New Release Tuesday

Welcome to a new edition of New Release Tuesday! I’ll run down some of the week’s best releases and some of the more interesting titles. This is a pretty stacked week, so let’s get started…

Juno

This movie perfectly counter balanced all the grim serious dramas during the awards season and many called it last yea’s “Little Miss Sunshine”. Actually, it only shares that independent ‘film that could’ syndrome, because I felt this had more laughs, more heart, and resonated better than “Little Miss Sunshine”. The Oscar-winning screenplay started off like the film was going to be one of those hip-dialogues, quirky comedies, but soon after found its pulse and showed its heart. It’s really worth the hype, which is rare, and Fox didn’t skimp on the extras. Bare in mind these extras are only on the two-disc edition and/or the Blu Ray.

Extras:
-Deleted Scenes (11; w/ Optional Commentary)
-Audio Commentaries - Jason Reitman - Director; Diablo Cody - Screenwriter
-”Honest to Blog! Creating JUNO”
-Cast & Crew Jam
- “Way Beyond “Our” Maturity Level”
-”Diablo Cody is Totally Boss”
-”Jason Reitman For Shizz”
-Digital Copy

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead

*DVD Pick of the Week* I still don’t understand why this amazing film really got lost late last year. It has Albert Finney and Phillip Seymour Hoffman and is directed by the great Sidney Lumet and to me, featured one of the more powerful conclusions from last year’s crop of films. It did have a limited release, but now is your chance to see one of my favorite films from last year. It doesn’t have a lot of extras and it’s probably not high def material to show off your home theater, but I’m recommending it based on its powerful performances and gripping plot. When two brothers, who desperately need some quick cash, decide to rob a local mom ‘n pop jewelry store, what’s the worst that can happen?

Extras:
-audio commentary with Lumet and stars
-Behind-the-scenes

Aliens vs. Predator – Requiem

This was a proper step in the right direction for this franchise, although it still wasn’t exactly the Dark Horse comic version we all like. They upped the gore level and added some suspense, the fight scenes are good, and of course the Pred-Alien was pretty cool. Unfortunately, it featured some rather bland humans who are going through some crisis we don’t care about. If you thought the first film was an ass-stain, well, wipe yourself clean with this one. While it still has flaws, it’s more fun than you would expect. There’s a one disc, two disc, and Blu Ray versions out.

Extras:
-audio commentary with The Brothers Strauss
-audio commentary with Tom Woodruff
-deleted scenes
-making-of’s; “Fight to the Finish” and “Preparing for War”
-featurettes; “Deadly Prey”, Building the Predator home world” and more

Blast of Silence: Criterion Collection

I’ve never seen this movie, but it sounds cool as hell: this 1961 noir, finds a hit man returning to New York City to deliver a hit, but is unable to focus, and instead partakes in the Christmas time festivities that are happening around the city. Being Criterion, expect an interesting film with solid extras. Could be worth a look.

Extras:
-Requiem for a Killer-making of “Blast of Silence”
-essay from film critic Terrance Rafferty

Other Titles

Lars and the Real Girl
- deleted scene, making of, and a featurette

War/Dance
-Oscar nominated documentary

Inside (Dimension Extreme)
-uncut version, with making of’s

Well, I hope I helped you wade through this week’s releases and now you know what to spend your money on. See you next week as we look at Cloverfield, Charlie Wilson’s War, The Savages, The Orphanage, and other titles.