New On DVD – December 29, 2009

Jennifer’s Body (Blu-ray) CityNews.ca Pick of the Week – Campy fun from the mind of writer Diablo Cody (Juno). Megan Fox plays Jennifer – a hot cheerleader who finds herself possessed after an indie band (fronted by Adam Brody) performs a ritual on her in order to get famous. After Jennifer is possessed, she must feed on people (mainly boys) to survive. If she doesn’t, she has to bear the consequences of looking like crap and being grouchy. Amanda Seyfried delivers a great performance as Jennifer’s friend Needy. Special features include an unrated cut of the film, audio commentary with Cody and director Karyn Kusama, deleted scenes, a digital copy of the film, and more. Film *** Blu-ray **** (out of 5 stars).

Read my full review of Jennifer’s Body

A Perfect Getaway
– Cliff (Steve Zahn) and Cydney (Milla Jovovich) are on an adventure honeymoon in Hawaii when they get news that a couple has been found murdered on the island they just left and the killers (a man and woman team) are heading in their direction. Along the way they meet another couple: Nick (Timithy Olyphant) and Gina (Kiele Sanchez), who they suspect are the wanted murderers. Half of A Perfect Getaway is a decent thriller that works while the other half is laughable and doesn’t quite grab me. No special features on the DVD. Also available on Blu-ray. Film ** DVD * (out of 5 stars).

9 – Our hero 9 (voiced by Elijah Wood), a mechanical burlap sack doll, wakes up in a destroyed world with no humans. He doesn’t know what he is or where he is. He ventures out of the room he’s in and runs into 2 (voiced by Martin Landau), another burlap sack doll. 2 seems older and knows how to do things (such as fix 9’s voice). After an evil giant machine takes 2 away, 9 runs into the other seven dolls living in this world and goes on a mission to save him. The premise is neat and the animation is beautiful. But it’s the same situation over and over. 9 gets into trouble, someone tries to stop him, 9 does it anyway, and repeat. Considering the possibilities of the story, the end product is very disappointing. Special features include the original short film 9 is based on, commentary with director Shane Acker, making of featurettes, and more.  Also available on Blu-ray. Film ** DVD ** (out of 5 stars).

Paranormal Activity (Blu-ray)
Paranormal Activity takes the same route The Blair Witch Project took 10 years ago by attempting to make the audience believe what happens on screen is real by using “home video” footage. The story follows a young couple being haunted in their suburban San Diego home, and although I didn’t fully buy it, in the right setting the film can be freaky. I waited till about 1 a.m. and put it on when I was tired and the house was quiet and I admit I got a few chills. That said, I doubt it would be scary after the initial viewing (the same way Blair Witch wasn’t). Since the film is such low-quality to begin with, the Blu-ray release is pointless. Special features include an alternate ending (which I prefer over the theatrical ending) and a digital copy of the movie. Film *** Blu-ray * (out of 5 stars).

More new DVD releases this week:
Death Warrior, Capitalism: A Love Story, Carriers

brian.mckechnie@citynews.rogers.com

Top image: Megan Fox in Jennifer’s Body. Courtesy 20th Century Fox.

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