Punch Drunk DVDs of the Week: 12/8/09

Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince


Harry Potter's most grown up adventure yet is also the bleakest, as beloved characters die and Harry is faced with the true weight of the burden placed upon him. Not my favorite of the bunch, as I think it's a touch too gloomy and less magical than the rest, but an important chapter in the over-arching story leading up to the rapidly approaching finale.

Julie & Julia


Meryl Streep shines as the larger than life culinary icon, Julia Child, in a film that impressed me more than second time I saw it. Amy Adams' half of the story is the less interesting by far, as it's Child's relationship with her husband(Stanley Tucci) in the midst of war torn France that shoulders much of the dramatic burden. Much like grocery shopping, don't go into this with an empty stomach. Features commentary by chickflick scribe extraordinaire, Nora Ephron.

Public Enemies


Michael Mann's Public Enemies might not have turned out to be the Oscar contender people expected, but it does show Mann's ability to crank out a unique film even when handed a leaky script. I'm consistently surprised by the people who claim this is some adrenaline fueled actioner, because that's exactly what it's not. It's an examination of one man at odds with his public reputation and personal perception of himself, and yes there are a couple of decent shootouts but they are hardly the film's centerpiece. For those looking for a tense head-to-head between Depp's Dillinger and Christian Bale's Melvin Purvis you might want to look elsewhere. I think they share the screen only for a few moments.

Harry Potter Years 1-6


For those of you wanting to send this to me for Christmas, you can ask for my address at punchdrunkcritics@yahoo.com.

The Dog Who Saved Christmas


Because nothing says Christmas like Dean Cain and the uber fruity Mario Lopez.

The Cove


Few documentaries have had more immediate impact than Louie Psihoyos' searing expose on the yearly massacre of thousands of dolphins at the infamous Taiji cove in Japan. Rick O' Barry, the man who found and trained Flipper for the TV series, is our guide on this mercy mission, his shame for his past endeavors etched across his face and tinging his every word. Most of the dolphins are slaughtered and sold off as food(often under different labels!), much to the chagrin of many of the Japanese who don't realize what's going on right in front of them. Recently, news has come out that due to the work of the men involved in this film, the Taiji cove was abandoned during it's killing season, tangible proof of the power of film and international shame! I'd suggest that the weak of stomach not watch the last ten minutes of this film. It's both sickening and maddening.

World's Greatest Dad


One of my favorite films of the year is also one of the nastiest, disturbing, yet strangely hypnotic comedies I've seen. Robin Williams plays a Dad with a douchebag of a son. When the son dies of less than reputable circumstances, he takes that opportunity to cash in on the instant notoriety and fame. Director Bobcat Goldthwait paints horrific picture of parenthood, but damn if it ain't hilarious.

Moonlight Serenade


This looks like one of those movies an actor/actress will do just do fulfill a contract or keep up with the mortgage, because I have no flippin' clue what Amy Adams is doing in this thing. Apparently it's about a coat check girl who has a great voice and becomes a singer alongside some lounge piano player. Sounds brutal, but given my deep affection for anything involving Ms. Adams it's gotta be worth a looksie.