Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Video Views: DVD Releases November 24, 2009

After last week's outpouring of new DVD releases, this week only sees two - only one of which is actually worth your time, although I am sure that many more people will rent the one that isn't.

Angels & Demons * ½
Ron Howard’s follow-up to the massively successful The DaVinci Code is even more inane and stupid than that film was. The movie, based on a book that was much better than The DaVinci Code was, seems to lack all sense of drama and excitement. Once again, we are stuck watching Tom Hanks and a beautiful woman run from place to place all over Rome to try and connect the dots to what is going on. The supporting cast, including Ewan McGregor as a priest, is wasted and seem bored. But not as bored as the audience. For my original review please see: http://davesmoviesite.blogspot.com/2009/05/movie-review-angels-and-demons.html

Funny People *** ½
Judd Apatow’s third feature, following the massively successful The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up, is much more ambitious than either of those films, but also less successful. Apatow is drawing on a bigger canvas this time, focusing on a movie star (Adam Sandler) who learns that he’s dying and tries to reconnect with his comedy roots, via his new assistant and struggling comedian Seth Rogen, and with the girl who got away, played by Leslie Mann. The movie is very funny, and at times quite touching as well. Sandler gives one of his best performances, and isn’t afraid to look like an asshole. Rogen and Mann are also quite good, and the supporting cast – including Jason Schwartzman, Jonah Hill, Eric Bana and a host of celebrity cameos make Funny People enjoyable from beginning to end. For my original review please see: http://davesmoviesite.blogspot.com/2009/08/movie-review-funny-people.html



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