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Also in stores this week. . .
"Where God Left His Shoes" (NR, 2008, IFC Films): It's November, which means that it's Christmastime, as far as studios, merchandisers and marketers are concerned. It's also 2009, which means that it's high time for a holiday movie that name-drops the economic downturn in some way. That leads us to Frank Diaz (John Leguizamo), a married father of two who must find a way to provide shelter for his recently evicted family (Leonor Varela, David Castro, Samantha M. Rose) despite some skill setbacks and an employment history that consists solely of a failed boxing career and some off-the-books odd jobs. Its characters are spectacularly imperfect, their problems authentically ugly and complicated. And while Frank occasionally gets off a little easier than a real-world counterpart in the same situation might, good breaks are the exception more than the rule. "Shoes" still has its points of inspiration, but they come in the form of a likable lead character and a family's attempt to stick together. No extras.
"The Answer Man" (R, 2009, Magnolia): For 20 years, author Arlen Faber (Jeff Daniels) has enjoyed a stratospheric level of fame and reverence for a book that very convincingly documents a conversation he had with God. Actually, scratch that - he hasn't enjoyed it much at all, which is why he's taken on the life of a recluse. A few turns of events draw him out of seclusion, and, wouldn't you know it, the great guru of all things mystical can't stop tripping over his own feet when it comes to simple human interaction and the art of conversing with the opposite sex.Turns out, Arlen isn't simply a recluse because it makes for a good comedic device: He has his reasons, and the film does a nice job of sneaking in little insights before dressing him down completely once it has your interest. That goes as well for the film's supporting cast (Lauren Graham, Lou Taylor Pucci, Olivia Thirlby and Max Antisell). Once Arlen blossoms into a real character, they follow his example, and "Man" becomes a much better film than it initially ever had any right to be.
Extras: Crew/Graham commentary, three behind-the-scenes features.
"Food, Inc." (PG, 2009, Magnolia): By now, pretty much anybody with any kind of media savvy has some sneaking ballpark suspicion as to the inconvenient realities of what goes into processing the foods we eat. But vague ideas and suspicions are one thing, and, as "Food, Inc." once again proves, images and testimonials straight from the source is quite another. "Food, Inc." touches on several of the same issues other books and films previously have - the abusive environments in which animals are raised, the demoralizing and unsanitary conditions under which workers operate, the propagation of disease from these awful conditions, and the ridiculous abuse well-meaning farmers face from corporate bullies who want the industry completely to themselves. Unfortunately, the film also shares the same problem most documentaries of this sort have: It's 90 minutes of problems and one minute of solutions, and a lot of its best information feels like anticlimactic common sense that its target audience already would know.
Extras: Deleted scenes, ABC News "Nightline" segment, two how-to features, celebrity PSAs, tip sheet.
"I Love You, Beth Cooper" (PG-13, 2009, Fox): The title doesn't lie: Denis Cooverman (Paul Rust) really does love Beth Cooper (Hayden Panettiere). He loves her so much, in fact, that he uses his high-school valedictorian speech not only to speak to her for the first time, but to tell her in no uncertain terms that he loves her. That, to his credit, leads to a post-ceremony conversation, which leads to an invitation to a bogus party he and best friend Rich (Jack Carpenter) aren't actually throwing. That, in turn, leads to the fake party, and from there, it's a wacky night to remember featuring all kinds of wacky antics.
- McClatchy-Tribune News Service
