|
New DVD reviews - May 20, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Written by Lisa Miller/special to the World
|
|
Tuesday, 20 May 2008 |
|
|
|
|
(Ratings Out of Four Stars.)
STRANGE WILDERNESS
(2008)
*
Directed by Fred Wolf
Starring Steve Zahn, Allen Covert, Justin Long, Jonah Hill, Kevin Heffernan, Ashley Scott, Peter Dante, Harry Hamlin, Robert Patrick, Joe Don Baker, Jeff Garlin, Ernest Borgnine
Paramount/Rated R/Comedy/87 min
Imagine bizarre injuries befalling the most sensitive male parts, and imagine the assaults being carried out by wild turkeys or jungle pygmies -- and out pops Steve Zahn's latest vehicle. Peter Gaulke (Steve Zahn), son of a legendary TV wildlife host, dreams of following in dear old dad's footsteps. To prevent his show from being cancelled, Gaulke purchases a map claiming to pinpoint Bigfoot's South American location. He packs his company of fellow tokers (Allen Covert, Jonah Hill, Kevin Heffernan, Ashley Scott, Peter Dante and Justin Long) into a broken down Winnebago for the journey. Harry Hamlin appears as a know-it-all, nature show host while Ernest Borgnine strains to maintain his dignity as Gaulke's cameraman. Robert Patrick plays a great white hunter displaying his character's twisted genitalia -- a badge of his misadventures. The film carefully studies the minimum number of feet a bong-smoker must remain from the camera to prevent smoke from drifting into frame. Gaulke's narration includes insights such as, "Bears kill more than two million salmon each year although salmon kill only a fraction of that many bears." If a niche market exists for this film, it's probably smaller than that for 3AM infomercials.
GEORGE A. ROMERO'S DIARY OF THE DEAD
(2008)
* *1/2
Directed by George A. Romero
Starring Michelle Morgan, Joshua Close, Shawn Roberts, Amy Ciupak Lalonde, Joe Dinicol, Chris Violette, Scott Wentworth
Genius/Rated R/Horror/95 min
George Romero, zombie genre Zen master, makes social commentary on the fly in his low-budget latest. Student filmmaker, Jason (Close), obsessively films zombie assaults even when his no-budget zombie flick turns into the real thing. Viewers endure iffy zombie make-up and a glut of ad-libs to see inventive modes of dispatching the undead. Partially shot using a handheld video camera that stresses the "YouTube-ifcation of things," this one-trick pony has kick. DVD features: commentary with director, director of photography, Adam Swica, and editor Michael Doherty, documentary on film's cast, crew and creation, Inspiration for the film featurette, A visit to the set during the first week of filming, Cameo Outtakes, MySpace Zombie film winners: the five winning entries, character confessionals, DD 5.1 English language track(s), Spanish subtitles, widescreen.
NOVA - APE GENIUS: What Separates Apes from Humans
(2008)
* * *1/2
Directed by John Rubin
WGBH Boston/Not Rated/Documentary/56 min
The differences between human and ape intellects are fewer than previously thought, but perhaps, even more profound. Researchers visit an ape group that has learned to make spears for hunting bush babies. In a laboratory study, apes observe and mimic treat-getting behaviors. Some apes can grasp simple abstract concepts. So what remains to distinguish the human mind from that of our primate cousins? Two crucial differences are clearly demonstrated in behavioral experiments. Provided these differences persist, mountain gorillas and chimps aren't likely to move in next door -- but what if? DVD features: DD English language track(s), Described video for the site impaired, widescreen. DVD-ROM: Printable Educational materials, access to the NOVA Website.
NATIONAL TREASURE 2: BOOK OF SECRETS, DVD or Blu-Ray
(2007)
* *
Directed by Jon Turteltaub
Starring Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Ed Harris, Jon Voight, Helen Mirren
Walt Disney/Rated PG/Action/124 min
Infamous treasure hunter, Ben Gates (Cage), returns to this sequel to prove that his great, great grandpappy was not complicit in the Abe Lincoln assassination plot. Aided by his scholarly father (Voight) and linguistic-expert mother (Mirren), Gates searches for the presidents' secret book, containing information key to solving the Lincoln conspiracy. Ben and lady love, Abigail (Kruger), travel to Europe where they are pursued by competing factions and caught up in crazy car chases and other derring do. A battalion of set pieces serve up bombastic action, but despite a few jolts, it's all static electricity. DVD features: commentary with director and Jon Voight, DD 5.1 SS English, French or Spanish language track(s), French or Spanish subtitles, widescreen. 2-Disc DVD features: same as above plus Bloopers & Outtakes, Secrets of a Sequel featurette, on Location, creating the London Chase, Inside the Library of Congress, Underground Action, Crafting the Presidents' Book, Evolution of a Golden City. Blu-Ray features same as above plus: Book of History: the Fact and Fiction of NT2, Deleted Scenes With Introductions by Jon Turteltaub, second commentary with director and Justin Bartha, Alternate Ending with Director's commentary, Deleted Scenes with Director's commentary, Inside the Declaration of Independence, Exploding Charlotte, On Set of American History, Ciphers, Codes and Codebreakers, Treasure Hunters Revealed, The Knights Templar, Trivia Track, Opening Scene Animatic with Director's commentary. 5.1 Uncompressed 48 KHz/24-bit English or DD 5.1 SS English, French or Spanish language track(s), French, subtitles, widescreen.
COLOR OF FREEDOM aka Goodbye Bafana
(2007)
* * *
Directed by Bille August
Starring Dennis Haysbert, Joseph Fiennes, Diane Kruger, Terry Pheto, Shiloh Henderson, Tyron Keogh, Jessica Manuel, Faith Ndukwana, Megan Smith
Image/Rated R/Drama/118 min
An account written by James Gregory, Nelson Mandela's longtime prison guard, "Color" reveals the gathering momentum leading to the disintegration of Apartheid. Joseph Fiennes portrays Gregory, socially ostrasized for his sympathetic treatment of Mandela, then promoted when white officials found his relationship with the rebel leader useful. The story of Mandela's rise to power, during his incarceration, is well accounted here, though the first two 23 years are skipped over to focus on the final few years. DVD features: shorts: Remembering Mandela with Peter Davis (Director Best Documentary, 1974), theatrical trailer, DD 5.1 or DD 2.0 English language track(s), Spanish subtitles, widescreen.
PENN & TELLER: BULLSH*T!: Season Five
(2007)
* * *
Starring Penn Jillette, Teller
Showtime Entertainment/Not Rated/Comedy/278 min
The fifth season sees Las Vegas magicians, Penn and Teller, continuing their efforts to analyze and debunk the wrongheadedness behind bad laws and unfair practices. Perhaps the most striking episode examines Wal-Mart hating as a national pastime, investigating the validity of the charges. Another demands equal rights for women who aren't free to go topless as men are. Penn narrates documentary footage that incorporates talking heads and investigative reporting, with wit, and boatloads of profanity. Meanwhile, silent partner, Teller, acts out his award-winning portion of the message. Each episode thoughtfully features a half dozen topless babes, rubbing it in network noses that pay-for cable stations don't have to follow censorship rules to attract the young male demographic. Yep, that's bullsh*t! 2-disc DVD set features: DD Stereo English, widescreen.
EXES AND OHS: Season One
(2006)
* *
Created by Michelle Paradise
Starring Michelle Paradise, Megan Cavanagh, Heather Matarazzo, Angela Featherstone, Marnie Alton
Paramount/Not Rated/Comedy/132 min
Michelle Paradise plays Jennifer in the series she created for Logo, a network tailored to gays and lesbians. The thrust of the show is newly single Jennifer's attempt to grasp "lesbian dating rules," she has long ignored due to her long-term relationship. A documentary filmmaker considering herself above such folderol, Jennifer is encouraged to make the dating scene by her well-meaning friends, promiscuous bartender Sam (Alton), committed couple Chris and Kris (Cavanagh and Featherstone), and struggling songwriter, Crutch (Matarazzo). Though the writing is acceptable, it's insufficiently humorous to sustain these 30-minute episodes. DVD features: Extrasodes, Behind the scenes, Interview with cast members, Extras and Ohs, DD English language track.
Released in New Formats
24: Season One
(2001)
* * *
Fox/Not Rated/Thriller/1056 min
Created by Robert Cochran
Starring Kiefer Sutherland, Dennis Haysbert, Elisha Cuthbert, Leslie Hope, Sarah Clark
This lengthily spy drama, now available in a special edition, benefits from the ingenuity of Kiefer Sutherland as Federal Agent Jack Bauer, head of the Los Angeles counter-terrorism unit. Sutherland and Dennis Haysbert, playing the first black presidential candidate to receive the democratic nomination, are "24's" focal characters. With a European hit squad threatening to assassinate the candidate, it falls to Bauer to secure his safety. By the time Bauer learns the killers have kidnapped his own wife and daughter, the agent already has reason to suspect a double-cross. A ticking clock counts down events in real time, each episode representing one hour of 24. Mostly gripping, we want to forgive "24's" overreaching plot twists. 7-Disc DVD features: Tin Case packaging, DD Surround English or French language track(s), Select Alternate Ending to the Season Finale, Audio Commentaries, Introduction by Kiefer Sutherland Star, trailer Season Two Teaser trailer, All new content on Disc 7: trailer Farm: Burn Notice, Prison Break Season 2, 24 Season 7 Tune-in trailer, 27 extended and Deleted Scenes, Alternate Ending, The Genesis of 24, The Rookie: Coffed Run, Get this To...
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
|
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 20 May 2008 )
|
|
|
