Zombieland CityNews.ca Pick of the Week - The
zombie apocalypse has happened and only a few people are still alive
and kicking. Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), who narrates the story, is
alive because he follows a set of rules. Rule #1 is "Cardio" (because
you must be able to outrun the living dead). Rule #2 is "Double Tap"
(meaning put two bullets in a zombie to make sure they're actually dead
before kicking them or turning your back on them). Some of the other
rules include no bathrooms, always wear a seat belt and travel light. He
runs into fellow survivor Tallahassee
(Woody Harrelson). Tallahassee has survived because he is the
definition of bad ass (he drives an Escalade with a plow on the front
and has a back seat full of weapons). After some hesitation the two
partner up and hit the road to kill zombies and not get turned into
zombies themselves. From the opening credits (a montage of zombies
attacking people set to
Metallica's For Whom The Bell Tolls) I was hooked on Zombieland.
It's a
wild ride that will make you laugh and cheer and want to watch it again
as soon as it ends. Simply put - it is pure awesomeness! Emma Stone and
Abigail Breslin also star. Special features include deleted scenes,
commentary with Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, and director Ruben
Fleischer, a making-of feature, and more. Also available on Blu-ray.
Film **** DVD **** (out of 5 stars).
5150 Rue des Ormes
(5150 Elm's Way) - After falling off
his bike and injuring himself, aspiring filmmaker Yannick (Marc-André
Grondin) goes to
5150 Rue des Ormes to ask for help and ends up witnessing a murder. The
murderer, Jacques (Normand
D'Amour), lives at 5150 with his wife and two daughters and only kills
unrighteous people (Dexter style). Not knowing what to do with
Yannick (since he's a good person) he decides to lock him in a dark
room. Months pass and Yannick begins to believe in Jacques' way of life.
5150 Rue des Ormes is a gritty French-Canadian psychological
thriller that is sure to leave you feeling a little unsettled. French
with English subtitles. Special features are in French only. Film ****
DVD ** (out of 5 stars).
Cold Souls - Paul Giamatti plays
Paul Giamatti in this bizarre, twisted, funny tale about people who
store their souls (or borrow someone else's soul) when they can't take
the weight of their own. Paul is performing in the Russian play Uncle
Vanya and the anxiety of the role is hurting his performance. He
learns about the soul storage place and checks his soul in. After being
soulless for a couple of days he decides it's not working and takes
another soul out for a test drive. Things get weird for him fast and
when he goes to get his soul back it appears to be missing. If you liked
films such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Synecdoche, New
York, than you most likely will enjoy Cold Souls. Special features
include deleted scenes and a slideshow on the soul extractor machine
from the film. Film *** DVD ** (out of 5 stars).
Couples
Retreat (Blu-ray) - I admit I found Couples Retreat funnier
on DVD than I did when I saw it in the theatre. But that doesn't mean it
doesn't deserve to be on my Worst Films of 2009 list still. It starts off fun
and cute and makes you want to
stay with
it forever. Then it turns into typical Hollywood drivel, slams the door
in your face and makes you never want to see it again. It's not unlike
a bad relationship -- there are a few enjoyable moments but overall
your memories of it are negative. Vince Vaughn, Kristen Bell, Malin
Akerman, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, Faizon Love, and Kristin Davis
star. Special features on the Blu-ray include alternate ending, extended
scenes, gag reel, a digital copy of the film, and more. Film ** Blu-ray
*** (out of 5 stars). Note: this title is not available until
February 5.
TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Marx
Brothers - This 2-disc set comes with four great Marx Brothers
films. A Day at the Races, A Night in Casablanca, Room
Service, and At the Circus. Fans might prefer better
standalone sets but newcomers to the Marx Brothers will get a good grasp
of what they were all about. No special features. Set *** (out of 5
stars).
Mystic River (Blu-ray) - If you've never seen
Clint Eastwood's 2003 Oscar-nominated film Mystic River now's
your chance to do so in high-def. The film follows Jimmy (Sean Penn),
Sean (Kevin Bacon), and Dave (Tim Robbins) -- three childhood friends
who are reunited after Jimmy's daughter is found dead. Sean is the
police detective on the case and Dave, who was sexually assaulted when
he was a child, is a prime suspect. The film is haunting and the
performances from the three leads are outstanding (Penn and Robbins both
won Oscars for their work). The transfer to Blu-ray looks and sounds
wonderful. Special features include commentary with Tim Robbins and
Kevin Bacon, the featurette Mystic River: From Page to Screen,
interviews from The Charlie Rose Show with Clint Eastwood, Tim
Robbins, and Kevin Bacon, and more. Film **** Blu-ray *** (out of 5
stars).
More New DVD releases this week: Love Happens,
Amelia, Adam, Spiral, The Godfather (Blu-ray), The Godfather II
(Blu-ray), The Music Man (Blu-ray)
brian.mckechnie@citynews.rogers.com
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image: Scene from Zombieland. Courtesy Sony Pictures.