If I’m using my sister’s rule that a movie should have a literal description this French thriller might be called Nurse’s Aid has a Killer Day. We follow this guy who is thrown into an incredible situation and does everything he can and more to save his pregnant wife. What makes it work in addition to the pretty nonstop fast pace is the situation and the characters. Who do you turn to when the criminals and the cops are after you? Not a revolutionary film but good fun all around.

Notable dvd releases 8/23:

• The Beaver – I think everyone missed this Mel Gibson uses a puppet movie for good reason.
• POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold – I’m actually remotely interested in Morgan Spurlock’s all product placement, maybe.
• Win Win – I actually meant to catch this Paul Giamatti odd comedy on release, going in the queue.
• Brothers & Sisters (S5) – Gave up on this season 1.
• The Event (S1) – I never cared what ‘the event’ was.
• Gossip Girl (S4) – Enjoyed it at first but some things weren’t meant to last.
• NCIS (S8) – I’m actually not sure I’ve ever seen an episode of this show.
• NCIS: LA (S2) – Not a bad procedural but I didn’t ever quite get on board with this version of military investigation.

I feel like we’re heading into the Daniel Craig season. This flick isn’t all that groundbreaking even with its mix of genres but it’s entertaining.

Daniel Craig can’t remember anything, but he shows up and is bad-ass enough to make us question his background, even without the space age bracelet. When the aliens attack, it brings out folks’ true colors. Is it just me or is it hard to believe that people as attractive as Daniel Craig and Olivia Wilde are compatible with 1873?

I was all aboard the people of different backgrounds coming together to fight the good fight. It didn’t really matter what they were fighting. Summer fun, plus I earned my $10 bonus on my AMC Rewards card so it was like it was free, you know except for the popcorn.

Notable dvd releases 8/16:

• The Conspirator – I couldn’t and can’t quite bring myself to be that interested in the President Lincoln trial, pass.
• Jane Eyre – Decently reviewed but I just can’t get that excited about the latest adaptation, pass.
• Priest – This post-apocalyptic vampire was almost up my alley but a little too dreadful looking to bother, pass.
• Something Borrowed – Good cast of Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin but romcoms shouldn’t be based on sleeping with your best friend’s fiancé, pass.
• Dexter (S5) – Will he almost get caught again, alas I do love the Dexter.

I’m not opposed to a standard sci fi action drama but was glad to see that this origins flick tried to be a little more. Before the apes ruled the world there was one. And I actually enjoyed the character of Caesar the ape, who at the hands of science, grows up right before our eyes. His awakening to his surroundings and his struggles through the movie are what really compel.

The people in the movie are all for the most part a little less dimensional. Franco is effective enough as the paternal scientist though at times his naiveté (or stupidity) is a little annoying. His pretty girlfriend, Freida Pinto, shows up just enough to make a few cautionary utterances, though mostly it seems like they don’t talk of anything happening that’s of import. And John Lithgow adds a lovely layer and emotional drive.

The special effects, primarily the apes all being cgi, is effectively done, although at times a little disconcerting when they’re just supposed to be apes. Maybe not perfect in either aspect there is both enough action as well as enough nods to a more complex allegory to keep me engaged.

Notable dvd releases 8/9:

• Jumping the Broom – Nothing compelling me to check out this two families conflict coming up to a wedding, pass.
• Mars Needs Moms – Animated space hijinks, pass.
• Paul – This sci fi spoof almost looks funny from the director of Superbad/Adventureland, probably pass.
• Super – Cast of Rainn Wilson, Liv Tyler, and Ellen Page almost make this this downtrodden man tries to be a superhero appealing, probably pass.
• Your Highness – Terrible reviews kept me away from this low-brow knights genre comedy, pass.

Steve Carell takes a nice turn as a foundering newly separated man. The relationships in this film are all funny and dramatic and complex but none is more fun than watching Ryan Gosling try to share the tricks of his trade on being a ‘real man’.

I missed the Gosling boat until now but he does a wonderful job being a shallow womanizer, without much malice. Giving tough love to his new protégé works. Even if it’s not so much the clothes that turn him around we don’t mind the makeover.

The movie is wise to give additional weight to the love in the ensemble cast; the all around stupid and crazy is entertaining. Julianne Moore has a tough task making the wife identifiable but the characters not being two dimensional is what works. Emma Stone is always likable, and Jonah Bobo does a lovely turn as youngest in love, with amusing supporting roles by Marisa Tomei and Kevin Bacon.

One must, as with most movies, forgive some serendipitous indulgences, at the end of the day it was quite a good ride.

Noteworthy dvd releases 8/2:

• Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost – I enjoy these made for tv adaptations of the Robert Parker series though I don’t know that I’d go out of my way to rent them.
• Rio – Animated bird movie, pass.
• Soul Surfer – I hate the idea of a shark attack in the ocean and not a huge inspirational story fan so for me this is a pass.
• Eastbound & Down (S2) – Haven’t checked this series out, not supposed to be bad, just cable and not all that interested.
• United States of Tara (S3) – Caught a couple of these multiple personalities and although it’s now canceled might be worth a look.