dvd – procrastinationchronicles.com

now available on dvd: bad words

August 15, 2014 No Comments

It’s summer and a great time to catch up on movies in addition to tv. And apparently one international round trip can get me almost all caught up. So it’s time for a little reminder as to what’s recently become available, are people still getting dvds?

3 Days to Kill (5/20) – This movie had too much going to really be great but a palatable action flick for when there really is nothing on.
12 Years a Slave (3/4) – Quality film that may not be fun but the performances are worth a watch.
American Hustle (3/18) – A fave of last year, love the fashions, the characters, and the hustle.
Anchorman 2 (4/1) – I’m not a huge fan of these but for a plane ride it passed the time.
Bad Words (7/8) – This Jason Bateman off color small comedy was the one plane flick that was far better than plane fare, and made me laugh out loud (not always a good idea on an overnight flight).
Divergent (8/5) – Another one of these teen things, I didn’t find the story particularly compelling, or sensical, but good enough for a plane.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (6/17) – If you like Wes Anderson then this was a great addition to his collection, if you don’t I might pass.
Her (5/13) – Another fave of last year this odd take on futuristic romance hit some great notes.
Homefront (3/11) – I feel compelled for some reason to watch every Jason Statham flick and even at their worst I kind of like them, this wasn’t the worst, but it wasn’t the best.
Inside Llewyn Davis (3/11) – Bummer of a guy and although the movie had some good attributes I didn’t love it.
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (6/10) – Another plane flick, passable enough plane action.
Need for Speed (8/5) – This felt like what it probably was an attempt to capture some of the Fast & Furious fun, and although stupid a decent enough plane flick.
Out of the Furnace (3/11) – I love Christian Bale and though this was another bummer of a flick I thought it was worth a watch.
Robocop (6/3) – Should I just repeat, good enough for a plane.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (3/15) – The last of my plane listings, a sweet and entertaining enough quest.
Vampire Academy (5/20) – I can’t say this was a good movie but it was a fun campy flick that I enjoyed.
Veronica Mars (5/6) – I loved me some Veronica and although I’m not sure this was 100% successful as a standalone movie, and it’s tough to do justice to all the characters of a series, it was good visit back to Neptune.
The Wolf of Wall Street (3/25) – This movie was fun for about the first half and then it just kept going.

Though one international trip got me caught up on some of the backlog the one that I missed, that I’ve been told is more than just schmaltzy is Philomena (4/15).

movies

now available on dvd: the way, way back

March 4, 2014 No Comments

It’s been a while, but now that the Oscars are behind us let’s take a look at what’s available in your own home.

2 Guns (11/19) – Enjoyable though somewhat ridiculous buddy ‘cop’ flick, Denzel and Marky Mark fun enough shooters.
About Time (2/4) – Maybe a little too precious but nicely brings you along the designated sentimental and romantic path.
Captain Phillips (1/21) – Tense throughout… Hanks rocks another good performance.
Dallas Buyers Club (2/4) – Almost forgot it was McConaughey during his and other’s great portrayals, almost.
Drinking Buddies (12/3) – Small moments make and break it, but can’t hate on Olivia Wilde and Jake Johnson.
Enough Said (1/14) – Bittersweet but lovely to see Gandolfini and JLD showing their onscreen relationship baggage together.
Fast & Furious 6 (12/10) – No complaints about Fast & Furious 6, fast, furious, and fun… though it is not more than expected.
Frances Ha (11/12) – A well done film about a woman who is sort of a mess does not make it enjoyable to watch a woman who is sort of a mess, meh.
Gravity (2/25) – As I was afraid would be the case, totally stressed out, though you know it was pretty well done though not believable at all.
The Lifeguard (10/8) – Kristen Bell was quite good but I might be a smidge too old to not become despondent over a 29 & 10 mos yr old breakdown.
Much Ado About Nothing (10/8) – Lovely job on the modern setting, even stopped thinking of them as Wesley and Fred, Joss does like his peeps.
Nebraska (2/25) – The slow journey outweighs the comic moments but this sorry old man’s touching and painful tale ends up somewhat poetic.
Pacific Rim (10/15) – Yeah, I don’t know, the robot fighting, I didn’t expect much but still couldn’t quite hold my attention.
The Spectacular Now (1/14) – Not exactly your typical teen flick it has some nice poignant moments.
The Way, Way Back (10/22) – A summer coming of age story the way it should be done.

And a few that might be added to my to do list for one reason or another: All Is Lost (2/11), Before Midnight (10/22), Blue is the Warmest Color (2/25), Blue Jasmine (1/21), Don Jon (12/31), Elysium (12/17), Fruitvale Station (1/14), The Heat (10/15), In A World (1/21), Kick-Ass 2 (12/17), The Lone Ranger (12/17), Man of Steel (11/12), Red 2 (11/26), Riddick (1/14), The World’s End (11/19).

movies

now available on dvd: world war z

October 1, 2013 No Comments

Fall season isn’t the best time to dig into the dvd queue but it’s been awhile since we looked at what might be out:

The Bling Ring (9/17) – Sofia Coppola’s latest is an interesting if not all that engaging take on the real life thieves of the rich and vacuous.
Oz the Great and Powerful (6/10) – Never quite found its ground with characters or story, but I’m game for almost any take on all things Oz.
Star Trek Into Darkness (9/10) – Not as great as the first in this reboot but still an enjoyable take on the characters and slight alt version.
This is the End (10/1) – A pretty decent take on world destruction and celebrity inside jokes, still leans a little too into the dumb humor.
World War Z (9/17) – Apparently not true to the book at all, and maybe not all that believable, but a whole lot of tense fun.

Possibly checking out: Amour (8/20), Behind the Candelabra (9/17), The Great Gatsby (8/27), Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (8/19), Identity Thief (6/4), Iron Man 3 (9/24), Killing Season (8/19), Mud (8/6), Now You See Me (9/3), On the Road (8/6), The Place Beyond the Pines (8/6), Redemption (9/24), Sharknado (9/2), Spring Breakers (7/9), Venus and Serena (7/2).

movies

now available on dvd: silver linings playbook

May 31, 2013 No Comments

Summer blockbusters are coming but just in case you don’t feel like leaving your home, there’s a few items that might be worth a watch:

Django Unchained (4/16) – It’s very Tarantino for good and for bad, it’s in interesting and engaging tale of Western style revenge, I found enough likable to get me through a few awkward points.
Life of Pi (3/12) – Visually impressive and although not a perfect movie a surprisingly decent adaptation of an unadaptable book.
Lincoln (3/26) – Daniel Day Lewis is captivating, which is fortunate because it is an awful lot of him talking.
Silver Linings Playbook (4/30) – A great watch for a whole cast on the edge of crazy, and yes I know there were flaws.
This is 40 (3/22) – Some funny moments but too much of a couple truly arguing for me to laugh much.

Possibly checking out: Gangster Squad (4/23), Hitchcock (3/12), The Impossible (4/23), Jack Reacher (5/7), Killing Them Softly (3/26), Parker (5/21), Zero Dark Thirty (3/19).

movies

now available on dvd: argo

February 27, 2013 No Comments

I’m a little movie’d out this time of year after my end of year lists and the Oscars, but along with a few picks recently out, there are a few still on the list to catch:

Argo (2/19) – It’s quite a tense ride, and you know Ben got some recognition for this year’s effort getting the embassy workers out, the best? some thought so.
Celeste and Jesse Forever (2/5) – At times delightful and at times painful, the tale of a couple who try to redefine their relationship after breaking up, I liked it.
Hit and Run (1/8) – A fun ride as this romantic/action/comedy follows leaving witness protection gone awry.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2/12) – Noted as my fave of last year, it’s a beautifully done small coming of age film.
Skyfall (2/12) – The wonderful Craig Bond seems to have quickly progressed from new and slightly rebellious to old and jaded but always a good caper.

Checking out: Alex Cross (2/5), Chasing Mavericks (2/26), Cloud Atlas (2/5), Cosmopolis (1/1), End of Watch (1/22), Flight (2/5), The Master (2/26), The Sessions (2/12), Seven Psychopaths (1/29), Taken 2 (1/15).

movies

now available on dvd: looper

January 7, 2013 No Comments

It’s the end of the year and the good movies are coming out. But there were a few good picks along the way, and of course more fodder for dvd rentals.

The Amazing Spiderman (11/9) – Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are both good in the latest comic-y reboot, though you have to forget that it is way too early for a reboot.
The Bourne Legacy (12/11) – More than Bourne… and following Jeremy Renner ain’t bad, though I found Rachel Weisz’s character irritating and with all the setup, still some good action.
Looper (12/31) – JGL can do no wrong and this time travel action romp with he and Bruce Willis is a keeper, you know for a sci-fi hit man movie.
The Dark Knight Rises (12/4) – I’m game, though worked best as part of series and didn’t love the villain, but Bale rounds out the good leading men can do no wrong of this list, though will we see more of JGL?
Savages (11/13) – I would usually love a violent action packed surfer drug dealing flick but these characters didn’t quite drag me in.

I’m looking to check out: Beasts of the Southern Wild (12/4), Liberal Arts (12/18), Ted (12/11).

movies

now available on dvd: safety not guaranteed

November 7, 2012 No Comments

I tried at one point to try to keep up with live movie reviews in a few ‘flick fun‘ posts, but clearly that was a greater commitment than my sporadic schedule could maintain. So here’s another stab at movies, a somewhat monthly look at what’s coming out on dvd.

Dark Shadows (10/2) – I was compelled by my general love of Depp and his peculiar Tim Burton characters and the somewhat cult following of the original show, but can’t give it a wholehearted recco.
Magic Mike (10/23) – Not your finest fare but a good cheesy escapist flick with a Steven Soderbergh attempt at a story, oh and you know lots of stripper guys if you like that sort of thing.
Moonrise Kingdom (10/16) – I consider myself a Wes Anderson fan and although I didn’t love this quite as much as a few of my diehard friends, I really appreciated the characters and the visuals and thought it was generally a good time.
Ruby Sparks (10/30)- Delightful and quirky, the line between fiction and reality is tested in this romance about a blocked early-to-success writer writing his girlfriend, written by and starring Zoe Kazan.
Safety Not Guaranteed (10/30) – Reporting on or becoming part of the story of someone seeking a companion for time travel, Parks and Recreation’s Aubrey Plaza, The League’s Mark Duplass, and New Girl’s Jake Johnson all add their unique acting chops to this sweet oddball story.

So what do you think of now availables? What are you renting or recommending?

best, movies

procrastinator picks – must see movies

February 9, 2012 No Comments

I’ve had another year’s worth of movies and although nothing jumps out as my favorite, favorite there was lots of good to be had. So here’s a smattering of ten good bits. And just so you know what the contenders were I’ve bolded the flicks that I caught on the critic’s list.

50/50 – Joseph Gordon-Levitt is great in really anything but the subtleties, heartfelt and humorous, of his dealing with cancer hit the right note, along with his also well played entourage including buddy, Seth Rogan, and more than slightly green therapist, Ana Kendrick.
Beginners – It’s never too late to turn your life around, and Ewan McGregor and his newly out dad, Christopher Plummer, show that very thing in a touching and amusing tale of love and life and loss.
Young Adult – There’s something about watching a person hit bottom by making choice after choice that makes you cringe, but what keeps you on board, other than relishing in a seemingly terrible person’s suffering, is the interplay between Charlize and Patton Oswalt that brings this nonspirational story to the next level.
Drive – This year brought me on board with Ryan Gosling, he maybe had the least lines of any leading man in this flick, but his brooding dude trying to do right in a whole lot of wrong was beautifully if not brutally done.
Crazy, Stupid, Love – It’s surprisingly difficult to make a good romcom, and this ensemble take with a bit of the dramedy focus doesn’t hit it right at every stride, but the camaraderie between Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling, a couple of men on the prowl, each in their own way, makes it work.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo/The Artist – I really appreciated although maybe didn’t love both of these movies, The Girl was beautifully done though maybe too close in timing and accuracy with the book for me to really immerse myself, while Artist did quite a good job utilizing the silent and current medium for a sweet story but alas I just got bored in the middle.
Super 8 – Seen through the eyes of kids on the precipice of so many things, they capture the spirit of a time and a place with enough wonder that the somewhat formulaic otherworldly occurrences (think scary monster) following a small town train wreck felt like the perfect summer movie.
Colombiana/Hanna – I do love an action flick, and a kick-ass girl trained to be a killer, well these two flicks take slightly different stances on their girl power, but neither fails to entertain.