Susan Granger’s DVD Update for week of Friday, Feb. 17:
“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1” is the fourth installment in this multi-billion dollar franchise, chronicling Bella and Edward’s marriage, honeymoon and childbirth, including new complications with the werewolf Jacob and an epilogue about threats from the Volturi.
Johnny Depp’s “The Rum Diary” is a boozy, incoherent tribute to legendary journalist Hunter S. Thompson’s days in Puerto Rico. And Oscar-winner Melissa Leo stars in “The Space Between” as a gruff, alcoholic, world-weary flight attendant who connects with a 10 year-old Pakistani-American boy who is traveling alone on 9/11.
“Woody Allen: A Documentary” candidly profiles the iconic
writer/director/actor/comedian/musician, while “Under the Boardwalk: The
Monopoly Story” reveals captivating stories about the game and those who play
it. Set in Senegal, “Elevate” describes how the best and tallest young
basketball players from across West Africa are chosen to compete for a full
scholarship to a top U.S. prep school. And “How to Die in Oregon” delineates terminally-ill patients’ choices whether to utilize the Death With Dignity Act.
A sumptuous period drama in French with English subtitles, “Mozart’s Sister” revolves around Maria Anna ‘Nannerl’ Mozart, a musical prodigy who was overshadowed by her younger brother, Wolfgang Amadeus, and the limits imposed by the time and gender.
In Portuguese with English subtitles, “Elite Squad: The Enemy Within” is a fascinating, idea-packed documentary set in crime-plagued Rio de Janeiro.
“The Human Centipede 2” – unrated director’s cut – continues Tom Six’s shocking cult horror story about a disturbed security guard who decides to re-create the revolting feat of the original film by sewing 12 kidnap victims together to form one, long, continuous digestive tract. And “Paranormal Activity 3” is a
prequel, showing how Katie and Kristi Rey were terrified and tormented as
children.
PICKS OF THE WEEK: Helen Mirren, Jessica Chastain and Sam
Worthington are Mossad agents in “The Debt,” a suspenseful espionage thriller
about the fallibility of our veneration of heroes. And Michael Shannon plays a
man suffering from relentlessly sinister premonitions of disaster in “Take
Shelter,” a psychological thriller also featuring Jessica Chastain.