By Bob Bloom The following titles are being released on Tuesday, Sept. 1, unless otherwise noted: Irresistible (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Details: 2020, Universal Studios Home Entertainment Rated: R, language, sexual references The lowdown:“Irresistible,” writer-director Jon Stewart’s new political satire, offers several laughs — mostly because of stars Steve Carell and Rose Byrne — but its softball parody about electioneering is openly condescending and toothless. What keeps “Irresistible” from totaling collapsing is the presence of Chris Cooper as the small-town mayoral candidate who becomes the focus of an election battle between two opposing, high-priced political operatives, played by Carell and Byrne. For decades, Hollywood has produced movies that either portrayed middle-class and/or rural Americans as unsophisticated rubes or as wise, down-to-earth folk who easily outwit the city slickers. Stewart’s primary focus is the abuses of political campaigns — especially the process’s financial aspects. While Stewart’s barbs are on point, “Irresistible,” at times, feels and sounds as if he is preaching to the choir. Yes, we all know that the spending abuses of political campaigns, as well as using focus groups and demographics are out of control. Without offering any solutions, Stewart gently lampoons those excesses. What “Irresistible” is missing is a sense of passion or anger; sure, Stewart displays some disgust for the entire process, but he does so in a way that dilutes his argument. “Irresistible” is safe and it’s fun, but such a satire about today’s dysfunctional political climate should be more ferocious and unforgiving. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 1.66:1 side-matted picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 Dolby digital DVS; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 1.66:1 side-matted picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital and 2.0 Dolby digital DVS: English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus materials include deleted and extended scenes, a gag reel, a behind-the-scenes making of featurette, a look at the movie’s cast and a featurette on Stewart.
New to View: Sept. 1: Update
New to View: Sept. 1: Update
New to View: Sept. 1: Update
By Bob Bloom The following titles are being released on Tuesday, Sept. 1, unless otherwise noted: Irresistible (Blu-ray + DVD + digital) Details: 2020, Universal Studios Home Entertainment Rated: R, language, sexual references The lowdown:“Irresistible,” writer-director Jon Stewart’s new political satire, offers several laughs — mostly because of stars Steve Carell and Rose Byrne — but its softball parody about electioneering is openly condescending and toothless. What keeps “Irresistible” from totaling collapsing is the presence of Chris Cooper as the small-town mayoral candidate who becomes the focus of an election battle between two opposing, high-priced political operatives, played by Carell and Byrne. For decades, Hollywood has produced movies that either portrayed middle-class and/or rural Americans as unsophisticated rubes or as wise, down-to-earth folk who easily outwit the city slickers. Stewart’s primary focus is the abuses of political campaigns — especially the process’s financial aspects. While Stewart’s barbs are on point, “Irresistible,” at times, feels and sounds as if he is preaching to the choir. Yes, we all know that the spending abuses of political campaigns, as well as using focus groups and demographics are out of control. Without offering any solutions, Stewart gently lampoons those excesses. What “Irresistible” is missing is a sense of passion or anger; sure, Stewart displays some disgust for the entire process, but he does so in a way that dilutes his argument. “Irresistible” is safe and it’s fun, but such a satire about today’s dysfunctional political climate should be more ferocious and unforgiving. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 1.66:1 side-matted picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 Dolby digital DVS; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 1.66:1 side-matted picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital and 2.0 Dolby digital DVS: English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus materials include deleted and extended scenes, a gag reel, a behind-the-scenes making of featurette, a look at the movie’s cast and a featurette on Stewart.