NEW TO DVD JULY 28,2008

New to DVD Tuesday JULY 28, 2008

Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities


Truth is, I'm supposed to be editing a Web site for a hotel in Rome. Looks nice by the way. Pricey, but it's got a great view, or so the Web site says. I'm finished editing, but it could use another proof just to make sure. Thankfully I'm editing their English version site, not their Italian version site, although they want it in British English… those silly UK people spell everything all crazy and tense their verbs differently. So I'm supposed to be doing that, but I needed a break, so onto movie reviews I go. You can only dwell on driving directions to the Vatican and room amenities for so long before it just gets to be blah.

Anyway, onto movies… wow. Is it a sad movie week, or what? The big movie was Harold and Kumar followed by Shine a Light. Or vice versa; I can't remember. I hope Shine a Light took in more money at the box office, but I have a sneaky suspicion that Harold and Kumar sucked in the mindless masses and lessened to world's IQ by a point or two by doing so.

The new releases for next week are:

COCAINE COWBOYS 2: HUSTLIN' WITH THE GODMOTHER
DOOMSDAY
HAROLD AND KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUANTANAMO BAY
NEVER BACK DOWN
ROLLING STONES: SHINE A LIGHT
SIDE SHO

And no, I didn't misspell the last one.

I saw the first COCAINE COWBOYS, which is based on a true story, as is this one. This is about Griselda Blanco, the coke trafficker in Miami who was basically responsible (they think) for the murder of hundreds and hundreds of people as she furthered her cocaine empire. The story is told through the point of view of Charles Cosby, her lover (until his betrayal). No, the first one wasn't all that good, but it served its purpose on the shelf as a good renter. A bit over the top, as I'm sure this one is, if not more. Entertainment Weekly writes, "The 'Godmother' makes Tony Montana look like Mother Teresa." What that tells me, other than the fact that the journalist who wrote that is super clever and witty (drip drip) is that they probably needed to take this one to the extreme to keep the viewing public interested. Can you say "shock value"? (rhetorical) It's not rated.

DOOMSDAY-R/UR for some strong bloody violence, language, and some sexual content/nudity. Starring Rhona Mitra, Bob Hoskins, Adrian Lester, David O'Hara, and Malcolm Mcdowell. Action/Sci-Fi. You know, the typical doomsday (as the name so appropriately suggest), the-whole-world-is-going-to-end-unless-one-select-person-can-save-us-from-this-government-made-killer-virus type movie. Yes, you've seen it before. At least I think that's what happens. It was in the theatre a long time ago, and you know I see a lot of movies, and that plot has been used before… they all get a little jumbled in here [pointing to my head]. I didn't hate it, even though it really wasn't by my choice that we saw it. It was a little over the top with the crazy characters, and the cannibalism thing was a little gross. The movie would have been just as fine without people eating people. I would have been fine with that. Other than that part, it was a pretty good movie. Lots of blood, lots of chasing, fighting, smashing, exploding, and of course, some subplots with love interests for those wives that got drug along to see it by their action-crazed husbands. Not naming names. (You know I'm kidding, I'm the first to jump for an action flick, and you couldn't pay me to see a chick flick.) I guess of all the movies available to see this week, I'd pick this one. But don't go around saying, "The crazy VV girl said Doomsday was great!" because that's not what I said. I said, given the competition, this is what I'd see, and the competition isn't competing very hard.

HAROLD AND KUMAR-R for strong crude and sexual content, graphic nudity, pervasive language, and drug use. Starring John Cho and Kal Penn. Now, let me just take a moment and redirect you to the reasons for which it is rated R. Any flags? Not sexual content. STRONG sexual content. Not for nudity, but for GRAPHIC nudity. Not for language, or for strong language, but for PERVASIVE language (we've had this discussion before about the difference, right?). Now, combine all that with the fact that it probably isn't a good movie to begin with, and I just fail to see the draw at all. I might sit through an Fyou or two for a REALLY good movie once in a while. But for this trash? They probably say it every two seconds to get the "pervasive" notation. Anyway, I'm sure you've seen the trailer, which probably sums up the entire movie very adequately. So I guess I don't feel the need to summarize for you.

NEVER BACK DOWN – PG13 for mature thematic material involving intense sequences of fighting, violence, some sexuality, partying and language-all involving teens. Starring Sean Faris, Amber Heard, Cam Gigandet, Evan Peters, Leslie Hope, and Djimon Hounsou. Action/Drama. Yes, his name is really Djimon. Like Digimon? That's not funny to you if you don't have kids or don't play with Pokemon. This is like Karate Kid for 2008. Only this kid is a little more masculine than pretty boy Ralph. It's like the identical story, no kidding. Whoever wrote the screenplay for Karate Kid should sue. I haven't seen this, but I'm sure I will because I have teenage daughters in the house. I'm guessing they might want to see this? That is it's targeted demographic. I saw the trailer and it looked cheesy and somewhat entertaining. I'm sure it hit the mark for its intended audience.

ROLLING STONES SHINE A LIGHT- PG13 for brief strong language, drug references and smoking. This was the one in IMAX everywhere. I didn't bother to see it. I'm not a huge Stones fan, but can deny their contribution to the music industry. Probably made for a decent story, but not on my must-see list.

SIDE SHO-R for horror violence/gore, language, some sexuality/nudity, and brief drug use. Horror. Stop me if you've seen this one…"A suburban family on vacation in the backwoods of Florida ventures off the beaten path…" Every horror movie made? Well, they stumble on a roadside attraction that has a dark secret… "the most twisted show on earth" this is the winner of the best feature film of the terror film festival, along with the best soundtrack. From Lucky Kitty Productions. That amused me. Of course, this looks downright gory and silly. Die hard gore fans will love it.