DVD Pick of the Week: Bronson

Welcome back! Well, to some of you, anyway. To the rest of you, glad you decided to stop by and I hope this humble column helps you navigate the stacks of new releases each week. My goal is to point you toward titles of interest and warn you away from those films that seek to do nothing but leech away your time and give you nothing in return.

Full disclosure: I have not seen many of these titles, and what follows are not necessarily reviews, but opinions based upon what I know of the titles I pluck from the new release lists I peruse. The opinions I give based on the new releases are my own, and my recommendations are based on my personal interest. In any case, I hope you enjoy and perhaps find something you like or a title to point me towards.

Bronson (also Blu-ray). Like last week, I have chosen a film I have not seen but would really like to. It is about a man sentenced to seven years for armed robbery but ends up spending thirty in solitary. This confinement lets his alter ego take rise. I am not sure about the big picture, but I have heard many good things and am definitely intrigued.

A Serious Man (also Blu-ray). The latest Coen brothers film came and went from theaters pretty quietly. Granted, it is not as flashy a film as No Country for Old Men or The Big Lebowski, but it is no less interesting. It is the story of a harried man having a very bad week. I cannot say I got all of the underlying meaning, but it is a fascinating film. It is made especially so by a fantastic lead performance by Michael Stuhlbarg. If for nothing else, see it for him.

Couples Retreat (also Blu-ray). A strong cast cannot save this one. Its tale of relationship woe in the guise of a breezy comedy would have been better as a sitcom. Instead we get a film that is more of a travelogue. The cast is good and includes Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Kristen Bell, Jon Favreau, Faizon Love, Kristin Davis, and Jean Reno. It also is the directorial debut of Peter Billingsley.

Article Author: Chris Beaumont

Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about music and movies when he isn't indulging in them. He is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Follow: Twitter and Tumblr. Visit: Critical Outcast. …

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