What a week for releases! We don't have a ton of blockbusters this week, but there's certainly plenty of options to pick through. It's all about quantity this week, people!
The top spotlight for the week goes to End of Watch. Training Day scribe David Ayer pulls double-duty as the writer and director for this gritty cop flick. That said, it's not your typical gritty cop flick. Instead, it offers a perp's-eye view of the daily grind for the cops that patrol South Central Los Angeles.
Otherwise, there is a really nice mix for the week, including romance, drama, action, slapstick, and even a little history lesson via the History Channel -- yes, the same people that bring us Pawn Stars!
Did we miss one of your favorites for the week? Have something to say about one of this week's new releases? Sound off in the comments below. Otherwise, all of these titles are out as of January 22, 2013, except where noted. Enjoy!
End of Watch
Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña star as two cops patroling the streets of South Central Los Angeles. It's not an easy job, but it's certainly not boring, with drugs, gangs and bodies as part of the daily routine. Anna Kendrick, America Ferrera, Cody Horn and David Harbour also star in this drama from the writer of Training Day.
The 1.85:1 transfer is not what you'd expect from an action flick released in 2012. Filmmakers used a slew of cameras to deliver a "you are there" vibe. It works, but it's certainly not pretty. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track fares much better, though. As far as the extras are concerned, expect deleted scenes, five super-short featurettes and audio commentary with writer/director David Ayer. The 2-disc set also includes a standard-def DVD, a Digital Copy and the UltraViolet Digital Copy. [Universal]
The Paperboy
Matthew McConaughey and Zac Efron play brothers trying to exonerate a man on death row in this all-star indie drama from Lee Daniels (Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire). The film didn't get a wide release or many accolades, but may be worth checking out for the cast alone. John Cusack is that inmate, with Nicole Kidman getting the most buzz for her role as the seductive woman that's part of his post-prison plans.
Millennium has given this single-disc release a 2.35:1 image and a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track. The extras are on the short side, but there are plenty of them, including "The Making of The Paperboy," behind-the-scenes clips, interviews with cast and crew, as well as something separate on director Lee Daniels. [Millennium]
The Quiet Man
Only director John Ford could get The Duke to hang up his cowboy hat and star in a romantic dramedy. This has John Wayne starring as a boxer trying to escape his past by moving to Ireland, where he finds love with Maureen O'Hara -- but in some ways, that turns out to be more difficult than getting pummeled in the ring. The film snagged two Oscars, including one for Ford and one for cinematography.
The film is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a 1.37:1 image and a DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track. However, for such a monumental birthday, this single-disc release doesn't offer up too many extras; just a 27-minute making-of featurette and a booklet that's packed in with the disc. [Olive Films]
Searching for Sugar Man
A pair of South African super-fans go in search of '70s folk musician Rodriguez. Although rumors about his death have circulated over the years, the two go seeking the truth about what happened to the recording artist, as well as his music. The critically acclaimed film is currently in the running for this year's Best Documentary Oscar.
Sony has given the single-disc release a 1.78:1 image and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. There's also a trio of interesting extras, including a making-of short, the "An Evening with Malik Bendjelloul and Rodriguez" featurette, and a commentary that includes the filmmaker and his subject matter. [Sony Pictures]
Death Race 3: Inferno
Apparently this premise had enough gas in the tank for a 3-film franchise. Luke Goss, Ving Rhames and Danny Trejo return for, well... a paycheck. That has to be the only reason, right? Oh, and now it takes place in South Africa's Kalahari Desert. Makes sense.
If you're a glutton for punishment, know that this is at least a fun ride from an AV standpoint. It's got a sharp 1.78:1 image and a pretty loud (but interesting) DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Also, in case you're itching for more of this movie, there's a director commentary, plenty of deleted scenes, an alternate opening, a making-of short, and a pair of additional featurettes. Also, this 2-disc set does include a standard-def DVD, the Digital Copy and an UltraViolet Digital Copy of the film. [Universal]
For a Good Time, Call...
Lauren (Lauren Anne Miller) and Katie (Ari Graynor) can't seem to stand the sight of each other. Well, until the two decide to join forces as a pair of phone sex operators. They still have those? Apparently so, and such a venture can make even mismatched roommates into besties -- at least in this light comedy, which also stars Seth Rogen, Justin Long, Mimi Rogers, Nia Vardalos, Mark Webber and James Wolk.
This indie flick has a nice 2.35:1 image and a dialogue-heavy DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The extras are sort of slim, with 4 minutes of deleted scenes and another 4 minutes for the making-of featurette. The gem of the lot is the audio commentary, which has director Jamie Travis sitting down with Graynor, Miller and producer Katie Anne Naylon. The 2-disc set also includes a standard-def DVD, a Digital Copy and the UltraViolet Digital Copy.
Nobody Walks
John Krasinski just can't get a break. His transition from The Office to the big screen has not been a smooth one, and this indie drama is just the latest bump in the road. It's got critical darling Lena Dunham and director Ry Russo-Young listed as co-writers and an incredibly talented cast, including Olivia Thirlby, Rosemarie DeWitt, Dylan McDermott and Justin Kirk. However, it just never found an audience or much critical acclaim.
Magnolia is giving this indie a single-disc release with a 1.78:1 image and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The special features are slim, but typical for this type of release, with a making-of featurette, the "AXS TV: A Look at Nobody Walks" short, and the film's theatrical trailer.
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