‘Young’ a worthwhile character study
This week’s new DVDs are a mixed bag of the pursuit of youth, the fear of prison and one man’s efforts to do the right thing.
“While We’re Young” • • • : Couple begin to long for more youthful days. Ben Stiller’s bulldog approach to the truth is a great contrast to the hipster direction Adam Driver’s character takes. The pair’s relationship goes through a metamorphosis from fellow filmmakers to friends to one resembling father-son.
This is one of the most carefree performances by Naomi Watts. She is just as comfortable in an argument with her husband as she is trying to find the beat in a hip-hop class. Watts comes across as having the heart of someone who is 20, but with a 40s mentality.
“Get Hard” (No stars): “Get Hard” isn’t merely a major disaster; it’s the Titanic of comedy movies. Weighed down by endless jokes about prison rape, relentless homophobia and a bevy of absurd stereotypes, this Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart film sinks into an abyss of failure.
To distract viewers, the writers load the movie with every type of stereotype. Blacks are thugs who carry guns, only stop drinking to do drugs, treat women like sex objects and talk like they have a third-grade education. Hispanics are housekeepers or gardeners. Whites are either rich and unaware or supremacists.
The only good thing that can be said about “Get Hard” is that it’s an equal opportunity offender.
“The Gunman” • • : The film is well-meaning, but it lacks the spark that made “Taken” such a compelling tale. The key problem is the core of Sean Penn’s character.
In less-skilled hands, these problems would have killed “The Gunman.” Director Pierre Morel knows how to pace such films, which leaves little time to notice the flaws. They only become clear after the credits roll.
It would have been nice for “The Gunman” to become the next “Taken” franchise. Unfortunately, “The Gunman” misses the mark.
Also new on DVD
“A Place to Call Home”: Nurse becomes involved in affairs of a wealthy family. Marta Dusseldorp stars.
“Danny Collins”: Aging rock star’s life is changed by a letter. Al Pacino stars.
“The Dovekeepers”: Film based on the true events at Masada in 70 A.D.
“My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic; Cutie Mark Quests”: Attempts to find “cutie marks” cause chaos.
“Ghosthouse”/ “Witchery”: Double feature of horror.
“The Decline of Western Civilization Collection”: Contains Penelope Spheeris’ “The Decline Of Western Civilization” (1980), “The Decline Of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years” (1988), and “The Decline Of Western Civilization Part III (1998)”
“Frog Kingdom”: Princess Froglegs runs away after father says winner of Froglympics would get to marry her.
“Planet Ant”: Film reveals secrets about the ant world.
“Last Knights”: Clive Owen goes on journey of brotherhood and retribution.
“NOVA: Invisible Universe Revealed”: Special look at the Hubble Space Telescope to mark its 25th anniversary.
“Soldate Jeannette: A European Film Conspiracy”: Portrait of two women from very different ends of the social spectrum.
“I am Evel Knievel”: Look at the legendary daredevil.
“Gangland Undercover”: Crime series that follows meth dealer turned ATF infiltrator Charles Falco’s three-year mission inside a motorcycle gang.
“1913: Seeds of Conflict”: Explores the little known history of Palestine.
“Animal Planet’s Treehouse Masters Season 2”: Pete Nelson creates impressive structure above the ground.
“Of Girls and Horses”: Rebellious young woman is sent away to a horse farm in a remote part of Germany.