Breakfast Club Movie Maven, Kate Black is on the disabled list this week (illness).  She did send along quick info on two new home movie releases:

One for the Money is a comedy based on Janet Evenovich’s novels-starring Katherine Heigl, Jason O’Mara, Debbie Reynolds

Not a great film but okay for anyone looking for a light, entertaining chick flick.�
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Albert Nobbs is an Oscar worthy character drama starring Glenn Close, Janet McTeer, Mia Wasikowska, Brendan Gleeson. 

A well written, masterfully acted period piece set in 19th Century Ireland.  Special features on DVD/BR include excellent interviews with cast.

Breakfast Club Movie Maven Kate Black from Classic Video with this week’s new releases:

Haywire is ‘Ocean’s 11’ trilogy director Steven Soderbergh’s stylish action thriller.  Soderbergh casts new comer and mixed martial arts champion Gina Carano as special ops agent Mallory Kane.  After her recent mission for hire is sabotaged, Kane seeks not only revenge, but also to protect her family and friends that have become pawns in a deadly game of cat and mouse.  Because of his stellar reputation, Soderbergh is able to enlist a talented group of A-list actors including Michael Fassbender, Michael Douglas, Channing Tatum, Ewan McGregor and Antonio Banderas. 

Rating:  This action has all the ingredients of a great thriller, except that the pacing is slow and laboured and the drama in between the fights and car chases, fails to bring the necessary tension needed for a successful thriller. This mediocre action is worth the rental but not much more.    

New Year’s Eve is Garry Marshall’s light-hearted rom-com follow up to Valentine’s Day.  This comedic drama tells the story of a ‘day in the life’ of a group of couples and individuals on New Year’s Eve Day.  The film intertwines their lives over the course of the day leading up to the midnight ball drop in New York City.  While the film’s dialogue is schmaltzy, sappy and sentimental, there are lots of ‘feel good’ moments that lift the film up beyond the shallow exterior. 

Rating:  The film is not award winning, but it does succeed in providing light escapist entertainment.

Kate Black from Classic Video is the Breakfast Club’s Movie Maven.  Every Tuesday morning at 8:35 she has the goods on the week’s new home video releases.  Here’s what to watch this week:

Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol is the fourth in the feature film series starring Tom Cruise as MI agent Ethan Hunt. In this thrilling action adventure, Ethan and his IMF team are framed for bombing the Kremlin. After being disavowed, they go off the grid to uncover the deception that led to their entrapment.

Rating: If you suspend your disbelief, this adrenaline infused action is awesome and gripping, mostly because of the spine-tingling stunts, great special effects and international settings. Even though the scenario is implausible, it’s a highly entertaining, light, fun Friday night popcorn flick.

Shame is the controversial award winning drama about a man living with addiction. Michael Fassbender stars as young successful NY businessman Brandon Sullivan whose double life starts to fall apart after his sister Sissy, played by Carey Mulligan, moves in to his apartment and disrupts his privacy. Director, Steve McQueen crafts a sleek and simple portrayal of a man tortured by his sexual addiction. The film is as simple as it is complex and is aided by a haunting soundtrack and brilliant nuanced performances.

Rating: While the subject matter may be disconcerting to some, the film is tasteful and respectful in its depiction of this stigmatized addiction.

Kate Black from Classic Video joins the Breakfast Club every Tuesday morning at 8:35 to review the week’s new DVD releases. 

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is director David Fincher’s stylish remake of the Swedish film that was based on Steig Larson’s bestselling novel of the same name.  This version stars Daniel Craig as investigative journalist Mikeal Blomkvist who has been hired by an aging Swedish businessman, Henrik Vanger, played by Christopher Plummer to uncover the mystery of his niece’s disappearance forty years ago.  Blomkvist hires a young, rebellious, yet brilliant hacker as his assistant, to help him work the case. 

Rating:  This remake is true to the original work and Fincher recreates the brutality and impact that made this series so popular. Overall, despite scenes of disturbing violence, this film is a well delivered crime thriller that relies on solid acting and good storytelling.

The Muppets movie features the highly anticipated return of the beloved characters of the ‘70’s and ‘80’s including new Muppet Walter.  In this family flick, Jason Segel (Gary) stars with Amy Adams (Mary) and they along with Walter travel to L.A. to see the Muppet Studio only to find that it is about to be bought by a greedy businessman who wants to drill for oil under the theatre.  In a last ditch effort to save the theatre, Gary, Mary, and Walter find and persuade Kermit to get the gang back together to save the theatre by running a variety show telethon. Having won the Oscar for Best Original song, this Muppet movie revives the Muppet magic, through humour, song and dance.  Director James Bobin’s comedic guidance preserves the essence of what made the Muppets so special and this new movie will certainly spawn a new generation of fans.  

Rating:  This family film will leave both adults and kids wanting more-more Muppets and less human presence.

The Sitter is like Adventures in Babysitting on steroids.  This comedy features Jonah Hill as a college student who has lost his way and is back living at home with his Mom.  One night he is persuaded to babysit for three neighbourhood kids, but the situation quickly spirals out of control as he takes them into the city to deliver a gift to his girlfriend.

Rating:  For a comedy of this caliber, the writing and acting, especially performances by the young kids, is above average and this comedy is not without some tender heartfelt moments.  For those looking for a light fun R-rated flick, this one is sure to garner some laughs.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is based on John le Carre’s bestselling novel and translates well to the big screen.  This slow paced dramatic mystery follows veteran MI6 agent George Smiley’s return to uncover a Soviet spy who has infiltrated the highest ranks of Britain’s spy agency.  While this story has been told before, this version benefits from an exceptional ensemble cast including Gary Oldman, Mark Strong, Tom Hardy, Colin Firth, and John Hurt. 

Rating:  Viewing requires patience as the story evolves deliberately over 2 hours.  Still the final result is guaranteed to leave any fan of this genre well satisfied.