Sept. DVD Releases
Posted on August 30, 2014 by bob in DVD
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (PG-13)
Chris Evans returns as one of Marvel Comics’ early heroes – a WW II soldier imbued with great powers via scientific tinkering – to fend off yet another threat to the world we live in, including the superhero and pals agency S.H.I.E.L.D., which one can also follow on prime-time TV. But the movie gives us Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson and even Robert – freakin’ – Redford!!! Game, set and match to the big screen branch of the biz for that coup.
The story is pretty cogent, and more intricate than most such vehicles. The characters and their dire straits are sufficiently engrossing for all tastes. The epic scope of the slam-bang action sequences should satisfy both the adrenalin junkies and CG techies in the house, even with a running time over two hours. It accomplishes the rare feat for sequels of turning out better than the first.
As always, creator Stan Lee’s cameo is a fine perk. Keep watching through the closing credits for a couple of scenes that add to the fun, and presage the next inevitable chapter in the franchise that’s definitely on a fine roll.
Draft Day (PG-13)
Here’s a fictionalized pro football counterpart to 2011’s terrific insider baseball drama, Moneyball. Though it’s not as good, gridiron fans who obsess over their fantasy leagues, and live or die with their favorite teams’ picks in the annual re-stocking pageant from the collegiate ranks should be pretty satisfied with this depiction of a Cleveland Browns general manager (Kevin Costner) struggling through one very long day, deciding what to do with the #1 overall pick he’s just acquired, in the face of an almost comical array of pressures and problems. Those begin with an owner (Frank Langella), new coach (Denis Leary) and fan base demanding he knock one out of the park – presumably by taking a quarterback who is the consensus choice for anchoring any franchise’s future. At the other end, he’s just learned that his girlfriend (Jennifer Garner), who is also the team’s money maven, is pregnant.
The day’s events spin out of control, both professionally and personally, building to the evening’s nationally-televised spectacle of teams announcing their choices. The QB is supposedly golden, but Kevin has vague misgivings, and other scenarios rattling around in his noggin. Although some of the
distractions and hysterics around him border on the absurd, when crunch time comes, all the mayhem is justified by a terrific climactic sequence. Sports movies invariably build to the big game. This one does the same, even with all the “players” in suits, and no pigskins being tossed or carried. Most afficionados tend to compare the yearly draft field to a chessboard. This movie shows us the underlying high-stakes poker game, as well.
Words and Pictures (PG-13)
Just as a Superman needs a Lex Luthor to motivate his peak performance, this intelligent dramedy shows how dissipated English teacher Clive Owen needs the arrival of a dispirited art instructor (Juliette Binoche) to revive his former talents for writing and inspiring his teenaged charges at a private academy for privileged progeny. The yin and yang of their seemingly silly debate over the superior firepower of words vs. pictures similarly kindles renewed creative energy for Binoche’s character.
The latter is mostly struggling to overcome debilitating rheumatoid arthritis that has stalled her promising career as a painter. Owen’s muse went silent years before, leaving him boozy, surly and barely able to show up for his classes. He’s on the verge of being canned when the wit and charm of Binoche’s banter start reminding him of the joy he used to feel from his work and subject. The sparks that fly are more intellectual than sexual, yet effective in bringing out each other’s best, and infecting their classes with the desire to excel in both art forms.
Both stars seem constitutionally incapable of either landing in a bad movie, or allowing a potential dud to wind up as one. Their performances are, as ever, top of the line, individually and as sparring partners who help each other purge their respective devils. Eventually. The script features some witty and insightful dialog, but drags in one significant respect. Owen’s slide to the bottom is too long and irritating, costing a chunk of the empathy viewers need to keep rooting for his character’s redemption.
Even so, there’s an undeniably refreshing quality about a tale based on a clash between attractive peers that doesn’t depend on their youth or the will-they/won’t-they part of the plot for its success. Grown-ups welcome.
Mark Glass is an officer and director of the St. Louis Film Critics Association.
