500 Days of Summer on DVD

Jacket: "In this quirky romantic comedy about love and fate, a young greeting card writer (Joseph-Gordon Levitt) is hopelessly, helplessly searching for the girl of his dreams ... and his new co-worker, Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel), may just be "the one." But the 500 days of their offbeat relationship reveal (in no particular order) that the road to happiness can be unpredictable, uncontrollable - and unbelievably funny!"

For those of you who are single, this film will make you laugh, sigh and come just short of slitting your wrists. Only because you can associate with Tom on some level. Been there, done that. You feel his angst. You feel his aggravation. Don't worry, it'll leave you with a measure of hope at the end.

District 9 Now on DVD

One of the best films of the year! 

Buy it! Rent it! See it!

Jacket: "From producer Peter Jackson and director Neil Blomkamp comes a startlingly original science-fiction thriller that "soars on the imagination of its creators".  With stunning special effects and gritty realism, the film plunges us into a world where the aliens have landed ... only to be exiled to a slum on the fringes of Johannesburg. Now, one lone human discovers the mysterious secret of the extraterrestial weapon technology. Hunted and hounded through the bizarre back alleys of an alien shantytown, he will discover what it means to be the ultimate outsider on your own planet."

The Cove on DVD

A phenomenal and daring documentary. In Taiji, Japan, 23,000 dolphins are slaughtered every year. Rick Barry, Simon Hutchins and associates go in guerrila-warfare style to collect live evidence for the first time and expose Japan's dirty, little secret.

Activist Rick Barry is a rock star! You feel the weight of his guilt, having introduced the world to "Flipper", but also the strength of his conviction to save dolphins.

I may never go to Sea World or a dolphin park ever again. Did you know they feed them Maalox and antacids to them because they have ulcers from all the stress of captivity?

Warning: It will be gut-wrenching to watch them trapped and attacked and to see the cove become a blanket of red.

"The Taiji dolphin slaughter is scheduled to resume every September. Unless we stop it."


Maybe Douglas Adams had it right and we'll not know of our short-sightedness until we hear their parting words as they flee our puny planet.

"So long, and thanks for all the fish."

http://www.TakePart.com/TheCove

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on DVD

Jacket: "As Lord Voldemort tightens his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds, Hogwarts is no longer a safe haven. Harry suspects perils may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort's defenses and to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague Horace Slughorn, who he believes holds crucial information. Even as the decisive showdown looms, romance blossoms for Harry, Ron, Hermione and their classmates. Love is in the air, but danger lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again."

The adventure continues!

In the Loop on DVD

Jacket: "Peter Capaldi stars as the foul-mouthed British government spokesman who must act quickly when a mid-level minister (Tom Hollander) tells an interviewer that U.S. war in the Middle East is "unforeseeable."  But when they are both summoned to Washington D.C.. the hapless politico quickly becomes a pawn of the bureaucrats, spin doctors and military advisors, including a hard-nosed General (James Gandolfini)."

This was hilarious! Capaldi is a riot and makes swearing an art form! I needed a funny film after just seeing a snoozer and this hit the mark.

G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra on DVD

I blame being trapped on a plane for 9 hours and having seen all the other films showing for subjugating my eyes to this. Why did it have to be soooooo cheesy?!

paranormal activity

 

Uh, I thought this would be scarier.

Bina's reaction was best: "That was it?!"

the ugly truth on DVD

Jacket: "Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler star in this wildly funny battle of the sexes from director Robert Luketic (Legally Blonde). Abby (Heigl), a successful morning show producer, is looking for a lot in a man. Mike (Butler), her obnoxious TV star, knows men only want one thing. Determined to prove that she's not romantically challenged, Abby takes Mike's advice during a promising new romance, but the unexpected results will stun everyone."

I don't know about "wildly funny", but I did crack up several times watching this. And I had to watch it a second time. Check it out.

The Accidental Husband on DVD

Jacket: "Firefighter Patrick Sullivan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) finds his life turned upside-down when his fiancee suddenly calls off their pending nuptials per the recommendation of radio love guru Dr. Emma lloyd (Uma Thurman).  Determined to get back at this "love doctor," Sullivan forges a fake marriage license, "accidentally" marrying him to Emma, who's already engaged to Richard (Colin Firth).

But as Patrick's charms begin to wear Emma down, she must decide which of these bachelors is her "Mr. Right." Also starring Sam Shepard, Justina Machado and Isabella Rossellini ..."

I really had high hopes for this film, but I just didn't find it that funny.

Disneynature earth on DVD

Jacket: "An epic story of adventure, starring some of the most magnificent and courageous creatures alive, awaits you in earth. Disneynature brings you a remarkable story of three animal families on a journey across our planet - polar bears, elephants and humpback whales. Filmed with spectacular clarity and beauty, earth is both majestic and intimate as it captures rare footage of nature's wildest and most elusive animals. From the landmark Disneynature collection, earth is an astonishing and heartwarming film filled with adventure, suspense and humor that will take your breath away."

I agree with this description. This is such a beautiful film to watch AND experience. And of course, it is wonderfully narrated by James Earl Jones. 

I think my favorite scenes involved birds. They were a crack up!


Don't worry, it's rated G for the kids so you won't be seeing what happens when animals really attack. 

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen on DVD

Jacket: "When college-bound Sam Witwicky (Shia LeBeouf) learns the truth about the ancient origins of the Transformers, he must accept his destiny abd join Optimus Prime and Bumblebee in their epic battle against the Decepticons, who have returned stronger than ever with a plan to destroy our world."

My 13-year-old cousins will like this one, especially with the annoyingly forced relationship angle they strove for. Eh, I found the new sarcastic bots pretty funny.

The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006)

Wikipedia: "The Wind That Shakes the Barley is a 2006 Ken Loach film set during the Irish War of Independence (1919–21) and the Irish Civil War (1922–3). Written by long-time Loach collaborator Paul Laverty, this drama tells the story of two County Cork brothers, played by Cillian Murphy and Pádraic Delaney, who join the Irish Republican Army to fight for Irish independence from Great Britain.

Widely praised, the film won the Palme d'Or at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. Loach's biggest box office success to date,^[1] the film did well around the world and set a record in Ireland as the highest-grossing Irish-made independent film ever.^[2]"

^{This was very good and very educational for those of us across the pond.}