Looking Forward

We’re already starting the third month of the year, and so far into 2009, horror has dominated the releases each week. Looking Forward in March, the overview looks better for those not into horror. Lots of great releases, especially Oscar nominated films like Happy-Go-Lucky, Synecdoche, New York, Milk, Slumdog Millionaire, Rachel Getting Married, and Australia. Those releases are all worth seeing, in my opinion, and judging by their box office totals, most of you might not have seen them yet. Do so now.
March isn’t all arty and drama-filled; some of blockbusters of the latter half of 2008 are coming out also. For the families, Bolt (March 22nd) makes its home video appearance. I was really surprised by how good this film is. Unfortunately, the non-Pixar films for Disney haven’t done that well, but Bolt cleaned up at the box office, although not as well as hoped. Sadly, the 3-D aspect won’t be implied on the DVD or Blu Ray. Regardless, this is a great film, and Disney is the best major studio out there doing discs.

Bond fans can relive Quantum of Solace (March 24th) again when it hits the streets. I have no doubt in my mind that Sony will deliver an incredible package full of top notch video, audio, and extras. I’m going for the Blu Ray. Speaking of Bond on Blu Ray, besides his newest adventure, MGM releases six more Bond titles on high definition, including my personal favorite one: Goldfinger. I’m eager to see how well Twilight (March 21st) flies off the shelves, as it seems to be that the film version, while successful, wasn’t well received by the hardcore teen fans of the book.

Each month, I usually pick one release that grabs my attention and is worth owning. This month, I cannot choose one, so here is the two picks of the month, you should defiantly own, either on DVD or Blu Ray. Pinocchio (March 10th) makes its long awaited return to home video in what is certainly going to be one of the reissues of the year already. For its 70th Anniversary, Disney saw fit to include it in its Platinum Edition line, so expect a top-notch restoration of the video and audio, with a great assortment of extras. Disney is doing something new with the Blu Ray edition. When you buy it, it’ll include the DVD as well, making the Blu Ray edition a one stop shop for fans of high definition and families who are on the go (see you can play it in the car, making it easier buy one copy instead of two).

And my other pick is the Swedish vampire tale that got unanimous praise from us as well as many other critic circles, Let the Right One In. I’m not expecting much in terms of extras, so while that might be a shame, just now having it my library to re-watch again to absorb this atmospheric tale will be a blessing. Anyone else notice and find it funny that Twilight and Let the Right One In were released in the same month for DVD/Blu Ray as well as theatrical? They couldn’t be more different despite both being vampire tales. Seek this one out as soon as it streets March 10th.

While the months of January and February starting us off slowly, this March is one strong month in terms of quantity of releases. I’ll even admit that many of these are worth owning, so I hope that even though the economy is the worse it has been in 26 years, you have the money to check out these great titles. Please follow me each week in New Release Tuesday, where I’ll take a detailed look at each release, only on Killer Film. Until then, Press Play…

Any questions or feedback, please email me jon@killerfilm.com