Recommended
Still Walking (Criterion) — Still Walking reminds me most of Phil Morrison’s masterful Junebug, a film that also involves a young man bringing home his new bride for the first time. The cultural differences between child and family hang on the fringes of both narratives, although they become more central to Morrison’s film. Unfolding in long, but not overly patient, takes over the course of a single melancholy day, Still Walking contains passages that can’t help but evoke Ozu’s Tokyo Story and oeuvre in general, but it has an expansive tenderness and eloquent sadness all its own. Read Brandon Harris’s full review, then buy it on DVD or Blu-ray.
Unmade Beds (MPI Home Video) — Expanding on the clear promise of his 2006 debut feature Glue, Argentine Alexis Dos Santos cements his place as one cinema’s most intriguing new autuers with Unmade Beds, a startlingly energetic film whose HD visual elegance and studied grammatical anarchy give its old hat tale of youthful ennui amongst London hipsters a new life. Read Brandon Harris’s full review, then buy it on DVD.
New To Blu-Ray Pick of the Week
Amarcord (Criterion) — That Federico Fellini fella made a lot of great ones. Amarcord is one of ’em. Buy it on Blu-ray.
Have Not Seen But Really/Kinda/Sorta/Maybe? Wanna
America America (Warner Home Video) — This three-hour Elia Kazan epic recently screened at the 2010 New York Film Festival, where I unfortunately missed it. But this home video release means that I can now finally catch up with it. You should too. Buy it on DVD.
It’s Kind Of A Funny Story (Focus Features) — I am a huge fan of Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden, but their most high profile film yet had me slightly worried after watching the trailer and reading some reviews (I have no personal attachment to the book whatsoever). Now is the time for me to finally give it a try. Buy it on DVD or Blu-ray.
Tamara Drewe (Sony Classics) — I missed this one during its festival run and subsequent theatrical release, but I’ve heard enough interesting things to make me want to take this Stephen Frears number for a spin. Buy it on DVD or Blu-ray.
Ong Bak 3 (Magnolia Pictures) — Tony Jaa is one crazy muggafugga. Buy it on DVD, Blu-ray, 2-Disc Collector’s Edition DVD + Digital Copy, or Blu-ray Collector’s Edition + Digital Copy.
Bad Day to Go Fishing (Film Movement) — All I know about this film is the label—Film Movement—which is good enough for me. Buy it on DVD.
I Spit On Your Grave (Anchor Bay) — I had absolutely no interest in watching this remake until I read Jeannette Catsoulis’s New York Times review, which makes it actually sound somewhat interesting. Can it be true? Buy it on DVD or Blu-ray.