There isn't a great deal of new releases this week. Most films I suppose were scared off by the release of a certain trilogy on Blu-ray. But there is a pair of other Blu-rays worth checking out and a pair of films that are on my queue to see as well.
Pick of the Week
The Lord of the Rings
Peter Jackson's epic trilogy is now in pristine 1080p. There is no doubt this is a must own for any film fan. The disappointing news is that the release is only the theatrical cuts. FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING suffers the most from the theatrical to extended cuts. But in the end, theatrical or not, this trilogy is a landmark in fantasy filmmaking. RETURN OF THE KING is one of the very best films of the 2000s. The trilogy as a whole is a masterpiece.
Buy "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy on Blu-ray Here!
Queue Qualified
Cocoon
Ron Howard's sci-fi tale about the desire to never grow old is one of those '80s staples from my youth. The film won two Oscars — one for Don Ameche's supporting turn and one for the film's visual effects. The story of folks in an old folks home getting a second chance at youth is entertaining and has held up well over the years. One thing is funny though, seeing it now as an adult I'm stuck by how selfish the decision was for Wilford Brimley and Maureen Stapleton's character to leave their family behind to never see them again. The move gives the film an unintended edge. How many movie characters make wrong decisions? I mean COCOON II is simply an apology for that decision.
Dreamscape
Another '80s sci-fi flick has made it to Blu-ray as well. DREAMSCAPE is an underrated one from 1984, starring Dennis Quaid, Max von Sydow, Christopher Plummer and Kate Capshaw. Quaid plays a psychic who is part of a government experiment to infiltrate dreams. Plummer is a politician plotting to kill the president in his sleep. Great take on the subject matter and the dream sequences are frightening.
Buy "Dreamscape" on Blu-ray Here!
Buzzed About
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call, New Orleans
Roger Ebert named Werner Herzog's re-imagining of the Harvey Keitel cult classic as not only one of the best films of 2009, but also one of the best films of the 2000s. Some say it's a return to form for Nicolas Cage and others say he's ridiculously over-the-top. But isn't that the case with every Cage performance? He plays a drug and gambling addicted cop who works in post-Katrina New Orleans investigating the murder of immigrants. Eva Mendes, Val Kilmer, Fairuza Balk, Xzibit and Jennifer Coolidge co-star. Original film's director Abel Ferrara so hated the idea of his film being redone without his input that he wished all involved would die in hell. Stay classy Abel.
Buy "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call, New Orleans" on DVD Here!
Buy "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call, New Orleans" on Blu-ray Here!
Beeswax
This indie dramedy received a producer's award nod at this past Independent Spirit Awards. The story follows identical twin sisters — one of whom is a paraplegic and the other is a notorious slacker.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
