Flicks That Skipped Our Shores – March Home Releases
Being the small and great (but more importantly, small) country that we are, it is an unfortunate reality that we cannot get all the anticipated US theatrical releases into NZ cinemas. However, it would be a shame if we were to completely neglect their home releases as well.
We’re going to show these releases some love in this monthly post of upcoming DVD and Blu-Ray releases of flicks that skipped our shore. This month, End of Watch, Top Gun 3D and Bachelorette.
End of Watch
On 3D Blu-Ray – 6th March
In a Nutshell: South central Los Angeles cop drama starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña as police officers who find themselves on the cartel’s most wanted list. Was meant for a theatrical release all the way back in October, but was doomed to the void of infinite delays, potentially due to scheduling clashes and a less-than-stellar US Box Office performance.
The Buzz: 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. While some critics are a tad iffy on the found-footage angle, almost all of them agree with the New York Post, saying “Gyllenhaal and Pena have great chemistry together … in their best performances to date.”
Reason to Watch: Because we haven’t had a thrilling American buddy-cop-drama in a while. Get yourself some doughnuts, a six-pack of Budweiser and a free Saturday night to do this movie justice.
Silent Hill: Revelation
On DVD, Blu-Ray and 3D Blu-Ray – Undated March
In a Nutshell: The sequel to 2006’s Silent Hill, loosely based on the third instalment of Konami’s popular horror videogame series. Was originally set for a theatrical release, but its poor US Box Office takings most likely pushed it off our schedule.
The Buzz: 6% on Rotten Tomatoes (ouch). Reviewers seem pretty adamant on this one, with Entertainment Weekly calling it “an ugly, assaultive collection of jump-scares.”
Reason to Watch: If you’re a big fan of the franchise (and by big, we mean colossal), you’ll probably want to cross this off your ‘to-watch’ list.
Top Gun 3D
On 3D Blu-Ray – 6th March
In a Nutshell: The 3D re-release of Tony Scott’s rom-com Air Force blockbuster – 1986’s highest grossing film – starring Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer.
The Buzz: You’ve probably already made your mind up about Top Gun and whether or not you love entering the danger zone. But is the 3D conversion any good? Well, according to Cinenerd from blogcritics, Top Gun 3D “definitely warrants an upgrade if you have a 3DTV.”
Reason to Watch: To experience the sensation of fighter jets and volleyballs coming right at you.
Himizu
On DVD – 14th March
In a Nutshell: Extreme Japanese director Shion Sono (Cold Fish) adapts Minoru Furuya’s manga of the same name, following a boy and a girl who embark on a campaign of violence against wrong-doers in the disastrous aftermath of a massive earthquake.
The Buzz: 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. Many Sono fans enjoyed it, with Little White Lies calling it “a near-masterpiece”. But our man Liam, who saw it at last year’s NZ film festival, couldn’t agree less, who says it was “an unsatisfying test of my patience.”
Reason to Watch: If you’re a fan of Sono’s previous films (or if you’re not a total gump like Liam), you’re bound to find enough to like in this disaster-romance flick.
Peace, Love & Misunderstanding
On DVD and Blu-Ray – 14th March
In a Nutshell: In the process of getting a divorce, a “tight ass” New York City lawyer takes her two kids to her hippie mother’s farmhouse for a vacation.
The Buzz: 29% on Rotten Tomatoes. According to the criticsphere, this is predictable and mum-friendly as you can get. “But at least the lead performances set off sparks,” says the New York Times.
Reason to Watch: If you liked Safe Haven and Wanderlust, simple mathematics would deduce that you’d like this film too.
Bachelorette
On DVD and Blu-Ray – 20th March
In a Nutshell: Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher and Lizzy Caplan star in this Will Ferrell-produced comedy about three coked-up, foul-mouthed friends asked to be bridesmaids for the loser they ridiculed back in high school.
The Buzz: 55% on Rotten Tomatoes. Opinions are split, but humour tends to be very subjective, likely to offend some while juicing the laughs from others. Slate called Bachelotette “A nasty little piece of work — a phrase I use not with contempt but with grudging admiration.”
Reason to Watch: Kirsten Dunst’s a babe. Lizzy Caplan’s a babe. Isla Fisher’s a babe. Rebel Wilson’s a babe. Sure, it might just be a copy-paste of Bridesmaids, but another raunchy comedy lead by quality women should be reason enough to watch it.
