On DVD This Week
Consider "The Ruins: Unrated Edition" to be a stiff chaser to M. Night Shyamalan's simperingly simplistic "Oh no, the plants are gonna get me!" enviro-thriller "The Happening." Full Story »
Also New This Week
By Jay Bobbin, Zap2it.com
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"STOP-LOSS": An Iraq War veteran who thinks his service is done gets a big surprise in this effective drama from director and co-writer Kimberly Peirce, who steered Hilary Swank to an Oscar in "Boys Don't Cry." Made under MTV's production banner, the film boasts a strong performance by Ryan Phillippe in the central role, particularly as the soldier devises a plan to keep from having to return to active duty. Also impressive is Channing Tatum ("Step Up") as another veteran whose behavior reflects the stress of his recent experiences. Abbie Cornish and Joseph Gordon-Levitt also star. *** (R: AS, P, GV) |
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"SUPERHERO MOVIE.": Love stories, horror films and gladiator epics have all had their sendups, so the likes of "Spider-Man" and "Batman" get theirs in this satire in the "Scary Movie" vein. Drake Bell plays a young man bitten by a genetically altered dragonfly, turning him into a super-powered hero known as – of all things – the Dragonfly. He pines for lovely Jill (Sara Paxton, "Aquamarine") while using his new abilities to combat the sinister Hourglass (Christopher McDonald). It's fun to see co-star Leslie Nielsen back in this genre, and Pamela Anderson, Jeffrey Tambor ("Arrested Development") and Marion Ross ("Happy Days") also appear. *** (PG-13: AS, P, V) |
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"FLAKES": A New Orleans musician, played by Aaron Stanford, starts enjoying his job at a cereal-only restaurant more than making music in this offbeat comedy. His girlfriend (Zooey Deschanel, "Tin Man") wants him to get back to his creative side, so she secretly helps a rival merchant who caters to the same clientele. Directed by Michael Lehmann ("Heathers"), the film also features "Taxi" and "Back to the Future" icon Christopher Lloyd. ** (Not rated: AS, P) |
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"CANNON: SEASON 1, VOLUME 1": Legendary for a booming voice that earned him work as Marshal Matt Dillon on radio's "Gunsmoke" and as the narrator of "The Fugitive," hefty William Conrad was an unlikely television star. Nevertheless, he had a substantial run on CBS as a private detective quite choosy about his cases, with a client's ability to pay big money the determining factor on many occasions. Since Conrad was the sole series regular, many of television's most familiar faces of the 1970s passed through the show. *** (Not rated: V) |
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"JAKE AND THE FATMAN: SEASON 1, VOLUME 1": "Cannon" wasn't Conrad's only successful CBS series, and it wouldn't seem like sheer coincidence that the other one also hits DVD this week. It doesn't take much to guess which title character he plays – a district attorney who doesn't always play by the rules – and his investigator is portrayed by Joe Penny. In this case, too, lots of home-screen staples play victims and suspects. Dick Van Dyke's "Diagnosis Murder" was spun off from this show. *** (Not rated: AS, P, V) |
Coming Soon
"THE BANK JOB" (July 15): A woman (Saffron Burrows) organizes a heist of safe-deposit boxes, not realizing the secrets they contain. Jason Statham also stars. (R: AS, N, P, V)"COLLEGE ROAD TRIP" (July 15): A high-school student (Raven-Symone) on a hunt for the right college is less than thrilled to have her policeman father (Martin Lawrence) along. (G)
"PENELOPE" (July 15): A young woman (Christina Ricci) with the nose of a pig seeks true love. Reese Witherspoon, who also produced the film, and James McAvoy co-star. (PG: AS, P)
"SHUTTER" (July 15): After moving to Japan, newlyweds (Joshua Jackson, Rachael Taylor) believe strange images in photographs they've taken may be linked to a car accident they had. (PG-13: AS, P)
"STEP UP 2: THE STREETS" (July 15): In the tradition of the first "Step Up," two young people (Briana Evigan, Robert Hoffman) from different backgrounds connect through dance. (PG-13: AS, P, V)
"21" (July 22): A professor (Kevin Spacey) guides several college students in counting cards and winning big in Las Vegas. Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth and Laurence Fishburne also star. (PG-13: AS, N, P, V)
FAMILY VIEWING GUIDE KEY: AS, adult situations; N, nudity; P, profanity; V, violence; GV, particularly graphic violence
Now on DVD
'Mad Men: Season 1'
"Mad Men" came out of nowhere -- or at least AMC, the heretofore little-regarded cable network that was not far from nowhere -- last summer. With a meticulous eye for its place and time -- a mid-level advertising agency in Manhattan, 1960 -- and writing and acting that were at times brilliant, the series quickly became one of the best viewing experiences on television.
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'The Spiderwick Chronicles: 2-Disc Field Guide Edition'
Although "The Spiderwick Chronicles" is one of the many book-to-screen children's fantasy series capitalizing on the Harry Potter phenomenon, it doesn't play as a pale imitation of the franchise but instead is an enjoyable adventure on its own. The special 2-disc edition of the film is a fun addition to a home video library because of its clever packaging and numerous entertaining bonus features.
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'Burn Notice: Season 1'
"Burn Notice," which premiered on USA last year, is a quintessential summer show. Set against a Miami backdrop that guarantees clear blue skies and writhing, tanned hardbodies, "Burn Notice" is flashy, clever and tightly paced.
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'Jumper'
Sometimes the very worst of movies can make the most interesting of DVD packages, particularly when the bonus features provide an informative glimpse into what went so very wrong. Such is the case with Doug Liman's "Jumper."
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'Semi-Pro: Two-Disc Unrated "Let's Get Sweaty" Edition'
"Semi-Pro," the critically panned, painfully misfired love letter to the American Basketball Association, was bad enough on the big screen, yet is bafflingly offered in three different versions on the 2-Disc "Let's Get Sweaty" edition DVD. What makes this worthwhile, however, are the bonus features that succeed in evoking the nostalgia for the ABA that the film faltered in attempting.
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'The Muppet Show: The Complete Third Season'
The third season of "The Muppet Show" released on a 4-disc DVD set shows no sign of losing steam. Beyond the nostalgia, adults will be pleasantly surprised at how well the absurdist humor holds up and how young generations respond to the infectiously silly characters. Three bonus features are eye-opening behind-the-scenes looks that shouldn't be missed for any fan who will find their love and respect for Muppetdom increased.
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'Indiana Jones -- The Adventure Collection'
With "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" about to return Harrison Ford's beloved swashbuckling archeologist to the big screen, it's no surprise that Paramount is looking to cash in on the original Indy franchise.
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'The Hottie & the Nottie'
The only reprieve from the pain in "The Hottie & the Nottie" is when the film is being blandly unremarkable. Curiosity and boredom will lead to rentals, but even the lackluster special features don't make this film worth the alternatingly excruciating and mind-numbing time spent watching it. This might be a good substitute for self-flagellation.
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