1. Watchmen

A complex, multi-layered mystery adventure, Watchmen is set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the “Doomsday Clock” – which charts the USA’s tension with the Soviet Union – is permanently set at five minutes to midnight. When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed-up but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion–a ragtag group of retired superheroes, only one of whom has true powers–Rorschach glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Their mission is to watch over humanity…but who watches over them?

What’s good about it:
Everything. Zack Snyder’s fantastic vision of Alan Moore’s nihilistic yet campy graphic novel is breathtaking. The cast is fantastic, particularly Jackie Earle Haley and Patrick Wilson. I wasn’t a fan of 300 (yes, I know it’s a sin) but Snyder more than makes up for it with Watchmen. Must own this film.

What’s bad about it:
It’s not for everyone. Some of you will find it a bit too heavy-handed and ponderous.

Bottom Line:
Like I said it’s not for everyone. Those of you who enjoyed Moore’s graphic novel will likely enjoy the experience. Those that go into it expecting The Dark Knight or another 300 will be sorely disappointed.

2. The Echelon Conspiracy

Mysterious cell phone messages promise a young American engineer untold wealth–then make him the target of a deadly international plot. Dangerous security operatives chase the engineer across the globe, while a powerful government official pursues a mysterious agenda that threatens the stability of the entire world.

What’s good about it:
Nothing. The film’s obvious budget constraints work against it.

What’s bad about it:
Just about everything. Ed Burns showed up for a paycheck, and you can tell. The storytelling is sloppy and the editing and camerawork are standard at best.

Bottom Line:
This is a waste of your time. If you’ve seen Enemy of the State or the atrocity that is Eagle Eye you know exactly what you’re in for here.

Other releases I didn’t get to see:
Coraline, The Great Buck Howard, Super Capers, Skeleton Crew.

*Buck Howard is getting some great reviews.

What you should buy on Blu-Ray this week:

1. Midnight Express

Midnight Express is the story of a young american, Hayes, who is caught trying to smuggle drugs out of Turkey and is thrown into prison. It is basesd on Billy Hayes’autobiographical book of the same name and was adapted to the screen by Oliver Stone. Express is one of Stone’s first produced writing efforts. Second only to his hard to find horror “Seizures”. While it may seem a bit tame in comparison to HBO’s “Oz” Midnight Express is still a solid prison Drama that packs an emotional punch. The high definition transfer looks fantastic except for a bit of grain during the darker scenes.