Wednesday
Jul252012
Boss Me Around With DVDs. What Must I Watch Next?
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 10:00AM Last time y'all voted to make me watch Jeff Who Lives at Home which I have even though my post is running late. Soon it'll be time to seize my queue again. Which of these newish DVD releases must I watch and write about after Jeff?
- LOCKOUT in which Guy Pearce has a very big gun in outer space and presumably shoots people with it.
- SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN in which Ewan and Emily are presumably adorable whilst falling in lvoe
- FRIENDS WITH KIDS in which a fine cast presumably illustrates the comic differences between the childless and the childful in marriages.
- FOOTNOTE in which the great Lior Ashkenazi presumably argues with his daddy alot in an Oscar nominated foreign film about two Talmud professors
- THE DEEP BLUE SEA in which Rachel Weisz and Tom Hiddleston couple it up in this presumably beautiful movie because that's the only kind of movie the non-prolific Terence Davies (House of Mirth) makes.
- WANDERLUST in which Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston presuming get all frisky when they visit a.
Vote now or forever hold your piece... peace? Stop holding things and start clicking is what I mean. Make a stand for your choice in the comments to sway the voting.
tagged DVD, reader requests
DVD, reader requests
Reader Comments (31)
Definitely The Deep Blue Sea, partially because I think that Rachel Weisz has made some fascinating choices with her post-Oscar career that I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on. She went from that actress from The Mummy to someone who either lucked or skilled her way into an Oscar (depending on your outlook), and now has this very strong balance of supporting roles in large Hollywood films (The Bourne Legacy, Oz) and thoughtful independent films. Plus, Hiddleston (drool).
I was surprised by how decent Friends with Kids turned out to be.
'Friends With Kids' - simply because it's the only one I might end up seeing and I want to know if it's worth it.
Also, it only came out in the UK a couple of weeks ago - I'm surprised it's out on DVD in the US already.
Ooh, tough one.
Didn't see Wanderlust.
Footnote is bad, and I can't imagine you really liking it or having a lot to say about it.
Salmon Fishing is okay but not worth a whole article.
Lockout kinda sucks, but Guy Pearce is great in it. One of those case studies in a single performance almost saving a mediocre film. Plus, this could end up being your funniest review due to the movie's ridiculousness.
The Deep Blue Sea is the most "important" one here, but I actually had some serious reservations about it. It would definitely be a conversation-starter, though.
But I voted for Friends with Kids, because I thought it was kind of underrated, and it has some interesting things to say about relationships and friendship. Plus, the cast is filled with people you love!
Friends with Kids-- something is off about that movie and I think you'll have the insight to tell me what it is. Even with some problems, it was kinda fun. Jon Hamm and Kristen Wiig should be in every movie together.
The only one of these I've seen so far is Footnote which I thought was mostly very good. And I think this is a more interesting group of movies than your last batch so probably any of them would be worthy. But I think the actressexualness of Deep Blue Sea makes it the most appropriate for you to review.
Actressexual Police with suspend the actressexual license of anyone who doesn't vote for Deep Blue Sea.
Deep Blue Sea is a beautiful film, with yummy Tom Hiddleston. You'll notice that it's alarming when Rachel Weisz first lights a cigarette, since Davies's palette is so smoky to begin with. Friends with Kids is a bit of an overambitious jumble, but there's a truly excellent dinner-scene climax, where lifestyles and parental beliefs are volleyed across the table. It's almost Altmanesque. And if you ever had any positive feelings toward Adam Scott, you should def see it. He gets a substantial role and it's easily his finest hour as an actor (I cried!)
I really enjoyed Friends with Kids, but my vote went to The Deep Blue Sea (even though I haven't seen it yet) because I want to know your thoughts on Rachel Weisz's performance.
I vote against Lockout...and I suppose for Deep Blue Sea.
The Perfect Family.
I voted for Friends with Kids. I thought the film was mostly a mess, but it has some fascinating ideas, some beautifully written and choreographed scenes (plus what I think is Jon Hamm's best performance outside of Mad Men, and Adam Scott is also fantastic) and I'm curious to see what you think of it. I'm also curious to hear your thoughts on Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, a film I thought was cute (in fact, I laughed at it quite a bit, and I think Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt are adorable together), even though it kind of runs out of steam toward the end. Still, I'd be curious to hear your thoughts, and also, Kristin Scott Thomas has a scene-stealing role. As for The Deep Blue Sea, I was honestly kind of bored by it, since not much really happens and it doesn't feel as explosive as I thought it might be (even though the three central performances are all outstanding). I haven't seen the other three, so I can't comment on those.
Totally off topic, but I've read "seize my queue" as "size queen" at least three times. Oh, the places my mind travels.
You have to watch Deep Blue Sea for the sake of the actressexual in you. Rachel Weisz's performance is her best I think.
Come on, Deep Blue Sea is the cliche pick, folks! Vote for Lockout! The Film Experience does not provide enough coverage of cheesily delightful Luc Besson-produced action movies, and this is a SERIOUS OVERSIGHT!!!
OT: Just read the very sad news that the wonderful Susanne Lothar has died. She was 51 years old and leaves behind two children.
She had lost her husband, the equally wonderful Ulrich Mühe, to cancer in 2007.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0521443/
Deep Blue Sea sounds very promising!!! - but somehow tiring...... So I voted for "Friends with kids" cos I really feel like seeing a good comedy in these wet cape town days - the trailer looked quiet fun and I'm getting quiet fond of Maya Rudolph since "Away we go" (btw. there was my best supporting actress snub for Allison Janney in 2009 !!!!! - Gosh she is hilarious in this little "actors gem" from Sam Mendes)
Please don't watch Wanderlust if you still want to keep a slight respect for Aniston - I really do think she was a brilliant comedian in "Friends" with a perfect sense of timing (but I'm probably alone here) - never seen her as good on the big scene - Wanderlust is a disappointment and she is just listless - where is Rachel ??
Anyway - where are the good comedies these days???
Goodness, those are terrible choices. Deep Blue Sea, I guess?
I also notice suspiciously that The Three Stooges wasn't on this list. :)
"Lockout" is a good sci-fi B movie adventure and much more satisfying than some of these big budget summer spectaculars.
Deep Blue Sea (and the original if anyone can even find it anywhere with Vivien Leigh)...and Lockout.
The Deep Blue Sea, wonderful film. I liked Salmon Fishing in the Yemen but it's not a very complex movie, though you could talk about the appeal of Emily Blunt and Ewan McGregor together and how much fun it is to see Kristin Scott Thomas in a comic role.
I voted for Friends With Kids because I've heard opinions range from good to pretty crappy and would like to hear where it falls for you.
LOL have to second Peggy Sue on The Perfect Family.
tim b & peggy sue -- i gave people that option last week and they didn't go for it. boo :)
I went to my local independent cinema weeks ago to see The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. It sold out, and the people in front of us, who were also seeing it, asked the ticket woman for a recommendation. Her response: "Anything but The Deep Blue Sea. It's terrible. Just horrible. Avoid it like the plague." We saw Bully.
That said, I voted for Friends With Kids. It ends up exactly where you think it will, but I thoroughly loved the ride. Maybe I liked it so much because I did know exactly where it was going and I still think it's some of the best writing all year? Definitely worth checking out.
I voted for Deep Blue Sea because I really like her and secretly root for Rachel Weisz for whatever reason. And I want to hear about her performance.
The only one I've actually seen is Wanderlust...it's only because it was showing at my university's cinema for free and my friends wanted to hang out. I mean, it was a lot more entertaining than I thought it would be, I'll give it that. One scene with Paul Rudd in front of the mirror made me laugh harder than I can remember laughing in recent memory. But I doubt I'd watch it again.
Wow, my first sentence was worded very awkwardly ... lol
I don't know if this qualifies as nitpick but I rolled my eyes so hard when I noticed that Netflix describes THE DEEP BLUE SEA as " remake of the original 1955 film, adapted from a Terence Rattigan play". I feel like I've had this conversation, but are adaptations of literature considered as remakes?
ANYHOW, I voted for it because even though it might be the expected choice the film, I believe, made a below a million dollar at the American box office and it's such a devastatingly beautiful film I find it a shame so few seem interested. (Also, Weisz smoulders.)
I've only seen 2 out this selection.
Avoid Salmon Fishing - starts well, love Emily Blunt but fades & becomes just silly at the end.I need to read the book apparently is very different to the film.
The Deep Blue Sea is very good. Rachel Weisz is excellent, makes acting seem so natural & effortless. Does have the feel of a play though.
Alex: I used to work at a movie theater and I can tell you, that means the movie is actually really good.
Mike -- LOL. so true.