If it isn’t already distinctly clear from reading my weekly picks, let me state it directly now: I rarely get to the cinema anymore. I have a seven-month-old daughter and its rather difficult to find a sitter that will allow me and the wife to go out for a few hours. Although honestly, we weren’t going much before we had her. It is too expensive to go often and whenever we would go all too often the theatre would be filled with all sorts of obnoxiousness from chatty teenager to bratty kids to adults talking and texting on their mobile phones. No, I’d much rather wait for the DVD release and watch a movie from the comfort of my own home.
I say that so that everyone can understand why it is that I have so rarely seen the new releases that I have to talk about for this column. It also likely explains why so often my picks are special edition releases of older films. But hey, since this article is all about what’s coming out on DVD and Blu-ray and not currently being released in theatres, I figure I fit right in.
This week’s pick is, in fact, a film I have not yet seen, but have had on my list of things to watch for some time now. Rise of the Planet of the Apes has generally gotten good reviews (scoring an 83% on the Tomato Meter) and generating some pretty big buzz for Andy Sirkis who like in the Lord of the Rings trilogy used his body and voice talents to create a believable CGI creature.
The Blu-ray comes with a load of special features including several short documentaries on the ape mythology, Andy Sirkis, artwork and music of the film. There is also some deleted scenes and separate audio commentaries from the director and writers.
Also out this week of interest:
City of God (Blu-ray): Fernando Meirelles blistering, violent, heartbreaking film about the slums of Rio de Janeiro is one of my favorite films of all time. The Blu-ray upgrade is pretty bare bones with just a documentary about the slums as its only special feature, but the film deservest to be in everybodys collection.
Fright Night (2011): The remake of this ’80s horror classic got decent reviews but did poorly at the box office. I loved the original (and sequel) as a kid but i’m in no hurry to see this one.
Kung Fu Panda 2: I liked the first one pretty well, and I’m sure I’ll eventually see this sequel but there won’t be a rush.
Heavenly Creatures (Blu-ray)
Tokyo Drifter (Criterion Blu-ray)
Branded to Kill (Criterion Blu-ray)
