If you're from the Philadelphia area like me, chances are your ritualistic Sundays have become a lot less meaningful due to the lack of success from our Philadelphia Eagles. Therefore, maybe you're spending your Sunday afternoon (or any day and time for that matter) looking for a cheap movie to rent at Blockbuster (yes, Ridley's still got one) or Red Box. Well here's a couple of great titles available for rent and definitely worth checking out:
Safety Not Guaranteed - 3.5 stars out of 4 (read my review here)
Safety Not Guaranteed is a refreshing and original comedy/drama. It's characters are rare gems with sincerity and authenticity spilling from every word and action they display on screen. Darius (played by Aubrey Plaza) is an intern working for a Seattle magazine. When her boss Jeff decides to write an article about a random classified ad seeking a partner for time travel, Darius is needed to infiltrate the situation. Inevitably, the author of the classified ad, Kenneth (played by Mark Duplass), lets Darius into his somewhat crazed world filled with ideas of time travel and redemption. Even though the film incorporates a blanketed sci-fi backdrop to an otherwise fabulous tale of romance and despair, Safety Not Guaranteed is as real as it gets. Clearly one of 2012's finest pieces of work, take a chance and check out Safety Not Guaranteed.
Ruby Sparks - 3.5 stars out of 4 (read my review here)
It's a rare treat these days when Hollywood serves up an imaginative and creative idea such as Ruby Sparks. As the anticipated follow up to directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris' debut Little Miss Sunshine, Ruby Sparks follows a struggling writer named Calvin (played by Paul Dano) who falls in love with his made up female character Ruby Sparks (played by Zoe Kazan). No big deal, right? Until Calvin wakes up to find Ruby, alive and real, inside of his house. On the surface, Ruby Sparks appears to be like any other romantic comedy you've seen. But after watching the film, you will gain a much deeper and darker appreciation for the manner in which Ruby Sparks addresses relationships.
Moonrise Kingdom - 3 stars out of 4 (read its shortened review here)
Director Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums and Rushmore) is a man who needs no introduction. His comedic mastery is a forgone conclusion at this point. But perhaps Anderson's 2012 effort, Moonrise Kingdom, is his best work yet. Sam (played by Jared Gilman) and Suzy (played by Kara Hayward) are a pair of (really) young lovers who meet one summer and become pen pals. Throughout the course of the year they devise a plan to run away from their boring and depressing lives together. But when Sam disappears from his boy scout troop and Suzy from her home, police officer Captain Sharp (played by Bruce Willis) vows to safely return the pair of misfit lovers. Moonrise Kingdom is hilarious, crafty and extremely well written. There's never a dull moment and the movie's youthful look at romance is both eye opening and charming on so many levels.
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