Defiance (Blu-Ray)
Rating:
Reviewed by: Eric Alt


The Skinny: Based on a true story, Defiance dramatizes the life of the Bielksi brothers—farmers in Nazi-occupied Poland who end up forming a woodland shelter for Jewish refugees during World War II. Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber star.

The Good: Defiance is a thoroughly well-crafted film from top to bottom. Written and directed by Ed Zwick (who did The Last Samurai), it has the suitably austere feel of a serious story about serious issues during history's most serious time. Craig and Schreiber are both superb, as well. On Blu-Ray, the dank, often snow-covered, forest refugee camp is vivid.

The Bad: The movie is good, but not great. We hate to say it, but we've been feeling a little overdosed on WWII lately, and there's nothing especially remarkable about Defiance to push those feelings to the periphery.

Best Extra: "Children of the Otriad" features interviews descendants of the Bielksi family, and it's an engrossing and emotional piece.

Buy, Rent, or Ignore: This is a good rental.

Jeeves & Wooster: The Complete Series
Rating:
Reviewed by: Eric Alt

The Skinny: Based on the novels of P.G. Wodehouse, J&W is an early 90s British television series starring a pre-House Hugh Laurie as flighty artistocrat Bertie Wooster and Stephen Fry as his calm and collected butler Jeeves. Hilarity ensues.

The Good: The show's writing does a commendable job of capturing the snap of Wodehouse's hilarious dialogue (you've read him, right?), and there's no denying the chemistry between Fry and Laurie. Despite the awful 80s-jazz opening credits, the show does a great job of setting its unique time and place and the twisty plots are hilarious.

The Bad: People looking for another The Office or I'm Alan Partridge may find this series a tad too droll and stagey for their tastes. Also, the transfer from TV to DVD is not kind—the show ends up looking a bit hazy and soft around the edges.

Best Extra: Almost nothing, unless you're willing to accept "text bios" (we're not). C'mon—get Fry and Laurie back together for a commentary or something?

Buy, Rent, or Ignore: This is a buy for Wodehouse fans, but others may find it tough to get into.