New York Video Online
Bringing You the Best in Cinema
NEW RELEASES available for rent
Posted by on January 22, 2013
THE IMPOSTER – Award-winning documentary that made a splash at the Sundance Film Festival tells the true story of a Texan boy who went missing in 1994 and was miraculously found 3 1/2 years later thousands of miles away in southern Spain. This is a jaw-dropping story about the lies we want to believe and the truths we choose to construct.
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA – Animated hit takes place at Dracula’s 5-Stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up and no humans are allowed, that is until one ordinary guy stumbles into the hotel and changes everything.
FAREWELL MY QUEEN – Director Benoit Jacquot’s film adaptation of the best selling novel by Chantal Thomas, follows one of Marie Antoinette’s ladies-in-waiting as she quietly works her way into the Queen’s favor, until history tosses her fate onto a decidedly different path. In French with English subtitles.
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4 – For all the fans of the first 3 films no explanation is necessary. For anybody who hasn’t experienced Paranormal Activity, start at the beginning – you have a lot of catching up to do.
FROM BEGINNING TO END – Controversial gay-themed film from Brazil centering on the intimate bond between two half-brothers and the effect it has on their families and friends. In Portuguese with English subtitles.
MY JOY – The fiction film debut of acclaimed documentary filmmaker Sergei Loznitsa. My Joy is a haunting, inscrutible, mysterious, moody, darkly humorous critique of post-communist Russia. Beautifully shot by master cinematographer Oleg Mutu (4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 days) it follows truck driver Georgy as he sets out on a provincial Russian highway for a routine delivery, but after a series of chance encounters his journey spirals out of control.
SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS – From director Martin McDonagh (In Bruges) comes this blood drenched black comedy about a struggling writer, an unemployed actor, a psychotic gangster, and one stolen dog. Stars Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, and Christopher Walken.
THE SALT OF LIFE – In his warm and witty follow-up to Mid-August Lunch, writer-director-actor Gianni Di Gregorio has created a bittersweet comedy about a middle-aged retiree who has become invisible to all women, regardless of age or relation. Funny, poignant, and very, very Italian. In Italian with English subtitles.
END OF WATCH – A gritty, gripping cop drama stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena as police officers who find themselves on the receiving end of a violent backlash from a notorious drug cartel after a routine traffic stop.
POINT BLANK – Thrilling french thriller about a man whose pregnant wife is kidknapped by a dangerous criminal, pitting him against rival gangsters and trigger-happy police in a race to save his wife and unborn child. Director Fred Cavaye wrote the Russell Crowe film “The Next Three Days”. In French with English subtitles.
COMPLIANCE – Chilling story, inspired by true events, about a fast food manager who gets a call from a man claiming to be a police officer saying that an employee, a pretty young blonde named Becky, has stolen money from a customer. What follows is an invasive and disturbing investigation into the lengths a person will go to obey an authority figure. Terrific acting by Ann Dowd and Dreama Walker.
MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITTE – Gerard Depardieu is a nearly illiterate man in his 50’s who happens to sit beside Margueritte (Gisele Casadesus), a little old lady who is reading excerpts from her novel aloud. This chance encounter on a park bench transforms both their lives in director Jean Becker’s charming film about friendship and new beginnings.
THE POSSESSION – An antique wooden box purchased at a yard sale spells trouble for a divorced couple and their two young girls in this supernatural thriller starring Kyra Sedgwick and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
TO ROME WITH LOVE – Woody Allen continues his tour of foreign cities with this ensemble comedy starring Alec Baldwin, Roberto Benigni, Penelope Cruz, Judy Davis, Jesse Eisenberg, Ellen Page, and of course Woody Allen.
TAKEN 2 – Liam Neeson returns as the ex-CIA operative who stopped at nothing to rescue his daughter from kidknappers in “Taken”. On vacation in Istanbul he faces off with the families of the kidknappers he so excellently dispatched in the first film.
THE PAPERBOY – A sexually and racially charged film noir from director Lee Daniels (Precious). Deep in the backwaters of 1960’s south Florida an investigative reporter and his partner chase a sensational, career-making story. Stars Matthew McConaughey, John Cusack, Zac Efron, and in a remarkably sweaty, and slutty, performance, Nicole Kidman.
VILLAGE VOICE NATIONAL CRITICS POLL 2012
Posted by on January 7, 2013
Here are the top 25 films of the year as determined by 85 film critics from across the country. This is by far, the most comprehensive, democratic distillation of current critical opinion that exists. You may not agree with some of the rankings, you may not have heard of some of the films, but this poll will challenge your thinking about what constitutes great cinema.
1 THE MASTER – available on dvd
2 ZERO DARK THIRTY – available on dvd
3 HOLY MOTORS – available on dvd
4 MOONRISE KINGDOM – available on dvd
5 THIS IS NOT A FILM – available on dvd
6 ONCE UPON A TIME IN ANATOLIA – available on dvd
7 AMOUR – not scheduled for release yet
8 THE TURIN HORSE – available on dvd
9 LINCOLN – available on dvd
10 TABU – not scheduled for release yet
11 THE DEEP BLUE SEA – available on dvd
12 THE KID WITH A BIKE – available on dvd
13 BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD – available on dvd
14 OSLO, AUGUST 31ST – available on dvd
15 THE LONLIEST PLANET – available on dvd
16 COSMOPOLIS – available on dvd
17 DJANGO UNCHAINED – release date April 16th
18 BERNIE – available on dvd
19 SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK – release date April 30th
20 RUST AND BONE – available on dvd
21 ARGO – available on dvd
22 BARBARA – not scheduled for release yet
23 ALMEYER’S FOLLY – not scheduled for release yet
24 NEIGHBORING SOUNDS – not scheduled for release yet
25 MAGIC MIKE – available on dvd
NEW RELEASES available for rent
Posted by on January 4, 2013
COSMOPOLIS – Robert Pattinson stars in director David Cronenberg’s adaptation of the Don Delillo bestseller, thought to be unfilmable, but he did adapt a previous “unfilmable” book with “Naked Lunch” so he was definitely the right director for the job. Pattinson plays a 28 year old billionaire asset manager whose perfectly ordered world begins to implode over the course of one day.
HIT & RUN – An action-packed comedy about a nice guy with a criminal past (Dax Shepard) who risks everything when he busts out of a witness protection program to drive his girlfriend (Kristen Bell) to Los Angeles for the job opportunity of a lifetime. Bradley Cooper plays a vengeance crazed ex-pal, and Tom Arnold is the inept Fed chasing them.
FRANKENWEENIE – Director Tim Burton’s offbeat, but heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life – with a few minor adjustments.
THE WORDS – This romantic thriller stars Bradley Cooper as an author whose best-seller may not be entirely his own putting his life and relationships in jeopardy. Zoe Saldana is his wife. Jeremy Irons and Dennis Quaid also star.
DREDD – Remake of the 1995 Sylvester Stallone post-apocalyptic thriller about an ultra violent future where the only law enforcers are Judges who are literally Judge, jury, and executioner.
TAKE THIS WALTZ – Michelle Williams stars in actress Sarah Polley’s second directorial feature (Away from Her), Seth Rogan is her husband, and Luke Kirby is the handsome artist who lives across the street and complicates their lives. Critics gave high marks to this film that was also written by Polley.
STOLEN – Nicholas Cage is a master thief just out of prison whose former criminal cohorts and an FBI agent suspect he’s hidden the $10 million he went to prison for stealing in this heist thriller, which also stars Josh Lucas.
HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET – Jennifer Lawrence & Elizabeth Shue are a mother and daughter who move to the suburbs hoping for a fresh start only to discover that horror awaits in the house next door.
LOOPER – Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis play the same character in this futuristic action thriller that brings together time travel, hit men, and the mob.
NEW RELEASES available for rent
Posted by on December 29, 2012
THE FROZEN – A young couple take an ill-advised winter camping trip that takes a haunted turn in this supernatural, psychological thriller. There are some real chills here, and not just from the cold. Stars talented, up and coming actress Brit Morgan.
KILLER JOE – Matthew McConaughey is terrific as a Dallas detective who moonlights as a hitman in this twisted, redneck, trailer park thriller.
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD – Unique, magical feature film debut from director Ben Zeitlin. 6-year old Hushpuppy lives with her tough, but loving father in an isolated bayou community that’s under siege by the melting of the ice caps. A true American art film with great performances by Quvenzhane Wallis and Dwight Henry, both “non-actors” in their first film. Watch the making of doc on the bonus features to appreciate just what an accomplishment this film is.
V / H / S – A found footage anthology of Horrror in the tradition of Tales from the Crypt with a different genre director helming each of the stories. This is a must-see for any fans of horror with some really original, creepy moments.
THE ODD LIFE OF TIMOTHY GREEN – Inspiring family film about a young couple who dream of having a child only to discover a boy on their doorstep one stormy night. From the director who brought us “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”. Stars Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton and Dianne Wiest.
PITCH PERFECT – An a capella singing group competition comedy starring Anna Kendrick, and the scene stealing Rebel Wilson. Critics and audiences loved it for it’s inventive song mash-ups and winning cast.
360 – From the director of “City of God” and “The Constant Gardener” comes this sexy, dramatic thriller about interconnected romantic life in the 21st century. The stories are set in different cities, Paris, London, Rio, Denver, Phoenix, and has an all-star cast including Anthony Hopkins, Jude Law, Rachel Weisz, and Ben Foster.
TED – Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane’s directorial debut is a comedy about a grown man (Mark Wahlberg) whose cherished teddy bear came to life as a result of a childhood wish, and hasn’t left his side since, creating numerous complications in his adult life. The potty-mouthed teddy is voiced by Seth MacFarlane himself.
TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE – Clint Eastwood plays a top baseball scout at the end of his career. Justin Timberlake is the young rival looking to replace him, and Amy Adams is his estranged daughter, who puts her own career as an attorney at risk to help her father.
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: Dog Days – The third film in the “wimpy kid’ series finds Greg in all sorts of trouble as he tries to keep his dad from sending him to military school, while contending with the family’s new trouble making canine.
RESIDENT EVIL: Retribution – Milla Jovovich is once again the star of the fifth film in the series. For the many fans of Milla and her ass-kicking alter ego “Alice” ,this is a non-stop action packed installment.
PREMIUM RUSH – Joseph Gordon-Levitt Is the bike messenger whose last delivery of the day is a “premium rush” that turns into a life or death chase through the streets of Manhattan. Inventive action sequences make for an exciting thriller.
ARBITRAGE – A riveting, suspense filled thriller about love, loyalty, and high finance. Richard Gere (in one of his best performances) is a New York hedge-fund magnate who goes to desperate lengths to protect his family when his financial empire is threatened. Also stars Susan Sarandon and Tim Roth.
TOTAL RECALL – Not a scene for scene remake of the original Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi, this “reimagining” is a special effects filled thrill ride with some over the top action sequences. Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale & Jessica Biel star.
THE BOURNE LEGACY – Jeremy Renner is the genetically engineered agent in the cat and mouse game started by Matt Damon in the first three Bourne movies. Rounding out the government conspiracy are Edward Norton and Rachel Weisz.
HOPE SPRINGS – Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, and Steve Carell star in a feel good romantic comedy for adults.
NEW RELEASES available for rent
Posted by on November 25, 2012
PARANORMAN – A new animated classic from the makers of “Coraline” about a boy who must use his ability to see and speak with the dead to save his town from a centuries-old curse.
SPARKLE – Remake of the 1974 film stars American Idol winner Jordin Sparks in her film debut as a young singer warned against the pitfalls of the music business by her protective mother, played by Whitney Houston in her last screen performance.
HERE – Set against the gorgeous landscape of Armenia, HERE follows the brief but intense relationship between an American satellite mapping engineer (Ben Foster) and an expatriate photographer (Lubna Azabal) who impulsively decide to travel together. Well acted adult drama.
MEN IN BLACK 3 – The third installment of the highly entertaining sci/fi comedy series directed by Barry Sonnenfeld. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are back as agents J & K, with Josh Brolin playing a young Tommy Lee Jones.
DEXTER – The 6th season of the hit Showtime series has Dexter, our serial killer hero, trying to solve an outbreak of gruesome killings based on the Book of Revelations, while juggling life as a single father. If you haven’t tuned in to this show, please start with season 1. You will not be disappointed!
MONSIEUR LAZHAR – Nominated this past year for Best Foreign Film, Monsieur Lazhar tells the poignant story of a Montreal middle school class shaken by the death of their well liked teacher, and the Algerian immigrant who offers his services as a substitute teacher and helps in the process of collective healing.
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES – Director Christopher Nolan’s final film in his Batman trilogy with Christian Bale once again donning the black cape to rid Gotham City of the destructive force known as Bane (Tom Hardy).
LAWLESS – Three bothers become outlaws, and then heroes in this period bootlegging drama. Shia Labeouf, Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Guy Pearce and Jessica Chastain star.
LAST EXIT TO BROOKLYN – Finally on DVD for the first time, adapted from the cult classic best-selling novel by Hubert Selby, Last Exit to Brooklyn follows a gang of young hoodlums, a down and out prostitute, an abusive father, and a low level union official as they attempt to survive the harsh underbelly of 1950’s Brooklyn. Jennifer Jason Leigh gives the performance of her career as does Stephen Lang. If you haven’t seen this you are really missing out on a singular cinematic experience. Highly recommended!
HOMELAND – The first season of the acclaimed TV series with Claire Danes as a brilliant but volatile CIA agent and Damian Lewis as a Marine Sgt. war hero, who may or may not be an Al Qaeda sleeper agent plotting a terrorist attack on U.S. soil.
THE EXPENDABLES 2 – This sequel to the first film, which included every major action star of the past 3 decades, is actually better than the original. Stars Sylveter Stallone, Jason Stathem, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
THE SKIN I LIVE IN – Spanish director Pedro Amodovar’s film follows a driven plastic surgeon (Antonio Banderas) haunted by personal tragedies, who perfects a new type of skin, and whose latest guinea pig is a mysterious woman whose true identity masks a shocking mystery.
HYSTERIA – This lighthearted romantic comedy tells the surprising story of the electro-mechanical vibrator at the very peak of Victorian prudishness. Hugh Dancy plays the inventor. Maggie Gyllenhaal is his love interest.
THE BAD SEED – The first, and best, screen version of Maxwell Anderson’s stage hit about a well-mannered, murderous 8 year-old little girl stars Patty McCormack as the evil Rhoda, and Nancy Kelly (in an over the top – Oscar nominated performance) as her disbelieving mother. This new pristine print includes a great commentary by Patty McCormack and writer/actor Charles Busch.
NEW RELEASES available for rent
Posted by on November 14, 2012
THE WATCH – Ben Stller, Vince Vaughn, and Jonah Hill play civic-minded citizens in a small Ohio town, who form a neighborhood watch. But they find more than they bargained for when they uncover an alien plot to destroy the Earth. Silly fun with an inspired performance by Vince Vaughn.
DETACHMENT – Director Tony Kaye’s long awaited follow up to “American History X” stars Adrien Brody as a substitute teacher who never stays long enough in any job to bond with his fellow teachers or students. When he finds himself at a dysfunctional public school he inadvertently becomes a role model , giving new meaning to his life.
PEACE, LOVE & MISUNDERSTANDING – When her husband tells her he wants a divorce, devastated Manhattan lawyer Diane (Catherine Keener) heads upstate with her two teens to Woodstock to stay with her estranged flower child mother (Jane Fonda). Bruce Beresford directs this touching, poignant comedy.
BREAKING BAD (4TH SEASON) – The brilliant 4th season of the acclaimed Emmy winning TV series. If you haven’t seen it you really need to start watching. All 4 seasons are available for rent.
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN – The newest re-boot of the titular superhero saga is a more thoughtful, adult reimagining than previous versions. Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone have real chemistry, which has apparently carried over into their real life relationship.
THE CAMPAIGN – Much funnier than it has any right to be, this “political comedy” is more Three Stooges than “Primary Colors”, but really delivers when it comes to laughs. Will Ferrell & Zach Galifianakis are inspired, comedic opponents.
THE TALL MAN – In an isolated mining town children are vanishing without a trace, abducted by a mysterious entity known as “The Tall Man”. When the son of the town’s nurse (Jessica Biel) disappears, she begins a frantic search to rescue him. A twisty, suspenseful thriller.
BRAVE – From Pixar animation studios comes this girl empowered adventure. Witty and gorgeously animated, it’s not just for kids.
FIRE WITH FIRE – Josh Duhamel and Bruce Willis star in this crime thriller about a firefighter forced into Witness Protection after seeing a murder. When his new identity is compromised he has to take action into his own hands to protect his family.
SAVAGES – Director Oliver Stone’s violent, hallucinatory thriller about two best friends whose innovative marijuana business threatens the earnings of a dangerous Mexican drug cartel. Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson, John Travolta, Selma Hayek, and Benicio Del Toro star.
JENIFER – Italian master of horror, Dario Argento, directed this disturbing, grotesque, utterly original take on the tale of the succubus. Steven Weber stars as a detective who rescues a strange, disfigured woman who reveals herself to be a creature of carnal pleasures and violent depravities. Highly recommended for fans of Dario Argento or the Horror genre in general.
NEW RELEASES available for rent
Posted by on October 21, 2012
MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE’S MOST WANTED – The newest installment finds the Madagascar gang romping their way through Europe after joining a circus to escape Captain Dubois of animal control. Witty, comedic fun for the whole family!
THAT’S MY BOY – Adam Sandler’s latest comedy faetures him as the wildly inappropriate father to Andy Samberg’s buttoned-down son.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN VAMPIRE HUNTER – Russian director Timur Bekmambetov ( Daywatch, Nightwatch) tries his hand at this epic mash-up of American history and vampire horror. Benjamin Walker from Broadway’s “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” stars.
MAGIC MIKE – Steven Soderbergh directed this huge summer hit based on star Channing Tatum’s pre-actor gig as a male stripper. A great supporting cast including Matthew McConaughey, Matt Bomer, and Joe Manganiello add to the on-stage fireworks.
CHERNOBYL DIARIES – 25 years after the russian nuclear disaster, six young vacationers and their “extreme tourism” guide explore the abandoned ruins of Chernobyl. It soon becomes apparent the’re not alone.
MOONRISE KINGDOM – This story of two 12-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness was an arthouse smash for director Wes Anderson, and critics loved it too. The great cast includes Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, and Frances McDormand.
NEW RELEASES available for rent
Posted by on October 6, 2012
PROMETHEUS – Director Ridley Scott’s “prequel” to Alien is a visually stunning sci-fi that follows a group of scientists to a planet where the answers to the origin of mankind may be found. Charlize Theron, Noomi Rapace, and Michael Fassbender star.
THE RAVEN – John Cusack is Edgar Allen Poe, who teams up with a police detective (Luke Evans) to solve a series of murders that mirror the methods used in Poe’s own stories.
DARK SHADOWS – Tim Burton’s comic take on the soap opera that ran on TV from 1966 – 1971. Johnny Depp is Barnabas Collins, an aristocratic vampire entombed for two centuries, who returns to his family estate only to find it populated by his dysfunctional descendents.
ROCK OF AGES – The film version of the hit Broadway musical starring Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Alec Baldwin, and Paul Giamatti.
PEOPLE LIKE US – Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, and Michelle Pfeiffer in a smart and witty drama about a son called home after the death of his father, who uncovers a startling secret that turns his world upside down.
RED LIGHTS – Taut, psychological thriller about a pair of paranormal researchers (Sigourney Weaver & Cillian Murphy) looking to debunk a blind psychic (Robert Deniro) and his star student (Elizabeth Olsen).
NEW RELEASES available for rent
Posted by on September 25, 2012
THE AVENGERS – The Super-Hero movie that beats all the others. Bringing together 6 Super-Heroes from the Marvel Comics universe, director Joss Whedon has created a dramatic, action-packed entertainment, that takes the “popcorn” movie to a whole new level. This is the Super-Hero movie for all those people who think they would never watch a “comic book movie”. Not to be missed!
HIDE AWAY – Josh Lucas plays a successful businessman with a troubled past who buys a dilapidated sailboat, which becomes a beacon of hope on his journey back toward redemption.
THE CABIN IN THE WOODS – Joss Whedon wrote & produced this, too-smart-for-it’s-own-good, little horror film about five college friends who retreat to a vacation cottage, only to find themselves trapped in a supernatural conspiracy.
INSPECTOR LEWIS – 5 mysteries on 3 dvd’s from the BBC. The Inspector and his partner, Detective Sergeant James Hathaway, investigate murders in the idyllic Oxford countryside.
THE SAMARITAN – Samuel L. Jackson plays an ex-con whose past comes back to haunt him as he’s drawn into an ingenious plan for a big score by his former partner’s son.
ANOTHER HAPPY DAY – Dysfunctional family drama with a great cast including Ellen Barkin, Kate Bosworth, Thomas Haden Church, Ellen Burstyn, and Demi Moore.
THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL – Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, and Tom Wilkinson star in this charming comedy about seven cash-strapped seniors who decide to outsource their retirement to a resort in India. Friendship and romance soon follow.
NEW RELEASES available for rent
Posted by on September 6, 2012
KILL LIST – This one of a kind mix of hitman thriller and scary psychological horror film is a must see. It’s one of those terrific films that can be easily overlooked if someone didn’t tell you about it.
THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT – An irreverent comedy about an engaged couple who keep getting tripped up on their long walk down the aisle. Stars Jason Segel and Emily Blunt.
FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY – Contemporary B-movie gangster film with James Caan, Paul Sorvino, and Eward Furlong.
SNOW WHITE & THE HUNTSMAN – The legendary fairy-tale becomes an action-adventure epic with Charlize Theron as the evil Queen, and Kristen Stewart as Snow White.
6 BULLETS – Jean-Claude Van Damme helps a father rescue his kidknapped daughter in this shoot-em-up actioner.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOUR EXPECTING – Based on the best selling book, this comedy follows 5 couples whose intertwined lives are turned upside down by the challenges of impending parenthood. Cameron Diaz, Elizabeth Banks, and Jennifer Lopez star.
SAFE – Jason Stathem is a former NYC detective who must protect a young Chinese math prodigy from a ruthless Triad boss and the Russian mob.
New York Video Online 