New On DVD: December 28, 2010

Paul Spence and David Lawrence in 'Fubar II'. Courtesy Alliance Films.

Fubar II Criticize This! Pick of the Week – Terry (David Lawrence) and Dean (Paul Spence) are back, and this time the two idiot hosers are heading to Fort McMurray, Alberta to work the pipelines along with their buddy Tron (Andrew Sparacino). Shot in the same mockumentary style as the first Fubar, Fubar II is ridiculously raunchy and funny, yet somehow sweet and touching in a weird way. While it’s not for everyone, it is the perfect flick to watch with some buddies while having a few beers on a Friday night.

Special features on the DVD include audio commentary with director Michael Dowse and othe key crew members, audio commentary with Terry and Dean, deleted scenes, and more. Also available on Blu-ray. Film *** DVD ** (out of 5 stars).

The American – If you’re expecting an action film in the same league as one of the Bourne or Bond movies, The American will come across as a slow, tedious, and boring film. However, if you want a decent dramatic thriller with a great script and some fine acting, The American is a winner that will grow on you over time if you give it a chance. Yes, the main plot is about an assassin (George Clooney) taking cover in a small Italian town during his last assignment, but it’s more about his inner struggle and less about him killing people, and Clooney gets to show off his acting talent in the role.

Special features on the DVD include audio commentary with director Anton Corbijn, deleted scenes, and a making-of featurette. Also available on Blu-ray. Film *** DVD ** (out of 5 stars).

And Soon The Darkness – Remake of the 1970 British film of the same name, And Soon the Darkness is a terrible thriller about two American girls travelling alone in Argentina when one of them mysteriously disappears. Unlike other tourist horror films such as Turistas and Hostel, And Soon the Darkness is neither scary, gory, or exciting in the least. It’s actually quite a pointless film all around. Amber Heard, Odette Yustman, and Karl Urban star.

Special features on the DVD include audio commentary with director Marcos Efron, cinematographer Gabriel Beristain, and editor Todd Miller, deleted scenes, the theatrical trailer, and more. Also available on Blu-ray. Film * DVD ** (out of 5 stars).

Also available on DVD and Blu-ray this week:

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (DVD/Blu-ray)
Resident Evil: Afterlife (DVD/Blu-ray)
Mesrine: Public Enemy #1 (DVD/Blu-ray)
Teenage Paparazzo (DVD)
Handsome Harry (DVD)
Jersey Shore: Season 2 (DVD)
United States of Tara: Season 2 (DVD)