New DVD Releases for the Week of June 2 2009

Here is a list of the new DVD Releases for the week of June 2 2009 (for TV on DVD releases head over to Daemon’s TV):

Defiance

Synopsis: Based on an extraordinary true story, “Defiance” is an epic tale of family, honor, vengeance and salvation in World War II. The year is 1941 and the Jews of Eastern Europe are being massacred by the thousands. Managing to escape certain death, three brothers take refuge in the dense surrounding woods they have known since childhood. There they begin their desperate battle against the Nazis. Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell star as brothers who turn a primitive struggle to survive into something far more consequential – a way to avenge the deaths of their loved ones by saving thousands of others.
At first it is all they can do to stay alive. But gradually, as whispers of their daring spreads, they begin to attract others – men and women, young and old – willing to risk everything for the sake of even a moment’s freedom. Tuvia (Craig) is a reluctant leader and his decisions are challenged by his brother, Zus (Schreiber) who worries that Tuvia’s idealistic plans will doom them all. Asael (Bell) is the youngest – caught between his brothers’ fierce rivalry. As a brutal winter descends, they work to create a community, and to keep faith alive when all humanity appeared to be lost.

Cast: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell, Alexa Davalos, Mark Feuerstein

Director: Edward Zwick

Recommendations: I am ashamed to say that I haven’t seen Defiance yet, even though I’ve wanted to for a long time. I also heard some good things about it. It looks like such a powerful story, that I think you guys might enjoy it.

Buy it: DEFIANCE on Amazon (also available on Blu-ray)

He’s Just Not That Into You

Synopsis: An all-star cast is featured in the stories of a group of interconnected, Baltimorebased twenty- and thirtysomethings as they navigate their various relationships from the shallow end of the dating pool through the deep, murky waters of married life. Trying to read the signs of the opposite sex, each hopes to be the exception to the “no exceptions” rule.

Cast: Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Justin Long, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson, Ben Affleck, Kris Kristofferson

Director: Ken Kwapis

Recommendations: I was the first one surprised, but I really loved this movie. It had a very funny and honest portrayal of the dating world. I would definitely recommend you check it out.

Buy it: HE’S NOT THAT INTO YOU on Amazon (also available on Blu-ray)

Revolutionary Road

Synopsis: Adapted from the revealing novel by Richard Yates, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD is an incisive portrait of an American marriage seen through the eyes of Frank (three-time Academy Award® nominee Leonardo DiCaprio) and April (five-time Academy Award® nominee Kate Winslet) Wheeler. Yates’ story of 1950’s America poses a question that has been reverberating through modern relationships ever since: can two people break away from the ordinary without breaking apart?
Frank and April have always seen themselves as special, different, ready and willing to live their lives based on higher ideals. So, as soon as they move into their new house on Revolutionary Road, they proudly declare their independence from the suburban inertia that surrounds them and determine never to be trapped by the social confines of their era.
Yet for all their charm, beauty and irreverence, the Wheelers find themselves becoming exactly what they didn’t expect: a good man with a meaningless job whose nerve has gone missing; a less-than-happy homemaker starving for fulfillment and passion; an American family with lost dreams, like any other.
Driven to change their fates, April hatches an audacious plan to start all over again, to leave the comforts of Connecticut behind for the great unknown of Paris. But when the plan is put in motion, each spouse is pushed to extremes – one to escape whatever the cost, the other to save all that they have, no matter the compromises.

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Kathy Bates, Michael Shannon, David Harbour, Zoe Kazan, Kristen Connolly

Director: Sam Mendes

Recommendations: The only reason I’m not putting this as a must buy is because I haven’t yet seen it, but I will absolutely rent it (and buy if I really love it). After all this is Sam Mendes, Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, plus the movie received really good reviews.

Buy it: REVOLUTIONARY ROAD on Amazon (also available on Blu-ray)

Spring Breakdown

Synopsis: Spring Breakdown follows the vacation adventure of Gayle (Amy Poehler), Becky (Parker Posey) and Judi (Rachel Dratch), three thirty-something best friends who’ve always dreamed of being fabulous, but never grew out of being geeks. So when Becky gets the opportunity to unofficially chaperone her boss’ daughter, Ashley (Amber Tamblyn), to the college spring break destination of South Padre Island, the ladies decide to try and turn their tragically un-hip lives around and party with the beer and bikini set. Through keg-stands, hook-ups and foam parties, Becky, Gail, Judi and Ashley are about to discover that it’s better to stand out, than to fit in.

Cast: Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, Parker Posey, Amber Tamblyn, Armie Hammer, Kristin Cavallari, Jane Lynch

Director: Ryan Shiraki

Recommendations: I wrote about Spring Breakdown a couple of days ago, so I’ll stick with my watch on TV recommendation.

Buy it: SPRING BREAKDOWN on Amazon (also available on Blu-ray)