Tag Archives: film reviews

Video Verdict: ‘Underworld: Awakening,’ ‘The Vow,’ ‘Chuck: The Complete Fifth and Final Season’

Kate Beckinsale reprises the role of death dealing vampire Selene in “Underworld: Awakening.”

This week’s major home video releases range from a tender romance starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams to a bloody vampire drama featuring Kate Beckinsale.

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Video Verdict: ‘Haywire,’ ‘Joyful Noise,’ ‘New Year’s Eve’

Gina Carano gets physical in “Haywire,” an action-oriented thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh.

After several slow weeks, the home video scene is picking up steam. New releases include an action film by director Steven Soderbergh, a musical comedy starring Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, and a star-studded offering from director Garry Marshall

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Video Verdict: ‘Contraband’

Thug Tim Briggs (Giovanni Ribisi) threatens Chris Farraday (Mark Wahlberg) in “Contraband,” a thriller about a former smuggler who gets sucked back into the business.

It’s a slow week for home video, as only one major theatrical release is making its way to DVD and Blu-ray. Fortunately, that title is a worthwhile thriller starring Mark Wahlberg.

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Video Verdict: ‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol,” “Shame”

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) pushes himself to the limit in “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.”

A fast-paced action film starring Tom Cruise anchors this week’s home video releases.

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Video Verdict: ‘The Iron Lady,’ ‘The Darkest Hour’

Meryl Streep, right, plays former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Jim Broadbent plays her husband, Denis Thatcher, in “The Iron Lady.” Streep won a best actress Academy Award for the role.

This week’s home video releases are led by a political drama that helped actress Meryl Streep win her third Academy Award.

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Video Verdict: ‘War Horse,’ ‘We Bought a Zoo’

Albert (Jeremy Irvine) and his horse Joey form a remarkable bond in “War Horse.” The drama, by director Steven Spielberg, earned six Academy Awards nominations, including one for best picture.

This week’s home video releases include a terrific family film starring Matt Damon, and a Steven Spielberg drama that earned six Oscar nominations.

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Video Verdict: ‘Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close,’ ‘A Dangerous Method,’ ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked’

Max von Sydow, left, and Thomas Horn in a scene from “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.” Von Sydow’s work on the film earned him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor.

This week’s video releases are anchored by a drama that earned two Oscar nominations while taking a fictionalized look at the fallout of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

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Video Verdict: ‘Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,’ ‘The Muppets,’ ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,’ ‘The Sitter,’ ‘Hop’

Rooney Mara plays the title character in “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” a thriller based on Stieg Larsson’s best-selling novel. Mara’s work in the film earned her an Academy Award nomination for best picture.

Three films that had starring roles in the recent Academy Awards ceremony lead this week’s crop of home video releases.

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Video Verdict: ‘The Descendants,’ ‘My Week With Marilyn,’ ‘The Adventures of Tintin,’ ‘The Three Musketeers,’ ‘Happy Feet Two,’ ‘Young Adult’

George Clooney, left, and Shailene Woodley play a distressed father and daughter in writer-director Alexander Payne’s “The Descendants.”

This week’s home video releases are anchored by two movies that played key roles in the recent Academy Awards ceremony.

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Video Verdict: ‘Immortals,’ ‘Jack & Jill,’ ‘Footloose,’ ‘Like Crazy’

Henry Cavill stars Theseus in “Immortals,” an action film directed by Tarsem Singh.

This week’s home video releases are anchored by an Adam Sandler comedy, a remake of a 1980s favorite and an action film set in ancient Greece.

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