The Video On Demand Power Ranker returns this week with a batch of new movies to watch. Sure, there are some holdovers on the list, such as (the still excellent) Life of Pi, but our brain-implanted super computer appears to be feeling that which is fresh this week.
Will you go along for the journey? Don’t say no. It doesn’t like being told no.
1. Lincoln
Daniel Day-Lewis disappears and Abraham Lincoln emerges in Steven Spielberg’s multi-Oscar nominated tale of political intrigue and emancipations. It’s quite long, is presented alongside a big, sweeping score and has some exceptional performances. It earned its Oscar nominations with the blood, sweat and tears of the set decorators responsible for all those painstaking details. Available on iTunes, Vudu, Amazon, Cable On Demand, YouTube and Google Play.
2. On the Road
Insert comment about Kristen Stewart nudity, only to be more impressed with her lively dance scenes and somewhat energetic nature. Who knew that she had it in her? Available on Cable on Demand.
3. Red Dawn
WOLVERINES! Straight out of the 80s… Or 2012. Either way, the guy who played Thor and the dude from The Wackness team up to eject some invading, somewhat nondescript Asian invaders. You are guaranteed some fun action with this one. And yelling, lots of yelling. Available on iTunes, Vudu, Amazon, Cable On Demand, YouTube and Google Play.
4. Room 237
Our Landon Palmer called it “an entertaining and occasionally thought-provoking dive into the minds ofThe Shining’s uber-fans, and a compelling chronicle of the subjective life of fandom at large.” That should make you want to check it out. Available March 29 on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube, Playstation, XBOX, Vudu and Time Warner.
5. The Collection
The crazy masked killer from The Collector is back. This time, he’s still collecting. Available on Vudu, Amazon and Cable.
6. Welcome to the Punch
James McAvoy and Mark Strong go head-to-head as kickass detective and master criminal in a film from the director of Shifty that promises some fast action, angry stares and so far as we can tell, car chases. Available March 30 on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube, Playstation, XBOX, Vudu and Cable.
7. Life of Pi
What do you mean you still haven’t watched our number 1 recommended film of last week? Get on that. Still available on iTunes, Amazon Instant, Xfinity, Time Warner, Vudu, Google Play and YouTube.
8. Kiss of the Damned
It’s vampires, but not the Twilight kind. Director Xan Cassavetes is clearly working toward a darker, more sexual end-game here. Available on iTunes, Vudu, Cable and someday on the Cinemax Late Night schedule, for sure.
9. The Paperboy
From the director of Precious comes a movie that involves Nicole Kidman peeing on things. It’s also a drama about a reporter searching for truth in a Florida court. Which is twice as frightening as vampires. Available on iTunes, Vudu, Amazon, YouTube and Google Play.
10. Gimme the Loot
This SXSW 2012 jury award-winning darling enters the world of VOD a year following its big wins, but it’s still just as good as it was last March. It’s a soul music-infused, street art-covered film about two artists trying to make their way in The Big Apple. Another great New York story. Available March 29 on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube, Playstation, XBOX, Vudu and Cable.