This Week in DVDs December 14, 2010
Check out this week’s crop of DVDs, Blu-rays, and collector’s edition ultimate mega sets.
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 A-Team (Blu-ray)
Release Date: December 14
What it is: The big screen remake of the classic 80s TV series stars Liam Neeson as Hannibal Smith, Bradley Cooper as Templeton “Faceman” Peck, Sharlto Copley as Howlin’ Mad Murdock, and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson as B.A. Baracas. Cue the van and the music.
Why you need it: Last year, three testosterone-heavy flicks aimed to resurrect the action orgy ensemble flick: The A-Team, The Losers, and The Expendables. Going in, we were convinced that Hannibal and the boys would be bringing up the rear in that foot race. But lo and behold¿this one turned out to be the best of the bunch. Dumb but enormous fun, The A-Team manages to make the camaraderie between the guys really feel genuine, and that’s the key to the success. Their increasingly harebrained missions come across like the product of a bunch of nutjobs trying to entertain themselves, and it totally works. The cast is great (yes, even Jackson. He doesn’t have Mr. T-level charisma, but he’s not bad), the action hilariously over-the-top, and the zingers fast and furious. A good time all around, and a fitting tribute to a great show. Just like, say, this…
Micmacs (Blu-ray)
Release Date: December 14
What it is: French director Jean-Pierre Jeunet basically sneezes pure whimsy (he directed the really-great-even-though-you-won’t-admit-it Amelie), and he returns with another bizarre but endearing little dark fairy tale about a man named Bazil who vows to take down the weapons manufacturer that made the bomb that killed his father and the bullet that is currently lodged in his own head. But again, plot isn’t what Jeunet is about.
Why you need it: Jeunet is simply one of the most visually-inventive directors working today, bar none. And we’re not talking eye-scorching special effects, just little touches that elevate his work from simply good to completely fascinating. Micmacs is playful and dark in equal measures, and looks absolutely stunning in HD. Hell, even the “Making of Micmacs” featurette is more fun than the usual studio fluff offerings. A movie you likely missed out on in theaters, so make an effort to seek this out. You won’t be disappointed.