A look at what’s weird in theaters, on hot-off-the-presses DVDs, and on more distant horizons…
Trailers of new release movies are generally available on the official site links.
There is nothing even remotely of weird interest in theaters this week; apparently theatrical distributors knew that, with the DVD release of Birdemic, weirdos would be staying in this weekend…
NEW ON DVD:
Alien vs. Ninja (2010): The latest in Japanese splatterpunk is sure to feature the usual craziness and gore, plus (this time out) aliens and ninjas. Word on the street is that this one has even less plot than usual. Buy Alien Vs Ninja
Birdemic: Shock and Terror (2008): Read our capsule review. The long wait is over: the so-bad-its-good “romantic thriller” of the decade finally hits digital video! You’ll probably want a hi-def TV to see all the nuances in the .gif-animated attack birds. Get it now, don’t wait for the Blu-ray! Buy Birdemic: Shock and Terror
Carmo, Hit the Road! (2008): Another movie that looks more quirky/offbeat than weird, this is a Brazilian road movie about a woman who sees a wheelchair-bound smuggler as her ticket out of a dead-end border town. What caught our eye is the Variety quote proudly displayed on the DVD cover: “A screwball road movie inspired by the wildest stylings of Leone, Fellini and Tarantino!” If it really lives up to that quote, then we could have a weird one here. Buy Carmo, Hit the Road
The Last Unicorn (1982): While perhaps not weird, this Rankin Bass animated fantasy about (you guessed it) a unicorn has some interesting qualities, including dream sequences and controversy in the form of intensely frightening scenes and bare-breasted harpies (in a children’s film, oh no!) Voiced by Mia Farrow, Angela Lansbury and Jeff Bridges, from the novel by Peter S. Beagle. The previous DVD version was widely ripped for being a full-frame, poor quality transfer; this edition is presumably an improvement. Only available in Blu-ray/DVD combo pack. Buy The Last Unicorn (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)
Psych: 9 (2010): Psychological thriller involving a serial killer and a woman who gets a job at a recently closed hospital (not sure why a closed hospital needs night-shift employees, but that’s what the plot summary says). From the “Ghost House Underground” series. Buy Psych: 9
Two in the Wave (2010): Not weird, but this documentary about French new wave icons Francois Truffaut and the sometimes weird Jean-Luc Goddard (Alphaville, Weekend) may be of interest to some. Buy Two in the Wave
NEW ON BLU-RAY:
The Last Unicorn (1982): See entry in DVD above. Buy The Last Unicorn (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)
Memento (2000): Review capsule our read. Not really weird in itself, but the disorientation created by Christopher Nolan‘s brilliantly executed story gimmick earns this one a 366 honorable mention. This “10th anniversary” edition upgrade adds a documentary special feature and a Nolan commentary track. Buy Memento [Blu-ray]
What are you looking forward to? If you have any weird movie leads that I have overlooked, feel free to leave them in the COMMENTS section.