It may appear we have a hit a home-video lull, but a closer look reveals that this is easily the strongest release for the market this month. In addition first major home video release this month with “Django Unchained,” a couple more features have garnered positive reviews despite not receiving the same level of attention during their initial release. Admittedly, though, it becomes slim pickings in a hurry.
“Django Unchained”
Criticwire Average: B+ (97 ratings)
“The movie’s a hard mix of meticulous cartoonishness and unexpected
power. In order for it to work emotionally you have to believe in Django
and Broomhilda beyond Foxx and Washington’s sexiness. You have to feel
that they’re two halves of one heart.” — Wesley Morris, Boston Globe“Presenting pre-Civil War Southerners as cartoonish racists takes
roughly no knowledge or daring, and ‘Django Unchained’ lacks tightness
and forward momentum as revenge again becomes a dish best served
bloodily.” — Matt Pais, RedEye
Garnering modest reviews since Sundance is Michael Mohan’s “Save The Date.”
“Save The Date”
Criticwire Average: B (16 ratings)
“‘Save the Date’ isn’t a completely original film, but it’s the little character additions Mohan and his team of writers add to the coming-of-age love story that makes it separate itself from the films you’re used to seeing.” — Chase Whale, Twitch
“The conversations and issues coming from the script penned by Mohan, Jeffrey Brown and Egan Reich are all too familiar for anyone who’s had a significant other, and the natural and authentic performances by this young cast make it that much more accessible and emotional.” — Ethan Anderton, First Showing
Finally, martial arts fans would do well to check out Peter Chan’s latest, which finally arrives after premiering at Cannes almost two years ago.
“Dragon”
Criticwire Average: B+ (5 ratings)
“[Chan] certainly delivers the martial arts goods, but it is his early scenes establishing Liu as a family man, filmed with a pastoral beauty by Jake Pollock or Lai Yiu-fai, that set-up the film’s dramatic essence so effectively. It is a life viewers will agree is worth fighting for. Smarter and more emotionally engaging than most wuxia period action films, ‘Dragon’ (or ‘Wu Xia’) is highly recommended for genre fans [upon release].” — Joe Bendel, Libertas Film Magazine
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