Box Office Report: June 30-July 2

As expected, the Man of Steel reigned supreme at the box office over the weekend, but still has a ways to go to make a mark on the heavyweights that have already put up huge totals this summer (“The Da Vinci Code,” “X-Men: The Last Stand”). In fact, initial results would seem to indicate that “Superman Returns” will fall well short of those two movies unless it shows strong legs in coming weeks, as tough competition – namely, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” – is still to come.

Those comparing recent superhero movies, “Superman” came out of the gates faster than last summer’s “Batman Begins” but far slower than “Spider-Man 2.”

On another note, 20th Century Fox has got to be thrilled with the performance of “The Devil Wears Prada,” starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway. The counter-programming to “Superman” paid off, as the comedy practically recouped its budget in the first weekend.

1. “Superman Returns”
(Weekend domestic gross - $52.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $104.7 million)
(Budget - $260 million)
2. “The Devil Wears Prada”
(Weekend domestic gross - $27.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $27.0 million)
(Budget - $35 million)
3. “Click”
(Weekend domestic gross - $19.8 million)
(Worldwide gross - $81.8 million)
(Budget - $82.5 million)
4. “Cars”
(Weekend domestic gross - $14.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $207.0 million)
(Budget - $120 million)
5. “Nacho Libre”
(Weekend domestic gross - $6.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $65.4 million)
(Budget - $35 million)
6. “The Lake House”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $45.1 million)
(Budget - N/A)
7. “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.5 million)
(Worldwide gross - $75.7 million)
(Budget - N/A)
8. “Waist Deep”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.4 million)
(Worldwide gross - $15.3 million)
(Budget - N/A)
9. “The Break-Up”
(Weekend domestic gross - $3.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $127.1 million)
(Budget - $52 million)
10. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Weekend domestic gross - $2.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $705.2 million)
(Budget - $125 million)

2006 Year-To-Date
1. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Worldwide gross - $705.2 million)
(Budget - $125 million)
2. “Ice Age: The Meltdown”
(Worldwide gross - $638.7 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
3. “X-Men: The Last Stand”
(Worldwide gross - $424.2 million)
(Budget - $210 million)
4. “Mission: Impossible III”
(Worldwide gross - $338.7 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
5. “Cars”
(Worldwide gross - $207.0 million)
(Budget - $120 million)
6. “Over the Hedge”
(Worldwide gross - $185.2 million)
(Budget - N/A)
7. “Inside Man”
(Worldwide gross - $180.9 million)
(Budget - $45 million)
8. “Scary Movie 4”
(Worldwide gross - $164.9 million)
(Budget - $45 million)
9. “The Pink Panther”
(Worldwide gross - $158.7 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
10. “Poseidon”
(Worldwide gross - $153.4 million)
(Budget - $160 million)

DVD Releases - June 27

It’s a decidedly mixed bag of releases this week, as there are a couple of moderate hit movies mixed in, but little to rush out and see – unless you happen to be a Chuck Berry fan. Read on for more on some of the June 27 releases:

“Annapolis” (PG-13) - Probably with hopes of capturing a bit of that box office magic that propelled “Top Gun” to smash hit status 20 years ago (20 years?!), “Annapolis” failed to click with audiences in theaters. The U.S. Navy gets another showcase movie as James Franco plays a young cadet hoping to become an officer in the elite military academy. Naturally, obstacles stand in his way.
Extras: Commentary from crew, deleted scenes with commentary, making-of featurette, and an in-depth look at the boxing sequences.
Official Web site

“Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock n’ Roll: Limited Edition” (NR) - Just about 20 years after its filming, the huge musical talent brought out to celebrate Chuck Berry’s 60th birthday finally gets released on DVD. Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Linda Ronstadt, Etta James and more helped mark the occasion.
Extras: Released in two versions, the limited edition version is loaded with bonus material including a new introduction from director Taylor Hackford, never-before-seen rehearsal footage, making-of documentary, two huge documentaries on the birth and golden age of rock and roll, and more.
No official Web site

“Failure to Launch” (PG-13) - Critics could have cared less about this romantic comedy, but when you’ve got a cast headed by Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew McConaughey, then I guess it doesn’t matter. This far-fetched movie featuring McConaughey as a lazy guy still living with his parents (Kathy Bates and Terry Bradshaw), who hire a woman (Parker) to motivate him out of the house.
Extras: Multiple featurettes and a “Failure to Launch” contest (whatever that may be), and more.
Official Web site

“Madea’s Family Reunion” (PG-13) - Following up on his surprise box office hit “Diary of a Mad Black Woman,” Tyler Perry is back in drag as granny Madea in another mix of comedy and drama that also met with success in theaters. Whether his sense of humor works for widespread audiences is still a bit unclear, but there doesn’t seem to be much like it getting released into theaters.
Extras: Commentary with Perry, deleted scenes, making-of featurette and more.
Official Web site

“Monk: Season 4” - The dependably good comedic mystery show releases all 16 episodes of its fourth season, starring Emmy and Golden Globe winner Tony Shalhoub. New episodes are still airing on USA Network and it’s one worth seeking out.
Extras: A pair of featurettes involving writing for “Monk.”
Official Web site

“Roseanne: Season 4” - Another fourth season comes out this week with the former hit ABC sitcom about the Conner household. Like her or hate her, Roseanne had a good thing going with this show.
Extras: Video commentaries by Roseanne, new interviews with Roseanne, as well as with two of her kids on the show, D.J. and Becky.
No official Web site

“Ultraviolet” (PG-13) - Milla Jovovich stars in this action-oriented sci-fi flick that was the second one in a few months time to star an attractive female that tanked at the box office (“Aeon Flux” being the other). Although also offered in an unrated, extended cut, seeing it would probably only mean wasting an extra seven minutes of your life that you can’t get back.
Extras: Commentary by Jovovich, and a making-of featurette.
Official Web site

Box Office Report: June 23-25

Despite mostly negative reviews (hardly a rarity for Adam Sandler movies), “Click” climbed to the top of the box office charts this week, taking in $40 million over the weekend. “Cars” held strong at number two, following a couple of weeks at the top spot, pushing it up the top 10 for 2006. Sandler’s reign at the top will definitely be short lived, as the Man of Steel is flying in fast, beginning with late night showings Tuesday, June 27.

Meanwhile, "The Da Vinci Code" is solidifying its status as the top worldwide grossing movie of the year, having surpassed $700 million over the weekend.

1. “Click”
(Weekend domestic gross - $40.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $43.4 million)
(Budget - $82.5 million)
2. “Cars”
(Weekend domestic gross - $23.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $181.1 million)
(Budget - $120 million)
3. “Nacho Libre”
(Weekend domestic gross - $12.7 million)
(Worldwide gross - $53.2 million)
(Budget - $35 million)
4. “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift”
(Weekend domestic gross - $9.8 million)
(Worldwide gross - $58.8 million)
(Budget - N/A)
5. “Waist Deep”
(Weekend domestic gross - $9.4 million)
(Worldwide gross - $9.4 million)
(Budget - N/A)
6. “The Lake House”
(Weekend domestic gross - $8.8 million)
(Worldwide gross - $31.2 million)
(Budget - N/A)
7. “The Break-Up”
(Weekend domestic gross - $6.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $116.2 million)
(Budget - $52 million)
8. “Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.2 million)
(Worldwide gross - $18.3 million)
(Budget - N/A)
9. “X-Men: The Last Stand”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.8 million)
(Worldwide gross - $405.9 million)
(Budget - $210 million)
10. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $700.9 million)
(Budget - $125 million)

2006 Year-To-Date
1. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Worldwide gross - $700.9 million)
(Budget - $125 million)
2. “Ice Age: The Meltdown”
(Worldwide gross - $636.5 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
3. “X-Men: The Last Stand”
(Worldwide gross - $405.9 million)
(Budget - $210 million)
4. “Mission: Impossible III”
(Worldwide gross - $337.0 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
5. “Cars”
(Worldwide gross - $181.1 million)
(Budget - N/A)
6. “Inside Man”
(Worldwide gross - $180.2 million)
(Budget - $45 million)
7. “Over the Hedge”
(Worldwide gross - $169.3 million)
(Budget - N/A)
8. “Scary Movie 4”
(Worldwide gross - $164.4 million)
(Budget - $45 million)
9. “The Pink Panther”
(Worldwide gross - $158.6 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
10. “Big Momma’s House 2”
(Worldwide gross - $137.9 million)
(Budget - $40 million)

Movie Review: "Brick"

Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Nora Zehetner, Lukas Haas, Noah Fleiss, Matt O'Leary, Emilie de Ravin, Noah Segan, Richard Rountree
Directed by Rian Johnson
Official Web site

One would have to imagine the marketing people entrusted to promote “Brick,” writer/director Rian Johnson’s attention grabbing mystery, had their work cut out for them. For one, the movie is a film noir, closely patterned after the classics starring Humphrey Bogart in the 1940s – not the most popular genre going right now. Then, Johnson chose to set the movie in a modern day Southern California high school, with teenagers filling out the cast. Most younger audiences are likely unfamiliar with movies like “The Maltese Falcon” and the writings of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, by which it’s obviously influenced. And adults might see an almost all-teen cast and think they’re in for a couple of hours of bad acting and a dumbed down script. But thankfully, they would be wrong on both counts.

If anything, the adults might be the ones that feel dumb as they try to wrap their heads around the fast, tough and fairly byzantine talking passing over the lips of these high schoolers, for whom homework seems the least of their concerns. This is a film that requires patience and most of all, attention.

“Brick” stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Brendan, a loner who gets a disturbing phone call from his ex-girlfriend (Emilie de Ravin), followed not long after by her death. Still holding feelings for her, Brendan takes it upon himself to find out who killed her and why. Naturally, this leads to him sticking his nose in other people’s business, with many showing various degrees of resistance to his “investigation.” Not unlike the hero in other film noirs, Brendan finds several people physically persuading him to stop his snooping – not that the frequent beatings he sustains deters him.

In fact, his persistence at taking a licking and coming back for more eventually makes inroads to The Pin (Lukas Haas in a pitch perfect performance), a mysterious and eccentric drug kingpin who might hold the key to Brendan’s case. Much of the film’s dark humor emerges from scenes with The Pin, who dresses in black, walks with a cane and seems to take up residency in the poorly lit basement of his mother’s house. Oh, and he drives in a minivan with a working table lamb, if you can figure out the logistics of that. But whatever, it’s still funny to see.

In all fairness, most of the characters in the film aren’t really grounded into any modern day reality. They’re basically high schoolers plopped into a film noir setting, with only the occasional reminder of today’s technology included, such as cell phones (although Brendan still seems to make frequent use of phone booths). As such, some people may have trouble caring about anyone’s fate, as relating to them is rather difficult.

But such a limitation should be able to be overlooked for one primary reason: the movie’s hook isn’t included as a lark. While there is some humor in the story, it’s played with a straight face and that helps “Brick” immensely. The actors are all in step with the language and attitude of the film from scene one – a challenging task indeed, what with all the twisty dialogue included. Gordon-Levitt particularly impresses as the undeterred amateur gumshoe and is building quite an eclectic acting resume.

Obviously a student of film noir, Johnson shows a remarkably focused vision of the world these young adults occupy. This achievement is all the more impressive when it’s factored in that this marked Johnson’s first film.

Audiences could probably watch “Brick” several times over and not completely understand all that is being said by the characters, but few should struggle to realize that there’s some real up-and-coming talent on display here.

Grade: B+
(Rated R for violence and drug content.)

DVD Releases - June 20

Another mix of movies and TV shows make up the lineup for this week’s wildly divergent releases. The first two on this list clearly demonstrate that observation. Here’s some of the notables for June 20:

“Eight Below” (PG) - It seems sensible that Disney is the movie studio behind this true tale of eight sled dogs stranded in Antarctica during a brutal winter, while their owner struggles to get back to rescue them. It’s one of those heartwarming stories where the animals are undoubtedly more interesting than the humans in it. Paul Walker and Jason Biggs are among the cast, so that theory is likely the case here.
Extras: Several commentaries, as well as a making-of featurette.
Official Web site

“The Hills Have Eyes” (R/Unrated) - Gather the family around for another heartwarming tale – this one about a stranded family on a cross country trip encountering a violent collection of mutants who will definitely not be providing directions out of town. This remake of Wes Craven’s 1977 horror film comes in an unrated version and the theatrical version for you wimps out there.
Extras: Pair of commentaries, including one featuring producers Craven and Peter Locke, a making-of documentary, production diaries and a music video.
Official Web site

“The King of Queens: Season 5” - For years, this show lingered in the shadows of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” but has consistently delivered good ratings and certainly has a solid cast headed by Kevin James, Leah Remini and Jerry Stiller.
Extras: However, this release does not deliver anything beyond the full season of 25 episodes.
Official Web site

“Mary Tyler Moore: Season 4” - The TV classic’s fourth season marks the final season for Rhoda (Valerie Harper) with a spin-off to come for her, but the show remained as popular as ever.
Extras: Nothing? Wow, nice way to treat one of TV’s most respected comedies.
No official Web site

“Newsradio: Season 4” - Another great season of this seriously underrated sitcom that aired on NBC, it would also mark the final one for the great comic actor Phil Hartman, who would be killed by his wife before season five. But DVDs such as this will keep the laughs coming.
Extras: Cast and crew commentary on select episodes, a gag reel, and a short film called “One Man News Radio.”
No official Web site

“NYPD: Season 4” - The award-winning police drama from producer Steven Bochco returns for its fourth season release, with a few cast changes, but still has Det. Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) on board.
Extras: Commentary on select episodes and a pair of featurettes.
No official Web site

“The Omen: Collector’s Edition” (R) - Forget that version in theaters now, this “Omen” is the only one you need to see – that is if you don’t mind spending a couple of hours hanging with a really creepy kid who evidently is the son of Satan. To each his own. Director Richard Donner, who would go on to big success with “Superman” and “Lethal Weapon” is at the helm of the 1976 original.
Extras: The two-disc collection features two commentaries including Donner, multiple featurettes, a deleted scene and an introduction from Donner.
No official Web site

“Syriana” (R) - From writer/director Stephen Gaghan (an Oscar-winner for the screenplay to “Traffic”) comes another similarly movie with intertwining storylines, featuring a very strong cast headed by Matt Damon, Jeffrey Wright, Chris Cooper, Christopher Plummer, Amanda Peet and George Clooney (who won an Oscar for his performance as a troubled CIA operative).
Extras: Deleted scenes, a featurette and a conversation with Clooney.
Official Web site

Box Office Report: June 16-18

Well, if you’re a movie buff like me, you probably take at least somewhat of an interest in the box office performance of movies from week to week. You might study them like some sort of addictive mathematical equation or simply observe them in passing on Mondays when the weekend grosses are announced. But one way or another, most movie fans tend to know who the winners and losers are at the box office. For many movies, the opening weekend goes a long way to determine its financial fate. That especially applies in the summer, as new potential blockbusters open every weekend, looking to take crowds away from winners of the previous week.

So for you loyal readers out there (all two or three of you), this very site will start to offer weekly top 10 box office numbers (domestic and worldwide), both for the weekend and the year. (At least until I get bored with it – which will hopefully be never!) The budgets of the movies will also be provided, where available, which really helps determine their financial success or failure.

Now you’ll be able to see how well your new favorite movie did over the weekend, or lament at why seemingly brain dead material such as “Big Momma’s House 2” avoids becoming a box office bomb. Got to give credit to Box Office Mojo for the stellar info, providing way more box office numbers than you could ever hope to consume.

Of course, if seeing this many numbers tends to make your eyes glaze over, then quickly avert them, because here comes the totals for June 16-18:

1. “Cars”
(Weekend domestic gross - $33.7 million)
(Worldwide gross - $132.5 million)
(Budget - N/A)
2. “Nacho Libre”
(Weekend domestic gross - $28.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $28.3 million)
(Budget - $35 million)
3. “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift”
(Weekend domestic gross - $24.0 million)
(Worldwide gross - $31.9 million)
(Budget - N/A)
4. “The Lake House”
(Weekend domestic gross - $13.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $73.7 million)
(Budget - N/A)
5. “The Break-Up”
(Weekend domestic gross - $9.8 million)
(Worldwide gross - $98.9 million)
(Budget - $52 million)
6. “X-Men: The Last Stand”
(Weekend domestic gross - $7.8 million)
(Worldwide gross - $378.5 million)
(Budget - $210 million)
7. “Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties”
(Weekend domestic gross - $7.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $7.3 million)
(Budget - N/A)
8. “The Omen (2006)”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.6 million)
(Worldwide gross - $80.4 million)
(Budget - $25 million)
9. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Weekend domestic gross - $5.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $677.7 million)
(Budget - $125 million)
10. “Over the Hedge”
(Weekend domestic gross - $4.3 million)
(Worldwide gross - $157.1 million)
(Budget - N/A)

2006 Year-To-Date
1. “The Da Vinci Code”
(Worldwide gross - $677.7 million)
(Budget - $125 million)
2. “Ice Age: The Meltdown”
(Worldwide gross - $634.1 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
3. “X-Men: The Last Stand”
(Worldwide gross - $378.5 million)
(Budget - $210 million)
4. “Mission: Impossible III”
(Worldwide gross - $334.1 million)
(Budget - $150 million)
5. “Inside Man”
(Worldwide gross - $179.2 million)
(Budget - $45 million)
6. “The Pink Panther”
(Worldwide gross - $158.6 million)
(Budget - $80 million)
7. “Scary Movie 4”
(Worldwide gross - $158.5 million)
(Budget - $45 million)
8. “Over the Hedge”
(Worldwide gross - $157.1 million)
(Budget - N/A)
9. “Big Momma’s House 2”
(Worldwide gross - $137.9 million)
(Budget - $40 million)
10. “Cars”
(Worldwide gross - $132.5 million)
(Budget - N/A)

Movie Review: "Nacho Libre"

Starring Jack Black, Ana de la Reguera, Héctor Jiménez, Darius Rose, Moises Arias
Directed by Jared Hess
Official Web site

In his sophomore effort, “Nacho Libre” director Jared Hess has concocted a movie that is by turns funny, odd, sweet-natured, and above all else, ridiculous. The heartbeat of the film is star Jack Black, who provides a physical and wildly expressive performance that shows a willingness to do anything for a laugh. Through his sheer force of will, he makes the film better than it probably has any right to be.

Undoubtedly, the storyline of “Nacho Libre” is an unusual one and generally stretched thin just to reach its 91-minute running time. Black plays Ignacio (Nacho becomes his wrestling name), a monk at a monastery in Oaxaca, Mexico, who is a hit with the orphaned children living there, despite the poor quality of food he prepares for them every day.

He’s also a huge fan of lucha libre wrestling – a fact he keeps hidden from his fellow monks, who don’t seem to respect him much in the first place. Riding into town one night on his transportation (imagine a cross between a motorcycle and a shopping cart), he is attacked by Esqueleto (Héctor Jiménez), a rail-thin thief. The encounter inspires Ignacio to recruit Esqueleto to become his tag team partner in the wrestling ring, an arrangement that begins to produce money for the duo along with fairly regular beatings. The two demonstrate high energy in the ring, yet little discernible skill.

The wrestling scenes, while generally well shot, don’t generate many laughs and tend to grow redundant and predictable as the film wears on. Better results involve Nacho’s unusual attempts at impressing Sister Encarnacion (Penelope Cruz lookalike Ana de la Reguera), a new arrival at the monastery. One sequence of events has Nacho asking to have the nun join him for some late night toast, later awkwardly sliding said toast under her door, and then getting invited into the room to noisily eat the food. If you can visualize the odd humor in that, then you’ll probably find it funny on screen.

Much like his first feature, “Napoleon Dynamite,” Hess demonstrates some pacing difficulties as director. Some scenes seem to exist for no reason, other than to generate a laugh or two, while others simply drag on beyond the point of effectiveness. For that matter, the script by Hess, wife Jerusha Hess and Mike White (a collaborator with Black on “The School of Rock”) doesn’t seem that comfortable with developing the supporting cast, as few scenes exist without Black.

But then again, Black is clearly the best thing the movie has going for it, as the overweight actor shows no self-consciousness in looking and acting as a fool. With a fashion ensemble that includes a cape and colorful “stretchy pants,” Nacho is a wild physical specimen. Even more impressive are Black’s seemingly endless facial expressions, maybe best captured when explaining to the orphans how “great” his life is, waking up at 5 a.m. to cook and going to sleep alone every night.

While some people might be put off by Black’s brand of humor, which certainly can’t be labeled as subtle, his comic muscles certainly get a chance to be showcased as Nacho. Whether you can stand to watch him flex them is another story.

Grade: B
(Rated PG for some rough action and crude humor including dialogue.)

DVD Releases - June 13

Some TV shows make their debut on DVD this week, while some overlooked movies hope to find a new audience, beginning this week. Here are a few of the many June 13 releases:

“16 Blocks” (PG-13) - Bruce Willis plays (surprise) a burned-out New York cop forced to escort a prosecution witness (Mos Def) for a court trial. Complications ensue when he realizes this case involves the witness testifying against cops and is forced to protect him from his own department. Clearly, Willis is in his comfort zone with this pic, and director Richard Donner (“Lethal Weapon” series) knows a thing or two about delivering action.
Extras: Deleted scenes with commentary from Donner and screenwriter Richard Wenk, and an alternate ending.
Official Web site

“Cheers: Season 8” - The eighth season of the hugely popular NBC sitcom probably makes the network misty-eyed thinking about the good old days when “Must See TV” actually stood for something. All 26 episodes of the season are featured.
Extras: Nope, this beer tap is dry on that.
No official Web site

“Dave Chappelle’s Block Party” (UR) - It’s like “Chappelle’s Show,” only you have to pay to see it now. Actually, this mix of sketch and standup comedy, along with music from West and the reunited Fugees, didn’t catch on in theaters for Chappelle and director Michel Gondry, despite wide critical acclaim. Perhaps an unrated version of the feature will take off in sales, in much the same way the seasons of Chappelle’s now defunct Comedy Central show did.
Extras: Extended music acts, and a couple of featurettes on the making of the film.
Official Web site

“Dharma & Greg: Season 1” - Forget the poorly received sitcom of hers that just got axed on CBS, Jenna Elfman was a real standout in this ABC show about a seemingly mismatched couple married in San Francisco. This show was actually quite entertaining until it started running out of ideas in its later seasons. Thomas Gibson co-stars, in case you were wondering who Greg was.
Extras: Commentary on select episodes from Elfman, Mimi Kennedy and Alan Rachins, a featurette, and an interactive game.
No official Web site

“Frasier: Season 8” - It’s Kelsey Grammar again! The eighth season of “Cheers” wasn’t good enough for him this week, so here comes season eight from his spin-off show that wasn’t too shabby of a performer for NBC, in its own right. All 22 episodes of the series’ Emmy-award winning season are here.
Extras: The doctor appears to be out in regards to this area. Try back again later.
No official Web site

“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” (R) - Probably the most unfairly overlooked film of the year, “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” stars a very game cast headed up by Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer and Michelle Monaghan. Writer-director Shane Black spins a twisty film noir that takes action movie conventions and has fun with them. Fun is the operative word here.
Extras: Commentary with Downey Jr., Kilmer and Black, as well as a gag reel.
Official Web site

“Medium: Season 1” - Yes, yes, Alison Dubois (Patricia Arquette) can see dead people in the hit NBC drama about a psychic helping crack criminal cases for the Phoenix District Attorney’s office. Yep, it’s pretty far fetched, but Arquette has certainly achieved some notoriety for her role, having earned an Emmy for best actress.
Extras: Cast and crew commentaries on select episodes, deleted scenes, several featurettes, gag reel and an extended version of the pilot.
Official Web site

“The Pink Panther” (PG) - I generally really like Steve Martin and Kevin Kline, yet filling the shoes of Peter Sellers and Herbert Lom in the roles of Inspector Clouseau and Chief Inspector Dreyfus is a very tall order – and an unnecessary one. Critics generally lambasted the movie, but audiences still went to see it. Hence, a sequel is in the works. If you enjoyed the original “Pink Panther” movies, then there’s really no reason to see this.
Extras: Deleted scenes with director’s commentary, alternate opening sequence, several featurettes, a documentary and commentary with director Shawn Levy.
Official Web site

“Walker Texas Ranger: Season 1” - Playing the title character, Chuck Norris takes every opportunity to go ballistic on the villains, using his martial arts abilities over his gun. Isn’t that just like every Texas Ranger out there? All 26 episodes from the first season are featured, so you can create your own highlight reel to show off at a moment’s notice, just like Conan O’Brien.
Extras: Just like the number of Emmy awards this show earned during its run: 0
Official Web site

Movie Review: "Hard Candy"

Starring Patrick Wilson, Ellen Page and Sandra Oh
Directed by David Slade
Official Web site

Just to get it out of the way up front, “Hard Candy” is basically an exploitation movie, and it’s not an easy watch. The very subject matter of the material will clearly deter some people from seeing it, while others may be put off by some of the unlikely machinations of the story. But as a script that centers around a suspected pedophile being put through a tortuous ringer for his alleged misdeeds, it’s likely that there are some people out there that will quietly cheer its boldness.

The movie, directed with a nice visual touch by David Slade, could just as easily have been a stage production. It features only five characters, with just two of them garnering any significant screen time. Most of the action takes place in one location and centers around an arranged meeting between Hayley (Ellen Page), a young teenager, and Jeff (Patrick Wilson), a 32-year-old photographer. As the film opens, the two are exchanging some rather adult conversation on an Internet chat room, agreeing to meet in person. As recent news programs such as "Dateline NBC" demonstrate, the disturbing ease in which some of these inappropriate encounters take place is alarming.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries at a cafe, the action shifts to Jeff’s stylish and almost immaculately clean home. Demonstrating a rather remarkable intelligence for someone who claims to be just 14, Hayley chats up Jeff innocently at first, but after he passes out from a drink she makes for him, he wakes up tied to a chair and realizes he’s not in control of the situation anymore.

Hayley believes Jeff to be a pedophile – a murderous one, at that – a charge he consistently and desperately denies. She proceeds to play mind games with him in an attempt to get him to trip up, maybe say something he shouldn’t, while also searching his place for possible clues or evidence to his guilt. Psychological and physical torture ensues.

But to the film’s credit, while talked about, very little bloodshed or sexual imagery is shown. Of course, keeping an “R” rating might have had more to do with that decision than anything, but it works to the movie’s advantage – particularly in one scene that will have you squirming in your seat.

Without a doubt, the success or failure of a movie structured such as this is extremely dependent on the two lead performances. You have to buy into these characters from the very start, in order to believe there could be a hidden side to them. On that front, Wilson and Page do an exceptional job. Page especially impresses as a teen who can play sweet and innocent in one scene, then calculated and masochistic in the next. It’s a very challenging and substantial role for such a young actress to be able to sink her teeth into (in contrast, she is largely wasted in “X-Men: The Last Stand”).

While the screws are effectively tightened during the movie’s second act that keeps the proceedings ambiguous, things start to come undone in the third act, with a debatable denouement. Even aside from its finale, the one almost guaranteed outcome of this movie, like it or hate it, is that it will get you talking. And when it comes to shining a light on the seemingly growing problem of dangerous dealings between adults and underage youths on the Internet, a little conversation is a good thing.

Grade: B+
(Rated R for disturbing violent and aberrant sexual content involving a teen, and for language.)

Movie Review: "X-Men: The Last Stand"

Starring Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin, Kelsey Grammar, Rebecca Romijn and Patrick Stewart
Directed by Brett Ratner

Practically promising a conclusion to the “X-Men” movies by stressing “The Last Stand” over “X3,” the popular Marvel Comics series gets its biggest, although not best big-screen treatment this go around.

That said, director Brett Ratner largely acquits himself from the firestorm of criticism he received upon news that he would be taking over the movie franchise from Bryan Singer, who directed the first two installments. Singer, who left the project in pre-production, moved on to his career dream project of helming a “Superman” movie. That film, “Superman Returns,” will look to compete with “X-Men: The Last Stand” for box office supremacy when it opens later this month.

Picking up a short time after the events in “X2,” the mutants face their biggest challenge yet, as news quickly spreads of a scientific “cure” to mutancy that will allow them the ability to be entirely human. In the collective thinking of the government and probably most of the human population, that means being “normal.”

Naturally, not everyone is thrilled with the newly developed opportunity, particularly Magneto (Ian McKellen), one of the more powerful mutants with the power to control and manipulate metal. He sees the cure not as an option, but as the beginning of a war to wipe out mutants altogether. The fact that he learns many doses of the antibody are being loaded into guns to be used against them only serves to fuel his already heavy skepticism.

But his more ego-like counterpart, Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), ever the optimist, holds out hope that a peaceful coexistence can still be attained. He tries to convey this outlook upon his colleagues and students at his school, with varied degrees of success. Among them are Woverine (Hugh Jackman), Storm (Halle Berry) and Rogue (Anna Paquin).

The wild card in the conflicting philosophies of Magneto and Xavier arrives when Wolverine and Storm find friend and fellow mutant Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), believed to have perished in “X2.” As the X-Men quickly realize, Jean’s not quite her normal self and is in fact, capable of destroying pretty much anything in her path, if she sets her mind to it. This puts her former colleagues in the unenviable position of trying to decide if she can be saved or whether she must be destroyed.

As the mutants led by Magneto choose to fight tooth and nail against the human’s desire to administer a cure, Xavier’s side tries desperately to fend off an impending war.

While the script by Zak Penn and Simon Kinberg brings up some quite interesting philosophical dilemmas and complicated issues of conformity versus individuality, they tend to get muted beneath all the noise and special effects. That’s not to say the special effects don’t impress, because they do – perhaps no more so than an intense sequence at Jean’s house where characters and the house’s very frame are being lifted into the air. It’s just that by the film’s near chaotic conclusion, which features more characters than you can keep track of, “X-Men” starts to break down.

If anything, this is a movie that probably could have stood to be a little longer, as it features so many new characters, that few of them are very well developed. Meanwhile, older ones are pushed to the background or disappear altogether. Some of those developments bring a bit of surprise to the proceedings, but still leave you wanting more.

As for this film truly being the end of the “X-Men,” don’t believe the hype. With the franchise showing it still has life in story and at the box office, you can bet they’ll be no “cure” coming for at least some of these mutants anytime soon. Let the spinoffs begin.

Grade: B
(Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action violence, some sexual content and language.)

DVD Releases - June 6

It’s another busy week in DVD-land, as some spring box office disappointments mix together with some lower profile, yet critically acclaimed films. Here’s a look at some of the variety coming out June 6:

“Dazed and Confused: Criterion Collection” (R) - Fans of writer-director Richard Linklater’s depiction of high school life in 1976 were subjected to two crappy DVD releases of this movie in the past. But leave it to the cinema lovers at Criterion to give the comedy-drama a DVD version worth owning. The movie was never a big box office hit, yet ask around – I bet you or someone you know has seen it.
Extras: Commentary from Linklater, a making-of documentary, a 72-page book featuring essays and character profiles, lots of on-set interviews, deleted scenes and footage from the 10-year anniversary celebration.
No official Web site

“Entourage: Season 2” - The HBO series that follows the life of film star Vince Chase, his friends and agent is back for its second hit season. This season features a story arc that has Vince involved in making the potential blockbuster movie, “Aquaman.” Well, every other comic book hero is getting a movie made, so why not him?
Extras: Behind-the-scenes interviews with the cast and crew by executive producer Mark Wahlberg.
Official Web site

“Firewall” (PG-13) - Harrison Ford struck out at the box office with this thriller about a bank security expert (Ford) being forced to use his knowledge against the very bank he’s supposed to be protecting. So why would he do such a devious thing? His family’s been taken hostage, of course. Paul Bettany and Virginia Madsen co-star.
Extras: A pair of featurettes, including an interview with Ford and director Richard Loncraine.
Official Web site

“Glory Road” (PG) - The gang that brought you “Remember the Titans” presents another true inspirational sports story – this one focusing on the 1966 season of Texas Western University, who would form the first all-black lineup in college basketball history. Josh Lucas plays future Hall of Fame coach Don Haskins.
Extras: Several featurettes focusing on Coach Haskins, numerous interviews with his players and colleagues, two audio commentaries, deleted scenes and an Alicia Keys music video.
Official Web site

“Home Improvement: Season 4” - While the cast headed by Tim Allen and Patricia Richardson was likable enough, it’s hard to understand how this show was so popular during its run on ABC. And did anyone else get sick of the decision to hide the next door neighbor behind a fence in every episode? Sorry, just ranting a bit there.
Extras: Bloopers, bloopers and more bloopers! They loved to screw up on this show!
No official Web site

“NCIS: The Complete First Season” - The hit CBS series about the Naval Criminal Investigative Service makes its DVD debut with Mark Harmon at the helm. Does it seem like Harmon has been in the cast of about 20 series over his career? Its yet another crime drama procedural, this one from the same guy who brought you JAG – also on CBS.
Extras: Multiple featurettes on the show’s creation, as well as a commentary on one of the episodes from series creator Donald P. Bellasario.
Official Web site

“The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada” (R) - Marking the directorial debut from Oscar-winning actor Tommy Lee Jones, the veteran actor also stars as a Texas ranch foreman who forces a U.S. border patrolman (Barry Pepper) to take the body of a man he accidentally killed back to Mexico for a proper burial. The journey is a personal one for the foreman, who was good friends with the deceased.
Extras: Commentary with Jones and co-stars Dwight Yoakam and January Jones.
Official Web site

“Underworld: Evolution” (R) - A relatively quick arriving sequel to the hit 2003 film, “Underworld: Evolution” continues the bloody and stylish war between vampires and werewolves as they fight, swap recipes, and go clubbing together. Or something like that. Heck, it’s got Kate Beckinsale dressed up in tight leather for a couple of hours, OK? Isn’t that the main attraction for the guys?
Extras: Commentary from director Len Wiseman and other crew members, several featurettes on various aspects of the production, including its journey from script to screen.
Official Web site

Movie Review: "Match Point"

Starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Emily Mortimer, Scarlett Johansson, Matthew Goode, Penelope Wilton and Brian Cox
Directed by Woody Allen

Writer-director Woody Allen has been making movies for so long now at such a consistent clip (generally about one per year), that audiences tend to take him for granted. In recent years, the general consensus of his newer movies are that they are perfectly watchable, but very unexceptional.

So it comes as a bit of a surprise (although it really shouldn’t) that Allen still has the ability to deliver a standout movie that actually marks a bit of a departure for the 70-year-old filmmaker. Not only is Allen not in “Match Point,” but there isn’t even a Woody-like character to be found. Then again, there are no laughs to be had in this beautifully shot and well-crafted drama that delves into passion, deception and desire.

Having such a distinction is one manner in which the movie differentiates itself from his 1989 film with similar themes, “Crimes and Misdemeanors.” Another way is that “Match Point” is set outside of Allen’s usual New York backdrop – landing smack dab on the other side of the pond in London. Still, Allen’s always demonstrated a knack for showing off classic cities and he, along with cinematographer Remi Adefarasin, capture wonderful shots of London, largely seen through the eyes of the film’s central figure, Chris Wilton (Jonathan Rhys Meyers).

As a good, but not great former tennis pro, Chris is restlessly teaching the sport at a London country club as the film opens. But he soon has the luck of teaching Tom Hewett (Matthew Goode), the son of a very well off family headed by parents Alan and Eleanor (Brian Cox and Penelope Wilton). Tom invites Chris to an opera, where he meets an almost instantly smitten Chloe (Emily Mortimer), the Hewett’s lovely and spoiled daughter.

It might not quite be love at first sight for both of them, but Tom certainly knows a good thing when he sees it. So he quickly gains in trust and favor in the family, eventually being hired into one of the father’s companies. Around the same time, he meets Tom’s fiancée, struggling American actress Nola Rice (Scarlett Johansson), who should come equipped with a warning sign. A smoker, drinker and heavy flirter, Lola has trouble written all over her. Yet, Chris is almost irresistibly attracted to her, even as he is fully aware of the risks attached.

Those risks only become greater after Chris marries Chloe, while Nola, never a favorite with Eleanor, splits up with Tom. Now she is available while Chris is decidedly not. He knows that their relationship has no real foreseeable future. After all, neither of them have any money or any real solid prospects away from the Hewett family. So for Chris, the question becomes, is the risk worth it?

Meyers does a very good job at capturing the internal conflict of his character, a generally affable and good-natured person caught in a struggle between his head and his heart. His character’s decisions basically determine the direction of the film, particularly in the third act, which reveals itself to be a rather effective thriller by that point.

Near the beginning of the movie, Tom remarks that he’s rather be lucky than be good. Of course, being lucky doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with being happy. By film’s end, one has to wonder if Tom can believe the same thing.

Grade: B+
(Rated R for some sexuality.)

DVD Releases - May 30

Some of this past spring’s movies start to make their way to DVD this week, combined with some special editions of a pair of films that I can guarantee you’ll never see together as a double feature. So here are some of the notables for May 30:

“Date Movie” (Unrated) - From some of the same people behind the “Scary Movie” franchise is this ugly stepsister of a film, featuring a lot of scatological humor and nonstop parodies of other, better movies. As if it matters, Alyson Hannigan, Adam Campbell, Eddie Griffin and Fred Willard are among the cast.
Extras: Deleted/extended/alternate scenes, audio commentaries with the cast and crew, several featurettes, screensavers, an optional laugh track, and more.
Official Web site

“Dukes of Hazzard: Season 6” - After a near disastrous fifth season that saw the show’s stars hold out and be replaced, only to return by season’s end, the sixth season has Tom Wopat and John Schneider firmly back in place. Lucky you, as now all 22 episodes of the season have been preserved on DVD for posterity.
Extras: History and design featurette on the General Lee, as well as a tour of the real Hazzard County with Ben “Cooter” Jones and Sonny “Enos” Shroyer. Does life get any better than this?!
Official Web site

“Freedomland” (R) - Despite material in the form of a novel by acclaimed writer Richard Price (who also adapted the screenplay), and a strong cast, led by Samuel L. Jackson and Julianne Moore, “Freedomland” largely sunk at the box office. There’s some interesting ideas at work here, dealing with racial issues brought about after a white mother (Moore) claims her son was kidnapped by a black man in the projects. Perhaps a second life for the film can be found on DVD.
Extras: The big nada.
Official Web site

“Numb3rs: Season 1” - This surprise hit for CBS with the annoying spelling of its title (using the number 3 as an E – give me a break) has all 13 episodes of its first season out on four discs. The series focuses on FBI Special Agent Don Eppes (Rob Morrow) who utilizes the help of his brother (David Krumholtz), a math genius, to help crack cases. For those wondering what use math has for your everyday life, here you go.
Extras: Commentary from cast and crew on multiple episodes, audition reels, blooper reels and more.
Official Web site

“Platoon: 20th Anniversary Collector’s Edition” (R) - In what would be the first of his three movies dealing with the Vietnam War, writer-director Oliver Stone delivers a brutal, but undeniably powerful depiction of the struggle of a young infantryman (Charlie Sheen) in 1960s Vietnam. The great cast includes Willem Dafoe, Tom Berenger, John C. McGinley, Forest Whitaker and Kevin Dillon, among others.
Extras: Commentary with Stone and military advisor Dale Dye, deleted scenes with optional commentary from Stone, and multiple featurettes.
Official Web site

“Smokey and the Bandit: Special Edition” (PG) - How have we survived so long without a special edition of this “classic” film? Well, good buddy, your dreams have come true as the Bandit (Burt Reynolds) is here, ready to deliver 400 cases of beer from Texarkana to Atlanta in under 28 hours, avoiding Smokey (Jackie Gleason) along the way. Many, many, many car chases ensue.
Extras: Making of featurette and a “Smokey and the Bandit” CB tutorial (that’s no joke).
No official Web site

Movie Review: "Shopgirl"

Starring Steve Martin, Claire Danes, Jason Schwartzman, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras
Directed by Anand Tucker
Official Web site

Making the most out of a standout performance from star Claire Danes, “Shopgirl” manages to throw some variations into the oft-dramatized love triangle situation, while largely avoiding the pitfalls of dumbing down characters for mass consumption.

Some of that credit clearly has to go back to the source material, the 2000 novella of the same name by Steve Martin. Adapting it for the big screen, Martin (who also co-stars) centers the story around Mirabelle (Danes), a California transplant by way of Vermont, looking for love and a true sense of direction in her life. She works in a Saks Fifth Avenue store as a clerk in the glove department (which, as the movie depicts, certainly doesn’t seem to be a high demand item), but also dabbles in art in her spare time. That spare time is largely spent alone in her apartment as she seems to be waiting for the next chapter of her life to begin.

Meeting Jeremy (Jason Schwartzman) late one night in a neighborhood laundromat certainly doesn’t inspire romantic confidence. And Jeremy is the very definition of a slob bachelor, with trash and clothes strewn all over his apartment. He even has to clear some space in his car from garbage before Mirabelle can sit down. Thus begins their awkward courtship that consists of Jeremy taking about fonts (he claims to be a font designer) while Mirabelle looks at him with a mix of fascination and resignation.

Then one day at the glove counter, she meets Ray Porter (Martin), a dot-com millionaire who promptly buys some gloves, then sends them to Mirabelle, along with a dinner invitation. Intrigued, she accepts and begins seeing Ray on a regular basis. Stating from the beginning that he’s not looking for a serious relationship, Mirabelle is attracted to Ray’s charm as well as the attention and gifts he bestows on her – a marked difference from any previous relationship she’s been in. The fact that there is a significant age difference between the two is discussed, but isn’t dwelled on.

The development of Mirabelle and Ray’s relationship is handled well, in what could have been a kind of creepy situation in less skilled hands. Through their eyes, the difference in expectations and desires in the relationship shifts as time goes on. Ray believes the two are on the same page in this area, while a part of Mirabelle hopes – even against her better judgment – that his defenses will be worn down with time. As the most clearly defined character in the movie, Danes gives an emotionally rich performance that helps bring a greater depth to scenes.

Spending much of the second half of the movie away from the central action, Schwartzman still is able to bring a likable geekiness to Jeremy, even if some of his quirks are a bit much to believe. Sensing his need to mature, Jeremy agrees to accompany a rock band on a road tour, hoping it will make him a better person.

Director Anand Tucker shows a strong visual style with the material, including a shot that begins over Mirabelle’s bed, ascends through her apartment skylight and into the star-filled sky as it gets lost among the other flickering lights. Less successful is the music score from Barrington Pheloung, which practically overwhelms some scenes with its loud string instruments, when quiet and subtle melodies would seem to work much better.

To some degree, the general scope of the film seems almost too small for movie theaters. This is one that will probably play better on people’s TV screens, documenting the intimacy of these characters trying to find love. Doing so without getting hurt along the way is something that even a fictional movie like this knows is tough, if not impossible.
Grade: B
(Rated R for sexual content and brief language.)

DVD Releases - May 23

After a relatively quiet week of releases last week, there’s a lot of options hitting the market this week. Whether it’s more seasons of TV shows or special editions of classic movies, there’s a good variety of DVDs coming out May 23. Here’s a glimpse at the lineup:

“Boston Legal: Season 1” - Creator David E. Kelley’s first season of his legal comedy-drama gets its release. A spinoff from the hit ABC show “The Practice,” it stars James Spader and William Shatner as a pair of attorneys with their own spin on ethics. Spader and Shatner have both earned Emmys for their work, and Candice Bergen joined the cast late in the season. So why I am I not watching this?
Extras: A pair of featurettes and deleted scenes from the pilot episode.
Official Web site

“Cheaper By the Dozen 2” (PG) - In a sequel to the serviceable, yet forgettable 2003 film, Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt return with a whole bunch of children that you’ll be glad aren’t yours. Eugene Levy is on board this go around, and you can practically hear the ka-ching of the cash register as Martin and Levy collect their money for this one.
Extras: Commentary by director Adam Shankman and several featurettes.
Official Web site

“Deadwood: Season 2” - Cover your kids’ eyes and ears! Those foul-mouthed, violent residents of Deadwood are back for the second season of the critically-acclaimed HBO drama from creator David Milch (“NYPD Blue”). The power struggle continues for the troubled town in 19th century South Dakota for this 12-episode season.
Extras: Commentary from cast and crew on multiple episodes, making-of season finale, a Deadwood 1877 featurette, and a photo gallery.
Official Web site

“Dirty Dozen: Special Edition” (NR) - Lee Marvin and his motley crew get a two-disc special edition treatment, as the action-packed WWII thriller is released. I’ll save you from the story rundown, but you just know there will come a day when Hollywood will unnecessarily remake this script.
Extras: Commentary from no fewer than eight people, including stars Jim Brown, Trini Lopez and original novelist E.M. Nathanson; an introduction from star Ernest Borgnine; the 1985 made-for-TV sequel, “The Dirty Dozen: Next Mission”; a pair of new documentaries; and more.
No official Web site

“High School Musical: Encore Edition” (PG) - It was a big hit when it premiered on the Disney Channel, the soundtrack is still selling in big numbers, and now the music-packed film makes its debut on DVD. An athlete and a smart beauty both secretly audition for the leads in the high school musical and much singing and dancing ensues. Pretty much like the name indicates.
Extras: A pair of featurettes and music videos.
Official Web site

“Kingdom of Heaven: Director’s Cut” (R) - Normally, I don’t give a whole lot of credence to director’s cuts, but I’m willing to cut director Ridley Scott a little slack. After all, it worked when he presented his director’s cut of “Blade Runner.” So we’ll see how he reworks his Crusades-era action picture, a box-office disappointment from last summer.
Extras: A ton, and I mean a ton! It’s four discs worth, people! I can’t even cover all of it, but suffice it to say there’s commentary that stretches over two discs, a six-part documentary that basically covers all aspects of the film, and multiple featurettes.
Official Web site

“M*A*S*H*: Season 10” - The acclaimed series nears its conclusion with the second to last season, but the awards kept on piling up, with stars Alan Alda and Loretta Swit among those honored for this season’s work.
Extras: Prognosis: Negative.
No official Web site

“Patton: Special Edition” (PG) - Multiple Oscars, including best picture, went to this classic 1972 film about the legendary U.S. Gen. George S. Patton. George C. Scott will forever most be associated with this role, for which he also won an Academy Award.
Extras: Introduction and commentary by screenwriter Francis Ford Coppola, several new documentaries, including one on the making of the movie.
No official Web site

“Transamerica” (R) - Thanks in large part to the acclaimed lead performance from Felicity Huffman (who was Oscar-nominated), this low-budget comedy-drama about a transsexual on the verge of gender-reassignment surgery got a fair amount of notice at awards time. Bree (Huffman) learns she has a son and ends up taking a road trip with him, change both of their lives.
Extras: Commentary with director Duncan Tucker, a conversation with Tucker and Hoffman, a featurette and a Dolly Parton video (naturally!).
Official Web site

DVD Releases - May 16

A generally light selection marks the releases this week, with TV shows having a lesser presence than recent weeks. But some disappointing movies and the seemingly inevitable repackaged film of the week are among the notables for May 16.

“Doogal” (G) - Evidently, this film is not intended as an instrument of torture. Rather, it’s some introduction to Americans of an old French animated creation that was quite popular on British television. So now we are being subjected to the film that was hacked to pieces by critics. Jon Stewart, who is part of the solid vocal talent for the movie, even made fun of it on “The Daily Show.” But, perhaps if your children have been misbehaving, this might be just the ticket.
Extras: A making of featurette and that’s it.
Official Web site

“Hill Street Blues: Season 2” - The groundbreaking show that inspired many of the law and order shows now on TV, such as ... well, “Law and Order,” is back for a three-disc collection of its second season. The show’s ensemble cast helped contribute to the show’s huge award haul during its run, which included four Emmys for outstanding drama.
Extras: Commentary on a pair of episodes, several featurettes, including ones titled “Confessions of Captain Freedom” and “Belker Unleashed,” if those mean anything to you.
No official Web site

“Napoleon Dynamite: Like, the Best Special Edition Ever!” (PG) - With the filmmakers of “Napoleon Dynamite” conveniently having a new movie coming out next month (“Nacho Libre”), here’s another release of the oddly likable comedy. In most cases, these quickie special editions are usually anything but special. But this one just might be bucking that trend.
Extras: Commentary with director/co-writer Jared Hess, producer Jeremy Coon and actors Jon Heder, Aaron Ruell, Efren Ramirez, Jon Gries and Tina Majorino; deleted scenes with commentary; all new outtakes and audition clips; several featurettes and an original short film with commentary from Hess, Coon and Heder.
Official Web site

“The Producers” (PG-13) - To be honest, I loved the 1968 Mel Brooks original film and didn’t think a remake was necessary. But the Broadway musical was beloved by audiences and critics, so it was hard to fault the decision to adapt it for the big screen. And with a cast that includes Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Uma Thurman and Will Ferrell, how could it not be great? However, audiences generally seemed to stay away from it in theaters; will the same trend play out on DVD?
Extras: Commentary with director Susan Stroman, deleted scenes, outtakes and analysis of a scene.
Official Web site

Movie Review: "Mission: Impossible III"

Starring Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Michelle Monaghan, Ving Rhames, Billy Crudup, Keri Russell and Laurence Fishburne
Directed by J.J. Abrams

Snagged as the third different director of the "Mission: Impossible" franchise, J.J. Abrams (a replacement for Joe Carnahan, who split over creative differences) has definitely got the credentials to put together a good spy yarn. After all, he's the creator of the spy drama "Alias," which is wrapping up its five year run on ABC this month. So it's a bit disappointing that the script, penned by Abrams, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci seems to favor brawn over brains.

That's not to say that "Mission: Impossible III" doesn't deliver just what the trailer and commercials promise: action, action and more action. It's just that the bar should be set a bit higher for a creative talent like Abrams, especially when incorporating a cast this good.

Headlining, of course, is Tom Cruise as IMF agent Ethan Hunt, who finds himself in big trouble in the film's gripping first scene. Evil arms dealer Owen Davian (a focused Philip Seymour Hoffman) has got Hunt in a compromising situation, as he seeks the Rabbit's Foot, which is a ... (well, never mind). The opener, complete with a cliffhanger, is actually flashing to a moment later in the film – a common practice in "Alias" and "Lost." Overused or not, it works here and helps introduce Hoffman to the movie much earlier than he would have been otherwise.

Since the end of the second "Mission: Impossible," Hunt has gotten out of field duty and now trains future agents. He's also engaged to Julia (Michelle Monaghan), a personable nurse, who happens to think her fiancé is a highway traffic control engineer. So, when Hunt is naturally called back into the field to save one of his former students (Keri Russell), he starts having to pile up lies on poor Julia. While there are some good scenes between Cruise and Monaghan, the movie's need to keep the pace brisk leaves their relationship a bit underdeveloped.

The rescue attempt by Hunt and his IMF team (played by Ving Rhames, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Maggie Q) manages to turn up some evidence of the whereabouts of Davian, a longtime target of the agency's superiors (Billy Crudup and an underused Laurence Fishburne). The team heads off to Vatican City, naturally, to apprehend the villain in a well choreographed and filmed sequence of events. But not to be outdone, Davian has some well armed forces come to his aid in a scene that brings to mind the James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger collaboration, "True Lies."

As the top two stars, Cruise and Hoffman have a few scenes matching up that certainly hold your attention, as both demonstrate their characters are willing to go to the brink (if not beyond) to extract information. But while Hoffman brings a definite menace to his role, it's not really a well defined character.

Cruise certainly shows an anything goes approach to the physical side of his role, and this marks the first film of the three to venture much into his personal life. Still, it doesn't quite feel like enough, as there still seems to be a lack of emotional investment in this character for audiences. And by the third act, when the film crosses paths with its opening scene, there's not a lot of surprises to reveal, and the film's credibility threatens to buckle under the weight of one action sequence too many.

But as far as summer escapism fun at the movies goes, it's mostly mission accomplished. However, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is don't think about it too much afterwards.

Grade: B
(Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of frenetic violence and menace, disturbing images and some sensuality.)

DVD Releases - May 9

Movies can’t exist on operate ends of the spectrum much more than two of the movies in this week’s releases, as a sequel about an undercover cop disguised as an overweight old woman shares shelf space with the 1970s-set dramatization of an assassin squad assembled to exact revenge on terrorists. You can be sure these films will never be brought together as a double feature. Here’s a glance at some of the many new DVD’s coming your way for May 9:

“The Andy Griffith Show: Season 6” - The sixth season in Mayberry brought on some changes, as it was the first to show episodes in color, and Deputy Barney Fife would no longer be a regular character on the show. Incidentally, I recently happened to meet Betty Lynn, who played Barney’s long time girlfriend, Thelma Lou. She’s a very nice woman who obviously loved her time on the classic show.
Extras: All 30 episodes are on five discs, but other than that, you’re not catching any fish here.
No official web site

“Big Momma’s House 2” (PG-13) - Martin Lawrence is back in the latex fat suit again for yet another undeserved and unwarranted sequel. He goes undercover again to work as a nanny so that he can investigate a computer company executive up to no good. I could explain more about the plot, but does it really matter. It’s Martin Lawrence playing dress up for a couple of hours. So it’s not quite Shakespeare.
Extras: Commentary from director John Whitesell and others, along with a featurette and 12 deleted/extended scenes.
Official Web site

“Everybody Loves Raymond: Season 6” - The Barone family, including the incessantly nosy parents played by Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle, are back for the sixth season of the popular CBS comedy.
Extras: Commentary on six of the 24 episodes from the season, bloopers and deleted scenes, and a first six years retrospective.
Official Web site

“Facts of Life: Seasons 1 & 2” - Evidently, producers of “Diff’rent Strokes” were so taken with Charlotte Rae as the Drummond family housekeeper that she got to have her own spin-off show,“The Facts of Life,” beginning in 1979. So here’s the DVD debut of those precocious boarding school girls (Blair, Jo, Natalie and Tootie) and their episodic life lessons about being good and decent people. For me, this was a tough one to watch – too many girls. I’ll stick with the very special episodes of “Diff’rent Strokes,” thank you very much.
Extras: A couple of featurettes, but not much else.
No official web site

“Munich” (R) - For my money, “Munich” was the best movie of 2005 – an intense, but well constructed historical drama that also serves as a very effective thriller. Following the murder of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, a group of five men are assembled to track down and kill the ones responsible. Steven Spielberg directs from a script by celebrated playwright Tony Kushner and Eric Roth.
Extras: The single disc only contains a brief introduction from Spielberg, while a two-disc special edition contains several featurettes covering numerous aspects of the film’s production.
Official Web site

“Nanny McPhee” (PG) - Oscar winner Emma Thompson wrote and stars as the title character in this family-oriented film about a mysterious woman who comes into the life of a recently widowed man (Colin Firth) to try and help tame his very naughty children. No, I’m not talking any corporal punishment here, just mostly magic. And no spoonfuls of sugar for these brats.
Extras: Deleted scenes, a gag reel and several behind-the-scenes featurettes.
Official Web site

“Rescue Me: Season 2” - Troubled fireman Tommy Gavin (Denis Leary) is back for more in the second season of the critically acclaimed FX drama. Separated from his wife and kids, Gavin struggles to get his life back together while battling alcoholism. Leary and co-creator Peter Tolan both earned Emmy nominations for their writing work on this last season. Season three begins May 30, so there’s little time to catch up for yours truly.
Extras: Several featurettes, lots of deleted scenes, a blooper reel and a look at season three.
Official Web site

“Rumor Has It” (PG-13) - A woman (Jennifer Aniston) comes home with her fiancé (Mark Ruffalo) only to be told that her family was the inspiration for “The Graduate.” Well, that’s certainly news you don’t hear everyday. Kevin Costner, Shirley McClaine and Mena Suvari co-star for director Rob Reiner in a generally poor received comedy. Maybe the concept is a bit too much of a stretch?
Extras: Can you count a trailer? No, I didn’t think so. Well, then it’s got nothing.
Official Web site

“Scrubs: Season 3” - This funny, creative sitcom frequently struggles in the ratings, but has managed to survive several seasons on NBC. Its diagnosis is still to be determined for next season, but thankfully, its getting some new life on DVD.
Extras: Numerous featurettes, a gag reel and commentaries on various episodes.
Official Web site

Movie Review: "Where the Truth Lies"

Starring Kevin Bacon, Colin Firth, Alison Lohman, Rachel Blanchard, David Hayman, Maury Chaykin
Directed by Atom Egoyan
Official Web site

It's clear when stars Kevin Bacon and Colin Firth take the stage looking snazzy in their tuxes, while performing music and comedy, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis should spring to mind. Indeed, this fictional nightclub act has its suave and sophisticated straight man, Vince Collins (Firth) and excitable, wilder funny man, Lenny Morris (Bacon). In 1957, their career is red hot and luxuries are laid at their feet, be it legal or not.

"Where the Truth Lies" certainly doesn't paint the duo as angels, as each have their problems. Both seem dependent on pills to keep up their energy, not to mention their libidos, which most of the time seems particularly in high gear for Morris. Director Atom Egoyan does a good job capturing the dark, smoke-filled nightclubs, while Firth and Bacon show some talent in their limited on screen performances. Although it must be stated, Martin and Lewis, they ain't.

But when attractive college student Maureen O'Flaherty (Rachel Blanchard) is found dead in their Atlantic City hotel room, everything changes. Her death is ruled accidental and Collins and Morris avoid implication in the tragedy. However, their careers are not so lucky, as it effectively ends their partnership, not to mention general relevance in show business.

Cut to 15 years later and ambitious writer Karen O'Connor (Alison Lohman) is looking to dig into the mystery through a new book she's just negotiated a $1 million deal to pen about Collins and Morris. However, Collins is the only one willing to talk, but with no desire to discuss Maureen. A chance encounter on an airplane with Morris, who has no idea who Karen is, has the appearance of a budding romance, albeit one built on lies.

Meanwhile, Karen continues to work on Collins, desperately wanting him to talk about the one subject that she knows will get the book to fly off shelves. To say that she gets a little loose in her journalistic ethics while compiling interviews for the book would be an understatement. Taking recreational drugs and making out with a woman dressed like Alice in Wonderland (in what is a rather absurd sequence of events) are not normal professional practices.

In fact, on more than one occasion, the movie veers dangerously close towards the territory of camp. But in large part, thanks to the focused performances from Bacon and Firth, is able to veer back on track. Bacon, playing the sex and image obsessed Morris, certainly portrays him as a bit of a cad. But the character seems aware of this too, and is clearly haunted by Maureen's death. Collins is the colder and more impersonal of the two and seems to favor isolation, but Firth suggests demons just beneath his seemingly dignified exterior.

Egoyan has made a career out of unconventional movies, from the superb, elegiac "The Sweet Hereafter" to the sexually themed thriller "Exotica." With "Where the Truth Lies," he tackles film noir, adapting a Rupert Holmes novel to the big screen. If that author's name sounds familiar, think the guy who wrote "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)." Now you're getting where the unconventional part comes in. Having what would likely be deemed a somewhat unpolished source material, the movie is certainly not successful on all fronts. Some elements of the story, be it the multiple narrators, or frequent jumping between 1957 and 1972, can grow frustrating. But the film definitely can't be faulted for lack of effort.

Grade: B
(Note: The MPAA threatened the film with an NC-17 due to one sex scene they deemed inappropriate for an R. So Egoyan chose to release the film unrated, but its content is certainly no less controversial than any number of R rated films released any given week.)

DVD Releases - May 2

Some classic TV shows are mixed in with this week’s releases, which also includes a special edition of one of Hollywood’s most respected stage-to-screen efforts. Here’s a look at some releases for May 2:

“The Family Stone” (PG-13) - A really good cast, including Diane Keaton, Sarah Jessica Parker, Luke Wilson, Rachel McAdams and Claire Danes, appear in writer-director Thomas Bezucha’s comedy-drama about a boyfriend (Dermot Mulroney) taking his fiancée (Parker) to meet his family. Naturally, the somewhat dysfunctional family has mixed reactions to the relationship; otherwise, a really dull movie would likely follow. Whether this version is any improvement is a matter of opinion.
Extras: Multiple commentary tracks, including one by Parker and Mulroney; deleted scenes, behind the scenes featurette and a Q&A with the cast.
Official Web site

“Hoodwinked” (PG) - The classic Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale gets yet another re-imagining, this time mixed together with film noir, in an computer-animated comedy. Grandma’s disappearance leads to interrogations of the key suspects, with each having varied stories to tell. Featuring the voices of Anne Hathaway, Glenn Close, Jim Belushi and Patrick Warburton.
Extras: Commentary by writers/directors Cory Edwards, Todd Edwards and Tony Leech, deleted scenes and a music video
Official Web site

“I Love Lucy: Season 6” - Amazingly, this marked the final season of the landmark sitcom, with Lucy, Ricky, Ethel and Fred wrapping up their misadventures. The final season marked a change in location, as the two couples would move out of their apartments into homes, and Little Ricky would start figuring into storylines. Guest stars included George Reeves, Orson Welles and Bob Hope.
Extras: All 27 episodes are included on four discs, which also contains commentary on some of them, lost scenes, five episodes of Lucy’s radio show (“My Favorite Husband”), original cast commercials and more.
No official Web site

“Last Holiday” (PG-13) - Queen Latifah steps into the role of Alec Guinness (!) in this remake of the 1950 comedy. Naturally, you think Alec Guinness, you get Queen Latifah. At any rate, the Queen stars as a department store employee who learns she has a terminal illness and decides to live life to the fullest in her final weeks. Those around her, including a chef (Gerard Depardieu), her former boss (Timothy Hutton) and a shy co-worker (LL Cool J) take notice in her vibrant personality transformation.
Extras: Deleted scenes, multiple featurettes and two recipes. Bon appétit!
Official Web site

“Leave It to Beaver: Season 2” - Ward, June, Wally, and of course, the Beaver are back for season two of the popular ‘50s-era sitcom. All 39 episodes of the season are featured. Ah, 39 episodes, back when shows really had to work for a living. Nowadays, most shows, including sitcoms, only muster around 22 episodes a season.
Extras: Did I mention you get to see all 39 episodes. Well, that’s about all you’ll see here. Gee whiz!
No official Web site

“A Streetcar Named Desire: Special Edition” (PG) - The classic movie based on the popular Tennessee Williams play gets a deluxe two-disc collection that also serves as director Elia Kazan’s original vision, as several minutes of footage is restored. Marlon Brando made his unforgettable movie debut here, recreating the role he originated on Broadway, and is joined by Vivian Leigh, Kim Hunter and Karl Malden. Leigh, Hunter and Malden all won Oscars, yet Brando, amazingly enough, did not. He probably wouldn’t have even sent a Native American to the stage to refuse it for him if he had won.
Extras: Commentary by Malden and film historians Rudy Behlmer and Jeff Young, documentary on Kazan, several featurettes and a Brando screen test.
No official Web site