DVD Releases for March 3, 2009

DVD Releases for March 3, 2009

I’ve Loved You So Long
Starring Kristin Scott Thomas and Elsa Zylberstein
Rated PG-13 for thematic material and smoking
French language with English subtitles (Includes English dubbed version also)
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Juliette (Thomas) has been in prison for 15 years and upon release goes to live with her younger sister (Zylberstein) and her family.  After being closed in for so long, Juliette must learn to open up and get her life back together in the hopes of not only developing a relationship with her sister, but forgiving herself for her crime.  What starts out feeling like a depressing and dark film, soon becomes a compelling drama that keeps you glued to your seat.  What helps this great script along is the terrific acting by everyone, especially Thomas.  You don’t know how to take her at first, but by the halfway point you just want to dive into her head just to see what’s in there.  This was one of 2008’s best dramas.  A

Australia
Starring Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman
Rated PG-13 for some violence, a scene of sensuality, and brief strong language
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Set in Australia during the second world war, Jackman and Kidman meet and fall in love during a rough and tough cattle drive that nearly costs them their lives.  While the film has an epic feel to it, the strange script and spotty performances make it look like all style and little substance.  This film needed to be about 45 minutes shorter and could have used a real villain instead of the Snidely Whiplash bad guy seen here.  This is a disappointing pic, considering what director Baz Luhrmann has brought to the table before.  C