Category: DVD Review

Swing Vote
Rated PG-13 for language
Kevin Costner is just your average lovable loser until he finds himself to be the tie breaking vote in the presidential election.  It’s a cute idea, but not very well executed.  It’s sweet enough though, if that’s what you are in the mood for.  C+

Brideshead Revisited
Rated PG-13 for some sexual content
If a stuffy British film about a bisexual man that tries to sleep his way into a family so that he can have their house is up your alley – then you must rent this.  I found it boring, pretentious, and annoying.  D

Little Britain USA
Unrated but inappropriate for kids
This naughty little British import from HBO and BBC is sketch comedy at its best.  It’s like Kids in the Hall for a new generation.  The only problem I have with it is that there are only six episodes.  That makes for a very short but enjoyable marathon.  A

Funny Face and Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Paramount Centennial Collections
Both Unrated
Both of these Audrey Hepburn classics are out with the full red carpet treatment.  The question is, should you replace your existing copies?  If you are fans – then yes.  The restorations here are remarkable with super bright colors and updated sound.  Funny Face is still a little obnoxious for my taste, but still great to look at.  Breakfast is as funny and sexy as ever.  Both two-disc collections come packed full of new extras.  Funny Face  B-  Breakfast at Tiffany’s A-

DVD Releases for January 6, 2009

Pineapple Express
Rated R for pervasive drug content, language, nudity and sexual material
Seth Rogen is just your average guy who likes to smoke pot until his dealer, Golden Globe nominated James Franco, gives him a special strain called Pineapple Express that gets him in more trouble than he ever thought possible.  With a murderous kingpin hot on their trails, the two of them must avoid being killed long enough to turn the tides.  And yet another classic Apatow family film comes to DVD.  This is not just the funniest pot movie to hit theaters since Half Baked, but it is also an excellent buddy movie as well.  While a little on the violent side, the comedy wins out here in the end.  A-

For over a decade, Marvel comics has been trying to start up a franchise for one of it’s most popular heroes, Iron Man.  But with the advancement in special effects capabilities, and a visionary director, the man in gold alloy suit (sorry – no iron) was able to have a huge impact on this summer’s stellar box office.  Robert Downey Jr. stars as the wealthy arms dealer turned super hero who wants to stamp out terrorism both locally and abroad.  While the special effects were superb, it was the terrific performance by Downey Jr. that made this film as successful as it was.  As genesis stories go, this one’s pretty good, but Iron Man still lacks the solid writing of either of the last two Batman films or the first two Spidey pics.  Still, the package as a whole is worth the ride and many will want to add this DVD or Blu-ray to their collection.  The discs contain tons of added features including a making-of documentary that is as long as the film.  Honestly, I couldn’t make it all the way through that one, but I did enjoy the featurette on the history of the Iron Man comic and it’s ride to present day fabulousness.  One feature you have to check out is the mock news story by the Onion complaining about the decision to turn the Iron Man trailer into a full-length feature film.  Movie: B+    Extras: B

South Park: The Complete Eleventh Season

Appropriate for ages 17+

Available August 12, 2008 on DVD
 
Ten years ago if you would have told me that South Park, the immature but funny cartoon about a group of delinquents living in South Park, Colorado would still be making clever, witty, social commentaries in 2007, I would have scoffed.  After all, how long can people watch a show about fart jokes and crude humor?  Now, over a decade later, creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are still churning out thought-provoking yet hilarious episodes season after season.  This season touched on such social issues as homelessness, racism, homosexuality, the presidential race, and the destruction of our imaginations.  Of course, the silly stuff like the world’s largest fecal output, guitar hero, and head lice are still making us laugh as well.  While the special features are scarce, I highly recommend you watch each episode with it’s respective mini-commentary.  Instead of long, drawn-out ramblings from the creators, Trey and Matt give us great insight into the season through 5-minute-long discussions at each episode’s beginning.  Episodes: A     Extras: A-

CJ7

Directed by and starring Stephen Chow (Kung Fu Hustle)

Rated PG for language, thematic material, some rude humor, and brief smoking

Appropriate for all ages

Available August 12, 2008 on DVD and Blu-ray disc
 
In case the Olympic games in Beijing fail to give you your China fix, never fear – famed Chinese director/actor Stephen Chow is here to give us his version of ET.  With big adult hits like Kung Fu Hustle and Shaolin Soccer behind him, he decided to make a childrens film next.  But this is no ordinary kid flick.  CJ7 follows the life of a father and his son living in extreme poverty in China.  The father, played by Chow, works hard at a construction job so that his son can go to a private school and have great opportunities.  When he is unable to buy his son a popular toy that he wants, he stumbles across a strange alien pet in a junkyard.  Calling it CJ7, the alien befriends the boy, causes tons of mischief, and teaches everyone a lesson in life.  This is a truly weird little film that is worth watching not because of it’s terrific filmmaking or storytelling (it has neither) but rather for it’s creativity and uniqueness.  The pic is in Chinese with subtitles as well an English dub for those that either can’t read yet, or don’t want to.  Movie: B     Extras: C-