Oldboy

Director Spike Lee had the misfortune to remake an acclaimed classic which should be a cautionary tale for those who want to remake classics. A man is kidnapped and held imprisoned for 20 years only to be released for five days to find out why he was imprisoned with the help of a young social worker. Based on the Japanese manga that Korean writer and director Park Chan-W
ook masterfully adapted for the screen which Lee recreates almost scene by scene with minor changes that only evokes the original. The cast that includes Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, Sharlto Copley and Samuel L. Jackson should have known better and stayed away never-the-less try their best. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

RIP: Eli Wallach 1915 - 2014

Edge of Tomorrow

Director Doug Liman delivers his best film with this clever science-fiction thriller. An officer finds himself in a mind-bending time loop which might give him the advantage to win the war against an superior invading alien race. Liman and his talented team have created a surprisingly smart and intelligent thriller which works like an impeccable clockwork without missing a beat. Tom Cruise stars with his best performance in a decade or so along the always spectacular Emily Blunt who steals every scene she's in. The solid supporting cast includes Brendan Gleeson, Bill Paxton and Noah Taylor. 1001 Films' coverage of current releases.

The Players

French acting duo of Jean Dujardin and Gilles Lellouche star in several short films exploring infidelity with a heavy dose of French humor. Each segment directed by a group of leading French directors which includes Michel Hazanavicius, Emmanuelle Bercot, Fred Cavayé, Alexandre Courtès, Eric Lartigau, Jan Kounen as well as Dujardin and Lellouche who also serves as writer and producers. There's some funny segments but also questionable one which shows that humor doesn't translate well but allows the leads to stretch their acting muscles with colorful performances. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Tim's Vermeer

Magic duo of Penn and Teller made their feature debut with this fascinating documentary. Inventor Tim Jenison exposes a technique the Dutch painter Vermeer used to paint his masterpieces which has been hinted before but never explained. Penn and Teller follow their friend Tim on his journey to debunk a widely known theory by showing it on camera which won't diminish Vermeer legacy but put it in new perspective. It's as entertaining as it is fascinating film which shows documentaries can surpass fiction in many ways. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Enemy

Canadian director Denis Villeneuve delivered an atmospheric thriller with this fascinating drama. A man accidentally discovers an exact look-alike which starts a journey of self-discovery. Based on the novel by José Saramago, Villeneuve and writer Javier Gullón created a Kafkaesque thriller that explores themes of identity both internally and externally. Jake Gyllenhaal stars with solid performance along with Mélanie Laurent, Sarah Gadon and Isabella Rossellini in the supporting roles. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.  

Cold in July

Writer and director Jim Mickle delivers another terrific film with his fourth feature. A family man who shoots an intruder finds himself the target of the victims' convict father which has unexpected consequences. Mickle takes a classic formula and turns it on its head with this terrific and unpredictable thriller. Michael C. Hall stars with a terrific performance along a superb supporting cast that includes Sam Shepard, Don Johnson and Vinessa Shaw. 1001 Films' coverage of current releases.

Hellion

Writer and director Kat Candler's third feature is a powerful drama about loss and responsibility. A troubled teenager's actions risks to tear his family apart while emotionally absent father struggles to keep the family together. Candler shows great skill for complex and nuanced characters and provides different perspectives on a family in trouble which will resonate with many. Aaron Paul stars with newcomer Josh Wiggins who makes his feature debut. The supporting cast includes Juliette Lewis and Deke Garner. 1001 Films' coverage of current releases.

RIP: Ruby Dee 1924 - 2014

The World's End

British writer and director Edgar Wright returned with another hilarious genre blending comedy. A group of former friends return to their hometown after 20 years to finish a legendary pub crawl which gets them in trouble with unexpected consequences. Wright and Simon Pegg who stars in the lead co-wrote the film which has some highs and lows but altogether a funny ride due to its stellar cast. Pegg stars along Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine and Eddie Marsan. The supporting cast includes Rosamund Pike and Pierce Brosnan. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.
 

Olympus Has Fallen

Director Antoine Fuqua returns to familiar territory with action thriller which is pure entertainment. A disgraced agent becomes the only hope for the government when terrorist attack the White House and take everybody hostage. A action drama that feeds on the post 9/11 paranoia with imagery that should be disturbing to most Americans despite being a formula thriller. Gerard Butler stars with an over-qualified cast that includes Morgan Freeman, Aaron Eckhart, Melissa Leo and many other familiar faces. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Labor Day

Writer and director Jason Reitman delivered his first full drama with his fifth feature. A depressed single mother and her teenage son are held captive by an escaped convict which has unexpected consequences on their lives. Based on the novel by Joyce Maynard, it's unexpected film from Reitman who takes on an a challenging material that could have easily misfired if it weren't for the performance of Kate Winslet who shines in the lead. The solid supporting cast includes Josh Brolin, Gattlin Griffith, Tom Lipinski and Maika Monroe. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Gloria

Chilean writer and director Sebastián Lelio delivered a terrific character study with this powerful film. A middle-aged woman tries to defy old age and loneliness as she searches for love and connection in an unforgiving world. Lelio shows extraordinary maturity with a subject rarely explored in cinema by blending comedy and drama seamlessly. Paulina García stars with a flawless performance that's the heart and soul of this gem. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Rush

Writer Peter Morgan and director Ron Howard joined forces for this drama about the rivalry between two legendary Formula One drivers. Two unlikely men, A British and an Austrian, share the same passion that drives them to the edge as well as to the top of their game. Based on the true story of James Hunt and Niki Lauda, Morgan and Howard created a terrific film that satisfies on several levels with a talented cast and crew. Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl star with solid performances along with Olivia Wilde and Alexandra Maria Lara in the supporting roles. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Wreck-It Ralph

Director Rich Moore made his feature debut with this clever and inventive animation that pays homage to the old arcade games. A video game villain breaks out of his game to become a hero which brings chaos to all the other games in the arcade. Moore and his talented team take the concept of the old 80's games and bring it to the present and give them new life and mission with hilarious results. John C. Reilly leads the voice ensemble with a perfect pitch. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

British actor and director Kenneth Branagh was hired for the reboot of the franchise based on the characters of Tom Clancy instead of the novels. Jack Ryan is recruited by the CIA and send to Russia for a mission which is endangered by the appearance of his girlfriend. Branagh was a safe choice who also plays the villain conveniently.  It's a solid film but uninspired since it doesn't bring anything new to the story or film making. Chris Pine stars and makes a bland title character which was better done by Harrison Ford and even Alec Baldwin. Keira Knightley is surprising choice but can't overcome the script and film. The supporting cast includes Kevin Costner who fares better. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.