This Week In DVD: Revolutionary Road, Defiance, Weeds, And More
This Week in DVD is a column that compiles all the latest info regarding new DVD releases, sales, and exclusive deals from stores including Target, Best Buy and Fry's.
Please don't take the commentary on the movies and TV shows too seriously, as they're meant not to be reviews but rather previews that include the general thoughts and ramblings of a twice-committed DVD addict. The categories represent solely the author's intentions towards the DVDs at hand, and are in no way meant to be a reflection on what he thinks other people should rent or buy. So if he ends up putting a movie you like in the "Skip it" section without having seen it, please keep in mind that the time you could spend leaving a spiteful but ultimately futile comment could instead be used for more pleasant things in life. Like buying DVDs.
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
While nothing Sam Mendes has made since his directorial debut has lived up to the greatness of American Beauty, his recent return to examining the perils of suburban life still provides an interesting examination of what it's like to feel stuck in a lifestyle you cannot stand, even if it is more concerned with hammering home its bleak message than presenting it in what you'd call an "entertaining" way. The movie certainly has its flaws: it's overwritten at times, the ending is unnecessarily melodramatic, and the "crazy son" character (despite being brilliantly played by Michael Shannon) acts as nothing more than a lazy device to spell out the film's message. What saves the film, however, is Mendes' top notch direction and the emotionally effective lead performances by Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio. They all do such an admirable job, you're liable to forget that the film has any faults at all.
Blu-ray? Yes.Notable Extras: Commentary by director Sam Mendes and screenwriter Justin Haythe, a "Lives of Quite Desperation: The Making of Revolutionary Road" featurette, and deleted scenes.
EXCLUSIVE DEAL:What? Save $10 when you buy both Revolutionary Road and Defiance.Where? Best Buy.EXCLUSIVE DEAL:What? Free $10 Target GiftCard when you buy both Revolutionary Road and Defiance.Where? Target.
WEEDS (SEASON 4)
I've only recently started to catch up on this show (just finished Season 3 the other day), and while it's a far stretch from the best thing television has to offer, I would be lying if I said it wasn't consistently entertaining. But according to a number of Slashfilm readers, the fourth season of the show is by far its weakest. This is disappointing to hear, albeit not particularly surprising given that the Season 3 finale basically guaranteed that the following season would be a major departure from everything that had come before. This makes me wonder: were a lot of fans put off by Season 4 because they didn't like seeing the format they had grown to know and love altered so radically, or because those changes were simply a big step down from what made the show successful? Weigh in your thoughts on the matter in the comments below.
Blu-ray? Yes.Notable Extras: Cast commentaries, a gag reel, and featurettes.
DEFIANCE
Between recent directorial efforts like Blood Diamond and The Last Samurai, Edward Zwick has built a reputation for himself as a man willing to tackle interesting and complex subject matter... in a thoroughly formulaic manner. Now, admittedly, I actually liked both of the movies quite a bit, but so far nothing I've heard about Defiance has inspired much confidence that Zwick has managed to replicate the one thing that managed to make those films work for me: keeping the audience entertained. Granted, as a rule, Holocaust movies are probably not what you'd want to classify as "entertaining" to begin with, but I'd rather find myself on the edge of my seat as a group of Jews kick some Nazi ass than have to trudge through another dull, trite "inspirational" true story. And considering that Inglourious Basterds comes out in a mere couple of months, it's not like I can't just wait until then to have my wish granted.
Blu-ray? Yes.Notable Extras: Commentary by director Edward Zwick, and featurettes ("Defiance: Return to the Forest", "Children of the Otriad: The Families Speak").
EXCLUSIVE DEAL:What? Save $10 when you buy both Revolutionary Road and Defiance.Where? Best Buy.EXCLUSIVE DEAL:What? Free $10 Target GiftCard when you buy both Revolutionary Road and Defiance.Where? Target.
HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU
Apparently, this film has a very important message it attempts to convey: if a guy says he's going to call to a woman, and then he doesn't, it's because he's just not that into her. WOW. HOLY SHIT. Thanks, movie, for that brilliant and insightful revelation. What other pearls of wisdom do you have to impart? That guys get turned on by boobies? Please, educate me oh wise star-studded examination of one-note Hollywood-ized relationships. Should I expect anything less from the visionary director behind License to Wed, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and Dunston Checks In?
Blu-ray? Yes.Notable Extras: Deleted scenes.
Other noteworthy DVDs available this week...Prison Break (Season 4) – Baby on Board
NOTE: Some deals may be in-store only.
$19.99 – The Simpsons (Season 1 & 2 two pack), That '70s Show (Season 1 & 2 two pack)$29.99 – 30 Rock (Season 1 & 2 two pack)$34.99 – House (Season 3 & 4 two pack)
$4.99 – Wedding Crashers, Caddyshack, The Shawshank Redemption, and more...$9.99 – The Hustler$16.99 – Friday Night Lights (Season 2)$19.99 – Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (Season 1), The Boondocks (Season 2)