Copyright 2012 Bob Richards
From the very good to the very bad…a little of everything this week on DVD and Blu-ray…
Home Entertainment Preview for 1-24-12
Full Disclosure: Bob Richards receives press copies / screeners of DVD's to review.
(50/50 - Summit Entertainment - Rated R)Joseph Gordon Levitt is nothing short of wonderful in 50/50 - a raunchy cancer comedy that is so much more. He wasn't the producer's first choice for this film, but his outstanding performance makes this film, one not to miss. Extras include commentary, deleted scenes and two featurettes.
(The Whistleblower - 20th Century Fox - Rated R)
Based on true events, The Whistleblower is frustrating, exacerbating and superb, featuring a superlative performance by Rachel Weisz. This is an important film that needs to be seen. Bonus features include a featurette on the real life people behind the film. It's My Pick of the Week!
(Paranormal Activity 3 - Paramount - Unrated and Rated R)While Paranormal Activity 3 follows the same basic plot of the first two films, this satisfying, chilling prequel is actually the best of the three. The unrated DVD contains no bonus features, but the Blu-ray has lost tapes and the theatrical version of the film.
(Another Happy Day - Phase 4 Films - Rated R)
Although it stars local resident George Kennedy, Another Happy Day is an insufferable so-called comedy with morose characters that are emotional invalids wallowing in self pity. It is filled with jabs about Fox News and Glenn Beck and so many eye rolling moments, I can't believe I actually made it through the whole thing. There's nothing happy about it. No bonus features
(Tales of an Ancient Empire - Lionsgate - Rated R)
Tales of an Ancient Empire contains acting and production values that rival many elementary school plays. I laughed and laughed at this pitifully bad movie. Extras include a featurette.
(Meet the Browns Season 4 Episodes 61-80 - Lionsgate - Not Rated)
Season four of Tyler Perry's live action cartoon Meet the Browns comes to DVD with episodes 61-80 on three discs. No bonus features
(Restless - Sony - Rated PG-13)
I really loved this film, so imagine my disappointment when I didn't get a review copy of the DVD! In Restless Mia Wasikowska shines in her best performance so far. She is cute, vibrant and the heart of this movie. Henry Hopper adds dimension and an odd spirit in this quirky, bittersweet movie. Director Gus Van Zant has once again crafted a wonderful, tragic and terrific film. No telling what the DVD bonus features are, since I didn't get one.
(Real Steel - Dreamworks - Rated PG-13)Much is fake in Real Steel. The CGI robots, the constant barrage of product placement, the terrible acting, including an actress with a laughable, hideous Russian accent, the Mortal Combat meets Rockem Sockem Robots meets Rocky plot, the dreadful melodrama in between bigger louder action scenes and an overly precocious, irritating kid who dances and smirks his way through this mess. The film fails to generate any excitement as we can feel no emotional connection to the actual robotic combatants. Steel? Sly should sue - the plot was stolen from Rocky, and stolen from is how you'll feel after paying to see this…Real Steal is right.
(The Whistleblower - 20th Century Fox - Rated R)
Based on true events, The Whistleblower is frustrating, exacerbating and superb, featuring a superlative performance by Rachel Weisz. This is an important film that needs to be seen. Bonus features include a featurette on the real life people behind the film. It's My Pick of the Week!
(Paranormal Activity 3 - Paramount - Unrated and Rated R)While Paranormal Activity 3 follows the same basic plot of the first two films, this satisfying, chilling prequel is actually the best of the three. The unrated DVD contains no bonus features, but the Blu-ray has lost tapes and the theatrical version of the film.
(Another Happy Day - Phase 4 Films - Rated R)
Although it stars local resident George Kennedy, Another Happy Day is an insufferable so-called comedy with morose characters that are emotional invalids wallowing in self pity. It is filled with jabs about Fox News and Glenn Beck and so many eye rolling moments, I can't believe I actually made it through the whole thing. There's nothing happy about it. No bonus features
(Tales of an Ancient Empire - Lionsgate - Rated R)
Tales of an Ancient Empire contains acting and production values that rival many elementary school plays. I laughed and laughed at this pitifully bad movie. Extras include a featurette.
(Meet the Browns Season 4 Episodes 61-80 - Lionsgate - Not Rated)
Season four of Tyler Perry's live action cartoon Meet the Browns comes to DVD with episodes 61-80 on three discs. No bonus features
(Restless - Sony - Rated PG-13)
I really loved this film, so imagine my disappointment when I didn't get a review copy of the DVD! In Restless Mia Wasikowska shines in her best performance so far. She is cute, vibrant and the heart of this movie. Henry Hopper adds dimension and an odd spirit in this quirky, bittersweet movie. Director Gus Van Zant has once again crafted a wonderful, tragic and terrific film. No telling what the DVD bonus features are, since I didn't get one.
(Real Steel - Dreamworks - Rated PG-13)Much is fake in Real Steel. The CGI robots, the constant barrage of product placement, the terrible acting, including an actress with a laughable, hideous Russian accent, the Mortal Combat meets Rockem Sockem Robots meets Rocky plot, the dreadful melodrama in between bigger louder action scenes and an overly precocious, irritating kid who dances and smirks his way through this mess. The film fails to generate any excitement as we can feel no emotional connection to the actual robotic combatants. Steel? Sly should sue - the plot was stolen from Rocky, and stolen from is how you'll feel after paying to see this…Real Steal is right.