New DVD Report: Sopranos and Mr. Brooks, Meet The Robinsons

What do Stanely Kubrick, Kevin Costner and Tony Soprano and monks all have in common? The answer is here.
James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano in HBO's "The Sopranos"
James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano in HBO's "The Sopranos" - HBO
Dre Rivas

We're loaded this week with a little something for everyone. We say goodbye (again) to Tony Soprano, hail cinematic masters like Godard and Malick, wave a finger at a movie studio and best of all, we journey into the world of monks. So it begins...

Strong Buy

1. The Sopranos - Season 6, Part 2
When people talk about how season six of the Sopranos was one of the best seasons the show ever had, what they really mean is this portion of season six. I'm sure everyone is looking for that David Chase commentary where he explains the show's ridiculously controversial final episode (a final episode that I felt was thoughtful, typical and in a way brilliant), but I wouldn't count on it.

2. Stanley Kubrick - Warner Home Video Directors Series
Let's start on a positive note. On hand in this new collection are 2-disc Special Edition versions for 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, Eyes Wide Shut, The Shining and the Deluxe Edition of Full Metal Jacket, not to mention the very good documentary Stanley Kubrick: A Life In Pictures.

But Warner Bros., I don't understand you. You're releasing what I hear is a much improved Kubrick DVD collection but you make little effort to market it on your home site. I did find an ad for the new 2001: A Space Odyssey special edition but when you click on it you don't even market the new specs. Well if you're not going to put forth the effort, I ain't either. I'm on strike as of now.

3. More Classics
Okay, I'm a scab. Yes, I will lose whatever remaining dignity I have left to bring you the goods in the world of DVD. Kubrick isn't the only cinematic master getting respect this week. Sergei Eisenstein's Battleship Potemkin, Terrence Malick's Days of Heaven and Jean-Luc Godard's Breathless also make re-entry onto the shelves. Let's all unite for a cinephile sigh.

Rental

4.Meet The Robinsons
And now something for the whole family to enjoy. Film.com's Laremy Legel liked it, so you have to be at least a little suspicious, but after his years on Family Guy, I've decided any animated film voiced by Adam West goes to the top of the must-see list.

5. Into Great Silence
Ladies and gents do I have an exciting pick for you. When you think of party animals who do you normally think of besides, say, rock stars? Right, monks. And when you think of great places to pop open a keg, what's the first place that enters into your head? Exactly, a monastery. Well, this documentary combines both of those elements (please remember to breathe).

I read that filmmaker Philip Groning asked the Carthusian order if they would allow him to film in their monastery (located in the scenic French Alps) and make a documentary about them. Monks can be a little indecisive so they took their time before they responded. Sixteen years later they opened their doors to them, and Groning (who I imagined was sickly, malnutritioned and grew a very long beard) walked in with his crew. The result is one of the best reviewed documentaries of the year that uses "no score, no voiceover and no archival footage." Color me interested.

6. Mr. Brooks
I've heard mixed-to-good things about this latest Kevin Costner flick and I have a pretty good feeling about it. Then again, I had a pretty good feeling about the Indians beating the dreaded Red Sox in the ALCS. I'm actually rooting for the Red Sox to win the next three years so they become as disliked and hated as The Patriots or the Yankees. Those pink Boston caps have to go. They are the biggest puke-inducing fad since Pepsi Clear. What were we talking about again? Oh yeah ... rent this movie.

7. Home of the Brave
With a cast that includes Samuel L. Jackson, Jessica Biel, Christina Ricci and 50 Cent, I think this is worth a shot, despite the 24 it received on the Tomato meter. The movie is about group of US soldiers whose home lives are left reeling after their last, tragic mission in Iraq.

Probably Not

8. Hostel: Part II
This movie is not without its moments and I'm no Eli Roth hater (you can read my original review here). I think the guy has legitimate talent and he at least takes his sequel into some unchartered waters. But this movie never completely comes together as well as it should. If you're really in the mood for torture, try C-SPAN.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dre writes three times a week for Film.com. Go Rockies!!! E-mail him!


post a comment




Most Popular Stories
Popular Photo Galleries
FREE Movie of the Week
Adrien Brody and Charlotte Ayanna - "Love the Hard Way" (2001)
Kino

Love the Hard Way

Film.com's FREE movie of the week is "Love the Hard Way." Oscar-winner Adrien Brody and Charlotte Ayanna star in this drama about a thief who falls for a curious, beautiful young woman. As their intimacy grows, a slick cop (Pam Greer) is closing in.
 
Terms of Use  |  Privacy Policy  |  RealNetworks  |    |  FAQ  |   RSS  |   Mobile  |   SiteMap  |   Blog   |   Partners
Browse All: Movies |  TV |  Celebrities
© 2006-2009 RealNetworks. All Rights Reserved.