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DVD/Blu-Ray Releases: I Named My Kids Rango, Arthur, And Insidious

After last week's light DVD load, Hollywood returns with a bevy of decent-if-not-great movies to check out. And there's Dinocroc vs. Supergator.

You can save money on CGI by simply making it blurry as hell, apparently.
You can save money on CGI by simply making it blurry as hell, apparently.

Man, last week's DVD release list was pretty spartan, so it's weird to see no fewer than four big films come out this week. I guess it's not quite as important to space out DVD releases as it is to space out a theatrical release, but still, it couldn't hurt? Get more prominent display space in Best Buy?

Anyway, four big films and a bunch of smaller ones this week. One has to wonder if The Asylum is a little miffed at Roger Corman taking on their "two big crazy animals" fighting genre with Dinocroc vs. Supergator, but then, The Asylum is basically Roger Corman 2.0, so I guess it's all symbiotic at this point.

1. Rango

One of the year's bigger surprises, this has done almost $250 million worldwide based on little more than Johnny Depp's name. It was a pretty bold move for Gore Verbinski, et al, to make a talking animal movie about animals that aren't quite as cute and cuddly as you might find in, say, Ice Age, but it paid off, and it looks like we'll be seeing more Rango in the future if Paramount goes through with making their own animation division.

2. Arthur

Even if Greta Gerwig is adorable, even she couldn't save this not-so-funny remake. "Ha ha, you're all losing your jobs, let's watch a movie about the troubles of a billionaire!" Not sure who thought that was a good idea.

3. Insidious

This creepy little movie lost points with me for a hopelessly cheap-looking ending, but it wound up being one of the most profitable films of the year when you relate the grosses to the budget. I thought the $1.5 million budget was a typo when I first heard about it, but apparently it's correct. Too bad they couldn't spend a few more bucks on the sets.

4. The Lincoln Lawyer

Another one of those movies that I seemed to like less than almost anyone else. It's still a solid adult drama with adult actors, which is becoming a bit of a rarity, and luckily it did pretty well. I wouldn't mind seeing a sequel, and god knows I'll probably get the chance.

5. Miral

Ah, the Palestinian drama. You know, I'm consistently enough enraged by the state of American politics that I don't really need to get all worked up about stuff half the world away.

6. Waking Madison

When did Elizabeth Shue become a bad sign for a movie? Was it the movie after Leaving Las Vegas or sometime after that?

7. [REC] 2

I'm looking forward to seeing this one. I suppose I can walk into this having just seen Quarantine, right? I've heard it's almost a shot-for-shot remake of Rec, so maybe I'll try it and see how the experience fares.

8. Brother's Justice

Dax Shepard's one of those actors where I get a little wary when I see his name in a prominent part of the credits, let alone above the title. He was great in Idiocracy, but apart from that, not one of my favorites. So I'll judge this film sight unseen, how about that?

9. White Irish Drinkers

Weird title for a film, but I guess you roll with whatever gets butts in seats.

10. Robot Chicken

Among television shows coming to DVD, we have Robot Chicken: Star Wars: Episode III, Damages: Season Three, Entourage: Season Seven, ER: Season Fifteen (!)

11. Damnation Alley

HOLY BALLS THIS MOVIE IS AWESOME. Or, at least, I remember it being so when they reran it every weekend back when the Sci-Fi channel first launched. Post-apocalyptic monster trucks? Sign me up! Other older films getting new Blu-Rays this week include Brazil and Mike Leigh's Naked.

12. Dinocroc Vs. Supergator

What's really the difference between a dinocroc and a supergator? I guess I don't really know the difference between crocodiles and alligators, anyway.

mbkishon July 12, 2011 at 7:25 a.m.

[REC] is quite a bit better than Quarantine. Despite this, I think you can get away with watching [REC] 2 having only seen Quarantine.

By the way, Rango was awesome.

Cirdainon July 12, 2011 at 7:30 a.m.
@mbk337 said:

[REC] is quite a bit better than Quarantine. Despite this, I think you can get away with watching [REC] 2 having only seen Quarantine.

Agreed.  

Quarantine  is not as good as[REC] there are a few small things in the setting and stuff like that. If you want to watch [REC] 2 but you've only seen Quarantine I would read the wiki for the first [REC] (on wikipedia unfortunatly). Then your good :) 
 
By the way, Rango was good.
SmokeYouon July 12, 2011 at 8:51 a.m.
Definitley picking up Rango.  Can't wait to watch it on blu ray.
Polygon_Wizardon July 12, 2011 at 8:59 a.m.
Out of these, Rango is the only one I'm interested in. It was an absolute blast in the theater.
Toxin066on July 12, 2011 at 9:43 a.m.

I've heard good things about Rango, but my knowledge of westerns ain't that great. Is it still worth checking out?

Also, I think the difference between a crocodile and an alligator is the snout shape. Crocs are more long and pointed almost, while alligators tend to have fatter, more rounded ones.

The_Patriarchon July 12, 2011 at 10:16 a.m.

So getting Rango, loved that movie. Maaaaaybe Lincoln Lawyer, when it gets cheap.

VioletEyedDragonon July 12, 2011 at 12:10 p.m.
Arthur is good.  
PatVB moderator on July 12, 2011 at 5:10 p.m.

@Rorie: If you watch Dinocroc vs. Supergator you will learn that Crocodiles and Alligators are actually mortal enemies, and the only way to kill them is to trick them into fighting each other.

Dig Deeper into Insidious

Shortly after moving into a new house a family quickly finds out that their home is full of dark and malevolent spirits. While battling these dark forces their son inexplicably falls into a coma. They move again hoping to protect their son but quickly realize he is the source.

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