‘Marigold Hotel’ has something for all ages
This week’s DVD picks range from senior stories to a pop concert.
• “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” Grade A-minus: Seven British seniors travel to India to move into a retirement facility. Maggie Smith and Judi Dench star.
Director John Madden blends the multiple plot threads so perfectly that he creates a cinematic tapestry that celebrates life and the wide assortment of those who have lived it.
In addition, Madden shows that Hollywood’s obsession with youth is a smoke screen: It doesn’t matter what the age of the cast is as long as the material is first-rate and you have some of the best actors in the business to breathe life into it.
“The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” will attract older film fans because of the age of the cast. Don’t let age discrimination keep you from seeing this magnificent film that deals with the issues – love, life and learning – that all ages connect with.
• “Get a Life: The Complete Series,” Grade A-minus: Chris Elliott plays a 30-year-old who makes a living delivering newspapers and lives in an apartment above his parents’ (Elinor Donahue, Bob Elliott) garage. This wild sitcom aired on Fox for a year and a half before its untimely ending.
What makes the show so unique – and the reason it could never draw a big audience – is that the story lines often took flights of fancy. There are no rules – especially when it comes to Elliott’s character, who dies a dozen times during the 35 episodes.
If you like absurd humor, this is a must-see-and-own DVD.
• “ Katy Perry: Part of Me the Movie,” Grade A-minus: Concert films are normally superficial excuses to promote an artist’s records. Directors Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz do spotlight Perry’s energetic California Dreams Tour, but they never shy away from the dark emotional realities going on behind the scenes.
It would have been easy to strip this movie down to its bubble-gum roots and leave out all of the highs and lows of Perry’s failed marriage to actor Russell Brand. The fact that the directors didn’t try to sanitize the production gives this concert movie some unexpected depth.
Also out this week:
“Steve Martin: Television Stuff”: A wild and crazy collection of Steve Martin’s various TV appearances.
“Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures”: The four films are available on one Blu-ray set.
“Doctor Who: Planet of Giants”: The Doctor (William Hartnell) and his traveling partners are shrunk.
“Supernatural: The Complete Seventh Season”: The two brothers continue to fight demons.
“Hysteria”: Romantic comedy set in the 19th century. Hugh Dancy stars.
“Joseph Campbell: Mythos - The Complete Collection”: Susan Sarandon hosts.
“Suburgatory: The Complete First Season”: Jeremy Sisto stars in this father-daughter comedy.
“D.L. Hughley: Reset!”: Uncut comedy special.
“Salvation Boulevard”: A man is framed for murder by his pastor.
“Thomas & Friends: Blue Mountain Mystery The Movie”: Thomas helps his Narrow Gauge engine friends.
“Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva La Fiesta!”: George Lopez is a voice in this dog tale.
“Silenced”: One man battles for justice.
“Modern Family: The Complete Third Season”: ABC comedy about a very funny family.
“Rawhide: The Complete Fifth Season”: Clint Eastwood stars in the western TV series.
“The Magic of Belle Isle”: Morgan Freeman plays a man who loses his passion for writing.
“The Mentalist: The Complete Fourth Season”: Simon Baker stars.
“Body of Proof: The Complete Second Season”: Dana Delany crime drama.
“Hawaii Five-O: The Second Season”: CBS crime drama starring Alex O’Loughlin.
“Army Wives: Season Six, Part One”: Kim Delaney stars.