This week, we put three movies on trial. As The Jury, we recommend what should happen to a particular DVD released today. Voting Burn It, Skip It, Rent It, or Buy It, we come together to deliver a verdict and hope to help you decide what to watch or avoid. We are planning on starting a rotating Jury for the DVD Court, so if you have interest in joining the discussion, let us know below!
The Jury:
Nick of The Cinematic Katzenjammer
Ries of The Cinematic Katzenjammer
Joe of Two Dude Review
Sati of Cinematic Corner
Fernando of Committed to Celluloid
Alex of Cinemaniac Reviews
Chris of Film Hipster
Kristen of Journeys in Classic Film
Colin of Move Flubs
Vivek of The Cinematic Katzenjammer
Daniel of Daniel’s Film Reviews
Dave of Dave Examines Movies
“As the Civil War continues to rage, America’s president struggles with continuing carnage on the battlefield and as he fights with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate the slaves.”
Directed by: Steven Spielberg, Rated: PG-13, 150 minutes
Nick: Rent It
Alex: Buy It
Kristen: Rent It
Chris: Rent It
Ries: Buy It
Joe: Rent It
Daniel: Buy It
Vivek: Buy It
Colin: Skip It
Fernando: Rent It
Dave: Rent It
Sati: Rent It
Closing Arguments:
Alex: “Not since Schindler’s List has Steven Spielberg called the shots for a film so spiritually and emotionally captivating.”
Kristen: “Fine performances, particularly from Lewis, but the movie is one big debate with little outside it. A dry affair with a few solid acting turns.”
Daniel: “It’s a film that’s easier to admire than it is to be thoroughly entertained by, but it is really interesting, the cast is great and Day-Lewis’ performance is amazing.”
Colin: “This was just another step into mediocrity for Mr. Steven Spielberg. I really dislike this film aside from Daniel Day-Lewis. If you make a film titled Lincoln,then make it about Abraham Lincoln, and don’t try to bring the message across that white people saved the blacks – Especially when you don’t show slavery whatsoever.”
Fernando: “A well-made movie but not one you can get excited for or feel passionate about.”
Dave: “Easily seen as a brilliant film that was made by so many hard workers, but it lacks significantly at captivating its audience. It should be rented to appreciate a job well done.”
Sati: “A must see for people who love historical pictures and strong ensemble casts.”
“Artie and Diane agree to look after their three grand kids when their type-A helicopter parents need to leave town for work. Problems arise when the kids’ 21st-century behavior collides with Artie and Diane’s old-school methods.”
Directed by: Andy Fickman, Rated: PG, 105 minutes
Nick: Rent It
Alex: Rent It
Kristen: Burn It
Chris: Skip It
Ries: Rent It
Joe: Rent It
Daniel: Skip It
Vivek: Skip It
Colin: Skip It
Fernando: Skip It
Dave: Skip It
Sati: Skip It
“Jackie Cogan is an enforcer hired to restore order after three dumb guys rob a Mob protected card game, causing the local criminal economy to collapse.”
Directed by: Andrew Domink, Rated: R, 97 minutes
Nick: Rent It
Alex: Rent It
Kristen: Burn It
Chris: Buy It
Ries: Skip It
Joe: Skip It
Daniel: Buy It
Vivek: Rent It
Colin: Buy It
Fernando: Rent It
Dave: Rent It
Sati: Skip It
Closing Arguments:
Kristen: “We know, recession sucks. We don’t need a two-hour movie that shoves IOUs down your throat!”
Daniel: “I like Dominik’s style a lot, the cast itself, some funny lines here and there, though Gandolfini’s character is incredibly useless, but I like the film’s not-so-subtle exploration of capitalism and the economy itself. It’s interesting. Though, it is a bit loud, but it’s somewhat easy to get past, especially if you simply embrace it. Brad Pitt is also incredibly cool in this, and the film carries well when he’s not on-screen.”
Colin: “While some of the liberal jabs get overbearing, I think this was one hell of a gangster film! Brad Pitt does some of his best work here and I was never bored. The last scene of this film is purely masterful.”
Chasing Mavericks
Killing Them Softly
Bachelorette
The Collection
The Cinematic Katzenjammer 
Still feel like I will like Killing Them Softly despite the bad reviews.Glad to hear that a few of you seemed to really like it.
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I recommend A Royal Affair from “Other releases”. It’s very traditionally shot, as a period drama, but is fantastically acted and directed.
Also, I’d love to be a part of the Jury in the future. 🙂
Ah, I didn’t notice Lincoln in my first go round over this post. Burn it, please. As a hero poem, it’s brilliant, but as a piece of dramatic filmmaking, it’s absolutely atrocious. A bloated, rhythmless, over-directed bore of a film, with a horribly contrived script, completely unbelievable conversations and insultingly patronising towards its story material.