New in Home Entertainment – March 1, 2011

New in Home Entertainment

March 1, 2011

Bambi: Diamond Edition

Rated G
Available on DVD/Blu-ray Combo

What was originally supposed to be Walt Disney’s second feature film after Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, became his fifth release and almost bankrupted the studio due to WWII and the loss of the European box office.  Now, almost seventy years later, Bambi still holds up as a masterpiece of animation and art.  With this blu-ray premiere, the print was cleaned up and enhanced again and looks simply gorgeous in 1080p.  Also there are many new special features that will have you watching the disc long after the movie ends.  Perhaps the coolest feature, and a groundbreaking one at that, is the new second screen technology which allows the movie to interact with your iPad or laptop while you are watching the film, providing a new and innovative way to learn more about the movie you are watching while you are watching it.  A

127 Hours
Rated R for language and some disturbing violent content/bloody images
Available on DVD and Blu-ray

Certainly one of the best films of 2010, 127 Hours was also one of the most difficult to watch.  Hours tells the true story of Aron Ralston (James Franco) who finds his hand trapped by a boulder in the middle of nowhere which leaves him very few choices if he wants to survive.  Almost the entire length of the film is spent with Aron and his struggle, yet because of the superb acting by Franco and the intense directing of Danny Boyle, the film is extremely fast paced and never bores.  If you are even the least bit squeamish, however, you won’t want to come near this as it would make the strongest of stomachs weak.  But even with the gore fest, the film comes out triumphant and gives a great insight to the events that occurred and provides a positive, life-affirming message to its audience.  A-

Love and Other Drugs
Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, pervasive language, and some drug material
Available on DVD and Blu-ray

This controversial film starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway appears on the outset to be a romantic comedy about a drug rep that falls for a patient at one of his doctor’s offices.  But then it converts to a romantic drama about learning to love someone no matter what the consequence.  The comedy part of the film doesn’t work too well at all, mostly due to a poorly thought-out script that lacks authenticity.  The drama however, delivers a punch to the gut as it asks the question of committing to someone knowing that their disease will eventually put you through hell.  If the film had a better sense of itself then I think it could have been a classic romance, but as it stands, it’s simply going to be known as the Jake and Anne sex flick.  C