New On DVD – December 15, 2009

Inglourious Basterds CityNews.ca Pick of the Week – Set during World War II in Nazi-occupied France, a group of American-Jewish soldiers (known as the “Basterds”) led by Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) are sent in undercover to hunt and kill the Nazis. SS member Col. Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) is assigned by Hitler to track them down and stop them. Directed by Quentin Tarantino (who can do no wrong in my eyes – even his worst film is tolerable), Inglourious Basterds is a fine film that presents great dialogue, cinematography and acting. I’ve seen it a few times and with each viewing it gets better. There’s buzz that Waltz will earn an Oscar nomination for his role. Special features on the two-disc set include extended and alternate scenes, the full version of Nation’s Pride (the film from within the film), a roundtable with Tarantino, Pitt and Elvis Mitchell, a digital copy of the film, and more. Also available on Blu-ray. Film **** DVD **** (out of 5 stars).

The Hangover (Blu-ray) – Three buddies take their friend to Vegas for his bachelor party. The night starts with shots of Jager and then…it’s the next morning, the groom is missing, and there’s a tiger and a baby in their hotel room. What happened? That’s the adventure you’re about to take as the movie unfolds. If you missed The Hangover in the theatre, run out and pick up the Unrated Blu-ray version and revel in the glory of watching and laughing over and over again. Great comedic performances by Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms easily makes this the funniest movie of the year (and overall one of the best films of the year). Special features include picture-in-picture commentary, more missing photos from the digital camera in the movie, a cursing montage, and more. Film **** Blu-ray **** (out of 5 stars).

G-Force (Blu-ray) – I’ve had a soft spot for guinea pigs ever since I was a child and was a proud owner of one. It would have been cool if Jacob (the name I gave mine) was a super undercover government agent like the team in G-Force. Sure, it’s a silly Disney movie but it’s also fun and the whole family can enjoy it. Zach Galifianakis and Will Arnett star, and Sam Rockwell, Penélope Cruz, Steve Buscemi, Jon Favreau, and Tracy Morgan lend their voices to the furry animals (Nicolas Cage voices the mole, Speckles). Special features on the Blu-ray include a look at producer Jerry Bruckheimer’s CG work, bloopers, deleted scenes, a regular DVD and digital copy of the film, and more. Film *** Blu-ray *** (out of 5 stars).

The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard – Will Ferrell should be ashamed of himself for producing (and making an appearance in) this disaster of a movie that has climbed its way to the top spot of my Worst of 2009 list (surpassing The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past and Old Dogs). Every stupid, lame comedy bit is crammed into this piece of crap movie about a group of used car salesmen who are called in to save a dealership on the brink of bankruptcy. When you think it can’t get any worse, it does! With names like Jeremy Piven, James Brolin, and The Hangover‘s Ed Helm attached, I expected something better (or at least funnier) than this horrible mess. On the bright side, the DVD makes a good coaster. No special features on the DVD. Film 0 DVD 0 (out of 5 stars).

More new DVD releases this week: Taking Woodstock, The Girl in the Park, Star Trek: The Original Series Season 3 (Blu-ray), Ice Road Truckers: The Complete Season Three, Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie

brian.mckechnie@citynews.rogers.com

Top image: Eli Roth and Brad Pitt in Inglourious Basterds. Courtesy Alliance Films.