Knight at HOME at the Movies
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It's a Man's World
Four movies with kick ass male roles for your viewing pleasure are in this edition of DVD Recommendations.
Four movies with kick ass male roles for your viewing pleasure are in this edition of DVD Recommendations.
Michael Clayton– From Warners Brothers Home Video. George Clooney takes center
stage and holds it, baby, in this thrilling, 70s style corporate thriller that's an astonishing
debut from writer-director Tony Gilroy. Clooney is supported by a top flight cast (the
scary, mesmerizing Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson, out actor Denis O'Hare in a terrific
opening scene, etc.). This was/is my favorite film of 2007 and I've watched it numerous
times since receiving the "For Your Consideration" screener (as a member of the CFCA -
one of the perks of being a film critic). Now, with this official DVD release, I get to
experience it again. This time, you do too. Warners has added a director and editor
commentary and a featurette with five minutes of deleted scenes. A Special Edition is
sure to follow down the road but don't wait until then to get your hands on this rousing
movie.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – From Warner
Brothers Home Video. Brad Pitt who I have often written off as not much more than a
pretty boy has with the years brought more gravitas to his performances. I still think his
greatest work might be in Thelma & Louise and the goofy Johnny Suede (I'm serious) but
now, with his leading performance here as the outlaw/superstar Jesse James, I'm excited
about seeing what comes next. This is a contemplative western in the Days of Heaven
mold, a Greek Tragedy painted against the backdrop of the Wild Wild West and not only
is it beautifully shot and acted, it's three hour running time doesn't seem a minute too
long. Pitt is matched by the work of Casey Affleck, who finally broke through as the
mixed up oddball Robert Ford and the movie offers these two a slew of top flight
supporting actors. Somber and nostalgic, this is a movie that weighs on you long after
you've seen it. No extras.
American Gangster – From Universal Studios. Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe
(who had a good year with this role and his overlooked work in 3:10 to Yuma) are
combatants in this true story of a Harlem drug kingpain and determined cop in the late
60s/early 70s. Ridley Scott directs an entertaining saga that raises questions about the
ethics on either side of the law (Washington just wants to buy his mom the big mansion
on the hill and support all his neighbors while Crowe is a determined loner who lives in a
beat up hovel and refuses to go on the take). Ruby Dee has a terrific five minutes as
Washington's mother and "The Mod Squad's" Clarence Brown III appears early on as
Washington's mentor. Scott's "epic tale" is not quite epic but its a very entertaining crime
drama nonetheless. The 2-disc Collector's Edition offers a lotta bang for the buck as
well. The first disc has two versions of the film with a commentary on the first. The
second cut is 18 minutes longer with an added scene at the end between the two leads.
The second disc offers an almost feature-length making of doc (broken into five parts), a
few more behind the scenes glimpses and a couple more deleted scenes.
In the Valley of Elah – From Warner Home Video. Here's another film I missed in
theatres but caught on my "For Your Consideration" screener and yes, now you're going to
get your chance, too. Grab it - of all the war themed movies from last year, this (and
Grace Is Gone) are the two that will haunt you long after you see them. I'm thrilled that
Tommy Lee Jones was Oscar nominated for his wonderful performance as the father and
ex-soldier looking for clues into the murder of his late son after he has returned stateside
following a tour of duty in Iraq. Charlize Theron as a put upon police officer and Susan
Sarandon as Jones' wife add wonderful support. The movie moves slowly and
methodically (likes Jones' character) which may irritate some viewers but I dug the
thoughtful approach. The things that Jones must come to terms with is a wonderful
metaphor for what our country will eventually have to face and though writer-director Paul
Haggis has been accused on many occasions of being a tad melodramatic (go back and
look at Crash and you'll see what I mean - I did) this time he really shows restraint. The
film is not only a good "morality tale" but a good murder mystery to boot - though I still
can't pronounce "Elah" correctly. The disc includes two brief features about the difficulty of
returning from the Iraq war and a deleted scene.
stage and holds it, baby, in this thrilling, 70s style corporate thriller that's an astonishing
debut from writer-director Tony Gilroy. Clooney is supported by a top flight cast (the
scary, mesmerizing Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson, out actor Denis O'Hare in a terrific
opening scene, etc.). This was/is my favorite film of 2007 and I've watched it numerous
times since receiving the "For Your Consideration" screener (as a member of the CFCA -
one of the perks of being a film critic). Now, with this official DVD release, I get to
experience it again. This time, you do too. Warners has added a director and editor
commentary and a featurette with five minutes of deleted scenes. A Special Edition is
sure to follow down the road but don't wait until then to get your hands on this rousing
movie.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – From Warner
Brothers Home Video. Brad Pitt who I have often written off as not much more than a
pretty boy has with the years brought more gravitas to his performances. I still think his
greatest work might be in Thelma & Louise and the goofy Johnny Suede (I'm serious) but
now, with his leading performance here as the outlaw/superstar Jesse James, I'm excited
about seeing what comes next. This is a contemplative western in the Days of Heaven
mold, a Greek Tragedy painted against the backdrop of the Wild Wild West and not only
is it beautifully shot and acted, it's three hour running time doesn't seem a minute too
long. Pitt is matched by the work of Casey Affleck, who finally broke through as the
mixed up oddball Robert Ford and the movie offers these two a slew of top flight
supporting actors. Somber and nostalgic, this is a movie that weighs on you long after
you've seen it. No extras.
American Gangster – From Universal Studios. Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe
(who had a good year with this role and his overlooked work in 3:10 to Yuma) are
combatants in this true story of a Harlem drug kingpain and determined cop in the late
60s/early 70s. Ridley Scott directs an entertaining saga that raises questions about the
ethics on either side of the law (Washington just wants to buy his mom the big mansion
on the hill and support all his neighbors while Crowe is a determined loner who lives in a
beat up hovel and refuses to go on the take). Ruby Dee has a terrific five minutes as
Washington's mother and "The Mod Squad's" Clarence Brown III appears early on as
Washington's mentor. Scott's "epic tale" is not quite epic but its a very entertaining crime
drama nonetheless. The 2-disc Collector's Edition offers a lotta bang for the buck as
well. The first disc has two versions of the film with a commentary on the first. The
second cut is 18 minutes longer with an added scene at the end between the two leads.
The second disc offers an almost feature-length making of doc (broken into five parts), a
few more behind the scenes glimpses and a couple more deleted scenes.
In the Valley of Elah – From Warner Home Video. Here's another film I missed in
theatres but caught on my "For Your Consideration" screener and yes, now you're going to
get your chance, too. Grab it - of all the war themed movies from last year, this (and
Grace Is Gone) are the two that will haunt you long after you see them. I'm thrilled that
Tommy Lee Jones was Oscar nominated for his wonderful performance as the father and
ex-soldier looking for clues into the murder of his late son after he has returned stateside
following a tour of duty in Iraq. Charlize Theron as a put upon police officer and Susan
Sarandon as Jones' wife add wonderful support. The movie moves slowly and
methodically (likes Jones' character) which may irritate some viewers but I dug the
thoughtful approach. The things that Jones must come to terms with is a wonderful
metaphor for what our country will eventually have to face and though writer-director Paul
Haggis has been accused on many occasions of being a tad melodramatic (go back and
look at Crash and you'll see what I mean - I did) this time he really shows restraint. The
film is not only a good "morality tale" but a good murder mystery to boot - though I still
can't pronounce "Elah" correctly. The disc includes two brief features about the difficulty of
returning from the Iraq war and a deleted scene.
