By Lisa Miller
Star Trek
(2009)
* * * (Grade B)
Directed by J.J. Abrams
Starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Eric Bana, Anton Yelchin, Zoe Saldana, John Cho, Leonard Nimoy, Bruce Greenwood, Ben Cross, Winona Ryder
Paramount—Rated PG-13—Sci-Fi—126 min
Gene Roddenberry's brightly lit vision of space exploration is boldly reborn. Quickly ramping up to warp speed, the new "Star Trek" re-imagines the original crew replete with new back stories altered by the time-bending effects of a black hole. Though Kirk and Spock suffer defining personal tragedies, Federation missions aboard the Starship Enterprise still conspire to bind Kirk, Spock, Bones, Scotty, Chekhov, Sulu and Uhura into a cohesive crew.
Prior to signing on with Starfleet, young James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) is an angry rebel with a heroic heart. The son of a Starfleet captain, Kirk is challenged by his father's friend, Starfleet Commander Captain Pike (Bruce Greenwood), to test his mettle by joining up. On a distant planet, young Spock (Zachary Quinto) is subjected to discrimination as the half-breed progeny of a Vulcan father (Ben Cross) and a human mother (Winona Ryder), the latter regarded as a lesser species. To escape such narrow-mindedness Spock joins Starfleet. Both men's back stories go overboard in making these points, but the film's use of humor makes their tales enjoyable.
Where Spock is all intellectual muscle, Kirk operates according to a virtually infallible instinct. As before, Kirk and Spock are Yin and Yang, each made better by the other. For now, Spock is put off by Kirk's efforts to short circuit the system while Kirk is peeved by Spock's lip-locking with a pretty Starfleet crew member.
Trekkies are invited to boldly go further back than ever before with a stable of young actors making the characters their own—within limits. Quinto's Spock is set to follow in Nimoy's footsteps as the most popular Enterprise officer, but Pike's boyishly handsome Kirk will quicken many a feminine heart. Karl Urban's peppy cynicism narrowly misses DeForest Kelley's "Bones," but ignites a spark. Simon Pegg's Scotty is an impeccable bit of comic engineering transforming every line into overdrive. Zoe Saldana's Uhura is smartly saucy as the ship's xenolinguist, fluent in a dozen off-world languages, while Anton Yelchin's Chekhov splinters each "V" into a "W" with obvious joy. John Cho captures Sulu's efficiency, but has few comic moments.
Eric Bana is virtually unrecognizable as Romulan baddie Nero, requiring the actor to convey roiling anger and deep sorrow despite his character's facial prosthetics. The overly tattooed Nero seems almost ordinary next to his spaceship projecting a multitude of metal tendrils that remind me of a Troll Doll having a bad hair day. In contrast, the USS Enterprise remains a gleaming symbol of hope, further updated in this reboot. Leonard Nimoy gives an important performance that propels the plot while imparting a sense of continuity to this origin story. A major detractor is a musical soundtrack that might have been written for a romantic saga. Since 13 people are credited with the hodgepodge score, I'm not certain who is to blame, but someone deserves a blast from a phaser set to stun.
Having boldly conquered the movie universe with an astounding $72 million dollar opening weekend, the new "Star Trek" is sure to live longer and prosper well into the 21st century.
Angels & Demons
(2009)
* *1/2 (Grade B-)
Directed by Ron Howard
Starring Tom Hanks, Ayelet Zurer, Ewan McGregor, Stellan Skarsgard, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Piefrancesco Favino, Nikolaj Lie Kaas
Sony—Rated PG-13—Drama—138 min
Boosting its action quotient, Ron Howard and his screenwriters appear determined to overcome the "Da Vinci Code's" leaden adaptation. In this prequel Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Hanks), is summoned to find four kidnapped cardinals considered front-runners for the papacy. Aided by the recently deceased pope's friend (McGregor), along with Inspector Olivetti (Favino) and beautiful Italian scientist Vittoria (Zurer), Langdon tracks the Illuminati, a religious cult terrorizing the Vatican. As dead cardinals pile up, Langdon races from church to church, charting a path of religious symbols to locate the perpetrators. Generous helpings of mysterious deaths, explosions and gorgeous recreations of Vatican locations, are hopeful signs that this chapter has escaped its book-to-screen demons.
Management
(2008)
* *1/2 (Grade B-)
Directed by Stephen Belber
Starring Jennifer Aniston, Steve Zahn, Woody Harrelson, Fred Ward, Margo Martindale, James Liao
Image Entertainment—Rated R—Comedy—93 min
While on an out-of-town trip, button-down saleswoman Sue (Aniston) checks into a roadside motel owned by Mike’s parents. Hoping to get to know her better, Mike (Zahn) brings Sue a complimentary bottle of wine, and over a little vino, a romantic spark ignites. When Sue returns to her home in Maryland—and to her wealthy, but flaky boyfriend (Harrelson), Mike embarks on a journey to win her affections—despite Sue's belief that love needs money to thrive. Although their attraction must overcome Mike's stint in a monastery and his extremely ill, but unaccountably assertive mother, Aniston and Zahn make the most of their persuasive chemistry and offbeat roles. That's good management.
Next Day Air
(2009)
* *1/2 (Grade B-)
Directed by Benny Boom
Starring Donald Adeosun Faison, Mos Def, Mike Epps, Debbie Allen
Summit Entertainment—Rated R—Comedy
Leo (Faison), a lazy delivery guy working for his mom, has been toking up with his bud when he delivers a large package of cocaine to the wrong address. The accidental recipients are a pair of bumbling hoods who waste no time selling the drugs to one of the men's cousins. Meanwhile, both the sender and the intended receiver are determined to either get their goods back or make someone pay. Brought to you by the production company behind "Twilight," Mos Def reportedly banned the "N-word" from both the set and the film in an effort to raise its standards.
Battle For Terra
(2007)
* *1/2 (Grade B-)
Directed by Aristomenis Tsirbas
Voices of Evan Rachel Wood, Luke Wilson, Justin Long, Brian Cox, James Garner, Chris Evans, Dennis Quaid
Lionsgate—Rated PG—Animated, Family—Sci-Fi—85 min
Invading aliens have arrived—and they are—Us??!!!? Having destroyed our own planet, mankind's remnants wander space in search of a new home. We find it on Terra, a rocky planet we can terraform to suit our needs, however, oxygenating Terra's atmosphere will kill the planet's indigenous intelligent species. A conscientious human hopes to help Terra resist our invasion. The film, rendered in a muted palette, is uncertain about the identity of its audience and played to small audiences during its opening weekend.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
(2009)
* *1/2 (Grade B-)
Directed by Gavin Hood
Starring Hugh Jackman, Live Schreiber, Ryan Reynolds, Dominic Monaghan
Fox—Rated PG-13—Fantasy—107 min
Because Hugh Jackman is a major box office draw and because his character Wolverine is such a crowd-pleaser, it was inevitable he would get an X-Men movie of his own. Born in the Mid-1800s, Logan, aka Wolverine, and his brother Victor, aka Sabretooth (Schreiber), put their immortality and superpowers to good use as soldiers fighting in many wars. Eventually, the brothers are recruited onto a black ops squad of mutants. Wolverine tires of the violence, but his brother Sabretooth can't get enough. After Wolverine quits the squad, Sabretooth goes gunning for his brother, forcing the siblings into spectacular battles. Sabretooth's fingernails grow super-long, a match for Wolverine's clawlike metal knuckles. Schreiber is Jackman's screen equal in a moody film that stages knockout confrontations from different eras and around the globe. The video game spin-off possibilities are mindboggling.
Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past
(2009)
*1/2 (Grade C-)
Directed by Mark Waters
Starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Lacey Chabert, Michael Douglas, Emma Stone, Anne Archer, Robert Forster, Breckin Meyer
New Line Cinema—Rated PG-13—Comedy—102 min
Using the format from Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" as the foundation for a romantic comedy sounds promising, but doesn't pan out. Michael Douglas plays a deceased womanizer, returning as a spirit attempting to show his playboy nephew Connor (McConaughey) the error of following in his uncle's footsteps. It all happens one fateful weekend when Connor attends his brother's (Meyer) wedding. On hand for the event is Jenny (Garner), the one woman savvy enough to avoid Connor's bed, despite their longtime flirtation. After making a pass at the bride's mother (Archer), Connor falls under the spell of dead Uncle Wayne (Douglas), who compels him to tour his own past, present and future, guided by three girlfriends. Though McConaughey and Garner sport matching dimples, there's little chemistry there and we can't help hoping Jenny will leave the insufferable jerk for a better guy, preferably in a better movie.
Fighting
(2009)
* *1/2 (Grade B-)
Directed by Dito Montiel
Starring Channing Tatum, Terrence Howard, Brian White, Luis Guzman, Zulay Henao
Universal—Rated PG-13—Action—105 min
Small-town transplant Shawn (Tatum) is hawking counterfeit goods on NYC's streets when his fight prowess garners the attention of hustler Harvey Boarden (Howard). At first glance it appears to be a thugged-up version of "Rocky," but the film scores points for its brutal vision of bouts waged on the illegal fight scene. Director Dito Montiel uses fly camera-batics, but gets in close to bring his lead characters to life. If that seems like a tall order where Channing Tatum is concerned, that actor is excellently cast as the slightly dim Shawn. After becoming a hit in the fight world, Shawn falls for Zulay (Henao), a pretty single mom. If Shawn's going to make a life with her he needs to extricate himself from the fight scene, but doing so means fighting his way out.
Obsessed
(2009)
* (Grade D)
Directed by Steve Shill
Starring Idris Elba, Beyonce Knowles, Ali Larter, Bruce McGill, Jerry O'Connell, Christine Lahti
Screen Gems—Rated PG-13—Drama
The ongoing effort to make an actress of singer Beyonce Knowles reaches fever pitch in this "Fatal Attraction" look-alike. Knowles appears as the beautiful wife of a beset executive (Elba), while Larter stretches her resume as a stalker in the guise of a temp secretary. Though her cowardly husband fails to confess his difficult situation, wifey stands by her man after the dejected secretary threatens to sue him for sexual harassment. The interloper's ambition finally leads to a catfight-and-a-half, but we've seen this one 18 ways from Sunday on the Lifetime Channel.
The Soloist
(2009)
* * * (Grade B)
Directed by Joe Wright
Starring Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr., Catherine Keener
DreamWorks SKG—Rated PG-13—Drama—109 min
The true story of the friendship between LA Times reporter Steve Lopez (Downey Jr.) and homeless Nathaniel Ayers (Foxx), was scheduled for a November, 2008 Awards season release, then bumped to this spring. While seeking a subject for his column, Lopez stumbles upon Ayers playing a 2-stringed cello in the park. Astounded by what he hears, Lopez discovers that Ayers attended Juilliard until mental illness robbed him of a promising career. Moved by Ayers's plight three decades later, Lopez embarks on a journey to earn his trust, and bring Ayers closer to his dream of playing Walt Disney's Concert Hall. Adapted from Lopez's memoir, the film benefits from striking characters, classical music, a touching story, and hundreds of homeless people appearing as themselves.
Earth
(2007)
* * * 1/2 (Grade A-)
Directed by Alastair Fothergill, Mark Linfield
Narrated by James Earl Jones
Disney—Rated G—Documentary—99 min
In an attempt to document the effects of global warming on the planet's animal life, DisneyNature spent $47 million sending 30 camera teams to more than 200 locations over the course of on 4,500 shooting days. Three animal families, humpback whales, elephants and polar bears are followed on their seasonal treks. Cutesy narration by James Earl Jones is the main complaint, but astounding photography allows viewers to see earth's wildlife like we've never seen it before.
State Of Play
(2009)
* * * (Grade B)
Directed by Kevin Macdonald
Starring Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams, Ben Affleck, Helen Mirren
Universal—Rated PG-13—Thriller—132 mins
Adapted from a highly-rated BBC mini-series, this dramatic thriller returns Russell Crowe to a thinking man's role. He portrays Cal McCaffrey, an established Washington reporter and friend of Stephen Collins (Affleck), rising star U.S. Congressman serving on the defense committee. When Collins's assistant dies mysteriously and violently, McCaffrey investigates. Teamed with rookie reporter Della (McAdams), and under the scrutiny of his tough editor (Mirren), McCaffrey finds links to corporate wrongdoing and cover-ups. Assassins come crawling out of the woodwork, prompting McCaffrey to question his longtime association with Collins.
Crank: High Voltage
(2009)
*1/2 (Grade C-)
Directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor
Starring Jason Statham, Amy Smart, Clifton Collins, Efren Ramirez, Bai Ling, David Carradine, Reno Wilson, Dwight Yoakam, Corey Haim
Lionsgate—Rated R—Action—85 mins
Intense action, and maximum pain inform the efforts of protagonist Chev Chelios (Statham), who works overtime just to stay alive in this sequel. Viewers of the original "Crank" will recall a final scene depicting Chev's death, but as we learn in chapter two, he has been saved by technology. This includes an artificial heart that needs to be recharged regularly—and more often when Chev is extremely active. The Chinese Triad has harvested Chev's heart and he'll do anything—kill anyone—to retrieve it. Central characters from chapter one are back, most notably a scantily clad Amy Smart who gives Chev a shag for good luck. He'll need it.
17 Again
(2009)
* *1/2 (Grade B-)
Directed by Burr Steers
Starring Zac Efron, Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Michelle Trachtenberg, Sterling Knight
New Line—Rated PG-13—98 min
Having forsaken his basketball and college dreams on one fateful day in high school, Mike O'Donnell (Perry), now 37, is separated from his wife (Mann), estranged from his teen kids (Trachtenberg and Knight) and stuck in a dead end job. After reliving his glory days during a visit to his old school, Mike is magically transformed into a 17-year-old boy (played by Efron). Now a student at his kids' school, Mike befriends his children who take him back to their house. His body may be that of a teen, but Mike's still in love with his wife and feels compelled to keep his kids on the straight and narrow. Capitalizing on his do-over turns out to be harder than Mike ever imagined.
Hannah Montana: The Movie
(2009)
* *1/2 (Grade B-)
Directed by Peter Chelsom
Starring Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Emily Osment, Jason Earles, Lucas Till, Vanessa Williams
Disney—Rated G—Comedy—102 min
Expanding on her sitcom show and incorporating her music videos, Miley Cyrus takes to the screen—again—as Hannah Montana. Miley's growing up and her father, played by Miley's real-life dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, is worried. Miley's pop-star alter-ego Hannah Montana, is becoming a testy diva, losing her temper in public. To halt Miley's downward spiral, Dad spirits her off to Crowley Corners, Tennessee, home of the family ranch. Along for moral support is Miley's best friend Lily (Osment) and Miley's screw-up brother (Earles). Just as Miley begins to gain perspective, a local boy (Till) catches her eye and Hannah's antics rear an ugly head. Featuring 12 new songs including Miley's hit, "The Climb," the film cashes in on Disney's highly profitable asset while positioning Miley for bigger and better things to come.
Observe And Report
(2009)
*1/2 (Grade C-)
Directed by Jody Hill
Starring Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Ray Liotta, Michael Pena, John and Matthew Yuan, Celia Weston
Warner—Rated R—Comedy—86 min
An unexpectedly violent comedy, "Observe and Report" relies on a bevy of gross-out gags. Rogen appears as Ronnie Barnhardt, a bipolar mall security guard stirred to action by a flasher ruining many a shopper's spree. But there's a silver lining to the problem since Ronnie plans to use the flasher threat to get closer to cosmetics counter-girl, Brandi (Faris). To catch the perp Ronnie marshals help from his fellow security guards—only to be pushed aside by a police detective (Liotta). Between living with his alcoholic mom (Weston), Ronnie's own bipolar disorder and the detective's efforts to sideline the security team, Ronnie's success is far from assured. Additionally, Kevin James beat Rogen to the security guard theme with his highly successful "Paul Blart: Mall Cop." Nevertheless Rogen gives a disquieting performance that should cement his status as the Hollywood's oddest security guard.
Fast & Furious
(2009)
* * * (Grade B)
Directed by Justin Lin
Starring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, John Ortiz, Laz Alonso
Universal—Rated PG-13—Action—107 min
No expense was spared on the $85 million dollar four-quel starring everybody who was anybody in the other three. Vin Diesel returns as ex-con and street racer Dominic Toretto (Diesel), primed for a hardcore feud with agent Brian O'Connor (Walker)—that is until the pair agree to an uneasy truce to take down a common enemy. Brewster and Rodriguez return as love interests, joining the guys in their efforts to relieve a trucker of his million dollar fuel-train while keeping their muscle cars tuned up for each street race. Fans of "Tokyo Drift" will be glad to know that Sung Kang reprises his role. Tensions run high, but expectations are even higher for the latest installment of a $600 million dollar franchise based on Ken Li's "Vibe" magazine article, "Racer X."
Adventureland
(2009)
* * * (Grade B)
Directed by Greg Mottola
Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds
Miramax—Rated R—Drama—107 min
Set in the 1980s, collegiate and carnival cultures intertwine in an atmospheric drama-comedy. Eisenberg plays James, a Renaissance studies graduate whose dream of a European vacation goes bust when his family's fortune takes a turn for the worse. To earn graduate school tuition James gets a summer job at an amusement park. There he falls for tomboyish, acerbic Em (Stewart), unaware of her clandestine affair with an older man (Ryan). Period ambience is captured by a soundtrack trolling "Poison," "Yo La Tengo," "Crowded House," and others along with big-haired girls and carnie tricks for hanging onto those prized stuffed animals. Using humor to highlight the best and worst of the '80s, "Adventureland" is writer-director Greg Mottola's semi-autobiographical ode to coming of age through lost innocence.
Monsters vs. Aliens
(2009)
* * 1/2 (Grade B-)
Directed by Rob Letterman and Conrad Vernon
Voices of Reese Witherspoon, Rainn Wilson, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Kiefer Sutherland, Paul Rudd, Stephen Colbert
DreamWorks—Rated PG—Animated, Family—94 min
Reese Witherspoon headlines this animated science fiction entry voiced by an all-star cast. The plot, spoofing '50s sci-fi flicks, finds a 4-eyed alien (Wilson) threatening to destroy earth. To save our planet, the government releases monsters held in a secret hangar. Susan (Witherspoon), made into a 50-foot-tall-woman by an accident, leads efforts by earth's monsters to repel the aliens. She works with the brilliant Dr. Cockroach (Laurie), a gelatinous blob (Rogen), a fishy primate and a 350-foot grubworm. Fun and scares arise from action-packed, humorous confrontations that rarely let up. I smell sequel-bait.
The Haunting In Connecticut
(2009)
*1/2 (Grade C-)
Directed by Peter Cornwell
Starring Virginia Madsen, Martin Donovan, Elias Koteas, Kyle Gallner, Amanda Crew, Martin Donovan, Sophi Knight, Ty Wood, Erik Berg
Lionsgate—Rated PG-13—Horror—92 min
Though reportedly based on a true story, and boasting first-rate special effects, "Haunting" has received middling early reviews. Virginia Madsen makes a welcome return to the screen as Sara, a mother devoted to helping her eldest son, Matt (Gallner), overcome cancer. Experimental drugs appear to be working, but frequent trips to the treatment center compel Sara and her three children to move closer to the facility. Husband Peter (Donovan) must stay behind to work, leaving Sara and the kids to battle angry spirits that are drawn to Matt in their home away from home. The film pulls out all the stops to depict Matt's torment, but uneven storytelling fails to create tension in this instantly forgettable horror.
Knowing
(2009)
*1/2 (Grade C-)
Directed by Alex Proyas
Starring Nicolas Cage, Rose Byrne, Ben Mendelsohn, Terry Camilleri
Summit Entertainment—PG-13—Sci-Fi—115 min
Directed by Alex Proyas of 1998's "Dark City," and 2004's "I, Robot," "Knowing" is a hollow sci-fi/thriller. Cage appears as a professor who comes into possession of a paper containing mysterious numbers. Close study reveals that the numbers correctly predict the time and place of various impending disasters, including one that could spell mankind's demise. When officials refuse to listen, the professor searches for both the paper's author, and a means of warning those in danger. Although the big action set pieces are well-orchestrated, the film's final act is a huge letdown.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Out On Home Video - 5-13-09
OUT ON HOME VIDEO
By Lisa Miller
Earth Final Conflict: Season One
(2009)
* * (Grade C)
Created by Gene Roddenberry
Starring Kevin Kilner, Leni parker, Von Flores, Lisa Howard
Universal—Not Rated—Sci-Fi—914 mins
Prior to his 1991 death, "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry sketched out his concept for "Earth: Final Conflict" in a single paragraph. The Taelons are extraterrestrials claiming they have come to earth to share their advanced technological knowledge with mankind. As the series opens, America's Taelon representative Da'an (Leni parker), asks security officer William Boone (Kevin Kilner), to serve as his liaison. Boone overcomes his reluctance to work on behalf of another species after billionaire industrialist Jonathan Doors (David Hemblen) reveals he suspects the Taelons are not what they seem and that he seeks a link inside their operation. The series, produced on the cheap in Canada, envisions the Taelons as a humanoid-like species, but further along the evolutionary path. They are psychically linked by a hive mind, yet remain capable of independent thought. Their ulterior motives are vaguely alluded to, but Da'an is different, expressing his affinity for the human race. The series spends its dimes creating above average special effects only to squander its remaining nickels on bubblegum melodrama. Those scant episodes plumbing the dark side of alien-human relations almost redeem this Roddenberry enterprise. 5-Disc DVD set features: Season One Introduction with Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry, commentary on select episodes with crew, advisors and cast. Featurettes: Earth Final Conflict Genesis: A Retrospective, The Roddenberry Philosophy, DD 2.0 Stereo English language tracks, full-screen.
Crusoe: The Complete Series
(2008)
* * (Grade C)
Created by Stephen Gallagher
Starring Philip Winchester, Tongayi Chirisa, Sam Neill, Anna Walton, Mark Dexter
Universal—Not Rated—Action—552 min
Daniel Defoe's classic "Robinson Crusoe," becomes a television swashbuckler in search of an audience. Repeatedly assailed by both treasure hunters and marauding natives, shipwrecked hero Crusoe (Philip Winchester) and his native sidekick Friday (Tongayi Chirisa), use their knowledge of the island and their cunning inventions to defeat the invaders. Each confrontation leaves Crusoe depressed due to his longing for the wife and kids back in England. Crusoe copes with his sadness through his friendship with Friday and by retreating into happy memories. Having recast the elements of this classic, NBC made the ill-advised decision to air the melodramatic swordplay in an adult time slot when the material would have found its appropriate audience with the kiddies on Saturday mornings. 3-Disc DVD features: DD 5.1 SS English language tracks, widescreen.
Fashion in Film
(2008)
* *1/2 (Grade B-)
Starring Jennifer Beals, Tyson Beckford, Amanda Bynes, Malin Akerman, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Maria Menounos, Phillip Bloch, Monique Lhuillier
Anchor Bay—Not Rated—Documentary—56 min
The big screen influences fashion and this documentary sets about proving it. From the little black dress, to dozens of other fashion trends, the entertainment industry reflects and redesigns our clothes. Magazine covers, largely choosing to feature celebs, are one indication that models play second fiddle to celebrities where setting fashion is concerned. Time and again the documentary showcases a film clip or a red carpet moment, then tracks clothing designers attempts to catch up. Fashion may not be the reason we see movies, but fashion, for better or worse, proves the influence films exert over our daily lives. DVD features: DD English language tracks, widescreen.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Special Ed., DVD or Blu-Ray
(2008)
* * * (Grade B)
Directed by David Fincher
Starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Elias Koteas, Taraji P. Henson, Jason Flemyng, Tilda Swinton, Julia Ormond, Elle Fanning
Paramount—Rated PG-13—Drama—165 min
The short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald is expanded into a nearly 3-hour film spectacle. The tale unfolds in flashback, from the perspective of a dying woman who has loved Benjamin Button her entire life. Button (Pitt) was born an infant-sized old man, but grew younger as he got older until finally he and Daisy (Blanchett), were approximately the same physical age. Not much happens because the film relies on its inspiring characters and high value production to carry the day. The effort can be powerful, but the film cheats viewers out of Button's final years as an old man who would have looked like a little child. The movie won Oscars for Best Art Direction, Best Makeup, and Best Visual Effects. 2-Disc DVD features: director commentary, 4-part documentary: The Curious Birth of Benjamin Button, trailers, Easter Eggs, Photo Galleries, DD 5.1 English language tracks, Subtitles French, Spanish subtitles, widescreen. 2-Disc Blu-Ray features the same plus: DTS HD Master Audio English language tracks, Easter Egg HD.
Dexter: Season Two, Blu-Ray
(2007)
* * *1/2 (Grade A-)
Starring Michael C. Hall, James Remar, Julie Benz, Keith Carradine, Jennifer Carpenter, Erik King
Paramount—Not Rated—Drama—636 min
Dexter (Hall) is a serial killer specializing in killing other serial killers. He's also a forensic blood-splatter analyst for Miami's police force, putting himself on an inside track to identify killers and dole out his own brand of justice. This season, Dexter enters a 12-step program to please his girlfriend (Benz) who blames his unexplained disappearances on substance abuse. However, when Dexter's dumping ground for victims is discovered, he actually works the steps hoping to cure his killing addiction. Helped by a strangely compelling and dangerous female sponsor (Murray), Dexter tries coming to terms with his murderous past in a failed effort to become the regular fellow he tries appearing to be. 4-Disc Blu-Ray set features: DD 2.0 Stereo or DD 5.1 English or DD Spanish language tracks, Letterbox widescreen.
Bleak House, Blu-Ray
(2005)
* * *1/2 (Grade A-)
Directed by Justin Chadwick, Susanna White
Starring Gillian Anderson, Anna Maxwell Martin, Charles Dance, Burn Gorman
BBC Warner—Not Rated—Drama—8 hours
Paralleling the experience of reading Charles Dickens as closely as any screen adaptation can, this remarkable mini-series incorporates Alfred Hitchcock's odd camera angles, jump cuts and sharply discordant music. Mystery and drama arise out of the legal dispute over numerous unsubstantiated wills of the Jarndyce family that grind their way through 19th century English courts. At the heart of these events is plain, but radiant heroine, Esther Summerson (Anna Maxwell Martin). Esther, 19, and two of the Jarndyce wards are taken in by a middle-aged gentleman of means, John Jarndyce. A bachelor experienced in the protracted court battle, John Jarndyce watches helplessly as one of his wards becomes obsessed with winning the dispute At the same time, an unctuous barrister, Mr. Tulkinghorn (Charles Dance), threatens to expose a secret past that will ruin Lady Dedlock (Gillian Anderson). Blackmail, coercion, sickness, murder and death contribute heavy story elements, but we rest our hopes in Esther's ability to recognize the truth and respond appropriately. Blu-Ray features: Commentary, Interviews, Photo Galleries, DD 2.0 Stereo English language tracks, widescreen.
American Pie 2: Collectors Ed.
(2001)
* * (Grade C)
Directed by J. B. Rogers
Starring Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Chris Klein, Seann William Scott, Eugene Levy, Mean Suvari, Tara Reid, Shannon Elizabeth, Natasha Lyonne
Universal—Rated R—Comedy—104 min
This sequel gross-out comedy returns the players to Lake Michigan where we last met a group of 19-year-olds hoping to lose their virginity. On vacation from college, Oz (Klein) struggles to stay faithful to his girlfriend Heather (Suvari) who is studying in Paris. Biggs returns as Jim, the geeky jock fearful he is inadequate in the sack. Several sight gags nearly justify the film, as does Sean William Scott whose barking, girl-crazed Stifler its most rewarding, unapologetic character. DVD features: commentary with Director, screenwriter Adam Herz, Behind the Scenes featurette, deleted scenes, Making Of featurette, Jason Biggs intro, Outtakes, trailers, Additional Text: Classic Quotes, DD 5.1 English language tracks, letterbox widescreen.
It Could Happen To You, Blu-Ray
(1994)
* *1/2 (Grade B-)
Directed by Andrew Bergman
Starring Nicolas Cage, Bridget Fonda, Rosie Perez Seymour Cassel, Isaac Hayes
Sony—Rated PG—Comedy—101 min
Nicolas Cage is the generous cop promising half his lottery ticket to a coffee shop waitress (Fonda), in lieu of a tip, should he win. When the ticket hits big he pays her, and together, they race around New York City giving money to the less fortunate. Meanwhile, the cop's wife (Perez) is figuring out how to divorce her head-in-the-clouds husband but keep all the money. It sounds reasonable, especially since her character provides practically all the laughs. Not to worry, however, in this "happy-sappy" Hollywood ending everyone's dreams comes true. Blu-Ray features: BDLive enabled, Dolby True HD 5.1 English, French or Portuguese or DD 5.1 Spanish language tracks, widescreen.
Vertigo: Collector's Ed.
(1958)
* * *1/2 (Grade A-)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Starring James Stewart, Kim Novak, Ellen Corby, Lee Patrick, Henry Jones, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore
Universal—Rated PG—Thriller—129 min
Hitchcock's 1958 classic is beautifully restored and features the inimitable Jimmy Stewart as Scottie Ferguson, an acrophobic ex-police detective. Coming to the aid of a friend, Scottie trails the man's wife Madeleine (Kim Novak), a delusional, possibly suicidal beauty. Scottie falls hard for her, but his vertigo renders him unable to save Madeleine from falling to her death. Months later, evidence surfaces suggesting Scottie's been duped, and the detective risks everything to learn the truth. Hitchcock's exciting camera work is enhanced by Bernard Herrmann's intense score and a picturesque old San Francisco that dwarfs young Novak's beauty. DVD features: restoration team commentary, Alternate Ending: Hitchcock's Foreign Censorship, film highlights, Production Interviews, Featurette: Obsessed with Vertigo, trailers, Text/Photo Galleries: Production Notes, cast and crew bios, DD 5.1 English language tracks, letterbox widescreen.
Rear Window: Collector's Ed.
(1954)
* * * * (Grade A)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Starring James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Raymond Burr, lma Ritter, Wendell Corey, Frank Cady, Judith Evelyn, Sara Berner, Georgine Darcy
Universal—Rated PG—Thriller—115 min
Everyman Jimmy Stewart, homebound by an injury, occupies his time spying on the suspicious man in an apartment across the courtyard. Convinced the man is a murderer, Stewart draws both his girlfriend (Grace Kelly) and nurse (Thelma Ritter) into the tense drama. Remastered and looking fine, now is the time to rediscover Hitchcock's voyeuristic masterpiece. DVD features: Featurettes: Conversation with Screenwriter John Michael Hayes, Making Of, Rerelease trailer, Text/Photo Galleries: Production Notes, cast, and crew bios, Production Stills, DD Mono 2.0 English language tracks, letterbox widescreen.
DVD-ROM Features: Script.
Frost/Nixon, DVD or Blu-Ray
(2008)
* * *1/2 (Grade A-)
Directed by Ron Howard
Starring Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Kevin Bacon, Oliver Platt, Sam Rockwell, Toby Jones, Matthew MacFadyen, Rebecca Hall
Universal—Rated R—Drama—122 min
Recreating a spectacular confluence of circumstances, the film depicts the negotiations that led to Richard Nixon's interview series with TV journalist, David Frost. Occurring in 1977, three years after Nixon resigned the presidency, the film examines Frost's efforts to resurrect his flagging journalism career. Tired of his San Clemente solitude, Nixon had $600,000 reasons for agreeing to the scheme. While their conversations are best characterized as an extended joust, each man's appearance yielded a measure of what he hoped for. All the performances are inspired, especially from Langella, who inhabits Nixon's mannerisms and appears to have gotten inside his subject's head. DVD features: director commentary, deleted scenes, featurettes: Making-of, The Real Interview, The Nixon Library, DD 5.1 SS English, French or Spanish language tracks, widescreen. Blu-Ray features the above plus: The People and Places Behind the Story, BD-Live Download Center, U Control: Picture-In-Picture, The Nixon Chronicles, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 English, DTS 5.1 SS English, or Spanish language tracks, French subtitles.
Mission Impossible: Season Six
(1971)
* * * (Grade B)
Created by Bruce Geller
Starring Peter Graves, Greg Morris, Peter Lupus, Lynda Day George, Valentin de Vargas
Voice of Bob Johnson
Paramount—Not Rated—Drama—1119 min
This season Lynda Day George becomes the show's resident femme fatale, a good fit that anchors the IMF team. Season six gets down-to-business with a slightly altered format that opens each episode with the depiction of a crime. That crime is clarified in the tape recording (voiced by Johnson) that follows. The voice explains who committed the act and their motivations, then lays out the mission for IMF leader Jim Phelps (Graves). He is one of four operatives that include Greg Morris and Peter Lupus as the team's electronics expert and strong man, respectively. This season Morris becomes a central player, taking on character roles and impersonating key figures as required. Rather than focus on foreign regimes, the missions involve dismantling "the syndicate." The domestically centered format makes room for guest stars William Shatner, Tyne Daly, Tom Bosley, Joe Don Baker, Billy Dee Williams, Jack Cassidy, Bert Convy and a half dozen others. As always, "Mission Impossible" tactics favor discrediting the bad guys, rather than killing them, in order to cripple their organizations. While a few episodes are farfetched, the IMF's complex schemes generally depend on creative, but logical thinking and are well-executed. By never fully revealing the team's plan, each episode retains an all-important element of surprise. 6-disc DVD Box Set features: DD English language track, Portuguese or Spanish subtitles, full-screen.
Notorious
(2009)
* *1/2 (Grade B-)
Directed by George Tillman Jr.
Starring Angela Bassett, Derek Luke, Anthony Mackie, Jamal Woolard, Naturi Naughton, Julia Pace Mitchell, Antonique Smith, Dennis White
Fox—Rated R—Drama—129 min
The life of rapper Christopher Wallace, aka Notorious B.I.G. (Woolard), is chronicled in this docu-drama released 12 years after his untimely death. Wallace's Jamaican parentage, unattractive looks, early life selling drugs in Brooklyn and rise to the top of East Coast hip-hop, occasion this revisit to the talented man and his music. But the heart of the story lies in the B.I.G.'s friendship turned sour with West Coast king, Tupac Shakur—another rapper snuffed out in his prime. The film avoids speculation regarding Wallace's unsolved murder, yet it attempts to unravel an equally ambiguous subject when examining the relationships between rappers, gangs and hip-hop fans. 2-disc DVD features: Both widescreen theatrical feature and widescreen Unrated Director's Cut, commentary with director George Tillman, Jr., cowriters Reggie Rock Bythewood and Cheo Hodari Coker, editor Dirk Westervelt, co-manager/producer Wayne Barrow and Biggies, Mom/producer Voletta Wallace, 9 deleted scenes, Forced trailers, trailer Farm, featurette: Making-of, The Lyrics of Biggie Smalls, Casting the Film, Biggie Boot Camp, Anatomy of a B.I.G Performance, Party and Bullshit (Never Before Seen Footage), digital copy of film, DTS SS 5.1 English language track, French or Spanish subtitles. Blu-ray features same except: DTS SS 5.1 English language track, BD-Live music with Playlist Trivia.
Bride Wars, DVD or Blu-Ray
(2009)
*1/2 (Grade C-)
Directed by Gary Winick
Starring Anne Hathaway, Kate Hudson, Candice Bergen, Bryan Greenberg, Kristen Johnson
Fox—Rated PG—Comedy—90 min
The Year's first chick flick makes buffoons of Hathaway and Hudson, cast as lifelong friends who fight over the only wedding date and time available at New York City's Plaza Hotel—the venue each covets. The trailer gives away the film's distasteful pranks—a bad hair-dye job and a spray-on tan gone orange. Candice Bergen, playing a stern wedding planner, does her best to ground the unfunny antics, but the notion that women are this shallow is likely to resonate only with recently divorced men. DVD features: 3 deleted scenes including an Alternate Opening, trailers, featurette: The Perfect White Dress, DD 5.1 English or DD SS French or Spanish language tracks, widescreen. 2-disc Blu-ray features: Bonus Footage: 2 Improvisations - Amanda's Wedding Speech, Liv at Tanhattan, 7 Deleted Scenes Including an Alternate Opening, featurette: Something Old, Something New and What That's Gonna Cost You, Meet Me at the Plaza, The Perfect White Dress, In Character with Kate Hudson, In Character with Anne Hathaway, Man Den, Maid of Honor, Amanda-Cam, DD 5.1 DTS SS 5.1 English, French or Spanish language tracks, digital copy of film with all of the features from the DVD listed above.
Hotel For Dogs, DVD or Blu-Ray
(2009)
* *1/2 (Grade B-)
Directed by Thor Freudenthal
Starring Emma Roberts, Don Cheadle, Kevin Dillon, Kyla Pratt, Lisa Kudrow, Jake T. Austin
Paramount—Rated PG—Comedy—100 min
Adapted from Lois Duncan's popular children's book, the story follows the heroic effort by orphans Andi (Roberts), and her younger brother Bruce (Austin), to keep their beloved terrier. Sent to live with their pretentious, outlandish aunt and uncle (Kudrow and Dillion), the kids are warned by a social worker (Cheadle) to make it work because this is their only chance of remaining together. Since their aunt claims she's allergic to animals, the pair hide the terrier in an abandoned building already occupied by strays—but the dog catcher is a constant threat. By the third act, the film loses its footing and devolves into a wacky sitcom. DVD features: commentary with Thor Freudenthal, Ewan Leslie, Emma Roberts and Jake T. Austin, deleted scenes, featurettes: Making-of, That's The Coolest Thing I've Ever Seen!, K-9 Casting, Bark On Cue!, The Pedigree® Adoption Drive, Photo Gallery, DD 5.1 English, French or Spanish language tracks, widescreen. Blu-Ray features same as above except: Dolby True HD 5.1, DD 5.0 or DD 5.1 English, French or Spanish language tracks, Portuguese subtitles.
The Uninvited, DVD or Blu-Ray
(2009)
* *1/2 (Grade B-)
Directed by Charles and Thomas Guard
Starring Emily Browning, Arielle Kebbel, Elizabeth Banks, David Strathairn
DreamWorks—Rated PG-13—Horror—87 min
A "Sixth Sense" South Korean horror is reworked for the American market. Following her mother's death, Anna returns home from a mental hospital to find her mother's nurse Rachel (Banks) has become engaged to Anna's father (Strathairn). Enlightened by their mother's ghost, Anna and Anna's sister Alex (Krebbel) discover that Rachel's past isn't as she presents it. When their smitten father refuses to listen, the girls have their hands full trying to prove the truth while surviving Rachel's murderous fury. The film's unexpected twists and newly clarified script mark this as one of the few successful remakes of an Asian horror. DVD features: deleted scenes, featurettes: Unlocking the Uninvited, Alternative Ending, DD 5.1 English French or Spanish language tracks, widescreen. Blu-Ray features same except: DD 5.1, DD SS or Dolby True HD 5.1 English language tracks, French, Portuguese or Spanish subtitles.
While She Was Out
(2008)
* * (Grade C)
Directed by Sarah Montford
Starring Kim Basinger, Lukas Haas, Craig Sheffer, JamieStarr, Leonard Wu, Luis Chavez, Luke Gair and Erika-Shaye Gair
Anchor Bay—Rated R—Action—86 min
At 55, Kim Basinger is past the age at which she may gracefully play a meek suburban housewife and young mother. After witnessing a murder, Della (Basinger) fights back when a quartet of toughies—led by a scruffy Lukas Haas—set out to kill her. Written and directed by Sarah Montford, centering tense action in a partially completed housing development can almost make you forget the film's goofy dialog. Basinger fills this portion of her heroine's shoes admirably in what we imagine might be her revenge fantasy against ex-hubby, Alec Baldwin. DVD features: commentary with writer/director Sarah Montford and producer Don Murphy, Making-of featurette, trailer, TV Spots, DD English language track, widescreen.
H-2 Worker
(1990)
* *1/2 (Grade B-)
Directed by Stephanie Black
Docudrama Films—Not Rated—Documentary—70 min
"H-2 Worker" reveals the systematic exploitation of Caribbean laborers by the Florida sugar cane industry during the late 1980s. Forced to work under dangerous conditions, the islanders were paid about $2 per hour, far less than the wages advertised as payment for their backbreaking efforts. Employers justified the low pay by subtracting the costs of workers' living quarters, food and transportation from paycheck. In an included bonus feature, "Update on the Guest Worker Program," we learn that America cheats Jamaicans twice by granting generous subsidies to US growers. These payments depress domestic sugar prices and prevent Caribbean farmers from creating a sustainable sugar cane market of their own. When a long overdue inquiry revealed that Florida growers owed Caribbean workers in excess of $50 million dollars, the Florida plantation owners appealed the ruling and switched over to mechanical harvesters. Make that three cheats. DVD features: filmmaker commentary, Update on the Guest Worker Program, Short: More Than Luck, trailer for Life In Debt, Mono English language track, Spanish subtitles, full-screen.
The Da Vinci Code, Blu-Ray
(2006)
* * (Grade C)
Directed by Ron Howard
Starring Tom Hanks, Alfred Molina, Ian McKellen, Audrey Tautou, Jurgen Prochnow, Jean Reno, Paul Bettany
Sony—Rated PG-13—Thriller—174 min
Tom Hanks portrays a cryptographer who translates clues left at a murder scene in the Louvre. Jean Reno, Alfred Molina and Paul Bettany appear in key roles. Controversial theories suggest Christian conspiracies and the possibility that Christ conceived a child with Mary Magdalene, his favorite apostle. Sadly, nearly every twist is telegraphed and the expository dialog dissipates the tension. What we get is a talky movie lacking intrigue. 2-disc Blu-Ray features: New director commentary on select scenes, featurettes: First Day On The Set with Ron Howard, A Discussion With Dan Brown, A Portrait of Langdon, Who Is Sophie Neveu?, Unusual Suspects, Magical Places, Close-up on Mona Lisa, The Filmmakers' Journey, The Codes of The Da Vinci Code, The Music of The Da Vinci Code, Book To Screen, The Da Vinci Props, The Da Vinci Sets, Re-creating Works of Art, The Visual Effects World of The Da Vinci Code, Scoring The Da Vinci Code, La Partie Francaise, Du Da Vinci Code, BD Live Enabled, Unlocking the Code Interactive Picture-In-Picture (I-PIP), Dolby True HD 5.1 English or French Canadian language tracks, widescreen.
By Lisa Miller
Earth Final Conflict: Season One
(2009)
* * (Grade C)
Created by Gene Roddenberry
Starring Kevin Kilner, Leni parker, Von Flores, Lisa Howard
Universal—Not Rated—Sci-Fi—914 mins
Prior to his 1991 death, "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry sketched out his concept for "Earth: Final Conflict" in a single paragraph. The Taelons are extraterrestrials claiming they have come to earth to share their advanced technological knowledge with mankind. As the series opens, America's Taelon representative Da'an (Leni parker), asks security officer William Boone (Kevin Kilner), to serve as his liaison. Boone overcomes his reluctance to work on behalf of another species after billionaire industrialist Jonathan Doors (David Hemblen) reveals he suspects the Taelons are not what they seem and that he seeks a link inside their operation. The series, produced on the cheap in Canada, envisions the Taelons as a humanoid-like species, but further along the evolutionary path. They are psychically linked by a hive mind, yet remain capable of independent thought. Their ulterior motives are vaguely alluded to, but Da'an is different, expressing his affinity for the human race. The series spends its dimes creating above average special effects only to squander its remaining nickels on bubblegum melodrama. Those scant episodes plumbing the dark side of alien-human relations almost redeem this Roddenberry enterprise. 5-Disc DVD set features: Season One Introduction with Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry, commentary on select episodes with crew, advisors and cast. Featurettes: Earth Final Conflict Genesis: A Retrospective, The Roddenberry Philosophy, DD 2.0 Stereo English language tracks, full-screen.
Crusoe: The Complete Series
(2008)
* * (Grade C)
Created by Stephen Gallagher
Starring Philip Winchester, Tongayi Chirisa, Sam Neill, Anna Walton, Mark Dexter
Universal—Not Rated—Action—552 min
Daniel Defoe's classic "Robinson Crusoe," becomes a television swashbuckler in search of an audience. Repeatedly assailed by both treasure hunters and marauding natives, shipwrecked hero Crusoe (Philip Winchester) and his native sidekick Friday (Tongayi Chirisa), use their knowledge of the island and their cunning inventions to defeat the invaders. Each confrontation leaves Crusoe depressed due to his longing for the wife and kids back in England. Crusoe copes with his sadness through his friendship with Friday and by retreating into happy memories. Having recast the elements of this classic, NBC made the ill-advised decision to air the melodramatic swordplay in an adult time slot when the material would have found its appropriate audience with the kiddies on Saturday mornings. 3-Disc DVD features: DD 5.1 SS English language tracks, widescreen.
Fashion in Film
(2008)
* *1/2 (Grade B-)
Starring Jennifer Beals, Tyson Beckford, Amanda Bynes, Malin Akerman, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Maria Menounos, Phillip Bloch, Monique Lhuillier
Anchor Bay—Not Rated—Documentary—56 min
The big screen influences fashion and this documentary sets about proving it. From the little black dress, to dozens of other fashion trends, the entertainment industry reflects and redesigns our clothes. Magazine covers, largely choosing to feature celebs, are one indication that models play second fiddle to celebrities where setting fashion is concerned. Time and again the documentary showcases a film clip or a red carpet moment, then tracks clothing designers attempts to catch up. Fashion may not be the reason we see movies, but fashion, for better or worse, proves the influence films exert over our daily lives. DVD features: DD English language tracks, widescreen.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Special Ed., DVD or Blu-Ray
(2008)
* * * (Grade B)
Directed by David Fincher
Starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Elias Koteas, Taraji P. Henson, Jason Flemyng, Tilda Swinton, Julia Ormond, Elle Fanning
Paramount—Rated PG-13—Drama—165 min
The short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald is expanded into a nearly 3-hour film spectacle. The tale unfolds in flashback, from the perspective of a dying woman who has loved Benjamin Button her entire life. Button (Pitt) was born an infant-sized old man, but grew younger as he got older until finally he and Daisy (Blanchett), were approximately the same physical age. Not much happens because the film relies on its inspiring characters and high value production to carry the day. The effort can be powerful, but the film cheats viewers out of Button's final years as an old man who would have looked like a little child. The movie won Oscars for Best Art Direction, Best Makeup, and Best Visual Effects. 2-Disc DVD features: director commentary, 4-part documentary: The Curious Birth of Benjamin Button, trailers, Easter Eggs, Photo Galleries, DD 5.1 English language tracks, Subtitles French, Spanish subtitles, widescreen. 2-Disc Blu-Ray features the same plus: DTS HD Master Audio English language tracks, Easter Egg HD.
Dexter: Season Two, Blu-Ray
(2007)
* * *1/2 (Grade A-)
Starring Michael C. Hall, James Remar, Julie Benz, Keith Carradine, Jennifer Carpenter, Erik King
Paramount—Not Rated—Drama—636 min
Dexter (Hall) is a serial killer specializing in killing other serial killers. He's also a forensic blood-splatter analyst for Miami's police force, putting himself on an inside track to identify killers and dole out his own brand of justice. This season, Dexter enters a 12-step program to please his girlfriend (Benz) who blames his unexplained disappearances on substance abuse. However, when Dexter's dumping ground for victims is discovered, he actually works the steps hoping to cure his killing addiction. Helped by a strangely compelling and dangerous female sponsor (Murray), Dexter tries coming to terms with his murderous past in a failed effort to become the regular fellow he tries appearing to be. 4-Disc Blu-Ray set features: DD 2.0 Stereo or DD 5.1 English or DD Spanish language tracks, Letterbox widescreen.
Bleak House, Blu-Ray
(2005)
* * *1/2 (Grade A-)
Directed by Justin Chadwick, Susanna White
Starring Gillian Anderson, Anna Maxwell Martin, Charles Dance, Burn Gorman
BBC Warner—Not Rated—Drama—8 hours
Paralleling the experience of reading Charles Dickens as closely as any screen adaptation can, this remarkable mini-series incorporates Alfred Hitchcock's odd camera angles, jump cuts and sharply discordant music. Mystery and drama arise out of the legal dispute over numerous unsubstantiated wills of the Jarndyce family that grind their way through 19th century English courts. At the heart of these events is plain, but radiant heroine, Esther Summerson (Anna Maxwell Martin). Esther, 19, and two of the Jarndyce wards are taken in by a middle-aged gentleman of means, John Jarndyce. A bachelor experienced in the protracted court battle, John Jarndyce watches helplessly as one of his wards becomes obsessed with winning the dispute At the same time, an unctuous barrister, Mr. Tulkinghorn (Charles Dance), threatens to expose a secret past that will ruin Lady Dedlock (Gillian Anderson). Blackmail, coercion, sickness, murder and death contribute heavy story elements, but we rest our hopes in Esther's ability to recognize the truth and respond appropriately. Blu-Ray features: Commentary, Interviews, Photo Galleries, DD 2.0 Stereo English language tracks, widescreen.
American Pie 2: Collectors Ed.
(2001)
* * (Grade C)
Directed by J. B. Rogers
Starring Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Chris Klein, Seann William Scott, Eugene Levy, Mean Suvari, Tara Reid, Shannon Elizabeth, Natasha Lyonne
Universal—Rated R—Comedy—104 min
This sequel gross-out comedy returns the players to Lake Michigan where we last met a group of 19-year-olds hoping to lose their virginity. On vacation from college, Oz (Klein) struggles to stay faithful to his girlfriend Heather (Suvari) who is studying in Paris. Biggs returns as Jim, the geeky jock fearful he is inadequate in the sack. Several sight gags nearly justify the film, as does Sean William Scott whose barking, girl-crazed Stifler its most rewarding, unapologetic character. DVD features: commentary with Director, screenwriter Adam Herz, Behind the Scenes featurette, deleted scenes, Making Of featurette, Jason Biggs intro, Outtakes, trailers, Additional Text: Classic Quotes, DD 5.1 English language tracks, letterbox widescreen.
It Could Happen To You, Blu-Ray
(1994)
* *1/2 (Grade B-)
Directed by Andrew Bergman
Starring Nicolas Cage, Bridget Fonda, Rosie Perez Seymour Cassel, Isaac Hayes
Sony—Rated PG—Comedy—101 min
Nicolas Cage is the generous cop promising half his lottery ticket to a coffee shop waitress (Fonda), in lieu of a tip, should he win. When the ticket hits big he pays her, and together, they race around New York City giving money to the less fortunate. Meanwhile, the cop's wife (Perez) is figuring out how to divorce her head-in-the-clouds husband but keep all the money. It sounds reasonable, especially since her character provides practically all the laughs. Not to worry, however, in this "happy-sappy" Hollywood ending everyone's dreams comes true. Blu-Ray features: BDLive enabled, Dolby True HD 5.1 English, French or Portuguese or DD 5.1 Spanish language tracks, widescreen.
Vertigo: Collector's Ed.
(1958)
* * *1/2 (Grade A-)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Starring James Stewart, Kim Novak, Ellen Corby, Lee Patrick, Henry Jones, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore
Universal—Rated PG—Thriller—129 min
Hitchcock's 1958 classic is beautifully restored and features the inimitable Jimmy Stewart as Scottie Ferguson, an acrophobic ex-police detective. Coming to the aid of a friend, Scottie trails the man's wife Madeleine (Kim Novak), a delusional, possibly suicidal beauty. Scottie falls hard for her, but his vertigo renders him unable to save Madeleine from falling to her death. Months later, evidence surfaces suggesting Scottie's been duped, and the detective risks everything to learn the truth. Hitchcock's exciting camera work is enhanced by Bernard Herrmann's intense score and a picturesque old San Francisco that dwarfs young Novak's beauty. DVD features: restoration team commentary, Alternate Ending: Hitchcock's Foreign Censorship, film highlights, Production Interviews, Featurette: Obsessed with Vertigo, trailers, Text/Photo Galleries: Production Notes, cast and crew bios, DD 5.1 English language tracks, letterbox widescreen.
Rear Window: Collector's Ed.
(1954)
* * * * (Grade A)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Starring James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Raymond Burr, lma Ritter, Wendell Corey, Frank Cady, Judith Evelyn, Sara Berner, Georgine Darcy
Universal—Rated PG—Thriller—115 min
Everyman Jimmy Stewart, homebound by an injury, occupies his time spying on the suspicious man in an apartment across the courtyard. Convinced the man is a murderer, Stewart draws both his girlfriend (Grace Kelly) and nurse (Thelma Ritter) into the tense drama. Remastered and looking fine, now is the time to rediscover Hitchcock's voyeuristic masterpiece. DVD features: Featurettes: Conversation with Screenwriter John Michael Hayes, Making Of, Rerelease trailer, Text/Photo Galleries: Production Notes, cast, and crew bios, Production Stills, DD Mono 2.0 English language tracks, letterbox widescreen.
DVD-ROM Features: Script.
Frost/Nixon, DVD or Blu-Ray
(2008)
* * *1/2 (Grade A-)
Directed by Ron Howard
Starring Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Kevin Bacon, Oliver Platt, Sam Rockwell, Toby Jones, Matthew MacFadyen, Rebecca Hall
Universal—Rated R—Drama—122 min
Recreating a spectacular confluence of circumstances, the film depicts the negotiations that led to Richard Nixon's interview series with TV journalist, David Frost. Occurring in 1977, three years after Nixon resigned the presidency, the film examines Frost's efforts to resurrect his flagging journalism career. Tired of his San Clemente solitude, Nixon had $600,000 reasons for agreeing to the scheme. While their conversations are best characterized as an extended joust, each man's appearance yielded a measure of what he hoped for. All the performances are inspired, especially from Langella, who inhabits Nixon's mannerisms and appears to have gotten inside his subject's head. DVD features: director commentary, deleted scenes, featurettes: Making-of, The Real Interview, The Nixon Library, DD 5.1 SS English, French or Spanish language tracks, widescreen. Blu-Ray features the above plus: The People and Places Behind the Story, BD-Live Download Center, U Control: Picture-In-Picture, The Nixon Chronicles, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 English, DTS 5.1 SS English, or Spanish language tracks, French subtitles.
Mission Impossible: Season Six
(1971)
* * * (Grade B)
Created by Bruce Geller
Starring Peter Graves, Greg Morris, Peter Lupus, Lynda Day George, Valentin de Vargas
Voice of Bob Johnson
Paramount—Not Rated—Drama—1119 min
This season Lynda Day George becomes the show's resident femme fatale, a good fit that anchors the IMF team. Season six gets down-to-business with a slightly altered format that opens each episode with the depiction of a crime. That crime is clarified in the tape recording (voiced by Johnson) that follows. The voice explains who committed the act and their motivations, then lays out the mission for IMF leader Jim Phelps (Graves). He is one of four operatives that include Greg Morris and Peter Lupus as the team's electronics expert and strong man, respectively. This season Morris becomes a central player, taking on character roles and impersonating key figures as required. Rather than focus on foreign regimes, the missions involve dismantling "the syndicate." The domestically centered format makes room for guest stars William Shatner, Tyne Daly, Tom Bosley, Joe Don Baker, Billy Dee Williams, Jack Cassidy, Bert Convy and a half dozen others. As always, "Mission Impossible" tactics favor discrediting the bad guys, rather than killing them, in order to cripple their organizations. While a few episodes are farfetched, the IMF's complex schemes generally depend on creative, but logical thinking and are well-executed. By never fully revealing the team's plan, each episode retains an all-important element of surprise. 6-disc DVD Box Set features: DD English language track, Portuguese or Spanish subtitles, full-screen.
Notorious
(2009)
* *1/2 (Grade B-)
Directed by George Tillman Jr.
Starring Angela Bassett, Derek Luke, Anthony Mackie, Jamal Woolard, Naturi Naughton, Julia Pace Mitchell, Antonique Smith, Dennis White
Fox—Rated R—Drama—129 min
The life of rapper Christopher Wallace, aka Notorious B.I.G. (Woolard), is chronicled in this docu-drama released 12 years after his untimely death. Wallace's Jamaican parentage, unattractive looks, early life selling drugs in Brooklyn and rise to the top of East Coast hip-hop, occasion this revisit to the talented man and his music. But the heart of the story lies in the B.I.G.'s friendship turned sour with West Coast king, Tupac Shakur—another rapper snuffed out in his prime. The film avoids speculation regarding Wallace's unsolved murder, yet it attempts to unravel an equally ambiguous subject when examining the relationships between rappers, gangs and hip-hop fans. 2-disc DVD features: Both widescreen theatrical feature and widescreen Unrated Director's Cut, commentary with director George Tillman, Jr., cowriters Reggie Rock Bythewood and Cheo Hodari Coker, editor Dirk Westervelt, co-manager/producer Wayne Barrow and Biggies, Mom/producer Voletta Wallace, 9 deleted scenes, Forced trailers, trailer Farm, featurette: Making-of, The Lyrics of Biggie Smalls, Casting the Film, Biggie Boot Camp, Anatomy of a B.I.G Performance, Party and Bullshit (Never Before Seen Footage), digital copy of film, DTS SS 5.1 English language track, French or Spanish subtitles. Blu-ray features same except: DTS SS 5.1 English language track, BD-Live music with Playlist Trivia.
Bride Wars, DVD or Blu-Ray
(2009)
*1/2 (Grade C-)
Directed by Gary Winick
Starring Anne Hathaway, Kate Hudson, Candice Bergen, Bryan Greenberg, Kristen Johnson
Fox—Rated PG—Comedy—90 min
The Year's first chick flick makes buffoons of Hathaway and Hudson, cast as lifelong friends who fight over the only wedding date and time available at New York City's Plaza Hotel—the venue each covets. The trailer gives away the film's distasteful pranks—a bad hair-dye job and a spray-on tan gone orange. Candice Bergen, playing a stern wedding planner, does her best to ground the unfunny antics, but the notion that women are this shallow is likely to resonate only with recently divorced men. DVD features: 3 deleted scenes including an Alternate Opening, trailers, featurette: The Perfect White Dress, DD 5.1 English or DD SS French or Spanish language tracks, widescreen. 2-disc Blu-ray features: Bonus Footage: 2 Improvisations - Amanda's Wedding Speech, Liv at Tanhattan, 7 Deleted Scenes Including an Alternate Opening, featurette: Something Old, Something New and What That's Gonna Cost You, Meet Me at the Plaza, The Perfect White Dress, In Character with Kate Hudson, In Character with Anne Hathaway, Man Den, Maid of Honor, Amanda-Cam, DD 5.1 DTS SS 5.1 English, French or Spanish language tracks, digital copy of film with all of the features from the DVD listed above.
Hotel For Dogs, DVD or Blu-Ray
(2009)
* *1/2 (Grade B-)
Directed by Thor Freudenthal
Starring Emma Roberts, Don Cheadle, Kevin Dillon, Kyla Pratt, Lisa Kudrow, Jake T. Austin
Paramount—Rated PG—Comedy—100 min
Adapted from Lois Duncan's popular children's book, the story follows the heroic effort by orphans Andi (Roberts), and her younger brother Bruce (Austin), to keep their beloved terrier. Sent to live with their pretentious, outlandish aunt and uncle (Kudrow and Dillion), the kids are warned by a social worker (Cheadle) to make it work because this is their only chance of remaining together. Since their aunt claims she's allergic to animals, the pair hide the terrier in an abandoned building already occupied by strays—but the dog catcher is a constant threat. By the third act, the film loses its footing and devolves into a wacky sitcom. DVD features: commentary with Thor Freudenthal, Ewan Leslie, Emma Roberts and Jake T. Austin, deleted scenes, featurettes: Making-of, That's The Coolest Thing I've Ever Seen!, K-9 Casting, Bark On Cue!, The Pedigree® Adoption Drive, Photo Gallery, DD 5.1 English, French or Spanish language tracks, widescreen. Blu-Ray features same as above except: Dolby True HD 5.1, DD 5.0 or DD 5.1 English, French or Spanish language tracks, Portuguese subtitles.
The Uninvited, DVD or Blu-Ray
(2009)
* *1/2 (Grade B-)
Directed by Charles and Thomas Guard
Starring Emily Browning, Arielle Kebbel, Elizabeth Banks, David Strathairn
DreamWorks—Rated PG-13—Horror—87 min
A "Sixth Sense" South Korean horror is reworked for the American market. Following her mother's death, Anna returns home from a mental hospital to find her mother's nurse Rachel (Banks) has become engaged to Anna's father (Strathairn). Enlightened by their mother's ghost, Anna and Anna's sister Alex (Krebbel) discover that Rachel's past isn't as she presents it. When their smitten father refuses to listen, the girls have their hands full trying to prove the truth while surviving Rachel's murderous fury. The film's unexpected twists and newly clarified script mark this as one of the few successful remakes of an Asian horror. DVD features: deleted scenes, featurettes: Unlocking the Uninvited, Alternative Ending, DD 5.1 English French or Spanish language tracks, widescreen. Blu-Ray features same except: DD 5.1, DD SS or Dolby True HD 5.1 English language tracks, French, Portuguese or Spanish subtitles.
While She Was Out
(2008)
* * (Grade C)
Directed by Sarah Montford
Starring Kim Basinger, Lukas Haas, Craig Sheffer, JamieStarr, Leonard Wu, Luis Chavez, Luke Gair and Erika-Shaye Gair
Anchor Bay—Rated R—Action—86 min
At 55, Kim Basinger is past the age at which she may gracefully play a meek suburban housewife and young mother. After witnessing a murder, Della (Basinger) fights back when a quartet of toughies—led by a scruffy Lukas Haas—set out to kill her. Written and directed by Sarah Montford, centering tense action in a partially completed housing development can almost make you forget the film's goofy dialog. Basinger fills this portion of her heroine's shoes admirably in what we imagine might be her revenge fantasy against ex-hubby, Alec Baldwin. DVD features: commentary with writer/director Sarah Montford and producer Don Murphy, Making-of featurette, trailer, TV Spots, DD English language track, widescreen.
H-2 Worker
(1990)
* *1/2 (Grade B-)
Directed by Stephanie Black
Docudrama Films—Not Rated—Documentary—70 min
"H-2 Worker" reveals the systematic exploitation of Caribbean laborers by the Florida sugar cane industry during the late 1980s. Forced to work under dangerous conditions, the islanders were paid about $2 per hour, far less than the wages advertised as payment for their backbreaking efforts. Employers justified the low pay by subtracting the costs of workers' living quarters, food and transportation from paycheck. In an included bonus feature, "Update on the Guest Worker Program," we learn that America cheats Jamaicans twice by granting generous subsidies to US growers. These payments depress domestic sugar prices and prevent Caribbean farmers from creating a sustainable sugar cane market of their own. When a long overdue inquiry revealed that Florida growers owed Caribbean workers in excess of $50 million dollars, the Florida plantation owners appealed the ruling and switched over to mechanical harvesters. Make that three cheats. DVD features: filmmaker commentary, Update on the Guest Worker Program, Short: More Than Luck, trailer for Life In Debt, Mono English language track, Spanish subtitles, full-screen.
The Da Vinci Code, Blu-Ray
(2006)
* * (Grade C)
Directed by Ron Howard
Starring Tom Hanks, Alfred Molina, Ian McKellen, Audrey Tautou, Jurgen Prochnow, Jean Reno, Paul Bettany
Sony—Rated PG-13—Thriller—174 min
Tom Hanks portrays a cryptographer who translates clues left at a murder scene in the Louvre. Jean Reno, Alfred Molina and Paul Bettany appear in key roles. Controversial theories suggest Christian conspiracies and the possibility that Christ conceived a child with Mary Magdalene, his favorite apostle. Sadly, nearly every twist is telegraphed and the expository dialog dissipates the tension. What we get is a talky movie lacking intrigue. 2-disc Blu-Ray features: New director commentary on select scenes, featurettes: First Day On The Set with Ron Howard, A Discussion With Dan Brown, A Portrait of Langdon, Who Is Sophie Neveu?, Unusual Suspects, Magical Places, Close-up on Mona Lisa, The Filmmakers' Journey, The Codes of The Da Vinci Code, The Music of The Da Vinci Code, Book To Screen, The Da Vinci Props, The Da Vinci Sets, Re-creating Works of Art, The Visual Effects World of The Da Vinci Code, Scoring The Da Vinci Code, La Partie Francaise, Du Da Vinci Code, BD Live Enabled, Unlocking the Code Interactive Picture-In-Picture (I-PIP), Dolby True HD 5.1 English or French Canadian language tracks, widescreen.
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