This must have been a tough one -- we had less fewer* entries than usual on our Lonesome Jim DVD giveaway. Nonetheless, we did have some creative attempts. The winner of the Lonesome Jim DVD, though is Alex D, for his entry: "With only 2 hours left in their 5 o'clock shadow contest, Steve knew he would have to do something drastic if he hoped to triumph over Jim."

Congratulations, Alex D. Email me at kim.voynar@cinematical.com with your shipping address, and we'll get your prize out to you. If you didn't win this time, don't be sad; we already have a new contest up and running for Kirby Dick's This Film Is Not Yet Rated, so give it a shot!

*In the midst of a flurry of spreadsheet preparations for Telluride and Toronto, I apparently forgot the rule that "less" is used when you can't count something, and "fewer" when you can (although my ability to count yesterday was indeed questionable by the time I banged out this post). Fortunately for Cinematical readers everywhere, the grammar police were on the case in our comments, and brought the tragic error to my attention. The world is now a safer place. Carry on.

(Reminder: Click on the movie titles to see a Weinberg-approved DVD review. If a review is unavailable, I'll just go with an Amazon link.)

Recent Theatricals

Akeelah and the Bee (Lionsgate) -- Bee-movie should make for an interesting double feature alongside Spellbound (the documentary, not the Hitchcock). (three featurettes, deleted scenes, gag reel)

Friends With Money (Sony) -- Aniston, Cusack, Keener & McDormand? Count me in. (filmmaker commentary, three featurettes)

Lonesome Jim (IFC) -- Y'know, that Buscemi guy is not just a pretty face; he's actually a pretty good director. (filmmaker commentary, featurette)

Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World (WB) -- We all love Albert Brooks' patented brand of nebbishy neuroses, but let's chalk this one up to bad timing. (deleted scenes)

Mountain Patrol: Kekexili (Sony) -- A fantastic doco-style story about the dangers of Tibetan antelope poaching. Rent it. (no extras)

The Sentinel (Fox) -- Just keeping us warm until 24: The Movie shows up. (writer/director commentary, four deleted scenes, two featurettes)

Take the Lead (New Line) -- Because middle-aged housewives like movies too. That's why. (director/editor commentary, seven deleted scenes, four featurettes, three remixed trailers)

Lonesome Jim, helmed by actor-director Steve Buscemi, debuted at Sundance way back in 2005, made its way through the festival circuit, and is now finally getting a DVD release on August 28. The film, which stars Casey Affleck and Liv Tyler, is about a 27-year-old guy who, after failing miserably at making it on his own, moves back in with his parents -- kind of a "coming-of-age" tale, only the character should have come of age a few years back. Our own Christopher Campbell, who reviewed the film back in March, found it hilarious, and maybe you will, too. All you have to do is write the best caption for the above still from the film. The best entrant (as judged by a pack of trained flying monkeys I keep in my attic, or by Cinematical staff, whoever has more free time) will win a lovely DVD of Lonesome Jim. You know how to play, folks. Put on those thinking caps and take your best shot in the comments. You have until Sunday, August 27 at 5PM EDT to enter your caption. Winner will be announced next week.

Perchance may we have a new "protagonist returns home to quirky family" indie every month? In February it was Winter Passing, and now in March we have Lonesome Jim, the third feature directed by character actor Steve Buscemi. Premiering at Sundance in 2005, Lonesome Jim shared the festival's obligatory slot for the subgenre I like to call "homecoming-of-age" that year with Junebug, a film receiving more acclaim thanks to Amy Adams' amazing, Oscar-nominated performance that altogether forgives for its miscarried script.

Based on their frequency, as well as on their banality and oftentimes their feebleness, scripts in this category would seem to be the easiest to write. What novice filmmaker can't fall back on relating to what he or she knows, whether major fear or horrible experience, of what it is like to return home after losing either a parent or the confidence of an artistic goal? Not all of these stories have autobiographical roots but most, like those in the younger-focused coming-of-age genre, project an association between the main character and the storyteller, giving an always upbeat outlook beyond the last scene regardless of its apparent literal direction.