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Observe and Report
A big buzz title out of SXSW – “Sick, dark, halfway twisted, and drop-dead hilarious,” according to Scott Weinberg – Seth Rogen’s performance as a grotty, mentally messed-up security guard and his somewhat controversial bedroom scene with a semi-comatose Anna Faris defined the movie. I fell in the middle, neither able to fully embrace its extreme efforts to provoke laughter through grossness, obscenities, and extreme reactions to a flasher, nor to entirely dismiss its sour commentary on modern mall culture. It’s definitely worth a look if you’re a fan of comedies that push the limits of tolerance and taste. Also on Blu-ray. Rent it.
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Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
I have become allergic to nearly all romantic comedies spewing forth out of Hollywood nowadays, and was not encouraged by William Goss’ description: “Mawkish, obvious, and not very funny.” If, however, you have built a strong tolerance for such things, and/or love Matthew McConaughey and/or Jennifer Garner, help yourself. Also on Blu-ray. Skip it.
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Battle for Terra
While the film is “certainly not a brilliant little experiment,” Scott Weinberg observed, “it sure is colorful enough to warrant a few peeks.” Not exactly a ringing endorsement, I know, but if you’re in the mood to support an independently-made animated CG feature, the tale of an alien race who fight back when they’re invaded by mankind could be just the ticket. Rent it.
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Also out: *The Haunted World of El Superbeasto *(another type of animated adventure, featuring a Mexican wrestling terror).
Choice Indies on DVD, more Blu-ray picks, and Collector’s Corner – after the jump!