Coens' fine 'True Grit'
The top DVD choices this week include the remake of a western classic and a long list of TV shows.
The top DVD choices this week include the remake of a western classic and a long list of TV shows.
True Grit, Grade A: Sibling directors Ethan and Joel Coen combine the grandeur of a traditional western with their quirky sensibility. It takes an actor of Jeff Bridges' caliber to step into the big boots of Rooster Cogburn, a role that earned John Wayne his only Oscar.
With strong supporting performances from Hailee Steinfeld and Matt Damon, the film is one of the best of the West to come moseying along in years.
Remakes, especially those of good movies, carry big risks. It takes a great script, beautiful cinematography, and top-notch acting to live up to the original. The Coens have done the Duke proud.
Just Go With It, Grade D-minus: It's easy to figure out how they came up with the name of the new Adam Sandler movie - most of the time it looks like everyone's making it up as they go along.
The film starts with a funny idea: Sandler plays Danny, a plastic surgeon who pretends to be married so he can pick up women. That may not make a lot of sense, but just go with it.
But that potential fizzles fast.
Director Dennis Dugan continues to show he doesn't know how to pace comedy, control actors, or keep Sandler from mugging ad nauseam.
Also new on DVD:
Care Bears, Flower Power: Eight unreleased episodes from the new TV series.
Bratz, BFF: Four episodes.
Blue Crush 2: Young woman goes to South Africa for a surfing adventure.
The Company Men: A man (Ben Affleck) deals with being downsized.
Madagascar: David Attenborough narrates.
Robin of Sherwood, Set 1: The 1980s British series stars Michael Praed.
The Big C, The Complete First Season: Woman's (Laura Linney) life changes after she's diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Have Gun Will Travel, The Complete Fifth Season: Richard Boone series about a gun for hire.
Rawhide, The Fourth Season, Volume 1: Clint Eastwood stars.
Breaking Bad, The Complete Third Season: Bryan Cranston's series about a chemistry teacher who becomes a drug dealer.
Cirque du Soleil, Journey of Man in 3-D: Performers bungee through giant redwoods and synchronize swim in the Bahamas.
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2011, The 3-D Experience: Blu-ray behind-the-scenes access to the magazine supermodels.
Exorcismus: Sophie Vavasseur stars in this supernatural thriller.
Pros and Ex-Cons: Sam Worthington stars in the gangster film.
American, The Bill Hicks Story: BBC film about the internationally known comic.