This week, not only does the best film of 2011 hit DVD/Blu-Ray (in my humble opinion, at least), but it’s joined by over a dozen other flicks for what has to be one of the biggest columns to date, at least going by quantity. The quality is a bit light, with the recommendation worthy movies being top-heavy, but the prime choice this week is so good you wouldn’t hear me complaining even if every other release today was subpar. Anyone who has even a cursory knowledge of the films I loved last year should know what my PICK OF THE WEEK is going to be, but for those in the dark, I’ll hint by saying it’s one of the many snubbed Best Picture contenders. Guessed by now? Well, whether you have or not, it’s time for the reveal. It’s:
Drive
The best thing I saw last year, this art house action film is about as unique as it gets. Ryan Gosling gave one of his very best performances (bested only by Blue Valenting and Half Nelson in my eyes) as The Driver, a man who lives to be behind the wheel and lives by a very strict code. No one did a better directing job in 2011 than Nicolas Winding Refn, and the ensemble cast is tremendous. I always knew Bryan Cranston and Carey Mulligan were going to be ignored for their work here, but seeing Albert Brooks not get honored for being the best villain of the year was a bit sad. From the visuals to the shot selection to the editing to the music, everything is top notch. This is an instant classic in my eyes and not being recognized (save for one tech nod) by the Academy doesn’t change that one bit. Now that it’s available to own, treat yourself to another viewing of Drive. You’ll be overjoyed that you did!
-The only other releases worth a look this week to me are the light comedy Chalet Girl and the musical drama Janie Jones. Neither made much of a dent at the box office, but both have been doing well On Demand and showcase some nice acting by Felicity Jones and Abigail Breslin, respectively. They’re not must haves, but they’re both worth a watch if you’re looking for some simple indie entertainment…
-The rest of the releases this week include the disappointing sci-fi flick In Time, the bland comedy The Big Year, the mediocre horror remake The Thing, the derivative crime drama Texas Killing Fields, the average suspense drama The Double, and the almost terrible thriller Dream House. Also out are some things I didn’t see, such as the documentaries Thunder Soul and The Hammer, the crime flick Outrage: Way of the Yakuza, 2008′s long delayed drama You and I, and of course Uwe Boll’s latest Blubberella. I’m kind of curious about the last two, one due to the cast (including Anton Yelchin) and the other just morbidly. I can’t say pick any of these up, but you do as you see fit.
-My Vintage pick, in honor of the release this week of Big Miracle (my Early Review can be found here), is a collection of better Drew Barrymore flicks. Anyone who ready my take on the flick knows I wasn’t a big fan, but Drew has always been a charmer, and in the following films she’s far more appealing. Go with either 50 First Dates, Everybody’s Fine, Fever Pitch, Going the Distance, Lucky You, My Date with Drew, or Never Been Kissed. There’s some comedy and some drama in there…even a documentary, so everyone should have something to see. They’re all better than her latest, so check them out. If you want one above all, go with the underrated Robert De Niro starrer Everybody’s Fine, which I seem to have liked more than anyone else in the industry. Alas…
-What will you be watching this week? Discuss on the Forum!
Related posts:
8 Comments
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI
I wish the DVD/Blu-Ray for Drive was a little more of a Special Edition, but you won’t hear me complaining…
It’s been a great few weeks for the Column too, so let’s enjoy it!
Agreed, picked up Drive and Moneyball on Dvd this week. February looks promising too, as i look forward to seeing Take Shelter and Marcy May for the first time when they come out.
Indeed, things are pretty bright right now for home video, as it were.
January, February and March are oftentimes the theatrical graveyard as we have one or two “good” movies a month as opposed to September through December when most of the cinematic releases are watch-able.
The DVD pics are just the opposites as the end of the year gets the tail-end of the summer releases and the beginning of the year sees the award-worthy films hit the homefront.
I agree with you, Joey, that Drive was the BEST film of 2011. I it hard to forgive the Academy for such a BLATANT snub as it feels as if they actually went out-of-their-way to do so to this very film. The mere ONE nomination is almost more insulting than none at all because we NOW know it wasn’t simply forgotten … it was ignored! One of your comments about Albert Brooks says so-much more than the line implies: “the best villain of the year …” Uh … this was the SAME year of the final confrontation better Harry Potter and Voldemort — one of the BEST movie/literary villains of ALL time (now — thanks Ms. Rowling!)! But, Joey … you’re right because Bernie Rose was the best villlain of the year!
I can still remember leaving the theater in October after seeing Drive. I was speechless and stunned and had tears running down my face. It isn’t that Drive is an intentional cry-for-me tearjerker — it was that I had just watched something special! This was the first movie I have seen in a couple of years that physically made me glad to be alive to experience something like that. It might sound ridiculous … but that feeling is difficult to put into words. It’s –> “I’m alive!” Drive is remarkable work … and you mentioned the music. Yes! Absolutely inspiring selections! Refn is one to watch … it is unfortunate the Academy does not share that opinion.
The Academy must be composed of people like the folks of my hometown. I originally come from a small-small-small town (Albany, MO) of 2000 people and since high school I’ve been the “voice”/go-to-guy for ALL THINGS MOVIES. I am no longer there but some family is and it is the kind of place where everyone knows each other (they want to know your business … sigh) and with the advent of Facebook I’ve become the town’s unofficial movie critic as all of my reviews are posted to my wall. It is small town/small-mind … and OH BOY the reaction I got after some ventured out to see Drive for themselves after reading my ebullient praise of the film!!! They let me know I had no idea what I was talking about (although I do) and somehow my left-leaning political stance also became part of their criticism (because only a damn liberal would like something like that!). Uh …
I bought the Blu-Ray and I have to agree … I wish there were some more extras, too. But as is — it’s still special
And as for some one-word descriptions of the week’s other releases — spot-on! Joey!!! In Time was “disappointing” (and very so-what); The Big Year was “bland” (and very so-what); and The Double was “average” (and very so-what). You are absolutely right with the 2 words for Dream House: “almost terrible” (and also very so-what). The only thing not terrible was the decent cast of Craig, Watts and Weisz (three excellent actors in THAT?!) and the oftentimes great director.
I will correct one thing of yours. I agree with your take on it — “mediocre” — but The Thing is actually a prequel and not a remake. Its ending is actually the beginning of the 1982 Kurt Russell/John Carpenter film of the same name. It is most definitely a prequel
… and I haven’t seen either Chalet Girl or Janie Jones and since you’ve marginally recommended the pair I look forward to seeking them out. Thanks!
Very true, though the theatrical quality is on an uptick of late.
I stand by Brooks as the villain of 2011 fully…
It does sound like most of your old neighbors are members of the Academy’s voting body.
The Thing is both to me…it’s a prequel in terms of plot but a remake in terms of execution, so I meant it slightly pejoratively. If you look back at my review last year, I called it a hybrid of sorts.
Indeed, can’t hurt to give them a shot.
Ryan Gosling is never a bad bet…
For sure.