The Art of the Steal – to say something is very Canadian seems almost racist, but I’m going to kick that sacred cow and say that this comedy heist film is very Canadian. It stars Kurt Russell and Matt Dillon who star as criminal brothers. Dillon screws over Russell and the plan to get him back. It’s very modern-era heist film with lots of squiggles and a post-game flashback revealing who was playing whom. It’s charming but unremarkable. A rental at least, and worth watching once.
Son of Batman – these DCU animated films are pretty good. This one adapts one of Grant Morrison’s recent Batman runs in high style.
Veronica Mars – the cult TV show gets a movie thanks to Kickstarter. I was a fan of the show, but never gravitated to this movie so I know nothing. Presumably everyone who cared bought a piece of the film and has already seen it, making this a must buy bookend to your Veronica Mars DVD collection.
There’re a bunch of rereleases this week. This is just a flavor sampling – I just like to draw attention to a handful or releases each week. If you’re looking for even more stuff, check out our Release Dates section for a more complete run down.
Ace In The Hole – Criterion’s DVD release of the classic noir from Billy Wilder gets a re-issue on dual-format.
Airport – If you’re a fan of 70s disaster films (and who isn’t?) this is the granddaddy. Burt Lancaster heads an all-star cast focused on a plane landing in a bad snowstorm with a mad bomber on board.
Bachelor Party – As far as 80s sex-romp comedies go, Bachelor Party ranks high in my book. A young Tom Hanks leads the pack and features some really great scenes and comedy bits that I remember enough to quote along with the film whenever it comes on TV. Good stuff.
The Big Red One – Samuel Fuller’s magnum opus comes to Blu-ray and just go out and get it now. It’s a great film and you need it in your life.
Countess Dracula – Synapse has been kicking ass with these Hammer Blu-ray releases and I expect this much anticipated classic to be one of the crown jewels in their catalog.
A good collection of Godzilla Blu’s are filling up shelves just in time for the new film hitting theaters next week. Look at this stuff!
Godzilla & Mothra / Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah
Godzilla vs. Destroyah / Godzilla vs. Megaguirus: Annihilation Strategy
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II / Godzilla vs. Spacegodzilla
Godzilla: Final Wars / Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
Speed 2: Cruise Control – also available in the Speed Collector Pack – Why am I singling this out on top of Mel Brooks reissues, Alfred Hitchcock reissues and X-Men sets? Because I’m a sadist, that’s why. Speed 2 was given an upgraded Blu-ray and you still have to beg Warner for an Iron Giant special edition. Suck it – that’s life.
Come back next week – maybe I’ll torture you some more.
Keep spinning those discs…
– Todd Doogan