It’s another light week for good new releases, but again the trio of films in this week’s column is really worthy of attention. Martin Scorsese, Wong Kar Wai and Oscar-winning animation make for a great week on DVD and Blu-ray.
Pick of the Week
Shutter Island
Martin Scorsese’s twisting and turning thriller is a great mind game. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Teddy Daniels, a U.S. marshal investigating the disappearance of a patient at a remote mental institution. The amazing cast includes Ben Kingsley, Mark Ruffalo, Emily Mortimer, Michelle Williams, Max von Sydow, Patricia Clarkson, Elias Koteas, Jackie Earle Haley and John Carroll Lynch. Scorsese is such a master of the filmmaking he knows exactly how to set the right haunting mood from the start. In the end this film turns into a great character piece as well as a psychological thriller.
Buy "Shutter Island" on DVD Here!
Read my "Shutter Island" Blu-ray Review!
Buy "Shutter Island" on Blu-ray Here!
Queue Qualified
Animation Express
This collection of short animated films celebrates 70 years of wonderful work at the National Film Board of Canada. The compilation includes Oscar winners THE DANISH POET and RYAN, as well as Oscar nominee MADAME TUTLI PUTLI. Each year I conduct the RFP Overlooked Awards highlighting films that missed out on certain high-profile film awards that deserve recognition. This disc features past Overlooked nominee HERE AND THERE and this year’s short category winner RUNAWAY. The release features 39 shorts in total and represents a great introduction to the work of the NFB.
Read the reviews:
MADAME TUTLI PUTLI
Buy "Animation Express" on DVD Here!
Buy "Animation Express" on Blu-ray Here!
Buzzed About
Happy Together
In a different way, Wong Kar Wai also makes haunting films, but on the emotional side. The maker of CHUNGKING EXPRESS, IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE and 2046 creates arresting visual films that touch on the tortured places of the heart. In this film, two friends go to Argentina on vacation where there lives move in opposite directions. Stars Leslie Cheung (FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE), Tony Leung (HERO) and Chen Chang (CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON). What I’ve seen of Wong’s work I’ve like so I’m working forward to seeing more.
Buy "Happy Together" on Blu-ray Here!
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
