THIS WEEK’S TWIN PEEKS:
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PARTS 1 AND 2
2012; $19.98-$28.98; PG-13
The final Harry Potter tale (or so J.K. Rowling tells us), wisely broken into two films by director David Yates. The darkest and most violent part of the series, many characters die or are maimed for life as the ruthless Voldemort seeks to kill Harry to solidify his power. Meanwhile, Harry, Hermione and Ron are blindly searching for the basis of Voldermort’s immortality, protected only by their innocence in a world gone mad with fear. One warning: Watching these will make you want to re-watch the entire run (which we did, gladly). A fine close to a thoroughly entertaining series, and a must own.
TURN ME ON, DAMMIT!
2011; $29.98; UR
A truly surprising and damn funny coming-of-age film from Norway about a 15-year-old girl (lovely Helene Bergsholm) whose out-of-control hormones spawn horny daydreams about everyone around her — especially Artur, her would-be boyfriend. Her mother must wear earplugs to muffle the sounds of the girl’s constant masturbating, and doesn’t know how she’s going to pay for the ever-mounting phone-sex bills, yet this remains a surprisingly sweet, innocent and very humorous look at teen sexuality from a rarely seen female point of view. One of the freshest movies we’ve seen in years; our highest recommendation.
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BACK FROM HELL
2011; $26.98; UR
Better know as “Ex Inferis,” this ragged Italian “cabin” flick touches all the bases: A group of friends goes to spend some time at a secluded woodland home, blah blah blah. Yeah, it’s been done before, but the Italian sensibilities really add some spice. Fun; with cast members from “The Tourist” and “Stealing Beauty.”
BILL MOYERS: A WORLD OF IDEAS II: GREAT THINKERS
2012; $49.98-$59.98; UR
Hands down, the most mesmerizing eight-and-a-half hours of TV we ever saw — we’re actually watching it a second time right now! Sixteen of the world’s most intelligent and passionate people talk about their vision for America. Frankly, you may never have heard of many of them — Noam Chomsky and Cornel West, for example — but you will never forget how clearly they see the world, and how brilliant and game-changing their ideas are. We’re serious: Don’t watch this unless you are ready to take charge of your life and change the world forever! From Moyers’ long-running PBS series.
CHERNOBYL DIARIES
2012; $14.98-$35.98; R
A somewhat high-budget found-footage flick set in the radiation-scarred ruins near Russia’s still lethal dead nuclear plant. A group of young adult “atomic tourists” are stranded in the desolate former city of Pripyat, where Chernobyl workers once lived, and — dumm-dumm-DUMB — they are NOT ALONE! We’ve seen worse. From the pen of Oren Peli, who also wrote “Paranormal Activity.”
KATI WITH AN I
2010; $24.98-$29.98; UR
This very simple doc has become an art-house/Facebook darling thanks to its intimate reach into the life of an average girl about to graduate from an Alabama high school. With just three days left before joining the adult world, absolutely nothing seems to working out, and young Kati desperately needs the support of family and friends, but none seem to be there for her. Breathtaking.
MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE’S MOST WANTED
2012; $17.98-$54.98; PG
We don’t want to like these silly “Madagascar” films, but — damn! — they are addictive! The colorful, wise-cracking crew of misplaced zoo critters this time invades the casinos of Monte Carlo, reminding us of The Marx Brothers in their prime: non-stop wisecracks, double-takes, slap-stick humor, and a frenetic pace built on well-defined characters and exaggerated pratfalls. What can we say? We’re just kids at heart. Join us!
MOONRISE KINGDOM
2012; $19.98-$34.98; PG-13
While there are a lot of big names in this indie outing (Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, etc.), the stars are two 12-year-olds who fall in love and decide to live their lives together, alone and away from the world of 1965. They are discovered missing just as a storm rolls into their New England island home, but it’s really an unnecessary plot device: It is the youngsters’ intelligence and simple innocence that makes it so much fun. Recommended.
NOBODY ELSE BUT YOU
2011; $27.98; UR
A wonderful, offbeat French thriller that will remind you of “Fargo,” or maybe “Twin Peaks.” Originally titled “Pou-pou-pi-dou,” it centers on beautiful Sophie Quinton, an actress who believes herself to be the reincarnation of Marilyn Monroe. Uh, and like Monroe, she’s already dead. This draws the attention of struggling crime novelist Jean-Paul Rouve, who travels to a remote frozen village to research her murder, turning up a very improper mystery. Guaranteed to entertain.
SPELLBOUND
2012; $19.98-$24.98; UR
Better known as “O-ssak-han Yeon-ae” (“Chilling Romance”), this South Korean romcom/horror-flick is wonderfully spry and original. A young street magician teams with an odd but beautiful girl, and their impromptu spooky magic shows become a sensation. But when he discovers that her best friend is a g-g-g-ghost, will his jealously at their ethereal connection doom the act — and budding romance — forever? Well worth your time.
TERROR TRAIN
1980; $19.98-$29.98; R
One of our favorite guilty pleasures, now available on a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray. Jamie Lee Curtis and her med-school graduating class throw a costume party aboard a train where a demented killer lurks. Co-stars classic character actor big Ben Johnson, with D.D. Mathews (before she changed her name to “Vanity”), and magician David Copperfield; directed by Roger “Tomorrow Never Dies” Spottiswood. Just another dead teenager movie? Not on your life! Filmed aboard an actual moving train by Kubrick cinematographer John Alcott.
THAT’S MY BOY
2012; $19.98-$35.98; R
The less said about this awful Adam Sandler/Andy Samberg “comedy” the better. Just say no.
TOUCH: SEASON ONE
2012; $39.98-$49.98; UR
Kiefer Sutherland’s follow-up to “24” finds him the haggard single dad of a child who refuses to be touched, or even acknowledge that his father is in the room. But then dad discovers that his son may be in tune with the universe in a way that other humans cannot imagine. We like this drama’s Fortean sensibilities, but it has had a hard time finding its audience. Check it out.
A More Complete Listing and Free Vids at videotapeworm.com.
