batman: Arkham City (developed by Rocksteady Studious; published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment) - After the phenomenal success of Batman: Arkham Asylum - which entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the "Most Critically Acclaimed Superhero Game Ever," expectations were set astronomically high when Rocksteady debuted the teaser trailer for this sequel on December 12th, 2009 during the opening of the 2009 Spike Video Game Awards. Over the past year and a half, they have relentlessly hyped Arkham City, and the consensus appears to be that the folks at Rocksteady have delivered. The game is available for Playstation 3 ($59.99), Xbox 360 ($59.99), and PC ($49.99; PC version releases on November 15th). Also, there is a collector's edition available for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 that retails at $99.99.

In addition to the game itself, the collector's edition includes: a custom Batman statue produced by Kotobukiya, a digital copy of the Batman: Arkham City album (which includes a bonus track), a copy of the DC Universe animated movie Batman: Gotham Knight (DVD for Xbox 360, Blu-ray for PS3), a collectible artbook (which houses the game disc), and early access to the Iceberg Lounge challenge map and The Dark Knight Returns skin for Batman (via DLC vouchers). Worth noting, too, is that all new copies of Batman: Arkham City - regular or collector's - come with DLC vouchers for a batch of Catwomen missions that are interwoven into the storyline.

(Click to enlarge)

Here's the scoop on what deals/incentives each retailer has for Batman: Arkham City (be sure to make note of Buy 2 Get 1 Free @ Toys R Us!):

Walmart - A free copy of Batman: Arkham Asylum GOTY Edition is included with purchase.

K-Mart - A $30 Gaming Coupon* for Shop Your Way Rewards Members (which is free to join) and a $10 coupon towards Lord of the Rings: War in the North are included with purchase.

Target - A copy of The Dark Knight on Blu-ray or DVD is included with purchase.

Best Buy - Early access to Robin and two bonus challenge maps are included with purchase; save $20 on the Power-A Batarang Controller ($49.99; for Playstation 3 [Wireless] or Xbox 360 [Wired]) with purchase; 40% bonus on all video game traded in towards purchase.

Toys R Us - 1970s Batsuit Batman Figure included with purchase; Buy 2 Get 1 Free on all video games, video game accessories, video game guides, and video game-themed t-shirts.








*K-Mart Gaming Coupons are issued with your receipt; those issued this week are valid from October 23rd to December 3rd. Also, as the name implies, they are only valid on gaming products.

10/11/11 Recommended New Releases

A few noteworthy titles make their way to home video today:

The Tree of Life (Terrence Malick, 2011) - The official synopsis reads: "From Terrence Malick, the acclaimed director of such classic films as Badlands, Days of Heaven and The Thin Red Line, The Tree of Life is the impressionistic story of a Midwestern family in the 1950's. The film follows the life journey of the eldest son, Jack, through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years as he tries to reconcile a complicated relationship with his father (Brad Pitt). Jack (played as an adult by Sean Penn) finds himself a lost soul in the modern world, seeking answers to the origins and meaning of life while questioning the existence of faith. Through Malick's signature imagery, we see how both brute nature and spiritual grace shape not only our lives as individuals and families, but all life" The Tree of Life won the Palme d'Or at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. 

Format: Blu-ray/DVD/DC Combo Pack - It appears that Fox Searchlight releases may be pulling a stunt similar to Sony Pictures Classics, as the combo format is the only option for this release. Unlike the Sony releases, however, Fox has included a Digital Copy in addition to the Blu-ray and DVD discs. Best Buy has it on sale for $22.99 in stores this week; the next best price appears to be Amazon, which has it available for $24.99. 

Beautiful Boy (Shawn Ku, 2010) - The film stars Michael Sheen and Maria Bello as a couple in a faltering marriage whose son commits a mass shooting at his university before taking his own life. Stricken with unimaginable grief, the two struggle to cope and search for answers in the aftermath of the tragedy. Beautiful Boy won the International Critics Award (FIPRESCI) at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival.


Format: DVD - An assortment of deleted scenes and an audio commentary track are the only special features you will find on either format. The DVD is available for $12.00 in Walmart stores; the next best option is Best Buy, which has it for $14.99 in stores.

Submarino (Thomas Vinterberg, 2010) - From the director of The Celebration (the first and one of the most noteworthy films from the avant-garde "Dogme 95" movement initiated by Vinterberg and fellow Danish director Lars von Trier), Submarino "tells the unforgettable story of two brothers, long estranged and haunted by a dark secret buried in their past, who live separate lives in modern day Copenhagen. Nick (Jakob Cedergren), a violent ex-con, tries to help out an old friend, but falls quickly into old habits. Meanwhile, his brother (Peter Plaugborg), raises his son, but is unable to escape the spectre of addiction. Each on a path to self-destruction, they must find each other – before it’s too late" (except taken from the official synopsis).


Format: DVD - Only available on DVD; Amazon has it for $14.99.

Leap Year (Michael Rowe, 2010) - Not to be confused with the recent Amy Adams flick, the official synopsis for this Spanish film reads: "Laura, a young journalist living an isolated life in a cramped Mexico City flat, is not lucky in love. The banality of her daily life stands in stark contrast to her nightly pursuit of sex and love. These short-lived affairs barely take the edge off her isolation, but then she meets the brooding, would-be actor Arturo. Their chemistry ignites feelings in Laura that leave her deeply troubled. The two embark on an increasingly dangerous sadomasochistic relationship in which pleasure, pain and love merge. Their physical relationship seems headed for a very dark place as her secret past resurfaces, pushing Arturo to the limit in this intense, powerful and at times deeply unsettling movie." Leap Year won the Caméra d'Or at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.

Format: DVD - Only available on DVD; Amazon has it for $21.49.









Finally, here is the lone recommended video game release this week:

Forza Motorsport 4 (developed by Turn 10 Studios; published by Microsoft Studios) - the latest installment in the acclaimed racing simulator hits shelves today as an exclusive title for the Xbox 360. For this release, developer Turn 10 Studios has partnered with BBC's Top Gear series to provide a slew of content ranging from narration by Jeremy Clarkson to a playable recreation of the Top Gear test track. The game retails for $59.99, though there is a limited edition available for $79.99. The limited edition release includes a Steelbook case, a 96-page artbook written by the editors of Top Gear magazine, and DLC vouchers for various car packs, the details of which can be found here. K-mart is offering a $20 Gaming Coupon* for Shop Your Way Rewards Members (which is free to join) with the purchase of either edition.

Limited Edition

*K-Mart Gaming Coupons are issued with your receipt; those issued this week are valid from October 9th to November 19th. Also, as the name implies, they are only valid on gaming products.

10/04/11 Recommended New Releases

October begins with a decent assortment of titles releasing this week on both the home video and video game fronts:

Scream 4 (Wes Craven, 2011) - Set ten years after the events of the original trilogy, Craven's return to the franchise finds a recovering Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) - who has just published a self-help book detailing how she came to terms with her nightmarish past - returning to her home town of Woodsboro as the last stop in her book tour. While there, she meets up with her cousin, Jill (Emma Roberts), as well as old friends Dewey Riley (David Arquette) and Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox), who are now married. The tranquil reunion quickly unravels, however, when the Ghostface killer reemerges and begins another spree of murders.

Format: DVD - Though I personally chose the Blu-ray release since I had recently upgraded my copies of the first three films to the format, there is nothing exclusive to the release in the way of supplements, though it does come with both a DVD and a Digital Copy of the film. Unless Blu-ray and/or the combo format is your preference, I would recommend sticking with the DVD, which is available for $15.49 at Amazon; most retailers are selling it for around the same price this week, with the Blu-ray on sale for $19.99 as well. Furthermore, it is worth noting that there is a stand-alone Blu-ray release slated for November 22nd; I have not confirmed whether or not the supplemental content will be identical to the current release, but I would wager it will be.

The Lion King (Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff, 1994) - The Disney classic, often heralded as the greatest animated film of all time, makes its Blu-ray debut hot on the heels of a 3D theatrical run.

Format: 2-disc Blu-ray - There are quite a few different versions to choose from, but I would recommend the 2-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo, which is available in either DVD or Blu-ray packaging depending on your preference. There is also a 4-disc version available that includes the 3D Blu-ray and a Digital Copy as well as the 2D Blu-ray and DVD, but nothing in the way of exclusive special features. Also, there is an 8-disc release that includes Blu-ray and DVD copies of the other two Lion King films in addition to the 4-disc of the original film - all packaged in a collectible box. The 2-disc edition is on sale at most retailers for $19.99 this week, while the 4-disc and 8-disc sets are selling for $29.99 and $74.99, respectively.

I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK (Park Chan-wook, 2006) - This film, from the director of Oldboy and Thirst, makes its Region 1 (U.S./Canada) debut today. The film is about Young-goon, a woman who believes she is a cyborg and is institutionalized after an attempt to "recharge her batteries" almost kills her. While in the mental hospital, she befriends Il-soon, a kleptomaniac who steals personality traits from the other inmates.


Format: DVD - Only available on DVD; Amazon has it for $22.49.

Nothing Personal (Urszula Antoniak, 2009) - Olive Films' official synopsis, via RottenTomatoes: "Alone in her empty flat, from her window Anne (Lotte Verbeek) observes the people passing by who nervously snatch up the personal belongings and pieces of furniture she has put out on the pavement. Her final gesture of taking a ring off her finger signals she is leaving her previous life in Holland behind. She goes to Ireland, where she chooses to lead a solitary, wandering existence, striding through the austere landscapes of Connemara. During her travels, she discovers a house that is home to a hermit, Martin, (Stephen Rea). He is a man in his prime living a solitary life in a secluded house on a beautiful island. She is radical and uncompromising. He is wise and ironic. What connects them is solitude they both see as freedom. He proposes her to work for him in exchange of food. She agrees at one condition: there will be no personal contact between them, just work. Soon the two of them become curious about each other and want both: to keep their "nothing personal‟ deal and to break it. Their simple life follows the cycle of days and nights, work and rest but slowly brings the two of them closer to each other. Who will be the first one to break the deal? Urszula Antoniak's stunningly assured debut is touching, gentle and playful. But it takes a firm stand when it comes to negotiating individual freedom and the urge to still wanting be near to somebody - despite all wounds of a past we don't get to know in detail. An enigmatic beauty and confusion underlies this character study that should leave nobody unmoved."

Format: DVD - Only available on DVD; Amazon has it for $26.99. 

Submarine (Richard Ayoade, 2010) - Weinstein's official synopsis, via RottenTomatoes: "Fifteen-year-old Oliver Tate has two big ambitions: to save his parents' marriage via carefully plotted intervention and to lose his virginity before his next birthday. Worried that his mom is having an affair with New Age weirdo Graham, Oliver monitors his parents' sex life by charting the dimmer switch in their bedroom. He also forges suggestive love letters from his mom to dad. Meanwhile, Oliver attempts to woo his classmate, Jordana, a self-professed pyromaniac who supervises his journal writing - especially the bits about her. When necessary, she orders him to cross things out."

Format: DVD - The two formats sport identical supplements, so I opt for the cheaper DVD version. Amazon has it available for $18.99; Walmart has it available in stores for $15.00.

In Treatment: Season 3 - The third season of the HBO series starring Gabriel Byrne as psychotherapist Dr. Paul Weston hits DVD today. After moving to Brooklyn to continue his practice, Dr. Weston takes on three new patients this season, and begins seeing a new therapist (Amy Ryan) in New York City.


Format: DVD - Only available on DVD; Amazon has it for $38.99.

Lie to Me: The Complete Final Season - The third and final season of the hit show starring Tim Roth as Dr. Cal Lightman is available on DVD today.


Format: DVD - Only available on DVD; Amazon has it for $34.99, and it can be found in Best Buy stores for the same price. 

















Now, on to the video game front:

Rage (developed by id Software; published by Bethesda Softworks) - the much-anticipated post-apocalyptic first-person shooter from the creators of the Doom and Quake franchises is available now for Xbox 360 ($59.99), Playstation 3 ($59.99), and PC ($59.99). The initial, limited shipment of the game is dubbed the 'Anarchy Edition', and includes a few exclusive DLC items. K-mart is offering a $20 Gaming Coupon* for Shop Your Way Rewards Members (which is free to join) with purchase.

Dark Souls (developed by From Software; published by Namco Bandai Games) - the spiritual successor to the Playstation 3-exclusive, Demon's Souls, is out for Xbox 360 ($59.99) and Playstation 3 ($59.99) today. A brutally-difficult third-person role-playing game, Dark Souls is above and beyond my most anticipated title of 2011. Gamers with patience and perseverance will undoubtedly find themselves immersed in the ghastly-yet-beautiful world in which the game is set; just be prepared to die - a lot. A collector's edition was available as a free upgrade for those that pre-ordered the game, but for those pursuing the regular edition, K-mart is offering a $20 Gaming Coupon* for Shop Your Way Rewards Members (which is free to join) with purchase.












*K-Mart Gaming Coupons are issued with your receipt; those issued this week are valid from October 9th to November 19th. Also, as the name implies, they are only valid on gaming products.

09/27/11 Recommended New Releases

A handful of releases this week ends the month on a somewhat quiet note:

Viva Riva! (Djo Munga, 2010) - The synopsis from the official site reads: "Riva is a small time operator who has just returned to his hometown of Kinshasa, Congo with a major score: a fortune in hijacked petrol. With wads of cash and all out for a good time, Riva is soon entranced by the beautiful nightclub siren Nora (Mannie Malone), the kept woman of a local gangster. Into the mix comes Riva's Angolan crime lord ex-boss relentlessly seeking the return of a certain stolen shipment of gasoline. Director Djo Tunda Wa Munga's Kinshasa is a seductively vibrant, lawless, fuel-starved sprawl of shantytowns, gated villas, bordellos and nightclubs and Riva is its perfect embodiment."

Format: DVD - This is a Music Box Films release, which typically entails a high price tag coupled with identical supplements for either format (though I believe this title is currently only available on DVD, with a Blu-ray release to follow in the future). At any rate, the DVD is currently $26.99 at Amazon.

Ben Hur: 50th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition (William Wyler, 1959) - The epic film starring Charlton Heston in the titular role makes its way at long last to Blu-ray, receiving a boxed set treatment similar to that of the many other classics that have made the transition to the hi-def format.

Format: Blu-ray - The Blu-ray boxed set includes three Blu-ray discs; two are devoted to the film itself, and the third contains a slew of supplements - among which are the 1925 silent version of the film directed by Fred Niblo, a new feature-length retrospective on Charlton Heston and Ben Hur directed by Fraser C. Heston, and two vintage documentaries: Ben Hur: The Epic That Changed Cinema and Ben Hur: The Making of an Epic. Also, accompanying the discs are two collectibles: a reproduction of Charlton Heston's personal diary kept from January 1958 through April 1960, and a hardcover book filled with photos, production art, and reproductions from the original theatrical pressbook. The Blu-ray boxed set is available for $44.99 at Amazon; for those who would prefer a DVD version of the set, it is available at Amazon as well for $34.99. Furthermore, Best Buy has two exclusive versions of the release: one is simply the Blu-ray boxed set plus a Roman soldier figurine ($59.99), while the other is a 4-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo format of the film without all the supplemental features or collectible books ($29.99; includes 2-disc Blu-ray and 2-disc DVD of the film).

(Click to enlarge)

The Phantom Carriage (Victor Sjöström, 1921) - New life is given to this classic from the silent era, courtesy of the Criterion Collection. The synopsis from the Criterion webpage (visit the link for the trailer, too) for the film reads: "The last person to die on New Year’s Eve before the clock strikes twelve is doomed to take the reins of Death’s chariot and work tirelessly collecting fresh souls for the next year. So says the legend that drives The Phantom Carriage (Körkarlen), directed by the father of Swedish cinema, Victor Sjöström. The story, based on a novel by Nobel Prize winner Selma Lagerlöf, concerns an alcoholic, abusive ne’er-do-well (Sjöström himself) who is shown the error of his ways, and the pure-of-heart Salvation Army sister who believes in his redemption. This extraordinarily rich and innovative silent classic (which inspired Ingmar Bergman to make movies) is a Dickensian ghost story and a deeply moving morality tale, as well as a showcase for groundbreaking special effects."

Format: DVD - I have always purchased my Criterions on DVD, and with the superb quality they already offer in that format, I am in no hurry to upgrade the collection to Blu-ray. Amazon has it for $20.99.



NOTE: Transformers: Dark of the Moon will be released on Friday, September 30th.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Michael Bay, 2011) - Though critical reception was largely negative for the third (and supposedly final) installment in Michael Bay's series of films based on the Robots in Disguise, I thought the he delivered a sound effort this time around, making up for the overly-comedic and poorly-structured Revenge of the Fallen. In Dark of the Moon, the heroic Autobots learn of a Cybertronian ship helmed by Sentinel Prime that crash-landed on the moon, and race to recover the secrets within it before the maniacal Decepticons.

Format: Blu-ray - The Blu-ray release also includes the DVD version and a Digital Copy. I should note that NO supplemental material is included in this release, as they will accompany a 3D Blu-ray version to be released at a later date (my guess is late November or early December, just in time for the holidays). The 3D release will likely include the 2D Blu-ray as well (and possibly a DVD and/or Digital Copy), for those that do not have the capability to use the former (the special features will probably be on the 2D disc). The current release does include a $10 voucher towards the purchase of the forthcoming 3D Blu-ray, but most might want to simply hold off until then. If you intend to pick it up now, however, Best Buy will have it for $17.99 when it releases this Friday, complete with exclusive packaging (featuring Bumblebee on the front cover and Shockwave on the back).







Finally, on the video game front:

The Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection (developed by Team Ico; published by Sony Computer Entertainment) - Two beloved Playstation 2 classics, Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, receive the HD treatment and Trophy support in this collection available exclusively for Playstation 3. It retailes for $39.99; K-mart is offering a $15 Gaming Coupon* for Shop Your Way Rewards Members (which is free to join) with purchase.








*Gaming Coupons are issued with your receipt and are generally valid beginning on the following Sunday for a set period of time (one to two months). Furthermore, as the name implies, they are only valid on gaming products.

09/20/11 Recommended New Releases

Before I begin, allow me to indulge in sharing my excitement concerning a relatively recent occurrence: I am now an 'In-the-field' writer for Film International, which primarily entails writing reviews of films currently in theaters. Most - if not all - theatrical reviews I compose in the future will be published on the Film International website, as opposed to here. My first review - which is of Apollo 18 - is up now; you can read it here. While visiting the site, be sure to check out the other wonderful reviews written by the other 'In-the-field' writers as well!

Furthermore, I have been (and still am) writing other reviews which are to be published in print issues of Film International; the first of these is of Revanche (Criterion Collection), which you can find in the current issue (Volume 9 Issue 3). While I have not posted any reviews here in several months (or much else aside from my weekly recommendations), I intend to change that in the near future with more news updates, articles, and the occasional DVD or video game review.

Now, on to the recommendations; keeping it short and sweet this week - one new DVD release and one (major) video game release:

The Kennedys (Jon Cassar, 2011) - The recent television miniseries about the iconic Kennedy family, focusing on Joseph Kennedy, Sr. (Tom Wilkinson) and his sons, John (Greg Kinear) and Robert (Barry Pepper). The series chronicles events from the presidential election of November 8th, 1960 through Robert's assassination on June 6th, 1968, with flashbacks to earlier years interwoven throughout. You can read a more detailed synopsis here. The series received 10 Emmy Nominations; Barry Pepper won the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie.

Format: DVD - The only supplement is a 45-minute 'making-of' featurette, so I opt for the cheaper format. Amazon has it available for $16.99, but if Blu-ray is your preference, they have it for just $2.00 more.









And for video games, today marks one of the biggest releases of the year:

Gears of War 3 (developed by Epic Games; published by Microsoft Studios) - The third (and final for the current story-arc) entry in the popular third-person shooter is out today exclusively for the Xbox 360, and to commemorate the occasion Epic Games and Microsoft have banded together to provide you with a slew of options for purchasing the game, and I have the scoop on what deals are being offered at various retailers:

+Standard Edition - This is the $59.99 stand-alone version of the game; nothing unique about it.









+Limited Edition - This is the mid-tier edition, priced at $79.99; it includes alternate packaging for the game disc, a replica of the Octus Service Medal awarded to Adam Fenix for his work on the Hammer of Dawn (which is engraved with a unique code to unlock him as a playable character in multiplayer), a fabric COG flag, and a handful of memorabilia items (including the last will and testament of Adam Fenix, a Hammer of Dawn schematic, and a few other documents).

Limited Edition (Click to enlarge).

+Epic Edition - This is the most expensive edition, priced at $149.99; it includes everything from the Limited Edition as well as a collectible PVC statue of Marcus Fenix, a hardcover artbook by Tom Bissell, and a code to unlock the 'Infected Omen' weapon skins pack for use in multiplayer.

Epic Edition (Click to enlarge).

That isn't the end of the line, though, as there is even a Gears of War Xbox 360 bundle available for $399.99, too. It includes a custom Xbox 360 console sporting the Gears of War colors and logo as well as custom sounds when you power on/off the console and open the disc drive, a detachable 320gb HDD, 2 limited edition Gears of War-themed controllers, an Xbox 360 headset, and a copy of the standard edition of Gears of War 3 (which includes the 'Infected Omen' weapon skins found in the Epic Edition).

Gears of War Console bundle (Click to enlarge).

 
Finally, the limited edition controllers that come with the bundle can also be purchased separately for $59.99 (and also includes the 'Infected Omen' weapon skins).

Gears of War controller (Click to enlarge).

And now, here are what the various retailers are offering:

Amazon - Receive $20 Amazon gaming credit w/purchase of Gears of War 3 (appears to be for the standard edition only; credit can only be used on gaming purchases); receive $40 Amazon credit w/purchase of the Gears of War Xbox 360 console bundle (credit can be used on anything at Amazon).

Best Buy - Save $20 on a 12-month Xbox Live Gold subscription w/purchase of Gears of War 3 (any edition, including the console bundle); save 15% on the Gears of War 3 strategy guide w/purchase of Gears of War 3 (any edition, including the console bundle; works on both the standard guide [$19.99] and the limited edition guide [$34.99]); receive an extra 40% on any games traded in towards the purchase of Gears of War 3.

K-Mart - Shop Your Way Rewards members (free to join) may receive a $20 Gaming Coupon* w/purchase of Gears of War 3 (any edition); Save $30 on a 12-month Xbox Live Gold subscription w/purchase of Gears of War 3 (any edition); receive the Gears of War Triple Pack (includes Gears of War, Gears of War 2, and the DLC content for the latter) w/purchase of the Gears of War Xbox 360 console bundle.

Target - Receive a $40 gift card w/purchase of the Gears of War Xbox 360 console bundle; receive a $10 gift card when you purchase Gears of War 3 AND place a $1 pre-order for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

Toys R Us - Save $20 on a 12-month Xbox Live Gold subscription w/purchase of Gears of War 3 or the Gears of War Xbox 360 console bundle; receive a Gears of War 3 action figure 2-pack w/purchase of Gears of War 3 or the Gears of War Xbox 360 console bundle; receive a $10 gift card w/purchase of a Gears of War-themed Xbox 360 controller.

It would appear that K-Mart has the best deal(s) this week (which is not surprising, as they have been making a huge push in their video game department all year long, offering spectacular deals almost every week). Still, you may be able to match any of these deals at your local Best Buy, depending on how they interpret their policy (which in my experience is very lenient).






*K-Mart Gaming Coupons are issued with your receipt and are generally valid beginning on the following Sunday for a set period of time (one to two months). Furthermore, as the name implies, they are only valid on gaming products.