In 2001, filmmaker Robert Rodriguez introduced the world to Spy Kids, a family-friendly action-comedy of big proportions featuring small actors. The film was a change in direction from Rodriguez’s earlier blood-soaked works (Mariachi Trilogy, From Dusk Till Dawn, and The Faculty). Spy Kids was targeted at children, however there are scenes and bits of humor that adults could tolerate and even appreciate. Somehow, the film spawned three sequels, one of which is currently in theaters. The first three films are now out on Blu-ray and fans of Rodriguez’s lighthearted “saga” can rejoice.
Griff the Invisible
Australia isn’t exactly known for its cinematic output. They’re more known for kangaroos and putting shrimp on barbies. Griff the Invisible however, is an interesting and unique film that does the land down under rather proud. It is a movie that borders on about three distinct genres. Those genres are the superhero film, romantic-comedy and drama. Each of these genres are blended together to make one hell of a quirky cinematic experience.
Winter in Wartime
Winter in Wartime is one of those truly well-crafted motion pictures that rarely get made in today’s dismal movie climate. It is a taut human drama that focuses heavily on the plight of vulnerable and emotional people. Winner of numerous well-deserved awards such as the 2009 Netherlands Film Festival Golden Calf award, Winter in Wartimeis quite sensational and now yours to own in a special Blu-ray/DVD combo pack.
Shoeshine
In 1946, Italian director Vittorio De Sica (The Bicycle Thief) released his first major work Shoeshine, a neorealist film about two boys in Rome who get arrested for a crime they didn’t commit. The film is beautiful, deep and thought-provoking. It won an honorary Oscar the following year causing the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to create the Best Foreign Language Film category. This cinematic milestone is an absolute treasure and now yours to own on DVD.
House of the Rising Sun
For decades, professional wrestlers have not only dominated the ring but the screen as well. Because of their impressive physiques and charismatic personalities, it only seems natural that these talented athletes transfer their skills to movies. Dave Bautista is the latest wrestler to make this transition and the results are pretty unspectacular. House of the Rising Sun is a direct-to-Blu-ray actioner that features Bautista busting heads and shooting baddies for 88 minutes but really, what’s the point?
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
It is very rare these days that a film comes along that is so emotionally powerful and historically significant. Movies today just don’t seem to tackle important human issues and that is truly quite a shame. Released in theaters in 2008 and based on John Boyne’s 2006 novel, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is an extraordinary film that takes place during a very troubling time: the Holocaust. The story focuses on the relationship between two young boys; one the son of a Nazi commandant and the other an imprisoned Jew. Both boys befriend one another even though they are meant to be enemies.
Boy Meets World: The Complete Sixth Season
Well, they’re back! Cory (Ben Savage), Topanga (Danielle Fishel), Shawn (Rider Strong), Eric (Will Friedle), Jack (Matthew Lawrence), Angela (Trina McGee-Davis) and Mr. Feeny (William Daniels) have all returned for season six of the beloved 90s sitcom, “Boy Meets World”. Now, the gang is in their freshman year at Pennbrook University where a whole new set of problems and hilarity await them. All 22 episodes of the sixth season are now available on DVD in this lovely 3-disc set.
Sucker Punch
In the past few years, Zack Snyder has proven himself to be a rather unique type of filmmaker. From the remake of Dawn of the Dead to 300 toWatchmen, he has certainly demonstrated a very interesting and absorbing visual style. His latest effort, Sucker Punch is yet another example of this wildly vivid form of cinematic storytelling. Available on Blu-ray, DVD and digital copy, this energetic action-fantasy-thriller is now yours to own.
The Baby
The 70s were a great time for movies. Filmmakers experimented and created some of cinema history’s greatest classics. The Baby, released in 1973, while not one of these classics is still worth mentioning. Now regarded as a cult classic, this weird and twisted horror-thriller has a story that will probably stay with you for quite some time.
Biutiful
Javier Bardem is perhaps one of Spain’s most well-known and respected actors. He has starred in many films and received numerous awards, and has earned recognition in the United States as well when, in 2008, he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his work in No Country for Old Men. He’s the first Spanish actor to win said award. His latest film Biutiful, directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu (Amores perros, 21 Grams, Babel) is now out on Blu-ray and fans of Bardem and Iñárritu may want to think about picking up this Mexican/Spanish gem.
Unger the Radar 