Maybe you’re looking to save a few bucks or the current theater choices just aren’t cutting it. Whatever the case may be, sometimes it’s just as nice to sit at home and watch a good flick. Take a look at this week’s picks for some At-Home Alternatives to the weekly cinema options.
Instead of Dark Skies: Signs
Dark Skies tells the story of a couple who tries to save their family from an alien presence targeting their children. Signs is a similar film in that an unknown force is at work and a father is forced to get to the root of the mystery and protect his family. Signs is a M. Night Shamalan film so you know there will be some interesting plot twists but on the whole, it is less scary than Dark Skies. That being said, if unkown alien forces preying on children are your thing and you haven’t seen Signs, check it out.
Instead of Snitch: Half Past Dead
Both of these films feature a man going undercover to avenge a loved one. Steven Seagal and The Rock are probably on pretty similar action-heavy acting levels, so this should be a good trade off. Seagal is an FBI agent who is trying to build a case against the man who kills his wife. After being shot, he goes into deep undercover as a prisoner at the newly re-opened Alcatraz. The film centers more on the crimes of a death row inmate than Seagal’s quest for vengeance but it’s a good action flick overall.
The Master (2012)
This film stars Joaquin Pheonix, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams. Phoenix plays the part of a World War II veteran with a little PTSD who is struggling to find his way. Hoffman leads a philosophical movement and takes Phoenix under his wing to spread his message along the east coast. The film was plagued by production difficulties and the Blu-Ray release should have some special features. Purportedly it will have a 20-minute montage of deleted scenes as well as a 1946 documentary that was very influential in the writing of the film. The film currently as an 86% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is worth checking out.
Memorial Day (2011)
This is an interesting film. Not something I would actually classify as a war film, this is more of a drama with some deep emotional elements. The battle scenes are all performed by real WWII reenactor which give the battle scenes a sense of depth and realism you miss in a lot of big budget films.
Memorial Day Netflix Synopsis: When 13-year-old Kyle finds his grandfather’s World War II-era Army footlocker, the old vet agrees to tell the lad the combat history behind some of the objects in the trunk. The tales he tells foreshadows Kyle’s own combat experiences years later.
What do you plan on watching this week, at home or otherwise? What do you think of my choices?