Now On Home Video: Taking a “Machete” to “Catfish”

This past year was a great one for documentaries, and one of our favorites--and most controversial--of 2010 is now available to the millions of people who missed the boat. But if you're not in the mood for a thoughtful look at how social media is changing the nature of our relationships, maybe you'd rather watch an angry illegal alien out for vengeance.

"Case 39"
Rene Zellweger stars as a social worker who foolishly brings home one of her charges, who was nearly roasted alive by her parents. After the kid starts displaying behavior suggesting that maybe her family was on to something, Zellweger takes the girl to see a shrink, played by Bradley Cooper. This began filming in 2006, was originally slated for a 2008 release and finally came out in 2010--how good would you guess it is? We haven't seen it, be we have an idea. Now available on Blu-ray and DVD, watch the trailer

PICK OF THE WEEK: "Catfish"
A white-knuckle thriller/mystery documentary about an online romance and what happens when the guy goes road-tripping with two buddies to meet the girl. Ignore the controversy over how "real" it is and just watch the damn thing--it's awesome. Unless, of course, you know how it ends, then it's probably not worth your time. Now available on Blu-ray and DVD, read our review and watch the trailer

"Dinner for Schmucks"
Steve Carell and Paul Rudd star in this remake of the French comedy "Le Dîner de Cons" ("The Dinner Game"), in which a social climber brings the biggest buffoon he can find to a monthly dinner hosted by his boss in the hopes of proving himself worthy of a promotion. Better than you think, though not great. Features the best use of taxidermied mice in 2010. Now available on Blu-ray and DVD, read our review and watch the trailer
 
"Howl"
James Franco stars as Beat poet Allen Ginsberg in this recounting of the obscenity trial sparked by his most famous poem. Now available on Blu-ray and DVD, watch the trailer

"Machete"
After dozens of films as a second banana, Danny Trejo takes the title role in this insanely bloody and surprisingly funny grind house homage from writer-director Robert Rodriguez, about a former Mexican federale set up to take the fall for the shooting of a state senator. Now available on Blu-ray and DVD, read our review and watch the trailer

"The Last Exorcism"
A faux documentary about a disillusioned evangelical priest who spends years performing "exorcisms." In an effort to debunk his own church, he brings along a film crew to his "Last Exorcism," but this one is different--IT'S REAL!!! Now available on Blu-ray and DVD, watch the trailer

"The Yellow Handkerchief"
William Hurt is an ex-con who catches a ride with a pair of teens, Kristen Strewed and Eddie Redmayne, in an effort to be reunited with his wife, played by Maria Bello, who lives across post-Katrina Louisiana. Based on a short story by New York City legend Pete Hamill. Now available on Blu-ray and DVD, watch the trailer

"El Mariachi"/"Desperado" (Two-Pack) and "Once Upon a Time in Mexico"
It's a banner day for Robert Rodriguez fans who also happen to be shut-ins. In addition to "Machete," they're releasing the writer-director's "Mariachi" trilogy. The first two helped make stars of Selma Hayek and Antonio Banderas, the third starred Johnny Depp as an eyeless gunslinger. Now available on Blu-ray and DVD

"Blade Runner: The Final Cut"
This movie, inspired by Philip K. Dick's "Do Android Dream of Electric Sheep," stars Harrison Ford--back when he was still awesome-as a cop in the future who must hunt down a band of "replicants" trying to pass as humans. This movie has been released in more versions than any sane man cares to count, but it's a great film regardless, and among the most influential of its day. Now available on Blu-ray, watch the trailer

"L.A. Confidential"
Were it not for the final few minutes, this would be regarded as a pantheon-level neo-noir classic. Instead, it's just a really good movie with a garbage ending. Features Russell Crowe at his best and a great turn by Guy Pearce. Now available on Blu-ray, watch the trailer
 

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