New in Home Entertainment
March 22, 2011
The Tourist
Rated PG-13 for violence and brief strong language
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Shocking us all this year at the Golden Globes were the inclusion of The Tourist as best picture comedy/musical and best actor and actress noms for its stars Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. Sure it’s sexy and the locations are nice, but overall this is nothing more than a boring version of Tom Cruise’s Knight and Day. Director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, whose German film The Lives of Others is rightly considered to be one of the greatest films of the last decade, received too much help from Hollywood on this film, which ultimately led to its blah-ness. Not nearly as clever as it thinks it is, the film is as predictable as it is pretty. But if you really just want a mindless spy movie that never pretends to be anything more than a silly love story – you might find some enjoyment. As for me, I much prefer Knight and Day for my entertainment dollar. C
Stand By Me: 25th Anniversary Edition
Rated R
Available on Blu-ray
When this classic coming of age tale was released twenty-five years ago I wasn’t allowed to see it due its R rating (please don’t tell my mom I watched it at a friend’s house on cable). Watching it again now in this stunning HD transfer, one could easily believe the film was made yesterday. This timeless tale of group of young boys that go on a journey to find a dead body is still relevant today and will bring a touch of nostalgia and a tear to the eye of anyone reflecting back on their own childhood. I highly suggest checking out the picture-in-picture video commentary with director Rob Reiner and actors Wil Wheaton and Corey Feldman. This too serves as a wonderful trip down memory lane, allowing the audience to hear Rob and the boys discuss their own reflections of making the film. A
Yogi Bear
Rated PG for some mild rude humor
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Combining real life and computer animation, Yogi Bear brings back the old animated classic characters Yogi and Boo Boo into the setting of Jellystone Park for an adventure with Ranger Smith (Tom Cavanagh). While young kids may find the movie slightly entertaining, adults will absolutely cringe at this steaming pile of bear dung. It is an insult to family-friendly films and will most certainly make you to want to leave the room. The only saving grace is a decent soundtrack that is very out of place with such an uncool movie. My advice – skip this one and wait one week for Tangled to come out. You’ll thank me if you do. D-