This week we’ve got Iron Men, adrenaline needles to the heart and a film classic new to blu-ray, so let’s get started!
This Week’s Big Releases
IRON MAN 2
Synopsis: The continuing adventures of everyone’s favorite alcoholic billionaire superhero, Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as Tony Stark, and Gwyneth Paltrow reprises her role as Tony’s assistant Pepper Potts. New to the game this time around are Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Don Cheadle (playing the role that Terrance Howard played in the first film), and Mickey Rourke as Whiplash, this installment’s villain.
Tomatometer Rating: 74%
Special Features: These discs are both filled with a whole slew of extras including commentary with Jon Favreau, a special feature with additional insights into S.H.I.E.L.D, the special organization that Stark is recruited into, a making-of featurette, featurettes on the new characters, deleted scenes, and concept art, with a whole lot more.
Deals: There are quite a few deals going around for this movie, so it depends on which edition you want. Target has the single disc Blu-ray for $17.99, Best Buy has the Blu-ray Combo Pack with Digital Copy for $24.99 and Target also has an extra special fancy version of the combo back that has a collectible metal case for $36.99.
Buy/Queue/Skip: I wasn’t a huge fan of this film because I think it didn’t have the sort of lightness that made the first film so fun, but I’d say it merits a QUEUE, but check out Scott’s review of the film, because he rather enjoyed it.
GET HIM TO THE GREEK
Synopsis: Reprising his role from FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL, Russell Brand stars as Aldous Snow, a legendary rockstar and partier. Jonah Hill is tasked with getting him to the Greek Theater in Los Angeles from London for a reunion concert. Mad Men’s Elisabeth Moss also stars.
Tomatometer Rating: 73%
Special Features: The unrated version of the film is also included with the film, but it’s not a whole lot different from the original. However, there are outtakes, feature commentary, deleted scenes, the Line-O-Rama featurette included in many of the Apatow films, and other behind the scenes making-of featurettes.
Deals: Target has the Blu-ray combo pack for $24.99
Buy/Queue/Skip: Although I do like Russell Brand, a lot of Apatow’s movies have lost their touch for me, so I’m going to SKIP IT.
Also Available This Week
There’s a new DC animated film out this week, this one called Superman/Batman: Apocalypse. I haven’t seen the film yet but here’s Kent’s review. However, most of these DC animated ventures have been pretty solid lately and I did really enjoy UNDER THE RED HOOD which came out a few weeks ago.
There’s also the second season of Party Down, Starz’s much beloved but now canceled show about a group of caterers/actors/etc working in Los Angeles. Adam Scott, Jane Lynch, Lizzie Caplan and Megan Mullally star, along with a host of guest stars.
If you’re in the mood to escape the boiling hot weather of Los Angeles, I might recommend FROZEN, a horror film about a group of teenagers stranded on a ski lift suspended above the air who are in danger of freezing to death.
Manny’s Pick
The 1933 Original version of KING KONG is now on Blu-ray and this new set features commentary from Ray Harryhausen and Fay Wray, two documentaries on the film and the famously lost “Pit Spider” sequence in it’s entirety. This is a must buy for any film lover and is a great way to introduce young kids to one of the greatest movies ever made.
