New DVDs for Tuesday, December 22, 2009

by POPSUGAR Entertainment 4

Whether you're looking for the perfect last minute Christmas gift or just need something new to snuggle up with during the holiday lull, I've got some new goodies for you. First up are hot new DVDs for your Netflix queue, and check back later for the latest in the music world.

(500) Days of Summer

Taking apart a doomed relationship that lasts just over a year (500) Days of Summer is a refreshing, realistic spin on the typical movie romance. Zooey Deschanel stars as the film's title character, while Joseph-Gordon Levitt plays her idealistic admirer and ultimately, her ex-boyfriend (which nabbed him a Golden Globe nomination). The quirky little rom-com charmed audiences (and me) even if it is a little too cute and hipster-y at times. I will say this: it may be worth it just for JGL's adorable dance sequence and the killer soundtrack.

DVD extras include deleted scenes and a commentary track featuring director Webb, writer Michael Weber, co-writer Scott Neustadter, and Gordon-Levitt.

86%

See two more releases when you read more.

District 9

Peter Jackson produced Neill Blomkamp's thriller District 9, which has more than enough aliens and explosions to satisfy sci-fi devotees, but it also has a surprising amount of drama, plot twists, and emotional depth for the rest of us. A thinly veiled social commentary on apartheid, District 9 portrays an alternate reality where Johannesburg, South Africa has been infiltrated with aliens. Twenty years later, the aliens have been separated from the humans and placed into ghettos, where many of the so-called "prawns" are involved in lives of crime.

DVD extras include director's commentary, deleted scenes, the three-part documentary, and four featurettes.

90%

Extract

Mike Judge's comedy stars Jason Bateman as Joel, a down-on-life owner of an extract company that decides to shake things up with a little help from his friend Dean (Ben Affleck). The fun supporting cast includes Mila Kunis as his hot new employee as well as J.K. Simmons and Kristen Wiig. I found the film to be a bit soulless, but there are a few good jokes in there which might make it worth a rental.

DVD extras include Mike Judge's Secret Recipe featurette.

63%