tagged w/ DVDo and DVDon't
-
We're barely through January and already we've hit the dreaded "day of no really good releases on DVD Tuesday" Tuesday! But thanks to some help from our friends at Rotten Tomatoes, we've got another DVDo and DVDon't ready for you.
Special Nostalgia Edition: Renegade The Complete First Season isn't a film, per se, but it is something I have a fond memory of watching when I was a kid. Along with Time Trax. Do you remember Time Trax? No? Well, tough.
DVDo's
-No Impact Man has the highest Tomatometer rating and is also the Green-est film out.
-Outrage was Kirby Dick's documentary that explored homosexuality, politics and the nature of being quiet on the entire subject.
-Chantal Akerman in the Seventies takes five films and boxes them up for your pleasure.
-Ché is the other Criterion out today.
-Gamer is one of Ludacris' Five Favorite Films and features an incredible dance number. It must be seen.
-Kingdom of Spiders has William Shatner and killer spiders. What more do you need?
DVDon'ts
-Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball is proof that Joe Carnahan will never recover as a director.
-Whiteout was equally bad.
-Pandorum is also out. You should just buy Dead Space and play that.
We're barely through January and already we've hit the dreaded "day... more
-
-
Second week of the New Year means more DVDs to spend your well-horded holiday cash on. But what do you spend it on? Well, with a little help from our friends at Rotten Tomatoes and our own choices, we've got your DVDo's and DVDon'ts covered.
Special "Hey, See This Instead of Nine" DVD: Roberto Felini's 8 1/2 is on DVD. If you bothered to google the horrid abomination that was Nine, you'd learn it was loosely inspired by Felini's film. I say "loosely" because no amount of justification can ever forgive Rob Marshall's pox upon humanity's eyeballs.
DVDo's
-Moon was one of the more engaging independent sci-films of 2009. I kinda disliked it, but go figure.
-The Brothers Bloom finally goes legit on DVD.
-The Hurt Locker is one of the best reviewed films of 2009 and beloved by the critics.
-In The Loop was Mark's favorite film of 2009, which says a lot. So you should get it.
-Cliffhanger is on Blu-Ray.
-The Last Action Hero is also on Blu-Ray.
-The Simpsons Twentieth Season proves The Simpsons will never die. Until next season.
DVDon'ts
-Halloween II is Rob Zombie's sequel to his own remake. Uncessary? Perhaps. But ZODIAC MOTHERFUCKER said it owns. So, there.
-Big Fan is like having Patton Oswalt remind you that people from Staten Island are twits.
-Downloading Nancy will bore you to death since it's BASED ON A TRUE EVENT OR SOMETHING.
-Breaking Point is just sad.
Second week of the New Year means more DVDs to spend your well-horded holiday cash... more
-
-
The worst part about the new year is the distinct lack of quality coming out. If you're superstitious, you'd think that nothing worth while is getting released until February or March. We're here to dispel that myth faster than Adam and Jamie. After all, we've got your DVDo's and DVDon'ts for today's miniscule releases.
The "Ten Years Lat--er...Awkward..." Blu-Ray Special Edition: 10 Things I Hate About You. Man, thank goodness nothing life shattering or awkward happened to any of these actors. Yep. Oh, includes "exclusive cast interviews" discussing the film. Mm. Yeah.
DVDo's:
Elvis Presley Gladiators: The 1974 Elvis Karate Legacy Project: because you're bored this week.
-Loren Cass is a dark horse I haven't seen. But if it embodies the seedy American underbelly that festered from poetry and "beats," plus Aaron Hillis and Andrew Grant from Benten Films dig it. Good enough for me.
-Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs has an "Interactive 'Splat' Button." Hours of amusement, I figure. Or at least, like one, and then throwing something at the TV.
DVDon'ts:
-The Final Destination waves its' 3D everywhere, but the Blu-Ray promises "Body Count: The Deaths of Final Destination." Which has been on YouTube forever.
-Street Fighter: The Movie Extreme Edition is just a DVD and a Blu-Ray copy. EXTREME.
DVDon't-Have-An-Opinion:
-Trucker. On one hand, I've heard people rave about this. On the other, it was pushed quietly to DVD with a tiny theatrical release after garnering no buzz at Tribeca 2008. It spent nearly a year on a shelf before some claimed Michelle Monaghan was a lock for an award--yet that chance looks utterly dead after Precious and The Blind Side are giving faux-male empowerment
The worst part about the new year is the distinct lack of quality coming out. If... more
-
-
It's almost time for our special Year End episode. So if you missed out on most of the films this year, get thee to a nunnery! And by "nunnery," I clearly mean your local DVD emporium with some help from our friends at Rotten Tomatoes. After all, this is just another example of DVDo's and DVDon'ts.
-The "If I Were A Rich Man" Choice: Criterion's Akira Kurosawa box set spans 25 films, is large and may be incredibly expensive. But it's so worth it.
The Fresh
-The Cove is the award-winning doc that brings Japan's dolphin hunting.
-World's Greatest Dad is the dark comedy that proves Robin Williams can be funny.
-Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the sequel to a successful children's book film franchise.
-Julie and Julia is perfect for your mom.
-Public Enemies is perfect for proving why film should be used instead of digital.
The Rotten
-The Marc Pease Experience will continue to be seen by no one.
-The Dog Who Saved Christmas will be seen by some poor sap who keeps Fox Family on.
-The Skeptic is about a...I'm not sure what, exactly. Serial killers? Skeptics? People skeptical about killing?
The Bland
-Warning!!!! Pedophile Released can only be summed up with this photo:
It's almost time for our special Year End episode. So if you missed out on... more
-
-
The holiday season is upon us in a most frightening way, dear reader, and the only solution is to stay indoors with your child before the cannibals come to get you. Or, if you don't happen to populate a Cormac McCarthy novel, you could always just buy a DVD. And thanks to our friends at Rotten Tomatoes, we have just the DVDo's and DVDon'ts for you on this lovely Tuesday.
The Fresh:
-Paper Heart is the syrupy-sweet "documentary" featuring Charlyne Yi (as "Charlyne Yi) as she attempts to document what love is...with Michael Cera. Spoiler: it is awkward and gangly.
-A Christmas Tale is Arnaud Desplechin's look at a family through all of their vices, quirks and general insanity.
The Rotten:
-Terminator Salvation may be the last Terminator film ever, and goodness, is that a good thing after this.
-Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian is good for nothing but noticing Amy Adams' ass.
The Bland:
-Frog Prince is the best worst tie-in to a mainstream film vomited onto DVD that I have ever seen. Kudos.
The holiday season is upon us in a most frightening way, dear reader, and the only... more
-
-
When Turkey Day comes on Thursday, will you be nervously slicing into some delicious bird wondering what DVD you should buy? Will you be struggling to battle the tryptophan to wake up at 3 a.m. for 15 percent off some holiday gift? Fret no longer, gentle reader, as we've got you covered with a little help from our friends at Rotten Tomatoes.
"Don't Buy This, Buy This" Edition: The Vengeance Trilogy is a DVD-pack containing Chan Wook-park's Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, OldBoy and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance. This is a set for people late to the Vengeance game, but your best bet is the OldBoy 3-disc collector's set and a generic Mr. Vengeance disc for after. Skip the Lady unless you're completely and utterly entranced.
The Fresh
-Funny People has the highest rating and reminds you that Adam Sandler is self aware when Apatow needs him to be.
-David and Layla appears to be...well. Listen. A major plotpoint in this "based on a true story" involves the U.S. refusing to grand Layla asylum after her entire family was murdered. It then becomes wacky romantic comedy. Go figure.
--
The Rotten
-Angels and Demons was a joke! Watch it with the ones you love...to imbibe. With. Yes.
-Four Christmases is from the guy who directed King of Kong Go figure.
--
The Bland
...
We got nothing this week!
When Turkey Day comes on Thursday, will you be nervously slicing into some... more
-
-
From sci-fi remakes to pseudo-shock doctrines, this Tuesday has them all new on DVD. So with some help from our friends at Rotten Tomatoes, we're ready to lay out another week of DVDo's and DVDon'ts.
Lichman's Pick: The Limits of Control is my favorite film of 2009. It received a low Tomatometer. I don't care. It's a fantastic film.
The Fresh:
-Pray The Devil Back To Hell is this week's 100 percent fresh release about the Liberian Civil War.
-Star Trek is the shoe-in for your Thanksgiving day doldrums.
-Thirst is Chan Wook-park's foray into the vampire genre with awesome results.
-Humpday was a hit. But the DVD cover has been "de-gayed."
-My One and Only is basically about how great George Hamilton is.
-Brüno came out a few months ago. Remember that?
The (Almost) Rotten:
-My Sister's Keeper is one of the lower-rated Tomatometers this week, but struck a chord with some of us.
The Bland:
-Evangalion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone is our un-reviewed DVD this week, which is too bad. It's actually a decent introduction to the franchise if you have no relation to it.
From sci-fi remakes to pseudo-shock doctrines, this Tuesday has them all new on... more
-
-
Days away from 2012 and having the American Film Market going on in our backyard, it feels like we're drowning in cinema. Luckily, we can hide in the safety of our homes with a good ol' fashioned DVD. Thanks to our friends at Rotten Tomatoes, we can even know what's Fresh, Rotten or just a bit Bland.
Special "BitTorrent of the Week" on DVD: INK is out on DVD, but it's been spreading like crazy via BitTorrent. So, for a film that had a limited release and festival play, is the piracy bad? Pericles Lewnes asks the guys from INK that very question.
The Fresh
-Up is the Pixar smash hit that if you hate, you don't have a soul.
-Ballast is like Precious, but without Oprah or Tyler Perry backing your film.
-Woman in Berlin is directed by Max Färberböck. He was in Duets.
-Merry Gentlemen is a directorial effort from Michael Keaton and a decent glance at your crazy neighbor.
The Rotten
-Enlighten Up! is about yoga and some new age hippie romance B.S.
-Eating Out: All You Can Eat is the latest in the Eating Out franchise. Related, there's a franchise?
-Spread is the lowest and most rotten DVD out today at 13 percent.
The Bland
-The Open Road has Jeff Bridges and Justin Timberlake. It does not need to be seen.
-Accidental Husband was theatrically released in the UK and quietly pushed onto DVD today in the states.
-The Chirstmas Clause is not at all trying to cash in on a film with a similar title.
-Make The Yuletide Gay. That is all.
Days away from 2012 and having the American Film Market going on in our backyard,... more
-
-
The question when considering what to grab on DVD is "how will I enjoy this?" That's why we work with our friends from Rotten Tomatoes to figure out what disc is worth your local currency. So without further ado, let's hit up what's fresh, rotten and bland on this DVDo's and DVDon'ts. But before we begin:
Special "F*CK YOU. Signed, Lionsgate" Edition DVD: The Dead. John Huston's ode to James Joyce is literally missing ten minutes. Why? Who knows. But Lionsgate clearly could give two shits. [h/t: Roger Ebert]
The Fresh
-Food Inc. is the highest rated tomatometer new release at 97 percent.
-North By Northwest is now out on Blu-Ray for its' 50th anniversary.
-Wings of Desire is on Criterion. Meanwhile, shitty American version City of Angels retails for $1.72 used.
The Rotten
-G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra is on special edition DVD and offers webcam functionality. Which we offered first.
-I Love You, Beth Cooper is also out on DVD. Unfortunately.
-The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 is also out. You shouldn't buy it. Buy the original instead.
-Aliens in the Attic is proof that today may be a bad day for films.
The Bland
-Sand Serpants may beg the question, "what is this?" Let the screengrab show you why it is our Bland pick.
The question when considering what to grab on DVD is "how will I enjoy... more
-
-
If it's Tuesday, that means we have a few new DVDs roaming the streets and desperate to find a good home. But how do you know if that DVD picking up special features in the alley near The Corner is safe? Well, thanks to our friends at Rotten Tomatoes, we've got you covered.
On a side note, I feel like Connor should trademark that phrase at some point. But let's get on with the DVDs!
The Fresh:
-Planes, Trains and Automobiles (Those Aren't Pillows Edition) is the classic story of holiday travel made hilarious by John Candy and Steve Martin. Now with more special features!
-Beauty in Trouble is a Czech "dramedy" about a woman choosing between suitors.
-Monsoon Wedding hits Criterion status.
-Easy Rider is on Blu-Ray. So, get your motor running. Now click here.
The Rotten:
-Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is out to remind you that Optimus Prime'll rip off your face.
-Cheri is also out. Check out what Ellen and Brett originally said.
-Blood: the Last Vampire sucked. Once again, click here.
-Love 'n Dancing is a low-rent version of Dirty Dancing, which says a lot.
The Bland:
-The Moon in the Gutter has five reviews. All are dead links.
-Pandemic was only seen by one critic and averages 2.8 stars on Netflix out of 68 reviews. So there.
-Uninvited is about a mutant cat that kills people. Sounds win/win.
-Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead got released on Blu-Ray, not in theaters and screened for free last night at Screamfest LA. So, you know, don't buy this. It'll be on SyFy by December.
-John Lichman
If it's Tuesday, that means we have a few new DVDs roaming the streets and... more
-
-
As Brett and Ellen foresaw in the last Weekend Peekend, Tuesday has a bevy of new DVDs released. And more than an "evy" you've never heard of. So we look to our friends at RottenTomatoes.com to help us figure out what's fresh, rotten and otherwise bland on this wonderful Tuesday.
The Fresh:
-Drag Me To Hell has the week's highest tomatometer rating at 92 percent.
-Every Little Step is the film you've never heard of, yet has a 91 percent.
-The Stepfather is released in lieu of this Friday's remake and retains its' 87 percent
The Rotten:
-The Proposal brings in the low-end with 44 percent.
-The Objective is the not-nearly-cared about project from the director of The Blair Witch Project with 38 percent.
-Land of the Lost is our lowest-rated DVD release this week with 26 percent.
And...the Bland:
-Fighter apparently was seen by no one.
-The Haunted Airman may have Robert "Sparkly" Pattison, but no one bothered to see it.
-How to be a Serial Killer was D.O.A. for critics.
-iMurders also managed to fail at failing.
-Infestation sounds so boring and mundane it doesn't even have a poster, let alone a rating.
Now go out and spend your hard-earned cash on some DVDs. Or else, see if you can make them rise in the top ten on Bit Torrent.
-John Lichman
As Brett and Ellen foresaw in the last Weekend Peekend, Tuesday has a bevy of new... more
-
