Oscar hopefuls Captain Phillips and Blue Jasmine dominate this week’s home entertainment releases, but this may be a time to look elsewhere and discover the promise of the most successful Spanish language film in U.S. box office history, or unearth In a World, a small gem of a romantic comedy, or sample the latest outrageous TV series from the satirical genius behind the police-skewering Sledge Hammer.Theatrical Movies
Instructions Not Included (Lionsgate, “PG-13,” $19.98, BD $24.98) is highest-grossing Spanish language film in U.S. box office history and also the highest-grossing movie ever in Mexico. Written and directed by Eugenio Derbez, who is the star and creator of the popular Mexican TV series La familia P. Luche, Instructions Not Included is not original in theme—the empty, but pleasurable existence of Valentin, an Acapulco Lothario, is interrupted when one of his former flings presents him with a baby girl and promptly takes a plane to Los Angeles. As expected the responsibilities of fatherhood humanize the shallow playboy, who forms the first lasting attachment of his life to the little girl. American critics were not bowled over by the film, which has a 56% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but in general they missed the appeal of the film to Hispanic audiences both North and South of the border. Of course there is the central presence of the rubber-faced Derbez, whose comic rhythms are little slower and smoother than the typical wisecracking American comedian, and an equally engaging performance by Loreto Peralta as his daughter, but more important is the film’s attitude to the U.S. where much of the film takes place when Valentin takes a job as a stunt man in L.A. after he pursues his ex-girlfriend in a futile attempt to give back his daughter. Like many Mexicans Valentin is very happy living in Mexico and has no desire to live in the U.S. or learn English. Forced by circumstances to stay in the U.S., he manages to do so on his own terms and creates a wildly idiosyncratic way of life for himself and his daughter. The movie does become excessively melodramatic in its last act where the plot devices become way too obvious, but this quirky film manages quite consistently to find humor in all sorts of unlikely places along the way.
It’s getting close to Oscar time and this week home entertainment viewers get their first crack at Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine (Sony, “PG-13,” 98 min., $30.99, BD $35.99), which features an outstanding performance by Cate Blanchett as a wealthy woman whose circumstances are reduced with disastrous consequences. Basically Blue Jasmine can be seen as an updating of Tennessee Williams’ Streetcar Named Desire, and if anything Allen’s contemporary version of gentility trampled by the machinations of society is more depressing than that of Williams. As might be expected the critics loved Blue Jasmine, which has a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and the film was one of Allen’s more successful efforts at the box office where it took in $33.1 million.
Paul Greengrass’ Captain Phillips (Sony, “PG-13,” 134 min. $30.99, BD $40.99) has been nominated for “Best Picture” though it stands little chance in this year’s crowded field. A docudrama based on the rescue of the title character (played by Tom Hanks) from Somali pirates, Captain Phillips manages to be intense and even frenetic at times, but not as involving as some of this year’s other “Best Picture” nominees.
Two genre films with no Oscar pretentions also bow on Tuesday. The better of the two is In a World (Sony, “R,” 93 min., $30.99), an indie romantic comedy directed by and starring Lake Bell as a female vocal coach who is trying to break in to the male-dominated world of movie trailer voiceovers. In addition to satirizing Hollywood and skewering sexism In a World also manages to deliver the goods as a romantic comedy with heart. Critics loved In a World, which has a 92% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and hopefully audiences will discover this delightful little film on disc (or streaming).
Action movie fans will have to be content with Machete Kills (Universal, “R,” 216 min., $29.98, BD $34.98), the latest film in the Machete franchise starring Danny Trejo directed by Robert Rodriguez (Sin City). As might be expected, the critics generally hated this loud, ultra-violent film, which currently has just a 30% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The critics are usually off base when pillorying genre films, but like a stopped clock they are right every once in a while, and this overly long turkey is one of those times. Machete Kills is strictly for Grindhouse devotees only.
TV on DVD
Another IFC series of interest is Comedy Bang! Bang! (Starz, 230 min., $29.98), the TV series created by Scott Aukerman and based on his popular podcast. As is the case with the podcast the humor here is way out farcical stuff delivered in a completely deadpan manner.
The only other new series due this week is Crossing Lines: Season 1 (Lionsgate, 480 min., $29.98, BD $29.98), which collects the first season of the English-language French and German TV series about a fictional investigative unit attached to International Criminal Court in the Hague. Those who enjoy police procedurals might well want to give Crossing Lines, which has an excellent cast that includes Donald Sutherland, a try.
There are vintage TV series galore including Bewitched: Season 1 (Mill Creek, 918 min., $9.98), which collects the complete first season of the influential fantasy series, the popular 1980s family sitcom The Cosby Show: Season 1 (Mill Creek, 546 min., $9.98), Dilbert: The Complete Series (Mill Creek, 641 min., $9.98), which includes both seasons of the animated 1990s show, the influential urban sitcom Good Times: Season 1 (Mill Creek, 339 min., $9.98), the inspirational drama Highway to Heaven: The Complete Third Season (Mill Creek, 1123 min., $14.98), The Jimmy Stewart Show (Warner Bros., 606 min., $29.98), which collects the actors early 1970s sitcom, Just Shoot Me: Season 1 (Mill Creek, 202 min., $9.98), the sitcom starring David Spade, the dysfunctional family hit Married With Children: Season 1 (Mill Creek, $9.98), NYPD Blue: The Complete 5th Season (Shout Factory, 960 min., $34.98), and the popular 1990s sitcom Wings: The Complete Season 3 & 4 (Mill Creek, 1006 min., $14.98).
Anime
Those who prefer contemporary anime might want to check out Medaka Box Abnormal (Sentai Filmworks, “14+,” 300 min., $59.98, BD $69.98), which collects all 12 episodes of the second Gainax series that is based on the popular shonen action/comedy manga Medaka Box that appears in Shonen Jump.
New on Blu-ray is the four-episode OVA produced by Gonzo in 2000 that is based on Satoru Ozawa’s post-apocalyptic manga Blue Submarine No. 6 (Eastern Star, 130 min., $29.95).
Tom Flinn
The opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily represent those of the editorial staff of ICv2.com.