Drive (Blu-ray) Criticize This! Pick of the Week – I regret not seeing Drive before writing my Best of 2011 list. If I had seen it, it would probably have landed in the third or fourth spot. The film, about a stunt driver who also works as a getaway driver, is superbly written, acted, and directed, and not since Pulp Fiction have I considered watching a movie again as soon as it ended. The fact Ryan Gosling was not nominated for an Oscar is a real shame, because this is the performance of his career and he deserves some accolades for it. Same goes for Albert Brooks and Bryan Cranston in their supporting roles. Director Nicolas Winding Refn has wowed me before with his 2008 film Bronson and appears to be on the track to becoming one of my new favourites. If he keeps this up his name could soon be mentioned alongside Scorsese, Tarantino, or even the Coen Bros. The Blu-ray release for Drive is absolutely stunning and shows off the perfect cinematography and colour palette the film uses. The sound mix is also amazing and gives Cliff Martinez’s score a life of its own. Special features on the Blu-ray include an interview with director Nicolas Winding Refn and making-of featurettes. A regular DVD of the film is also included. Film **** Blu-ray **** (out of 5 stars).
Dream House (Blu-ray) – Dream House is not a bad movie if you have not seen the trailer. However, if you have seen the trailer, it gives everything away and makes the movie pointless to watch. The film is about a family who have just moved into a new house and soon discover a murder took place there. As they investigate the case, things begin to appear not as they seem, and they soon find themselves questioning what’s real and what’s not. Dream House is not without flaws, but succeeds at being a decent psychological-thriller (if you have not seen the trailer, of course). It’s not a haunted house movie though and horror buffs expecting one will be vastly disappointed. Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, and Naomi Watts star. The Blu-ray has a very nice transfer and is worth checking out. Special features include making-of featurettes and interviews. A regular DVD of the film is also included. Film *** Blu-ray *** (out of 5 stars).
Breakaway (Blu-ray) – A Bollywood hockey movie might sound like a good idea in theory, but boy is it annoying to watch. Case in point — Breakaway, about a team of Sikh players coached by Rob Lowe trying to cut it on the ice against mostly white (racist) players. If the film didn’t try to be so cool it might have been more enjoyable. Unfortunately, it’s painful to sit through and gives Canadian films a bad rep. The Blu-ray is fairly decent quality but definitely not recommended. The only special feature included is a making-of featurette. Film ** Blu-ray * (out of 5 stars).
The Double (Blu-ray) – Richard Gere and Topher Grace star in this political crime-thriller about a former CIA Agent (Gere) pulled out of retirement to help track down a murderer he believed was dead. While Gere is fine in his role, Grace is extremely miscast and brings the entire movie down to C-grade level. The film also allows nothing to build up and everything is spelled out way to early on. The Double is a fine movie if you catch it on TV on a rainy Sunday afternoon, but there is no need to seek it out otherwise. Special features on the Blu-ray release include audio commentary, interviews, and more. Film ** Blu-ray ** (out of 5 stars).
In Time (Blu-ray) - In the future, currency is time — the time you have left to live. Your clock starts ticking when you hit 25 and counts down from there. You work, you get time added. You buy a coffee, you lose time. You wear your time on your arm and if you have too much of it, you’re a target. This is the basis for In Time, starring Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried. Sounds decent enough, but when the movie consists mainly of pretty people touching each other and no real substance, it’s obnoxious to watch and lacks anything of value. Also, Timberlake is not leading man material and he should stop trying to be. Special features on the Blu-ray release include deleted scenes, making-of featurettes, and more. Film * Blu-ray ** (out of 5 stars).
If one of our reviews got you interested in the movie, support Criticize This! by purchasing it from Amazon.ca:
Also available this week:
Top image: A scene from Drive. Courtesy Alliance Films.
Pingback: Movie Review: Goon