New in Home Entertainment
July 12, 2011
The Lincoln Lawyer
Rated R for some violence, sexual content and language
Available on DVD and Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy Combo
During the 90s we were fortunate enough to see a string of Grisham novels on screen, and most of them were pretty good. There has been a very noticeable gap, though, since the last good legal thriller. Then along comes The Lincoln Lawyer based on the novel by Michael Connelly. Here, Matthew McConaughey plays a lawyer with questionable ethics who gains a new client, played by Ryan Phillippe, whose case smells a little fishy. The phenomenal cast, which also includes Marisa Tomei, William H. Macy, Josh Lucas, John Leguizamo, and Bryan Cranston play their parts well in this nifty little legal mystery. While some of the plot points felt contrived, I found myself to be thoroughly entertained by the time end credits rolled. A-
Rango
Rated PG for rude humor, language, action and smoking
Available on DVD and Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy Combo
When he gets separated from his owners during a road trip through the desert, Rango, a pet chameleon voiced by Johnny Depp, finds himself going from modern day conveniences to living in an old west town with a water deficiency. Pretending to be a hero, he quickly becomes the town’s sheriff, bound and determined to uncover its corruption. Last year I had three animated films in my top 10, but this year has seen a draught of great animated storytelling. At the top of the list is this entertaining pic. Even though many of its elements are lovingly stolen from such great films as Chinatown and Pale Rider, the film comes off as highly original. The language is a little rough for young ears, so don’t be surprised when your youngins’ start repeating some choice new words. B+
Entourage: The Complete Seventh Season
Rated TV-MA
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Setting up the 8th and final season of this hit HBO show finds Vince living truly on the edge while his friends and agent try to bring him under control. With the last couple of seasons coming off as sort of wimpy, they went a whole new direction here with Vince doing tons of drugs and dating real life porn star Sasha Grey. The turn seemed pretty contrived, but it did add a nice change-up to the happy-go-lucky lives we previously saw. Now I can’t wait to see how they’re going to end this thing! B-
Arthur
Rated PG-13 for alcohol use throughout, sexual content, language and some drug references
Available on DVD and Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy Combo
Of all the movies to remake, why they’d want to bring back this character is beyond me. Russell Brand is the new Dudley Moore and here the spoiled young son of a billionaire who is informed by his mother that he must marry Jennifer Garner in order to stay rich. The performances aren’t bad, but there is very little laughter here, just as in the original. Sure, a stupid drunk can be charming for a few minutes, but it gets old quick, and while that might be the point of the film, that doesn’t make for good comedy. C-