This Week In DVD: The Uninvited, JCVD, Bride Wars, And More
By Adam Quigley/April 28, 2009 7:00 am EST
This Week in DVD is a column that compiles all the latest info regarding new DVD releases, sales, and exclusive deals from stores including Target, Best Buy and Fry's.
Please don't take the commentary on the movies and TV shows too seriously, as they're meant not to be reviews but rather previews that include the general thoughts and ramblings of a twice-committed DVD addict. The categories represent solely the author's intentions towards the DVDs at hand, and are in no way meant to be a reflection on what he thinks other people should rent or buy. So if he ends up putting a movie you like in the "Skip it" section without having seen it, please keep in mind that the time you could spend leaving a spiteful but ultimately futile comment could instead be used for more pleasant things in life. Like buying DVDs.
JCVD
Jean-Claude Van Damme has made some pretty questionable career choices, but whether you love or hate the guy, you really have to admire the ingenuity on display in JCVD, which is very much a response to that rather misguided career. In the film he plays himself: a broke, out-of-luck actor who's battling for the custody of his daughter. But when he's thrown into a real-life hostage situation, the world sees a side of Van Damme they've never seen before. Marking the first ever Van Damme flick to be ranked 'fresh' on Rotten Tomatoes, the meta, self-referential and utterly unique JCVD has been praised heavily for Jean-Claude's touching and deeply personal performance, which—much like the depicted storyline—also shows a side of him that the world's never seen before.
Blu-ray? Yes.
Notable Extras: Deleted scenes.
Amazon – $17.99
A gritty indie drama about two guys stuck in a life of poverty and crime? Sounds a little too familiar for my tastes, but between the film's positive reviews and my admiration for the two lead performers—the underrated Mark Ruffalo and Ethan Hawke—there's enough of a draw here to encourage a rental.
Notable Extras: Commentary with co-writer/director Brian Goodman and co-writer Donnie Wahlberg, deleted and alternate scenes, and a 'Makes You Stronger: The Making of What Doesn't Kill You' featurette.
Horrifically brutal horror films are an acquired taste, and the reviews for Martyrs are a clear demonstration of this. It's a movie of the 'torture porn' variety that some have said exists simply to shock the audience and others have argued aims to be as intellectually satisfying as it is provocative. Whatever the case, the debate has been enough to pique my interest, so I'll be sure to check it out and report back with my thoughts on the /Filmcast.
Blu-ray? No.
Notable Extras: Introduction by writer/director Pascal Laugier and a making-of documentary.
No. No more. I refuse to see another lazy, dumbed-down Americanized remake of a well-regarded Asian horror film. We've gotten so many in the past five years, it's become almost impossible to even tell their trailers apart anymore. The Uninvited may not be the worst reviewed entry of this seemingly never-ending remake trend/plague, but there still doesn't appear to be anything particularly unique or noteworthy about to justify wasting any time on it.
Notable Extras: An 'Unlocking The Uninvited' featurette, deleted scenes, and an alternate ending.
BRIDE WARS
Kate Hudson has starred in only good movie in her entire career: Almost Famous. That was almost ten years ago. Since then, she's starred in such films as You, Me and Dupree, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, The Skeleton Key, and Fool's Gold. And now, Bride Wars. Venture a guess as to whether the movie's good or not. Please, guess.
Notable Extras: 3 deleted scenes and a 'Perfect White Dress – Vera Wang' featurette.
Other noteworthy DVDs available this week...
Hotel for Dogs – While She Was Out – Little Dorrit – American Dad! (Vol. 4) – X-Men (Animated Series – Vol. 1) – X-Men (Animated Series – Vol. 2)