Jane’s DVD Picks of the Week: Big Miracle, Thin Ice, Good Deeds and More

Big Miracle is a sweet whale of a film | Universal

There are plenty of ways to watch TV and movies now, but there’s still something special about having a DVD or blu-ray you can hold in your hand, pop into your player, and tuck neatly into your shelf. It’s easy, you can watch it whenever you want, and you don’t need any stellar technical skills to make it happen. Here are my DVD and blu-ray picks of the week.

Released June 19, 2012

Big Miracle (PG for language). There’s something so sweet about this gentle story about a group of diverse people who come together to save three whales stuck in the ice offshore a small Alaskan town. Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski and a break-out performance by young Ahmaogak Sweeney make this a winner. [amazon_link id=”B005LAIGQE” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Buy on Amazon[/amazon_link].

Wanderlust (R for sexual content, graphic nudity, language and drug use) . David Wain directed this funny tale about a Manhattan couple (Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston) seeking alternative living options after getting socked with unemployment. Free love rules at the rural commune where they end up. [amazon_link id=”B004QL7K6Q” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Buy on Amazon[/amazon_link].

Jeff Who Lives at Home (R for language, including sexual references and some drug use). Jason Segel is perfect as a slacker who lives in his mom’s basement. On an errand for his mom, he ends up spending the day with his brother (Ed Helms) and discovering his true destiny. Sweet, funny, and magical. Susan Sarandon plays their mom, which is awesome. [amazon_link id=”B007L6VPQO” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Buy on Amazon[/amazon_link].

Released June 12, 2012

Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds (PG-13 for sexual content, language, some violence and thematic material). Tyler Perry continues to use his powers for good with this sweet film about a businessman who’s jolted out of his scripted life when he meets a single mom (Thandie Newton) who works on the cleaning crew in his office building. [amazon_link id=”B005LAIH22″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Buy on Amazon[/amazon_link].

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some drug material). This sequel finds Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) and sidekick Dr. Watson (Jude Law) trying to outwit and bring down their longstanding nemesis, Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris). Rachel McAdams, Noomi Rapace and Stephen Fry also star. [amazon_link id=”B007K3JCAE” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Buy on Amazon[/amazon_link].

Thin Ice (R for language, and brief violent and sexual content). Greg Kinnear plays an insurance agent looking for a way out of frigid Wisconsin. In a twisty turn of events, he’s blackmailed by an unstable locksmith (Billy Crudup) in the theft of a rare violin that belongs to a retired farmer. An ingenius story by sisters Jill and Karen Sprecher that harks back to Fargo. [amazon_link id=”B007RKFY0W” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Buy on Amazon[/amazon_link].

Released June 5, 2012

Safe House (R for strong violence throughout and some language). Ryan Reynolds plays a young CIA agent tasked with housing a fugitive (Denzel Washington) in a safe house. But when the safe house is attacked, he finds himself on the run with his charge. Best line: “I am your house guest” in that Denzel Washington voice. [amazon_link id=”B005LAIGSC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Buy on Amazon[/amazon_link].

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (PG for some adventure action and brief mild language). Work of cinematic art? No. Fun tale with good special effects. Yes.  Josh Henderson returns as Sean Anderson, partnering with his mom’s husband (ukulele-playing Dwayne Johnson) on a mission to find his grandfather, thought to be missing on a mythical island. Vanessa Hudgens plays a strong female, which is always welcome. [amazon_link id=”B007RCNQXW” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Buy on Amazon[/amazon_link].

Act of Valor (R for strong violence, including some torture, and for language). An elite team of Navy SEALs embark on a covert mission to recover a kidnapped CIA agent. A moving film that makes you appreciate the people who protect us. [amazon_link id=”B005LAIGZU” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Buy on Amazon[/amazon_link].

How to Live Forever (not rated). Is “age” a bad word? This darling of the film festival circuit finds baby boomer Mark Wexler spanning the globe to find out what it means to grow old — and what it could mean to live forever. Some of the folks he talks to: a chain-smoking, beer-drinking centenarian marathoner and comedian Phyllis Diller (yes, she’s still alive!). [amazon_link id=”B0071BY2XC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Buy on Amazon[/amazon_link].

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One response to “Jane’s DVD Picks of the Week: Big Miracle, Thin Ice, Good Deeds and More”

  1. […] ShareTweetGreg Kinnear and Billy Crudup are on Thin Ice | ATO PicturesI included Thin Ice in Jane’s DVD Picks of the Week today, because 1) I love Greg Kinnear; and 2) it’s one of those quirky, Fargo-esque dramedies […]

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