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Home (Re) Viewing: Oscar bait
More Oscar nominees arrive on DVD shelves this week in time for Sunday’s show, along with a few titles that probably came close to making it.
Babel: This multi-country, criss-crossing drama about how fates interlock after an American tourist is shot has been touted lately as a possible Best Picture winner. It’s tough going to be sure, and it goes on too long, but at its best, the film is an emotional knockout. Starring nominees Adriana Barraza and Rinko Kikuchi, plus Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. Buyer beware: There are no extras on the disc, suggesting a possible double-dip.GRADE: A- Buy it/Rent it
Flushed Away: This foray into CGI from the makers of “Chicken Run” and “Wallace and Gromit and the Curse of the Were-Rabbit” isn’t quite in the same class as those, but it has plenty of lively moments, especially from Kate Winslet and the singing slugs. Probably just missed a Best Animated Feature nod. GRADE: B+ Buy it/Rent it
Man of the Year: This political comedy with Robin Williams as a Jon Stewart-like personality who becomes president probably wasn’t in the running for any Oscars, and it didn’t deserve it. It works fairly well as a comedy but runs badly off track when it tries to be a political thriller. GRADE: C Buy it/Rent it
The Prestige: Christopher Nolan’s amazing film about the deadly rivalry between feuding magicians picked up a coupe of tech nods (cinematography and art direction) but should have gotten more. Gets even better with repeat viewings. GRADE: A Buy it/Rent it
Shut Up and Sing: This documentary on the trials and tribulations of the Dixie Chicks didn’t make the cut at the Oscars, which is too bad - I liked it much better than the presumed winner, “An Inconvenient Truth.” By the end, it becomes unexpectedly moving. GRADE: A Buy it/Rent it
Also Out Today
For Your Consideration: Christopher Guest’s latest improv-a-thon centers around inflated Oscar buzz. How timely. Buy it/Rent it
Gandhi: Many people look upon this film’s victory over “E.T.” as one of Oscar’s more egregious goofs. “E.T.” is indeed the better movie, but the anointing of “Gandhi” is by no means an embarrassment, especially considering Ben Kingsley’s towering lead performance. It’s out on DVD with a generous bunch of extras. Buy it
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