In Theaters Over the Weekend, and a Blind Buy Conversation

Sorry for the late posting on this. I'm working on a way to schedule my time a bit better so I can get things up when I want them/need them to be up.


But, for the time being - I had an interesting conversation at a Walgreen's with a man who, by his own admission, rarely buys DVDs that he's seen before. He's an avid blind buyer, and he only does it four or five bucks at a time. I, too, blind buy with a vengeance, but I also collect. So, if I know something is worth more than it's selling for, I'll pick it up. And I'm constantly trolling eBay for the same deals. There, though, at a Walgreen's, the selection isn't as extensive as say... eBay. Or even Craigslist. It usually winds up being ten or twelve movies, and then about five or six rows of those ten or twelve movies. It's aggravating, but... I mean, I found a copy of Julien Donkey-Boy for six bucks. I think I win. I'm not sure, but I think I do. The other man walked away with a couple of direct to DVD pieces, sure to enjoy his night and revel in the savings.

Bee Season's cinematographer wants his settlement, please.

Given the quality of releases we were given over the weekend, it's no surprise that this man opted to rifle through the DVD shelves of local mini-marts rather than take the walk of shame and publicly admit to seeing something like Just Go With It. Which, for some reason, too many people have just gone with.

Over the weekend - Limitless, a thriller born from Phenomenon about a man who reaches his full potential, Paul, a comedy with Seth Rogen as an alien with a foul mouth and a really big heart, and The Lincoln Lawyer, Matthew McConaughey's latest (and second) legal thriller. Which did you see? Which will I see? I'll be seeing Limitless and The Lincoln Lawyer for sure. Already saw Paul.

For a full review of Paul, click here.

Let's take a close look at the L squared releases, shall we?

More after the cut --

Paul

Eat your heart out, Roger. 

Paul is the simple story of an alien with an attitude, and a heart of gold. In fact, the entire point film is so sweet, that it seems almost impossible to believe that most of the film is crude, and partly cruel. Unlike Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, which were helmed by Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have brought us an eager "who said it" film filmed with countless references and... political poignancy. All this, from Superbad and Adventureland director Greg Mottola. Mottola's filmography is small, but consistent - he's a comedian's director with a lot of his own to say. That's a form of direction I've always appreciated; the ability to let others shine while imbuing your own specific messages into the forefront. But, here, Paul has mismatched its intent with its delivery. And that, in retrospect, hinders a positive reminder of the film. 

More after the cut --