DVD Pick of the Week: Drillbit Taylor

Welcome back! Well, to some of you, anyway. To the rest of you, glad you decided to stop by and I hope that this humble column helps you navigate the stacks of new releases each week. My goal is to point you toward titles of interest and warn you away from those films that seek to do nothing but leech away your time and give you nothing in return.

This week brings an strong selection of films that includes some comedy, a little drama, some indie flavor, a splash of blood, some extreme music, a romance, and more. I know there are a few here that I am looking forward to checking out, as well as some that I am eager to see for the first time. Read on and see if any strike your fancy.

Drillbit Taylor. This is a simple story told through the high concept of kids buying a bodyguard. It is a film that has consequences, it delivers flawed characters making sometimes poor decisions, but always attempting to do the right thing. There is no denying the quality of entertainment. It is a funny movie that does deliver what is promised. Look at it as Superbad: The Prequel. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Mad Men: Season One. I have heard plenty of good things about this series although I have never seen an episode. This release could prove to be a good way to finally check it out and see it is worthy of the praise that has surrounded it. The show is set in the 1960s and centers on an advertising agency, in particular one of their most successful agents. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Vantage Point. This movie just rushes by. When it ends it is as if no time has passed at all. It is very nearly in real time, offering very little backstory, and when it ends you will be left with a plethora of questions about why what happened, happened. It puts all the pieces into place, but you are never allowed to see what it is supposed to look like. Still, it is enjoyable for the adrenaline rush it provides through its frenetic pace. Worth a rental, but nothing more. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns. I have never seen a Tyler Perry film and I cannot say that I have ever had any great desire. That isn't to say he is not worth watching or is not talented, I just have not felt the draw. Although, I have to say that of all his films, this one seems to be one I would like. Perhaps I will give this one a shot. Now, if he would only stop putting his name on the titles.... (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

My Blueberry Nights. Wong Kar Wai has made some beautiful films. I have not seen this, but one would hope that it would at least approach his other works. This is his first English language film and also the first starring role for singer Norah Jones. The film looks like a good one and will hopefully prove to be so. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)


Lamb of God: Walk with Me in Hell. Want to hear some heavy music? These guys deliver. This two DVD set features live footage and chronicles their most recent tour cycle. I am not terribly well versed in the music over their career, but the couple of albums I have heard I really like. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Sex and Death 101. Simon Baker and Winona Ryder star in this comedy about a man who receives a list containing the names of all the women he will have sex with in his life. This man then becomes targeted by a women who pursues men guilty of sex crimes. I have heard some good things, should be worth checking out. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

City of Men. This film was championed to the screen by producer Fernando Merielles who had previously directed City of God, another story about life on the other side of Brazil. This film is based on a popular television show and chronicles the paths of two childhood friends whose friendship is torn apart. The movie received good reviews when it was released. It arrives on DVD complete with a making of featurette that takes you behind the scenes of the story. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Get Smart's Bruce and Lloyd: Out of Control. Hot on the heels of the successful movie comes this spinoff, produced along with the feature. It focuses on the geeks of Control and an adventure they find themselves in. I have not seen any footage from this, but Masi Oka and Nate Torrence are a couple of funny guys, so it should be fun. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Batman: The Movie - Special Edition. A new release of the Adam West/Burt Ward version of the Caped Crusader. This movie is purely cheeseball fun. The big question is whether or not it is an upgrade over the prior release, I have not seen a comparison to say. I will say that this cover art looks great and is an upgrade over the last DVD. I will have to say that if you do not have it, this will be the one to get. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Heathers: 20th High School Reunion. Would you believe that I have never seen this movie? I think with this new release I am going to have to finally bite the bullet and give it a look see. I suspect that I will like this dark comedic movie. What say you? (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Triloquist. The latest release for Dimension's Extreme horror imprint centers on a young woman and a ventriloquist dummy. It does not seem to hve reviewed well, but based on the cover alone I think I need to give it a shot. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)

Dead and Gone. With a DVD cover that proclaims "Evil Dead Meets David Lynch" and the names Zack Ward and Kyle Gass, how can this not be a winner? (BUY, RENT, SKIP)