New in Home Entertainment
March 17, 2015
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
Rated PG for mild action, some rude humor and brief language
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
This continuation and hopeful end to the Night at the Museum franchise finds night watchmen turned event coordinator Ben Stiller heading to the British Museum in London to uncover why the tablet that brings everything in the museum to life is suddenly losing its power. Honestly, while I hated the first two films in the series, I find myself mellowing my opinion on this third one. Sure the writing suffers as much as the first, but kids seem to really enjoy it and it is a very decent source of family entertainment. I also find it interesting how many big stars pop up. Coming back again are Robin Williams, Owen Wilson and Ricky Gervais. But jumping into the mix are Sir Ben Kingsley and Pitch Perfect’s Rebel Wilson. And even more interesting: they all look like they are having a blast. I just wish I could have had as much fun watching it as they had making it. C
Top Five
Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, crude humor, language throughout and some drug use
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Chris Rock directs, writes and stars in this sobering comedy about a comedian who, after making a series of Martin Lawrence/Tyler Perry-like films, tries to assess his career, life and purpose. One can only assume that this is an extremely close and personal story for Rock, who is usually responsible for broad comedies than intellectually stimulating fare. While the movie does have some very serious and even disturbing moments, it is also incredibly funny at times, and most importantly, the whole project is humble and self-deprecating. While some audiences will find the film rather offensive and a little too real, others like myself will find the brutal honesty a breath of fresh air. B+
Son of a Gun
Rated R for violence, language throughout, some sexuality, nudity and drug use
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
This Australian crime drama follows a young man in prison for a small crime who befriends a notorious criminal played by Ewan McGregor in order to gain protection. Once out, the young ex-con repays his debt to his protector by springing him out of prison and assisting him with a series of high-stakes heists. I’m not sure why this wasn’t a higher profile film as it is a more entertaining thriller than most of the genre we’ve seen in the last year. Although he wasn’t involved, the movie felt more like a Michael Mann film than most of the famed auteur’s offerings in the last decade. It is well-written, well-produced and a real showcase for its talented cast. A-
Pioneer
Rated R for language
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
In Norwegian and English with English subtitles
Taking place during the early 80’s Norwegian oil boom, Pioneer tells the story of a tragic diving accident that leaves the survivor alone to investigate how it happened. While the film feels both authentic and relevant, it is also slowly paced and suffers from the weight of its own sense of self-importance. That being said, the acting is solid, especially from its lead, Norwegian actor Aksel Hennie. C+