Top DVD Releases for the Week of December 29 2008
Here is a list of the DVD Releases for the week of December 29 2008:
Serenity [Blu-ray Disc]
Synopsis: In the feature film version of the sci-fi cult TV hit ‘Firefly,’ Captain Malcolm Reynolds, a hardened veteran on the losing side of a galactic civil war, ekes out a living pulling off small crimes and transport-for-hire aboard his ship, Serenity. He leads a small, eclectic crew who are the closest thing he has left to family — squabbling, insubordinate and undyingly loyal. When Mal takes on two new passengers –a young doctor and his unstable, telepathic sister — he gets much more than he bargained for. The two are highly sought-after fugitives from the coalition dominating the universe. Caught between the unstoppable military force of the Universal Alliance and the cannibalistic fury of the Reavers (savages who roam the very edge of space), Mal and his crew come to realize that the greatest danger to them may be on board Serenity herself.(Source: Moviefone)
Cast: Adam Baldwin, Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Morena Baccarin, Jewel Staite, Sean Maher, Summer Glau, Chiwetel Ejiofor, David Krumholtz, Glenn Howerton
Recommendations: I know this is only a new release on Blu-ray, but this is one of the few movies that I would recommend you buy on Blu-ray. With all the action, it’s definitely worth watching on HD.
Buy it: Serenity on Amazon
Towelhead
Synopsis: Jasira, a 13-year-old Arab-American girl, navigates the confusing and frightening path of adolescence and her own sexual awakening. When Jasira’s mother sends her to Houston to live with her strict Lebanese father, she quickly learns that her new neighbors find her and her father a curiosity. Worse, her budding womanhood makes her traditional and hot-tempered father uncomfortable. Lonely in this new environment, Jasira seeks friendship and acceptance from her neighbors Mr. Vuoso, an Army reservist, and Melina, a meddling but caring expectant mother. Thrown into an unfamiliar suburban world, Jasira must confront racism and hypocrisy at home and at school – and at the same time struggle to make sense of her raging hormones and newfound sexuality. Her boyfriend, Thomas, though a few years older, provides some comfort – but even that relationship causes problems when her father discovers that Thomas is black. Surrounded by adults who are just as lost as she is, Jasira yearns for understanding, even amidst often brutal acts. (Source: Yahoo! Movies)
Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Toni Collette, Maria Bello, Eugene Jones, Matthew Letscher, Summer Bishil
Recommendations: I hadn’t heard much about this film, but with Alan Ball directing and writing the script, I have put Towelhead at the top of my netflix list.
Buy it: Towelhead on Amazon
Surfer Dude
Synopsis: Longboarding soul-surfer Steve Addington (Matthew McConaughey) returns to Malibu for the summer to find his cool hometown vibe corrupted. New sponsorship demands Addington to expand into Virtual Reality Video Games and Reality TV. Unwilling to participate in this new digital-reality, he chooses to spend his summer surfing his home break. But in a twist-of-fate, the waves go flat and stay flat. Out of money, his expense-accounts canceled, and betrayed by his buddies, Addington is backed into a harsh corner. He must endure the insanity that comes with no waves or give into “the Man” and his new, reality-altering machines.
Aided by his manager (Woody Harrelson), his mentor (Scott Glenn), his guardian-angel (Willie Nelson) and his summer lover (Alexie Gilmore), Addington has a chance of keeping his cool, but it’s not going to be easy. The dude needs a wave, and there’s never been a drought like this.
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Willie Nelson, Scott Glenn, Nathan Phillips, Zachary Knighton
Recommendations: The trailer only was enough for me to know that this is not worth even renting. I don’t even remember this being in theaters. Too bad because I really like Matthew McConaughey.
Buy it: Sufer Dude on Amazon (Also available on Blu-ray)
