We’re back! After a week off in Park City, What to Watch is back with 8 movies for you to check out at your local Blu-ray shop or download on your favorite streaming service. Some great variety this week, including a fantastic On Demand debut starring Elijah Wood & John Cusack, a few classics, and a couple of current Oscar nominees.
“Grand Piano”
We’re going to try and lead each What to Watch with the most interesting new film available exclusively On Demand and this week’s is a gem for all of you who wish Brian De Palma made more movies like he did in the ’70s and ’80s. Elijah Wood plays a famous pianist doing a tribute show to his deceased mentor. He sees a note on his sheet music that if he misses a key, he’ll be shot by a sniper (John Cusack). While the set-up is simple, the execution is accomplished, right down to split screens that De Palma would adore. It’s a little slight but it’s mostly a blast, and anything that gets Alex Winter back in front of camera has value.
Where to Watch: On Demand (starting January 30th)
“Blue Jasmine”
Woody Allen’s latest has connected with Academy members to the degree that Cate Blanchett seems a near lock to win her first lead actress Oscar and the lackluster screenplay even has a shot. As a lifelong Woody Allen fan, I’m baffled. I find this one of his least-satisfying, misanthropic works, a film that works neither as satire nor human commentary. The performers do a ton of heavy lifting to make it interesting — particularly underrated turns from Bobby Cannavale and Andrew Dice Clay — but the script has made my teeth grind every time I try to watch it. I love Woody, I love Cate, and I love most of the cast, so I’m happy to see their success and maybe “Blue Jasmine” will lead viewers to their better work.
From Patrick McDonald’s theatrical review [20]: “So few people are given the position that Woody Allen enjoys, which is the ability to maintain a consistent opportunity to communicate as an artist, and to employ a shifting intuition throughout a lifetime of work. He is an American treasure, a gift to an audience who appreciates the strange machinations of our being and consequence.”
Synopsis:
Poignant, romantic, and mesmerizing, writer/director Woody Allen’s latest masterpiece centers around Jasmine (Cate Blanchett), a former New York socialite teetering on an emotional tightrope, balancing between her troubled east coast past and a fresh start in San Francisco. Having moved into her sister’s humble apartment, Jasmine ricochets between the tumultuous acceptance of her new limitations, and the dreams of reclaiming her past life’s glamour. Join a powerful cast for an intimate portrayal of the battle between fantasy and reality which rages within us all.
Special Features:
o Notes From the Red Carpet
o Blue Jasmine Cast Press Conference
Where to Watch: Blu-ray, DVD, Vudu, Amazon Instant Streaming, iTunes
“In the Heat of the Night”
As we come upon a month in which Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” has a chance to win major Oscars, including Best Picture, it makes sense to look back on this wildly-influential 1967 drama, which won Best Picture, Best Actor, Adapted Screenplay, and two more. It was named the 75th best film of all time by the AFI. It’s an essential part of the most formative years of Hollywood in the late ’60s and early ’70s. And so even though it’s been available before and there’s no particularly reason to revisit it now (remaster, anniversary, new special features, etc.), it can never hurt to bring a film this powerful to a new audience. They could release it every two years. I’d be fine with that.
Synopsis:
Starring Academy Award winners Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger and Lee Grant, this provocative mystery thriller is still as powerful as ever.
In the Deep South, homicide detective Virgil Tibbs (Poitier) becomes embroiled in a murder investigation. When the bigoted town sheriff (Steiger) gets involved, both he and Tibbs must put aside their differences and join forces in a race against time to discover the shocking truth.
Special Features:
o Commentary With Norman Jewison, Lee Grant, Rod Steiger and Cinematographer Haskell Wexler
o Turning Up The Heat: Moviemaking in the ’60s
o The Slap Heard Around The World
o Quincy Jones: Breaking New Sound
Where to Watch: Blu-ray, DVD, Vudu, Amazon Instant Streaming, iTunes
“Jackass Presents Bad Grandpa”
That’s OSCAR-NOMINATED “Jackass Presents Bad Grandpa” to you. Yes, while some major films like “Short Term 12” and “Stories We Tell” can’t boast that appelation, the Johnny Knoxville joint landed a well-deserved Best Makeup nod. I’ll laugh pretty hard if it wins. The movie is more of the same, exactly what you get although perhaps a little smarter than “Jackass” detractors would have you believe. It takes a certain kind of smarts to craft entertainment this stupid.
Synopsis:
Johnny Knoxville reprises his Jackass role as 86-year-old Irving Zisman in the story of a crotchety old man unexpectedly saddled with the care of his 8-year-old grandson Billy (Jackson Nicoll). The two generations of troublemakers soon develop a bond, as they hustle their way across the heartland of America on an outrageous road trip with a whole lot of high jinks and pranks on unsuspecting, real-life people - all of whom had no idea they were starring in a “truly shocking” hidden camera comedy. (Fred Topel, Craveonline.com)
Special Features:
o Deleted Scenes
o Alternate Real-Life Reactions
o Behind-the-Scenes Antics
Where to Watch: Blu-ray, DVD, Vudu, Amazon Instant Streaming, iTunes
“Rush”
Ron Howard’s Formula 1 drama looked at one point to be a major player in the awards season race but didn’t factor into any of the major categories, with Daniel Bruhl probably just missing out on a Best Supporting Actor nod (he was probably #6). Rent it now for yourself with a typically-great Universal HD transfer and decide if “Rush” should be on the lists of the biggest Oscar snubs of 2014.
From Patrick McDonald’s theatrical review [21]: “The detail in the film is magnificent, a testament to the veteran director Ron Howard and his ability to create a story in a time and place – of course Richie Cunningham should know something about the 1970s. The characters and their racing abilities are well represented, and each of the real events are meticulously recreated. Most impressive was the atmosphere, which was stoked with the era and anticipation of the racers’ rivalry.”
Synopsis:
Two-time Academy Award-winner Ron Howard delivers the exhilarating true story of a legendary rivalry that rocked the world. During the sexy and glamorous golden age of Formula 1 racing, two drivers emerged as the best: gifted English playboy James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth, The Avengers) and his methodical, brilliant Austrian opponent, Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl, Inglourious Basterds). As they mercilessly clash on and off the Grand Prix racetrack, the two drivers push themselves to the breaking point of physical and psychological endurance, where there’s no shortcut to victory and no margin for error. Co-starring Olivia Wilde (Tron: Legacy), it’s the heart-racing, epic, action-drama that critics are calling “one of the best movies of this, or any, year” (Pete Hammond, Movieline).
Special Features:
o Race For the Checkered Flag: The Making of Rush
o The Real Story of Rush
o Deleted Scenes
o Ron Howard: A Director’s Approach
Where to Watch: Blu-ray, DVD, Vudu, Amazon Instant Streaming, iTunes
“A Chorus Line”
Hit Broadway musicals don’t always work on film. While the ’70s run of “A Chorus Line” was an impactful one on stage, it doesn’t work on film. “Rent,” “Nine,” “A Chorus Line” — for every “Chicago” or “Hair,” there’s a Broadway musical that just feels flatter than when you saw it in person. This one isn’t the worst of the bunch and there’s a decent energy to it but it’s a piece that demands that energy from seeing dancers in person from a Broadway audience, not captured on film.
Synopsis:
Michael Douglas stars as a choreographer who subjects 16 dancers to a grueling audition in this Academy Award-nominated adaptation of the landmark Broadway musical. Featuring Marvin Hamlisch’s Oscar-nominated music and Jeffrey Hornaday’s (Flashdance) sizzling choreography, this thrilling portrayal of life behind the velvet curtains is truly “One Singular Sensation”!
After narrowing down hundreds of Broadway hopefuls, Zach (Douglas) leads a select group of dancers on the tryout of their lives. In an audition twist, Zach asks each performer personal and intimate questions-with results that powerfully affect not only the young performers but the hardened stage veteran as well.
Special Features:
o Original Theatrical Trailer
Where to Watch: Blu-ray, DVD, Amazon Instant Streaming, Vudu, iTunes
“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2”
I don’t understand why so many critics gave this disappointing sequel a pass. It’s more visually confident than a lot of modern animation but the storytelling here and dialogue just isn’t as smart as the first film. The Blu-ray, however, is LOADED down with special features, including mini-movies, and the transfer is gorgeous. Even if it’s just a visual experience, that aspect of it has been perfectly rendered on Blu-ray. The colors pop enough to keep the little ones engaged, and sometimes that’s all you want from a family Blu-ray.
From Adam Fendelman’s theatrical review [22]: “For the kids, “Cloudy 2” quite obviously matches dialogue puns with corresponding visuals. So, the line “This is bananas!” is accompanied visually by giant potassium-filled fruits and “We’re toast!” goes deliciously with golden-browned bread. These scenes – and the film as a whole – are enjoyably fast-paced so you’re kept relatively alert and engaged through its 95 minutes.”
Synopsis:
Inventor Flint Lockwood thought he saved the world when he destroyed his most infamous invention - a machine that turned water into food causing cheeseburger rain and spaghetti tornadoes. But Flint soon learns that his invention survived and is now combining food and animals to create “foodimals!” Flint and his friends embark on an adventurously mouth-watering mission to battle hungry tacodiles, shrimpanzees, hippotatomuses, cheesepiders and other foodimals to save the world - again!
Special Features:
o Filmmaker Commentary
o Anatomy Of A Foodimal
o Production Design: Back In The Kitchen
o Awesome End Credits
o Cloudy Cage: Who’s On The Menu?
o Building The Foodimals
o The Mysterious Sasquash
o Delicious Production Design
o Cody Simpson “La Da Dee” Music Video And Making Of
o 4 Deleted Scenes
o Foodimal-Funimal App: Unlock Even More Foodimal Fun By Syncing to Your Blu-ray
o 4 Fun Mini-Movies: Attack Of The 50 Foot Gummi Bear, Steve’s First Bath, Super Manny, Earl Scouts
Where to Watch: Blu-ray, DVD, Vudu, Amazon Instant Streaming, iTunes
“Machete Kills”
Ugh. Has anyone ever told you the same dirty joke twice? Did you laugh the second time? I really hope that Rodriguez breaks out of his recent rut with the “Sin City” sequel hitting later this year because this is a new career-low. (Yes, I’ve seen the “Spy Kids” movies.)
From Patrick McDonald’s theatrical review [23]: “You gotta love director Robert Rodriguez. When other filmmakers are slogging through their important films, he’s out convincing big stars to blow off cinematic fireworks, giggling all the time. The excess is the thing, more so and more so, in his new film “Machete Kills.””
Synopsis:
Danny Trejo returns as legendary ex-Federale Machete Cortez in this action-packed thrill ride from innovative director Robert Rodriguez. In his latest mission, Machete is recruited by the U.S. President (Carlos Estevez) to stop a crazed global terrorist (Mel Gibson) from starting a nuclear war. With a bounty on his head, Machete breaks all the rules as he faces death at every turn from a star-studded cast of deadly assassins. Featuring Michelle Rodriguez, Sofia Vergara, Amber Heard, Antonio Banderas, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Demian Bichir, Machete Kills is”“Absurdly entertaining. Defies expectations!” (Harry Knowles, Ain’t It Cool News). It’s one of the wildest save-the-world adventures ever captured on film!
Special Features:
o Deleted and Extended Scenes
o Making Machete Kills
Where to Watch: Blu-ray, DVD, Vudu, Amazon Instant Streaming, iTunes
 [24] | By BRIAN TALLERICO [25] |
Links:
[1] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/users/briantt
[2] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/a-chorus-line
[3] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/blu-ray-review
[4] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/blue-jasmine
[5] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/brian-tallerico
[6] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/cloudy-with-a-chance-of-meatballs-2
[7] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/dvd-review
[8] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/grand-piano
[9] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/hollywoodchicagodotcom-content
[10] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/hulu
[11] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/in-the-heat-of-the-night
[12] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/itunes
[13] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/jackass-presents-bad-grandpa-0
[14] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/machete-kills
[15] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/netflix
[16] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/rush
[17] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/vod
[18] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/what-to-watch
[19] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/dvd-theater-tv-news
[20] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/reviews/22121/blue-jasmine-puts-woody-allen-back-on-top
[21] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/reviews/22568/director-ron-howard-delivers-a-meticulous-rush
[22] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/reviews/22554/cloudy-with-a-chance-of-meatballs-2-wins-with-foodimals-overemphasizes-humans
[23] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/reviews/22653/machete-kills-so-over-the-top-it-has-no-bottom
[24] mailto:brian@hollywoodchicago.com
[25] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/about#BRIAN