This week, one of the better films (if not the most widely admired) of 2011 hits Blu-Ray and DVD, along with a variety of other titles bearing mixed quality. It’s definitely not a release slate to get in a tizzy about, so that’s always a good thing. The slate is top heavy, but then again, most weeks are…so no surprises there. In terms of the top pick, it’s not just the clear best choice this week, but also a PICK OF THE WEEK that I can get behind with no issue in most weeks. It’s got terrific acting, it happens to be a timely hatchet job on politics, and wouldn’t you know that it’s one of the best thrillers of last year. Haven’t guessed what film it is yet? I’d have thought that you’d have already, but no matter, I’ll reveal all now. It’s:
The Ides of March
George Clooney’s latest directorial effort (which he co-wrote, as usual) is a biting satire of the current political climate. A star studded cast is headed by Ryan Gosling as a campaign worker who’s fully drunken the Kool-Aid when it comes to his Presidential candidate, played by Clooney. The look at the primary season is pretty spot on, and even if the thriller aspects of the plot don’t quite mesh as well as they might have (despite being effective on their own terms), the end result is pretty terrific. I know that many people we’re mildly let down by this flick, but it’s one of the 15 best of 2011 for me. Now that it’s available at home, I recommend giving it a second watch. I know I’ll be doing just that!
-The rest of this week’s releases leave a bit to be desired, but some are at least somewhat worth your time. Falling into this category is the drama Mysteries of Lisbon (which most liked more than me it seems), the comedy Killing Bono, and the dramedy Dirty Girl. This trio has some appeal to it in my eyes, so those turned off by Ides could do worse than these selections as a back up plan. Just keep in mind that these aren’t the cream of the crop for a distinct reason.
-Filling out the week’s options are the awful suspense flick Abduction (which you’ll be seeing on my Bottom 10 list soon), the unfunny comedy Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star (only notable for having an unfortunate cameo by me as an audience member on Jimmy Fallon), the stand up concert film Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain, and the religious melodrama Courageous. I can’t see these appealing to anyone, unless you’re willing to deal with Bucky Larson’s shenanigans at the off chance you’ll see me in the bleachers. Trust me, you can do better…
-My Vintage pick, in honor of this week’s release of Haywire, is a collection of director Steven Soderbergh’s 5 best films (according to me) to date. They are Traffic, Out of Sight, Contagion, The Girlfriend Experience, and Solaris. I know many have other choices (notably Erin Brokovich and Sex, Lies, and Videotape), but these are the ones that get my seal of approval. Soderbergh may only have a few films left in him if we’re to believe his recent statements, so it’s time to appreciate him while we still can. I know I’ve always been lukewarm on his movies, so this is an opportunity for me to give him a second chance of sorts. Give these films a look and let me know what you think of them!
-What will you be watching on DVD this week? Discuss on the Forum!
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Easily one of the year’s best. 10/10 from me. But, how is it a satire?
Agreed…and I’m using satire in the form that doesn’t use comedy. A satire can use sarcasm or ridicule, and I believe the film is ridiculing politics quite savagely.
I read this too, and thought: “Satire?! Joey … there is nothing funny here!” but Joey is right when one looks up the definition of satire (as I did).
“The use of irony, sarcasm, or ridicule in exposing vice or folly.”
It skewers politics very well — by exposing vice and folly. It fits the definition perfectly … we’ve just seemed to like to associate satire with laughs when it isn’t necessarily the case.
What is laugh-out-loud funny about this (actually) is that half of my family refused to see this very film. It was political and written/directed/starred-in by George Clooney so guess which politically-leaning half of my family refused to see it?! They are the ones missing out (as they usually are) … Clooney is intelligent “enough” to know NO politician is angelic and sleaze accompanies officials from both sides of the aisle.
AND you were actually being VERY nice, Joey, in just using the word “awful” to describe Abduction! I have NO idea how THAT cast was assembled; but the film … CRINGE. Early, early, early in the year I want to say that Lautner’s name was on this site for this very film when you are all grasping for something in March/April as filler for the prospective acting categories. Do you have archives that you can go back and check to see if I remember this correctly? Some films are just really bad which can be forgiven as they are meant to be entertaining and nothing more … I think Abuction actually thought that it was going to be good which makes it SO much worse.
Thanks for confirming…I realize I didn’t use the normal version of satire, but it’s an apt terminology.
As for Abduction…Clay listed it almost as a joke under long shot Best Picture contenders…that might be where you saw it.
Shew … sigh of relief that it was jokingly referred to as a longshot. I guess I just remember Lautner b/c the stupid poster was practically nothing but his face.
I’m glad those kids are all cashing in now because a few years after Twilight runs its course they won’t be getting these side contracts. I thought Water for Elephants and Little Ashes (?) were okay but I don’t think I can list one other decent flick from any of that trio of actors since Twilight has hit. Oh … other than The Runaways but I don’t think Ms. Stewart was particularly great there — I just thought the story (and Dakota Fanning and a few other supporting cast members) were fine. The paychecks these kids are picking up blows my mind … what movie have THEY opened (as Twilight it opening itself)?
I’m also betting Ms. Stewart stared daggers at Anna Kendrick when she got the Oscar nomination a few years ago. Oh … too bad so sad. ACT and maybe you’ll get one too.
I actually quite like Stewart in most things that aren’t Twilight…Adventureland for example.
You may of heard me say this on live blogs of Critics Choice and Golden Globes but I found this to be overrated (I liked it just fine), but it’s better than anything else this week. I’m also willing to try out Bucky Larson just to see if I can point you out.
Good luck.
I loved it…one of the 10 best of the year for me. I can see how it’s a satire, but obviously not a humorous one.
Indeed.
Thank you Joey for having the guts to call Solaris one of Soderbergh’s best films! I happen to love this movie, and I consider to be one of the best sci-fi pics of the last decade. Beautiful score and acting especially. Glad you liked it too!
You’re quite welcome. Like I said, I’m not as into Soderbergh like some are, but I recognize those 5 as strong works for sure…Solaris included.
Another of his I quite liked when I saw it (but I only saw it then … so it has been YEARS) was Underneath. That is definitely a “lesser-known” one of his. I also liked The Limey more than some of his more popular features.
Solaris is a great flick … it just wasn’t a crowd-pleaser OR an easy watch; but it is a well-made film. I cannot think on anything negative to really say about it. It just wasn’t a lot of people’s “cup of tea” so it wasn’t treated fairly IMO. I wish more people would simply admit to not liking something (or not fully “getting it”) instead of bashing it.
Pretty much…
I love Soderbergh’s movies! Thank you for putting up Solaris and Girlfriend Experience, I love those! I agree with Thomas, The Limey was incredible and is my favorite of his films besides Solaris. Out of Sight and Traffic are also fantastic, but I found Contagion to be one of his lesser films (although I still found it to be quite good). I prefer Che, Ocean’s Eleven, and Sex, Lies and Videotape. I also think Thomas has something with The Underneath. I thought that was really good as well and totally Soderbergh-like. Gallagher gave an excellent performance with and without his awesome beard! I am a Soderbergh fanboy and really like/love all of his movies, although I still haven’t seen The Good German. I even enjoyed Bubble!
You’re very welcome there. Fair points…