Cinematical

No Country for Old Men
There's nothing like the sweet relief of solid DVD choices, especially led by the Oscar-winning powerhouse, No Country for Old Men. There's a reason this film created so much buzz. Based on Cormac McCarthy's novel, the film is a mature and intricate story based on a premise that seems simple and over-done. Josh Brolin, continuing to prove his memorable acting chops, plays Llewelyn Moss, a man who comes upon an eerie drug deal gone bad -- where drugs, money, and bodies lay dust-covered and seemingly forgotten. The man takes the money, which, unsurprisingly, makes him the target of a sadistic killer played by Javier Bardem. While Llewelyn tries to escape, with a brow-raising amount of bad-guy know-how, Tommy Lee Jones' Sheriff Bell tries to come to the bottom of the story -- with the help of a bumbling Terminator, Garret Dillahunt.

Even this description doesn't really encapsulate the film, which is as powerful in its presentation as it is in its story. The silence of a score-free backdrop, and the calculated measure and release of information make the journey unique and worthy -- both as drama, and as a dark, sadistic comedy. You must throw yourself into the scene, and pick out the details as they unfold -- not in a Memento clue-fest, but in an environment where subtlety reigns.

But it's not only the men who shine. Kelly Macdonald proves her talents as a supportive, yet observant wife of Llewelyn, and Beth Grant steals her scenes as the bitching, troublesome mother of Macdonald's Carla Jean.

The DVD features 3 featurettes -- a making-of mini-doc, a short fluff piece about the directors, and a brief diary of the Country Sheriff.

Check out Patrick's review | Buy the DVD


Nancy Drew
Yes, I'm following the Coens with a cheery family film, but it's one that I enjoyed more than I thought possible. As an old-school Drew fan, who poured over piles of those classic, hard, yellow books, and the older-Nancy, paperback Files pulp, I was eager to see the film. However, I only figured it to be the sort of mediocre picture that would tap into my nostalgia, but not my cinematic tastes.

I was wrong. I actually watched this on one of those small, seat-framed airplane monitors, and found myself laughing out loud a number of times. There's nothing quite like a smart and engaging heroine, and Emma Roberts tackles the epic, mystery-solving leading lady with class and humor. Sure, there are goofy bits like Bruce Willis' cameo, but they're meant to be fun and silly, and work as just that. I could nitpick over Ned, and gripe that Bess and George are relegated to way-too-brief cameos, but maybe that's a different mystery for a different day. In Hollywood, Nancy Drew's class thrives, and it's a welcome twist from the usual bubble-gum, airheaded fare.

The movie is the real winner on this disc, but the DVD does include a few extras for you -- a short blip on being a kid actor, a brief gag reel, a music video, and some super-short featurettes.

Check out Kim Voynar's review | Buy the DVD

Other New DVD Releases (March 11)
Bee Movie
August Rush
Tin Man
Dan in Real Life
Hitman
Sleuth