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New DVD reviews - April 15, 2008 |
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Written by Lisa Miller/special to the World
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Tuesday, 15 April 2008 |
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(Ratings are out of four stars)
ALIENS VS. PREDATOR: REQUIEM, Rated or Unrated, DVD or Blu-Ray
(2007)
*
Directed by Colin and Greg Strause
Starring Reiko Aylesworth, Steven Pasquale, Shareeka Epps, David Paetkau, John Ortiz, Johnny Lewis
Fox/Rated R/Sci-Fi/Rated: 100 min, Unrated: 105 min
The AVP sequel unites the “Alien” and “Predator” franchises to create the science fiction equivalent of a gladiator match. Exciting in its first incarnation, this sequel reeks of desperation. Using the predator as its host, the alien hatchlings are hybrids, but these ultimate killers fall prey to cheap special effects. Poor action plotting leads to confusion about what makes the hybrid, filmed almost exclusively in head shots, more capable than its predecessors. A savior arrives in the form of one predator sorely outnumbered by hybrids crash-landing in a Colorado town where they deposit their larvae into human hosts. The hybrids ooze copious quantities of acidic green slime but the predator fights back using vials of blueberry colored, alien-melting slime. Stuck in low-budget mode, the film builds little tension, but receives points for killing characters that are usually safe. A shadowy government official intends to protect our planet by bombing the invaders along with the surviving townies. Sounds reasonable, though the film considers this strategy unethical. If these bungling scripts continue, such dire measures won’t be necessary to kill off these beloved franchises.
LARS AND THE REAL GIRL
(2007)
* * *1/2
Directed by Craig Gillespie
Starring Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider, Patricia Clarkson, Kelli Garner, Patricia Clarkson
Fox/Rated PG-13/Comedy/106 min
“Lars” winsomely theorizes that creating an environment of acceptance brings out the best in everyone. Ryan Gosling plays Lars, a misfit living in the small Midwestern community where he was born. Lars manages a polite countenance, but the prospect of interacting, even with his own brother and sister-in-law (Schneider and Mortimer), causes timid loner to further withdraw. No one is more surprised than family members when Lars begins a courtly romance with Bianca, a life-sized, anatomically correct sex doll. Following advice from a local psychologist (Patricia Clarkson), the community treats Bianca as Lars’ real girlfriend. Residents book Bianca to volunteer at the hospital, give her a part-time job, and chauffeur the doll to fulfill her obligations. Upset by Bianca’s growing independence, Lars begins to acknowledge his own needs. If “Lars and the Real Girl” points to the healing effect of living in a supportive community, then watching it is just good medicine. DVD features: deleted scene (Bathtub), Behind the scenes The Real Story of Lars and the Real Girl, featurettes: A Real Leading Lady, 3 forced trailers, 2 trailer farm, DD 5.1 English, DD SS French or Spanish language track(s), widescreen.
DAY OF THE DEAD
(2008)
* * *
Directed by Steve Miner
Starring Ving Rhames, Michael Welch, AnnaLynne McCord, Stark Sands, Mean Suvari, Nick Cannon, Christa Campbell
First Look/Rated R/Horror/87 min
Billed as a remake of George Romero’s third zombie film, this version eschews social commentary to focus on action and gore. The film depicts a zombiefying virus as it journeys into the brain and causes synapses to explode. Gruesome, but tempered by humor, this winking visual foreshadows the tone of confrontations to come. As in last year’s “30 Days of Night,” a diminishing number of survivors attempt to escape an isolated town awash in undead killers. Crawling along walls and ceilings, the fast-moving zombie army retains glimmers of human intelligence, but when pitted against a pair of expert military combatants (Mean Suvari and Nick Cannon), zombie victory isn’t assured. Ving Rhames, Michael Welch and Ian McNeice contribute colorful supporting turns. Brisk action and an inventive plot are harbingers of satisfying genre fare. DVD features: director commentary with screenwriter, Jeffrey Riddick and the cast, alternate ending, Internet trailer, DD 5.1 SS English language track, Spanish subtitles.
ALIEN AGENT
(2007)
*1/2
Directed by Jesse Johnson
Starring Mark Dacascos, Emma Lahana, Amelia Cooke, Billy Zane, Kim Coates
Allumination/Rated R/Sci-Fi/95 min
This direct-to-video, Kung-Fooey actioner, relies on science fiction to expand its niche. A “Terminator”-ish plot positions alien agent Rykker (Dacascos) as mankind’s protector. Earth is under attack from renegades fleeing Rykker’s dying homeworld. The aliens, including Rykker, manifest as mothlike clumps and must appropriate human hosts. Rykker’s native form does not hinder his martial arts mastery and enables him to heal his fragile, frequently injured host body. While hunting the renegades, Rykker repels the romantic overtures of a young waitress (Lahana), but is unable to prevent her from tagging along or asking tough questions. Billy Zane embarrasses himself as a nasty alien invader, but Amelia Cooke, appearing as Rykker’s cucumber cool adversary, towers above this sea of mediocrity. DVD features: trailer, DD English language track, Spanish subtitles, widescreen.
LOCH NESS TERROR
(2007)
* *
Directed by Paul Ziller
Starring Brian Krause, Carrie Genzel, Donnelly Rhodes, Don S. Davis, Niall Matter, Amber Boryicki
Sony/Rated R/Horror/91 min
Finally, a Sci-Fi Channel monster movie that actually spends gobs of screentime with its monster. The people eater gobbles a dozen inferior actors, but even it can’t swallow the film’s weak script. Brian Krause will do as vengeful monster hunter, James Murphy. He arrives at Lake Superior amid reports of a Nessie knock-off, unaware the creature is using the lake as a nursery for her brood. On shore, the creature appears to be a dragon-dino mix that shouldn’t be capable of walking on land. Generous portions of gore and the somewhat comical monster may be enough to generate camp appeal. DVD features: Making-of featurette, first episode Of TV’s Blood+, DD 5.1 English language track(s), widescreen.
IN THE NAME OF THE KING: A DUNGEON SIEGE TALE
(2007)
-Bomb-
Directed by Uwe Boll
Starring Jason Statham, Leelee Sobieski, John Rhys-Davies, Ray Liotta, Kristanna Loken, Ron Perlman, Burt Reynolds, Matthew Lillard, Claire Forlani
Fox/Rated PG-13/Action, Fantasy/127 min
In a fantasy aimed at gamers and young adults, Farmer Daimon (Statham) and a band of ace warriors (Sobieski, Rhys-Davies, Loken and Perlman) take on an army of animal combatants. With its Medieval setting and Orc-faced thugs, the film distinguishes itself from LOTR by casting Liotta as Gallian, controller of the evil forces, and by adding female warriors into the mix. Director Uwe Boll, notorious for the incoherent “Blood Rayne, “ and “Alone In The Dark” films, pursues his own fan-pleasing franchise. He spends big bucks ($60 million) delivering more than two hours of special F/X action, and another inscrutable mess. DVD features: deleted scenes, extended scenes, Behind The scenes featurette, DD 5.1 SS English language track(s), Spanish subtitles, widescreen.
JUNO, Special Ed. DVD or Blu-Ray
(2007)
* * *
Directed by Jason Reitman
Starring Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, J. K. Simmons
Fox/Rated PG-13/Comedy/92 min
Juno (Page), a teen with a big vocabulary and even bigger ideas, unexpectedly finds herself impregnated by her slacker boyfriend, Paulie (Cera). Over the objections of her parents (Allison Janney and J. K. Simmons), Juno decides to have the baby for a pair of childless yuppies (Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner). Paulie, who begins to appreciate Juno’s unique qualities, waits to resume dating after the baby is born. The comedy, mainly comprised of Juno’s witty complaints, arises in part from the many ways the experience changes her perspective. DVD features: Commentary By Director Jason Reitman And Writer Diablo Cody, 11 deleted scenes w/optional commentary, Gag Reel, Gag Take, Cast & Crew Jam, Screen Tests, English Dolby 5.1 English, DD SS Spanish or French language track(s), widescreen. 2-disc DVD features: Digital Copy includes all above single disc content along with the following additional special features: featurettes: Way Beyond Our Maturity Level: Juno ñ Leah ñ Bleeker, Diablo Cody Is Totally Boss, Jason Reitman For Shizz, Honest To Blog! Creating Juno. Blu-Ray Disc Specs: Digital Copy and all of the above special features with the following additional extras: Fox Movie Channel Presents: World Premiere, Fox Movie Channel Presents: Casting Session, English 5.1 DTS HD Lossless Master Audio plus, DD 5.1 English, French or Spanish language track(s), widescreen.
Released in New Formats
THE MINUS MAN, DVD
(1999)
* * *
Directed by Hampton Fancher
Starring Owen Wilson, Janeane Garofalo, Brian Cox, Mercedes Ruehl, Dwight Yoakam, Dennis Haysbert, Sheryl Crow
Lionsgate/Rated R/Drama/112 min
Before falling into his comic niche, Owen Wilson appeared as vagabond serial killer, Vann. A seemingly all-around nice guy, Vann molds his sociopathy to fill the needs of others. Some cry out to be killed, a service he cheerfully renders using a poison-laced flask of Amaretto. Vann’s wanderlust brings him to a coastal town where he rents a room from middle-aged Jane and Doug (Ruehl and Cox). The couple virtually adopt their young border while a congenial postal worker (Garofalo) pursues Vann romantically. The killer attempts to fend off a pair of imaginary detectives (Yoakam and Haysbert) while the story takes us to unexpected places. DVD features: trailer, text gallery of Infamous Serial Killers, DD 5.1 English language track(s), widescreen.
PREDATOR, Blu-ray
(1987)
* * *1/2
Directed by John McTiernan
Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura
Fox/Rated R/Sci-Fi, Action/107 min
Cross promoting “Alien vs. Predator,” this reissue of the original sci-fi actioner posits an alien that visits earth and hunts humans for sport. Deep in the South American jungle, Maj. Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and his commandos are attacked by an invisible killer wielding superior weapons and a penchant for skinning its prey. The final act is so suspenseful you have to remind yourself to breathe. 2-disc Blu-ray features: Hi-Def theatrical trailers, Interactive D-Box Station, DD 4.0 English, Mono Spanish or Stereo French language track(s), 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio English, widescreen.
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