DVD or Blu-ray? Redbox or Netflix? Streaming? Whatever your poison, here's the breakdown on all the week's new releases, from Joseph Gordon-Levitt's acclaimed cancer comedy to punching robots and totally 80s ghosts.
Moviefone's Pick of the Week
"50/50"
What's It About? Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as a young man stricken with a bout of rare cancer; the film chronicles his attempted path to recovery and the complex emotional relationships he has with friends, family and lovers.
See It Because: "50/50" is a real look at the physical and emotional struggle of fighting cancer; based on writer Will Reiser's own experiences with the disease, the movie is able to articulate the frustration, anger and fear that can come from the ordeal, without turning it into a corny melodrama that doesn't sound like the real conversations people have. Plus, it's not afraid to laugh at the situation, and it does a damn good job at being funny.
Also Available on Redbox DVD and Blu-ray | Amazon Instant Video
Also New on DVD and Blu-Ray
"Real Steel"
Giant robots box. Hugh Jackman is there. This kind of movie was designed for big screen spectacle; if you didn't see it in theaters, why bother?
See It or Skip It: Skip it.
Also Available on Redbox DVD and Blu-ray | Amazon Instant Video
"Paranormal Activity 3"
More of the same in terms of hokey plot, but making this a VHS-infused, children-starring prequel, gives it enough creative juice to feel fresh.
See It or Skip It: See it.
Also Available on Redbox DVD and Blu-ray | Amazon Instant Video
"Restless"
Young moody hipster falls in love with beautiful ingenue (Mia Wasikowska) dying of a tumor; director Gus Van Sant makes a beautiful-looking movie, but it's ultimately too precious to be interesting.
See It or Skip It: Skip it.
Also Available On Redbox | Amazon Instant Video
"The Whistleblower"
Rachel Weisz stars as an America police officer takes a job as UN peace keeper in post-war Bosnia; while there she uncovers a sex trafficking conspiracy that goes all the way to the top. Gritty cinematography and pedigreed actors, but nothing you haven't seen in an all-day bender of 'Law and Order: SVU."
See It or Skip It: Skip it.
Also Available on Amazon Instant Video
"Another Happy Day"
A dysfunctional family reunites for the wedding of the oldest son and lots of dark laughs and emotional confrontations(!) ensue; Ellen Barkin leads an all-star cast of competent performances.
See It or Skip It: See it, if you have nothing better to do.
"The Woman"
A nice, upstanding patriarch with a picturesque family discovers and captures a feral woman living in the woods; his attempt to "correct" her for a fitting place in society turns into an over-the-top psycho-sexual battle of gender politics. Director Lucky McKee is one of the few voices in horror cinema that attempts to innovate in the genre; even when he's rough around the edges, he's worth checking out.
See It or Skip It: See it, if you're a horror movie fan, who is up for anything.
New DVD Releases From Redbox
"Final Destination 5" DVD and Blu-ray
"Flypaper"
"In the Name of the King 2: Two Worlds"
New on Blu-ray
"Annie Hall"
"The Apartment"
"The Doors: Mr. Mojo Risin - The Story of LA Woman"
"Gojira" / "Godzilla" - The Criterion Collection
"Manhattan"
"Memphis! The Original Broadway Production"
"The Moment of Truth" - The Criterion Collection
"Stripes"
"U2: From the Sky Down"
"Wings"
Richard Pryor Collection:
"See No Evil, Hear No Evil"
"Stir Crazy"
"The Toy"
Hitchcock Collection:
"Notorious"
"Rebecca"
"Spellbound"
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