August has been somewhat of a dull month for home releases, with this last week of release bringing a little something for everyone.
Fans of methodical, intelligent, gritty, crime dramas will certainly be entertained by Michael Caine's latest, Harry Brown. The movie hits home tomorrow on DVD and Blu-Ray. Caine stars as Harry Brown, an older man living in a rundown neighborhood. His friend attempts to stand up to the neighborhood hulligans, only to be killed as a result.
Once Harry hears of the news, he steps into action and sets out to shut down the drugs, prostitution, and violence he feels the local police are inept at stopping. The movie runs with a bit of a slow pace, so those expecting Rambo or something similar: be warned.
Releasing for the kids is the live adaptation of the popular comic series, Marmaduke. The movie, much like the comic, is about a mischievous dog who is a bit too big for his owners to handle. His size and obstinate behavior lead to trouble, and laughs. The movie tanked pretty hard at the box office, but should be popular among tots on home video.
Also releasing is Tyler Perry's latest, Why Did I Get Married, Too?. The movie is Perry's first sequel, and scored fairly well at the box office. Fans of his work will certainly want to watch the latest addition to the story, though prepare for slight disappointment as Madea is no where to be seen in this outing.
Releasing for the first time on Blu-Ray this week is the cult classic The Evil Dead. While the sequel to the original has been available for some time, this is the first time that the Sam Raimi directed classic will be available to add to your Blu-Ray collection. Fans of cheesy horror films should grab this one up, pronto!
The Best
Harry Brown
Buy/Rent/Skip: Rent
Academy Award-nominee Daniel Barber (The Tonto Woman) makes his feature directorial debut with this gritty critique on contemporary British society starring Michael Caine as an elderly shut-in who's spurned into action by a senseless act of violence. Harry Brown (Caine) resides in a desolate public housing apartment block as his sickly wife lies dying in a local hospital. He spends most of his days in solitary, only getting out to play the occasional game of chess at a nearby pub with his best friend Leonard (David Bradley). The days of basic human decency seem to be a thing of the past, because in recent years barbarous drug dealers and gangsters have...(Read Full Synopsis)
Director: Daniel Barber
Starring: Michael Caine
MPAA Rating: Rated R for strong violence and language throughout, drug use and sexual content.
Official Website: http://www.harrybrownthemovie.co.uk/
(Click poster for movie trailer, full cast, plot summary, and more..)
Marmaduke
Buy/Rent/Skip: Rent
Canine comic strip star Marmaduke leaps to the big screen with this family-friendly comedy starring Owen Wilson as the voice of the Great Dane. Also lending their voices to the 20th Century Fox production are Steve Coogan, pop star Fergie, George Lopez, and the brotherly duo of Damon and Marlon Wayans, with William H. Macy and Judy Greer heading up the human cast. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
Director: Tom Dey
Starring: Owen Wilson
MPAA Rating: Rated PG for some rude humor and language.
Official Website: http://www.themarmadukemovie.com/
(Click poster for movie trailer, full cast, plot summary, and more..)
Why Did I Get Married, Too?
Buy/Rent/Skip: Rent
This sequel to Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married reunites the cast from that earlier movie, again playing a group of eight friends who take an annual week-long vacation with each other. As they reconnect, Sheila (Jill Scott) discovers that her ex-husband Mike is planning to wreck her new marriage. Their troubles lead to the others facing some uncomfortable truths about their own relationships. Co-starring Janet Jackson, Malik Torba, Michael Jai White, and Louis Gossett, Jr. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
Director: Tyler Perry
Starring: Janet Jackson, Tyler Perry
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for thematic material including sexuality, language, drug references and some domestic violence.
Official Website: http://www.whydidigetmarriedtoomovie.com/
(Click poster for movie trailer, full cast, plot summary, and more..)
The Rest
The Evil Dead
This auspicious feature debut from Sam Raimi -- shot on 16mm in the woods of Tennesse for around $350,000 -- secured the young director's cult status as a creative force to be reckoned with. The nominal plot involves five vacationing college kids -- Ash (Bruce Campbell), his girlfriend Linda (Betsy Baker), and their classmates Cheryl (Ellen Sandweiss), Scott (Hal Delrich) and Shelly (Sarah York) -- making an unplanned stopover in an abandoned mountain cabin surrounded by impenetrable woods. Before settling in for the night, they come across an ancient-looking occult ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
(Click poster for movie trailer, full cast, plot summary, and more..)
Recent DVD and Blu-ray Releases
August 24th - The Back-up Plan and more...
August 17th - The Last Song and more...
August 10th - Date Night and more...
August 3rd - Kick-Ass and more...
July 27th - Clash of the Titans and more...
July 20th - Cop Out and more...
