Pick of the Week.

There are a bunch of good releases this week, but one stands head and shoulders above the rest. This weeks pick is Hotel Rwanda. Those of you who have not seen this, make it a point to. It was number 5 on my Top 10 of 2004 list. It is a powerful, moving, dramatic, emotional, inspirational, I could go on, but that would be overkill.

The film stars Don Cheadle in the best role of his career, earning him the top spot in my Best actors of 2004 list. He portrays Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager, who tries to keep the business as usual approach to the hotel in the midst of a bloody civil war. That us until it becomes personal. That description sounds like a bad action flick, but this is a great drama. It is rare that I am moved to tears, but this did it. After the film ended it took me a long time to regain my composure. It is wonderfully balanced, there are moments of humor breaking up the sadness, drama to balance out the tragedy. It allows you to feel for the characters, but you never lose focus of them as individuals. This is not played out in broad strokes, they are there for sure, but there are just as many small, personal moments fleshing them out, giving us complete characters.

Basically, an amazing film, see it.

Other releases for the week:

• All in the Family: Season 4. The classic sitcom, one of the best ever.
• Bad Education. Pedro Almodovar's Hitchcockian film. Dark and twisted and satisfying to figure out. A real surprise this one was. Not for everyone, but worth trying to see if it fits.
• Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law - Volume 1. From Cartoon Network, I am not very familiar with this, but it looks funny, and I have heard many good things.
• Invader ZIM: Complete Set. I discovered this on DVD and became hooked, this is the whole set with a bonus disk in a box shaped like ZIM's house. The box/bonus disk are also available separately for those (me) who already got the individual releases.
• Japanese Hell. I had never heard of this before, but it looks interesting. Those who commit evil deads must suffer in hell.
• Knight Rider: Season 2. One of my favorites of the 80's. It will be mine.
• Memento Mori. Another Asian horror film, I have heard good things, but don't know much about it.
• Ocean's 12. Fun movie, but this only has a trailer with it. I smell a double dip.
• Red Wolf. Action film from the master Yuen-Woo Ping. I have heard it's not that good, but may be worth renting.
• Requiem from the Darkness: Volume 4. I liked the first, but haven't seen the others yet, I like the idea though.
• Space Ghost Coast to Coast: Volume 3. One of the best superhero animated talkshows. No joke.
• Suspect Zero. A very good performance from Ben Kingsley can't help this sinking ship.
• The A-Team: Season 2. This would look good next to Knight Rider.
• The Woodsman. I have been wanting to see this for awhile. Kevin Bacon stars as a reformed pedophile in what I hear is an incredible performance.

Hope there is something for you to like.

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