New On DVD – July 27, 2010

Clash of the Titans (Blu-ray) CityNews.ca Pick of the Week – A remake of the cheesy 1981 film, Clash of the Titans tells the story of Perseus (Sam Worthington), the demigod son of Zeus (Liam Neeson), after he is thrown into battle to save the city of Argos from the wrath of the Kraken — a giant sea creature the gods are going to unleash to teach mankind a lesson for losing faith in them. To find the answer of defeating the Kraken, Perseus, a fisherman by trade who has never carried a sword let alone used one, must visit three evil witches in the woods. This leads him and his team of soldiers on an adventure full of monsters and mythical creatures and eventually to the Kraken. Although I enjoyed it in the theatre the bad fake 3-D transfer hurt the film and it is a much more enjoyable ride on DVD and Blu-ray. Special features on the Blu-ray release include Maximum Movie Mode, deleted scenes, making-of featurettes, and more. Film **** Blu-ray **** (out of 5 stars).

Repo Men (Blu-ray) – Based on Eric Garcia’s novel The Repossession Mambo, Repo Men is set in a futuristic city where people in need of a new kidney, liver, or other vital organ can lease mechanical ones (also known as artiforgs) as easily as they can lease a car. Similar to a bank, The Union – the company who leases the body parts – sends out repo men to return their property if someone defaults on their payments. Remy (Jude Law) and Jake (Forest Whitaker) are two of the best repo men working for The Union. Using special equipment to hunt, scan, and cut open delinquent clients, they’re considered masters in their field. After an accident leaves Remy with an artificial heart, he suddenly has difficulties to go after people because he feels a connection with them. Of course if he doesn’t deliver the goods, he doesn’t earn money to pay for his new part. Soon he’s the prey on the run from his co-workers. On one hand, Repo Men delivers at being a bloody, violent, sci-fi thriller – exactly what I was expecting. On the other hand, it’s quite predictable, tiresome to watch, and could have used a better script or at least more blood, guts, and senseless violence to be something truly daring. Special features on the Blu-ray release include commentary with director Miguel Sapochnik and writers Eric Garcia and Garrett Lerner, deleted scenes, and more. Film ** Blu-ray *** (out of 5 stars).

Operation: Endgame – Two groups of government spies (a good team and a bad team) are locked in the secret underground office complex they share and left to die after their boss is assassinated. While they try to find out who killed him, and a way out before they are blown to pieces, they begin knocking each other off in grotesque, violent ways. Doesn’t sound like much of a comedy but it is, and a hilarious (albeit sick) one at that. Starring the likes of Zach Galifianakis, Rob Corddry, Adam Scott, Emilie de Ravin, Maggie Q, Ellen Barkin, and Jeffrey Tambor,  Operation: Endgame is definitely not for everyone but is worth checking out if you’re looking for something extremely different. Special features on the DVD include a behind-the-scenes feaurette, alternate opening and ending, and more. Also available on Blu-ray. Film *** DVD *** (out of 5 stars).

More New DVD Releases this week:
Durham County Season 2, Batman: Under the Red Hood, Fuel, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Blu-ray)

brian.mckechnie@citynews.rogers.com

Top image: A scene from Clash of the Titans. Courtesy Warner Bros.

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