Release Round-Up
By Sarah Carlson
April 11, 2007
Here's a look at this week's releases:
DVDs
Blood Diamond
"Diamond" wasn't a huge hit at the box office, only grossing about $57 million domestically, which probably thrilled the executives at Zales or Kay Jewelers to no end. If you don't know anything about conflict diamonds and/or assume the shiny rocks appear in stores without trouble or corruption, you should probably rent this movie. You'll also have the chance to watch Leonardo DiCaprio struggle to maintain a South African accent and wonder why he was nominated for this film and not "The Departed." Jennifer Connelly and Djimon Hounsou also star.
The Nativity Story
Because I'm cruel, I laughed a little too hard last December when it was announced that the film's star, Keisha Castle-Hughes, announced she was pregnant. No judgment -- that's just amazing timing considering she was starring as the Virgin Mary. Anyways, critics were amazed that the filmmakers were able to suck all of the potential awe and human emotion out of the tale of Christ's birth, concluding that if you're not already a believer, this film has nothing to offer you.
Rocky Balboa
I have to confess something: I haven't seen any of the "Rocky" films. I'm ashamed to call myself American at this point, so there's not much I can say about "Rocky Balboa" other than it's a chance to see Stallone do the only thing he's good at. He doesn't defeat Communism this time, his beloved Adrian has passed and Milo Ventimiglia of "Heroes" fame now plays Rocky's son, Robert Jr., but critics called Rocky's final go-around the ring surprisingly entertaining.
CDs
Bright Eyes, "Cassadaga"
Indie-rock darlings Bright Eyes, fronted by Conor Oberst, continue the momentum gained from one of their bigger hits, 2005's "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning" with "Cassadaga," named for the town in Florida that apparently has quite a few spiritualism followers, whatever that means. Fans are calling the latest album a sign of progression and maturity, with a little less folk, though it still stays true to the band's lyrical roots. Known for having a million guest contributors, Bright Eyes invited Sherri DuPree and Stacy DuPree of Eisley to show up this time, among others.
Video Game
Super Paper Mario (Wii)
In the curious pocket dimension inhabited by Mario and Luigi, the most oft-repeated sentence is: “Someone has kidnapped Princess Peach!”
And true to form, someone has in this latest offering in the quirky role-playing game series based on the quirky console classic. Honestly, the Mario guys need to hire some worthwhile security, maybe the dude from Metal Gear Solid. There’s only so much you can expect when your crack combat force is made up of sentient mushrooms.
But it’s not the usual suspect, Bowser, a big lizard-turtle-dragon thing, that’s done the deed this time. It’s some top hat-wearing weirdo that kidnaps Bowser as well, then forces Peach and the Lizard King to get hitched.
This summons some kind of dark energy that threatens to tear the very fabric of the cosmos asunder. Most people just send a nice china setting or maybe a coffee maker as a gift, but it’s certainly memorable, I guess.
It’s up to you to save the day. Otherwise there wouldn’t be much of a game, honestly.
The latest Paper Mario is sure to be brilliantly funny, if nothing else (previous Mario RPGs have had a manic, at times even subversive sense of humor), and it will be interesting to see how Nintendo makes use of the Wii remote.
If you’ve got a Wii, this is one to look into. Just avoid paper cuts. -- Brian Bethel
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