A unique nonfiction film chronicling the life of an ordinary bovine tops the DVD releases for the week of Aug. 2.
"Cow": This verite-style wordless documentary from filmmaker Andrea Arnold is a carefully considered contemplation of the day-to-day existence of Luma, an English dairy cow.
"The life of a dairy cow in 'Cow' is an endless parade of intrusions on what we might consider the natural order," writes Tribune News Service critic Katie Walsh in her review. "Luma’s a working mother, only allowed a nuzzle or two with her baby before the babe is given a rubber udder attached to a pail and mom is back to be milked or mated with."
In awarding the movie 3 out of 4 stars, Walsh found that "while it can be a challenging watch, 'Cow' doesn’t necessarily have a specific agenda, and is not an indictment of the dairy industry. It offers up a clear-eyed observation of the process and allows the viewer to decide."
ALSO NEW ON DVD AUG. 2
"White Elephant": Two police officers find themselves in the mob's crosshairs after witnessing an attempted hit job in this action thriller starring Michael Rooker, John Malkovich and Bruce Willis in one of his final appearances.
"Shalom Taiwan": Heartwarming Argentinian dramedy about a rabbi who traverses the globe in search of donations to save his Jewish community center in Buenos Aires.
OUT ON DIGITAL HD AUG. 2
"All Must Die": A group of women embark on a bachelorette party in the woods for the weekend, with deadly consequences, in this Norwegian take on the slasher genre.
"Allegoria": Written and directed by Spider One, younger brother of Rob Zombie and founder of Powerman 5000, this horror film concerns a group of artists who have their insecurities manifest into terrifying monsters.
"Anais in Love": French comedy about a free-spirited 30-something engaged in a manic search for some stability, and inspiration, as she contemplates leaving her boyfriend while hurtling through lovers with abandon.
———
