04/19/11 Recommended New Releases

Let me begin by saying that I do realize it has been some time since I have written any reviews (or anything besides a weekly post concerning new releases), but it has been difficult to find the time while working two jobs, working on an essay for an independent study, working on reviews for an internship, and dealing with allergies and being sick. I hope to have more time to devote here in the near future. Now: on to the new releases (there are quite a few today)!

Goemon (Kazuaki Kiriya, 2009) - from the director of Casshern comes the Robin Hood-like tale of a ninja, Goemon, who turns to thievery, robbing the nobility and giving to the poor. Then, upon learning of a conspiracy that exposes the king for the corrupt tyrant that he is, Goemon sets out on a mission to assassinate him.

Format: DVD or Blu-ray - While the two formats share the same supplements, I had pre-ordered Goemon on Blu-ray from Amazon for $17.49, which at the time was a few dollars cheaper than the DVD version. The DVD version has now been lowered to $15.49, so it boils down to a matter of preference.

Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster (Wilson Yip, 2010) - the sequel to the 2008 hit, Donnie Yen returns as the martial arts master Ip Man, who migrates to British-occupied Hong Kong in 1949 to open a martial arts academy and teach his Wing Chun style.

Format: 2-disc DVD - The content is the same for both formats, making the cheaper 2-disc DVD the preferable choice. It is available on Amazon for $15.99, or for $1.00 cheaper on Walmart.com. I will note that the Blu-ray is only $18.99 on both sites, so it could be seen as a matter of preference, too.

The King's Speech (Tom Hooper, 2010) - the winner of four Oscars (Best Picture, Best Directing, Best Actor, and Best Original Screenplay), as well as the recipient of eight other Oscar nominations. Based on actual events, the film stars Colin Firth as King George VI, who with the help of his wife, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) and a speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), struggles to overcome his troublesome stammer as he prepares to take the throne.

Format: DVD - Identical supplements for both formats, and the DVD is on sale for $14.99 or $15.99 at most retailers, while the Blu-ray is $19.99.

Rabbit Hole (John Cameron Mitchell, 2010) - Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart star in this tragic film about a couple coping with life after their son dies in an accident. Kidman received a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her performance.

Format: DVD - Once again, the DVD contains the same features and is the cheaper way to go. Amazon and Wal-mart.com both have it for $14.99.

Somewhere (Sofia Coppola, 2010)  - from the Amazon.com description: "Actor Johnny Marco (Stephen Dorff) is leading the fast-paced lifestyle of a tabloid celebrity. He’s comfortably numb with his life of women and pills when his 11-year-old daughter Cleo (Elle Fanning) unexpectedly arrives at his room at Hollywood’s legendary Chateau Marmont hotel. Their time together encourages Johnny to re-question his life in ways he never expected.

Format: DVD - The release is practically bare-bones for both formats, and the DVD is the cheaper version, selling for $18.99 at both Amazon and Wal-mart.com.

The Way Back (Peter Weir, 2010) - Based on a true story, starring Ed Harris, Jim Sturges, Saoirse Ronan, and Colin Farrell. Set in 1940, the plot concerns a group of seven prisoners who escape from a Siberian gulag and must then survive a 4,000-mile walk to freedom in India.


Format: DVD or Blu-ray - Another almost bare-bones release for both formats, the DVD can had for $14.99 on Amazon; the Blu-ray is $1.00 more. Also note that his film is street-dated for Friday, 4/22, though I have seen copies on shelves already at both MovieStop and Best Buy.

The Fresh Prince of Bel Air: The Complete Sixth Season - it took several years to settle a dispute over certain rights regarding the series, but the fifth season was finally released back in May of 2010, a little over four years after the release of season four. Now, almost a year later, the sixth and final season of the popular sitcom starring Will Smith is out.

Format: DVD - Only available on DVD. Amazon has it for $21.99, and Wal-mart.com is $1.00 cheaper.











Finally, the second episode of Mortal Kombat: Legacy is out: