A pretty decent week for DVD buffs this week.
Doubt – It’s too bad this film didn’t get more love during the Oscars, because it’s like watching a master class on acting. Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, and Viola Davis are all outstanding in this stage-to-screen adaptation of John Patrick Shanley’s play. I thought Doubt was one of the best films of last year, and is definitely worth checking out. You’ll either love it or hate it. There’s no middle ground on this one.
Bedtime Stories – Adam Sandler scored another hit with this Disney comedy about a man who tells stories to his sister’s kids, and they happen in real life. You pretty much know what you’re going to get from the trailer, so if you find a guinea pig with big bulging eyes funny, then check this film out. If you don’t, avoid it.
The Day The Earth Stood Still – This remake of the science fiction classic starring Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly is all hype and no substance. The film had a great opening weekend, thanks to a slick marketing campaign, but movie-watchers were not impressed, and abandoned it very quickly. It’s not the worst film in the world, but it’s not very good either. The original version of The Day The Earth Stood Still from 1951 is included, and it’s worth picking up. How do you say “No” when you score two movies for the price of one!
Yes Man – Jim Carrey returns to what he does best in this comedy about a man who cannot say “No” to anything. It’s a variation of Liar Liar, and to be honest it was done better there. You’ll watch it, you’ll laugh at some parts, and you’ll forget about it as soon as the credits start.
The Tale of Desperaux – This animated feature has an all-star voice cast including Matthew Broderick, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Watson, Kevin Kline, and William H. Macy to name a few. It was a little late to the game, with a story about a mouse [It’s a hard act to follow doing a film about a rodent, after Ratatouille did it so well. Another comparison would be Last Dance with Sharon Stone, which was the first death penalty film after Dead Man Walking. How many of you remember Last Dance? Didn’t think so.]
No Country For Old Men – A Re-Issue of the Best Picture winner has a lot more special features then the original release of the film. It is definitely a polarizing film, but everyone who saw it can agree on Javier Bardem’s amazing performance. It’s well-acted with some great cinematography, and if you don’t have this on DVD already, this is the version to pick up
