DVD Pick of the Week: The Quiet Family

This week features an interesting array of titles. A few of which, on any other week, would have been shoe-ins for the honor of being my pick og the week. Being the week that it is, I have decided to forego the obvious choices in favor of a film that many of you have probably never heard of.

This week's pick is a Korean film called The Quiet Family. It tells the story of a family which dreams to run a cabin getaway in the mountains. Their dreams become realized when they take ownership of a secluded cabin. They get the place all straightened up and ready for business. The only problem is that with their secluded location, there is the fear that no one will find them. ThHen they get their first customer, unfortunately he dies. Of course, they cannot let news of this get out or their dream would be ruined, so they dispose of the body. Then the problems start as all of the guests who arrive begin to die.

This is a wonderful black comedy, funny and weird at the same time. It was the debut of writer/director Ji-woon Kim. I haven't seen any of his other work yet, but if it as anything like this, it will probably be good. Japanese director Takashi Miike remade this as a musical called Happiness of the Katikuris, which piles on the bizarre.

Also coming out this week:

• Get Rich or Die Tryin'. Rapper 50 Cent's big screen debut in a semi-autobiographical work, ala Eminem's 8 Mile. The gangsta film co-stars Oscar nominee Terrence Howard.
• Godzilla: Monster Edition. A new special edition of the American monster abomination, would have been better under another title.
• King Kong (2006). The excellent Peter Jackson film, it may be a touch to the long side, but it is no less fantastic. Naomi Watts is excellent, and Kong is the best CG creation yet.
• Masters of Horror: John Carpenter & Stuart Gordon. Two episodes from the Showtime series, I cannot wait to see them. The two are also available separately.
• Memoirs of a Geisha. This historically inaccurate film is still completely enchanting and gorgeous to watch, looking forward to seeing it again.
• The New York Mets: 1986 World Series. Being a Mets fan, this is a must have for the collection.
• Osaka Tough Guys. The latest release of Takashi Miike's work, this is one of his earlier films dealing with the Yakuza.
• Planet of the Apes: Ultimate Collection. This has it all, all the movies, the TV series, the animated series, plus bonus material. It is all packaged in a very cool looking ape head. There is also a regular box set containing just the features available.
• Robot Chicken: Vol. 1. I have only scene some brief clips of this wacky series, but some friends swear by is hilarity.
• Sex is Zero. This is an enormously popular comedy from Korea, where it has been compared to American Pie.

What are you getting this week?

Categories: Pick_of_the_Week, DVD, Weekly, Previews, News