Highbrow Magazine - Ben Stiller https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/ben-stiller en A Look Back at Walter Mitty https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/8488-look-back-walter-mitty <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/books-fiction" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Books &amp; Fiction</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Sun, 09/17/2017 - 13:12</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1waltermitty.jpg?itok=RVjCxXWJ"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1waltermitty.jpg?itok=RVjCxXWJ" width="480" height="270" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p>Perhaps one of the benefits of a culture ravenously looking backward for old things to make new again is the occasional adaptation of an old story into a movie. While adaptation itself is, like translation, is an art form, it's not always easy to evaluate. Should we sacrifice artistic license on the altar of fidelity? It's no secret that there's no easy answer to this and other questions of artistic value in adaptations.</p> <p> </p> <p>While some might see this as a bad thing, it has helped to put more art in front of more eyes: <em>Hamlet</em> adaptations didn't end with Lawrence Olivier, and there's much to be said in favor of the adaptation starring Mel Gibson, even if the more mischievous viewer dwells on the question of whether it is not Mel Gibson who is mad as opposed to the Danish prince he's playing (how's that for meta?).</p> <p> </p> <p>A recent adaptation which really took wings and flew with its subject matter is definitely Ben Stiller's <em>The Secret Life of Walter Mitty</em>. Based loosely on a 1939 story by the beloved <em>New Yorker</em> humorist, James Thurber, Stiller's adaptation starts out with large goals. Before we can discuss this adaptation, though, it's probably best to get a look at its subject.</p> <p> </p> <p>While Thurber is generally considered a humorist, he has a bountiful capacity to write fiction of a darker mien. Stories like “The Lady on 142” and “The Catbird Seat” prove there's an edge to Thurber's mind. Walter Mitty is easily described as a henpecked husband who drifts into reveries to escape his wife. At first, it's easy to mistake the daydreams for flashbacks, but, on closer examination, they fall apart.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/2waltermitty.jpg" style="height:625px; width:440px" /></p> <p> </p> <p>Why would a flight captain be in full dress uniform? For the more technically inclined, a 50.80 handgun is almost a cannon. And the closeness of the “Von Richtman circus” to Von Richtoffen's flying circus, which was definitely popularly known due to flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker's memoir <em>Fighting the Flying Circus </em>and other World War One pieces that immortalized the Red Baron, Manfred von Richtoffen. But, my favorite, are the nonsense medical terms: “obstreosis of the ductal tract,” “streptothricosis,” and “coreopsis” all sound as though they've succumbed to sepsis due to contamination of bovigenic fecal matter.</p> <p> </p> <p>While Stiller's Mitty daydreams are well done, there is an issue. The Benjamin Button reverie is a little obvious, as is the train platform dream which appears to be Spider Man inspired. The Stretch Armstrong fight escalates quickly from action movie caliber violence to full-on cartoon absurdity. The difference between Thurber's approach and Stiller's is in subtlety. Thurber's Mitty is believable at a layman's first glance, but once the reader starts trying to substantiate details, the story falls apart; Stiller's, on the other hand, hits the viewer with a hefty dose of fiction quality material.</p> <p> </p> <p>For Stiller's adaptation, this poses a problem when Mitty is traveling through Greenland and Iceland. The storyline and action scenes are the type one would expect to lump with Mitty's earlier dreams, and yet here they are, with no discernible means of separating them from the realities Mitty creates in his head from that outside of Mitty. While Thurber provides us with some kind of cue, one reasonably easy to see, a sign for the reader to be in on the joke, Stiller leaves the viewer close to helpless.</p> <p> </p> <p>The general direction of the plots is also different. Thurber's Walter is trapped in a relationship — I hesitate to write it, but it appears a psychologically abusive relationship — that he uses his reveries, possibly subconsciously, to escape. Stiller's Mitty, on the other hand, through going out and doing things close to those he dreams about, seems to escape. This is illustrated by Stiller's Mitty being unable to locate slide 25, which captures the “quintessence of life,” until he has lived a life worth bragging about. It's almost an extended commercial for an adventure travel company.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/3waltermityy.jpg" style="height:351px; width:625px" /></p> <p> </p> <p>The choice between the red and blue car at the rental car lot is worthy of mention, if only because it almost candidly pulls the idea from the red pill of <em>The Matrix</em>. Two jelly bean, or pill, shaped cars, red and blue; the only thing missing is Lawrence Fishburne working the counter. Gone is the smirking subtlety of Thurber; now arriving, a brick of all too easily accessible metaphor — think fast.</p> <p> </p> <p>According to the Rotten Tomatoes “Critics Consensus,” “It doesn't lack for ambition, but <em>The Secret Life of Walter Mitty</em> fails to back up its grand designs with enough substance to anchor the spectacle.” While critics can often get caught up in the hate fest of critical takedowns, it appears this judgment has largely held true after reflection.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em>Adam Gravano is a contributing writer at </em>Highbrow Magazine.</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>For Highbrow Magazine</strong></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/james-thurber" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">james thurber</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/secret-life-walter-mitty" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">the secret life of walter mitty</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/new-yorker-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new yorker</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/ben-stiller" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ben Stiller</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/books" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">books</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/fiction" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">fiction</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/movies" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Movies</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Adam Gravano</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-photographer field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Photographer:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Google Images; Wikipedia Commons</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Sun, 17 Sep 2017 17:12:07 +0000 tara 7716 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/8488-look-back-walter-mitty#comments ‘Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb’ Arrives on Home Video https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/4800-night-museum-secret-tomb-arrives-dvd <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/film-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film &amp; TV</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Tue, 03/10/2015 - 11:34</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/Night%20at%20the%20Museum%20-%20Horizontal.jpg?itok=rkgEYEQc"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/Night%20at%20the%20Museum%20-%20Horizontal.jpg?itok=rkgEYEQc" width="480" height="316" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p>The latest entry in the “Night at the Museum” franchise is the only major theatrical release making its way to home video this week.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb</strong></p> <p><strong>2½ stars (out of four)<br /> Rated PG for mild action, some rude humor and brief language<br /> 20<sup>th</sup> Century Fox<br /> Available on: Blu-ray and DVD</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>“Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb,” like so many unnecessary sequels, isn’t so much bad as irrelevant.</p> <p> </p> <p>The film’s selling point is that it blends top-notch special effects and a family friendly story with an excellent cast that includes Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais and the late Robin Williams. The down side is that it fails to bring anything new to the table.</p> <p> </p> <p>Set after events depicted in “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian,” the movie focuses on a new crisis at the American Museum of Natural History. The magical tablet responsible for bringing museum exhibits to life has begun to mysteriously degrade, leaving museum guard Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) desperate to fix it before his exhibition friends lose the spark of life. Larry learns that his best shot is to travel to London where the parents of his Egyptian pal, Ahkmenrah (Rami Malek), are on display. The hope is that they can fix the tablet after Larry brings them to life with its remaining magic.</p> <p> </p> <p>Ultimately, this is little more than an excuse to transport favorite “Night at the Museum” characters to a new setting. This, of course, is the exact formula used to create the second film, meaning the screenwriting team couldn’t even be bothered to stray from the outline that creators Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant sketched last time.</p> <p> </p> <p>As in the earlier movies, there’s a lot of star power on screen, and the cast is terrific. It’s particularly nice, albeit a bit sad, to watch Williams recreate his charming reading of Teddy Roosevelt. The trouble is, viewers have seen this all before … twice.</p> <p> </p> <p>The only twist is the addition of new characters. Last time, viewers got Amy Adams as Amelia Earhart and Bill Hader as General George Custer. They’re both gone, but they’ve been replaced by Dan Stevens as the Arthurian knight Sir Lancelot and a prehistoric man who looks so much like Larry that Stiller is allowed to play a double role. The only other significant addition is a weak subplot about Larry’s son, Nick (Skyler Gisondo), who wants to become a club DJ instead of attending college.</p> <p> </p> <p>Director Shawn Levy has built his career around this franchise, and his effort is workmanlike. The production value is high, the cinematography is solid and the special effects are first rate. In fact, kids will probably never tire of watching a giant T-Rex skeleton bounce about like a puppy. What Levy doesn’t do – and it’s hard to pin this entirely on him – is improve on the lackluster storytelling.</p> <p> </p> <p>The saddest thing about these movies is that there was surely a way to do better. Considering the immense talent of the cast and the remarkable breadth of storytelling opportunities (we are talking about history coming to life), one wonders why all the creativity dried up after the first outing.</p> <p> </p> <p>Blu-ray and DVD extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette, photo galleries and deleted and extended scenes.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>ALSO OUT THIS WEEK</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“The Soft Skin”:</strong> Criterion Collection restoration of director François Truffaut’s 1964 drama about a respected academic (Jean Desailly) who begins an ill-advised affair with a stewardess (Françoise Dorléac). Presented in French with English subtitles. </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“The Liberator”:</strong> Édgar Ramírez plays South American revolutionary Simón Bolívar in this historical drama about the man’s life and political accomplishments. Directed by Alberto Arvelo. Presented in English and Spanish with English subtitles. </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“Sound of Music” – 50<sup>th</sup> Anniversary Edition:</strong> Twentieth Century Fox celebrates five decades of “The Sound of Music” with a five-disc set containing Blu-ray, DVD and digital versions of the feature. The release also contains more than 13 hours of bonus content, including a documentary about star Julie Andrews returning to Salzburg, where the movie was filmed.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“The Breakfast Club” – 30<sup>th</sup> Anniversary Edition:</strong> “The Breakfast Club” may not be the classic that “Sound of Music” is, but it did speak to a generation. The movie – starring Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Anthony Michael Hall and Ally Sheedy – is the signature work of writer-director John Hughes. Universal’s 30<sup>th</sup> anniversary release features a digitally remastered and restored version of the feature.  </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“Late Phases – Night of the Wolf”:</strong> Horror film about a blind veteran (Nick Damici) who faces off against the monstrous creature that kills his seeing-eye dog. Directed by Adrian Garcia Bogliano.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em>Forrest Hartman is an independent film critic whose byline has appeared in some of the nation's largest publications. For more of his work visit <a href="http://www.ForrestHartman.com">www.ForrestHartman.com</a>. </em></strong></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/night-museum" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">night at the museum</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/ben-stiller" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ben Stiller</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/new-dvd-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new on dvd</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/films" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">films</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/new-films" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new films</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Forrest Hartman</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Tue, 10 Mar 2015 15:34:35 +0000 tara 5805 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/4800-night-museum-secret-tomb-arrives-dvd#comments ‘Philomena,’ ‘Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ Arrive on Home Video https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/3910-philomena-secret-life-walter-mitty-arrive-home-video <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/film-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film &amp; TV</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Tue, 04/15/2014 - 09:40</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/Philomena%20-%20Horizontal.jpg?itok=BKU7hZyb"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/Philomena%20-%20Horizontal.jpg?itok=BKU7hZyb" width="480" height="319" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p>This week’s home video releases include comedies starring Ben Stiller and Ice Cube, as well as an excellent drama featuring Dame Judi Dench. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Philomena</strong></p> <p><strong>3½ stars (out of four)<br /> Rated PG-13 for some strong language, thematic elements and sexual references<br /> Anchor Bay<br /> Available on: Blu-ray, DVD, digital download and on demand</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>Judi Dench received her fifth best actress Oscar nomination for her portrayal of the title character in director Stephen Frears’ “Philomena.” The movie was inspired by Martin Sixsmith’s nonfiction book “The Lost Child of Philomena Lee,” and it tells the true story of the Irish woman’s quest to find the child taken from her when she was a teen.</p> <p> </p> <p>In the early 1950s, Philomena became pregnant and was sent to live in a Catholic convent. While she was there, her young son was given to adoptive parents from America.</p> <p> </p> <p>Frears’ movie departs substantially from the book while telling a fascinating tale of motherly love and indicting the Catholic Church’s operation of Magdalene laundries. These facilities, which were designed as rehabilitation centers for unwed mothers, often operated like prisons, and Philomena’s story puts a face to the tragedy many young women endured.</p> <p> </p> <p>In the film, Sixmith (portrayed winningly by Steve Coogan), a journalist, learns that the now elderly Philomena wants to find her lost son. He decides this will make a compelling human-interest story, so he accompanies her as she attempts to track the child.    </p> <p> </p> <p>Dench is best known for playing steely, in-charge women, but Philomena is different. Although determined to find her son, she continues to harbor guilt about her pregnancy and remains devoted to the Catholic Church. Sixmith doesn’t understand this, and he is sometimes confrontational with both Philomena and the nuns who refuse to help. This adds dramatic tension to the story and makes it easy for viewers of varied backgrounds to relate to the characters.  </p> <p> </p> <p>Frears has made a number of fine movies, including “The Queen,” “Dirty Pretty Things” and “High Fidelity.” “Philomena” can stand proudly alongside each of these.      </p> <p> </p> <p>Blu-ray and DVD extras include an audio commentary and featurettes about Dench, Coogan and the real Philomena Lee.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/1mitty.jpg" style="height:428px; width:625px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>The Secret Life of Walter Mitty</strong></p> <p><strong>3½ stars<br /> Rated PG for some crude comments, language and action violence<br /> 20<sup>th</sup> Century Fox<br /> Available on: Blu-ray, DVD and digital download</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” is a showcase for Ben Stiller, the movie’s producer, director and star. It’s also one of the finest films of his career.</p> <p> </p> <p>Based loosely on James Thurber’s 1939 short story and an earlier, 1947 movie version, “Mitty” focuses on Walter (Stiller), a mild-mannered <em>Life</em> magazine employee with a tendency to daydream. The film is set during <em>Life’s</em> transition from a print publication to an online presence, and Walter faces chaos through much of the picture.</p> <p> </p> <p>Life employees are in danger of losing their jobs due to the digital transition, and Walter feels like a particular target because a new executive (Adam Scott) is amused by his tendency to zone out. Things get worse when Walter realizes he’s lost the negative to a cover shot by famous photographer Sean O’Connell (Sean Penn).</p> <p> </p> <p>Because O’Connell is always travelling and doesn’t carry a cellular phone, Walter is forced to track him like a detective, a process that makes the man embrace the real world rather than living in his dreams. The movie also contains a nice romantic subplot involving Walter and a coworker (Kristen Wiig).</p> <p> </p> <p>Stiller is always a winning presence, but subpar scripts plague him.  With “Mitty,” everything comes together. The story is funny and engaging, Stiller’s direction is tight and competent and his performance is terrific. The movie is also unique – particularly among Stiller’s work – in that it rarely gets crude while hunting for laughs. Movies that are adult enough for parents, yet tame enough for young ones, are a rarity, but “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” fits the bill.</p> <p> </p> <p>Blu-ray and DVD extras include a photo gallery and several behind-the-scenes features.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/nutjob.jpg" style="height:352px; width:625px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>The Nut Job</strong></p> <p><strong>2½ stars<br /> Rated PG for mild action and rude humor<br /> Universal<br /> Available on: Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, DVD, digital download and on demand</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>“The Nut Job” has a lot going for it in terms of voice acting and animation. Unfortunately, the film is saddled with an inconsequential and predictable script that places it in the second tier of animated movies.  </p> <p> </p> <p>The story focuses on a squirrel named Surly who likes to do things his own way. Although he is extremely clever, most fellow animals view him as a dangerous maverick, and he is ultimately banned from the park where they live. The tide turns when Surly discovers an inner-city nut store that a group of bank robbers are using as a front.</p> <p> </p> <p>Convinced that the store can eliminate their food concerns, the park animals agree to work with Surly in an effort to steal nuts. In the meantime, the human robbers plan a bank heist.</p> <p> </p> <p>It’s clever that co-writer and director Peter Lepeniotis decided to set the nut theft against a robbery by human beings, but little else is novel. Avid animation fans have seen countless characters with Surly’s traits, and the story plays out exactly as one would predict.</p> <p> </p> <p>For kids, this may be OK. The colorful animation and high-energy voice work by Will Arnett, Brendan Fraser, Liam Neeson, Katherine Heigl and Maya Rudolph should maintain their attention. What’s missing is complexity.</p> <p> </p> <p>Today’s better, animated movies have layers and layers of material to unearth, but “The Nut Job” is as basic as a picture gets.</p> <p> </p> <p>Blu-ray and DVD extras include two short, animated films.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/ridealong.jpg" style="height:469px; width:625px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Ride Along</strong></p> <p><strong>1 star<br /> Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence, sexual content and brief strong language<br /> Universal<br /> Available on: Blu-ray, DVD, digital download and on demand</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>If you need proof that a movie needn’t be good to land a sequel, look no further than “Ride Along.” The comedy was a success at the box office, grossing about $135 million on a $25 million budget. It is not, however, an artistic winner. </p> <p> </p> <p>The film centers on Ben Barber (Kevin Hart), a loud-mouthed, video game aficionado who wants to become a police officer and marry his beautiful girlfriend, Angela (Tika Sumpter). The only trouble is, she wants him to get the blessing of her hard-edged brother, James (Ice Cube).</p> <p> </p> <p>James is already an Atlanta Police detective, and he doesn’t think Ben has what it takes to become a cop or keep his sister happy. So, James proposes that Ben accompany him on a ride along in order to prove that he has the right stuff. Of course, James also stacks the deck against his potential brother-in-law.</p> <p> </p> <p>“Ride Along” is another tired variation on the buddy cop formula, and about the only thing it has going for it is casting. Ice Cube and Hart are charismatic performers, and their fans may find enjoyment watching them riff off one another. Unfortunately, the premise is so lightweight and the script so bland that there’s little else to like. </p> <p> </p> <p>As for the comedy, there isn’t much. Director Tim Story (“Fantastic Four,” “Barbershop”) takes a straightforward approach to the material, and neither the gags nor the plotting draw many laughs. Maybe producers are saving the good stuff for the sequel.  </p> <p> </p> <p>Blu-ray and DVD extras include a gag reel, behind-the-scenes features and an audio commentary by Story.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/breakingthewaves.jpg" style="height:329px; width:625px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>ALSO OUT THIS WEEK</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“Breaking the Waves”:</strong> Fresh, digital restoration of director Lars Von Trier’s 1996 movie about a troubled woman (Emily Watson) whose paralyzed husband (Stellan Skarsgård) encourages her to have sex with other men. Watson received an Oscar nomination for her work.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“Better Living Through Chemistry”:</strong> Sam Rockwell plays a small-town pharmacist whose wild affair threatens to ruin his life. Olivia Wilde, Michelle Monaghan, Jane Fonda and Ray Liotta also star. Directed by Geoff Moore and David Posamentier.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“The Carol Burnett Show – Carol’s Crack Ups”:</strong> Seventeen uncut episodes of Carol Burnett’s 1960s and ’70s TV show. The six-DVD set includes performances by show regulars Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway and Dick Van Dyke, as well as numerous guest stars.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“Anger Management” – Volume Three:</strong> Twenty-four episodes of the FX TV series starring Charlie Sheen as a therapist who has issues of his own. Selma Blair, Shawnee Smith and Martin Sheen also star.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“Flowers in the Attic”:</strong> TV-movie adaptation of the V.C. Andrews novel. The story centers on four children who are abused by their grandmother after their father dies. Heather Graham and Ellen Burstyn star.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“Date and Switch”:</strong> Comedy about longtime friends who have their relationship tested when one of them comes out as gay. Nicholas Braun, Hunter Cope, Dakota Johnson and Zach Gregger star. Directed by Chris Nelson.  </p> <p> </p> <p><strong> Author Bio:</strong></p> <p><em>Forrest Hartman, a</em> Highbrow Magazine <em>contributor, is an independent film critic whose byline has appeared in some of the nation's largest publications. For more of his work visit <a href="http://www.ForrestHartman.com">www.ForrestHartman.com</a>. </em></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/philomena" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">philomena</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/steve-coogan" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">steve coogan</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/judi-dench" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">judi dench</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/secret-life-walter-mitty" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">the secret life of walter mitty</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/ben-stiller" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ben Stiller</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/kirsten-wiig" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">kirsten wiig</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/long-ride" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">long ride</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/kevin-hart" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">kevin hart</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/ride-along" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">ride along</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/nut-job" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">the nut job</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Forrest Hartman</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Tue, 15 Apr 2014 13:40:04 +0000 tara 4594 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/3910-philomena-secret-life-walter-mitty-arrive-home-video#comments ‘Savages,’ ‘Brave’ Arrive on DVD, Blu-ray https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/1784-savages-brave-arrive-dvd-blu-ray <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/film-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film &amp; TV</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Tue, 11/13/2012 - 08:30</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/mediumsavagesfilm.jpg?itok=x2dDtDeA"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/mediumsavagesfilm.jpg?itok=x2dDtDeA" width="480" height="321" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>  </p> <p> This week’s new home video releases include a gritty crime drama from director Oliver Stone, an uneven comedy featuring Ben Stiller and a terrific animated movie from the geniuses at Pixar.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Savages</strong></p> <p> <strong>3 stars</strong></p> <p> <strong>Universal</strong><br /> <strong>Available in both rated and unrated versions. </strong></p> <p> <strong>Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and on demand</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> Although once viewed as a can’t-miss director, Oliver Stone’s projects have been spotty in recent years, and it’s been more than a decade since he produced a truly extraordinary film. Still, his long-term track record makes any project he helms worthy of attention.  </p> <p>  </p> <p> With “Savages,” Stone doesn’t recapture his glory days, but he does deliver a solid crime thriller that blends good performances with a compelling, albeit far-fetched, story. The action centers on Ben (Aaron Johnson) and Chon (Taylor Kitsch), close friends who make a fortune growing marijuana in Southern California. Having developed a relatively clean, violence-free business, they’re living the good life, which includes sharing a beachfront home and the love and sexual favors of their mutual girlfriend, O (Blake Lively).</p> <p>  </p> <p> Things take a dark turn, however, when a Mexican drug cartel makes a play for part of their business. When Ben and Chon make it clear that they’re loners, a cartel enforcer (Benicio Del Toro) kidnaps O. Chon and the normally mild-mannered Ben respond by becoming increasingly ruthless in their efforts to not only stay alive but recover their lover.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Stone does a nice job presenting the necessarily gritty material, and his young cast is impressive throughout. Both Kitsch and Johnson are becoming increasingly familiar faces at the movies, and they make Chon and Ben believable as gangsters, but also likable enough to root for. That’s appropriate because, in the world of this movie, they aren’t nearly as bad as the guys they’re going up against. Lively, who proved she has the chops for down-and-dirty dramas in “The Town,” is once again portraying a character with problems, and she does so with grace.</p> <p>  </p> <p> The biggest trouble with “Savages” is that the plotting gets far-fetched, particularly toward the end, but that’s no reason to dismiss the entire project. After all, if Hollywood eliminated every film that took an unrealistic turn, there wouldn’t be much to watch.  </p> <p>  </p> <p> DVD and Blu-ray extras include two audio commentaries, one featuring Stone and another with the screenwriters, production designer and several producers. </p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/Brave%20-%20Horizontal.JPG" style="width: 600px; height: 251px;" /></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Brave</strong></p> <p> <strong>3½ stars (out of four)<br /> Rated PG<br /> Disney<br /> Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, digital download and on demand</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> It seemed like the animation world stopped spinning last year when the gurus at Pixar released “Cars 2.” The movie was, by most accounts, the studio’s first bad film, and despite making more than $550 million worldwide, it was largely written off as a flop.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Fortunately, Pixar returned to form with “Brave,” a sweet, animated fable about a spunky Scottish princess who refuses to bend to tradition. The movie is set in the days when clans ruled Scotland, and it focuses on Merida, daughter of the elected king.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Despite her mother’s constant nagging, Merida prefers horseback riding and archery to the normal pursuits of a royal lady. This leads to a thorny relationship that comes to a head when Merida learns that she is to be thrust into an arranged marriage. Frustrated, she disrupts the competition meant to determine her husband and storms into the forest. While there, Merida meets a witch who agrees to help, but the magical intervention has unforeseen consequences.</p> <p>  </p> <p> “Brave” mixes current sensibilities with ancient storytelling techniques, and the result is a movie that feels modern, yet wears the hallmarks of timeless myth. In essence, this is an old-time story with a girl power message, and Pixar is to be applauded for making a movie that actively battles female stereotypes.</p> <p>  </p> <p> “Brave” is also beautifully animated. Even with “Cars 2,” the Pixar crew created dazzling visuals, so it’s not surprising that “Brave” is a feast for the eyes. Directors Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman and Steve Purcell make sure that everything from Merida’s flowing red hair to the fish swimming in a rocky Scottish river are luxuriously rich in detail.  </p> <p>  </p> <p> The voice cast for “Brave” isn’t particularly high profile, but it is top-notch. Merida is handled by “Boardwalk Empire” actress Kelly Macdonald, and she is joined by Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane and Craig Ferguson.</p> <p>  </p> <p> “Brave” should land an Oscar nomination for best animated feature and, although there are worthy competitors, it’s hard not to view it as the favorite to win.</p> <p>  </p> <p> DVD and Blu-ray extras include two animated shorts and an audio commentary by the directors.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/mediumthewatch.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 370px;" /></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>The Watch</strong></p> <p> <strong>2½ stars<br /> Rated R<br /> 20<sup>th</sup> Century Fox<br /> Available on: DVD, Blu-ray and on demand</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> With the cast that director Akiva Schaffer assembled for “The Watch,” one could reasonably expect comedic gold. Alas, a subpar script and an overreliance on potty humor undermines the movie’s potential.</p> <p>  </p> <p> The film focuses on Evan Trautwig (Ben Stiller), the senior manager of a Costco in Glenview, Ohio. When the store’s overnight security guard is brutally murdered, Evan decides to fight back by forming a neighborhood watch group. Alas, he’s only able to recruit a handful of guys, and most of them are more interested in socializing than fighting crime. There’s Bob (Vince Vaughn), a construction worker; Franklin (Jonah Hill), a wannabe cop; and Jamarcus (Richard Ayoade), a recently divorced man who thinks the watch group will help him meet women.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Shortly after this dysfunctional group starts patrolling the streets, they discover a piece of alien technology and become convinced that shape-shifting space creatures are planning an attack. So, they dedicate themselves to finding the aliens and saving their town.</p> <p>  </p> <p> The premise behind “The Watch” is clever, and the cast is a lot of fun. Stiller, Vaughn, Hill and Ayoada are all talented comics and they do a nice job playing off one another. Unfortunately, they’re saddled with material that just isn’t that good. Schaffer moves the film at a decent pace, but his best gags are often followed by jokes that miss their marks completely. The movie is also filled with crass, R-rated humor that will have a hard time drawing laughs from anyone over age 18. </p> <p>  </p> <p> The wacky plotting and the strong performances of Stiller and company make “The Watch” better than it should be, but it’s still a second-tier Hollywood comedy.     </p> <p>  </p> <p> DVD and Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes, a gag reel and a bit on “casting the alien.”</p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/mediumtheweekendfilm.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 366px;" /></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>ALSO OUT THIS WEEK</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Friends” – The Complete Series on Blu-ray:</strong> This sitcom, which ran for 10 years on NBC, is one of the most-loved shows of all time, and this release marks its Blu-ray debut. Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer star, playing pals who lean on each other through life’s ups and downs. The loaded Blu-ray set includes all 236 episodes, plus more than three hours of new bonus features. For a fan, it seems like the ultimate Christmas gift.   </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Dark Horse”:</strong> Writer-director Todd Solondz tells the story of two emotionally stunted adults (Jordan Gelber and Selma Blair) who begin a whirlwind romance. Christopher Walken, Mia Farrow and Justin Bartha also star.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Weekend”:</strong> This 1967 comedy by French director Jean-Luc Godard is getting a deluxe treatment from the Criterion Collection. The movie tells the story of a married couple who come face to face with the collapse of French bourgeois society. The freshly restored feature is presented in French with English subtitles.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Trilogy of Life”:</strong> Boxed set collecting Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini’s bawdy interpretations of three works of medieval literature: “The Decameron,” “The Canterbury Tales” and “The Arabian Nights.” The movies, which were released theatrically in the early 1970s, are filled with nudity, sex and slapstick humor. Presented in Italian with English subtitles.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Pixar Short Films Collection – Volume 2”:</strong> Pixar not only produces great feature-length animated films, such as “Brave,” it consistently makes great shorts. This release collects 12 of Pixar’s animated short films into one convenient set. Included are “BURNŸE,” “Dug’s Special Mission,” “George &amp; AJ,” “Air Mater,” “Time Travel Mater,” “Your Friend the Rat,” “Partly Cloudy,” “Presto,” “Day &amp; Night,” “Hawaiian Vacation,” “Small Fry,” and “La Luna.” Animation buffs will be excited to know that the set also includes seven student films by Pixar directors John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Pete Docter.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“My Big Fat Greek Wedding” – 10<sup>th</sup> Anniversary Special Edition:</strong> This sweet, independent romance became a smash hit in 2002 and eventually became the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time. Nia Vardalos stars as a Greek woman who falls in love with a non-Greek man and tries to endear him to her family. Although the film has been out on DVD for some time, this release marks its Blu-ray debut.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Duck Dynasty” – Season One: </strong>First 15 episodes of the A&amp;E reality series about the Robertson family of Monroe, Louisiana. Although they were originally poor, the family members achieved wealth and fame by creating high-end duck calls and decoys. </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p> <em>Forrest Hartman, a contributor at </em>Highbrow Magazine, <em>is an independent film critic whose byline has appeared in some of the nation's largest publications. For more of his work visit <a href="http://www.ForrestHartman.com">www.ForrestHartman.com</a>. </em></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/brave" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">brave</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/pixar" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">pixar</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/watch" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">the watch</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/ben-stiller" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ben Stiller</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/jonah-hill" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">jonah hill</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/savages" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">savages</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/oliver-stone" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Oliver Stone</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/friends" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">friends</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/weekend" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">the weekend</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Forrest Hartman</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:30:25 +0000 tara 1906 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/1784-savages-brave-arrive-dvd-blu-ray#comments “J. Edgar,” “Tower Heist” Arrive on DVD, Blu-ray https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/j-edgar-tower-heist-arrive-1025-dvd-blu-ray <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/film-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film &amp; TV</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Tue, 02/21/2012 - 19:53</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/mediumJEdgar.JPG?itok=jg8ryiPb"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/mediumJEdgar.JPG?itok=jg8ryiPb" width="480" height="320" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>  </p> <p> This week’s home video releases include an Oscar-nominated animated movie and a historical biopic directed by Clint Eastwood.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>J. Edgar</strong></p> <p> <strong>3 stars (out of four)<br /> Rated R<br /> Warner Brothers<br /> Available on: DVD, Blu-ray and digital download</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> Much of director Clint Eastwood’s J. Edgar Hoover biopic is speculative and thus runs the risk of coming under attack from historical purists. But for those willing to view it for what it is – a movie – there is much to enjoy.</p> <p>  </p> <p> The film begins with an aging Hoover (Leonardo DiCaprio) dictating his memoirs with the goal of telling “his side of the story.” The film then takes viewers through Hoover’s lengthy career as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, painting a portrait that is alternately positive and damning. Arguably, this is the fairest way to portray a man of Hoover’s controversial status. Today, he is viewed as someone who promoted significant advances in investigative techniques, but also overstepped the bounds of his authority, particularly when it came to the Red Scare of the 1940s and ’50s.</p> <p>  </p> <p> “J. Edgar” reinforces both of these perceptions, while also digging into even more speculative territory, like that of his sexuality. Some have argued that Hoover was gay and that he had a sexual relationship with longtime FBI associate director Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer). Eastwood’s movie treats this almost as fact, spending ample amounts of time on their relationship, yet not quite confirming that they were lovers.   </p> <p>  </p> <p> Clearly, Eastwood has taken liberties in his storytelling, but that’s not a bad thing. In so doing, he has crafted a fascinating vision of a well-known personality. Viewers can argue whether the vision is accurate and fair, but it would be difficult to call it uninteresting.</p> <p>  </p> <p> DiCaprio deserves a good deal of credit for the film’s success, as he is believable not only as a 20-something Hoover, but as his elderly counterpart.  Hunched over and lathered in makeup, DiCaprio easily passes as a man decades beyond his actual age. The same can be said for Naomi Watts who plays Hoover’s long-time personal assistant, Helen Gandy.</p> <p>  </p> <p> The film’s technical work is not flawless, however. As convincing as DiCaprio and Watts look as 70-somethings, Hammer’s aged version of Tolson is a disaster. In fairness, this isn’t so much the fault of Hammer as it is a makeup job gone bad. Also distracting is Judi Dench’s portrayal of Hoover’s mother, Anna Marie Hoover. Dench, a usually stellar talent, plays the role with a British accent, despite the fact that her real-life counterpart was not English.   </p> <p>  </p> <p> These things prevent “J. Edgar” from becoming another Eastwood classic, but they shouldn’t stop anyone from renting it.</p> <p>  </p> <p> DVD and Blu-ray extras are minimal, but each release contains a short about Hoover.  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Tower Heist</strong></p> <p> <strong>2½ stars<br /> Rated PG-13<br /> Universal<br /> Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and on demand</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> “Tower Heist” is custom-made for an age where talk of income gaps and entitlements has become almost as common as chatter about the weather. Directed by Brett Ratner (“Rush Hour,” “X-Men: The Last Stand”), the film is essentially a modernized take on the Robin Hood mythology, only the Robin character is a mild-mannered luxury apartment manager named Josh Kovacs (Ben Stiller).</p> <p>  </p> <p> Ratner takes pains to demonstrate that Josh is a great guy. He’s the sort of boss who expects his employees to be gracious and personable to customers, yet he always has his workers’ backs. Josh is also well-loved by tenants, and he thoroughly enjoys his job until he learns that one of the residents, a financier named Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda), has stolen all the money from the apartment complex’s pension fund.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Frustrated, Josh convinces a financially ruined former tenant (Mathew Broderick) and two building employees (Casey Affleck and Michael Pena) to help him exact revenge. Unfortunately, Josh has no idea how to mastermind a crime, so he reaches out to the only thief he knows, a small-time crook that lives in his neighborhood (Eddie Murphy). Together, this unlikely group plots a daring, multi-million dollar robbery.</p> <p>  </p> <p> The “Tower Heist” script, which was written by committee, has a number of flaws, including a complete lack of plausibility. Still, it’s fun to watch this cast play off one another. Murphy is typically manic, and Stiller, Affleck, and Broderick have a laid-back everyman style that strikes a nice contrast.   </p> <p>  </p> <p> The material is so ludicrous, that Ratner doesn’t even try to convince viewers that it’s based in reality. Instead he embraces the absurdity, allowing the actors to riff off one another and mine the material for laughs. For the most part, this strategy works, but it doesn’t eliminate the fact that better scripting would have improved things.       </p> <p>  </p> <p> DVD and Blu-ray extras include two alternate endings, a collection of deleted and alternate scenes, a gag reel and an audio commentary with Ratner, editor Mark Helfrich and writers Ted Griffin and Jeff Nathanson.</p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/mediumtowerheist.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 374px; " /></p> <p> <strong>Puss In Boots</strong></p> <p> <strong>3 stars<br /> Rated PG<br /> Paramount<br /> Available Feb. 24 on DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> By the time “Shrek Forever After” reached theaters, it was clear that the once-outstanding animated franchise had hit a wall, and mustering high expectations for a spinoff was difficult. Nevertheless, “Puss In Boots” proves that old cats can learn new tricks.</p> <p>  </p> <p> The movie, which is up for an Oscar for best animated feature, is built around the version of Puss In Boots that Antonio Banderas introduced in “Shrek 2,” but the action is set years before he connected with Shrek, Donkey and Fiona. In essence, director Chris Miller (“Shrek the Third”) has created an origin tale, showing viewers how Puss came to be the silky-voiced feline everyone loves.</p> <p>  </p> <p> “Puss In Boots” also details a swashbuckling adventure in which Puss teams with Humpty Dumpty (voiced by Zach Galifianakis) and a daring feline named Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek). Their mission is to find the magic beans from the Jack and the Beanstalk legend, a task made difficult by constant battles with the evil criminals Jack and Jill, voiced by Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris.</p> <p>  </p> <p> “Puss In Boots” isn’t as original as the first “Shrek” movie, but it is consistently entertaining thanks to first-rate direction from Miller, strong performances from the voice cast and gorgeous visuals. Like the “Shrek” movies, “Puss In Boots” takes pleasure in tipping classic fairytales on their ear. While this isn’t as effective as when Shrek and company burst onto the scene more than a decade ago, it’s still fun.</p> <p>  </p> <p> DVD and Blu-ray extras include games for youngsters, shorts on the making of the film and deleted scenes.</p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>ALSO OUT THIS WEEK</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Martha Marcy May Marlene”:</strong> Critically acclaimed drama about a young woman (Elizabeth Olsen) who tries to reconnect with family members after leaving a cult. The film was written and directed by Sean Durkin, and Olsen’s performance was praised by a number of critics groups and professional organizations.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“The Mighty Macs”:</strong> Independent drama starring Carla Gugino as a basketball coach who takes over the program at a tiny, all-girls Catholic college during the early 1970s. David Boreanaz, Marley Shelton, Ellen Burstyn and Lauren Bittner also star. Directed by Tim Chambers.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“The Way”:</strong> Film project backed by Martin Sheen and his son Emilio Estevez. The movie tells of an American doctor (Sheen) who travels to France after learning that his son (Estevez) died while walking the Camino de Santiago, a Catholic pilgrimage route in Europe. Although his initial plan is to bring his son’s body home, the doctor ends up walking the route himself. Written and directed by Estevez.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Underdog” – The Complete Collector’s Edition:</strong> Nine-DVD set containing every episode of the 1960s animated series about a humble, superhero dog. Not only does this release have all three seasons of the show, it comes with a number of extras, including bonus cartoons, alternate openings and closings and audio commentaries by people involved with the production.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Borgia Faith and Fear” – Season One:</strong> International TV series about Rodrigo Borgia (John Doman), a Renaissance-era pope who built a powerful crime family. The series was created by TV veteran Tom Fontana, and the home video release features 12, hour-long episodes.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Anatomy of a Murder”:</strong> Criterion Collection release of director Otto Preminger’s star-studded 1959 thriller about a Michigan lawyer (James Stewart) defending an Army officer accused of murder (Ben Gazzara). Lee Remick and George C. Scott also star. </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“World on a Wire”:</strong> This German science-fiction story was originally released as a two-part TV movie in 1973, but the Criterion Collection has packaged it so that you can watch in a single setting. Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, the futuristic movie tells of an engineer who uncovers a dangerous corporate conspiracy. </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Weeds” – Season Seven:</strong> Thirteen recent episodes of the TV drama about Nancy Botwin, a suburban mom (Mary-Louise Parker) who turned to dope-dealing after the death of her husband. In season seven, she returns to civilian life after serving a three-year prison sentence. Justin Kirk, Hunter Parrish, Alexander Gould and Kevin Nealon also star.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Nurse Jackie” – Season Three</strong>: Twelve episodes of the Showtime series starring Edie Falco as drug-addicted emergency room nurse in New York City. Eve Best, Peter Facinelli, Paul Schulze and Merritt Wever also star.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p> <em>Forrest Hartman is an independent film critic whose byline has appeared in some of the nation's largest publications. For more of his work visit <a href="http://www.ForrestHartman.com">www.ForrestHartman.com</a></em></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/j-edgar" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">J. Edgar</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tower-heist" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Tower Heist</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/puss-boots" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Puss in Boots</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/leonardo-dicaprio" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Leonardo DiCaprio</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/armie-hammer" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Armie Hammer</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/eddie-murphy" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Eddie Murphy</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/ben-stiller" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ben Stiller</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/weeds" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Weeds</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Forrest Hartman</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-photographer field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Photographer:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Warner Brothers</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:53:14 +0000 tara 549 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/j-edgar-tower-heist-arrive-1025-dvd-blu-ray#comments