This week, one of the more unjustly ignored films of 2012 to date is hitting Blu-Ray/DVD, along with a few other decent titles. This makes for an uptick in quality from last week, though the weeks ahead are still going to be stronger. That being said, one of my 10 favorites of the year so far is out today, so that’s a real plus in my book and something not to take lightly. Of course, that also makes my PICK OF THE WEEK selection rather easy as well. My choice is a light dramedy that showcases some comedic actors in a whole new light and suggests a further evolution for the filmmakers behind it. Can’t guess what movie I’m talking about? Well, I won’t leave you hanging. It’s:

Jeff, Who Lives at Home

A heartwarming comedy with dramatic elements and more to say about life than you initially realize, this is also the best film to date from the Duplass Brothers. Jay and Mark (the latter of which is becoming a staple in this column, now isn’t he) have upped both their writing and directorial games, which results in a good looking, good sounding, and good feeling flick. Ed Helms, Judy Greer, and Susan Sarandon all do fine work, but Jason Segel gives a career best performance and turns in a nomination worthy job here…though sadly he’ll likely be ignored. Not simply a stoner searching for the meaning of life, this is a movie about connections, brotherhood, and love. I adored it, and now that it’s out on home video, you can fall for it too!

-Also out and getting a recommendation from me is the comedy Wanderlust. Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston were having a good time in David Wain’s hippie laugh fest, and it’s far weirder than you’re expecting it to be. This isn’t the best film ever to come from the Judd Apatow school of movies, but it’s hardly the worst either. Give it a shot and see what you think. You might just dig it.

-This week has the release of the Nicolas Cage movie Seeking Justice as well. I actually have a bunch to say about this one, so look for a full review of the flick in the next day or so, as it’s surprisingly interesting. I can’t say that I fully recommend it, but this isn’t Cage just picking up a paycheck, so if you’re a fan of his, this is one to try out. Stay tuned for more…

-The rest of the releases today include the mediocre “save the whales” flick Big Miracle, the terrible comedy Project X, as well as the documentary The Big Fix, the suspense flick Keyhole, and the comedy My Afternoons with Margueritte, which I didn’t see. I can’t come out and recommend any of these, but if something speaks to you here, don’t let me stand in your way. Feel free to pick any or all of these, if so. I won’t be stopping you.

-My Vintage pick, in honor of this week’s release of Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, is a very different film that also uses science fiction as a springboard for something else. It’s Never Let Me Go, and while this never turned out to be the Oscar player I expected it to be, I still really loved this romantic tragedy. Andrew Garfield, Keira Knightley, and Carey Mulligan will all break you heart, and director Mark Romenek has filmed an exquisite and beautiful film. If you’ve yet to see it, now is the time to rectify that. It just missed my top 10 list a few years back, so take it as a real hearty recommendation here…

-What will you be watching on DVD/Blu-Ray this week? Discuss on the Forum!

About Joey Magidson

When he’s not obsessing over new Oscar predictions on a weekly basis, Joey is seeing between 200 and 300 movies a year. He views the best in order to properly analyze the awards race/season each year, but he also watches the worst for reasons he mostly sums up as "so you all don't have to". In his spare time, you can usually find him complaining about the Jets or the Mets. Still, he lives and dies by film. Joey's a voting member of the Internet Film Critics Association as well. Today the IFCA, tomorrow the world!

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