August 4, 2009

There are no shortage of new films on DVD this week, but are any of them any good?

Quantity doesn't particularly equal out to quality this week on DVD, but there's enough here to make for some interesting viewing. My choice for my PICK OF THE WEEK is a low profile title, but it's the best of the bunch, so take that as you will. It's:
The Mysteries of Pittsburgh
This character study got a very limited release in theaters and while it didn't play too well there, it should fare better on DVD. Sienna Miller, Peter Sarsgaard, Jon Foster, Mena Suvari, and David Morse are among the talented performers in this film about a summer in the life of a recent college grad. It's not a masterpiece by any stretch, but as character studies go, it's an above average one for sure.
-Also out this week on the decent end of the spectrum are Mutant Chronicles and The Soloist. The former works as a decidedly cheesy B level sci-fi movie, and taken as such it works, more or less. The latter is a failed Oscar hopeful that taken as simply a drama, works better, though still is decently flawed. The lead performances make it worth seeing, though don't expect a Prestige film, since it's not.
-On the lesser end of the spectrum we have the kids film Race to Witch Mountain, which is really average, but nothing more, the animated Delgo, which was just a bore, the tired rehash of Fatal Attraction known to us as Obsessed, and the almost direct to DVD crime drama Fragments, which wastes an almost uncannily A-list cast.
-My Vintage pick this week is going to be a part of a trend I'm going to try (upon suggestion from a reader). I'm going to attempt to tie it in to an upcoming release in theaters (for example, something like Punchline would have been a flawed but apt choice for the release of Funny People). This week, the indie flick Cold Souls is coming out, and my pick to tie into that is Being John Malkovich. Both seem to have this interesting sort of surreal quality to them, and plus, the debut feature of Spike Jonze is just a brilliant film. If you haven't seen it, treat yourself and pick it up on DVD.
-What will you be watching on DVD this week?

3 comments:

  1. be sure to let me know if you think the Vintage method I'm trying out is a good idea or not...

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  2. I think it's a good idea, but I may be biased on the issue since I might have suggested it. Also, Being John Malkovich is an excellent choice.

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