New in Home Entertainment
March 10, 2015
Believe Me
Rated PG-13 for some language
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Upon first seeing the trailer for this Texas-filmed indie I was completely turned off. To me it looked like a film aimed at putting Christianity in the most negative of lights. But I watched it anyway and discovered the most peculiar thing: a Christian film made almost specifically for non-Christians. Believe Me tells the story of a group of friends who decide to form a fake evangelical team in order to embezzle money meant for overseas charities and missions. And while it is most certainly cynical towards some Christians, it is reverent towards Christianity. One of the things I hate most about Christian films, besides the fact that a lot of them stink, is that they are made specifically for their Christian audiences and do little or no good towards people of a differing viewpoint. So to experience a film that lovingly pokes fun of some of the problems I too see in my religion, while not being sacrilegious, is a breath of fresh air. It helps that the film, while exaggerated, feels more authentic than I expected it to be. It also helps that the screenplay is well-written and the cast is as likable as it is capable. I have many friends at church I would never recommend this movie to. But at the same time I have no hesitation suggesting it to anyone who believes as I do that most films in the genre are complete crap. B+
R100
Unrated
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Japanese with English Subtitles
From Drafthouse Films comes this Japanese import about a man who hires a dominatrix agency to surprise him during his days with depraved and unexpected acts of dominance. While the film sells itself as a super-violent and sexual experience, I found it to be neither. I was truly surprised though at how much I laughed throughout – although it does turn truly sick about half way through the movie and completely warped by the end. Aside from a few vile moments, the film is far more entertaining than its American domination counterpart Fifty Shades. B-
The Breakfast Club: 30th Anniversary Edition
Rated R
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Yes its been 30 years since the Brat Pack, made up of the very young versions of Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Molly Rigwald, Anthony Michael Hall and Ally Sheedy, changed our view of school detention. I’m sure director John Hughes didn’t understand the monster he was creating, but there’s no doubt that this was a ground breaking film that launched 5 careers and sold millions of soundtracks. This new edition features a fully restored and digitally remastered presentation that is more beautiful than the day it was released. While I was never a huge fan of the actual movie, I am most definitely appreciative of its impact to moviedom. B