June 29, 2009
So what’s going on this weekend? Hitting the town hard? Meeting some ladies? Having a gentle walk in the park? Good luck. If you manage to avoid getting stabbed before you’ve even reached the end of your street, there are all sorts of other hazards lurking in that terrifying urban jungle. So stay in. Get one of those massive bottles of Strongbow, a big bag of crisps and maybe even a girlfriend. And then watch two of these three:
The Big One: Che: Part One & Two
Stars: Benicio del Toro, Franka Potente, Catalina Sandino Moreno
The film: Steven Sodebergh's marathon biopic of Ernesto 'him on the T-shirt' Guevara, the ballsy Argentine whose revolutionary ways made him a bit of a hero back in the '50s and '60s. The two films have been released together, with Part One chronicling the Cuban revolution and Part Two his ill-fated efforts in Bolivia. You'll need a whole afternoon for the double.
Extras: Exclusive interviews and behind-the scenes featurettes, but none of the bolt-on documentaries you might expect.
The Weird One: Revolutionary Road
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet
The film: Not a weird film (it's rather good), but a weird choice, especially if you're going to be anywhere near your girlfriend when you watch this. The plot, essentially an argument between a married couple that lasts, on and off, for thirty years, is traumatic. Brilliantly acted, and directed by American Beauty man Sam Mendes, but ultimately about as much fun as an eye gouge.
Extras: Deleted scenes and a commentary track.
The Shit One: Balls of Glory
Stars: Tara Reid, Ross Patterson, Vinnie Jones
The film: We haven't seen this, so labelling it as 'shit' might well be considered presumptuous. But here are some facts: 1) It's straight-to-DVD. 2) It'll cost just £4.99. 3) Vinnie Jones and Tara Reid are the big names, and it's about a pair of aspiring actors who team up with their glamorous friend Lindsey to take the bowling world by storm.
Extras: What? Seriously?