New in Home Entertainment
September 23, 2014
Neighbors
Rated R for pervasive language, strong crude and sexual content, graphic nudity, and drug use throughout
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
In this latest entry to the frat house comedy genre, Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne are thirty-something parents who are completely happy with their calm lives when Zac Efron and his fraternity purchase the house next door. While much of the bad behavior is expected and still very funny, what works best here are the many surprises. For what it is, the film is solidly written and only has the occasional eye-rolling moment. And while some of the best gags are featured in the trailer and commercials, many are not, mostly due to the very graphic nature of the jokes. Overall though, it turns out to be an impressively thoughtful raunch-com. B
Rover
Rated R for language and some bloody violence
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Writer/Director David Michod turns in another bleak but powerful picture about a man (Guy Pearce) in Australia whose car is stolen and who will do anything to get it back, including team up with the car thief’s brother (Robert Pattinson) to go after him. Upon revisiting the beginning, I realized that I missed the very vital intro that stated that the movie takes place 10 years after a societal collapse, so I just assumed that people crucified from telephone poles might be a normal sight in the remote outback. That being said, I was glued to the screen from start to finish watching this absolutely frightening world unfold onscreen. Pearce is dynamite as the loner and Pattinson almost makes up for the misery he put me through in Twilight. While its not a film for everyone, I was blown away by the picture and while not as strong as Michod’s first film, Animal Kingdom, it is equally as riveting. A-
Roman Polanski’s Macbeth: Criterion Edition
Rated R
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
In between making Rosemary’s Baby and Chinatown, Roman Polanski directed this visionary interpretation of Shakespeare’s famous work. This tale of jealousy, murder and revenge is still a miserable story to watch, but very well done. The production is fantastic and the fight choreography at the end is fantastic and memorable. I’m still not a fan of the play Macbeth, but watching your favorite directors tackle it can be rewarding. B+