New DVD Blu-Ray: ‘Skyfall,’ ‘Perks of Being a Wallflower’

Moviefone’s New Release Pick of the Week
“Skyfall”
What’s It About? Daniel Craig returns as the perma-suave agent who is charged with protecting MI6 and M (Judi Dench) from a ridiculously coiffed villain (Javier Bardem) hell-bent on revenge.
See It Because: The movie has been heralded as the best Bond ever. And indeed, “Skyfall” gives fans everything they ever wanted from a 007 flick: a fresh take on the franchise, with a nod to bygone tropes.

New on DVD & Blu-ray
“Bully”
What’s It About? A startlingly frank documentary looks into the lives of several small-town teenagers and the daily harassment they receive from school tormentors. Unfortunately, so much media uproar was made about the movie’s potential R-rating, that the actual content of the film became an afterthought. While “Bully” doesn’t answer a lot of the big social and psychological questions regarding bullying, the footage of actual harassment is so shockingly raw, that it’s impossible to not feel emotionally affected.
See It or Skip It: See it.

“Dangerous Liaisons”
What’s It About? The scandalous romance is adapted — again. This time, it’s set in 1930s Shanghai and stars the gorgeous Zhang Ziyi. It looks pretty, but there have been better versions.
See It or Skip It: See it if you’re a completest.

“The Kid With a Bike” (Criterion Collection)
What’s It About? This Belgian import — and Grand Prix winner at the Cannes Film Festival — tells the story of a 12-year-old boy who has been abandoned by his deadbeat father and had his bike stolen. Eventually, a beautiful young woman finds him and tries to help him stay out of trouble with local gangs, avoid foster care and deal with a terrible parent. It’s an emotionally heavy movie, but it’s worth it for how good it is.
See It or Skip It: See it.

“The Man With the Iron Fists”
What’s It About? Hip-hop legend the RZA writes, directs and stars in a gonzo kung-fu flick about warring clans with magic powers and extravagant weapons, with a supporting cast that includes Russell Crowe, Lucy Liu, Pam Grier and stars from the UFC and WWE. It’s not the most polished film, but with help from Quentin Tarantino, it’s fun escapism in the vein of “Kill Bill.”
See It or Skip It: See it.

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower”
What’s It About? A troubled young teenager in his first year of high school tries to navigate the halls while fighting his inner demons. This movie was so intense and heartfelt, it brought back searing memories of high school life — both the unrestricted highs of your first friendships and the devastating lows of not quite fitting in. Logan Lerman shines as the film’s protagonist Charlie.
See It or Skip It: See it.

“Robot & Frank”
What’s It About? Frank Langella stars as a cantankerous old man and ex-con, living in the near future, who is burdened with a fully-functional robot house sitter. He begins to train the robot to help him pull off one last major jewel heist, all while he’s trying to impress the local librarian (played by Susan Sarandon). Langella and his robot roommate (voiced by Peter Sarsgaard) are a great odd couple, and it makes for nicely done, character-based science fiction.
See It or Skip It: See it.

Watch an Exclusive Scene from “Robot & Frank”
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“The Sessions”
What’s It About? Oscar-nominated character actor John Hawkes stars as a man confined to an iron lung and determined to lose his virginity at the age of 38. With the guidance of his priest (William H. Macy), he begins an awkward and funny relationship with a professional “sex surrogate” therapist (played by Helen Hunt). “Sessions” seems like it could be corny, sugary-sweet Oscar bait, but the movie offers a genuinely funny and honest look at sexual intimacy. Hunt and Macy deliver as usual, but the film’s obvious acting anchor is Hawkes, who creates a character that is vulnerable and determined, using no body parts below his neck.
See It or Skip It: See it.

“Silent Hill: Revelation”
What’s It About? This is the second attempt to adapt the beloved horror video game series filled with unnerving, atmospheric art direction; it’s as superficial as the first go-around.
See It or Skip It: Skip it.

“Smiley”
What’s It About? One of the freakiest-looking movie slashers is wasted on a schlocky tale about a monster that hides out in the Internet (or maybe it’s all inside the main character’s head?!).
See It or Skip It: Skip it.

New to Blu-ray
“Diamonds Are Forever”

“In Like Flint”

“The Living Daylights”

“Octopussy”

“On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”

“The Spy Who Loved Me”

“Tomorrow Never Dies”

“A View to a Kill”

“You Only Live Twice”