Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Le Video New Arrivals Week 25

Green Zone (2010)

Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum, United 93) re-team for their latest electrifying thriller in Green Zone, a film set in the chaotic early days of the Iraqi War when no one could be trusted and every decision could detonate unforeseen consequences.

During the U.S.-led occupation of Baghdad in 2003, Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller (Damon) and his team of Army inspectors were dispatched to find weapons of mass destruction believed to be stockpiled in the Iraqi desert. Rocketing from one booby-trapped and treacherous site to the next, the men search for deadly chemical agents but stumble instead upon an elaborate cover-up that inverts the purpose of their mission.

Spun by operatives with intersecting agendas, Miller must hunt through covert and faulty intelligence hidden on foreign soil for answers that will either clear a rogue regime or escalate a war in an unstable region. And at this blistering time and in this combustible place, he will find the most elusive weapon of all is the truth.

Action, Drama, Suspense, War - DVD and Blu-Ray


The Last Station (2009)

Director: Michael Hoffman
Helen Mirren, Christopher Plummer, Paul Giamatti

Set in the last tumultuous years of famed Russian author Leo Tolstoy's life, centers on the battle for his soul waged by his wife Sofya Andreyevna and his leading disciple Vladimir Cherkov. Torn between his professed doctrine of poverty and chastity and the reality of his enormous wealth, his thirteen children and a life of hedonism, Tolstoy makes a dramatic flight from his home. Too ill to continue beyond the tiny rail station at Astapovo, he believes that he is dying alone, while over one hundred newspapermen camp outside awaiting hourly reports on his condition.

Mirren and Plummer were nominated for Oscars for their performance.
DVD and Blu-Ray


Bluebeard (2009)
Barbe Bleue d'apres Charles Perrault

Director: Catherine Breillat
Dominique Thomas, Lola Creton, Marilou Lopes-Benites

An adaptation of the classic tale of a wealthy aristocrat wife killer!

Foreign, French, Fantasy, Suspense - DVD


Close-Up (1990)

Director: Abbas Kiarostami
Hossain Sabzian, Mohsen Makhmalbaf

On a bus in Tehran, an unemployed movie buff reading a published screenplay passes himself off as its author, the internationally acclaimed filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf. Invited into the home of a credulous family, the impostor announces his plan to make a film starring their adult son. The father, growing skeptical, invites a journalist to visit, who, in turn, brings the police. Having read an account of this true case, the director Abbas Kiarostami decided to make a film of it, in which each participant would reënact his own role-including Kiarostami himself. In so doing, he also gained permission to film the trial, which was presided over by religious authorities. In this 1990 masterpiece of ironic reflexivity, Kiarostami's clear, self-possessed vision reveals the dogma of others while conveying none of its own, besides a faith in the power of the cinema itself to expose the artifice on which it depends. If religion is the suppression of the evidence of the eye through the dictate of the word, such calmly unwavering images, with their wry humor and generous sympathy, have the force of a quiet, steadfast resistance. In Farsi.-Richard Brody -Richard Brody
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Foreign, Iranian, Crime, Drama. Won Best Film @ Quebec Film Critics Award
DVD and Blu-Ray (Replace our VHS) - Criterion Collection
                                           

The Good Guy (2009)Il

Director: Julio DePietro
Alexis Bledel, Anna Chlumsky, Andrew McCarthy

Ambitious young Manhattanite and urban conservationist Beth wants it all: a good job, good friends, and a good guy to share the city with. Of course that last one is often the trickiest of all. Beth falls hard for Tommy, a sexy, young Wall Street hot-shot. But just as everything seems to be falling into place, complications arise in the form of Tommy's sensitive and handsome co-worker Daniel. Beth soon learns that the game of love in the big city is a lot like Wall Street -- high risk, high reward and everybody has an angle. Written by Roadside Attractions 

Comedy, Romance. DVD



Le Combat Dans l'Ile (1962)
Fire and Ice

Director: Alain Cavalier
Romy Schneider, Jean-Louis Trintignant, 

A hidden gem of the French New Wave, Alain Cavalier’s Le Combat dans l’île is as coolly modern as it is tensely gripping. Filled with thrilling plot twists, jazzy gun battles and stormy betrayals, this scintillating neo-noir unfolds against a backdrop of 1960s political turmoil and is strikingly shot in stark black and white by legendary cinematographer Pierre Lhomme (Army of Shadows, King of Hearts). The charismatic, surly son of a wealthy industrialist, Clément (Jean-Louis Trintignant, of Z and The Conformist) leads a secret double life as a member of a right-wing extremist organization. When he’s ratted out after a failed assassination attempt on a prominent politician, Clément and his long-suffering wife Anne (the luminous German screen siren Romy Schneider) flee Paris to the idyllic country home of his childhood friend, Paul (Henri Serre, of Jules and Jim). While Clément embodies reactionary machismo, with his sudden outbursts of brutality, Paul—an artisanal printmaker by trade—is an easy-going, gentle pacifist. As affection blossoms between Paul and Anne, the emotional as well as political tensions soar—and eventually explode.
Foreign, French, New Wave, Drama. B/W. DVD


The Maid (2009)
La Nana

Director: Sebastian Silva
Catalina Saavedra, Claudia Celedon, Alejandro Goic

After 23 years working as housemaid in an upper class Santiago, Chile household, Raquel (Catalina Saavedra) is as much a part of the Valdez family as the wife, husband, and kids she that lives with and looks after. On Raquel’s 41st birthday Pilar Valdez (Claudia Celedon), her husband Mundo (Alejandro Goic) and their oldest son Lucas (Agustin Silva) force the sullen, withdrawn maid to emerge from her kitchen sanctum and join the whole family for a brief celebration. But Raquel’s discomfort is as strong as her “family’s” need to acknowledge their awkward dependence on her.

When Raquel becomes unable to care for the house alone new help is hired and this throws her into a jealous frenzy. The seemingly happy home soon becomes the stage for Raquel’s darkly comedic tricks as she drives away anyone who tries to take her place. This takes a toll on the children, some of whom she loves and others she disdains. Trapped by guilt, matriarch Pilar refuses to fire Raquel even though it is clear their maid is slowly unraveling. However it is the third hire, Lucy, whose sunny disposition and deep bond with her own family that creates a change in Raquel. The two grow close and the family sees their once disgruntled caretaker full of life again. Yet as Lucy becomes homesick, Raquel is faced with solitude again and must choose to return to her old ways or embrace a new way of life.

Foreign, Chilean/Mexican, Dark Comedy, Drama. In Spanish. DVD


Night Train to Munich (1940)

Director: Carol Reed
Margaret Lockwood, Rex Harrison, Paul Henreid,

British and Gestapo agents vie for a Czech inventor and his daughter. Oscar nominated Thriller from the same director who made The Third Man.

Thriller, War, Suspense. DVD - Criterion Collection
 (New to DVD and replace our VHS)


Red Desert (1964)
Il deserto rosso

Director: Michelangelo Antonioni
Monica Vitti, Richard Harris, Carlo Chionetti


Cold, rain, and fog surround a plant in Ravenna. Factory waste pollutes local lakes; hulking anonymous ships pass or dock and raise quarantine flags. Guiliana, a housewife married to the plant manager, Ugo, is mentally ill, hiding it from her husband as best she can. She meets Zeller, an engineer en route to Patagonia to set up a factory. He pursues her, they join friends for a dinner party of sexual play, then, while Ugo is away on business, she fears that her son has polio. When she discovers the boy is faking, she goes to Zeller, panicked that no one needs her. He takes advantage of her distress, and she is again alone and ill. Written by

Foreign, Italian, Drama. In Italian. DVD from the Criterion Collection
(New to DVD and replace our VHS)



Director: Allen Coulter
Lena Olin, Robert Pattinson, Pierce Brosnan

In the summer of 2001, New York college student Tyler (Robert Pattinson) is still feeling lost from the tragedy that has strained his relationship with his father when he meets Ally (Emilie de Ravin), a girl who understands his pain. The last thing Tyler’s looking for is love, but through their passionate relationship, he finds new possibilities for happiness. It’s an unforgettable story about the power of the heart, the strength of family, and the importance of treasuring every day of one’s life.

Drama, Romance - DVD


Director: Jim Field Smith
Jay Baruchel, Alice Eve, T.J. Miller

In this outrageous comedy, Kirk (Jay Baruchel, “Knocked Up”, “Tropic Thunder”), an average guy, can’t believe his luck when the successful and gorgeous babe Molly (Alice Eve, “Sex and the City 2”) falls for him. His smart-ass friends, his crazy family, and even his obnoxious ex-girlfriend are just as shocked as he is. Comedy/Romance - DVD


It Came From Kuchar (2009)
The day the Bronx invaded Hollywood.

Director: Jennifer M. Kroot
Atom Egoyan, Wayne Wang, John Waters

The definitive documentary about the zany, underground filmmaking twins, George and Mike Kuchar.
 
Documentary, Cinema, Comedy - DVD


The Children's War ( 2009)
The hope of a lost generation

Director: Andrew Krakower

A lost generation of Ugandan youth is the result of a twenty-one yearlong civil war where a vicious rebel army leads a massive and coldly systematic child abduction machine.

Documentary, War - DVD


Complete 7th Season (2000)

Larry David leads a troubled life - he's got a high-maintenance girlfriend he'd like to dump, an ex-wife he'd love to win back, fed-up friends, and offended celebrities wishing him physical harm. So how can he turn it all around?

See Larry woo a paraplegic, offend a midriff-baring assistant, bludgeon a pet swan, and let loose on nine-year-olds, all while planning the much anticipated Seinfeld reunion. Will reviving his former show bring Larry's old life back as well...or only invite more problems? Winner of the Golden Globe and another 10 awards - Comedy - DVD


Entourage
Complete 6th Season

For Vince, Eric, Drama and Turtle, life in Hollywood’s fast lanecan be an intoxicating roller-coaster of a ride. After hitting some speed bumps the last couple of years, Vince’s career is in high gear after his role in a new Martin Scorsese film. But now that Vince is back on top, is it finally time for the entourage to step out of his shadow? HBO Comedy - DVD



Hung Season (2009)
The complete First Season

Actors: Thomas Jane, Jane Adams, Anne Heche

At first glance, Ray Drecker seems like an ordinary divorced dad who’s facing tough times and trying to make ends meet. But Ray’s got one extraordinary, God-given gift – call it his “winning tool” – that sets him apart from other underpaid high-school teachers. With a little help from an unlikely business ally named Tanya, Ray is about to hatch an inspired plan to ride his winning tool all the way to a more productive, debt-free life.

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. HBO Comedy, Drama - DVD


Daria: The Complete Animated Series (1997)
Talks Slow, Thinks Fast

Creators: Glenn Eichler, Susie Lewis

A smart & cynical girl goes through teenage life as an proud outsider in a world of mainly idiotic teens and condescending adults.

Animation, Comedy, MTV - DVD

And more New Arrivals!
~ Things we missed or are replacing ~

Deluxe Uncensored Widescreen Version

Director: Umberto Lenzi
Giovanni Lombardo Radice, Lorraine De Selle

Three friends out to disprove cannibalism meet two men on the run who tortured and enslaved a cannibal tribe to find emeralds, and now the tribe is out for revenge

Foreign, Italian, Horror, Cult, Grindhouse 
                            Director's Cut - DVD (replaced stolen cop



Chicano Rock! (2010)
El Viaje Musical de Ezekiel Montanez: The Chris Montez Story

The influential career and life of Chris Montez, a musical journey traveling from Ritchie Valens to Sam Cooke, The Beach Boys to The Beatles, Herb Alpert to Ramones and beyond. |

PBS Documentary - DVD



Collision: Christopher Hitchens vs. Douglas Wilson (2009) - Is Christianity Good For The World?

The documentary COLLISION pits leading atheist, political journalist and author Christopher Hitchens (God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything) against fellow author and evangelical theologian Pastor Douglas Wilson on a debate tour arguing the topic "Is Religion Good For The World?". Lives and worldviews collide as Hitchens and Wilson wittily and passionately argue the timeless question, proving to be perfectly matched intellectual, philosophical, and cinematic rivals. COLLISION is directed by prolific independent filmmaker Darren Doane (Van Morrison: To Be Born Again, The Battle For L.A., Godmoney). Written by Anonymous  - Documentary - DVD


 Perestroika (2009)

Director: Slava Tsukerman
F. Murray Abraham, Vaverly Afanassiev

Moscow. 1992. Astrophysicist Sasha Greenberg returns to Russia after immigrating to the U.S. seventeen years earlier. Formerly branded a traitor by the government, he is now seen as a hero as the period of "Perestroika" (The Restructuring) has turned everything upside down.
Drama, Independent - DVD

 Gotti (1996)

Director: Robert Harmon
Armand Assante, William Forsythe, Anthony Quinn

John Gotti rises to head the powerful Gambino crime family before being convicted in 1992 of racketeering and murder.

Crime, Mafia - DVD (Replace our stolen DVD and VHS)



The Goonies (1985)

Director: Richard Donner
Corey Feldman, Martha Plimpton

Coastal Oregon kids follow the treasure map of pirate One-Eyed Willie past his deadly traps to gold.

Comedy, Adventure, Family - DVD (Replace our stolen DVD and VHS) Yes - the same person stole those 2 titles!



Icons of Screwball Comedy
Classic Comedy - DVD (Replace our VHS)





We Shall Remain (2009)
An American Experience

Directors: Chris Eyre, Sharon Grimberg
Benjamin Bratt

They were charismatic and forward thinking, imaginative and courageous, compassionate and resolute, and, at times, arrogant, vengeful, and reckless. For hundreds of years, Native American leaders from Massasoit, Tecumseh, and Tenskwatawa, to Major Ridge, Geronimo,
and Fools Crow, valiantly resisted expulsion from their lands and fought the extinction of their culture. Sometimes, their strategies were militaristic, but more often they were diplomatic, spiritual, legal, and political.
From PBS s acclaimed history series, American
Experience, in association with Native American Public Telecommunications, We Shall Remain establishes Native history as an essential part of American history. These five documentaries spanning three hundred years tell the story of pivotal moments in U.S. history from the Native American perspective, upending two-dimensional stereotypes of American Indians as simply ferocious warriors or peaceable lovers of the land. PBS Documentary, Native Americans - DVD


 Buster Keaton Collection 65th Anniversary

(General Nuisance / His Ex Marks the Spot / Mooching Through Georgia / Nothing but Pleasure / Pardon My Berth Marks / Pest From the West / So You Won't Squawk / The Spook Speaks / The Taming of the Snood / She's Oil Mine) (1940)


Classic Comedy, Silent - 176mn - DVD

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