DVD Pick: I Love You, Man

Also out this week:
17 Again
Alien Trespass
See No Evil

Welcome back! Well, to some of you, anyway. To the rest of you, glad you decided to stop by and I hope 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.

Full disclosure: I have not seen many of these titles, and what follows are not necessarily reviews, but opinions based upon what I know of the titles I pluck from the new release lists I peruse. The opinions I give based on the new releases are my own, and my recommendations are based on my personal interest. In any case, I hope you enjoy and perhaps find something you like or a title to point me towards.

I Love You, Man (also Blu-ray). Kason Segel and Paul Rudd star in this fun movie. Rudd is getting ready to marry, but he doesn't have any guy friends, enter Jason Segel. The two embark on a friendship of epic proportions. Take your traditional rom-com and put two straight guys in the leads and that is what you have. It will make you laugh, it will touch your heart, and it will win you over. It will even make it all right to occasionally use the "bromance" term.

17 Again (also Blu-ray). I never did bother to go see this one. I have heard good things about it, so perhaps I should look into it? It stars Zac Efron and Matthew Perry and is centered on a similar premise that made Big a big hit, only reversed. Perry wishes for a chance to do it over again, wakes up as Efron and goes back to school. So, for those of you who have seen it, is it worth taking a peek?

The Ninth Gate (Blu-ray). Directed by Roman Polanski and starring Johnny Depp, it is hard to picture this being a bad movie, but it is in my memory. Granted, it has been a long time since I have seen it, but I recall a good performance from Depp (as per usual) but the movie being something of a slog. Perhaps I will check it out on Blu-ray.

Super Friends: Lost Episodes. I loved this show when I was a kid. It is a little cheesy these days, but there is still something enjoyable about watching them these days. This collection brings together some unseen in a long time shorts featuring everyone's favorite superheroes.

Cutthroat Island (Blu-ray). Before Gore Verbinski and Johnny Depp turned a pirate-themed roller coaster into a cinematic phenomenon, Renny Harlin and then wife Geena Davis took a stab at the swashbuckler for this big screen adventure. It did not turn out that well. It has its moments and will likely look good in high definition, perhaps worth a rental.

Starman (Blu-ray). John Carpenter and Jeff Bridges bring drama and science fiction to this memorably alien visitation film. I am not the biggest fan of this one, but it is not a bad film by any stretch. I should probably revisit it.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trilogy (Blu-ray). This was a landmark of my youth. I remember going to see the first one with my sister while our parents went to The Hunt for Red October. Goofy, silly, and an absolute blast. I have been meaning to get these on DVD. Perhaps I should bypass that and go for the Blu releases. What say you?

Alien Trespass (also Blu-ray). This is a retro movie in every sense of the word. If you are a fan of 1950's era science fiction, you will want to see this. Just know that this is not a tongue in cheek throwback, this is a genuine attempt to replicate the style of the era, and it is largely successful.

See No Evil (Blu-ray). Directed by an ex-music video and porn film director, this is a slasher that doesn't break any new ground, but does deliver some nice kills and blood. It also stars WWE superstar Kane in his first big screen role. Should look nice in high def.