Praised to the rafters by the Criticker community, critics, the movie-going public, the Oscar academy, the American Legion, the NFL, NBA and FIFA, your grandparents and neighbors down the street, yes even that idiot Bill guy, a majority of woodland creatures, the Kingdom of Bhutan, and just about every other sentient being on earth, The Artist finally arrives on DVD today. It should go without saying that, if you haven’t seen this masterpiece yet, you should do so immediately. Also, 21 Jump Street was surprisingly good.
Hollywood, 1927: As silent movie star George Valentin wonders if the arrival of talking pictures will cause him to fade into oblivion, he sparks with Peppy Miller, a young dancer set for a big break.
The Artist @ Amazon
A pair of underachieving cops are sent back to a local high school to blend in and bring down a synthetic drug ring.
21 Jump Street @ Amazon
Perseus embarks on a treacherous quest into the underworld to rescue Zeus, who has been targeted for capture by his traitorous son, Ares, and his brother, Hades.
Wrath of the Titans @ Amazon
An evil queen steals control of a kingdom and an exiled princess enlists the help of seven resourceful rebels to win back her birthright. (imdb)
Mirror Mirror @ Amazon
A blase guy learns that he has only 1,000 words left to speak before he will die.
A Thousand Words @ Amazon
I’m unsure whether it counts as a surprise that the best new DVD of the week is Jeff, Who Lives at Home, starring Criticker favorites Jason Segel and Ed Helms, and directed by the prolific Duplass brothers. A lot of users were head over heels about this comedy, which also features great performances from Susan Sarandon and Judy Greer, and very few people completely disliked it. Another excellent film finding its way to DVD today is the French comedy My Afternoons with Margueritte starring Gérard Depardieu as an illiterate man who befriends an elderly bookworm.
After his wife is assaulted, a husband enlists the services of a vigilante group to help him settle the score.
Seeking Justice @ Amazon
3 high school seniors throw a birthday party to make a name for themselves. As the night progresses, things spiral out of control as word of the party spreads.
Project X @ Amazon
An urban couple branches out to live a more counter-culture lifestyle.
Wanderlust @ Amazon
When he leaves his house on a banal errand for his mother, Jeff discovers that the universe might be sending him messages about his destiny. (tiff.net)
Jeff, Who Lives at Home @ Amazon
An illiterate man bonds with an older and well-read woman.
My Afternoons with Margueritte @ Amazon
The newest adventure of Sherlock Holmes arrives on DVD this week, and has gained the tepid approval of the Criticker community — which is a real accomplishment considering our general distaste for all things Guy Ritchie. (A dose of Robert Downey Jr. apparently offsets the Ritchie-ness). But the best film of the week is Agnieszka Holland’s WWII drama In Darkness, about Polish Jews who hid in the sewers to escape the Nazis. Sounds like a charmer.
Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson join forces to outwit and bring down their fiercest adversary, Professor Moriarty.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows @ Amazon
As Johnny Blaze hides out in Eastern Europe, he is called upon to stop the devil, who is trying to take human form.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance @ Amazon
Veteran director Agnieszka Holland focusses on a little-known phenomenon in Second World War Poland, Jews hiding in the underground sewer systems of the major cities to escape deportation and the death camps. (tiff.net)
In Darkness @ Amazon
Businessman Wesley Deeds is jolted out of his scripted life when he meets Lindsey, a single mother who works on the cleaning crew in his office building.
Good Deeds @ Amazon
An insurance agent looking for a way out of frigid Wisconsin is blackmailed by an unstable locksmith in the theft of a rare violin that belongs to a retired farmer.
Thin Ice @ Amazon
Every once in a while, there comes a week when all the new DVD releases are less than good. A week like this. Such a thing should be very rare. In an randomly selected set of five films, there almost has to be one that’s “better than average”. It’s like flipping a coin five times, and always getting heads. A one-in-32 chance. Well… who knows. Maybe 32 weeks have passed since we’ve had such a bad week for new DVD releases. The best of the week is Act of Valor. And do you want to watch that blatant piece of propaganda? Me neither.
Transplanted to Mars, a Civil War vet discovers a lush planet inhabited by 12-foot tall barbarians. Finding himself a prisoner of these creatures, he escapes, only to encounter a princess who is in desperate need of a savior.
John Carter @ Amazon
A young CIA agent is tasked with looking after a fugitive in a safe house. But when the safe house is attacked, he finds himself on the run with his charge.
Safe House @ Amazon
An unprecedented blend of real-life heroism and original filmmaking, Act of Valor stars a group of active-duty Navy SEALs in a powerful story of contemporary global anti-terrorism. Inspired by true events, the film combines stunning combat sequences, up-to-the minute battlefield technology and heart-pumping emotion for the ultimate action adventure.
Act of Valor @ Amazon
The story of Sam Childers, a former drug-dealing biker tough guy who found God and became a crusader for hundreds of Sudanese children who’ve been forced to become soldiers.
Machine Gun Preacher @ Amazon
Sean Anderson partners with his mom’s boyfriend on a mission to find his grandfather, who is thought to be missing on a mythical island.
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island @ Amazon
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