Preston Barta & Cole Clay // Film Critics
This week for home viewing: Well, there’s not a whole lot to be excited about. While some of the films were decent, others rubbed us the wrong way. Here are this week’s three big releases.
FURY | 134 min. | Rated R
Director: David Ayer
Stars: Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Peña and Jon Bernthal
David Ayer takes a break from the gritty urban crime-dramas (TRAINING DAY, STREET KINGS and END OF WATCH) to tackle the barren landscape of World War II. FURY is a simple drama that hones in on machismo, brotherhood, survival and just a little bit of tenderness. It provides enough of an engaging story to hold interest beyond Brad Pitt’s hardened performance. – Cole Clay
The Blu-ray Combo Pack extras include:
THE JUDGE | 141 min. | Rated R
Director: David Dobkin
Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Billy Bob Thornton and Vincent D’Onofrio
Robert Downey Jr. is a damn fine actor whose success has been predicated on the level of condescension he brings to his work. This coerces the audience into believing they are as quick-witted and shrewd as his characters, namely Tony Stark. But as mesmerizing as Downey Jr. may be, he is merely a journeyman when compared to true masters of the acting craft.
With that being said, THE JUDGE hinges itself upon the father-son duo, played obviously by Robert Duvall and Downey Jr. respectfully. What is the result you may ask? It’s easy: a slew of heavy-handed clichés, a box of empty tissues and a number of nauseating scenes. Oh, and there is an incest B-plot that sneaks in mid-way through. – Cole Clay
Blu-ray extras include:
OPEN WINDOWS | 100 min. | Rated R
Director: Nacho Vigalondo
Stars: Elijah Wood, Sasha Grey and Neil Maskell
There is something really scary about OPEN WINDOWS. Perhaps it’s because the infamous iCloud hack wasn’t too long ago. It makes you scared to see where our world is heading, as far as technology goes, hacking, identity theft and lack of privacy. Are we truly safe? Do we really have our privacy? These are some of the questions that are raised after watching OPEN WINDOWS, and this is where the film strikes the right ‘chord’ (it’s the name of a character in the film).
However, where the film loses its grip and falls off the deep end is in the final 20 minutes. There’s a certain point where they easily could have ended the film and it would have been an effective thriller. But instead, the final act gets rather ridiculous and loses all sight of logic. Well, really, there are many moments throughout that abandon all sites of reality– the way they get access to certain computers, can see through walls, etc. It’s a little farfetched, yet, before the final act, you’re still in for the ride. – Preston Barta
The Blu-ray Combo Pack will include:
Our interview with Elijah Wood and writer-director Nacho Vigalondo:
Also available this week:
THE BOOK OF LIFE, BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP, MY OLD LADY, THE REMAINING, FALCON RISING, DAYS AND NIGHTS, BIG DRIVER, COLOR OF TIME, MISS MEADOWS and JUSTICE LEAGUE: THRONE OF ATLANTIS
Television series:
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