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DVD New Releases – 5/19/2009

Every week I make a list of notable discs being released so I can figure out what I “need” to buy. ;)

I feel bad this list is late but I was in Vegas, returning Monday night, and I have been playing catch-up.

• A Bug’s Life – The second Pixar feature film release wasn’t as phenomenal as their first (Toy Story) and it received a little bit of criticism for not meeting the previously-set expectations, but it is a gorgeous movie with laughs and heart. A transfer to Blu-Ray is worth upgrading the DVD version.
• Eden Log – This is one of those bizarre sci-fi films that flew under the radar a couple years ago, playing mostly at festivals. I saw it at Austin Film Festival and despite it’s low budget approach, which leads to both absurd and brilliant moments, it is a film about memory loss, and bio-technology that drives contemplation/conversation and challenges some of the basics of cinematography, special effects, script and storytelling. This is a film only for the people who love challenging sci-fi and edgy film-making.
• Fanboys – This film has a long history of studio battles and IRL fanboys petitioning for the director and writer’s original version. There is an extra on the DVD that may discuss this battle and add some reality to the myth, but dedicated Star Wars fans are the only people who will love this movie. The best rule-of-thumb to decide whether this is a buy or rent is to ask yourself “Would I sit down and watch Star Wars — one of the first three released ones, none of that new crap — right now?”
• My Bloody Valentine 3-D – Beyond the technological advances in 3D photography, this isn’t a special movie but it is a really fun ride for the typical teenagers-chased-by-a-slasher story with trendy attractive young actors. You should have seen it in the theater where the projection technology is several magnitudes better than it has ever been. My guess is that viewing it at home won’t be the same (since it is impossible to reproduce the theater experience with current consumer technology) but if you have a LARGE tv (54” or more) and the clarity of Blu-Ray then this might be worth a look. I’m buying a copy.
• The Machinist – I didn’t have a compulsion to see Christian Bale suffering for his art in a film that, behind the scenes, could have been called The Masochist, but I may look for an HD online rental version.

• Valkyrie – At BNAT X this was a big hit with many, but it seems to only appeal to war movie fans. Tom Cruise is the least of the superb acting (with a tankload of Brits who really have stand out performances), but history buffs complain about the half-truth of the protagonist’s competency.

Blu-Ray:

        

DVD:

      

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