New on DVD — The Oscar Edition

New on DVD — The Oscar Edition
by Jennifer Keenan

Collateral
Whether you’ll be wearing diamonds or denim, fur or flannel, walking the red carpet or curling up on the couch; the Oscars mean a night full of excitement and surprises. Sunday February 27th, CTV airs the biggest night in Hollywood — the 77th Annual Academy Awards.

Although many of the films nominated this year are still in theatres, some have already been released on DVD.

To say that actor Jamie Foxx is having a good year would be a bit of an understatement. This year he joined a small elite club of performers — including the likes of Al Pacino and Jessica Lange — who picked up two acting nominations in a single year. He is up for Best Supporting and Best Actor for his films Collateral and Ray, respectively, both now available on DVD.

In Collateral, Foxx stars opposite the ever-cool Tom Cruise. Foxx plays a cabby who through a twist of fate picks up Vincent (Cruise), a hitman with a busy schedule. This quiet yet suspenseful action film shows how little decisions can change the course of our lives. Tom Cruise, the man we love to love, does an amazing job of being “bad.” Had the competition not been so steep this year, he too may have been nominated.

Ray
Who hasn’t heard of Jamie Foxx’s phenomenal portrayal of musician Ray Charles? The film Ray is up for a total of six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor. The film takes us on a journey of Ray Charles Robinson’s life. Flashbacks show us his childhood and how he lost his sight at the age of seven shortly after witnessing his younger brother’s tragic death. With the encouragement and determination of his mother, he learns how to be independent and overcome obstacles that he must face everyday of his life. He then, of course, goes on to achieve music history, being the first to combine R&B with Gospel music.

In keeping the good with the bad, Ray also shows a slightly darker side of the musical legend, one filled with nightmares, drugs and adultery. Jamie Foxx, who himself is classically trained on the piano, doesn’t just portray Ray Charles, he embodies him. He is Ray. A performance that will very well garner him the gold.

Nominated for her third time, Kate Winslett hopes this will be her year. Not only does she star in the nominated film Finding Neverland; she is also up for Best Actress for her performance in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, now available on DVD. In this quirky movie, which is also nominated for Best Original Screenplay, Kate plays girlfriend to funny man Jim Carrey, who’s performance like Tom Cruise, missed out on a nomination.

Eternal Sunshine
Joel (Carrey) is shocked to discover that his girlfriend Clementine (Winslett) has erased their entire relationship from her memory. Out of sheer desperation, Joel decides to undergo the experimental procedure himself. However, once the process starts, he realises what they had together is worth remembering. Eternal Sunshine is the ultimate love story, proving to us that you can’t help who you fall in love with. Kate’s Oscar-worthy performance may just prove that three times is the charm.

In the spirit of the Oscars, I’m going to go out on a limb and predict who I think will win the top awards.

Jennifer’s Predictions

Best Picture – The Aviator
Best Director – Martin Scorsese, The Aviator
Best Actor – Jamie Foxx, Ray
Best Actress – Hilary Swank, Million Dollar Baby
Best Supporting Actor – Clive Owen, Closer
Best Supporting Actress – Cate Blanchett, The Aviator

Think you can predict the winners? Click here to print your own ballot complete with all the nominees.

Oscar Nominated Films Now Available on DVD:

Ray starring Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Kerry Washington
Collateral starring Jamie Foxx, Tom Cruise, Jada Pinkett Smith
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind starring Jim Carrey, Kate Winslett, Tom Wilkinson, Elijah Wood, Mark Ruffalo and Kirsten Dunst
Spider Man 2 starring Toby Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Alfred Molina
The Passion of the Christ starring James Caviezel, Monica Bellucci
Shark Tale featuring Will Smith, Robert Deniro, Angelina Jolie, Renee Zellweger
Shrek 2 featuring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Dias
Troy starring Brad Pitt, Eric Bana
Before Sunset starring Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy
The Motorcycle Diaries starring Gael Garcia Bernal, Rodrigo De la Serna
I, Robot starring Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan
Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson

Rent or buy any of these movies on DVD or VHS from your local Rogers Video Store. For more information or to locate a store near you, visit their website.

Jennifer Keenan loves the movies. From big Hollywood productions to smaller independent films, she memorises every line of her favourite characters, remembers every detail from her favourite scenes. But the role Jennifer enjoys playing best is being a stay-at-home mom for her three children. If you would like to request a particular DVD for Jennifer to review, email your suggestion to editor@breadnmolasses.com