DVD reviews: 'Short Term 12,' 'Fruitvale Station' and 'Enough Said'
“Short Term 12” (2013, R, 96 min., $29.95). Written and directed by Destin Cretton, “Short Term 12” won't garner the same national attention as Oscar contenders like “American Hustle” or “Wolf of Wall Street,” but it's right there as one of the best of 2013. Young actress Brie Larson gives an exceptional performance as Grace, a troubled young lady who works at a group home, mentoring and looking after at-risk teens. Mason (John Gallagher Jr.), her live-in boyfriend, works at the home, as well. Together, they overcome the problems that present themselves at their jobs, as well as the issues that emerge in their relationship. A hurdle presents itself when a teen girl arrives at the facility. Grace sees a lot of her past in Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever), and it drudges up a lot of bad memories from her upbringing. “Short Term 12” is a remarkable drama that's powered by an emotional screenplay and remarkable acting performances. It's a feel-good film that will sweep viewers off their feet. Extras, available on Blu-ray and standard DVD, are good. Cretton's original short film, which inspired this masterpiece, is on board, along with some enjoyable making-of featurettes. Deleted scenes are also here. 4 Stars
“Fruitvale Station” (2013, R, 85 min., $29.98). Ryan Coogler has a long road ahead. Every movie the young filmmaker makes in the future is inevitably going to be compared to “Fruitvale Station,” his feature-length debut as a writer and director. It's a fantastic drama, providing viewers with the tragic story of Oscar Grant, a young father who was unjustly killed by police on New Year's Day in 2009. Coogler gets an eye-catching performance from Michael B. Jordan as Grant. The performance will make Jordan a star, and his work stands as a fitting tribute to Grant and his family. He's also helped along by Melonie Diaz and Octavia Spencer, who provide solid support. Coogler's feature follows Grant through New Year's Eve day, as he shops for his mother's birthday dinner, hangs out with his daughter and family and does some major soul searching. As 2008 comes to a close, he heads to San Francisco with his girlfriend and some friends. On the train, he runs into some trouble with a face from the past. It's also there that he comes across the police. An extensive making-of featurette is the highlight of the extras on Blu-ray and DVD. A Q&A with the cast and crew is also available. 3.5 Stars.
“Enough Said” (2013, PG-13, 93 min., $29.98). They don't make movies like “Enough Said” anymore. That's a bad thing. Riding the performances of its two leads — the late, great James Gandolfini and Julia Louis-Dreyfus — and a personable script from writer-director Nicole Holofcener, “Enough Said” is an entertaining love story that allows viewers to run the gamut of emotions. Holofcener, with the help of Gandolfini and Louis-Dreyfus, has delivered an entertaining, well-written movie that's worth getting lost in. The film follows Eva (Louis-Dreyfus) and Albert (Gandolfini), two victims of divorce with daughters who are headed for college. They meet at a party, and they begin dating. Eva isn't taken with Albert right away, but eventually she begins to fall for him. A road block emerges when Eva begins unknowingly hanging out with Albert's ex-wife (Catherine Keener). All of the negativity from the ex gets into Eva's brain, and it puts a brake on her feeling for Albert. Will the relationship with Albert be able to survive her new friendship with the ex? A few decent featurettes are available on Blu-ray and standard DVD, but that's about all. Blu-ray packages offer a few additional extras. 3 Stars.
“The Spectacular Now” (2013, R, 100 min., $19.98). Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley star in filmmaker James Ponsoldt's well-received romantic drama about a young charmer who falls head over heels for a classmate. And so begins an unlikely relationship that examines all of those feelings that can be found in and around a young and budding romance.
“20 Feet from Stardom” (2013, PG-13, 91 min., $19.98). They're not the headliners, but backup singers bring lots of talent to their roles. Filmmaker Morgan Neville provides an intimate look at the lives of backup signers in this entertaining documentary. Darlene Love, Merry Clayton and Lisa Fischer are just some of the backup singers featured.
“A.C.O.D. (2013, R, 88 min., $29.99). “A.C.O.D.” (Adult Children of Divorce) is a comedic romp from director Stu Zicherman. Starring Adam Scott, Amy Poehler, Richard Jenkins and Catherine O'Hara, the pic follows a young, well-adjusted man who's forced to bring his divorced parents together to attend his younger brother's wedding.
“Riddick” (2013, R, 119 min., $29.98). Vin Diesel returns to the Riddick role he's played two times before for another adventure that has the anti-hero fighting off deadly aliens on an abandoned planet, while avoiding bounty hunters who want to bring in the most-wanted man in the galaxy.
“A Single Shot” (2013, R, 116 min., $24.98). Sam Rockwell, William H. Macy, Jeffrey Wright and Jason Isaacs star in a tense thriller that finds a hunter accidentally killing a young woman in the woods around his trailer. In an attempt to cover up the accident, the hunter comes across the woman's campsite, which holds a bag of cash that has trouble written all over it.
“Carrie” (2013, R, 100 min., $29.98). Julianne Moore, Chloe Grace Moretz and Judy Greer star in filmmaker Kimberly Peirce's remake of the 1976 horror classic. The film follows a high school outcast named Carrie, who's been pushed aside by her peers and her religious mother. To get her revenge, she'll unleash her powerful telekinetic powers.
“You're Next” (2011, R, 95 min., $19.98). One of the more critically acclaimed horror films to come around over the last few years, director Adam Wingard's shocking picture finds a family in a remote estate trying to survive an attack by a group of mask-wearing assailants carrying crossbows. Ti West, Sharni Vinson and Nicholas Tucci fill the lead roles.
“Four” (2012, R, 75 min., $24.95). Two stories intersect in director Joshua Sanchez's drama set against the backdrop of July 4th. In one story, a middle-aged married black man and a young white man meet up after finding each other online. In the other, the married man's daughter gets to know a Latino basketball player. Wendell Pierce and Aja Naomi King star.
“Our Nixon” (2013, NR, 84 min., $29.95). Three of President Richard Nixon's White House aides documented much of their experiences on home movie cameras, but all of the footage was seized during the Watergate investigation. Director Penny Lane got ahold of the footage, and decided to make a documentary that gives viewers a look at Nixon behind the scenes.
“Rewind This!” (2013, NR, 90 min., $24.98). A lot of folks still have VHS tapes laying around their house, in closets or down in the basement. Filmmaker Josh Johnson's “Rewind This!” traces the story of the VHS tape, and how it revolutionized the idea of watching movies at home, as well as how films were distributed and produced. It's a walk down memory lane.
“The Contradictions of Fair Hope” (2012, NR, 67 min., $24.98). S. Epatha Merkerson makes her feature-length directorial debut with this powerful documentary that takes an in-depth look at the lives of African Americans after they were freed from slavery. It's a little known aspect of American history, and Merkerson touches on all of the important aspects.
“Greedy Lying Bastards” (2012, PG-13, 90 min., $19.98). Climate change is a topic that's been discussed time and time again, and filmmaker Craig Rosebraugh cuts to the chase with this investigative documentary that follows the organizations and people who doubt the reality of climate science and the human involvement in greenhouse gases.
“Run” (2013, NR, 90 min., $19.99). A father and son living on the streets of New York City get by through pulling off robberies. The father, Mike (Adrian Pasdar), makes the plan, and uses the parkour skills of his son, Dan (William Moseley), for the getaway. When Dan decides he wants out, Mike asks for one more job that just might put everything in jeopardy.
“Khumba” (2013, NR, 85 min., $19.99). Featuring the voice work of Steve Buscemi and Liam Neeson, this animated picture from filmmaker Anthony Silverston follows a zebra who has been banished from his herd. Named Khumba, the zebra was born with half of his stripes. To become whole, the zebra goes on a dangerous mission with some unlikely friends.
“Closed Circuit” (2013, R, 96 min., $29.98). A top-notch cast — Eric Bana, Rebecca Hall, Jim Broadbent and Julia Stiles — highlights this thriller that finds two accomplished lawyers working together in a high-profile terrorism case. As they look further into the case, they discover a series of cover-ups and missteps that could jeopardize their lives.
NEW ON BLU-RAY
“In the Heat of the Night” (1967, NR, 110 min., $19.99)
“A Chorus Line” (1985, PG-13, 113 min., $19.99)
“Sunrise” (1927, NR, 94 min., $19.99)
