New On DVD
CAROLINE: There are a ton of new movies on DVD today, almost all of which we really enjoyed. Let’s start with the Oscar-nominated “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.”
RYAN: This is a great one from Woody Allen and if you missed it in the theater, you must rent it immediately. It’s so charming and well-written.
CAROLINE: I loved the Spanish setting, and the girl who played Vicky, Rebecca Hall, was fab. And who knew Pénélope Cruz could be so funny? She got nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
RYAN: She’s must better in Spanish, let’s be honest. Woody really knew how to make her look her best, both physically and acting-wise, in this movie. It’s usually painful when she tries to speak English, but it totally works in this movie.
CAROLINE: I highly recommend it, and Javier Bardem has never looked hotter.
RYAN: Next we have Guy Ritchie’s latest flick, “Rocknrolla,” which stars the very hot Gerard Butler. I really liked this one too, though there was one plot device that irritated me.
CAROLINE: I didn’t love it, but I was kind of into it; and it’s far superior to some of the crap Guy has made of late.
RYAN: It’s very funny and fast-paced and gritty. The editing was great, and I also loved Mark Strong… though some of the plot was a little confusing at times.
CAROLINE: Honey, I almost needed sub-titles with all those crazy British accents. It was pretty violent, but I thought Thandie Newton looked gorge, and I really liked Tom Wilkinson in a gangster role.
RYAN: It’s definitely worth renting. Next up is “Lakeview Terrace,” a creepy thriller with Samuel L. Jackson, Kerry Washington and Patrick Wilson.
CAROLINE: Even though some people dismissed this movie as hokey, I really liked it. It’s all about racism and antagonistic neighbors, which is not something many movies address. Plus Samuel L. Jackson is so scary and intimidating.
RYAN: This movie really kept me on the edge of my seat. It’s really intense and suspenseful and even hard to watch at times. I’d definitely recommend it though; but you probably don’t want to watch it alone.
CAROLINE: Can we also mention “The Lucky Ones”? I know no one saw it, but I loved this movie. Plus it stars our girl Rachel McAdams.
RYAN: I didn’t love it like you did, but it’s an interesting flick. It’s about three Iraq War soldiers on leave and it’s almost “Wizard of Oz”-ian in some ways. They’re all searching for something.
CAROLINE: It co-stars Michael Peña and Tim Robbins, and the acting is outstanding. I really can’t recommend it enough if you like these actors. They all disappeared into their roles, and you really believe they’re soldiers.
RYAN: I so wouldn’t have picked a role like this for Rachel McAdams but she really nails it. She has some of the film’s greatest lines.
CAROLINE: Don’t dismiss it as another war movie; there are barely any war scenes. It’s all about the emotional journey after coming home.
RYAN: Finally, we have “Pride & Glory,” starring Edward Norton and Colin Farrell.
CAROLINE: Do we even have to mention that atrocious piece of crap?
RYAN: No. Suffice it to say it’s not worth even thinking about renting it.