Since we know time is money, here's a quick handy reference guide to recent DVD releases that should be on your radar and, in many cases, on your shelf. Immediately.
The Informant! (Blu-Ray)
Release Date: February 23
What it is: Matt Damon stars as a schlubby exec at an agri-business firm who suddenly decides to become a whistle blower regarding his company's illegal "price fixing" activities. From there, the movie just spirals hilariously down a batshit rabbit hole.
Why you need it: Why was this movie rather unfairly dismissed during its theatrical run? Because The Informant! is hilarious in a way that's nearly impossible to market. it's not LOL-funny, but more "I can't believe what is happening" funny. Damon perfectly captures the comedy and the tragedy of his character, and the comedians-playing-straight-roles gambit (The Soup's Joel McHale, Mr. Show's Paul F. Tompkins, Patton Oswalt, Arrested Development's Tony Hale) pays off for director Steven Soderbergh. Although the DVD isn't jam-packed with extras, Soderbergh always gives great commentary.
The Box (Blu-Ray)
Release Date: February 23
What it is: Based on a Richard "I Am Legend" Matheson short story, The Box is about a young couple (James Marsden and Cameron Diaz) in a financial bind who get visited by a mysterious man (Frank Langella) with a magic box that will pay them $1 million every time they push its button. The catch? Every time they do so, someone they do not know will die.
Why you need it: You can file this one under "Interesting Failure." It's a neat premise and director Richard Kelly (Donnie Darko) really makes the movie feel like a throwback '70s sci-fi chiller, but it ultimately gets caught up in its own third act and ends up crumbling to pieces. Better than Kelly's Southland Tales (which is kind of faint praise), but by no means a must-see. A generally uninspired set of special features don't help the sales pitch any.
The September Issue
Release Date: February 23
What it is: A documentary about Vogue magazine and its sunglasses-shrouded editrix-in-chief Anna Wintour. The title refers to the magazine's annual phonebook-sized mega-issue.
Why you need it: Look, you know you need a "her choice night," and since you had to sit through The Devil Wears Prada you might as well take a look at the true story behind it. Although September Issue's length outdistances any points it has to make about the fashion and magazine industries, it is an intriguing look at a cultural giant that seems to exist above an otherwise crumbling publishing world. Sit through it, it won't hurt.
The Damned United (Blu-Ray)
Release Date: February 23
What it is: An infamous story in the U.K. that few Americans have ever heard or even care about, Damned United is about abrasive but well-regarded football manager Brian Clough (the always solid Michael Sheen) who made significant waves in the football world when he took over as chief of Leeds United, a team he unabashedly hated.
Why you need it: Because there's no way you saw this in theaters. The world of footie may seem like alien territory, but the basic heroes, villains and conflicts will be familiar to anyone who enjoys a good true-life sports yarn. And, again, Sheen is brilliant as Clough, and he is more than backed up by solid British acting vets like Colm Meaney, Timothy Spall and Stephen Graham. Worth your time, mate.