New on DVD: Cloverfield, Charlie Wilson’s War and One Missed Call

by John P. Meyer

My favorite city-stomping monster pic of 2008 (so far) releases this week (April 22) on DVD. Cloverfield attracted the scorn of many for its dizzifying use of hand-held cameras, ostensibly to give the viewer the sense that he/she was embedded in the action (but also perhaps to keep production costs down). The film grossed $80 million in theaters - no small feat for a no-star Godzilla-esque whose primary buzz driver was a cryptic movie trailer (so cryptic it didn't even tell us the title of the film), followed by a bunch of (eventually annoying) internet shenanigans. My only gripe with the movie: that "ready for my close-up, Mr. Demille" of the monster towards the end, which served to de-mystify it and messed around with my sense of its size. Could have done without it.

Alex found Charlie Wilson's War to be food for political/historical thought clothed in an entertaining and sharp-witted package. It doesn't hurt to have scripter Aaron Sorkin on board, along with talented actors such as Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

One Missed Call touts a cellular phone service so capable that it includes glimpses into the circumstances of one's imminent demise. Yes, it's another English language retelling of a Japanese shocker a la The Ring, and it's reminiscent (derivative?) of Final Destination, but if you're into those sorts of... (RIIIING... RIIIING).

[Excuse me, I'd better answer this one.]

In the realm of indie fare, two outstanding films will now have a chance to connect with the mainstream audiences they deserve: both The Orphanage and Starting Out in the Evening were excellent films - the first a leap-from-your-seat creepshow and the second a marvelously touching story of the human condition, told through the eyes of an aging college professor who hooks up - sort of - with a sexy young grad student. Amazing performances from Lauren Ambrose and - especially - Frank Langella, who succeeds in eliciting both our pity and our respect.