April 14, 2009

A very light week for DVD

In fact, only two releases this week, and neither of them inspired me much. My choice for PICK OF THE WEEK was basically because it was between a film I didn't care for much with some great performances, and a film that was obscenely awful and featured horrendous acting across the board. The choice kind of became clear, and this week's pick is:
The Reader
I was not a fan of this film, but the acting is solid, and Kate Winslet turns in one of her top 5 best performances as a complicated woman with an even more complicated past. The script and direction frustrated me, but she did not. See it for her, and to see why she finally took home an Oscar.
-The only other new release this week is The Spirit, and the less said about that film, the better. It's inept on every level a film can possibly be inept on. Since words escape me, I'll simply quote Roger Ebert's scathing 1994 review of North: "I hated this movie. Hated hated hated hated hated this movie. Hated it. Hated every simpering stupid vacant audience-insulting moment of it. Hated the sensibility that thought anyone would like it. Hated the implied insult to the audience by its belief that anyone would be entertained by it". Need I say more?
-To make up for the dearth of new releases, I'll throw out a trio of movies for my Vintage pick(s). First up is the always reliable Jerry Maguire, which is a perfect pick with the NFL Draft coming next weekend. Next is For Love of the Game, Kevin Costner's most technically accurate baseball movie (if not his best), which is also a good choice with baseball season underway now. Finally, for the non sports fans, I suggest Charlie Kaufman's Synecdoche, New York. It's a movie that needs to be experienced more than once, and for many, it'll be a frustrating but rewarding experience. Give it a shot and let it melt your brain (in a good way).
-What will you be watching on DVD this week?

4 comments:

  1. glad someone else didn't suddenly fall in love with The Reader...and good call on For Love of the Game...underrated flick

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jerry Maguire is a flick i watch at least once a year...well done
    -Matt

    ReplyDelete
  3. I let Synecdoche, New York melt my brain this morning. It was the third time I have seen the picture, and it keeps getting better with each viewing. Only from the mind of Charlie Kaufman could something so deep and intricate flow.

    -Robbie

    ReplyDelete
  4. damn straight about Synecdoche

    ReplyDelete