This Week’s Big Releases
WAR HORSE
Synopsis: Based on the Tony-winning play and directed by Steven Spielberg, WAR HORSE tells the story of a horse named Joey and his owner Albert as everything around them changes with the start of World War I. Jeremy Irvine, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Tom Hiddleston are highlights in this sweeping epic.
Tomatometer Rating: 77%
Special Features: There are in-depth making of featurettes, a look at the editing, scoring, and sound design of the film as well as a featurette focusing on the experience of a lowly extra.
Deals: Amazon, Target, and Best Buy (after using a coupon) have the blu-ray combo pack for $24.99.
Buy/Queue/Skip: While I liked it a little more than Mel did, it definitely was much more schmaltz than I would have liked. I’d say QUEUE IT but wait for JC’s review of the blu-ray later this week to be sure.
WE BOUGHT A ZOO
Synopsis: Matt Damon buys a zoo and Black Widow shows up.
Tomatometer Rating: 66%
Special Features: There’s an audio commentary with Director Cameron Crowe, deleted and extended scenes, a making-of featurette, and a gag reel.
Deals: Amazon, Target, and Best Buy have the blu-ray combo pack for $24.99
Buy/Queue/Skip: Matt Damon can do better. I’d say SKIP IT. Read Courtney’s review for more.
Also Available This Week
Perhaps Roman Polanski’s greatest film, CHINATOWN is available, along with the new iteration of GREAT EXPECTATIONS, which started playing on PBS this week.
There’s also the indie drama TYRANNOSAUR and Doctor Who spin-off/American spin-off TORCHWOOD: MIRACLE DAY, both of which I’ll be reviewing later this week.
Both Target and Best Buy have lots of deals for Easter, so take advantage of this opportunity to fill your shelves and remember – Peeps will go on sale next week!
Target has: the animated LORAX, and DESPICABLE ME for seven bucks, and THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN, THE MUPPETS and THE LION KING all for fourteen bucks for the DVD editons. They also have TV shows like: SPARTACUS, THE KILLING, JUSTIFIED, DOWNTON ABBEY, THE WALKING DEAD and THE BIG BANG THEORY all for fifteen bucks.
Best Buy has blu-rays like THE MUPPETS, HUGO, THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN and KUNG FU PANDA 2 for eighteen bucks. They’ve also got a 2 for $35 deal going on select Disney films including: WINNIE THE POOH, LADY AND THE TRAMP, THE LION KING, and THE MUPPETS.
On top of all that, they’ve also got some great films for kids and families on sale for five bucks apiece, including: THE SANDLOT, MRS. DOUBTFIRE, FERNGULLY: THE LAST RAINFOREST, ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN, and BIG.
Manny’s Pick
I’ve been praising the hell out of this movie since I’ve seen it, but BEING ELMO: A PUPPETEER’S JOURNEY is finally available on DVD. It was one of my favorite films of last year, and definitely one of my all time favorite documentaries. It’s sweet, endearing, charming and inspiring – SO SEE IT ALREADY. Read my review for more.
See you next week!
