By Diana Srougi
MONTREAL (RushPRNews) 02/19/09- The excitement rises as the countdown continues for the 81st Annual Academy Awards airing February 22nd. This week, yet another Oscar nominated film has been released on DVD, making it accessible to everyone before the big night.
Changeling: Just In Time For the Oscars
Clint Eastwood might no longer be the captivating cowboy he was in Sergio Leone’s westerns, but he still has what it takes when it comes to directing Oscar nominated films. “Changeling†is this week’s much-anticipated DVD release, and right on time for the Academy Awards too! Starring Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich, this drama is based on a true story that occurred in the 1920s.
A mother whose son was abducted years earlier, is convinced that the boy now claiming to be her child is not really hers. The only person willing to help her challenge the system is a compassionate local activist. “Changeling†has received Oscar nominations for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Performance for Angelina Jolie. It was also nominated for two Golden Globes, but did not win. Eastwood’s film has screened in many festivals, and has received nominations in various categories. It was even nominated for the Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival last summer.
DVD release date: February 17th 2009
Distributor: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Rating: 8.1/10
Body of Lies: More Terrorism
Ridley Scott’s latest film, after last year’s “American Gangsterâ€, is “Body of Liesâ€, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe (who seems to be Scott’s latest fetish actor) and Mark Strong. This action thriller is based on David Ignatius’ novel that writer William Monahan adapted into a screenplay. A CIA operative uncovers information on a terrorist mastermind after bombings in Jordan. To bring down the terrorist group, he seeks the help of a CIA veteran who gives the orders from his own living room. “Body of Lies†was nominated at the London Critics Circle Film Awards for British Supporting Actor, and at the Satellite Awards for Best Original Song (by Guns N’ Roses). This film was also supposed to screen at the 2008 International Film Festival of Marrakech, but the copy was unfortunately unavailable.
DVD release date: February 17th 2009
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Rating: 7.4/10
Choke: An Unusual Con
“Chokeâ€, starring Sam Rockwell, Anjelica Huston and Kelly Macdonald, is Clark Gregg’s first time at writing and directing a film. Gregg’s script is an adaptation of a novel written by Chuck Palahniuk, author of the well-known “Fight Club†thanks to David Fincher’s film. This dramatic comedy tells the absurd tale of a sex-addict who, in an attempt to pay his delirious mother’s hospital bills, pretends to choke in fancy restaurants to guilt his “saviors†into feeling responsible for him and sending him money. “Choke†earned three nominations at the 2008 Satellite Awards in the categories Best Motion Picture, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress, although it did not take home any trophies. It did however prove itself at the Sundance Film Festival by being nominated for the Grand Jury Prize and taking home the Special Jury Prize.
DVD release date: February 17th 2009
Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Rating: 7.0/10