DVD Picks

Pick of the Week

Green Zone

Action drama; rated R for violence and language; also available on Blu-ray

The Gist: Matt Damon plays U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller, dispatched to Iraq during the 2003 invasion to find those infamously elusive weapons of mass destruction. He doesn't, of course, and gradually gets tangled in the stickier aspects of U.S. foreign policy.

The Lowdown: Paul Greengrass is one of our most interesting commercial filmmakers. Director of the last two Jason Bourne movies, he makes mainstream action movies with uncommon intelligence, and if there is a better architect of the high-tech contemporary action-thriller working today, I'm not aware. OK, maybe Tony Gilroy - but then, he wrote those Bourne movies.

"Green Zone" pairs Greengrass once again with Matt Damon, another film professional adept at making bang-bang movies much smarter than they would be otherwise. Unlike the Bourne movies, "Green Zone" has its feet firmly planted in current, actual geopolitical firmament. As such, it's a bit of a cross between the heightened espionage world of the Bourne films and Greengrass' hyperrealistic 9/11 document "United 93."

"Green Zone" is entirely fictional but based on conclusions many of us have come to in the wake of the Iraq War. Greengrass has a tremendous talent for imparting information visually, so that we're sufficiently oriented at all times as to who's who, why they're doing what, and when and where we are. This is very tricky to pull off, especially in a story with this many ambiguities and complications.

I could go on saying nice things all day. "Green Zone" essentially takes the historical record regarding the WMD debacle, adds some informed conjecture, then skillfully elevates it all with action-thriller storytelling strategies.

The Extras: A nice package of deleted scenes, two substantial production docs and feature commentary by Damon and Greengrass

The Bottom Line: A smart balance of action and intrigue, with a strongly stated point of view.

Double Secret Bonus Tip: Greengrass began his career shooting documentaries in war zones.

She's Out of My League

Comedy; rated R for language and sexual content; also available on Blu-ray

The Gist: Pittsburgh TSA agent Kirk - a "five" or "six" on the universal hotness scale - earns a date with the improbably hot Molly, a "hard 10" who is, indeed, out of his league. And yet, somehow, love blossoms.

The Lowdown: In the vein of frank sex comedies like "There's Something About Mary" and Judd Apatow's assembly line, "League" holds its own because of a genuinely funny script, good ensemble comedy acting and the general likability of its two leads - Jay Baruchel ("Knocked Up") and British newcomer Alice Eve. Lots of filthy jokes here, though - those with delicate sensibilities will want to steer clear.

Much of the fun comes from the running commentary of Kirk's sidekick buddies, who insist (rightfully so) that a goofball like Kirk doesn't just land a hottie like Molly - it's going to take some work. While the jokes and squirmy situations are pretty good by themselves, the guys sell their scenes together with great chemistry and timing.

The Extras: Deleted scenes, extended ending, blooper reel, director's commentary track, the pretty funny "Devon's Dating Show" with dating advice for the fellas.

The Bottom Line: Everything in "League" has precedent in the gross-out comedy genre, but it all hangs together here remarkably well.

Double Secret Bonus Tip: "Hard 10" was the initial working title of the movie.