Recent DVD Releases

Lawyer went to AFI Dallas almost a year ago (when he had internet access – HiYo!) and came back with a couple of movie reviews that just recently became available on DVD.

What Just Happened?
Like lawyer, I mostly enjoyed this insider’s look at how the Hollywood system works. Robert De Niro is pretty great (finally!) as a producer trying to finish one film and start another. Bruce Willis, Robin Wright, and Catherine Keener provide great support. It’s not crazy enough to be memorable and the title is terrible. B

Onward . . .

Battle in Seattle
Lawyer was probably a little too kind in his review. Of course, if I saw Charlize Theron in person, my mind (among other things) wouldn’t be working properly for a week or so. Not enough time is spent with the characters or their motivations to make them relatable. The movie wants to be a documentary, a political statement, and a relationship drama – and spreads itself too thin to be effective. I liked lawyer’s point about how the riots actually prevented the progress the protesters sought. C+


I don’t know how Priest got stuck on “crap detail”, but here are three that he tried to warn everyone about. I wish I had listened.

Transporter 3
Some OK action scenes, but a ludicrous plot and the most annoying female character of the year. – C

Max Payne
Drug companies bad! Military bad! Max Payne dumb! – C-

Death Race
The worst of the 3 since it wastes the considerable talents of Joan Allen, who’s obviously cashing a paycheck. And Ian McShane obviously has 3-4 alimony payments to make to be signing up for this. Director Paul W.S. Anderson continues his run of soulless, nihilistic, violent action films. The difference between “W.S.” and “T.” couldn’t be greater. D+