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Movie Review
by John Holliday
by George Taylor
by Christian Fannin
COMING SOON!
[Our editor, Emily Bloom, brings you the best new releases in her "DVD / Blu Review" article. No filler, no hype, only movies and TV shows we personally buy.]
It's not often that I'll be onboard the Criterion Collection train with all the artsy types and those who claim to be the biggest fans of the most obscure films (that no one's honestly ever seen). But this week Criterion actually hit the "Pick of the Week". Even among a slew of Stallone's, a couple of Muppets, and a little Lebowski. But I'll get to that.
At the risk of receiving hate mail, I'm going to say that The Killing is my favorite Stanley Kubrick movie only behind 'Spartacus' and 'The Shining'. Personally, I just can't handle the acid laced mindset of those who worship '2001: A Space Odyssey' and especially 'A Clockwork Orange'. If that's your thing, keep it in your cult following. For me, it's the early noir (artsy, I know) that gives me respect for the man as a director. His use of the camera to tell the story along with the editing really supports the entire pacing and tension of the movie.
The Killing follows a group of men from plot through execution of their plan to steal $2 million from the money counting room of a racetrack during a big race. Elisha Cook Jr. is perfect for his role as the window teller who's in on the bust though he's unsure of himself in everything that he does. His wife's had enough of his empty promises of wealth so she schemes with her lover to steal the loot after the big heist. Kubrick leads us through the day's events one character at a time adding some nice suspense in an otherwise by-the-books crime drama. But you don't make it to PotW just by being a good movie. Criterion gave it the edge with their usual plethora of special features, one of which is an entire second movie:
Then there's the other side of the spectrum with four action titles from Sylvester Stallone. I would prefer to have these in a multi-pack since the lesser Stallone movies are best saved for a rainy day or a guy's night but these are still the type of movies meant for Blu-ray and a surround sound system. This week pick up your favorite non-Rambo, non-Dredd, non-Rocky Sly. You know it's an odd release week when the Muppets don't make it until the last sentence but they're here in full force.
Did your pal Emily miss your favorite new release title? Are you sure you aren't the only one that likes it? Let her know at: emily@cineweekly.com
