New Releases for January 24

Happy Oscar Nomination Day, everyone! Among this week’s New Releases are Oscar's first Best Picture winner and two newly-crowned Oscar nominee (one of the titles may surprise you). There are also classic comedies, dramas, and westerns, compelling documentaries, great Blu-rays, and one giant monster. Here’s the list:

BLU = Also available on Blu-ray

@ = Available for sale in the store

SALE = Follow the link to purchase this item from our online mercantile

50/50—I’ve been hesitant to sit down and watch this film, written by Will Reiser and based on his own fight with cancer. Everything I’ve heard and read points to a lot of laughter through tears. I’m going to stock up on tissues and get to it.  BLU  @

THE OFF HOURS—If you’re not already familiar with local writer/director Megan Griffiths’ excellent film, read local film critic Jeff Shannon’s article on Roger Ebert’s The Demanders blog.

RESTLESS—Death-curious Enoch (Henry Hopper, Dennis’ son) crashes a funeral and befriends cancer patient Annabel (Mia Wasikowska) in Gus Van Sant’s latest film. BLU  @

HELL AND BACK AGAIN--Just nominated this morning for an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature.  BLU

REAL STEEL—It’s hard to say who fights harder in this film: The rock ‘em sock ‘em robots or Hugh Jackman (doing his absolute best to work his way through bland dialogue). Both weather the struggle, and the results are surprisingly enjoyable. It’s also now an Oscar nominee for Best Visual Effects. BLU   @

THE WHISTLEBLOWER—A tense political thriller, based on a true story, starring Rachel Weisz as a woman who uncovers a Bosnian sex trafficking ring. The supporting cast includes David Strathairn, Vanessa Redgrave, Monica Bellucci, and Benedict Cumberbatch.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3—Watch out! That door is going to randomly fly open! AGAIN!  BLU

THE WOMAN—An import of this movie showed up on several of our staffer’s Best of 2011 lists. Kevin C. says it’s, “The first great horror movie of the decade. Twisted, weird, sadistic, satiric, gruesome and darkly funny. If only there were more horror movies like this that didn't condescend to the audience. Not for the squeamish.”   BLU  @

WINGS (1927)—Oscar’s first Best Picture winner is this WWI aerial adventure starring Clara Bow, Charles “Buddy” Rogers, Richard Arlen, and an up-and-comer named Gary Cooper. It’s also the only silent film to win Best Picture…so far.  BLU  @

THE MOMENT OF TRUTH—Francesco Rosi’s 1965 “visceral plunge” into the life of a torero, played by real-life bullfighter Miguel Mateo. The Criterion Collection edition has a new high-definition digital restoration and includes a 2004 interview with Rosi.  BLU  @   SALE

GODZILLA—Criterion presents Ishiro Honda's 1954 giant monster classic with both the original Japanese version and the Americanized 1956 version with Raymond Burr. For a different take on the Godzilla story, read our colleague Marc’s blog post.  BLU  @  SALE

ANIME NEW RELEASES

Ice (2011)

FAMILY NEW RELEASES

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated: Season 1, Part 2

NEW BLU-RAY

Annie Hall    @  SALE

The Apartment—Collector’s Edition  @  SALE

Manhattan   @  SALE

Midnight Cowboy   @ 

Notorious (1946)  @  SALE

Rebecca (1940)  @  SALE

Spellbound (1945)   @  SALE

Stripes—Extended Cut   @ 

NEW TV ON DVD

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations—Collection 6, Part 2

The Confession (2011)—A web series about a hitman (Kiefer Sutherland) who confesses his various sins to a priest (John Hurt).

NEW IMPORTS & FOREIGN FILMS

Beginning of the Great Revival (2011)—China

Borrowers (2011)(PAL Code 2)—UK

Cast Me If You Can (2010)—Japan

Fascination (1979)—France, dir. Jean Rollin  @

Free Men (2011)—France

Happy, Happy (2010)—Norway   @

Hidden (2011)(PAL Code 2)—UK

Hindsight (2011)(Code 3)—Korea

The Hunted (1952)(PAL)—UK

Iron Rose (1973)—France, dir. Jean Rollin  @

Legendary Amazons (2011)—Hong Kong

Lips of Blood (1975) —France, dir. Jean Rollin  @

Mandrake: Seasons 1 & 2 (2005)—Brazil

The Nude Vampire (1970) —France, dir. Jean Rollin  @

Punished (2011)—Hong Kong

Shiver of The Vampires (1971) —France, dir. Jean Rollin  @

Without You (2011)(PAL Code 2)—UK

The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom (2011)—Canada