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New DVD reviews - May 27, 2008 |
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Written by Lisa Miller/special to the World
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Tuesday, 27 May 2008 |
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(Ratings are out of four stars.)
VINCE VAUGHN'S WILD WEST COMEDY SHOW
(2006)
* *
Directed by Ari Sandel
Starring Vince Vaughn, Ahmed Ahmed, John Caparulo, Bret Ernst, Sebastian Mansicalco, Peter Billingsley, Keir O'Donnell, Justin Long
Warner/Rated R/Documentary/100 min
In 2005, Vince Vaughn brought four stand-up comics on a whirlwind tour of 30 cities in as many days. At first, Vaughn performs skits with special guest stars, but as the days wear on, he settles into the role of feel-good master of ceremonies. In Bakersfield, Vaughn reveals his affinity for cowboy country and its music, persuading Dwight Yoakam to make a guest appearance. In another show, Vaughn's friend, the writer-costar of "Swingers," Jon Favreau, humorously puts Vaughn's success in its place. Offstage, Vaughn's presence emanates from the black bus provided for him alone while the show's other performers jam onto a second bus outfitted with curtained bunk beds. Handpicked from the Los Angeles Comedy Store, the four comedians represent males in their thirties, but only visual comic, Bret Ernst, stands out. Unlike the "Blue Collar Comedy Tour," this documentary features its comedians' performances in fits and starts. It's sad that the resulting documentary isn't funny. DVD features: Commentaries, Extra Comedy Skits, Behind the Scenes featurettes, DD SS 2.0 or DD 2.0 English language track(s), widescreen.
WEEDS: Season Three, DVD or Blu-Ray
(2007)
* *1/2
Created by Jenji Kohan
Starring Mary-Louise Parker, Elizabeth Perkins, Kevin Nealon, Matthew Modine, Justin Kirk, Romany Malco, Mary-Kate Olsen
Lions Gate/Not Rated/Comedy/388 min
This season, pot dealer, Nancy Botwin (Parker), faces increasingly difficult circumstances. She is assailed by gangsters, targeted by blackmailers and extorted by her onetime best friend, Celia (Perkins). Nancy recruits her own teenage son as a dealer and relies on her youngest son's computer expertise to implement security. She continues to flirt with her grower (Malco), provides a home for her mixed-up brother (Kirk) and sleeps with the real estate developer (Modine) who has been making time with Celia. Rife with biting satire, "Weeds" walks all over its characters -- sometimes humorously. Casting Parker as the show's central crime figure is an equal opportunity play, but her ditzy character deprives the series of the strong anchor it sorely needs. 3-Disc DVD set or Blu-Ray features: eco-friendly packaging made from 100% recycled materials, Cast and Crew commentary on select episodes, featurettes: Good Morning Agrestic, Little Boxes with Randy Newman, Uncle AWOL with Justin Kirk, Gag Reel, Music Video "Little Boxes" Musical Montage, Trivia Track, Mary-Kate Olsen Biography, Soundtrack Sampler, DD 5.1 SS EX English language track(s), Spanish Subtitles, widescreen.
RAMBO, DVD or Blu-Ray
(2008)
* * *
Directed by Sylvester Stallone
Starring Sylvester Stallone, Julie Benz, Paul Schulze, Matthew Marsden, Graham McTavish, Tim Kang
Lions Gate/Rated R/Action/93 min
Believing himself to be long past fighting for lost causes, John Rambo now lives rustically on the Thai side of the Salween river that defines the Burmese border. He is hired by idealistic American missionaries, toting medicine and bibles to Christians targeted for ethnic cleansing by the Burmese militia. Cowriter, star, and director of this fourth installment, Stallone conveys the bloodiness of jungle warfare. A few protracted sequences glorify the star -- but his cause is worthy of our attention. The film spotlights a great injustice, while solidifying Stallone as an action hero for today and tomorrow. An aging Clint Eastwood may be content to substitute clever thinking for youth and vigor, but Stallone pumps up, bronzes his skin, and bandanas his luxurious mop to squash any doubt about his iconic status. Never say die.
ANDROMEDA STRAIN MINISERIES
(2008)
* *1/2
Directed by Mikael Salomon
Starring Benjamin Bratt, Eric McCormack, Ricky Schroder, Andre Braugher, Christa Miller, Daniel Dae Kim and Viola Davis
Universal/Not Rated/Sci-Fi/177 min
Though not as compelling as the 1971 movie based on Michael Crichton's classic novel, this updated version holds viewer attention. After a plague wipes out the population of a Utah small town, a team of biologists investigate why only an infant and a middle-aged alcoholic have survived. The drama unfolds deep within an underground laboratory where a fail-safe self-destruct feature threatens the entire operation. The characters are given dubious backstories and the tale is made more convoluted by questionable oceanic mining that plays out in the background, but all in all, A&E's original 3-hour movie, to be shown in two parts beginning May 27th, is a science fiction treat. DVD features: Director and producers commentary, Making of featurette, visual galleries, Dolby 5.1 SS English language track(s), widescreen.
NOVA: THE FOUR-WINGED DINOSAUR
(2008)
* *1/2
Starring Xu Xing
WGBH Boston Video/Not Rated/Documentary/54 min
When Chinese paleontologist, Xu Xing, studied a dinosaur fossil with feather impressions preserved on all four limbs, he named the pigeon-sized animal, "microraptor." Xing's theory, proposing his find proved an irrefutable link between dinosaurs and birds, was challenged by another scientific team citing Xing's bone reconstruction as faulty. What follows is an engrossing scientific competition to construct a microraptor model, based on 3-D bone scans, that will soar through wind tunnel tests and gain widespread acceptance. Although microraptor is a fascinating find, watching paleontologists attempt to determine whether it could fly or glide, is equally riveting. Calling all armchair dino-hunters! DVD features: Printable Resources For Educators, Described Video for the visually impaired, DD English, widescreen. DVD-ROM: access to the Nova Website.
THE FLOCK
(2007)
*1/2
Directed by Wai Keung Lau
Starring Richard Gere, Claire Danes, KaDee Strickland
Genius/Rated R/Thriller/105 min
Filmed for $35 million, and following a short Brazilian theatrical release "The Flock" went straight to video. Director Lau (known for "Infernal Affairs"), goes for dark and brooding, but can't resist distracting camera trickery. Gere plays Erroll Babbage, a public safety agent monitoring registered sex offenders in New Mexico where he exhibits the misplaced zeal of a Guantanamo Bay interrogator. While training Allison (Danes) on the eve of his retirement, Babbage becomes obsessed with finding a perverted serial killer and rescuing an abducted a local girl. Sanctimonious rather than thoughtful, the film's final beat the clock resolution does little to redeem it, though Gere's performance rises above the fray. DVD features: DD Stereo English language track(s), Spanish Subtitles, widescreen.
THE WILLOW TREE
(2005)
* *1/2
Directed by Majid Majidi
Starring Parviz Parastui, Mohammad Amir Naji, Mahmoud Behraznia
New Yorker Video/Not Rated/Drama in Farsi, English subtitles/96 min
Majid Majidi, an Iranian director given to moody parables, delivers a beautiful, challenging film, from the perspective of a middle-aged man. As the film opens, 45-year-old Youssef (Parastui) is a blind, contented professor of literature living with his devoted wife and little daughter. The miraculous restoration of the professor's sight brings Youssef nothing but sorrow and anger as he longs for what might have been and forsakes everything he's worked to achieve. His story has universal appeal despite the heaviness of Majidi's normally light touch. Awash in symbolism, the film's tone grows as dark as a moonless night. DVD features: unspecified Farsi language track, English Subtitles, letterboxed widescreen.
THE GRAND: COMPLETE COLLECTION
(1997)
* * *
Created by Russell T. Davies
Starring Susan Hampshire, Mark McGann, Rebecca Callard, Michael Siberry, Tim Healy, Camilla Power
Acorn Media/Not Rated/Drama/900 min
A thoroughly addictive period drama set in Manchester at the conclusion of WWI, "The Grand" is situated in a luxury hotel of the same name. Operated by the Bannerman family and staffed by a contingent of chamber maids and housemen, "The Grand" delves into the lives of its owners (two brothers, their wives and children), its staff, and a retired madam (Hampshire) living on the premises. Classism and emerging civil rights collide, as do illicit affairs, power plays and schemes for monetary gain. Not only do the characters put their lives and futures on the line, "The Grand" depicts the intensive labor required to run a luxury hotel catering to Europe's elite. DVD features: DD stereo English language track, letterboxed.
MEET THE SPARTANS, Rated or Unrated Pit Of Death Ed., DVD or Blu-Ray
(2008)
-Bomb-
Directed by Jason Friedberg, Aaron Seltzer
Starring Sean Maguire, Carmen Electra, Kevin Sorbo, Ken Davitian, Diedrich Bader
Fox/Rated PG-13/Comedy/87 min
In this spoof of "300," 6-pack abs are painted on beer bellies that are in evidence when Leonidas (Maguire), and his leather brief clad Spartans, visit the decrepit oracles. Unintentionally funny the first time around, attempts to garner further laughs are merely pathetic. Those remaining awake will note a Britney Spears surrogate shaves her head and Paris Hilton gains a hunchback of her own. But try as it may the film can't improve on the real thing. Rated DVD features: Trailers: The Onion Movie, Burn Notice Season One, The Beast with a Billion Backs, Meet The Spartans, DD 5.1 English, DD SS Spanish or French language tracks, widescreen. Unrated DVD features same as above plus: Cast & Crew commentary, featurettes: Meet the Spartans: the Music, Prepare for Thrusting, Tour of Set with Ike Barinholtz, Gag Reel, Know Your Spartans Trivia Game, DD 5.1 SS English or Dolby SS French, Spanish subtitles, widescreen. Unrated Blu-Ray features same as Unrated DVD except: Celebrity Kick Off Game, Super Pit of Death Ultimate Tactical Battle Challenge, Trivia Track, DTS 5.1 HD Lossless Audio English, Dolby SS French or Spanish, Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin subtitles.
THE EYE: Special Ed., DVD or Blu-Ray
(2008)
*
Directed by David Moreau, Xavier Palud
Starring Jessica Alba, Alessandro Nivola, Parker Posey, Francois Chau, Tamlyn Tomita
Lions Gate/Rated PG-13/Horror/97 min
Jessica Alba appears in yet another miscalculated, supernatural thriller. Blinded in a childhood accident, classic violinist, Sydney Wells (Alba) receives a double cornea transplant. As Sydney struggles to overcome the phenomenon of mental blindness, she is haunted by visions she believes are connected to the eyes' previous owner. The concept, an amalgamation of similar films, is lessor on every score though it's good to see Alba returning to her brunette roots. 2-Disc DVD features: downloadable digital copy, deleted scenes, featurettes: Becoming Sydney, Birth of the Shadowman, Dissecting Disaster, Shadow World: the Paranormal past, theatrical trailer, English Descriptive Video (DVS), DD 5.1 English or DD 2.0 Spanish language tracks, widescreen. 2-disc Blu-Ray features same as above except: 7.1 PCM English language track, Spanish subtitles.
BIG RIG
(2007)
* *1/2
Directed by Doug Pray
Starring Dale Sprouse, Loretta Anderson, Claude Eric Walker Sr., Jessie Blaine, Douglas Gustafson, John Leeper, Jacek Szajna
Screen Media/Not Rated/Documentary/95 min
The story behind this documentary -- personalizing America's truckers -- appears on the DVD as an amusing special feature. Documentary maker, Doug Pray, approached more than a hundred truckers to find those willing to be filmed while driving their big rigs. They come in all sizes, races, both genders, and even in the form of a one-armed driver. They prove to be a good-natured, dying breed being squeezed out by government regulations and high fuel costs. Stoking the fires of their home away from home is a matter of trucker pride that must be seen to be appreciated. DVD features: deleted scenes, featurettes: Safety Tips, Trick My Truck, Idle Air Up Close, Behind The Scenes With Sirius Radio, Road Dog Radio, DD 5.1 SS English language track(s), widescreen.
Released in New Formats:
THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE, Blu-Ray
(2005)
* *
Directed by John Putch
Rutger Hauer, Steve Guttenberg, C. Thomas Howell, Adam Baldwin, Bryan Brown, Peter Weller
Echo Bridge/Not Rated/Action/173 mins
The updated TV version is a near miss due to more than an hour of soap opera exposition and incessant speechifying by our heroes. The story posits an attack, perpetrated on a humongous cruise ship, by Middle Eastern terrorists. The attack is frighteningly credible. Disaster movie buffs will enjoy the nicely documented escape action and plausible special effects. Blu-Ray features: Never-Before-Seen Footage, Interview Interviews with Cast Members, Director Featurette, DD 5.1 SS English language track(s), widescreen.
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