New to Blu-Ray/DVD last Week (March 29, 2011)

Black Swan

Rated: R

Starring: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Synopsis from IMDB:  A ballet dancer wins the lead in “Swan Lake” and is perfect for the role of the delicate White Swan – Princess Odette – but slowly loses her mind as she becomes more and more like Odile, the Black Swan.

Trailer:

Pac’s Take:  The last of the Oscar nominated films to be released to home video in March, Black Swan is a must see.  It was one of the best films of 2010, boasted a great cast and wonderful direction from Darren Aronofsky.  If the film itself isn’t enough to encourage you to at least rent the DVD/Blu-Ray, recent controversy swirling around Natalie Portman, the dance sequences, and her Oscar campaign might encourage you to check out some of the bonus features.

Add Black Swan to your Netflix Queue.

Fair Game

Rated: PG-13

Starring: Naomi Watts, Sean Penn and Sonya Davison

Director: Doug Liman

Synopsis from IMDB:  CIA operative Valerie Plame discovers her identity is allegedly leaked by the government as payback for an op-ed article her husband wrote criticizing the Bush administration.

Trailer:

Pac’s Take: This film flew under the radar with it’s limited release in October, only grossing 9.5 million to-date.  Despite the limited release, Fair Game received high praise from the critics and boasts a “Certified Fresh” at 80% from Rotten Tomatoes.  The trailer is very compelling and the two leads, Watts and Penn, typically excel in any role.  Fair Game appears to be a top-notch political thriller, and will surely find it’s way into my Netflix queue.

Add Fair Game to your Netflix Queue.

Tangled

Rated: PG

Starring: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi and Donna Murphy

Director: Nathan Greno, Byron Howard

Synopsis from IMDB: The magically long-haired Rapunzel has spent her entire life in a tower, but now that a runaway thief has stumbled upon her, she is about to discover the world for the first time, and who she really is.

Trailer:

Pac’s Take: Animated films that attract my attention are few and far between, and Tangled is no exception to that rule.  However, Walt Disney studios seemed to get the “Shrek” formula right with this film because it was well received by audiences and critics alike.  Tangled will surely boast an entertaining viewing for children as well as their parents, bringing enough laughs for both audiences.  Since I am neither a child nor a parent, I probably won’t be rushing to see this any time soon.

Add Tangled to your Netflix Queue.

All Good Things

Rated: R

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Kirsten Dunst and Frank Langella

Director: Andrew Jarecki

Synopsis from IMBD: A love story and murder mystery based on the most notorious unsolved murder case in New York history. The original screenplay uses newly discovered facts, court records and speculation as the foundation for a story of family, obsession, love and loss.

Trailer:

Pac’s Take:  The synopsis for this film seems to make it half love story, half murder mystery, and the trailer doesn’t shy away from that concept either.  If the ratio tips further into the latter then I may be compelled to give this a viewing, but as of now I am hesitant.  Ryan Gosling, though critically praised, is missing the versatility that would make him a must see actor in my eyes; I consider him the male Zooey Deschanel in a lot of ways.  Kirsten Dunst hasn’t done many quality roles in a few years so her name doesn’t attract me to this film either.  Add in a director who is making his first full-length feature, and a rating of %33 from Rotten Tomatoes, and I’ll probably pass on this film; at least for a while.

Add All Good Things to your Netflix Queue.

Mesrine: Public Enemy #1

Rated: R

Starring: Vincent Cassel, Ludivine Sagnier and Mathieu Amalric

Director: Jean-François Richet

Synopsis from IMDB:  The story of notorious French gangster Jacques Mesrine.

Trailer:

Pac’s Take:  Part 2 of a pair of films starring Vincent Cassel chronicling the French gangster Jacques Mesrine.  The film is French and can be viewed as such with subtitles or dubbed in English.  Cassel and this film are getting a lot more attention because of the success of Black Swan, which ironically also released on March 29.  Boasted by the critics named in the trailer to be on par with De Palma, Scorcese, and Coppola’s gangster classics, it is very doubtful that it will be able to live up to that hype.  However, it’s 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes suggests those claims aren’t too farfetched, and this may certainly be worth a watch for those who enjoy the genre (as I do).

Add Mesrine to your Netflix Queue.

Made in Dagenham

Rated: R

Starring: Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins and Andrea Riseborough

Director: Nigel Cole

Synopsis from IMDB: A dramatization of the 1968 strike at the Ford Dagenham car plant, where female workers walked out in protest against sexual discrimination.

Trailer:

Pac’s Take:  In threat of probably sounding chauvinistic, I have no interest in seeing this film.  While the film looks well made, the performances look worthy, and the critical acclaim was high (80% on Rotten Tomatoes), this story simply does not compel me.  Primarily targeted to the female and feminist demographic, this indie British period piece appears to have all the elements to be a worthy rental.  However, so does Tangled but I doubt I’ll be adding that to my queue either.

Add Made in Dagenham to your Netflix Queue.

Dogtooth

Rated: R

Starring: Christos Stergioglou, Michele Valley and Aggeliki Papoulia

Director: Giorgos Lanthimos

Synopsis from IMDB: Three teenagers are confined to an isolated country estate that could very well be on another planet. The trio spend their days listening to endless homemade tapes that teach them a whole new vocabulary. Any word that comes from beyond their family abode is instantly assigned a new meaning. Hence ‘the sea’ refers to a large armchair and ‘zombies’ are little yellow flowers. Having invented a brother whom they claim to have ostracized for his disobedience, the über-controlling parents terrorize their offspring into submission. The father is the only family member who can leave the manicured lawns of their self-inflicted exile, earning their keep by managing a nearby factory, while the only outsider allowed on the premises is his colleague Christina, who is paid to relieve the son of his male urges. Tired of these dutiful acts of carnality, Christina disturbs the domestic balance.

Trailer:

Pac’s Take:  Nominated for best foreign language film at this year’s Academy Awards, Dogtooh becomes one of only 5 Greek films, and the first since 1977, to be nominated.  The film appears to be a blend somewhere between dark comedy, drama, horror, and fantasy.  The trailer claims it to be a satire, I’m assuming about parenting and sheltering your children or something.  Based on its Academy Award nomination, festival awards, and critical acclaim (93% on Rotten Tomatoes); it is probably worth a viewing.  Not interested in watching a foreign film with subtitles?  Don’t worry; I’m sure the American remake will hit U.S. theaters in the next 2 years.

Add Dogtooth to your Netflix Queue.

New to Blu-Ray/DVD this Week (February 15, 2011)

In addition to the weekly description of the theatrical releases, Chris and I decided that it may beneficial to our readers if we outlined the various releases to DVD/Blu Ray each Tuesday.  We realize through our own experiences that it is much easier to catch a movie through Netflix, rental, or purchase than it is to see in theaters; and like with our theatrical release post we hope this makes your home viewing experience a little more enjoyable.  Check back every Tuesday for the current releases.

You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger

Rated: R (language)

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Naomi Watts, and Josh Brolin

Director: Woody Allen

Synopsis from IMDB:  Follows a pair of married couples, Alfie (Hopkins) and Helena (Gemma Jones), and their daughter Sally (Watts) and husband Roy (Brolin), as their passions, ambitions, and anxieties lead them into trouble and out of their minds. After Alfie leaves Helena to pursue his lost youth and a free-spirited call girl named Charmaine, Helena abandons rationality and surrenders her life to the loopy advice of a charlatan fortune-teller. Unhappy in her marriage, Sally develops a crush on her handsome art gallery owner boss, Greg (Antonio Banderas), while Roy, a novelist nervously awaiting the response to his latest manuscript, becomes moon struck over Dia (Freida Pinto), a mystery woman who catches his gaze through a nearby window.

Trailer:

Pac’s Take:  With a 46% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 39% user review, this film doesn’t appear to be one of Woody Allen’s better works.  Critics penned the film as underwhelming and formulaic, although I think this adequately describes the RomCom genre in which Allen has made a living.  Caught in the middle of The Wolfman and The Rite, this seems to be another film starring Anthony Hopkins that has missed the mark either because of, or despite his performance.  However, with such a highly regarded cast and an experienced director behind the scenes, I’m sure you could do a lot worse with your rental money.

Unstoppable

Rated: PG-13

Starring: Denzel Washington, Chris Pine and Rosario Dawson

Director: Tony Scott

Synopsis from IMDB:  With an unmanned, half-mile-long freight train barreling toward a city, a veteran engineer and a young conductor race against the clock to prevent a catastrophe.

Trailer:

Pac’s Take:  Unstoppable is the only film on this week’s release schedule that I have seen, and thus have more than just reviews and speculation to comment on.  An early fall release that shockingly received high critical praise, Unstoppable is the second straight train movie on Tony Scott’s filmography.  Unlike The Taking of Pelham 123, no one seemed to phone in their performances.  Light on the story and heavy on the action, this film does not disappoint as a straight adrenaline filled action movie.  It should be noted that this film featured actual trains and real stunts, a welcome substitute to the overabundance of CGI in today’s movies.

Waiting for Superman

Rated: PG

Starring: The Black Family, Geoffrey Canada and The Esparza Family

Director: Davis Guggenheim

Synopsis from IMDB:  Filmmaker Davis Guggenheim reminds us that education “statistics” have names: Anthony, Francisco, Bianca, Daisy, and Emily, whose stories make up the engrossing foundation of WAITING FOR SUPERMAN. As he follows a handful of promising kids through a system that inhibits, rather than encourages, academic growth, Guggenheim undertakes an exhaustive review of public education, surveying “drop-out factories” and “academic sinkholes,” methodically dissecting the system and its seemingly intractable problems.

Trailer:

Pac’s Take:  This is the film among this week’s releases that I look forward to seeing most.  While many documentaries do not peak my interest, Waiting for Superman takes a look at a worthy topic in the American education system.  Because it is a documentary and because of its content, this is probably not the most enjoyable or lighthearted film to watch among this crop.  However, if you want a more intellectual watch this week, Waiting for Superman appears to be a worthy choice.

Glorious 39

Rated:  R

Starring: Romola Garai, Eddie Redmayne and Juno Temple

Director: Stephen Poliakoff

Synopsis from IMDB:  A mysterious tale set around a traditional British family on the eve of World War Two.

Trailer:

Pac’s Take:  With only a limited release in the UK, this DVD/Blu Ray release is the first opportunity for U.S. viewers to see this film.  I become hesitant with any film that receives a straight to DVD release, but sometimes these movies can surprise you (i.e. Trick ‘r Treat).  Regardless, with a 48% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Glorious 39 seems to be a long-winded period film disguised a suspense thriller.

Talia Al Ghul to take on Batman in The Dark Knight Rises

With so much casting “news” floating around about Christopher Nolan’s third installment of the Batman series, The Dark Knight Rises, it is hard to know what to believe.  However, today’s rumor sounds a lot like earlier rumors we heard about the film and may have a little more insight into the film’s production.  Casting listings seem to be circulating listing a group of actresses that could potentially fill two roles for the film.  A few months ago, a similar list was “released” stating that one of the roles would be a potential love interest for Bruce Wayne and the other a villain.  Names on the casting list this time around include familiar faces such as Keira Knightly, Anne Hathaway, and Naomi Watts but also include new names such as: Jessica Biel, Kate Mara, and Charlotte Riley.

Pregnant women need not apply

hat makes this story news-worthy is not that new names are being thrown around for these roles (some more familiar than others) but that the reported villain that is to be cast will be Talia Al Ghul, daughter of Ra’s Al Ghul played by Liam Neeson in Batman Begins.  It makes sense that Talia would be cast in this film, bringing Nolan’s trilogy full circle and adding continuity to the story he’s established.  I was hoping that TDKR picked up where TDK left off and introduced both Hugo Strange and Harley Quinn as the villains, but I trust Nolan’s and Goyer decision to move on with Talia Al Ghul.

The Dark Knight Rises is currently slated for release on July 20, 2012 and based on the previous 2 films we probably won’t know too much until then.  Still, TDKR will certainly be one of the most talked about projects until then as the anticipation builds.  How do you feel about Talia Al Ghul being portrayed in the next Batman film?  Which one of these actresses would you most like to see fill the role?

More Batman News… Sort Of

Brian “Pac” Sostak

It’s funny what passes for news these days when we’re talking about the Batman franchise.  Christopher Nolan has created so much  buzz and angst surrounding the release of his 2012 sequel to The Dark Knight that if he sneezes and it sounds like an actor or actresses name it makes headlines.  With that being said, I’m a complete sucker for all news (or rumor) Batman and I’m going to comment on it anyway.

Deadline is reporting that Christopher Nolan is meeting with a handful of actresses for two unknown roles in the third installment of his Batman franchise.  Though the specific roles were not released, rumor is that one of the roles is a potential love interest for Bruce Wayne and the other… a villain.  Names floating around the roles include Rachel Weisz, Naomi Watts, Blake Lively, Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway, and Keira Knightley.

The same actresses have also floating around my dreams

This rumor is the second “news” of a villain coming to the screen in the next Batman film, remember not too long ago when we posted about Tom Hardy being cast to play an unknown villain.  Personally, I could care less about who is cast to play his love interest I just hope it’s not someone who almost ruins the movie.  The real news to me in this article is that Nolan is interested in casting a female for a villain lead.  When thinking of female villains in the Batman franchise there are two names that immediately come to mind, Catwoman and Poison Ivy.  I can’t believe that Catwoman will be the villain because this report states that he’s looking into two actresses, one to play the love interest and one to play the villain.  If Catwoman were scripted as the next villain, one would believe that only one actress would be needed to fill both roles. 

Poison Ivy seems like the more likely choice, and I like a few of these names for that character.  The last time Poison Ivy appeared on-screen was not the greatest success, and I’d personally like to see Nolan go in another direction.  My pitch to Nolan is for him to throw a dark horse out for a female villain, and bring us Harley Quinn.  Quinn would be the perfect villain to conclude the Nolan trilogy; though she hasn’t been part of the Batman history for very long (she was first introduced in 1992), she has been a fan favorite ever since her inception.  Introducing Harley Quinn would allow Nolan to continue on from the last film seamlessly despite the untimely death of Heath Ledger, leaving the Joker’s role in question.  Furthermore, it could introduce the audience to an aspect of the Batman lure that we haven’t seen portrayed in film yet, Arkham Asylum. 

The only PG picture of Harley Quinn I could find.

My infatuation with Natalie Portman has been documented previously in this blog, so it’s no surprise I’d love to see her play Harley Quinn.  Second to Portman, I support the casting of Anne Hathaway.  This would definitely break the type cast of Hollywood’s ultimate girl-next-door, but I think she is very capable of capturing this character. 

...very capable