DVD reviews: 'Dark Skies' and 'The Numbers Station'
“Dark Skies” (2013, PG-13, 97 min., $29.98). Combining elements of the horror and science fiction genres, “Dark Skies” is a slow-paced thriller with some good frights. More importantly, the film brilliantly covers the breakdown of a family going through a supernatural series of events, and that's where Scott Charles Stewart — the writer and director — gets the most mileage. “Dark Skies” follows your typical suburban family, a husband and wife with two young boys living the quiet life. The family has some added stress, as the husband Daniel (Josh Hamilton) is struggling to find work, and the wife Laci (Keri Russell) is trying to manage the house and a real estate job. When unexplained events take place in the house, Daniel and Laci start to worry. Things get worse when those events threaten their two sons (Dakota Goyo and Kadan Rockett). Daniel and Laci begin to investigate these events, and realize they are not alone in their situation. Unfortunately, there's nothing they can do to stop it. While “Dark Skies” is a bit slow, the family dynamic and the mash up of the genres make for an interesting picture. Stewart also gets good performances from Russell, Hamilton and the youngsters. Special features for standard DVD and Blu-ray are the same, and there's not much to enjoy. The film commentary is OK, and there are some deleted scenes, but that's about all. 2.5 Stars.
“The Numbers Station” (2013, R, 89 min., $27.97). A top-notch cast — John Cusack, Malin Ackerman and Hannah Murray star — takes its place for this spy thriller about a veteran CIA black ops agent responsible for guarding a CIA code breaker. When their location is compromised by a team of assailants, the agent jumps into action to save the day.
“Lore” (2012, NR, 109 min., $29.95). Cate Shortland wrote and directed this powerful drama about a young German woman trying to make her way at the end of World War II. Her Nazi parents have been imprisoned, and it's up to her to take responsibility for five siblings. The talented Saski Rosendahl, a relative newcomer, handles the lead role.
“Dorfman in Love” (2011, R, 92 min., $24.99). A young woman with no man of her own looks for love in this romantic comedy from filmmaker Brad Leong. Deb (Sara Rue) has spent most of her life taking care of the men around her, but when she gets the chance to turn that around, she jumps into it. Elliott Gould also stars.
“Neighboring Sounds” (2012, NR, 131 min., $29.95). One of the more highly acclaimed pictures of 2012, “Neighboring Sounds” takes place in a nice Brazilian neighborhood where a recent spate of burglaries has caused unease for the residents. When a security firm is brought in to cure the problem, the people don't exactly react well to it.
“The ABCs of Death” (2012, NR, 123 min., $26.98). For this groundbreaking horror film, 26 filmmakers — including names like Nacho Vigalondo, Adam Wingard, Ti West, Ben Wheatly and Simon Barrett — were rounded up to give the viewer 26 different ways to die. In this bloody anthology, the deaths correspond with the letters of the alphabet.
“This Girl is Badass” (2011, R, 99 min., $29.98). Brutal action is the centerpiece of this hard-hitting picture from filmmaker Petchtai Wongkamlao about a woman named Jeeja who's hired by competing mob bosses to smuggle illegal goods as a bike messenger. When she's given an ultimatum to pick sides, Jeeja's story becomes increasingly violent.
TV ON DVD
“Red Widow: The Complete First Season” (Radha Mitchell and Clifton Collins Jr., two discs, eight episodes, $29.99)
“Suits: Season Two” (Gabriel Macht and Patrick J. Adams, four discs, 16 episodes, $44.98)
“The Ultimate Guide to the Presidents” (History series, three discs, eight episodes, $24.98)
MISC. RELEASES
“Sommore: Chandelier Status” (standup comedy from Miami, 2013, NR, 76 min., $14.98)
