DVD Releases for Week of 5/29/2012
New DVD Releases for this week - not a whole lot of good ones, barely rentable at Redbox! But, the reviews need to be done!
'Gone' - Poor Amanda Seyfried, hasn't done anything really good since 'Mama Mia'. How does a filmmaker make a non-thrilling thriller? Seyfried has the emotional complexity of drywall, never once do we feel tension or even realize that Seyfried is showing any tyoe of emotion. Not even sure this one is even worth the $1.20 at Redbox.
'Man on a Ledge' - Sam Worthington (Clash of the Titans) plays an ex-cop who is a fugitive for a crime he (of course) did not commit. Barely playable as a crime drama, even less convincing as a thriller. The only thing on a ledge in this movie is the viewer wanting to escape. Possibly the worst movie of the year (Adam Sandler still has 'That's My Boy' due out).
'We Need To Talk About Kevin' - Tilda Swinton is fantastic as a mother dealing with her increasing malevolent son. Swinton does not have much dialog, however, she doesn't need it. Her eyes and body are as expressive as any monologue she could utter. The pain of a mother having lost control and quite possibly her mind, is apparent in every shot. Writer/Director Lynne Ramsay's film will leave a lasting impression, long after the final reel has completed. It is a sheer crime that this never made general release. Well worth the Redbox rental.
'Goon' - I have to admit not being a fan of Seann William Scott (American Pie movies); but in 'Goon'. what could have been a standard sports comedy, is slightly elevated by the personable performance of Scott. Scott is a bar bouncer with splendid dreams of success, going no where until he is spotted by a hockey coach who sees his potential. Often formulaic, 'Goon' is juts one step ahead of the formula and is a rather pleasant comedy.
'Coriolanus' - Director and lead Ralph Fiennes (Voldemort form the Harry Potter series) brings Shakespeare's 'Coriolanus to bloody, gritty life. Every great actor strives to tell a Shakespeare tale as an actor and director, until now few have done it, Orson Wells being the King. Fiennes performs masterfully as does Gerald Butler (who knew?) in a film not widely seen, but should be. A true masterpiece.