May 23, 2008, - 10:30 am
Weekend Box Office @ Home: DVD’s I Recommend
By Debbie Schlussel
Since I’ve already reviewed this weekend’s new release, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” and since I’m often asked which movies I’d recommend for rental, I thought I’d take this opportunity before a long Memorial Day weekend to recommend a couple of movies I like that are either out of the mainstream or older. Given my interest in thrillers and homeland security issues, I liked both of these thrillers a lot:
* “Right At Your Door“: This movie, made in 2006, was only released in a handful of theaters in 2007 for a couple of nights. And that was it. It’s hard to tell why, because it’s well done and very timely.
What would you do if a dirty bomb or some other sort of chemical weapon is detonated in your area? Do you go outside and try to find your wife? Do you let her in after she returns and you’ve decided she’s probably already afflicted with the fumes/chemicals?
This movie, starring little-known actors, asks those questions and shows how unprepared we are for such an attack and how little we know. An unemployed man kisses his wife and sends her off to work. Not long after a chemical attack on Los Angeles takes place. By the time she gets home, he won’t let her in and has insulated his house. What happens next is interesting and surprising.
It’s a must see.
* “The Parallax View“: This 1974 movie is a masterpiece, which stands the test of time. Everything from the way it is shot to the clever, unexpected ending is magnificent. While I don’t generally believe in conspiracy theories, especially when it comes to the shooting of JFK, etc., this thriller–which buys into that–plays it well. (Again, for the record, I find movies like “JFK” and theories that the Warren Commission was covering up for some massive conspiracy, to be extremely loony and wacked.)
The story: One by one, those who witnessed the assassination of a rising star U.S. Senator die in mysterious circumstances atop Seattle’s famed Space Needle. One witness, a journalist played by Warren Beatty (no, I don’t like him or his far-leftism, but he’s good in this), starts investigating and finds a mysterious shadow corporation of assassins.
Thrilling, exciting, and with some great action scenes, I hope they don’t “remake” this movie and ruin it. Only some video rental chains have this movie. Blockbuster and Netflix both have it, but Hollywood Video does not.
I don’t rent anymore, but the one I’ve been planning to buy for the longest is “The Prestige” and I’m getting it this weekend.
This is one movie I would usually pass on and only saw it based on your review, Debbie.
I’ve seen it a million times on cable, too, and never get tired of it. The only thing, I’m still unsure about the ending.
Jeff_W on May 23, 2008 at 11:00 am