This Week: The secret agent thrills of Kingsman, time-travelling teens in Project Almanac, and a Pam Grier party on blu-ray. Update: The Originals, Season 2 will not be released until September 1st.
► If it wasn't for the return of Mad Max, we'd likely be calling KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE the best action movie of the year. It's certainly the most surprising – based on a Mark Millar comic about a troubled British teen (Taron Egerton) recruited by a family friend (Colin Firth) into a group of elite secret agents. The Bond influence is obvious, but this is a straight-up riff on classic spy movies which ends up joining their hallowed ranks. Samuel L. Jackson and Mark Strong add to the fun. Director Matthew Vaughn tones down some of Millar's raunchiness while adding some gonzo action scenes – these two were made for each other (see also: 'Kick-Ass').
► Is it pro-acceptance? Pro-makeover? Hard to say what THE DUFF is, exactly, but it’ll pass the time in a less-filling ‘Mean Girls’ kind of way. When she learns that her school refers to her as a Duff – Designated Ugly Fat Friend – a high school senior (Mae Whitman) recruits the popular jock (Robbie Amell) and favourite teacher (Ken Jeong) to become someone different. Preachy and predictable by the end, but Whitman is a joy as always.
► After he discovers a childhood video with the modern-day version of himself in the background, a tech-savvy high school student in PROJECT ALMANAC realizes the belongings of his deceased father in the attic are a blueprint to a time machine. Of course, he and some friends tinker with it, and of course they screw stuff up. Fun enough, but doesn’t push its premise much. Jonny Westin and Sofia Black D’Elia star.
► Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence reunite again for SERENA, though this one didn't get the love 'American Hustle' and 'Silver Linings Playbook' did. Cooper plays the owner of a timber empire whose plans for a long legacy are derailed when he learns his wife (Lawrence) cannot bear children. She also becomes privy to his shady business dealings. A huge flop, but on the bright side it got compared to ‘The Great Gatsby.’ Not so good? The comparisons to ‘Heaven's Gate.’p>
► Got a thing for Pam Grier? Oh, is today ever your day. Three of her streetwise ‘70s classics come to blu-ray, including the nasty tag team of COFFEY and FOXY BROWN. They’re essentially the same flick – Grier seeks revenge against drug dealers – and they defined the blaxsploitation era with their pulpy exuberance (“She’s brown sugar and spice…but if you don’t treat her nice…she’ll put you on ice!”). Also released is FRIDAY FOSTER, one of her last films of the era in which she plays a photographer pegged for death after witnessing an assassination attempt. It co-stars Carl Weathers and Yaphet Kotto.
► UPDATE: This title will not release until September 1st. Season 2 of the ‘Vampire Diaries’ spin-off THE ORIGINALS finds the werewolves running New Orleans while the siblings deal with more family drama, vampire/werewolf hostilities, and of course witches. Ratings dropped from the first season, but were good enough to earn a Season 3.
► Based on a William Brinkley book, TNT’s THE LAST SHIP follows the crew of a U.S. Navy destroyer which has been unaffected by a virus that wiped out 80% of the world’s population. With governments collapsing, they ignore orders to return home and decide to stay adrift on the ocean until they can develop a vaccine. Season 2 starts June 21.
► In THE SQUEEZE, a hot shot high school golfer (Jeremy Sumpter) is discovered by hustler Shooter McGavin…er, Christopher McDonald, who uses him as a ringer. They end up in Vegas, where the biggest sting in golf history awaits. The golf footage is bang-on thanks to director Terry Jastow, who won seven Emmys for his golf coverage on TV.
Also out this week:
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SO WHAT DVD/BLU-RAYS ARE YOU GUYS STOKED ABOUT THIS WEEK?!