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New in Blu: 'The Expendables' and 'Eat Pray Love'
The last Tuesday before Thanksgiving is an interesting release date for movies. You'd think that with the holiday right around the corner, distributors would capitalize on the impending family time by putting out new releases perfect for a group watch on Thanksgiving. That's not the case, though. More realistically, distributors keep a low profile this Tuesday out of fear that Black Friday's deals will overshadow any new releases. After all, they can't exactly afford to put their brand new films on huge sales, so it's best to just wait until the dust settles on the season's biggest day of discounts.
So that's a roundabout way of saying it's kind of a crappy week for new Blu-rays. Criterion has a new box set out that sounds, unsurprisingly, like it demands to be an essential part of any film collection, but beyond that it's a fairly uneventful retail day, sadly.
Top Shelf - Any elaborate collector's editions or box sets.
Middle Shelf - Standard releases of fairly well known movies available at a reasonable price.
Bottom Shelf - Titles that are either A) suspiciously cheap or B) being released with very little fanfare.
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Top Shelf
America Lost and Found: The BBS Story ($87.49, Criterion)
The Movies: This is a Criterion Collection that contains Easy Rider, Head, Five Easy Pieces, Drive, He Said, A Safe Place, The Last Picture Show, and The King of Marvin Gardens. If any of those names ring a bell, you've probably got a pretty good idea of how special this box set is. If they don't ring a bell, this is a perfect way to get a concise education on influential films from the late '60s and early '70s on the (relative) cheap.
The Features: Considering this is a Criterion release, I simply couldn't fit all of the special features found within in a brief little overview. Instead, I point you towards Moises Chiullan's thorough review of the set.
Who Should Buy It: Anyone with even a vague interest in how one company, with only a handful of films, can make such a big impact on Hollywood. The $87.49 price tag may seem steep, but considering that averages out to less than $13 per movie, it's a damned good deal.
BUY IT HERE!
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Middle Shelf
The Complete Metropolis ($29.49, Kino)
The Movie: Fritz Lang's seminal sci-fi film Metropolis has been available in various formats for years, but this new release is the first time you can own the complete cut of the film-- a cut that was believed to have been lost to the ages decades ago until it was discovered in South America. Now whether or not the additional 25 minutes of restored footage makes Lang's film a substantially better depiction of a society isolating itself from within is a matter of opinion, but even if you prefer the shorter cut of the film, this is the first time it's available on Blu-ray.
The Features: In addition to the longer cut of the film, Kino's release includes a 50-minute documentary about the quest to restore Metropolis, which will no doubt be as must-watch for anyone interested in this set.
Who Should Buy It: Film buffs and lovers of silent film.
BUY IT HERE!
The Disappearance of Alice Creed ($25.99, Anchor Bay)
The Movie: I unfortunately missed The Disappearance of Alice Creed when it played in limited release earlier this year, but I've heard good things about this little British thriller about two not-too-bright thugs who attempt to bag a big ransom for the titular girl they've kidnapped. Bonus: Gemma Arterton is reportedly all kinds of naked periodically throughout the film.
The Features: Looks like it has the standard set of a feature length commentary and a few featurettes.
Who Should Buy It: People who dig gritty thrillers and/or people that like seeing Gemma Arterton naked.
BUY IT HERE!
The Expendables ($24.99, Lionsgate)
The Movie: No real introduction to The Expendables is necessary. Everyone knows what it's all about and chances are if you ever had any plans to see it, you already caught it in theaters. If you loved it, you loved it; if you didn't, me saying that it's a fun flick despite not rising anywhere its full potential isn't going to make you like it any more.
The Features: Lionsgate did a good job of packing this disc with tons of goodies, the most prominent of which is a picture-in-picture BonusView that plays along side with the film and features Stallone and company explaining how the film was made.
Who Should Buy It: Anyone who loved The Expendables, quite simply. This disc is filled with fantastic features, so there's no need to hold out for a collector's edition.
BUY IT HERE!
Flipped ($25.99, Warner Bros.)
The Movie: Rob Reiner's career of late has steered wide of the classics he made in the '80s (Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, Misery), but judging from the critical reaction Flipped got over the summer, his little tale about young love is a big step back in the right direction.
The Features: A little light, really, as it looks to sport only a few, quick extras.
Who Should Buy It: Couples who want a cute romance that isn't too chic flick-y.
BUY IT HERE!
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Bottom Shelf
Eat Pray Love ($19.99, Sony)
The Movie: Julia Roberts rediscovers her womanhood as she travels across Europe and Asia. If that sounds appealing to you, chances are Eat Pray Love is right up your alley. If it doesn't, chances are this big budget Lifetime Channel movie is everything you fear it to be.
The Features: A handful of little making-of stuff as well the film's official music video.
Who Should Buy It: Middle aged divorcees.
BUY IT HERE!