Laugh Or Cry But Take A Look At This Week’s DVD Releases
By Diana Srougi
MONTREAL (RushPRNews) 02/06/09– It’s a slow week for DVD releases. However, some comedies are worth mentioning. Whether you’re in a comedy state-of-mind or in a soul-searching phase, these films should hit the spot.
Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist: Young Love and Indie Music
After his successful “Raising Victor Vargas†(2002), Peter Sollett directs “Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlistâ€, the story of two love-sick high school students, Nick (Michael Cera) and Norah (Kat Dennings), who bond through the music Nick uses in an attempt to get his ex-girlfriend (Alexis Dziena) back. It’s a simple teen-movie plot, but it does have soul, which earned the film a few nominations at the Satellite Awards for Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Motion Picture. It was also nominated for a Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing and for a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film. This exceptional teen movie also aired at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival as well as the BFI London Film Festival. It may not have made its way to the Oscar’s, but it’s worth discovering, especially for those who are fond of “Junoâ€.
DVD release date: February 3rd 2009
Distributor: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Rating: 7.0/10
Humboldt County: The Lost Coast
Although they both have some experience in acting, Darren Grodsky and Danny Jacobs’ first attempt at writing and directing a film is “Humbolt Countyâ€, which turned out to be much more successful than expected. This powerful indie comedy, reminiscent of “Garden Stateâ€, is about a disillusioned medical student (Jeremy Strong) who winds up stumbling upon an odd family of marijuana farmers, with whom he spends the summer soul-searching and discovering his true self.
This is Strong’s first opportunity to reveal his acting skills, although he has already worked behind the screen on several movie sets. “Humboldt County†played in many festivals throughout the past year, such as the Scottsdale International Film Festival in Arizona, the South by Southwest festival in Austin, and the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia.
DVD release date: February 3rd 2009
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Rating: 6.6/10
Zack and Miri Make A Porno: To Pay Rent
Kevin Smith, director of the successful comedy “Clerks†(1994) and its sequel, stays faithful to his usual guyish adult humor in his newly released film “Zack and Miri Make A Pornoâ€, starring Elizabeth Banks (“Spider-Manâ€, “Definitely, Maybeâ€) and Seth Rogen (whom we all remember from the hilarious “Pineapple Express†that was released on DVD just a few weeks ago). Zach and Mary are roommates who have no means of settling their numerous debts. Thus they resort to making a porno film for some quick cash. This crude comedy opened Austin’s 2008 Fantastic Fest, and also screened at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
DVD release date: February 3rd 2009
Distributor: The Weinstein Company
Rating: 7.4/10