The week’s DVDs begin in China:
DVDs for April 24 by Boo Allen
This week we begin in 1920 China:
Let the Bullets Fly (***1/2)
Reportedly, this raucous action-thriller has become China’s highest grossing
domestic film ever. That superlative is not surprising because the
opus is a non-stop ride, filled with clever twists and explosive set
pieces. Set around 1920, it tells the story of Pocky (Jiang Wen), a
train robber who switches places with Tang (Ge You), an unrepentant
grifter headed to his new position as governor of a province. Pocky
has plans to take over the area and squeeze the rich men,
particularly Master Huang (Chow Yun- Fat). But Huang has other plans,
leading not only to consistent face-offs of all variety but also a
surprising dose of humor. The furious action sometimes overshadows
the need to keep a clear narrative, but overall the film succeeds in
consistently entertaining.
Not rated, 132 minutes. The DVD is available in all formats. Available
supplement information is inconsistent, so check labels.
Dark Tide (**1/2)
This underwater action-thriller stars Halle Berry, but the sharks she
swims with are almost as photogenic. Berry plays Kate, a rare
so-called “free diver,” one who studies sharks while swimming
with them outside of a metal cage. After a fatal accident to a friend
during a dive, she re-locates to South Africa and attempts to revive
her life and career. She seems to have trouble with both. From
nowhere, her ex-boyfriend Jeff (Olivier Martinez) appears with a rich
businessman and his son along along with a lucrative offer for her to
take them on a free dive with sharks. She hesitates, but the money
proves too alluring, which naturally causes problems for everyone
when they enter the area’s infamous Shark Alley. The film, directed
by John Stockwell from a script by Amy Sorlie and Ronnie Christensen,
holds some fascinating underwater footage but lags when juggling a
roster of mostly unlikable characters.
Rated PG-13, 114 minutes. The DVD is available in all formats.
Return (***)
Some overall accomplished performances highlight this gritty character
study that suffers from overly familiar material. Linda Cardellini
plays Kelli, a National Guard soldier who has just returned to her
small town Ohio home and her devoted husband (Michael Shannon). But
Kelli has trouble fitting back in, whether with her boring assembly
line job, her role as mother to her two young daughters, or with her
once tight group of friends. Her ennui defies explanation beyond her
saying “I’m better off than a lot of others.” Eventually, too
much alcohol brings a DUI, and too much neglect results in a loss of
job and possibly her family. Writer/director Liza Johnson examines a
woman struggling to adjust, even if we never understand what all lies
behind her struggle. For her part, Cardellini makes us care about
Kelli, while Shannon captures the vagaries of trying to cope with
instability.
Not rated, 97 minutes. The DVD includes commentary from Liza Johnson and
cinematographer Anne Etheridge and five deleted scenes totaling six
minutes.
The Innkeepers (***)
This low-keyed yet ingratiating horror entry takes place in the closing
days of a Connecticut inn, one that not-so-coincidentally has been
the site of various ghostly sightings and goings-on during its 100
years of establishment. Sara Paxton and Pat Healy play, respectively,
Claire and Luke, the two clerks left in charge on the last night.
They also consider themselves “ghost hunters” and relish the
opportunity to investigate supernatural claims. Of course it becomes
an evening with an unexpected room guest (Kelly McGillis), as well as
several other guests of the poltergeist variety. Director Ti West
mixes in enough light humor to render an entertaining blend of
frights and laughs.
Rated R, 110 minutes. The disc holds two separate commentaries and a
behind-the-scenes featurette.
Chasing Happiness (*1/2)
This bland comedy follows four people living in the same Southern
California house. The females includes a belly dancer who also
teaches yoga in disguise, a professional poker player, and, last,
what must be called some sort of pimp, while the man is the pimp’s
sex surrogate. The main plot point comes when they discover they need
the month’s rent money. Written and directed for broad effect by Ben
Tad Atoori.
Not rated. 80 minutes.
Contraband (**1/2)
Mark Wahlberg stars in this routine action-thriller as a
cliché character, a semi-retired smuggler forced into the requisite
“last job” to save a relative. He and a friend travel to Panama
to bring back their illegal fare but become involved in an armored
car hold up. Things go even more off track, of course, not only with
the robbery but with almost all of the film’s many subplots. With
Kate Beckinsale, Ben Foster, Diego Luna.
Rated R, 110 minutes.
And, finally, from this week’s TV entries:
Titanic (**1/2)
The epic story of the ill-fated ocean liner continues to spawn new drama,
here with this recent four part mini-series that played on ABC-TV. It
tells in detail the familiar story, covering all the known conflicts,
narrow escapes, and feats of bravery as historical personages mix
with the fictional. Linus Roache plays the doomed Earl of Manton,
with Geraldine Somerville as his wife. David Calder plays the
infamous Captain Smith. “Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes
wrote the script, and Jon Jones directed.
Not rated, 374 minutes. The DVD comes in all varieties and formats and
includes commentary, six different “making of” featurettes, a
comprehensive “behind-the-scenes” featurette, and a full length
documentary on the Titanic and its flaws.
Billy the Exterminator—season four
Billy Bretherton heads Vexcon, the always busy pest removal business. Its
Louisiana location promises that Billy and his colorful family,
including brother Ricky, father Bill Sr., and mother Donnie, will
enliven this series, when that is not accomplished by alligators,
raccoons, and, this season, a nasty javelina. The season’s 12
episodes come on two discs.
Rated TV-PG, 256 minutes.
Also
this week: Kite, Pariah.