Everybody knows that Marvel has completely destroyed DC when it comes to feature films. At this point, it really is Marvel’s world (or cinematic universe, if you will) and we’re just living in it (or at least going to the movies to watch it.). DC scored a big hit with Wonder Woman and while their other films have made lots of money, just about everybody hates them. Or at least feel they could be a thousand times better. I liked Man of Steel and Batman v. Superman a lot better than most but that was because I saw both films late and the bar had been set so low they could have literally lit dumpsters on fire and I would have thought they were better than expected. Wonder Woman was great but it felt almost like a happy accident rather than the franchise moving in the right direction.
Buy Aquaman Blu-rayNo matter how much they tried, they could not get me excited by Aquaman. His appearance in Justice League was forgettable. He’s a character that I’ve always felt was a bit on the ridiculous side, and the trailers weren’t alleviating that opinion for me.
Yet. And Yet. Here we are. Reviews were definitely mixed but the critical voices that I listen to most seem to indicate that while it’s not a perfect film it leans into its ridiculousness. They say it is more aware than the other DC film, more willing to indulge in the silliness inherent in a movie about a half man/half underwater god. I’m wiling to give that a shot.
And let’s be honest here: If Beale Street Could Talk is the better movie and Can You Ever Forgive Me? looks really interesting, but Aquaman is going to outsell them both by a long shot. I’m not above putting the more popular film into the lead once and awhile.
Also out this week that looks interesting:
If Beale Street Could Talk: Barry Jenkins’s lush adaptation of the James Baldwin novel is gorgeously shot, wonderfully acted, and fully realized.
Blood Hunger: The Films of José Larraz: Arrow Video is releasing a collection of this Spanish horror filmmaker’s early films. Includes Whirlpool, The Coming of Sin, and Vampyres.
Perfect Blue: Animated psychological horror film about a Japanese singer who retires from the music biz to become an actress and finds herself being stalked while at the same time a series of gruesome murders begins. Kent Conrad has our review.
Stan & Ollie: John C. Reilly and Steve Coogan star in this film about comedy legends Laurel and Hardy who, towards the end of their careers, tour variety halls in Britain.
Game of Thrones: In preparation for the upcoming final season of this HBO series, they are releasing limited edition sets of every season featuring new Robert Ball cover art.
For a Few Dollars More: Sergio Leone’s follow up to A Fistful of Dollars finds Clint Eastwood’s rugged Man With No Name teaming up with Lee Van Cleef as two bounty hunters battling a gang of killers. I’ll have my full review up soon.
Can You Ever Forgive Me?: Melissa McCarthy stars as Lee Israel, a woman who forged letters from deceased writers. Both she and Richard E. Grant (who plays her friend and confidant) were nominated for Academy Awards.
Pet Sematary – 30th Anniversary: This not-so-classic ’80s horror film based upon the fantastic Stephen King novel gets a new transfer and some new extras just in time to whet your appetite when the new film comes out.
Japon (Criterion Collection): In this Mexican film from 2002, a man travels from Mexico City to an isolated village to commit suicide; once there, however, he meets a pious elderly woman whose quiet humanity incites a reawakening of his desires.
