01.11.10 | Jerry Frebowitz | New Releases This WeekPrint this Post
New DVD Releases for this week include the extremely tense Iraq War thriller, The Hurt Locker and another "Medea" outing from Tyler Perry, I Can Do Bad All By Myself, where he wrote, directed, and co-starred plus two remakes slither their way to DVD: Fame and Halloween II. Also available for the first time on home video is a pair of serious musical dramas from the 1960s starring high profile musical performers in rare dramatic roles -- A Man Called Adam stars Sammy Davis, Jr as a trumpeter spiriling out of control and Ballad In Blue stars Ray Charles as himself, trying to help a young blind boy.
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I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009)
Tyler Perry wrote, directed, and co-stars in this adaptation of his popular stage play. When Madea (Perry) catches three young orphaned delinquents robbing her home, she sends them to live with their hard-drinking aunt April. After initially wanting nothing to do with the kids, April has a change of heart when she meets a handsome Mexican immigrant who helps her rediscover faith, life, and love. With Taraji P. Henson, Adam Rodriguez, Brian White, and Gladys Knight.
Halloween II (2009)
Director Rob Zombie's sequel to his remake of the original "Halloween" picks up where the first left off, as Michael Myers' sister (Scout Taylor-Compton) gets a brief reprieve from the madman while having her wounds attended to at the hospital. However, the iconic slasher isn't far behind. Will the sheriff (Brad Dourif) and Myers' psychiatrist (Malcolm McDowell) be able to stop him? Sheri Moon Zombie co-stars.
Fame (2009)
Upbeat remake of 1980's Academy Award-winner explores four years at the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, as seen through the eyes of a group of wanna-be stars who find that the pursuit of big dreams brings with it a host of problems both personal and professional. Kay Panabaker, Naturi Naughton, Bebe Neuwirth, Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally, and Debbie Allen (not reprising her original role) star. Includes both the original theatrical and extended versions.
Post Grad (2009)
Her dream job in publishing stolen out from under her, a recent college graduate (Alexis Bledel) reluctantly moves back in with her parents. While dealing with her eccentric family, Bledel will have to re-evaluate her life, rethink her career choices, and choose between two guys--her hunky neighbor (Rodrigo Santoro) or longtime pal (Zach Gilford). Michael Keaton, Jane Lynch, and Carol Burnett also star in this lighthearted coming-of-age comedy.
The Hurt Locker (2009)
Set during the immediate aftermath of the 2003 Iraq War, this acclaimed, white-knuckle action drama from director Kathryn Bigelow (Article) follows a reckless staff sergeant (Jeremy Renner) into the combat zone as he takes over command of a highly trained bomb disposal unit. While the new noncom's shocked subordinates question the dangers surrounding his impulsive leadership, Baghdad becomes ever more chaotic and treacherous. With Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes, and Evangeline Lilly.
Moon (2009)
Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) is at the end of a three-year tour as the lone inhabitant of a lunar outpost that harvests a clean fuel source to send back to Earth. His only companion is GERTY (voiced by Kevin Spacey), the station's robot. Following an accident caused by isolation-induced hallucinations, Sam encounters another version of himself and must work to uncover the truth behind the existence of this mysterious double. Dominique McElligott co-stars in this thought-provoking sci-fi thriller. View the trailer.
In The Loop (2009)
Skewering international relationships and the peculiarities of American and British politics, this farce from England follows the unpredictable global chaos that ensues when a U.K. cabinet minister (Peter Capaldi) unwittingly contradicts the prime minister in matters of a speculative war--a verbal gaffe that sets the country into a nightmarish exercise of spin and doublespeak along with a dangerously hawkish Washington State Department. Biting satire co-stars Tom Hollander, Anna Chlumsky, and James Gandolfini.
The Brothers Bloom (2009)
Siblings and con men Stephen (Mark Ruffalo) and Bloom (Adrien Brody) have been successful dirty rotten scoundrels for years--and it appears they've found the perfect new target in the pretty, wealthy, and lonely Penelope (Rachel Weisz). When one brother falls in love and the other tires of the grifting life, complications ensue. Which is which? Who's playing whom for a sucker? Find out in this engaging comedy co-starring Rinko Kikuchi, Robbie Coltrane.
Big Fan (2009)
Living vicariously through the successes and failures of his teams, Staten Island man-child and devoted New York Giants fan Paul (Patton Oswalt) follows star player Quantrell Bishop (Jonathan Hamm) to a Manhattan strip club one night, only to be assaulted by Bishop when he mistakenly thinks Paul is trying to blackmail him. His obsessive worship of Bishop causes him deep internal conflict when his lawyer brother files suit. Disturbing, dark comedy co-stars Michael Rapaport, Marcia Jean Kurtz.
Breaking Point (2009)
Following a personal tragedy and struggles with addiction, a once-prominent criminal defense attorney attempts to get his life back on track. While working on a high-profile murder case, he befriends a gang member and discovers that his former drug dealer is connected with some corrupt cops. Can he overcome his demons and redeem himself? Tom Berenger, Busta Rhymes, Armand Assante star.
The Burning Plain (2008)
"21 Grams" scribe Guillermo Arriaga wrote and directed this scorching film involving a troubled, promiscuous Oregon waitress (Charlize Theron) followed by a man (Jose Maria Yazpik) with a mysterious agenda, while a parallel narrative relates the story of an unfaithful New Mexico housewife (Kim Basinger). Find out how these characters' destinies connect in this multilayered drama. Co-stars Joaquim de Almeida, Danny Pino.
Downloading Nancy (2008)
Tired of her life and unfulfilling marriage, troubled wife Nancy hires a stranger she encounters on the Internet to murder her. Telling her husband that she is going to visit her friends, she meets up with the man and together the wounded souls begin unexpectedly falling in love. But is Nancy willing to pay the ultimate price to be liberated from her spouse? Rufus Sewell, Maria Bello, Jason Patric star.
Departures (Okuribito) (2008)
Suddenly finding himself unemployed, an orchestra cellist (Masahiro Motoki) finds work as an apprentice to an undertaker. He tries to keep his new occupation a secret, for, as much as his work preparing the dead for cremation provides a reverent and sensitive service to survivors, the job itself is frowned upon as only worthy of the lower classes. Tsutomu Yamazaki, Ryoko Hirosue also star in this acclaimed Japanese drama that won a Best Foreign Film Academy Award. In Japanese with English subtitles.
A L'Aventure (2009)
Controversial erotic film auteur Jean-Claude Brisseau wraps up his trilogy concerning female sexuality with this provocative drama, focused on the exploits of Sandrine (Carole Brana) and her adventurous encounters with various friends and partners.Drawn towards what others find off-putting, offensive, or even disturbing, Sandrine pursues both her passions and her enlightenment. With Arnaud Binard, Nadia Chibani.
24 City (2008)
Documentary and narrative blend together in this sweeping profile of a factory's long life in the Chinese city of Chengdu. Spanning the course of five decades, the film offers long-time workers the opportunity to share their deepest memories and vent about new economic hardships in interviews (in which actors are frequently employed to portray the workers). With Joan Chen, Jianbin Chen, Tao Zhao. In Mandarin and Shanghainese with English subtitles.
Amreeka (2009)
Hoping to start life anew, West Bank single mom Farah (Nisreen Faour) is delighted when she receives permission to bring her teenage son (Melkar Muallem) into "Amreeka" (Palestinian for "America"), where she has extended family members. However, once she arrives in the U.S., she finds it difficult to obtain sustaining employment and is faced with intolerance on the eve of the 2003 American invasion of Iraq. Hiam Abbass, Alia Shawkat co-star.
By The People: The Election Of Barack Obama (2009
Documentary co-directors Amy Rice and Alicia Sams obtained unique access to then-Senator Barack Obama's 2008 campaign for the U.S. presidency in this revealing film. With intimate behind-the-scenes glimpses of Michelle Obama, chief strategist David Axelrod, communications director Robert Gibbs, and the Obamas' two young daughters, the movie also includes appearances by Obama's Republican rival, Sen. John McCain. Co-produced by actor Edward Norton.
Brothers At War (2009)
An Illinois family grapples with the realities of the Iraq War in this candid, unsparing documentary, as one young man from Decatur chronicles the saga of his two brothers, both of whom serve in combat tours during the campaign to oust Saddam Hussein and then restore an orderly government to the Iraqi people. Providing glimpses of separations, homecomings, and battlefield immediacy, the film provides a vital addition to the conflict's history.
A Man Called Adam (1966)
In a rare dramatic role, Sammy Davis, Jr. stars as a jazz trumpet player who seemingly has it all. Blaming himself for the traffic accident that killed his family, he begins a downward spiral that threatens to destroy all that he has worked so hard for. To make matters worse, he must also cope with prejudice from within the music industry. Louis Armstrong, Ossie Davis, Cicely Tyson, Frank Sinatra, Jr., and Mel Torme co-star.
Ballad In Blue (1964)
Ray Charles stars as himself in this compelling drama in which the musician befriends a blind boy living in London who is struggling with his disability and an overprotective mother. As Charles attempts to help, he shows the child and his family how music can heal. Songs include "Let the Good Times Roll," "Unchain My Heart," "Hit the Road Jack," "I Gotta Woman," and more.
For details and availability of more of this week’s new releases, click here
