Every Tuesday, I review the newest Blu-ray releases and let you know whether they’re worth buying, renting or skipping, along with a breakdown of the included extras. If you see something you like, click on the cover art to purchase the Blu-ray from Amazon, and be sure to share each week’s column on social media with your friends.
WHAT: After she’s blind-sided by a truck and knocked unconscious, Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) fears the worst when she wakes to find herself in a strange bunker. Her captor Howard (John Goodman) insists that he saved her from a chemical attack that has rendered the outside world uninhabitable, but while a fellow survivor (John Gallagher Jr.) is able to corroborate the story, Michelle can’t shake the feeling that Howard is still hiding something.
WHY: Audiences expecting a major connection to the 2008 found footage movie “Cloverfield” will undoubtedly be disappointed by Dan Trachtenberg’s debut film, but the J.J. Abrams-produced “blood relative” is still an extremely well-crafted thriller that doesn’t waste a single moment. It’s nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat stuff that’s heightened by the claustrophobic setting and nonstop tension. Essentially a three-handed chamber piece between Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman and John Gallagher Jr., “10 Cloverfield Lane” hinges on the performances of its cast. Thankfully, they’re all fantastic in their roles, particularly Goodman, who steals the show as the creepy, domineering Howard; it’s a deliciously wicked turn that will make your skin crawl. You’ve never seen the veteran actor quite like this before, but by casting him against type, it strengthens the overall mystery that is so essential to the movie’s success. Though the 11th-hour twist nearly undoes all that good work with its abrupt (and unnecessary) change in tone, “10 Cloverfield Lane” manages to deliver a riveting experience that’s even better than the film that inspired it.
EXTRAS: In addition to an audio commentary by director Dan Trachtenberg and producer J.J. Abrams, there’s a collection of production featurettes, a look back at “Cloverfield” and a tour of the film’s bunker.
FINAL VERDICT: RENT
WHAT: When he fails to make the final squad chosen to represent Great Britain at the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary, downhill skier Eddie Edwards (Taron Egerton) switches focus to ski jumping when he learns that he only needs to qualify in order to compete. Though that’s easier said than done, Eddie defies all odds through sheer determination and the help of washed-up American champion Bronson Peary (Hugh Jackman).
WHY: Disney may be king of the underdog sports drama, but actor-turned-director Dexter Fletcher beats the studio at its own game with this inspirational true story that’s equal parts “Rudy” and “Cool Runnings.” Much like the characters in those films, Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards is such a larger-than-life personality – a misfit characterized by his Coke-bottle glasses and goofy underbite – that he’s difficult not to cheer on. Taron Egerton does an excellent job in the title role, perfectly capturing Eddie’s mannerisms and infectious optimism, while Hugh Jackman turns in a reliably charming performance as his fictitious coach. Peary isn’t the only fictional element in the film – not by a longshot – but in spite of the many liberties that the movie takes, it retains the spirit of Eddie’s story, which is just as important. Though it’s a pretty formulaic underdog tale that checks off all the usual sports movie clichés, “Eddie the Eagle” is nevertheless an enjoyable feel-good film that wears its heart (and humor) on its sleeve just like its charismatic subject.
EXTRAS: The Blu-ray release includes a three-part documentary about making the film.
FINAL VERDICT: RENT
WHAT: While attending the British Prime Minister’s funeral in London, U.S. President Benjamin Asher (Aaron Eckhart) barely escapes a synchronized terrorist attack on the world’s most powerful leaders. But when his rescue chopper is shot down, Asher is forced to go on the run from his pursuers, relying once again on highly skilled Secret Service agent Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) to keep him safe and neutralize the threat.
WHY: “Olympus Has Fallen” was a pretty blatant rip-off of “Die Hard,” so it comes as no surprise that “London Has Fallen” takes a page from another installment in the series (“Die Hard with a Vengeance”) by staging it as a buddy movie between Gerard Butler’s badass Secret Service agent and Aaron Eckhart‘s hostage-prone president. Though the film feels more like a spirtual successor than a literal sequel, namely because there’s not a single mention of the events from the first movie, the premise isn’t all that different. Though “London Has Fallen”does a good job of retaining the elements that made its predecessor enjoyable – from the close-quarters combat, to the playful banter between Banning and the bad guys – director Babak Najafi can’t decide if he wants to make an over-the-top action flick or a grim, straight-faced thriller. In a film plagued by xenophobia and shoot-first-think-later plotting, that’s arguably its biggest problem, because if “London Has Fallen” had just committed one way or the other, it might have been a really entertaining B-movie. As it stands, its greatest achievement is turning Butler into the old-school action hero that Hollywood has been sorely missing.
EXTRAS: There’s a making-of featurette and a closer look at the film’s action scenes.
FINAL VERDICT: RENT
WHAT: A group of self-entitled millenials (including Anna Kendrick, Brandon T. Jackson, Nicholas Braun and Christopher Mintz-Plasse) are forced to grow up and enter the workforce after graduating from college. For aspiring videographer Will (Miles Teller), that means accepting a coporate job that may not be creatively satisfying but pays the bills.
WHY: HBO’s “Girls” could learn a few things from “Get a Job,” which takes a more realistic approach to post-graduation life by giving its characters responsibilities with actual consequences, but sadly, that’s where the positives end. Filmed in 2012, the movie sat on the shelf for four years before finally being dumped onto VOD, most likely to take advantage of its now-famous cast, many of whom (Kendrick, Bryan Cranston, Alison Brie) are wasted in supporting roles. Unfortunately, this is one film that all involved parties would probably rather forget, because not only is it incredibly dated, but it’s dull, lazy and unfocused as well. Something during the post-production process must have gone horribly wrong for the movie (a supposed comedy with exactly zero laughs) to turn out this bad, and it’s hard to figure out who deserves more blame: director Dylan Kidd for failing to make a good enough film in the first place, or the studio for turning it into a poorly edited mess.
EXTRAS: There’s a brief casting featurette and some outtakes.
FINAL VERDICT: SKIP