Top Movie Genre Picks for July 2009 DVDs
Vin Diesel, Nicolas Cage, Keira Knightley in Best New Releases
Jun 29, 2009
Take a break from summer blockbusters at the local cinema by watching any of these new genre DVD releases at home. Every Tuesday offers something new to enjoy. The following selections provide the top picks in different genres for the month of July.
Top DVD Pick for July: Mixed Genre -- Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Action, Thriller
Watchmen (2009) Widescreen and Blu-ray
In an alternate 1985 America, costumed heroes have fallen into disfavor and been forced into retirement. When one of them gets brutally murdered, the enigmatic Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) starts looking for answers to this potential conspiracy against former crime fighters. Other retired heroes take up the cause until most of the old gang is back in action – lots and lots of action. This visually stunning and highly complex film also screened in IMAX during its theatrical release earlier this year.
- Also starring Billy Crudup, Malin Akerman, Matthew Goode, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson, Carla Gugino, Matt Frewer
- Director: Zack Snyder
- Screenwriters: David Hayter, Alex Tse, Dave Gibbons (graphic novel illustrator), Alan Moore (graphic novel writer)
- Run Time: 161 minutes
- Rating: R (for strong graphic violence, sexuality, nudity, and language)
- Release Date: July 21
- Additional Information: Available on July 21: Watchmen Director’s Cut Two-Disc Special Edition; Watchmen Director’s Cut Blu-ray; Watchmen Theatrical Cut Widescreen Single-Disc Edition; Watchmen Theatrical Cut Full Screen Single-Disc Edition; and other products related to the film.
Top DVD Pick for July: Science Fiction
Knowing (2009) Widescreen and Blu-ray
Nicolas Cage stars as a college professor who must decipher numbered codes from a 50-year-old time capsule at his son’s elementary school. He determines that these numbered codes are actually prophecies from the 1950s predicting major disasters, some of which affect him and his family. Without his accurate interpretations and interventions, these calamities could lead to a global catastrophe.
- Also starring Rose Byrne, Chandler Canterbury, D.G. Maloney, Lara Robinson, Nadia Townsend, Alan Hopgood
- Director: Alex Proyas
- Screenwriters: Ryne Douglas Pearson, Juliet Snowden, Stiles White
- Run Time: 121 minutes
- Rating: PG-13 (for disaster sequences, disturbing images, and strong language)
- Release Date: July 7
Top DVD Pick for July: Romance
The Edge of Love (2008)
Based loosely on the life of poet Dylan Thomas (played by Matthew Rhys), a man juggles his feelings for his wife and his earlier love interest. The two women become close friends, and the strange trio becomes even more complicated when the single woman decides to marry a handsome soldier who makes Dylan jealous. Set in World War II London, the film was shot on location in England and Wales.
- Also starring Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, Cillian Murphy
- Director: John Maybury
- Screenwriter: Sharman Macdonald
- Run Time: 110 minutes
- Rating: R (for sexuality, language, and disturbing war images)
- Release Date: July 14
Top DVD Pick for July: Comedy
This is Spinal Tap (1984) on Blu-ray
This mock rockumentary about the world’s loudest band satirizes music documentaries, rock bands, and the music industry in general. The subjects of the film are the members of the fictional Spinal Tap, a British heavy metal band whose drummers either spontaneously combust or meet some other horrible demise. This fun film that examines loud music, long hair, and tight spandex has achieved cult status since its 1984 release.
- Starring Rob Reiner, Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Bruno Kirby, Ed Begley, Jr.
- Director: Rob Reiner
- Screenwriters: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner
- Run Time: 82 minutes
- Rating: R (for strong language throughout and frequent sexual references)
- Release Date: July 28
Top DVD Pick for July: Action
Fast & Furious (2009) Blu-ray
Fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) is back behind the wheel in this next installment of the popular action series. This time he joins forces with FBI agent Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) and two women to infiltrate a heroin importer. The film shot on location in California, Mexico, Panama, and Dominican Republic.
- Also starring Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, John Ortiz, Laz Alonso, Gal Gadot
- Director: Justin Lin
- Screenwriters: Chris Morgan; characters by Gary Scott Thompson
- Run Time: 107 minutes
- Rating: PG-13 (for intense sequences of violence and action, some sexual content, language, and drug references)
- Release Date: July 28
- Additional Information: Also available on July 28: Fast & Furious Two-Disc Special Edition; Fast & Furious 4-Movie Collection (The Fast and the Furious 2001; 2 Fast 2 Furious 2003; The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift; and Fast & Furious 2009); and The Fast and the Furious on Blu-ray.
For information about this month’s DVD releases of television programs, read July 2009 DVD Releases of Comedy TV Series.
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