Black Dog Newsletter for Week Ending March 19th

Well it’s been an onslaught of relatively bad news coming down the proverbial pike this past little while (and that doesn’t include sitting in a cat-piss soaked blanket first thing this morning and blowing out my ankle playing hockey the other night). Looks like the Ridge Theatre is slated for demolition. So sad, as it was a fine theatre that had been around since the 50’s. I hadn’t been in a while since they strayed away from some of their more eclectic programming but I liked that it was always there. That, in addition to the closing of my favorite sushi restaurant, Aki, and the problems the Rio is experiencing, has made for a no-so-great start for Vancouver this year. At least this week is an excellent week for DVD releases. That’s something, right?

Oh and don’t forget that the DVD sale continues at both stores this week. I’m hoping to add more to the coffers at both locations later this week so keep your eyeballs peeled.

Kids are out of school for a couple of weeks. You know what that means…drop by, grab a few flicks for the kids and a bottle of schnapps for yourself.

New Releases for Tuesday March 13th

Absentia – Half-decent looking horror number about a woman who’s husband mysteriously disappeared seven years ago, so her and her sister think it might have something to do with a weird tunnel behind their house. Well duh. It took them seven years to check out the weird tunnel in their backyard? Only in horror films…

Adventures of Tintin – Senior Spelbiergo’s animated treatment of the beloved cartoon guy. Never read any Tintin so I can’t say much about it. Well, that and I haven’t seen the flick. Heard it’s pretty good though. Also on the Blu Ray.

Bag of Bones – Latest Stephen King adaptation (I think that’s about the 308th adaptation of a Stephen King work) finds a writer (dreamy Pierce Brosnan) returning to his Maine (has King every travelled outside of Maine?) cabin by the lake following his wife’s sudden death. Ghosts and nightmares and weird fridge magnets ensue. Typical King stuff.

The Descendants – The Clooney is living in Hawaii (oh poor George) and has to deal with his daughters after his wife is injured in a boating accident. Doesn’t sound like much but it’s from the Alexander Payne (Election, Sideways) and was nominated for a pile of Oscars. I’m hoping for good things. Also on the Blu Ray.

Dish and the Spoon – Nice little indy number finds Greta Gerwig, reeling from an affair her husband had, hatching a plan of revenge with the aide of weird teenager. Weird teenager? What?!

Happy Feet Two – Freaking more dancing penguins. Ask ask you, why? Strangely it’s from the same director who made the Road Warrior! Also on the Blu Ray for some reason.

The Killing – American miniseries based on the (probably) far superior Danish miniseries of the same name. Seems like it’s a crime thing as investigators try to solve a murder. A murder most foul!

Melancholia – Nazi aficionado (hah!) Lars Von Trier brings us the end of the world as he know it. Cool. Worth the price of admission alone for the striking images at the beginning and the end of the film. Everything in between is pretty good although I grew a tad weary of Kirsten Dunst’s moping around. Charlotte Gainsbourg rocks in this flick. Well worth a look as it was one of last year’s most interesting and better films. Also on the Blu Ray of course.

My Week with Marilyn – Solid drama the checks in on one Marilyn Monroe as she hangs and acts with one Lawrence Olivier as they make The Prince and the Showgirl. Acting is the prize of the day here as Michelle Williams throws down a fine Marilyn and Kenneth Branagh plays a great Sir Larry. Also on the Blu Ray.

Scooby-Doo: Music of the Vampire – Ruh-roh! Something’s afoot for the Mystery Machine gang. Nothing a few Scooby snacks won’t cure I’m sure.

Shades of Ray – Comedy drama finds an American guy who finds his Pakistani dad at this place after being turfed by his wife. Can you say culture clash? Drama and comedic hijinks, I presume, ensue.

Stuck Between Stations – Yes it is indeed based upon that fine Hold Steady song. Former high school classmates reunite by chance during a chaotic party-filled evening. “If it’s going to be that kind of party, then I’m going to stick my dick in the mashed potatoes!”

@suicideroom – A dude spirals into the dark nether regions of the internet after an embarrassing moment at a party or something like that. Supposed to be a pretty good “cautionary tale” of a life online. The internet’s going to kill us all!

The Swell Season – Music doc that follows the kids from the film Once as they tour around with their band, fall in love, out of love, deal with fame, life on the road, bad food and everything in between.

Three Musketeers – Because the other 34 adaptations of this story weren’t good enough. I haven’t seen it but I can’t stop saying the lead’s name – Logan Lerman. Say it. It’s fun. Logan Lerman. Hee-hee.

Thorne: Scaredy Cat – The second adaptation of the mystery crime fighting guy. Supposed to be quite good.

Young Adult – Very good comedy/drama finds Charlize Theron as a more-than-somewhat unhinged writer who goes back to her hometown to woo back her high school flame. Problem is, he has a nice wife and a fresh baby. Many uncomfortable conversations and situations and whatnot ensue. Patton Oswalt kills it as a broken man who she barely remembers from back in the day. One of the better flicks I’ve seen this year. Check it out. Also on da Blu Ray.

Old Stuff Just In…

Rubin and Ed (Yay!) “I am king of the echo people!” “My cat can eat a whole watermelon.”

Coming Next Week

Carnage
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Proie
The Muppets
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
The Sitter
Hop

Recently Viewed and Recommended

Young Adult
Melancholia
Game of Thrones – S1
Nurse Jackie – S3
Shameless – S1
The Descendants
My Week with Marilyn
Senna
Drive
Our Day will Come
50/50

Here’s an interesting tidbit you might be interested in;

Who’s a fan of the original Planet of the Apes? Everyone? I thought so. Well here’s some home footage that Roddy McDowell shot on the set and what not not. Cool beans…http://youtu.be/lCm74dnwujk

That’s it for this week folks. Oh and thanks to all of you who brought in food for the food bank last week, even the person who brought in a small can of tuna to erase their $8.00 late charge. At least it wasn’t a can of creamed eels.
Have a great week everyone.

Black Dog Video