Tuesday
Feb172009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 5:11AM New to DVD: 'Changeling,' 'Body of Lies,' 'High School Musical'
There are a few movies you might have missed last fall, and now they're out on DVD - the
second chance to discover them, maybe. Some of these had high hopes, and one received an Oscar nomination, but
should have a a couple more. So because it's kind of a light weekend at the box office coming, now's a good chance
to catch up on these.
Changeling
I think Angelina Jolie will continue to get flack for taking on more serious roles. She's underestimated for her
ability because she's overexposed for everything else. The real shame is that in the past two years, she's put
together terrific back-to-back performances in A Mighty Heart and Changeling, but people hate her for ruining Jennifer Aniston's marriage. OK.
The other half of the equation here is Clint Eastwood's very measured but assured work as a director on
Changeling. This is the better of Clint's two films last year, with a rich, layered story, and a fearless
performance by Jolie.
(Here's our review)
Body of
Lies
I firmly believe that the marketing for Body of Lies killed it before it even reached theaters. Bad
posters, bad trailers, and a hesitance to tell the actual story in the film and try instead to push explosions and
a heavier-than-usual Russell Crowe. The movie was much better than I expected, but by the time it came out, too
many people had made up their minds.
Leo, Crowe, and director Ridley Scott have made a pretty solid geopolitical thriller. It's smart, it's got good
action and strong leading performances, but the thing to check out here is Mark Strong's terrific supporting work.
Rent it.
(Our Body of Lies review)
High School Musical 3: Senior Year
I certainly didn't love the first theatrical High School Musical movie, but I don't think there's any way
it could really disappoint its core fans. The musical numbers keep everything moving, and the camera is focused on
Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens a lot of the time. This is, of course, the last time you'll see either one of them
in this Disney franchise, so enjoy it while you can, kids.
Of course, this isn't the sort of movie made for single guys in their 30s...at least, not for most of us anyway.
(Our review of High School Musical
3)
Choke
That Choke was not a major success is certainly not a surprise. It's tough to market the Chuck Palahniuk
adaptation to people who aren't familiar with the story because none of it has any commercial appeal, and Sam
Rockwell is not a draw, no matter how good he is. I did think it would find a bigger arthouse crowd than it
eventually did, though.
Sex addiction, a guy who fakes choking in restaurants to con sympathy money out of wealthy diners, colonial
America reenactments, Kelly MacDonald - what's not to love?
(Our review)
Also on DVD this week: Religulous, Midnight Meat Train, Flash of Genius, Quarantine, Hounddog, and How to Lose Friends and Alienate People.
Changeling
I think Angelina Jolie will continue to get flack for taking on more serious roles. She's underestimated for her
ability because she's overexposed for everything else. The real shame is that in the past two years, she's put
together terrific back-to-back performances in A Mighty Heart and Changeling, but people hate her for ruining Jennifer Aniston's marriage. OK.
The other half of the equation here is Clint Eastwood's very measured but assured work as a director on
Changeling. This is the better of Clint's two films last year, with a rich, layered story, and a fearless
performance by Jolie.
(Here's our review)
Body of
Lies
I firmly believe that the marketing for Body of Lies killed it before it even reached theaters. Bad
posters, bad trailers, and a hesitance to tell the actual story in the film and try instead to push explosions and
a heavier-than-usual Russell Crowe. The movie was much better than I expected, but by the time it came out, too
many people had made up their minds.
Leo, Crowe, and director Ridley Scott have made a pretty solid geopolitical thriller. It's smart, it's got good
action and strong leading performances, but the thing to check out here is Mark Strong's terrific supporting work.
Rent it.
(Our Body of Lies review)
High School Musical 3: Senior Year
I certainly didn't love the first theatrical High School Musical movie, but I don't think there's any way
it could really disappoint its core fans. The musical numbers keep everything moving, and the camera is focused on
Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens a lot of the time. This is, of course, the last time you'll see either one of them
in this Disney franchise, so enjoy it while you can, kids.
Of course, this isn't the sort of movie made for single guys in their 30s...at least, not for most of us anyway.
(Our review of High School Musical
3)
Choke
That Choke was not a major success is certainly not a surprise. It's tough to market the Chuck Palahniuk
adaptation to people who aren't familiar with the story because none of it has any commercial appeal, and Sam
Rockwell is not a draw, no matter how good he is. I did think it would find a bigger arthouse crowd than it
eventually did, though.
Sex addiction, a guy who fakes choking in restaurants to con sympathy money out of wealthy diners, colonial
America reenactments, Kelly MacDonald - what's not to love?
(Our review)
Also on DVD this week: Religulous, Midnight Meat Train, Flash of Genius, Quarantine, Hounddog, and How to Lose Friends and Alienate People.
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