New on DVD
New on DVD
The Hurt Locker
Rated R for war violence and language
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Set during the war in Iraq, The Hurt Locker follows a young hot-shot bomb tech as he endangers not only his own life, but all of those around him all for the thrill of disposing of enemy explosive devices, breaking every rule and protocol along the way. If this film don't get your heart pumping and take you off the nail chewing wagon, then nothing will. It is one of the most intense films I can recall and a very well made movie in every regard. It is also an awards juggernaut, winning more critics' groups best picture awards so far this season than any other film, including the Houston Film Critics Society (shameless plug). If director Kathryn Bigelow wins the Oscar, she will be the first female director to do so, and her biggest competitor will be her ex-husband James Cameron. A
Passing Strange
Not Rated
Available on DVD
Spike Lee directs this final performance of the hit Broadway play about a young black man's life story, from his failure to find meaning in church, to his discovery of sex, drugs, and punk rock, to his move to Europe where he discovers himself in Amsterdam and Berlin. It's a fascinating tale filled with wisdom and wonderful music. I was a little hesitant at first, but after thirty minutes I was hooked and by the end I was truly moved. Scorsese was widely praised for his Rolling Stones concert movie Shine a Light, but in my opinion, it doesn't hold a candle to Lee's lesser known, but more emotionally impactful concert event. A
Amreeka
Rated PG-13 for brief drug use involving teens and some language
Available on DVD
Amreeka is the Arab word for America and the story revolves around a Palestinian woman and her teenage son that move to there shortly after the events of September 11, only to find it not to be the land of promise they thought it was going to be. Moving in with her sister in a suburb in Chicago, the college-educated mother takes a job at a White Castle and tries to help her son deal with an America scared of any person of Middle Eastern descent. It's a very good drama, but a decent enough comedy as well, and leaves you with a good taste in your mouth. It's one of the better feel-good movies I've seen this year. B+
In The Loop
Unrated but contains adult language
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Set in post 911 London, the British Minister of International Development gets in trouble when he declares that a war will be unforeseeable. The more he tries to recant his statement, the more trouble he causes, but the firestorm has already begun as the U.S. and U.K. prepare to pick a fight with Iraq. This is a very funny, but very complicated movie that moves so fast that you almost need to see it twice to catch everything. Filled with more uncomfortable situations than a season of The Office, the humor will be a real pleasure for some and a big turnoff for others. B
Big Love: Season Three
Unrated but contains adult content
Available on DVD
HBO's hit show about polygamist family in Utah not only saw a lot more drama this season, but also achieved a lot more relevance due to the recent real-life compound bust. Bill Paxton and crew were very busy in season three trying to start a Mormon-friendly casino, possibly adding a fourth wife, unearthing a letter that could end the Mormon Church's persecution of polygamists and basically trying to keep the family alive, healthy, and unexposed. While it's not the most savory material on TV, it is some of the best acting and writing, and watching on DVD makes it so much easier not to become frustrated that you have to wait till next week to see what will happen. B+
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