Punch Drunk DVDS: 2/9/10

Emma
Jane Austen's story about an ill-advised matchmaking attempt has been remade so many times it should be put on some sort of restricted list. Two versions came out in 1996 alone, one starring Gwyneth Paltrow, the other with Kate Beckinsale. My favorite remains 1995's Clueless. That's right. Clueless is based on Emma, and it's one of my favorites.








The Time Traveler's Wife
So the sci-fi elements don't exactly jibe with all the touchy feely romantic stuff, but there's a real sizzle between Bana and McAdams that drew me into the story, based on a novel by Audrey Niffenegger.










Couples Retreat
Look at that cast. Favreau, Vaughn, Bateman...Couples Retreat should've been a raunchy, adult comedic gem. Instead it's a toothless, meandering bore with jokes that seem ripped straight from 1993. Only for the most diehard of Vaughn/Favreau fans.










A Serious Man
Perhaps the Coen Brothers most perplexing film, A Serious Man is arguably their most stylistically unique. A film heavily steeped in Jewish culture and tradition, Michael Stulbarg stars as a well-meaning father and husband experiencing the worst week ever. Everything that can go wrong, does go wrong. A true departure for the Coens.










The Stepfather
Do yourself a favor and avoid this slice of 80's cheese remade into an unrecognizable, bland PG-13 horror. Just go see the 1987 original. Save yourself the trouble.











Dangerous Man
It's Steven Seagal. It's straight to DVD. I'm assuming he's out to get revenge or protect somebody or something. The most interesting thing about Seagal movies at this point is the natural disaster that is his hairline, and the fluctuations in his gut size.










I Hate Valentine's Day
Nia Vardalos and John Corbett haven't been seen together since her 2002 hit, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Lightning apparently does not strike twice, as this awful comedy flew out of theaters so fast it left a vapor trail.











Serious Moonlight
Cheryl Hines'(Curb Your Enthusiasm) directorial debut is  based off a script by her Waittress co-star, Adrienne Shelley, who was murdered back in 2006 before filming could begin. The film itself has received mixed reviews, but I loved Shelley's writing in Waittress, so this one deserves a shot as well.