A sweet, little collection of titles this week as one of the year’s biggest surprises comes home to DVD. *Note: If available, I usually link to the Blu-ray version of the film, as that’s my format of choice.
This Week’s Must Have: Juno: Digital Copy Special Edition – Forget all the endless babble about how “people just don’t talk like that,” and realize that Juno is not only one of 2007′s best films (I had it in my personal top three), but it’s also one of the best (and most heartfelt and endearing) comedies in years. The characters may drop the pop culture references like they’re in some alternate product-placement universe, but it just works. Juno and her pals (and family) are people you want to hang out with even after the film is over, and that means something.
* Lars and the Real Girl – Ryan Gosling gets better with every single performance, and this one is no exception. A twisted little tale of miserable guy and his new Real Doll girlfriend Bianca. Gosling plays it straight and it’s hard to tell whether this flick’s truly a comedy or a tragedy. Either way, it’s well worth checking out.
* Inside: Unrated – This one’s definitely not for everyone, but there is definitely something about Inside that sticks in your brain, rattles around, and doesn’t let go. It’s brutal. It’s filled with gore. And it’s not just the same gore you’ve seen over and over again. This is crazy, pregnant-lady-getting-cut-open gore from beginning to end. I didn’t love it, but Inside definitely has some really high points and is worth taking a look at, if insane horror is your cup o’ tea.
* Alien vs. Predator: Requiem – I’m all for popcorn flicks, silly sequels, and just a fun shut-your-brain-off experience, but these AvP films are none of the above. They’re boring retreads that fail to contain anything remotely scary. Do yourself a favor and grab the original Alien or, better, yet read on for a look at the Blu-ray release of the original Predator.
* Blast of Silence: Criterion Collection is one of those “lost” Noir films that is finally getting its due on DVD thanks to the wonderful people at Criterion. Allen Baron’s low-budget NYC Noir is just about a perfect, little specimen of darkness, brutality, and downright Noir goodness. This one nearly grabbed this week’s must have spot.
* Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead - I’m convinced that Sidney Lumet gets better with age and Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead is proof that he’s not slowing down any time soon. Filled with fantastic performances from Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei (yeah, yeah… she gets nekkid…), and Ethan Hawke, the film is a great, dark story about a crime gone all wrong. Check it out.
* Woody Woodpecker and Friends: Classic Cartoon Collection, Volume 2 is just another treat from childhood. Woody was always one of my favorite characters and this collection simply picks up where the previous volume left off. Great stuff for the kid in all of us.
* Predator: Blu-ray - Probably my favorite Schwarzenegger flick (though Kindergarten Cop comes is a close second… natch…), Predator comes home in full 1080p goodness. There’s not a whole lot more on the disc, but having this underrated, endlessly cool Sci-Fi thriller in high-definition is enough to make anyone smile.
* Commando: Blu-ray – Another Schwarzenegger film that usually slips under the radar, Commando caps off this week’s list of new, notable releases. This one’s actually inferior to Predator in my book, but it still packs some really killer action scenes. Easily worth pairing with Predator for a great 1080p Schwarzenegger double feature.
Check back next Tuesday for a look at some more great DVD releases.
