Screening Room Movies at Home – “World War Z,” “The Bling Ring,” “The East”

Paramount

RUSS

Brad Pitt stars in the big screen adaptation of the bestselling novel, “World War Z” yet another flick about a zombie apocalypse.

SHAWN

It just may be perceived as just another zombie flick but the novel the movie is based on is the bible of zombie text. But does the movie get an amen?

RUSS

Under the steady hand of director Marc Forster, it’s an unnerving and realistic drama that may appeal to people who normally don’t like horror movies.

SHAWN

I think Brad Pitt does that. And he’s solid in a movie I found much better the second time around.

RUSS

The gore is kept to a minimum, so the movie gets a PG-13 rating. Smart, somber and a bit messy, “World War Z” is more like “Contagion” than “The Evil Dead.” It may not be thrilling, but it’s thought provoking.

SHAWN

It isn’t thrilling at all. But works as a sophisticated think piece. The release is loaded with extras including a new unrated cut with intense footage not shown in theaters.

RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags

SHAWN: 3 Popcorn Bags

A24

RUSS

So what would you do to be like your cultural idol? In 2008, a group of affluent teenagers from the Hollywood Hills began burglarizing the homes of celebrities like Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom and Lindsay Lohan, making off with nearly $2 million in clothing, jewels and assorted loot.

SHAWN

“The Ring Bling” directed by Sofia Coppola is one of the best movies of the year. It’s a razor sharp examination of today’s youth and their YouTube like fascination with celebrity.

RUSS

In filmmaker Sophia Coppola’s comic drama “The Bling Ring,” Emma Watson leads the cast in this true story about vapid teens with no moral compass. It’s an unnerving look at the TMZ crowd that’s both funny and disturbing.

SHAWN

It’s not condemning or preachy. And it’s use of TMZ like footage, haunting pop and dazzling cinematography paint alluring but creepy depiction of the city of angels. Too bad this release is a bit light with the extras.

RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags

SHAWN: 4 Popcorn Bags

Fox Searchlight Pictures

RUSS

The new queen of indie cinema might well be Brit Marling. The writer, actress and producer has made some very intriguing films over the last three years and “The East” is no exception. Marling plays a former FBI agent now working for a private intelligence firm that safeguards big business enterprises. She infiltrates an anarchist group called The East that is intent on exposing corporate crimes. Her interaction with the group causes her to reexamine her positions. Some elements of the movie don’t quite gel, but “The East” is a thoughtful social commentary.

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