In this new section, we’re going to guide you through the new DVD release of each week – giving you a little insight into each film and our verdict.
If I Stay – February 11
Starring Chloe Grace Moretz as Mia Hall, If I Stay depicts the story of Mia – a girl who falls into a coma after a car crash that kills her parents. Through a series of flashbacks and an out-of-body experience, Mia must decide whether she wants to live or die. However, there never seems to be much of a battle going on – rather, the audience are forced into watching a tonne of teenage cliches surrounding the nature of love and family. Though it may cause those with a sensitive disposition to let out some sobs, it is more likely to make you cry due to the terrible script that lacks dramatic tension and decent dialogue between characters.
VERDICT: You might find some enjoyment from this movie if you like being lovingly spoon-fed some teen romance whilst spending Valentines with a box of chocolates and your cat.
Archer: Season 5 – February 11
After a slightly anti-climatic fourth season, it was possible that the brilliance of Archer had ended. But alas, the show being rebooted for its fifth season proved to be a ridiculously good idea. On the DVD cover, Archer is seen in a mafia-type white suit on a a beach with a bag full of money, carrying a sawed-off shotgun. In typical Archer fashion, we already know that our heroes aren’t on the right side of the law (but hey, that’s why we love them). Series 5 avoids the status quo, positioning it’s protagonists in an unlikely position whilst tackling plots that make you cringe. However, it’s this cringing that has always made Archer so loveable, especially in its earlier seasons. Season 5 takes us back to the old, whilst allowing for some fresh character development.
VERDICT: Get your mitts on this – I promise you won’t regret it -unless, of course, you inevitably neglect your responsibilities in favour of binge watching the entire season.
Before I Go To Sleep – February 12
Nicole Kidman presents a stunning performance of a woman who has no recollection or memory of the day before. An interesting concept, though Before I Go To Sleep seems to fall short, and instead delivers a complete lackluster film.
VERDICT: If you want to watch 50 First Dates as a thriller with little thrill, look no further.
Annabelle is yet another film that tackles the paranormal realm, however it falls short of it’s predecessors. It follows typical paranormal tropes that have been exhausted by past films, making it not quite revolutionary or different to others of the genre. However, the beauty in this film lies in it’s photography – it has stunning cinematography and generally, is quite a well-made movie.
VERDICT: Despite being quite predictable, Annabelle will bring some enjoyment to those who enjoy paranormal films such as The Conjuring and Insidious. Though it’s not quite fantastic, it is what you expect from a film of this type.
You can give one thing to Tusk – you have never seen a film like it before, I guarantee it. Whether this is a good or bad thing however, is up for contention. The film is a stomach-churning, nauseating, at occasionally hilarious film. Being a conglomeration of these characteristics, it seems to fall short at defining itself as a comedy or a horror film.
VERDICT: See this film so you can weigh in intelligently on all those Tusk debates. It also makes for a good conversation topic over breakfast. Thank me later.
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