07/26/11 Recommended New Releases

There is quite a lot to cover today, and I will begin with yet another reminder that you can still save $5 on any DVD or Blu-ray title priced $14.99+ at Best Buy (including items on sale); this is the last week to do so as the coupon expires on the 31st. Also, the 50% off sale on the Criterion Collection is still going on at Barnes & Noble; over the past two weeks I provided ten recommendations from the collection, which can be viewed in two parts, here and here. Now, on to the new releases for this week:

Source Code (Duncan Jones, 2011) - After making his directorial debut with the outstanding Moon, Duncan Jones follow-up feature is no less spectacular. Jake Gyllenhaal, Michell Monaghan, and Vera Farmiga star in this action thriller about a soldier (Gyllenhaal) who becomes part of an experimental government program aimed at preventing a terrorist attack on a Chicago commuter train.

Format: Blu-ray - The supplements are the same as the DVD version, but it is a title I feel would be better experienced on the Blu-ray format. It is on sale for $18.99 at Best Buy, making it $13.99 after coupon. Should you prefer it, Best Buy also offers an exclusive combo pack that includes the Blu-ray as well as a DVD copy and a Digital Copy of the film for $22.99 ($17.99 after coupon).

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (Apichatpong Weerasethakul, 2010) - From the distributor: "Suffering from acute kidney failure, Uncle Boonmee has chosen to spend his final days surrounded by his loved ones in the countryside. Surprisingly, the ghost of his deceased wife appears to care for him, and his long lost son returns home in a non-human form. Contemplating the reasons for his illness, Boonmee treks through the jungle with his family to a mysterious hilltop cave – the birthplace of his first life…" Uncle Boonmee won the Palme d'Or at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.


Format: Blu-ray - The DVD format was released two weeks ago, but I held off for the following reason: exclusive to the Blu-ray format, which released today, is the original short that served as the inspiration for the film, A Letter to Uncle Boonmee; Amazon originally had it available for pre-order at $20.99, but the price has since jumped to $30.99.

Trust (David Schwimmer, 2010) - Official synopsis: "A suburban family is torn apart when 14-year-old Annie (Liana Liberato) meets her first boyfriend online. After months of communicating via online chat and phone, Annie discovers her friend is not who he originally claimed to be. Shocked into disbelief, her parents (Clive Owen and Catherine Keener) are shattered by their daughter's actions and struggle to support her as she comes to terms with what has happened to her once innocent life."

Format: DVD - Opting for the cheaper format here, as the supplements are identical. Best Buy has it on sale for $14.99, making it $9.99 after coupon.

The Clone Returns Home (Kanji Nakajima, 2008) - From RottenTomatoes: "In this thoughtful science fiction drama from filmmaker Kanji Nakajima, Kohei Takahara (Mitsuhiro Oikawa) is an astronaut who is invited to take part in a top-secret scientific study in which a clone will be created from his DNA and brought to life in the event of his untimely death. Kohei agrees to participate, and when he loses his life as his mission goes awry while returning to Earth, the clone is brought to life. While the "new" Kohei seems healthy and all but indistinguishable from the original, a major flaw is soon discovered -- the clone has no memories past Kohei's childhood, and doesn't comprehend the notion of the astronaut's death. When the clone escapes, it happens to find Kohei's body near the crash site, and is jarred back to a memory of the death of Kohei's twin brother when he was little. The clone is convinced Kohei's corpse is actually the lost twin that died years ago, and he sets out to take the body back to his family" 

Format: DVD - Only available on DVD. Amazon has it available for $18.49. 

Winter in Wartime (Martin Koolhoven, 2008) - From Sony Pictures Classics comes a tale set in Nazi-occupied Holland,1945, where thirteen-year-old Michiel becomes part of the Resistance after aiding a wounded British paratrooper, forcing him to come face-to-face with the grim realities of war.

Format: Blu-ray/DVD Combo - As usual, this Sony Picture Classics release is only available in a combo format. Amazon has it for $27.99

American Grindhouse / Nightmares in Red, White and Blue (Elijah Drenner, 2010 & Andrew Monument, 2009) - Two documentaries bundled together in a double-feature. The first, American Grindhouse, is about the history of American Exploitation cinema; the other, Nightmares in Red, White and Blue, explores the appeal of the horror genre, examining the idea that horror films reflect the times and places in which they are made. 

Format: DVD - Only available on DVD. While Nightmares in Red, White and Blue was released on July 5th, I held off knowing that a double feature containing American Grindhouse was releasing today. Amazon has the duo available for $22.49.










In other news, for those who have been waiting - the final episode of Mortal Kombat: Legacy is out now:



A DVD/Blu-ray release of the series is coming, but there is no release date as of yet. 


Furthermore, the fourth DLC character for Mortal Kombat was unveiled, and it turns out that it is not Reiko, as I expected. In fact, it is not even a Mortal Kombat character, but FREDDY KRUEGER:



Freddy will be available Sunday, August 9th for Xbox 360 and PS3 users.


Finally, here is the MKast Episode for the recent DLC character, Rain:

06/14/11 Recommended New Releases

Before I begin, I will make you aware of a most exciting Best Buy coupon:

Save $5.00 on ANY DVD or Blu-ray priced $14.99 and up.

This coupon will worked on ANY title priced $14.99 and up - including items that are on sale. It is valid through the end of July, so save the link and print as many as you like. I have been reading that some customers have had success using multiple coupons in one transaction (ie., buying three movies and using one coupon for each), though your chances will likely vary from store to store. Nonetheless, it is a stellar offer that will certainly come in handy over the course of the next several weeks. 


Sadly, the major releases for today are Battle: Los Angeles and Red Riding Hood, but luckily I am here to fill you in on what films hit shelves today that might actually be worth your time, as the aforementioned two are most assuredly not:

Kill the Irishman (Jonathan Hensleigh, 2011) - from the director of the 2004 remake of The Punisher comes the true story of Danny Greene (portrayed by Ray Stevenson), an Irish mobster who begins a turf war with the Cosa Nostra in Cleveland, Ohio during the mid 1970s. Also starring Christopher Walkin, Vincent D'Onofrio, Val Kilmer, Paul Sorvino, and Linda Cardellini.

Format: DVD - I see no reason to pay the extra cash for the Blu-ray format, as the lone supplement - a documentary about the real Danny Greene - is included with both. Amazon has the DVD for $17.99.

Kingdom of War Parts 1 and 2 (Chatrichalerm Yukol, 2007) - The first two parts of a historical epic about the ruler who liberated the Siamese from the control of Burma during the late 16th century, King Naresuan the Great. A third installment was released this March in Thailand; I suspect it will be making its way Stateside on DVD and Blu-ray in due time.


Format: Blu-ray - It is distributed by Magnet releasing, so as expected the Blu-ray format sports no exclusive content, but Amazon is selling it for $17.99, which is significantly cheaper than the DVD version.

Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen (Andrew Lau, 2010) - from the director of the Infernal Affairs trilogy (on which Martin Scorsese's The Departed was based), the film stars Donnie Yen as Chen Zhen (a role previously played by Bruce Lee in Fist of Fury and Jet Li in Fist of Legend), who returns to China after fighting alongside the Allied forces in Europe during World War I, intent on hindering the Japanese and their plans to dominate the country.


Format: Collector's Edition DVD or Blu-ray - The features are limited, but identical for both formats. Best Buy has the Collector's Edition DVD for $19.99, while Amazon has the Collector's Edition Blu-ray for the same price. However, you can use the $5.00 coupon I linked to at the beginning of the post to make the DVD $14.99 at Best Buy.





Finally, I should note that the director of the Mortal Kombat: Legacy series has decided that he will premier episode nine during the San Diego Comic Con, which takes place from July 21st-24th. Whenever the episode is available for me to post, I will be sure to do so.

05/31/11 Recommended New Releases

As usual, the holiday week has proven to be lacking in the way of new releases. Only two caught my eye this week, but rest assured that the rest of the month is ripe with quality films making their way to DVD and Blu-ray, with over a dozen noteworthy titles coming over the course of the next four weeks. Furthermore, Next Monday is also the beginning of the Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3), where the latest in gaming will be unveiled. Anyways, on to the new releases:

Biutiful (Alejandro González Iñárritu, 2010) - Receiving Oscar nominations for Best Foreign Film and Best Actor (for Javier Bardem), many have declared this to be renowned director Iñárritu's best film to date. Bardem stars as Uxbal, "a man on the wrong side of the law who struggles to provide for his children on the dangerous streets of Barcelona. As fate encircles him, Uxbal learns to accept the realities of life, whether bright, bad - or biutiful..." (quote taken from the DVD packaging).

Format: DVD - The supplements are the same for both formats, and the DVD is five bucks cheaper - $17.99 - at Amazon. Stores carrying the title should have it on sale for roughly the same price (such as Best Buy and MovieStop).

Prey (Antoine Blossier, 2010) - From IFC Midnight comes this French thriller. "One night, several deer inexplicably hurl themselves against the electric fence of a farm. Discovering deep bites on the animals bodies, the farmer and visiting family members (who have gathered for a tense reunion) penetrate deep into the surrounding forest. They carry guns, expecting to encounter wild predators, but what they are bewildered to find is an environment ravaged by a mysterious evil force. And as the sun slowly sinks away, howling resounds through the forest. The hunters have become prey! This modern-day horror film blends elements of The Descent, Jaws and Deliverance into an original picture of human nature scarier than the darkest woods," (taken from the Amazon.com synopsis).

Format: DVD - Only available on DVD. Amazon has it for $17.99.







Finally, here is the penultimate episode of Mortal Kombat: Legacy:

05/24/11 Recommended New Releases

Not much today, but thankfully Criterion has us covered:

The Great Dictator (Charles Chaplin, 1940) - Synopsis from the Criterion webpage for the release: "In his controverisal masterpiece The Great Dictator, Charlie Chaplin offers both a cutting caricature of Adolf Hitler and a sly tweaking of his own comic persona. Chaplin, in his first pure talkie, brings his sublime physicality to two roles: the cruel yet clownish “Tomainian” dictator and the kindly Jewish barber who is mistaken for him. Featuring Jack Oakie and Paulette Goddard in stellar supporting turns, The Great Dictator, boldly going after the fascist leader before the U.S.’s official entry into World War II, is an audacious amalgam of politics and slapstick that culminates in Chaplin’s famously impassioned speech."

Format: DVD - Like many others, my Criterion collection began on DVD, and for the time being I see no reason to upgrade. For this release, the only noteworthy distinction between formats is that the Blu-ray sports an uncompressed monaural soundtrack. The DVD is $20.99 at Amazon.

Solaris (Andrei Tarkovsky, 1972)* - Originally released by Criterion in 2002, the film has been re-released to correct an issue with the black-and-white scenes in the film, which were supposed to be tinted blue. Synopsis from the Criterion webpage for this release: "Ground control has been receiving mysterious transmissions from the three remaining residents of the Solaris space station. When cosmonaut and psychologist Kris Kelvin is dispatched to investigate, he experiences the same strange phenomena that afflict the Solaris crew, sending him on a voyage into the darkest recesses of his consciousness. With Solaris, the legendary Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky created a brilliantly original science-fiction epic that challenges our conceptions about love, truth, and humanity itself."

* - Not to be confused with the 2002 Steven Soderbergh remake starring George Clooney.

Format: DVD - As with The Great Dictator, the only noteworthy difference between formats is the uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray. The DVD is $21.99 on Amazon.




Finally, here is episode seven of Mortal Kombat: Legacy:

05/17/11 Recommended New Releases

 A few good releases this week:

The Rite (Mikael Håfström, 2011) - The recent thriller about an American seminary student struggling with his faith who goes to Italy to take a course on exorcism. You can read my review of the film here.

Format: Blu-ray Combo Pack - Apparently the standard Blu-ray release only includes the deleted scenes found on the DVD edition, but the combo back (which includes the DVD version of the film and a Digital Copy) also contains an alternate ending and a featurette, The Rite: Soldier of God, about the real priest who inspired the film, Father Gary Thomas. The combo pack is going for $22.99 at most places this week.

The Other Woman (Don Roos, 2009) -  Natalie Portman stars in this adaptation of the Ayelet Waldman novel, Love and Other Impossible Pursuits as Emilia, a Harvard law graduate who falls for her married boss, Jack. He leaves his wife and the two start a new life together, but tragedy strikes when they lose their newborn daughter. Coping with her grief, Emilia tries to connect with her new stepson while also dealing with Jack's ex-wife.

Format: DVD - The only extra for both formats is a theatrical trailer. The DVD is available for $10.99 on Amazon.

Red White & Blue (Simon Rumley, 2010) - Erica is emotionless, drifting from one Austin bar to another in pursuit of nothing more than sex. Things change, however, when she meets Nate, an Iraqi war veteran who is more interested in having a friend than a sex partner. The strong friendship they develop is threatened after Emily has a drunken encounter with a man from her seedy lifestyle, Franki.

Format: DVD - Only available on DVD. Available for $17.99 at Amazon.

Daydream Nation (Michael Goldbach, 2010) - described by Variety as "Juno...reimagined by David Lynch," the film stars Kat Dennings as Julia, a girl who, after moving from the city to a small town, becomes wrapped up in a love triangle with a teacher (Josh Lucas) and a fellow classmate (Reece Thompson).

 Format: DVD - Same supplements for both formats, and the DVD is only $15.99 at Amazon.












Finally, here is episode six of Mortal Kombat: Legacy:

05/10/11 Recommended New Releases

Not a bad day for new release films...

I Saw the Devil (Kim Jee-woon, 2010) - I have been eagerly awaiting this much-hyped release, which stars Lee Byung-hun as an elite special agent who seeks revenge after a serial killer (Choi Min-sik, of Oldboy fame) claims the agent's pregnant fiancee as his latest victim.

Format: DVD - The two formats sport identical supplements (deleted scenes and a behind-the-scenes featurrette), so I opted for the cheaper of the two. Amazon has it for $15.99. Wal-mart.com is a dollar cheaper.

Blue Valentine (Derek Cianfrance, 2010) - Crosscutting between past and present moments, the film is centered around Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams), a young married couple who take one night away from their daughter to try and salvage their waning relationship. Williams received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.

Format: DVD - Once again, the two formats have the same extras. Wal-mart.com appears to have the best deal on the DVD at $14.96.

 Black Death (Christopher Smith, 2010) - Set in 1348 during the outbreak of the first bubonic plague in England, a knight, Ulric (Sean Bean), leads a small band of soldiers and a monk (Eddie Redmayne) on an assignment to investigate rumors of a hidden village that is immune to the plague and led by a necromancer who can bring people back from the dead.

Format: DVD - Nothing exclusive to Blu-ray, and the DVD can be had for only $10.96 at Wal-mart.com.

The Illusionist (Sylvain Chomet, 2010) - An animated film about a struggling French magician who relocates to Scotland. There, he meets a young girl with whom he sets off on a adventure of discovery that will change both of their lives. The film received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.

Format: Blu-ray/DVD Combo - For whatever reason, Sony Pictures Classics decided to only release a Blu-ray/DVD combo package instead of issuing a separate release for each format. Amazon and Wal-mart.com have it for $24.99 and $24.96, respectively.

Cropsey (Barbara Brancaccio & Joshua Zeman, 2009) - a documentary in which two filmmakers investigate the mystery surrounding five missing children and Andre Rand - a convicted child kidnapper of Staten Island, New York.

Format: DVD - Only available on DVD. Wal-mart.com has it for $12.96 and Amazon has it for $13.49.














And in continuation of the past few weeks, here is the fifth episode of Mortal Kombat: Legacy:

05/03/11 Recommended New Releases

Not a whole lot happening this week...



Megan is Missing (Michael Goi, 2011) - I am a bit curious as to whether whoever designed the cover art could have ripped off of Paranormal Activity just a little bit more. With that said, the trailer for this pseudo-documentary thriller intrigued me enough to give it a recommendation (and I am quite smitten with the sub-genre). The film, based on true events (of course), is about two teenage girls who encounter an internet predator, their final recorded moments presented in the form of video chats, webcam footage, home videos, and news reports.

Format: DVD - Only available on DVD.


  

A Somewhat Gentle Man (Hans Petter Moland, 2010) - Stellan Skarsgård stars in this Norwegian comedy as Ulrik, who is released from prison after serving twelve years for murder. Now that he is back in society, he has to deal with his gang, his ex, other women, a snitch, and his son - who is engaged.

Format: DVD - Only available on DVD.














Finally, after a rather disappointing third episode, Mortal Kombat: Legacy is back in top form this week; looking forward to part two of this entry:

04/26/11 Recommended New Releases

Not a lot this week, as one would expect for the week following a major holiday.

South Park: The Complete Fourteenth Season (2010) - Pretty self explanatory, I would say. Season Fourteen hits shelves just in time for the season premiere tomorrow night.

Format: DVD - The two formats sport identical supplements, so I opted for the cheaper of the two since I have been collecting the series on DVD since the first season anyways. $29.99 seems to be the price most retailers are selling it for this week.

Jolene (Dan Ireland, 2008) - based on a short story by E.L. Doctorow, the film stars Jessica Chastain in the titular role of a teenage orphan who spends ten years traveling all over the country, during which she experiences life in all of its ups and downs.

Format: DVD - Once again, I opted for the cheaper format since the features are the same. Wal-mart.com has it for $12.96.














And, continuing off of the past two weeks, here is episode three of Mortal Kombat: Legacy: