This week, we’re again coming down a bit from the heights of the week prior, but when the DVD/Blu-Ray releases were as good as those were, it’s hard not to. The current slate leaves something to be desired, but there are surely diamonds in this rough. If nothing else, there’s a decently large number of films to choose from, so there’s that. We’re at the part of the DVD release calendar where this is prone to happen from time to time, so we deal with it and move on to the next week. As for this week’s top selection, there’s wasn’t much of a debate for me. My choice for the PICK OF THE WEEK is a little horror film that’s big on charm. It also happens to be by one of the darling filmmakers of the genre. Guessed the movie yet? Well, if you haven’t, here goes nothing. It’s:
The Innkeepers
Ti West is going to make a horror masterpiece on day, and while this isn’t it, there’s still plenty to like about this haunted hotel story that came out earlier this year and frankly flew a bit under the radar (you can find my complimentary review of it here). He’s having a hell of a time making it, and he does the unthinkable when it comes to fright flicks…he makes the characters matter. There may never truly be a real “scary” moment in the film, but it’s well made and a lot of fun if you’re a fan of this sort of thing. As a bonus, it’s low on gore for those who are squeamish about that (I’m not, as those who know my affection for the ‘Saw’ franchise can attest to, but U know it’s a concern for some). Essentially, this is a poor man’s ‘Insidious’, and I mean that in a good way. Pick it up on DVD or Blu-Ray and enjoy!
-Getting the runner-up spot this week, based mostly on colleague Mike Ward’s recommendation, is the coming of age story Pariah, one of last year’s films that I sadly missed seeing. I can’t speak to its quality, but there are a lot of fans out there, so I vote that you take a leap of faith and give it a shot. Feel free to report back your findings as well.
-Also out today is the mediocre action flick Contraband, the disappointing horror flick 11-11-11, and the dreadful suspense film Dark Tide. There’s also things I haven’t seen, like the dramedy Reuniting the Rubins (I do want to see this one though), the dramas The Wicker Tree and Return, as well as the HBO movie Cinema Verite (I don’t always count these, but I figured I would this week). If any of these flicks do it for you, grab them and enjoy, but I won’t be giving any my recommendation…
-My Vintage pick, in honor of this week’s release of Bernie, is my favorite Richard Linklater film. It’s Dazed and Confused, a classic coming of age comedy that I seem to keep coming back to again and again. I considered tying in both Before Sunrise and Before Sunset and going with that, but I’d be lying to myself…I love this film more than those put together. It’s much more than a stoner flick (I don’t even consider it that), and shows Linklater at his very best. This is truly a flick to watch/re-watch just based on quality alone. You won’t regret it!
-What will you be watching on DVD/Blu-Ray this week? Discuss on the Forum!
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Tags: blu ray, DVD, Joey's DVD Column, joeys dvd pick of the week, weekly DVD column
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As the weeks progress we’ll have more lineups like this one, but there will still be gems hitting shelves, trust me…
Joey Magidson(Quote) (Reply)
Great vintage pick!
Jessie Makowski(Quote) (Reply)
Much obliged!
Joey Magidson(Quote) (Reply)
Seems like a mediocre week to me.
Kim(Quote) (Reply)
More or less, I suppose…
Joey Magidson(Quote) (Reply)