Tuesday, March 20, 2007

DVD Releases - March 20

“Blood Diamond: Special Edition” (R) - Nominated for five Academy Awards, director Edward Zwick’s action-filled picture dramatizes the controversial diamond mining practices that take place in various parts of Africa. One worker (Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou) finds a large jewel that becomes a bargaining chip in a reluctant partnership forged with a diamond smuggler (Oscar nominee Leonardo DiCaprio).
Extras: Commentary by Zwick, a documentary tracing the journey of a diamond from the ground to the store, featurettes focusing on DiCaprio’s training, and co-star Jennifer Connelly’s discussion on women journalists at war, and a music video.
Official Web site

“Eragon: Special Edition” (PG) - The discovery by a farm boy (Ed Speleers) of a dragon’s egg leads him on an adventure as a Dragon Rider who must lead a kingdom against a wicked king (John Malkovich). The film co-stars Robert Carlyle, Jeremy Irons and the voice (only the voice?!) of Rachel Weisz.
Extras: Commentary by director Stefan Fangmeier, extended and deleted scenes, a making-of featurette and original storyboards.
Official Web site

“Everyone’s Hero” (G) - In this CGI animated feature originally directed by the late Christopher Reeve, a young boy travels a thousand miles to help Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees win the World Series. This pet project of Reeve’s features the voices of Rob Reiner, Whoopi Goldberg, William H. Macy and Mandy Patinkin, among others.
Extras: Commentary from various crew members, a making-of featurette, and a tribute to Christopher and Dana Reeve.
Official Web site

“NewsRadio: Season 5” - The fifth and final season of this great sitcom was unfortunately a little bittersweet, as cast member Phil Hartman was killed following the fourth season. Producers brought on another SNL alum, Jon Lovitz, as a new cast member. But the show, always ratings-challenged, would be axed by NBC by season’s end.
Extras: A gag reel and deleted scenes.
No official Web site.

“Rocky Balboa” (PG) - After the disappointment of the somewhat silly “Rocky V,” most people, myself included, were cringing at the thought of another chapter of the Italian Stallion (Sylvester Stallone) – especially 16 years later. But the general consensus from critics and audiences was that this is the film the series should end on, a better than expected effort that is very respectful of the path the first couple of films laid. Stallone wrote and directed this effort, which co-stars Burt Young, Milo Ventimiglia and Antonio Tarver.
Extras: Commentary by Stallone, deleted scenes, boxing bloopers, a making-of featurette and more.
Official Web site

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