"American Teen" is an odd bird. It's a documentary at heart, but several scenes are apparently re-enacted, and a few are illustrated with animated sequences. Even more interesting, the film's subjects often deliver seemingly scripted lines. Is it acting, or is reality television so pervasive that an entire generation has learned how to be "on" for the cameras? Unfortunately, the concept is never explored.
"Pineapple Express": The Judd Apatow school of raunchy humor yields another product, since the "Knocked Up" filmmaker also had a hand in producing this comedy-adventure. One of his favorite collaborators, Seth Rogen (also one of the writers here), plays a process server who becomes a murder witness. He then draws his drug dealer (a very funny James Franco) into his flight from those who want to silence him permanently. Danny McBride ("Tropic Thunder") stands out in the supporting cast. DVD extras: "making-of" documentary; audio commentary by Rogen and Apatow; extended and alternate scenes; outtakes. *** (R and unrated versions: AS, P, V)
"Bangkok Dangerous": Hong Kong filmmakers Danny and Oxide Pang remake one of their own movies with this melodrama, casting Nicolas Cage as a professional killer whose loner approach changes during his mission to eliminate several people in Thailand. He grows close to his assistant on the job (Shahkrit Yamnarm) and falls for a mute woman (Charlie Young), but such personal entanglements could be hazardous to his professional life. The film's authentic atmosphere is a big plus. DVD extra: theatrical trailer. *** (R: AS, P, V)
"Righteous Kill": They didn't cross paths in "The Godfather, Part II" and were together briefly in "Heat," but Robert De Niro and Al Pacino are full-fledged co-stars in this cliche-ridden police drama. The stars play New York detectives who clash over their pursuit of a vigilante who's targeting bad guys, while younger officers (Donnie Wahlberg, John Leguizamo) also are on the felon's trail. Carla Gugino, Brian Dennehy and music's 50 Cent also appear. DVD extras: theatrical trailer; two "making-of" documentaries; audio commentary by producer-director Jon Avnet. ** (R: AS, P, V)
"Babylon A.D.": Vin Diesel trespasses on "Transporter" territory in this melodrama, playing a futuristic courier hired to take a woman (Melanie Thierry) from Mongolia to the U.S. but others don't want them to complete the journey. It's a familiar story, though the main role suits Diesel well. Michelle Yeoh co-stars as a nun who helps the duo, and the surprisingly strong cast also includes Charlotte Rampling and Gerard Depardieu. DVD extras: five "making-of" documentaries; photo gallery; theatrical trailers. ** (PG-13 and unrated versions: AS, P, V)
"Disaster Movie": Since "Superhero Movie" hits video next week, there certainly is no shortage of films that satirize other films. Last year's "Cloverfield" is the main springboard here, as a young man (Matt Lanter) fights nature and man-made crises to protect his girlfriend (Vanessa Minnillo). Carmen Electra, who seems to have carte blanche in terms of appearing in these spoofs, also is featured. So are Kim Kardashian and Nicole Parker, who does an on-target parody of singer Amy Winehouse. DVD extras: seven "making-of" documentaries; audio commentary by cast and crew members; ** (Not rated: AS, P, V)
"The Wackness": A young drug dealer (Josh Peck) tries to negotiate his way, literally and figuratively. through the mid-1990s in writer-director Jonathan Levine's comedy. Ben Kingsley is great as his therapist, who is willing to accept his patient's "medicinal" wares as payment for their sessions, though he's not thrilled to find his stepdaughter (Olivia Thirlby) becoming the object of his supplier's eye. Famke Janssen ("X-Men"), Mary-Kate Olsen and music's Method Man also are featured. DVD extras: two making-of documentaries; audio commentary by Peck and Levine; deleted scenes. *** (R: AS, P)
"THE FAMILY THAT PREYS" (Jan. 13): In Tyler Perry's latest big-screen comedy-drama, two family matriarchs (Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard) are challenged by their respective relatives. (PG-13: AS, V)
"MY BEST FRIEND'S GIRL" (Jan. 13): Enlisted to help a friend (Jason Biggs) win back a former girlfriend (Kate Hudson), a fellow (Dane Cook) starts falling for her himself. (R: AS, N, P)
"SUPERHERO MOVIE" (Jan. 13): An insect bite turns a young man (Drake Bell) into the superpowered Dragonfly in this spoof. Leslie Nielsen co-stars. (PG-13: AS, P, V)
"SWING VOTE" (Jan. 13): A regular Joe (Kevin Costner) finds himself the one person who can determine the election between two presidential candidates (Kelsey Grammer, Dennis Hopper). (PG-13: P)
"THE EXPRESS" (Jan. 20): The true and tragic story of Syracuse University running back Ernie Davis (Rob Brown), who in 1961 became the first African-American Heisman Trophy winner. Dennis Quaid and Charles S. Dutton co-star. (PG: AS, P, V)
"MAX PAYNE" (Jan. 20): A DEA agent (Mark Wahlberg) faces enemies both human and supernatural in seeking revenge for the murders of his wife, child and partner. (PG-13 and unrated versions: AS, P, V)
FAMILY VIEWING GUIDE KEY: AS, adult situations; N, nudity;
P, profanity; V, violence; GV, particularly graphic violence
"American Teen" is an odd bird. It's a documentary at heart, but several scenes are apparently re-enacted, and a few are illustrated with animated sequences. Even more interesting, the film's subjects often deliver seemingly scripted lines. Is it acting, or is reality television so pervasive that an entire generation has learned how to be "on" for the cameras? Unfortunately, the concept is never explored.
