DVD Reviews 24. 25, 26, and 27 (The ones you may have missed)

Let’s get you caught up with 4 films you may have missed…or perhaps you just keep thinking about pulling them out of your local Redbox but don’t have a good review to go off of…hmm, maybe this will help.

Moon (2009) Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey Directed by Duncan Jones

When you are stacking up DVD’s to watch there is a lot to consider…first of all you have to have more than one because if you are rolling the dice on Independent or smaller films and they start slow or bad, it’s nice to have the option to switch. Not often, but sometimes in that stack of (I’ll get to it DVDS’s) a gem will pop up (try last year’s Bottle Shock for example DVD review #16 from July 2009) Moon is such a gem. Duncan Jones came up with a great story, and Sam Rockwell delivers a very good performance (along with the super cool voice work done by Kevin Spacey) about a worker who is nearing the end of his contract that has him alone on the moon for three years. He tries to hang on to his sanity so that he may go home. It is great, subtle, creepy, sci-fi fun. I thought this was one of the ten best of the year, and I was glad I managed to finally get to it.

(The Shawshank Scale 1-10) Moon is the right kind of film to watch when your alone and have nothing to do, so sit back, grab a beer (or whatever beverage that suits you), and a bowl of popcorn, and watch a man freak out on the moon…trust me it’s good creepy fun…A very good 7.0 on the scale which will have it knocking out The Informant to bump into the top ten of the year (see sidebar).

The Brothers Bloom (2008) Rachel Weisz, Adrien Brody Directed By Rian Johnson

This film which got very good reviews, (so I had to get to it eventually) is about two brothers (Mark Ruffalo…who I sometimes have a hard time with…but he’s great in Zodiac and Adrien Brody) who are Con men on their last job (of course they are). The film is filled with twists and turns and the acting is good all around…but unfortunately I don’t agree with some who think this film deserves “great” status as the characters at times are unlikable and the shifty ending is a bit soulless…but it is worth the watch on a rainy day.

(The Shawshank Scale 1-10) The Brothers Bloom is a watchable 6.0, its goofy style and odd story will keep your attention…until you get hungry.

9 (2009) Elijah Wood, Martin Landau Directed by Shane Acher

This animated film (which got a rare PG-13 rating) is full of dreary sad elements that are meant to captivate and impress you…but this more adult story falls flat because it’s old and predicitbale. That said the film has great voice work and is awesome to look at…but if you want a better dark anitmaeted film (and we all do don’t we?) go with Coraline…which is much better.

(The Shawshank Scale 1-10) 9 was a good effort but needed a better story to support all that great animation…how about a 6.0.

Halloween 2 (2009) Scout Taylor-Compton, Malcolm McDowell Directed by Rob Zombie

I really like Rob Zombie’s remake of Halloween, in fact I think it is the best horror reboot ever done…sadly that raises expectation a bit, since it is still Rob Zombie helming the sequel. Again he delivers a great feel and tone for the thriller…but his story seems untrue to the Michael Myers saga. He turns Dr. Loomis into a hate-able character, and his ending is too absolute and self-indulgent to be a true Halloween film. I think Zombie missed on this one, and I think he knew it, which is probably why he release Halloween 2 in August the same week Final Destination 40 came out…it’s cool I will still see his next flick.

(The Shawshank Scale 1-10) This one is for fans only 5.5.