Preston Barta, Cole Clay & Gwen Reyes // Film Critics
This week for home viewing we’ve got Keanu Reeves creating knuckle sandwiches, a James McAvoy starring romance-mystery told from multiple perspectives, and a welcoming new voice to cinema on racism. Here are three films worth picking up today at your local RedBox or video store.
DEAR WHITE PEOPLE | 1o8 min. | Rated R
Director: Justin Simien
Stars: Tyler James Williams, Tessa Thompson and Kyle Gallner
DEAR WHITE PEOPLE isn’t nearly as abrasive as the title suggests. To his credit, writer-director Justin Simien is far more interested in satirizing our increasingly integrated culture than outright condemning it. But with an ensemble cast that gives a poignant perspective on American universities, this experience was too crystallizing not to recognize at the end of 2014. – Cole Clay
Blu-ray Extras Include:
- “The Making of Dear White People” featurette
- “Get Your Life” Music Video (Extended Version) by Caught a Ghost
- Deleted Scenes
- Outtakes
- Racism Insurance Skits
- The More You Know About Black People (a PSA Web Series)
- DVRS App: Black Friends When You Need Them
- LEAKED: Banned Winchester U Diversity
- Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Justin Simien, and Cast Tessa Thompson, Tyler James Williams, Teyonah Parris and Brandon Bell (Blu-ray/DVD Exclusive)
- Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Justin Simien (Blu-ray/DVD Exclusive)
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY | 123 min. | Rated R
Director: Ned Benson
Stars: James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, Bill Hader and William Hurt
If done right, romantic films tend to fall in one of two categories: heartwarming or wrenching. The best ones can balance that delicate line and leave the audience hopeful and gutted, just how I like to feel when walking out a theater and into the warm embrace of a Hershey’s bar with almonds. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY is just that type of romantic film. Based entirely around the slow demise of a young couple’s marriage, Ned Benson’s film touches a place deep in the soul of anyone who has ever suffered a tragedy so great that even the ones you love cannot help put you back together. – Gwen Reyes
Blu-ray Extras Include:
Bonus extended version films THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY: HIM and THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY: HER, giving the consumer the complete picture of the story as it was intended to be seen.
JOHN WICK | 101 min. | Rated R
Director: Chad Stahelski and David Leitch
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Dean Winters, Adrianne Palicki, John Leguizamo, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick and Willem Dafoe
Sometimes we watch films for the art of it— for the performances, the emotional connection and all that jazz. While other times we just need to have a kick-ass, fun experience. We don’t need any plot twists, crazy special effects or complicated narrative structures— just a strong, brisk and wildly entertaining ride, and JOHN WICK is just that.
Yeah. Although at first glance this film sounds terrible on paper (one of those “ex badass comes out of retirement to take on other badasses” type of films), with the quiet believability of Keanu Reeves’ performance as our titular hero and the sheer brilliance in its action sequences, JOHN WICK marks one of the best action films in years. Trust me. It’s smart filmmaking. – Preston Barta
Read our interview with Keanu Reeves on JOHN WICK here.
The Blu-ray Combo Pack will include:
- English Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD compatible), Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Optimized for Late-Night Listening, English Descriptive Audio
- English SDH, English, and Spanish Subtitles
- Audio Commentary with Filmmakers Chad Stahelski and David Leitch
- Don’t F*#% With John Wick
- Calling in the Cavalry
- Destiny of a Collective
- Assassin’s Code
- Red Circle
- NYC Noir
Also available today:
DRACULA UNTOLD (mildly entertaining but still crap), OUIJA (forgettable), THE BEST OF ME (also forgettable), HECTOR AND THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS (even more forgettable), STARRED UP (Film Critic Chase Whale highly recommends it), and ABCS OF DEATH 2 (just OK)
