
courtesy of IFC Films
Writer-director Lynn Shelton (Humpday) has such a sure hand. There's no wasted movement in the script, and when the stakes are suddenly raised, it's funny and heartbreaking at the same time. Emily Blunt is usually the most interesting element of any movie she's in, but here she's got equally committed colleagues in DeWitt and Duplass. Extras on the Blu-ray and DVD include two commentary tracks — one with director Shelton and the crew, another with Shelton and Duplass. The commentaries suggest extensive collaboration and improvisation on-set.
When director and performers lock in like this, a lot of good things can happen in 90 minutes. It's a little startling, really, how quickly and fully you come to care about these three. The movie could have ended a hundred different ways, and I was worried about 99 of them. But this is such a carefully calibrated story that I guess it's no surprise it sticks the landing. Highly recommended.
Also New This Week:
Director Billy Wilder's masterpiece Sunset Boulevard has finally been issued to Blu-ray in a beautifully restored HD edition with more than two hours of insider-Hollywood extras. In addition to photo galleries and a commentary track by Wilder biographer Ed Sikov, the disc has 14 separate featurettes covering various aspects of the production and historical context. Could be a nice gift idea for that movie geek on your list.
Rashomon, director Akira Kurosawa's multivalent crime drama, has also been reissued to Blu-ray by the Criterion Collection, with the usual suite of extras.
Andrew Garfield (The Social Network) takes over crimefighting duties from Toby Maquire in this summer's blockbuster reboot, The Amazing Spider-Man.
Not coincidentally, the fanboy doc With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story also hits DVD this week, with details on the life and times of the Spider-Man creator and comic book godfather. Sam Jackson, Patrick Stewart and Kevin Smith provide celebrity testimonials.
Last year's holiday kids movie from Britain's Aardman Animations, Arthur Christmas, rotates back into play on DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D.
Plus: Paranormal horror with The Pact, holiday nostalgia with The Muppet Christmas Carol 20th Anniversary Edition, and Hollywood hijinks with HBO's Entourage: The Complete Series.