New in Home Entertainment
December 16, 2014
The Skeleton Twins
Rated R for language, some sexuality and drug use
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Saturday Night Live alums Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader star in this dark comedy about estranged twins whose lives are brought back together after a suicide attempt. While the drama is well crafted and the actors are more than capable, the film unfortunately is so full of poison that it is not an entertaining watch. It’s hard to go for a movie like this when you just can’t like any of the characters, even if you love the actors who play them. C+
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence
Available on DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D
In an attempt to make a better-looking CG-driven Ninja Turtles movie, Battle Los Angeles director Jonathan Liebsman and producer Michael Bay deliver this pseudo-genesis story about the vigilante mutants and their fight against the evil Shredder. I can admit that the look of the film is a nice touch and at about 100 minutes, its a fast-paced mindless action flick that doesn’t have you constantly looking at your watch. For adults, the film is a bit of a letdown and honestly a waste of time. Children though will enjoy it and even though it is PG-13, it is still pretty kid-friendly. C+
This is Where I Leave You
Rated R for language, sexual content and some drug use
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
This is Where I Leave You is yet another dark comedy starring a bunch of folks we love. In this case, Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Jane Fonda and a largely talented ensemble head home after the passing of their father, only to be forced to live under one roof and suffer each others’ company for a few days. While there are some somewhat funny moments, most of the film is just a drag to watch. The script is well-acted, but not well-written and the attempt to recreate a familial Big Chill fizzles quickly. C