New at BOP: Review: Matrix Resurrections Movie Review: Moonfall Movie Reviews: Scream The #1 Movie in America November Forecast The Many Saints of Newark October Forecast New Trivia Question All site updates Share & Save   Tweet Print this column

No, the show isn’t without its share of missteps. The fractured storyline that ties Neal to his missing girlfriend is absolutely painful at points when she’ll arbitrarily call him and say, “Hey, I just called to say I can’t talk. Yes, now that I’m saying it out loud, I realize how useless that is but here I am anyway. Have a nice week. I’ll call again at the end of next week’s show to once again tell you I can’t talk.” It’s a small gripe in an otherwise solid show, though, and now that you’ve been warned about it, you can at least enjoy the illogic of it. White Collar’s mythology is never going to make BOP’s Martin Felipe want to write a column about it, but the show succeeds in large part due to great casting.

Yes, White Collar is formulaic, but it’s a tried and true formula that always works when done right. This particular odd couple may not be as good as Felix and Oscar, but let’s be honest that a good portion of people reading this will have to google to determine who or what Felix and Oscar are. (Hint: it’s not the first result, pet food, so don’t feel lucky when you do the search.) Awkward partners Neal and Peter make for good television and if you’re like me, all shows and movies about honorable thieves are welcome. (David Mumpower/BOP)

Disc includes: N/A

For people who want to see Ralph Fiennes play a villain other than the one Who Must Not Be Named: In Bruges [Blu-ray]

One of the most overlooked movies of 2008 is In Bruges, co-starring Colin Farrell, Ralph Fiennes and the fantastic Brendan Gleeson. In it, Farrell and Gleeson play Irish hit men who are ordered by their boss (Fiennes) to lie low in the medieval Belgium city after a botched job in London. While Gleeson’s character takes in the sights, Farrell grows bored of his new home until acquainting himself with a small-time drug dealer. The game changes, however, when Fiennes gives Gleeson a dangerous order.

Frankly, I’m not much a fan of pretty boy Farrell, but his work in the Focus Features comedy is outstanding. Both he and Gleeson were up for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes, and Farrell came away with it. Had Farrell not won, I would have preferred it go to Gleeson. The dude is perfectly cast as Farrell’s quirky, senior colleague.

In Bruges is, in a word, hysterical. With shows like The Office, Extras and a recent theatrical favorite of mine, In the Loop, the Brits prove they know how to make the funny. (If, of course, you can work your way around the thick accents).

Disc includes: Deleted and extended scenes, gag reel, A Boat Trip Around Bruges featurette

For people who like the originality in using a guy’s last name as the title of a movie: Greenberg

Ben Stiller returned to his bread and butter for the first time in awhile in Greenberg, a small film from Focus Features that ended with just a smidge over $4 million in domestic receipts. And by “bread and butter,” you know what I’m sayin’: That typical, Meet the Parents-esque character we’ve seen (and loved) so many times. In a way, one could argue his performances are as predictable as Michael Cera’s.

Greenberg wasn’t a movie I would’ve paid for in theaters – so, I didn’t – yet it’s one that interests me on the home media market for plenty of reasons. For starters, it’s Noah Baumbach. Second, Stiller’s love interest is the wonderful Greta Gerwig, who got her start in small indies like Baghead and Hannah Takes the Stairs and – I predict – has a lucrative future ahead of her. And finally, James Murphy (of LCD Soundsystem) arranged Greenberg’s soundtrack. His new album, This is Happening, is legit. Check that one out when you get the chance, too.

Disc includes: Behind the Scenes featurette, Greenberg Loves Los Angeles featurette, Noah Baumbach Takes a Novel Approach featurette

July 13, 2010

Blu-ray
Alpha Dog
Aquarium Impressions
Assault on Precinct 13
The Bounty Hunter
The Cartel
Caught in the Crossfire
Chloe
Fireplace Impressions
Gabriel Iglesias: Hot & Fluffy
The Greatest
Greenberg
How to Make Love to a Woman
In Bruges
Insomnia
Middle of Nowhere
Neil Young Archives Vol. 1
Our Family Wedding
Parasomnia
Shark Week: Jaws of Steele
White Collar: The Complete First Season

DVD
Alaska State Troopers: Season 1
Alpha Dog
Assault on Precinct 13
The Bounty Hunter
Caught in the Crossfire
Chloe
FIFA World Cup Collection (Set)
The Greatest
Greenberg
How to Make Love to a Woman
In Bruges
The Lucy Show: Seasons 1-2 (Set)
The Lucy Show: The Official Second Season
Middle of Nowhere
Mystery Science Theater 3000 XVIII
Only Son / There was a Father (Criterion Collection)
Our Family Wedding
Parasomnia
Petticoat Junction
Petticoat Junction: Volume 2
Psych: The Complete Fourth Season
Saving Grace: The Final Season
Sesame Street: 20 Years & Still Counting
Shark Week: Jaws of Steele
SNL: Best of Tracy Morgan
SNL: Best Of Will Ferrell
White Collar: The Complete First Season

Continued:       1       2