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No Country for Old Men
There’s nothing like the sweet relief of solid DVD choices, particularly led by the Oscar-winning powerhouse, No Country for Old Men. There’s a reason that film created so much buzz. Based on Cormac McCarthy’s novel, the film is a mature and intricate story based on a premise that seems simple and over-done. Josh Brolin, continuing to prove his memorable acting chops, plays Llewelyn Moss, a man who comes upon an eerie drug deal gone poor — where drugs, money, and bodies lay dust-covered and seemingly forgotten. The man takes the money, which, unsurprisingly, makes him the target of a sadistic killer played by Javier Bardem. While Llewelyn tries to escape, with a brow-raising amount of bad-guy know-how, Tommy Lee Jones’ Sheriff Bell tries to come to the bottom of the story — with the help of a bumbling Terminator, Garret Dillahunt.

Even that description doesn’t really encapsulate

the film, which is as forceful in its presentation as it is in its story. The silence of a score-free backdrop, and the calculated measure and release of info manufacture the journey rare and worthy — both as drama, and as a dark, sadistic comedy. You must throw yourself into the scene, and pick out the details as they unfold — not in a Memento clue-fest, but in an environment where subtlety reigns.

But it’s not only the men who shine. Kelly Macdonald proves her talents as a supportive, yet observant wife of Llewelyn, and Beth Grant steals her scenes as the bitching, troublesome mother of Macdonald’s Carla Jean.

The DVD features 3 featurettes — a making-of mini-doc, a short fluff piece about the directors, and a brief diary of the Country Sheriff.

Check out Patrick’s review | Buy the DVD

Continue reading New DVD Picks of the Week: ‘No Country for Old Men’ & ‘Nancy Drew’

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Original post by Monika Bartyzel