Knight at HOME at the Movies
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Variety Pack
A little something for every taste in the current DVD recommendations - films that for one reason or another didn't quite click with
audiences in theatres. All, naturally, are worth checking out IMMEDIATELY!
A little something for every taste in the current DVD recommendations - films that for one reason or another didn't quite click with
audiences in theatres. All, naturally, are worth checking out IMMEDIATELY!
Be Kind Rewind – From New Line Cinema. I thought that this sweet, wacky comedy from French director Michel Gondry was just
about perfect and a second look at the DVD has confirmed that for me. Jack Black, Mos Def, Danny Glover, and Mia Farrow star in
an offbeat (to say the least) comedy that's deftly - and with hilarity - illustrates the overwhelming power of movies and their ability to
bring communities together. Gondry's combination of silly and sentimental wasn't to all tastes and the movie deserved a much
better fate in theatres than it got. Hopefully it will get it with this DVD release that includes minimal extras which suggests a Special
Edition at some point down the road. Don't wait. The film alone is a must have for your collection.
Stop-Loss – From Paramount. Kimberly Peirce's long awaited follow-up to Boys Don't Cry also deserves a much better fate than it
received in theatres. Ryan Phillippe heads a strong cast that includes Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Abbie Cornish in
a topical film about the American government's controversial policy of sending soldiers back to Iraq after completing their tour of
duty. Peirce tackles some big issues and scores lots of points in this dramatic and compelling movie that is packed with moving
performances. Peirce and her co-writer Mark Richland contribute an informative audio commentary and there are about an hour's
worth of special features which include a making of and deleted scenes. The film sometimes tackles more than it can handle but its
a strong, emotional drama nevertheless.
The Ruins – From Dreamworks. I missed this little horror gem from out director Carter Smith and mostly enjoyed this nifty little
film that follows the ominous fate of two college aged couples partying in Mexico who make the mistake of heading into the jungles
to see some hidden ruins. When the quartet and their German friend who has led them there are trapped on top of the temple like
structure things literally heat up (there's plenty of shirtless musculature to gaze at as the plot is meandering around a tad). Though
the last section of the film goes off track and favors gore over scares, the suspense holds for a long time. You really feel the heat,
the helplessness and the mounting terror of this kids and it's easy to identify with their plight. The disc has an assortment of special
features and three alternate endings - one in particular - are especially welcome.
Penelope – From Summit Entertainment. An abrupt change of pace and another film that got overlooked by audiences though I
liked it a great deal. Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara and Reese Witherspoon (who Executive Produced) star in a
literal fairy tale - the modern day story of a young princess (one with a lot of money at any rate) born with a pig's snout cursed to
remain alone until someone, somewhere, falls for her charms and ignores her unseemly nose. This gentle comedy is structured not
unlike the charming Babe and is a marvelous film for older children as well as adults. This is a romantic comedy as rewarding as
Enchanted, Ella Enchanted, Ever After, or...you get the picture. The disc includes a brief making of featurette.
about perfect and a second look at the DVD has confirmed that for me. Jack Black, Mos Def, Danny Glover, and Mia Farrow star in
an offbeat (to say the least) comedy that's deftly - and with hilarity - illustrates the overwhelming power of movies and their ability to
bring communities together. Gondry's combination of silly and sentimental wasn't to all tastes and the movie deserved a much
better fate in theatres than it got. Hopefully it will get it with this DVD release that includes minimal extras which suggests a Special
Edition at some point down the road. Don't wait. The film alone is a must have for your collection.
Stop-Loss – From Paramount. Kimberly Peirce's long awaited follow-up to Boys Don't Cry also deserves a much better fate than it
received in theatres. Ryan Phillippe heads a strong cast that includes Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Abbie Cornish in
a topical film about the American government's controversial policy of sending soldiers back to Iraq after completing their tour of
duty. Peirce tackles some big issues and scores lots of points in this dramatic and compelling movie that is packed with moving
performances. Peirce and her co-writer Mark Richland contribute an informative audio commentary and there are about an hour's
worth of special features which include a making of and deleted scenes. The film sometimes tackles more than it can handle but its
a strong, emotional drama nevertheless.
The Ruins – From Dreamworks. I missed this little horror gem from out director Carter Smith and mostly enjoyed this nifty little
film that follows the ominous fate of two college aged couples partying in Mexico who make the mistake of heading into the jungles
to see some hidden ruins. When the quartet and their German friend who has led them there are trapped on top of the temple like
structure things literally heat up (there's plenty of shirtless musculature to gaze at as the plot is meandering around a tad). Though
the last section of the film goes off track and favors gore over scares, the suspense holds for a long time. You really feel the heat,
the helplessness and the mounting terror of this kids and it's easy to identify with their plight. The disc has an assortment of special
features and three alternate endings - one in particular - are especially welcome.
Penelope – From Summit Entertainment. An abrupt change of pace and another film that got overlooked by audiences though I
liked it a great deal. Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara and Reese Witherspoon (who Executive Produced) star in a
literal fairy tale - the modern day story of a young princess (one with a lot of money at any rate) born with a pig's snout cursed to
remain alone until someone, somewhere, falls for her charms and ignores her unseemly nose. This gentle comedy is structured not
unlike the charming Babe and is a marvelous film for older children as well as adults. This is a romantic comedy as rewarding as
Enchanted, Ella Enchanted, Ever After, or...you get the picture. The disc includes a brief making of featurette.
