By Chris Kavan - 01/19/11 at 12:41 PM CT
Usually you have one good laugh in the new releases, but it seems this week it's all drama and crime, so if you wanted comedy or family films it's just not your week I'm afraid.
1) I'm curious to see if Ryan Reynolds can pull off a one-man show. In Buried
that's exactly what he's trying to do. Will he succeed? The movie has gotten little recognition, but somehow I think he will be able to play the part.
2) If you prefer your crime in an ensemble kind of way, then Takers
has what you need. Yet despite the presence of Paul Walker and Hayden Christensen, I have a feeling this slick crime drama would be a good bet on a slow day - not a spectacular film, but one I'm sure is fun to watch.
3) If you prefer your criminals more organized, the Australian crime drama Animal Kingdom
will be right up your alley. Even if this is one of those that flew under the radar, it's worth checking out if you're a fan of the genre.
4) Another film that came and went so fast that if you blinked you missed it, was Stone
. Despite Robert De Niro, Edward Norton and Milla Jovavich there was hardly a peep about this film. Can't say for sure what I expect, but I have a feeling it's only going to be adequate and nowhere near the best films any of three actors had done in the past.
5) Finally a film that has been described as Das Boot, but in a tank, Lebanon
is a claustrophobic war film that just may surprise you. It may be a bit dark, but then the best war films should be.
On the Blu-Ray front, Criterion doles out a double dose of Samuel Fuller with the updated Shock Corridor
and The Naked Kiss
. Fuller takes pulp to a whole new level with trippy visuals and bizarre touches only he could imagine. If you haven't had a chance to check out his unique take on film, I highly recommend him.
Despite having somewhat limited genre choices, hopefully a few of these turn out for the better. You won't see any of these on Oscar night, but that doesn't mean they should be left out in the cold, either.
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