Being the small and great (but more importantly, small) country that we are, it is an unfortunate reality that we cannot get all the anticipated US theatrical releases into NZ cinemas. However, it would be a shame if we were to completely neglect their home releases as well.
We’re going to show these releases some love in this monthly post of upcoming DVD and Blu-Ray releases of flicks that skipped our shore. This month, The Possession, Lawless and David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis.
10 Years
On DVD and Blu-Ray – 6th Feb
IN A NUTSHELL: A pretty decent ensemble cast make up this low-brow high-school reunion flick, including Channing Tatum, his for-realz wife Jenna Dewan-Tatum, Rosario Dawson, Chris Pratt and Justin Long.
THE BUZZ: 59% on Rotten Tomatoes. The critical response ranges from ‘meh’ to ‘that was actually pretty good’. The Washington Post calls it “a bracingly un-gimmicky, heartfelt and fresh take on the theme of growing up.”
REASON TO WATCH: If you want an excuse to invite your lovely new lady/man over for an intimate movie night, this could be a good conversation-starter. Where that conversation goes is up to you, slugger *obnoxious wink*.
Red Dawn
On DVD and Blu-Ray – 6th Feb
IN A NUTSHELL: A remake of John Milius’ 1984 World War III film, but with Patrick Swayze replaced with Chris Hemsworth and the teenage soldiers played by a group of Nickelodeon kids.
THE BUZZ: 11% on Rotten Tomatoes. No, it’s not a very optimistic percentage, but it has proven to be likeable to some critics including Film School Rejects, calling it “a fun film that knows enough not to try to be anything it’s not.”
REASON TO WATCH: If you have no attachment to the original, this could serve as a neat beers-n-bros Saturday night rental.
The Possession
Out now On Demand, out on DVD and Blu-Ray – 6th Feb
IN A NUTSHELL: Sam Raimi-produced horror following a father and daughter who find a Jewish Winebox (based on a real thing) containing an evil human-possessing spirit (not based on a real thing).
THE BUZZ: 38% on Rotten Tomatoes. In general, critics aren’t calling this one a classic. However, US audiences did push it up to number 1 in their Box Office when it came out. Roger Ebert says “The Exorcist has influenced a lot of films, and this is one of the better ones.”
REASON TO WATCH: If you dig straightforward possession horrors that don’t solely rely on cheap jump scares, this could make for a pretty creepy lights-out night on the couch.
The Oranges
On DVD and Blu-Ray – 13th Feb
IN A NUTSHELL: An offbeat comedy-drama about the long-time friendship between the Walling and Ostroff families that is shaken when Nina, the prodigal Ostroff daughter, begins an affair with the patriarch of the Walling family (Hugh Laurie).
THE BUZZ: 32% on Rotten Tomatoes. The average critical response is that it’s ALMOST okay, but it’s “light as a feather” and “at times a modest pleasure” according to Mark Pols of TIME Magazine.
REASON TO WATCH: If you’re a total nut for Hugh Laurie (you know who you are), then you’ll probably find enough to like in this farcical rom-com.
Lawless
On DVD and Blu-Ray – 20th Feb
IN A NUTSHELL: Tom Hardy lives up to his (last) name, a grumbling brute carved from granite overseeing the booze running operation of the Bondurant brothers in prohibition era Virginia. As his younger sibling Shia LeBeouf comes of age and aspires to the likes of Al Capone – the gang comes up against the law embodied by snivelling crooked cop Guy Pearce. True story from the pen of Nick Cave.
THE BUZZ: 67% on Rotten Tomatoes. Lawless doesn’t make for a gangster classic, with the parts not equalling a greater whole. “An ambitious try” says Rolling Stone. But it’s still an engaging, recommended watch.
REASON TO WATCH: Some brutal and compelling moments. The main reason though – fantastic performances from the entire cast, including Zero Dark Thirty‘s Jessica Chastain and Gary Oldman’s far too short cameo.
Cosmopolis
On DVD and Blu-Ray – 20th Feb
IN A NUTSHELL: David Cronenberg directs Robert Pattinson through an ultra-violent near-future limo-drive through Manhattan as a billionaire whose about to lose his entire empire over the course of a single day.
THE BUZZ: 65% on Rotten Tomatoes. It split reviewers down the middle: some call the film “weirdly poetic” (Slate) while others damn it as being “nothing that’s worth watching” (San Francisco Chronicle).
REASON TO WATCH: If not solely because it’s Cronenberg, then watch it to see how you personally react to the film.
