DVD Pick of the Week: The Page Turner

Overall, this is a pretty weak week for new DVD releases. I cannot say there is anything that cried out immediately "Buy Me!" I went through the list, picked out the few that I had any interest in commenting on and then sat there, staring at the list trying to figure out which one would come out on the top of the pile. There were a couple to comment on that had no chance, while the contendors I had never seen. So, I checked a couple of trailers and then the choice became clear, there was only one possible film to select for this week.

This week's pick comes from none other than the well respected writer/director of the original House (remake coming soon to a theater near you). It is the stoy of a killer and his brutal methods of extracting what he wants. Actually, no, this is not the pick, but I will speak on it later as the release does actually exist.

The real pick is a suspense film that made a splash at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival and is arriving today on DVD. It is called The Page Turner. I have not seen the film, but the trailer and the bits that I have read about it make it look fascinating. It appears as a quiet film that slowly builds tension, and I hope to get a chance to see it.

The Page Turner is the story of a young girl who wishes for a career as a concert pianist. During her audition at a prestigious conservatory, a judge's actions distract her, causing her to falter and ultimately fail. The embarassment at the thoughtless action causes her to give up playing forever. Years later, the now grown girl takes a job that leads to her working with the thoughtless judge, who has since forgotten the incident. However, the young pianist has not forgotten.

The film was directed by Denis Dercourt, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jacques Sotty, last directed My Children are Different in 2003. He has crafted a thriller in lean fashion, it clocks in at a fat free 85 minutes.

Also out to fill out the lean week:

• The Astronaut Farmer. An uplifting family film that I missed in the theater. It stars Billy Bob Thornton as a man who builds a spaceship in the barn on his farm.
• Iraq in Fragments. A documentary centered on the people of Iraz living during the occupation. I have heard very good things about this film.
• Ever Since the World Ended. This looks pretty interesting, it is told documentary style, as two filmmakers travel a deserted San Francisco twelve years after a devastating plague.
• Brutal. This comes from the writer/director of House, and this tells the story of a serial killer with rather brutal methods. It features horror icons Jeffrey Combs and Michael Berryman.
• 24x24 Wide Open with Jeff Gordon. A day in the life with one of NASCAR's top stars. He also happens to have a big fan in my mom.
• The Last Mimzy. Eh, mumbo-jumbo wannabe ET fails to deliver.
• The Film Crew: Hollywood After Dark. Mike Nelson and the rest of the MST3K gang get together to start up a new series of commentaries.

So, anything interesting to you this week?