This week is perhaps the worst bunch of releases that we’ve had to choose from since we started this column. Mind you, the number one choice is an absolutely stellar American film and wholly deserving of being placed first on the list. However, everything that comes after it is mostly non-essential, with some of it even being downright horrible. I’m going to try and find some good in everything, as different strokes and all that jazz, but maybe you might want to skip to number one and wait until next week’s column. Or not. As I said, different strokes. So please, lets not mess around any further and let Blue Ray be your guide. Enjoy.
5. Oz: The Great and Powerful (Dir. Sam Raimi, 2013)
A downright immoral and ugly film experience. Who would have known that Sam Raimi, the director of The Evil Dead trilogy and even the first two Spiderman films would be capable of releasing such a horrid cinematic ordeal? Almost nothing in this film works, the images and CGI are garish and displeasing to the eye, the film finds its humour in the more unfortunate of places, none of the performers do anything remotely interesting and the film is slightly morally corrupt within it’s proceedings. There is some nice stuff about the birth of cinema and the magician/director parallel, but ultimately this is a boring and juvenile film that you should probably avoid. It’s on this list because, well, I’m not really sure. Maybe you liked it and want a reminder of its release? There, that’ll do. Released on DVD and Blu-ray.
Hear our Podcast discussion of Oz: The Great and Powerful over here.
4. Mt. Zion (Dir. Tearepa Kahi, 2013)
This New Zealand production stars Australian Idol winner Stan Walker, and you already know that is a bad sign. Or is it? Truth be told I haven’t actually seen the film which is a period piece about a young man who dreams of his band opening for Bob Marley when he comes to New Zealand in 1979. Judging from that, this could be a really sweet and tender hearted film, no? Let’s go with that, and also with the fact that you are more than likely going to hear a few choice Bob Marley cuts along the way, which is never a bad thing. The DVD seems devoid of special features, but you can’t have everything now. Released on DVD only.
3. Whale Rider (Dir. Niki Caro, 2002)
Whale Rider was a film that didn’t interest me at all upon it’s release. Granted, I was a 14 year old boy, and a story about a young Maori girl who dreams of being the leader of her tribe just didn’t hold the same appeal as the second Lord of the Rings film. However, as my tastes have matured (I hope), this film seems like something I might actually enjoy, and will seek to endeavour to view it someday. It was well received upon release, and now comes on blu-ray, of which I’m sure will enhance it’s sure to be beautiful images. If you’ve seen the film already, then this sure to be affordable upgrade is certainly something to consider. Upgrade to Blu-ray only.
2. Mama (Dir. Andrés Muschietti, 2013)
I still have yet to get around to catching this Spanish/American horror film from earlier in the year, but I very much would like to. Child centric horror films are usually quite effective on me, and based upon the reception that the film got, it seems that it’s the right amount of shock horror and slow burning tension. Starring Jessica Chastain, the film is executive produced by Guillermo del Toro who has had a pretty great track record with these sorts of things for a while now. The release comes with a directors commentary and a selection of deleted scenes, as well as the original 2008 short film from which the film was adapted. Released on DVD and Blu-ray.
1. Zero Dark Thirty (Dir. Kathryn Bigelow, 2012)
It’s a Jessica Chastain kind of week it seems. Although I wasn’t particularly a huge fan of Bigelow’s previous effort The Hurt Locker, her latest (once again in collaboration with Mark Boal), is an extraordinary insight into the hunt for Osama bin Laden following the infamous 9/11 terrorist attack. Rather then retain a polemic attitude, the film opts rather to posit itself as centric as possible, offering the opportunity for the viewer to ultimately project their own feelings and prejudices onto the film. Picking at the wounds that have been nagging the American psyche, the film is a rare expose; one that doesn’t point fingers, but rather asks questions. It’s as gripping a procedural can be, and is exhilarating from beginning to end. The release contains a small amount of special features (a few featurettes), but it’s all about the film here. One of the highlights of the cinematic year. Released on DVD and Blu-ray.
Listen to our Podcast review of Zero Dark Thirty over here.
The Last Podcast Show 