Page 56 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Observer Showbiz
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Movies, DVDs
With James Sherlock
Reviews by Aaron Rourke
What’s Hot and What’s Not On DVD and Blu-Ray
● Comic legend Billy Connolly shows no signs of slowing up on his latest trek across America's famed Route 66, a wonderfully funny, truly fascinating and even haunting journey that must not be missed. FILM: Billy Connolly's ROUTE 66: Cast: Billy Connolly. Genre: Comedy/TV. Year: 2011. Rating: M. Running Time: 181 Minutes. Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: ***1/2 Verdict: Legendary comic Billy Connolly takes us on another fascinating and laugh filled journey, this time travelling one of the world s most famous highways, Route 66, a 2488 mile trike trip from Chicago to Santa Monica. At 70, there seems to be no slowing down as his passion for the wonders and people of this planet are unparalleled, and this superb new four part documentary series that is sure to delight, entertain and enthral in his own unique and unforgettable way. FILM: BOARDWALK EMPIRE - Season Two: Cast: Steve Buscemi, Kelly MacDonald, Michael Pitt. Genre: Crime/Drama/TV. Year: 2010/2011. Rating: R18+. Running Time: Assorted Running Times. Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: ***1/2 Verdict: Excellent cast, direction, production design and intelligent writing continues with season two of this intense, moody character driven epic gangster series that chronicles the life and times of the undisputed ruler of Atlantic City during the prohibition era, who was equal parts politician and gangster. Produced by legendary Oscar winning director Martin Scorsese and Mark Wahlberg, this is a potent slice of adult entertainment that is a fine addition to the genre. FILM: THE MIST: Cast: Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden. Genre: Horror/Drama. Year: 2007. Rating: MA15+. Running Time: 126 Minutes. Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: **** Verdict: Top notch horror-thriller of a freak storm that unleashes a species of bloodthirsty creatures on a small town, where a small band of citizens hole up in a supermarket and fight for their lives. A genuine edge-of-your-seat chiller brimming with nail-biting moments of schrill shreaking horror, dark humour, plenty of twists and even a homage to horror cinema, all brought vividly to life from Frank Darabont, the director of The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile. FILM: CLUE: Cast: Tim Curry, Eileen Brennan, Lesley Ann Warren, Madeline Kahn. Genre: Comedy. Year: 1985. Rating: PG. Running Time: 94 Minutes. Format: DVD. Stars: *** Verdict: Fun filled little romp of six guests who are invited to a strange house and must cooperate with the staff to solve a murder mystery. A who-done-it? similar to the outstanding Sleuth and the hilarious all-starcast comedy Murder by Death, but sadly lacking the bite and spark that those deliver in spades. However, it does has some delightful moments thanks to the talents of a fine cast, who are seen to be enjoying themselves enormously.
Melbourne
Observer
Top 10 Lists THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE'S MOST WANTED. 2. HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA. 3. THE WATCH. 4. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID - DOG DAYS. 5. RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION. 6. KATH & KIMDERELLA. 7. RUBY SPARKS. 8. THE SAPPHIRES. 9. THE EXPENDABLES 2. 10. BAIT.
● Ezra Miller from the film After School Leon is to investigate rumours that Bio Organic Weapons are being used, ■ (MA). 103 minutes.Available now where vicious creatures are controlled by humans infected with a particular on DVD. Provocative and quietly unsettling, virus. Teaming up with rebel fighters, After School is a disturbing drama that Leon sees that the infection has spread, manages to get under your skin. Ezra Miller stars as Robert, a quiet turning many citizens into zombies, teenager who is studying at an elite making his mission even more difficult. boarding school. Despite clunky dialogue and oneEasily bullied by his so-called friends, Robert's only real compan- note characters, Resident Evil : Damion seems to be his computer, where nation still proves entertaining, thanks he roams the internet looking for vid- to an interesting, globally revelent seteos that are becoming increasingly up and some impressive animation. Landscapes are convincing, and hard-edged. Nobody can say or do anything any- the action scenes are well-handled, more without someone recording it and and are frequent enough to make sure the film doesn't bog down. posting it on-line. The big disappointment is that the When Robert accidently films the drug overdose of two popular girls, film was never released in its original the school goes into damage control, 3D format, as many compositions and and Robert's state-of-mind becomes scenes would have benefited greatly fractured and dangerously discon- from the 3D experience. RATING - *** nected. Co-editor/writer/director Antonio Campos creates an incredibly suffocating atmosphere, showing Robert and other students existing in an emotional vacuum, where social media is the guiding, developing force in their ■ (G). 82 minutes. Available now on DVD. lives. This informative, insightful docuMolded by easily accessible modern technology, which gives these mentary will certainly have you cravyoung people the ability to say, do, ing for food when the end credits berecord, and watch anything (rather gin to roll. The subject is Jiro Ono, who is than engaging in genuine, positive human contact), this is a new genera- regarded around the world as the numtion where going to extremes is just a ber one sushi chef. Having perfected his craft over six normal way of life. Reminiscent in style and tone of decades, Jiro attracts customers from film-makers Michael Haneke (Hidden all over the globe, and has even re/ The White Ribbon) and early Atom ceived the highest star-rating from Egoyan (especially Speaking Parts), Michelin, making his unassuming, 10 and featuring a strong performance seat restaurant an extremely popular from Miller (who is better here than eating destination (people have to he was in the over-the-top We Need book months in advance). We see the relationships between To Talk About Kevin) makes After School a challenging film that de- Jiro and his two sons (who have also become successful sushi chefs), the serves to be seen. small group of apprentices, food critRATING - **** ics, and of course the customers who can't get enough of his tasty creations. Director David Gelb doesn't force himself into the lives of these people, a mistake a lot of modern documen■ (MA). 96 minutes. Available now tary film-makers make, and instead keenly observes, drawing out their on DVD and Blu-Ray. The Resident Evil juggernaut con- feelings and views about a line of work tinues, with this computer-animated they are obviously passionate about. From the crowded fish markets to feature the latest to hit DVD shelves. restaurant, we are immersed in A follow-up to the 2008 CGI film Jiro's the meticulous process that has made Resident Evil : Degeneration rather this chef a world-renowned master. than the live-action series starring RATING **** Milla Jovovich, this has U.S Special ■ DVDs and Blu-Rays kindly supAgent Leon Kennedy being secretly plied by Video Vision, 177-179 dropped into a small East-European Carlisle Street, Balaclava. For inforcountry, where civil war has broken mation or bookings on these titles out between rebel fighters and the op- please call 9531 2544. - Aaron Rourke pressive government.
After School
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Resident Evil: Damnation
NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: SEPTEMBER 27: ARBITRAGE, LOOPER, ON THE ROAD, TAI CHI 0. OCTOBER 4: I WISH, MENTAL, SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN, TAKEN 2. THE DVD TOP SELLERS: 1. DARK SHADOWS [Horror/Comedy/Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter, Michelle Pfeiffer]. 2. THE AVENGERS [Action/Adventure/Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner]. 3. MEN IN BLACK 3 [Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin]. 4. MIRROR MIRROR [Family/Julia Roberts, Armie Hammer]. 5. THE HUNGER GAMES [Action/ Jennifer Lawrence, Woody Harrelson]. 6. THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL [Comedy/Drama/Judi Dench, Bill Nighy]. 7. THE FIVE YEAR ENGAGEMENT [Comedy/Emily Blunt, Jason Segel]. 8. THE WOMAN IN BLACK [Horror/Daniel Radcliffe, Ciaran Hinds, Janet McTeer]. 9. THE WAY [Drama/Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez, James Nesbitt]. 10. AMERICAN PIE: REUNION [Comedy/Jason Biggs, Eugene Levy, Chris Klein]. Also: BEL AMI, THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS, THE LADY, SAFE, SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN, BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA 3: Viva La Fiesta, W.E. THIS MEANS WAR, BATTLESHIP, 21 JUMP STREET. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD THIS WEEK: IRON SKY [Science Fiction/Udo Kier, Julia Dietze]. THE RAVEN [Thriller/John Cusack, Brendan Gleeson, Luke Evans]. WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING [Comedy/Cameron Diaz]. THE DICTATOR [Comedy/Sacha Baron Cohen, Megan Fox]. NEW & RE-RELEASE CLASSICS ON DVD HIGHLIGHTS: THE MIST [Horror/Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden]. CAN'T STOP THE MUSIC [Musical/Comedy/Steve Guttenberg, The Village People]. ROMPER STOMPER: 20th Anniversary Edition [Drama/Russell Crowe]. TOWN WITHOUT PITY [Drama/Kirk Douglas]. LONELY ARE THE BRAVE/Western/ Drama/Kirk Douglas]. BARBARELLA: [Science Fiction/ Jane Fonda]. Turn To Page 59