DVD Releases for the Week of Aug. 25, 2009
There is quite a bit to check out this week, but the most original piece of work (albeit not too substantive) is Fear(s) of the Dark, a collection of five animated stories brought together by a woman narrating her unease. Primarily an animator’s film, the five separate artists/directors work in B&W with one mood in mind: fear.
For something existing outside the shadows you may want to try Sunshine Cleaning. Starring Amy Adams and Emily Blunt, it is a mix of quirky Sundance-approved comedy (ala Juno or Little Miss Sunshine) and “CSI”. Two sisters, one of whom wishes to send her son to a private school, raise a little cash by starting a cleaning business - only their specialty is cleaning up crime scenes after violent crimes. While the plot is said to be on the mediocre side, it’s the two main actresses that keep this title afloat.
The same can be said for the brother of Alfonso Cuaron (Y tu mama tambien, Children of Men) - Carlos Cuaron’s latest film, Rudo y Cursi. This one is about two brothers who, unlike Amy and Emily, don’t get along. They are on opposite ends of a very heated sport: soccer. While the rise and fall of their fame has been done before in film, it is the charisma of the actors who keep the film together: Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna. So whether you choose the film about sisters or brothers, both quirky comedies, you can expect fine performances to otherwise passing-grade storylines.
Likely the best Québecois film of the year, Denis Villeneuve’s Polytechnique was also the worst for many viewers/critics. One thing is for sure: when you deal with sensitive subject matter like a school shooting, especially one so close to home, not everyone will have found a theatrical retelling necessary. While I hardly find any film “necessary”, the subject matter here was dealt with sensitively and artfully. You can read my thoughts on the film, then check it out for yourself. An excerpt of my review: “Polytechnique is an important film. While it will hit hard locally, it is a story that will resonate abroad. It proves that the risk actress/producer Karine Vanasse and director Denis Villeneuve took in the face of heavy criticism proved the cynics wrong.”
One of the minds who, along with Judd Apatow, reignited the American comedy film; Greg Mottola (director of Superbad) returns with another coming-of-age tale: Adventureland. Less comedic than his previous effort, this time he tells a more touching and personal story. It is set in a theme park and stars Jesse Eisenberg (The Squid and the Whale) who soon falls in love with one of his coworkers (played by Twilight’s Kristen Stewart). If you’re looking for something a little more heart-warming this week, replete with 1987 period references and some great music, Adventureland is the way to go.
Film fans who are tired of entertaining or artistic films, and who need a more informed look at the realities of life will want to check out Trouble the Water. It was nominated for Best Documentary at the Oscars and has won countless other festival awards for its portrayal of a family trying to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. As opposed to Spike Lee’s epic “When the Levees Broke“, this documentary does not attempt to interview every person affected by the disaster, but instead focus on its subjects. The more personal nature stands of an example of how Katrina devastated lives both physically and by its revealing of weak government response.
Other Releases
Diamant 13
Duplicity
Fighting
Goodbye Solo
Inju, la bete dans l’ombre
Last Days of Disco, The
Life is Hot in a Crackdown
Newcastle
Waterlife
DVD Previews | 
August 25, 2009
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