New in Home Entertainment
October 16, 2012
2016: Obama’s America
Rated PG for thematic elements, brief language and smoking images
Available on DVD
Normally I wouldn’t think of reviewing, never mind leading off, with a film like this. But after its relative success at the box office I just had to see what all the hubbub was about. Now I wish I hadn’t. Based on the best seller by Dinesh D’Souza, the author and director travels around the world in an attempt to help us learn more about our commander in chief. The film puts on the veil of being an objective and non-biased doc with lots of repetitive visuals and a slick but silly journalistic style, but for anyone who is capable of independent thought, it is easy to see the film for what it really is: an un-American, unpatriotic, ultra-racist conservative slam-fest. Sure the filmmaker admits Obama was born in America, but using the most absurd comparisons, he eventually asserts that Obama’s long-term sinister goal is to bring America down economically by the end of his second term. The sad thing is that many of the people who pay to see this crap actually believe it. F
Moonrise Kingdom
Rated PG-13 for sexual content and smoking
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Writer/Director Wes Anderson (Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums) once again assembles a huge Hollywood A-List cast (Bruce Willis, Ed Norton and Bill Murray to name a few) for a feel good, slightly-less-than-family-friendly comedy about two pre-teen love birds who run away from home for an extended camping trip. Cute and clever from start to finish, the film will put a smile on your face that you’ll regain every time you stop and think about it. While not the best of his work, this is another in a long string of critically successful indie pics from a very creative artist. B+
Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted
Rated PG for some mild action and rude humor
Available on DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D
All of the zoo critters are back and this time they are gallivanting around Europe as part of a has-been traveling circus. I’ll admit that I’ve never been a big fan of the Madagascar franchise, but upon receiving relatively high critical praise (compared to the first two films), I was actually looking forward to seeing this new installment. All it took was ten minutes to realize my colleagues were wrong and that I was about to endure 80 more minutes of pure animated torture. The only saving grace here is the animation itself which is at times impressive. D
That’s My Boy
Rated R for crude and sexual content throughout, nudity, pervasive language and some drug use
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
This might not seem like a stretch for Adam Sandler, who usually panders to the minds of thirteen year-old boys, but being one of his first Rated R comedies (Funny People doesn’t count), That’s My Boy makes an attempt to win over a new audience, or at least an older version of his former audience. The story has potential as it places Sandler as the teenage single father to a young boy after his teacher/girlfriend has a baby. While not the horrible mess I expected (I did laugh quite a few times), the film is by no means a great one. Just manage your expectations and you might be able to enjoy. C+
Mad Men: Season Five
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
The fifth season of Mad Men introduced us to a new and improved Don Draper who is trying diligently to get his life together after his dark turn in season four. But while Don’s moral compass is beginning to point north, his colleagues are heading in the opposite direction. It might not be the best season yet, but it sure is one that will get you hooked. A-