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New DVD reviews - April 22, 2008 |
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Written by Lisa Miller/special to the World
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Tuesday, 22 April 2008 |
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Tahoe World movie critic Lisa Miller reviews all the new DVDs being released on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, including: "The Cats of Mirikitani," "Cloverfield," "One Missed Call," "Trailer Park Boys: The Movie," "Charlie Wilson's War," "The Savages," "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead," and "David Attenborough: Wildlife Specials."
(Note: ratings are out of four stars)
THE CATS OF MIRIKITANI
(2006)
* * *1/2
Directed by Linda Hattendorf
Documentary, Education, World War II, Art, Artists,
Hart Sharp/Not Rated/Documentary/74 min
In 2001, documentary-maker, Linda Hattendorf, approached 80-year-old Jimmy Mirikitani. Homeless and clad in layers of clothing, the small, stooped Asian continuously painted images living in his mind. He shuffled a stack of pictures influenced by traditional Japanese art forms, “Hello Kitty” and Van Gogh. Then came 9/11, and toxic ash covered Jimmy’s curbside haunt. Linda brought the artist to her tiny SoHo apartment, fed him and provided a workspace. He thrived, yet remained angry about the life stolen from him by internment along with other Japanese Americans. Linda’s efforts to set right Jimmy’s past are an exercise in grace and stoic determination. She takes no credit for the incredible result, but her quiet persistence lays the foundation for a beautiful film about learning what life may yet have in store for an talented octogenarian. DVD features: 20 minutes of Bonus Footage, deleted scenes, Art Gallery Images, DD English language track(s), full-screen.
CLOVERFIELD
(2008)
* *1/2
Directed by Matt Reeves
Starring Michael Stahl-David, Mike Vogel, Odette Yustman, Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas, T. J. Miller
Paramount/Rated PG-13/Sci-Fi/84 min
“Cloverfield” wins its gamble to keep costs low while wooing viewers. Winners include its spectacular monster, the destruction of Manhattan, an atypical ending, and filming the action through the lens of a yuppie’s camcorder. Losers are the film’s silly name, underdeveloped characters and an under-seen monster. Conceived and produced by J.J. Abrams, producer of television’s “Lost,” Abrams pledged a monster-mash for the bargain price of under $30 million. The script focuses on a half-dozen 20-somethings attending a SoHo party. After a monster crawls out of the sea, five flee the building and head off to rescue their friend trapped in a broken high-rise. The story unfolds less predictably than the usual Hollywood creature-feature, but “Cloverfield” never quite pulls the viewer into the depths of its nightmare.
ONE MISSED CALL, DVD, HD-DVD, or Blu-Ray
(2008)
*
Directed by Eric Valette
Starring Ed Burns, Shannyn Sossamon, Ana Claudia Talancon, Ray Wise, Azura Skye, Johnny Lewis, Jason Beghe, Margaret Cho
Warner/Rated PG-13/Horror/87 min
Shannyn Sossamon plays Beth, a psychology student compelled to hear recorded voice mails of her friends’ future deaths. Rather than blend goofiness and fear into high camp, the film mistakes its silliness for creepiness. During the brief screen lives of combative students, played by Johnny Lewis and Ana Claudia Talancon, the film gains momentum. Their deaths bequeath the story to Ed Burns, a police detective willing to believe a malevolent spirit stalks Beth’s cell-phone circle of friends. Sossamon’s weak presence is overshadowed by a cell phone that commits to the role in a way she can’t. Another J-horror remake, “Missed Call” conjures the genre’s predatory ghost clad in a dime store costume. The PG-13 rating seems teen-friendly, but it’s a target audience that will text-message a bad film to a quick death.
TRAILER PARK BOYS: The Movie
(2008)
* *1/2
Directed by Mike Clattenburg
Starring Mike Smith, John Paul Tremblay, Robb Wells, Lucy Decoutere, John Dunsworth, Sarah E. Dunsworth, Patrick Roach
Universal/Rated R/Comedy/91 min
Based on a hit Canadian TV show, this frequently stumbling movie features Julian, Ricky and Bubbles’ efforts to become legitimate members of a trailer court community in Sunnyvale, Nova Scotia. Quick money is a priority for Ricky, tired of sleeping in his car while wife, Lucy, shacks up with a dyke. Ricky’s friend Bubbles desperately needs to upgrade a dilapidated lean-to housing himself and a family of kittens, while the pair’s friend, Julian, is a perpetual drunk getting no respect. Conspiring to solve their problems by robbing parking meters unleashes a chain of unforeseen problems. It’s ultra lowbrow comedy tempered by a sweet-natured look at scraping along at the bottom of the barrel. DVD features: Behind The Scenes, deleted scenes, Lost Interviews, DD 5.1 SS English, Spanish subtitles, widescreen.
CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR
(2007)
* * * *
Directed by Mike Nichols
Starring Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Universal/Rated R/Drama/102 min
Based on a true account adapted from George Crile’s book, it’s a story no one would believe were they not told it was true. Texas Congressman and communist hater, Charlie Wilson (Hanks), is encouraged by socialite, Joanne Herring (Roberts), to obtain funding for the Afghan Mujahideen to fight the Russians. Arms are procured by a maverick CIA operative played with scene-stealing quipping by Hoffman. Technically a drama, the film vibrates with irony as it enthusiastically illuminates a little-known piece of history. DVD features: Making-Of The Making of Charlie Wilson’s War, Featurette Who Is Charlie Wilson?, DD 5.1 SS English, French or Spanish language track(s), widescreen.
THE SAVAGES
(2007)
* * *
Directed by Tamara Jenkins
Starring Laura Linney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Philip Bosco
Fox/Rated R/Drama/113 min
Writer-director, Tamara Jenkins, infuses her domestic dramadey with rich details and characters that feel true-to-life. An estranged, middle-aged brother and sister, Wendy (Linney) and Jon Savage (Hoffman), are each struggling to become published authors. News of their mentally deteriorating father (Bosco) brings the pair together in an effort to find him long-term care. Comedy arises from the remnants of their troubled childhoods. Linney and Hoffman bring their eccentric charms, but Bosco, as the parent arguably responsible for their problems, frosts the dysfunctional family cake. DVD features: deleted scene: Burt and Lizzie Uncut, About the Savages, Director’s Snapshots, Fox trailer Farm (5), Fox Forced trailers (3), French subtitles, DD SS Spanish, DD 5.1 English, widescreen.
BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU’RE DEAD
(2007)
* * *
Directed by Sidney Lumet
Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Albert Finney, Marisa Tomei, Rosemary Harris, Michael Shannon
Image/Rated R/Drama/117 min
This melodrama has the overwrought feeling of a morality play, yet, it’s spare, perfectly calibrated detachment, as directed by 83-year-old Lumet, sneaks up on you. Plagued by money troubles, Andy and Hank (Hoffman and Hawke) scheme to rob their parents jewelry store because they know the layout and the merchandise is well-insured. Marisa Tomei appears as the woman both hope will save them and Albert Finney adds emotional heft to the role of family patriarch. The film opens with the crime gone wrong, then replays events preceding the robbery from each character’s perspective. This simple strategy proves highly effective even if the major plot points are telegraphed. DVD features: commentary with director and actors, Making-of featurette, theatrical trailer, DD 5.1 English language track, Spanish subtitles, widescreen.
DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: Wildlife Specials
* * *
Narrated by David Attenborough
Warner/Not Rated/Documentary/280 min
Sir David Attenborough’s narration qualifies as best of breed even if a couple of these programs are dated. The British naturalist puts words to spectacular footage of polar bears, leopards, wolves and eagles. Nature enthusiasts will note recent studies further elucidate crocodiles and whales. The DVD bonuses equal additional episodes, and when taken as a whole equal value that exceeds the price. 2-disc DVD features: Great Natural Wonders of the World, Greatest Wildlife Show On Earth, DD stereo English language tracks, full-screen.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 22 April 2008 )
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