Category Archives: Video Verdict

Video Verdict: ‘A Serious Man,’ ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife,’ ‘Couples Retreat,’ ‘The Stepfather’

Michael Stuhlbarg plays a troubled college professor in the dark comedy “A Serious Man.” Writers-directors Joel and Ethan Coen were nominated for an Oscar for the movie’s screenplay, and the feature is one of 10 contenders in this year’s best picture race.

This week’s crop of home video releases includes a romantic science-fiction film, a broad relationship comedy, a paint-by-numbers horror flick and a contender for best picture at this year’s Academy Awards.

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Video Verdict: ‘Amelia,’ ‘Love Happens,’ ‘Planet Hulk’

Hilary Swank plays Amelia Earhart in director Mira Nair’s biopic about the aviatrix, “Amelia.”

This week’s home video releases include a romantic comedy featuring Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart, an animated picture from Marvel Comics and a biopic of aviation legend Amelia Earhart.

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Video Verdict: ‘Michael Jackson’s This Is It,’ ‘Surrogates,’ ‘Whip It,’ ‘Saw VI’

Ellen Page plays roller derby star Babe Ruthless in Drew Barrymore’s first feature as a director, “Whip It.”

This week’s home video releases include a Bruce Willis action flick, a new entry to the “Saw” franchise and Drew Barrymore’s first feature as a director, but it’s a documentary about late pop star Michael Jackson that leads the pack in terms of both quality and stature.

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Video Verdict: ‘Invention of Lying,’ ‘Gamer,’ ‘Whiteout,’ ‘Pandorum’

Gerard Butler doesn’t like the fact that he’s being controlled by a teenage video game nerd in the science-fiction action movie “Gamer.”

Sadly, this week’s major home video releases are all second-tier, but the best of the batch is an offbeat comedy that has comedian Ricky Gervais’ fingerprints all over it.

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Video Verdict: ‘The Hurt Locker,’ ‘Moon,’ ‘Fame,’ ‘Post Grad’

Jeremy Renner, left, and Anthony Mackie star in the military drama “The Hurt Locker.”

This week’s home video releases include two of the best movies to hit theaters in 2009, plus a handful of also-rans.

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Video Verdict: ‘Cloudy With Meatballs,’ ‘The Final Destination,’ ‘Chuck’

Instead of raining cats and dogs, it rains hamburgers, pickles and mustard in the animated comedy “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.”

This week’s home video releases include a trite horror film, the second season of an excellent TV dramedy and a charming adaptation of a classic children’s book.

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Video Verdict: ‘Perfect Getaway,’ ‘9,’ ‘Jennifer’s Body,’ ‘Glee’

Megan Fox embraces her dark side as the title character in the horror-thriller “Jennifer’s Body.”

This week’s home video releases include a horror flick starring Megan Fox, a beautiful animated film by director Shane Acker, 13 episodes from one of the most enjoyable series on TV and a thriller set in Hawaii.

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Video Verdict: ‘District 9,’ ‘Days of Summer,’ ‘Extract,’ ‘All About Steve’

In “District 9,” Sharlto Copley plays a South African government official who must go on the run after coming into contact with alien DNA that turns him into a hybrid species.

This week’s DVD crop is anchored by two of the better theatrical releases of 2009, including a small-budget science-fiction adventure that packs a big-budget punch

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Video Verdict: ‘Inglourious Basterds,’ ‘The Hangover,’ ‘Taking Woodstock,’ ‘G-Force’

Brad Pitt plays Lt. Aldo Raine in director Quentin Tarantino’s revisionist World War II drama “Inglourious Basterds.”

This week’s home video releases include a raucous comedy set in fabulous Las Vegas, a drama about the beginnings of the Woodstock festival and a World War II thriller by director Quentin Tarantino.

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Video Verdict: ‘Harry Potter No. 6,’ ‘Julie & Julia,’ ‘Public Enemies,’ ‘World’s Greatest Dad’

Daniel Radcliffe reprises his role as Harry Potter in the fantasy adventure film "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."

This week’s DVD releases include two of the better films of 2009, and they target completely different audiences.

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