So today is probably one of my favorite days of the year because two of my favorite movies this year finally come out on DVD, Charlie Bartlett and In Bruges are by far two of the greatest movies I have seen so far in 2008 and that’s even including the amazing comic book movies we’ve had this summer.
Charlie Bartlett, a teen comedy that took me by complete surprise earlier this year. With Anton Yelchin being fairly new to the scene, and Robert Downey Jr. just trying to make his comeback trail, it should be no shock that I had my few doubts. However every single one of them left as the story of an odd kid becomes Mr. Popularity unfolds. What really made this movie, was the acting, and the script.
The acting was phenomenal as Anton Yelchin played the “just trying to fit in teen” to a T, yet it was really more than that, as he also had to play the rich kid who was too smart for public schools, (Yelchin plays both parts incredibly well). The movie isn’t a one man show, as Robert Downey Jr. plays the alcoholic (big shock) father who is trying to not only deal with a rebellious teenage daughter, but dealing with his own self doubt as he takes a job that he never really wanted. Hope Davis does a wonderful job as Mrs. Bartlett, who truly loves Charlie but isn’t really all there. While this is a pretty all star cast the real shocker of the movie was Tyler Hilton playing the punk rock bully. At this point I believe the man can do anything, from playing Elvis, to a kid who gets kicks out of beating the crap out of others.
While the special features may seem standard, there really are some pretty great ones, my personal favorite being the Bathroom Confessions.
The Special Features include:
• Full screen and widescreen feature film
• Commentary with director Jon Poll and writer Gustin Nash
• Commentary with director Jon Poll and editor Alan Baumgarten
• Commentary with director Jon Poll, actors Anton Yelchin and Kat Dennings
• Spiral Beach – “Voodoo” music video
• Deleted scenes
• Featurettes
Charlie Bartlett hits shelves today, and it will be one that any movie lover will want in their collection.
CraveOnline Rating: 9/10
