DVD Pick of the Week: Crank

The slow release month that is January marches on. This week really has nothing, and I mean nothing, that is a must have. At best there are a couple of rentals. Of course, I have not seen everything, but there isn't much that reaches out and grabs me. Well, rather than selecting the one best title, I have selected the title that is definitely worth a rental.

This week's pick is Crank, starring Jason Statham. Crank is a gleefully over the top adrenaline rush that eschews everything concerning a deep plot in favor of keeping the action going fast and furious. The look of the movie could be described as Tony Scott on crack. A pure exercise in style over substance, Crank delivers an exciting, if insubstantial, trip into a tapestry of drugs, sex, and violence, with a side of adrenaline.

Is it a good movie? Not really. Is it fun? Definitely. Check your brain at the door, lower your expectations and just have some fun with it. It is a film that that takes its concept to the edge, but manages to keep it on track. That is, if you think it has tracks to begin with. It is quyite possible that this flew off the tracks during the creation phase and just kept flying out there making its own path. Whatever the truth is, this is a wild ride.

Among the DVD extras is a family-friendly audio option. Not sure what it entails, but this film is just absolutely loaded with profanity, so there is either a funny dub, or a lot of silence.

Also out this week:

• The Illusionist. Now this film seems to have a lot of fans, there are many people I have spoken with who have liked it a lot. I cannot say I really liked it, there were a lot of elements I liked a number of things about it, but not the movie as a whole.
• Extras: The Complete First Season. This is a series I would not mind sampling, I really liked Gervais' The Office, and this looks like something that I would also enjoy.
• Idiocracy. Mike Judge's film got the shaft when it came to the theater, so now is the chance to see if it lives up to the brilliant Office Space. Luke Wilson stars in this one.
• The Night Listener. What a pointless bore this was. I feel bad for Robin Williams.
• Bandidas. Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz? Sign me up! I hear it isn't all that good, but I am sure it has some redeeming value.
• Murder Set Pieces. Started to watch this a while back and was bored, I guess I should give it another shot.
• Doom Asylum: Uncut. An 80's horror film? Sounds like fun. Take a group of teenagers, including Kristen Davis, and have them enter an abandoned asylum which a killer is using as a home. Don't mind if I do.
• Legendary Weapons of China. Remastered Shaw Bros. classic. I do not believe I have seen this one, this will be a good chance to check it out.
• These next few disks look interesting, they seem to be compiled of public domain titles in a format that is ready to be transferred to an iPod with video capability. Not sure if I will buy any, but it is definitely an interesting concept.
• Roger Corman's Cult Classics: iPod ready disk
• Timeless Movie Classics: iPod ready disk
• Alfred Hitchcock Collection: iPod ready disk
• Cartoon Megapack: iPod ready disk

What are you getting this week?