DVD Picks of the Week: January 12, 2010

It took a really great week of DVDs and Blu-rays to get me to make my first picks of the week entry of 2010, but nonetheless, I'm here. Let's get started.

In the Loop [DVD][Blu-ray]

I'm pretty certain that In the Loop is going to remain my favorite film of 2009. Coupled with the return of the related television show The Thick of It (both feature a few of the same characters and actors), creator Armando Iannucci had his hands full of comedy in 2009. The film and show are both led by vulgar fire-breathing spin doctor Malcolm Tucker (played brilliantly by Peter Capaldi). Tucker is a man that cusses like no one else and is credited with some of the more unique ways of telling someone off. In the Loop, a political satire of both the American and British governments, is a fast-paced comedy that in my eyes lands at the top of the list for 2009.

The Hurt Locker [DVD][Blu-ray]

One of the very best films of 2009 and a masterpiece of the war genre, Kathryn Bigelow's tense war thriller should be on the ballot come Oscar season. Jeremy Renner's lead performance is the sign of a rising star and shouldn't go unnoticed. The Hurt Locker is one of the true "edge-of-your-seat" films of the year.

Moon [DVD][Blu-ray]

Sam Rockwell, directed by David Bowie's son, Duncan Jones, turns in a captivating performance as a man stranded on a mining facility on the moon. Today is just a great day for some of the best films of 2009 to be available for purchase and home viewing. Moon is one of the better science fiction pieces of the decade as its aided by keen directing, a sharp screenplay and an eerie and unsettling mood of paranoia.

Departures [DVD]

A film I have yet to see but have just requested off of Netflix, Departures won the award for best foreign film at the 2009 Oscars. The Japanese film apparently follows a newly unemployed cellist who accepts a job preparing the dead for their funerals.

8 1/2 [Criterion Blu-ray]

8 1/2 will always have a special place in my heart. It was one of the first Criterion's I ever saw and the very first Fellini film I ever saw. At the beginning of my adventure into foreign films, few struck me as hard as this one. Perhaps only a couple of Ingmar Bergman titles have exceeded it. Watching 8 1/2 for the first time is a magical experience, something not created by most other films. And now having it available is crisp Blu-ray? What more can you ask for? I urge all newcomers to go out and get this film.

Big Fan [DVD]

I popped in Big Fan the other night and came away impressed. The film was directed and written by Robert Siegel, the man responsible for the screenplay to last year's critically-acclaimed film The Wrestler. Siegel certainly has something of a claim on the brooding loser genre. Big Fan is a darkly funny film starring Patton Oswalt in a challenging performance he might have been born for. Must see film for fans of films and sports. Those that live in the New York Metropolitan area, or even in Connecticut like myself, will appreciate the realism around the obsessed fans and late night radio show callers.

The Brothers Bloom [DVD][Blu-ray]

It seems like it took The Brothers Bloom long enough to be released. I still haven't seen it, but I'm making sure that I do eventually. Stars Rachel Weisz, Adrien Brody, and Mark Ruffalo.

The House On Sorority Row [DVD]

I feel like this should have been released at the same time the remake made its ways into theaters. A remake that is different enough from its original that its possible to enjoy as fresh content. The remake, Sorority Row, also took itself as least serious as possible, which was great for the film in the long run. The original is a good film as well, one of the unheralded slasher classics of the 1980s.

What else comes out this week: The Simpsons: The Complete Twentieth Season, I Can Do Bad All By Myself, Fame, Halloween II, Last Action Hero [Blu-ray], The Burning Plain, Passing Strange, Amreeka, Urban Action Collection: 4 Film Favorites, Billy Jack [Blu-ray].

What to stay away from: CockHammer? Maybe? We'll find out.

Wrap Up of Films Watched in November 2009

Nope, I didn't forget this feature, I'm just late. November was a pretty weak month from my part. The year is drawing to a close and the energy is growing low. I only watched 13 films this month. Here's the tally and awards.

October
256. 11/3 – Easy Rider*
257. 11/6 – The Men Who Stare at Goats*
258. 11/6 – (500) Days of Summer*
259. 11/6 – Whatever Works*
260. 11/14 – The Boat That Rocked*
261. 11/14 – The Limits of Control*
262. 11/14 – Swimming with Sharks*
263. 11/17 – Moon*
264. 11/20 – Naked Lunch
265. 11/20 – In the Loop
266. 11/21 – The Hangover
267. 11/25 – Wise Blood
268. 11/29 – Thirst*

Best Film (New Viewing): Moon
I loved absolutely everything about Duncan Jones' isolated science fiction thriller, from the extraordinary visuals to the stellar acting from Sam Rockwell. This is one of 2009's best films and a must-see film.
Runners-up: Easy Rider, Thirst, The Men Who Stare at Goats.

Best Film (Repeated Viewing): In the Loop
The best film of the year (so far)! Watch this, dam you. And then watch The Thick of It from start to where it's at right now. You won't be sorry. I just wish the Oscar buzz train was rolling for Peter Capaldi.
Runners-up: Wise Blood, Naked Lunch.

Worst Film (Any Viewing): None.
Sorry, but I enjoyed it all this month. So don't tell me "Oh, something has to be the worst!" That isn't the intention of this slot.

Most Surprising Film and Most Underrated Film: Swimming with Sharks
Yeah, it wins both of these, so to save space and time I'll condense it to one slot. Swimming with Sharks was a $2 blind buy for me at Big Lots and I couldn't have been happier with the outcome. I'll be posting my "Netflix It" piece I wrote on the film for The Recorder shortly.

Wrap Up of Films Watched in August of 2009

So long summer, hello school. That seems to be the common theme of discussion in my age group so I'll stick to it too. Classes have started and I really can't believe it's already September. Time is even more amazing when you're keeping track of things like I have been with my films watched list.

August turned out to be a real solid month, with tons of new discoveries and a few nice repeats. In total, I viewed 25 films bringing my total on the year to 209 films. Anyways, on with the list. As always, * denotes a first time viewing and all links lead to IMDB pages for the specific film.

185. 8/1 – Near Dark*
186. 8/1 – Two-Lane Blacktop*
187. 8/1 – Coraline*
188. 8/2 – The Unbearable Lightness of Being*
189. 8/3 – Last Year at Marienbad*
190. 8/3 – Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai*
191. 8/4 – The Squid and the Whale*
192. 8/4 – Funny People*
193. 8/8 – Adventureland
194. 8/9 – Mystery Train*
195. 8/9 – Autumn Sonata*
196. 8/15 – Youth of the Beast*
197. 8/16 – Coffee and Cigarettes*
198. 8/16 – The Inglorious Bastards
199. 8/17 – In the Loop
200. 8/17 – The Big Empty*
201. 8/18 – Alien Trespass*
202. 8/18 – Step Brothers*
203. 8/21 – Romeo is Bleeding*
204. 8/25 – District 9*
205. 8/26 – The Indian Runner*
206. 8/28 – Bruno*
207. 8/29 – Inglourious Basterds*
208. 8/29 – Antichrist*
209. 8/31 – The Cranes are Flying*

Best Film (New Viewing): Autumn Sonata
Yes, I picked the film from my favorite director. No, it wasn't an easy decision. Day by day it seems like films were either topping previous bests or coming very close, right up until the last day of August with the groundbreaking The Cranes are Flying. Still, Bergman paints portraits of the human condition better than anyone, and Autumn Sonata is another example of that. The film features some great performances, especially from Ingrid Bergman (in her only piece of work with the director Bergman) and Liv Ullmann.
Runners-up: The Unbearable Lightness of Being, The Cranes are Flying, Inglourious Basterds, Antichrist, Last Year at Marienbad, District 9.

Best Film (Repeated Viewing): In the Loop
Yes, the best film that was a repeated view was last months best new viewing. This shouldn't be a shocker, really, as In the Loop still stands as one of the best and most clever films of 2009. Do yourself a favor and don't let this film slip by your radar. I've already said so much on this film, that I'll leave it at that.
Runners-up: Adventureland.

Worst Film (Any Viewing): Step Brothers
Not a bad film, and still funny at times, Step Brothers is inevitably just another morphed version of the typical humor we've come to expect. Nothing about the film struck me enough to really think it'd be worth watching again. Again, there are comedies less funny than this one, but you can do so much better.
Runners-up: None.

Most Surprising Film: Youth of the Beast
Such a stylish blend of the American film noir and Japanese yakuza films. I didn't know what to get out of this, but it turned out to be a lot. A visionary effort with striking and revolutionary imagery, this film has been a favorite of many of America's favorite directors.
Runners-up: Mystery Train, The Indian Runner.

Most Underrated Film: Romeo is Bleeding
One of the most underrated films of the last 15 years or so. It's like a painful and bloody train wreck of a story you just can't look away from. Gary Oldman is absolutely terrific and the visual flair conceived is downright nightmarish at times.
Runners-up: Last Year at Marienbad, The Indian Runner, Ghost Dog.

Wrap Up of Films Watched in July of 2009

I have finally found the time to sit down and look back on the films I watched in the month of July. The meat of the summer brought a lot of good films to my attention. In addition, most of my viewings were new viewings, with only one repeat viewing. This is what Netflix and a love for buying DVDs brings to someone.

I watched a total of 22 films over the course of July, a rather admiral number if I must say so myself. On to the list. * denotes a first time viewing and all links lead to IMDB pages for the specific film.

January
February
March
April
May
June
163. 7/2 – Public Enemies*
164. 7/3 – I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang*
165. 7/4 – Mr. Smith Goes to Washington*
166. 7/4 – MST3K: Final Justice*
167. 7/5 – Jackie Brown*
168. 7/6 – Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid*
169. 7/10 – Woodstock, 3 Days of Peace & Music*
170. 7/12 – I’m Not There*
171. 7/14 – Play Misty for Me*
172. 7/18 – Don’t Look Back*
173. 7/18 – Down by Law*
174. 7/19 – Almost Famous*
175. 7/20 – Bronson*
176. 7/21 – Trainspotting
177. 7/22 – Stranger Than Paradise*
178. 7/25 – I Love You, Man*
179. 7/25 – Big Time*
180. 7/26 – In the Loop*
181. 7/28 – Night on Earth*
182. 7/29 – Watchmen (Director’s Cut)*
183. 7/30 – The Hurt Locker*
184. 7/31 – Ivan’s Childhood*

Best Film (New Viewing): In the Loop
This was a tough choice. In the Loop is one of the best films to be released in 2009. It's smart satire filled with quick, biting and unrelenting humor. The film is an insider's look at the on goings in lower level government in both Britain and the United States. It's not quite the president, but these people certainly make important decisions. The absurdity, stupidity and downright audacity of the characters are entertaining enough, and this is without the witty and snappy dialogue. I could have picked a few films from the list to give this award to, but I felt In the Loop was the most impressive in its own way. Certainly, a few of the films I saw are more heralded classics and a few others might hold more "intellectual" substance, but this particular film was a surprising and remarkable treat.
Runners-up: The Hurt Locker, Ivan's Childhood, Down by Law, I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Best Film (Repeated Viewing): Trainspotting
It was the only film I watched that I saw before, so it's a gimme. But even if I had seen a good amount of other films, this still might be my pick. It's a startling and stylish tale of drug addiction from Danny Boyle, and overall is one of his most impressive films of his career.

Worst Film (Any Viewing): Final Justice
I mean, the Mystery Science Theater 3000 riffing of the film was truly brilliant. The actual film? Of course it was terrible. So I guess for the sake of picking something, I'll go with this. Everything else on the list is far too good to stick next to the word worst in any situation.

Most Surprising Film: Bronson
The trailer for Bronson played like a sort of action/brawler film. The actual film, not so much. More of a character study of a very dangerous and troubled man, Bronson offers insight into the character without any of the glamorizing of violence that one might think a stylish and loud film like this might. I expected good things, but I didn't expect to get what I got. With great intention, the film is an impressive and forcing study of unrelenting nature.
Runners-up: Down by Law, Night on Earth, Stranger than Paradise.

Most Disappointing Film: Woodstock, 3 Days of Peace, Love & Music
This was a fairly good film documenting the first ever Woodstock festival, but it wasn't quite what I was looking for. The extended director's cut is very long and features a lot of great imagery detailing a fascinating and lost era. All this is great, but it didn't always captivate me. Some moments are fascinating, such as the warning over the P.A. system for folks to stay away from a certain bad drug that was being passed around. Others, such as random hippies dancing, were mostly filler. It's an impressive time capsule, but not quite the execution I enjoy.
Runners-up: None

Most Underrated Film: I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang
Back in July I wrote about why I'm such a fan of the fugitive, and you can read all that here. This is a rather old film, but holds to be very impressive even to this day. It's highly influential, and for good reason. Do yourself a favor and take a look at this one.
Runners-up: Play Misty for Me, Down by Law, Ivan's Childhood.