Today is a big day for DVD releases if only because we finally get my favorite movie of the year so far. There’s also a cute romantic comedy, a concert, a kids fantasy film and more.
I’ve changed the format for the DVD picks up a bit. I’ve been getting comments about missing certain movies that are coming out, and that’s mainly because I don’t want to see them and therefore wont necessarily recommend them.
So now I have a “Mike’s recommendations” section, followed by “What you’ll probably end up seeing“, because no matter how many good movies I tell you to watch, most of you will go with the easy, mainstream choice. I can tell you to check out There Will Be Blood, but you’ll grab Chuck and Larry instead and be kicking yourself later.
It never fails. So anyways, let’s get right to it!
(Mike’s Recommendations)
In Bruges
To me, this is the first awesome movie of 2008 to hit the video store shelves, so you must run out and get it this weekend. You can read the review I did back in March to get a more detailed look at the movie, but it’s funny, violent and stars Colin Farrel and Brenden Gleeson, with Ralph Finnes appearing later on in the film.
Definitely not a kids movie, there is a ton of swearing in it, and some good blood and guts, but it’s one of the funniest films I’ve seen in awhile and reminds me a lot of Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Not so much in the way Gut Ritchie created multiple storylines that all came together at the end, but in the funny-violent-Irish-comedy type of production. (Amazon)
Check it out!
Definitely, Maybe
Okay, this is a chick-flick big time, but it was one of the more enjoyable ones I’ve seen in recent years, plus it had a unique story that kept you guessing until the end.
Ryan Reynolds stars along with Elizabeth Banks, Isla Fisher, Rachel Weisz and little Abigail Breslin.
Very funny movie, a standard romantic comedy, but done in a fresh way. (Amazon)
The Hammer
I’d never have thought I’d recommend a movie starring Adam Carrolla from The Man Show, but I’ve heard nothing but good things about this movie. Joel McHale from The Soup plugged it weekly, and it has a 74% on Rotten Tomatoes. This is the RT consensus:
Crass and curiously low-energy, The Hammer ultimately perseveres as both an above-average sports comedy and a perfect starring vehicle for Carolla. (Amazon)
Live From Texas - ZZ Top
I’m no ZZ Top fan at all, but that doesn’t mean I wont recommend this Blu-Ray Concert that Shawn reviewed for us a few weeks back. He summed it up this way:
If you are not familiar with ZZ Top’s music, or if you are an old fan, I think you will enjoy this video. It’s accessible to new fans because it contains a lot of ZZ Top’s hits that are probably be familiar to many people. For the die-hard Top fans, this will end up being a great addition to your collection. This is almost as good as being there.
(Amazon)
Persepolis
I honestly don’t know much about this film, but it’s an animated drama rated PG-13 and the reviews for it have been awesome. Rotten Tomatoes has it at 95%, which is obscenely good. This is the description from IMDB:
Poignant coming-of-age story of a precocious and outspoken young Iranian girl that begins during the Islamic Revolution
It’s a French film, so I’m not sure if you’ll have subtitles or not, but I’m pretty sure you will. (Amazon)
(What you’ll probably end up seeing…)
10,000 B.C.
I heard nothing but horrible things about this film, including our own review by Jason where it got a 2.5 rating out of 10 possible points.
Yikes.
But it’s got action, cool CGI and people are likely going to rent it anyways.
The Spiderwick Chronicles
Not heard much either way on this one, but it’s a kid’s fantasy and might be worth checking out if you are looking for a family movie this weekend. It’s PG, but that’s just for scary scenes and some violence.
Heck, it also has Andrew McCarthy in it from Pretty in Pink!
Coming out in Blu-Ray:
- 10,000 B.C. (Warner)
- House of Fury (Tai Seng)
- National Geographic: Sea Monsters (National Geographic)
- Persepolis (Sony)
- The Spiderwick Chronicles (Paramount)
- Step Into Liquid (Lionsgate)
- ZZ Top: Live in Texas (Eagle Rock)
i wonder how good the movie wanted is gonna be - looks pretty coool
I am most excited for the new batman, though 
-Jake
I haven't seen Persepolis yet, but the graphic novel is awesome. Definitely an excellent read. The movie is indeed subtitled, however.
The Spiderwick Chronicles seems kind of interesting to me. I know that it's a kids movie, but I like to kick back and watch movies that are not all that deep.
So my constant reminders of other movies made you change the format….and they say nagging never accomplishes anything.
I think I like this better anyway. That way we can see what you like and what else is available too. Nice. Unfortunately, my Blockbuster queue keeps getting longer and longer.
All of you should get In Bruges, TOTALY great little film… I also really ended up liking Definitely, Maybe, so get that too… and in between those Ape recomended ZZ Top Live from Texas.
I heard it might actually be better than the graphic novel.
Then I *definitely* need to see it.
That's impossible!
Not sure where you learned it, but I'm sure your wife would be proud!
Right, because moving pictures are far less interesting that still ones.
Nothing here for me to see, except for ZZ Top.
Oh - I have had There Will Be Blood (blu version) sitting by my TV for a few weeks yet and have yet to pop it into the player…guess I should do that at some point.
Not even In Bruges? Dude…come on
I don't even know Bruges…never heard of it.
You know me so well.
Ape, there's nothing on TV anymore. Watch the movie already!
It's not TV that is keeping me distracted - it's all the reading for school that is keeping me busy.
That's no excuse! TV should have priority!
LOL
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