On DVD This Week
Almost two decades after his last adventure, Harrison Ford returns as the man with the whip in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." The film met with some disappointment at the box office; the DVD, though, moves all the action to the living room, where the action is closer and the setting allows for more casual viewing. That works much better for what "Crystal Skull's" creators admit is a B-movie. Full Story »
Also New This Week
By Jay Bobbin, Zap2it.com
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" INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL": Almost 20 years after his previous escapade, the archaeologist and adventurer returns for more excitement in a fun caper that reunites star Harrison Ford, producer George Lucas and director Steven Spielberg. In 1957, Indy competes with Russian spies – with Cate Blanchett playing the chief one – to find a vital weapon component while helping a youth ( Shia LaBeouf) locate his mother, who turns out to be Marion Ravenwood ( Karen Allen, reprising her "Raiders of the Lost Ark" role). John Hurt, Ray Winstone and an army of scary ants also appear. DVD extras: three "making-of" documentaries; photo galleries. (PG-13: AS, V) |
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"THE PIRATES WHO DON'T DO ANYTHING: A VEGGIETALES MOVIE": Minus the religious undercurrents usually contained in their stories, the animated vegetable characters made their way to the big screen again in this adventure. It transports them back to the days when buccaneers ruled the seas, something for which they're partially prepared by the roles they've played in a modern dinner-theater production. If you're 8 or older, this probably isn't for you, but youngsters should be entertained. DVD extras: 10 "making-of" documentaries; extended ending; games; DVD-ROM features. ** (G) |
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"WAR. INC.": John Cusack had a big hand in this satire, not only as its star but also as a co-writer and co-producer. Echoing his role in "Grosse Pointe Blank," he plays an assassin who has second thoughts about his career just as he's hired for a mission in a Middle Eastern country under strong American influence. Much of the film's fun comes from Hilary Duff, who clearly has a blast sending up her image by playing a less-than-squeaky-clean pop star. Dan Aykroyd, Ben Kingsley, Marisa Tomei and Cusack's sister Joan also star. *** (R: AS, P, V) |
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" STUCK": Known for such bizarre thrillers as "Re-Animator," director Stuart Gordon stays in the realm of the unusual – but with more of a realistic touch – in this seriocomic tale inspired by a true incident. Stephen Rea ("The Crying Game") plays a suddenly homeless man accidentally struck by a car driven by an intoxicated woman ( Mena Suvari, "American Beauty"). He's stuck halfway through the windshield, and she panics, prompting her to drive home and put the vehicle in her garage – with him still trapped in it. *** (R: AS, N, P, V) |
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"QUARK: THE COMPLETE SERIES": The DVD revolution has given new life to some television series that stayed on just long enough to develop cult followings, and this late-1970s sci-fi spoof developed by Buck Henry is a great example. Richard Benjamin ("Goodbye, Columbus") plays the captain of a garbage-collecting spaceship, and his intended mission often yields to bigger adventures involving power-crazed aliens. The cast also includes Conrad Janis ("Mork & Mindy") and twins Cyd and Trish Barnstable. DVD extras: "minisodes" of "I Dream of Jeannie" and "Fantasy Island." *** (Not rated: AS, V) |
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"NASH BRIDGES: THE FIRST SEASON": After his "Miami Vice" run, Don Johnson went a bit more conventional and enjoyed another series success with this saga of a maverick San Francisco police detective with a complicated personal life – including a live-in father (James Gammon) and two ex-wives (Annette O'Toole, Serena Scott Thomas). Jodi Lyn O'Keefe (lately of "Prison Break") plays Nash's daughter, and an enjoyably subdued Cheech Marin portrays his partner. DVD extras: "making-of" documentary; audio commentaries by cast and crew members on selected episodes; interview with Johnson and Marin; writers' roundtable. *** (Not rated: AS, P, V) |
Coming Soon
"THE INCREDIBLE HULK" (Oct. 21): While trying to solve the condition that makes him mean and green, Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) faces a similar enemy (Tim Roth). (PG-13: AS, V)"THE STRANGERS" (Oct. 21): A troubled couple's (Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman) escape to a remote cabin stirs even more problems when invaders threaten their space. (R: AS, P, V)
"KUNG FU PANDA" (Nov. 9): A peaceable panda (voice of Jack Black) accidentally becomes the leader of forces opposing invading enemies. Dustin Hoffman and Angelina Jolie also are heard. (PG: AS)
"WALL-E" (Nov. 18): A waste-pickup robot finds itself in the midst of romance and adventure in this animated Disney-Pixar collaboration. (G)
"HANCOCK" (Nov. 25): Will Smith plays a superhero with some bad habits, prompting a publicist (Jason Bateman) to attempt damage control. Charlize Theron also stars. (PG-13 and unrated versions: AS, P, V)
"THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN" (Dec. 2): The youngsters from the previous story return to Narnia and help the title prince (Ben Barnes) try to claim the throne that belongs to him. (PG: V)
FAMILY VIEWING GUIDE KEY: AS, adult situations; N, nudity; P, profanity; V, violence; GV, particularly graphic violence
Now on DVD
'You Don't Mess with the Zohan' Unrated 2-Disc Edition
"You Don't Mess with the Zohan" is an odd bird: It takes Adam Sandler's typical man-child underdog and makes him (in this case, the titular Zohan) into an Israeli supercommando. It's difficult to hope Zohan wins a woman's heart and follows his dream when he's already surrounded by gorgeous women and can punch through walls. The two-disc unrated version of the movie is also an odd bird: The second disc is largely superfluous, containing only a few actual special features (and disappointing ones at that).
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'Iron Man: Ultimate 2-Disc Edition'
The "Iron Man: Ultimate 2-Disc Edition" is a must for fans of the source material. Will casual fans appreciate the second disc, packed with extras aimed at comic-book readers? Probably not, but that's no reason to miss out on one of the best comic-book movies ever made. Robert Downey Jr. has spent his entire life essentially being Tony Stark, and his performance here is perfect. That's impressive in a film full of spot-on acting and a focus on character over spectacle.
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'Chuck -- The Complete First Season'
"Chuck" shouldn't have worked. Despite its pedigree -- co-creator Josh Schwartz also created "The O.C." -- the story of a hapless tech-support nerd (Zachary Levi) whose brain is suddenly flooded with government secrets seemed a bit close to little-watched "Jake 2.0." Instead, the series found a perfect mix of cast chemistry, comedy and action.
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'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles -- The Complete First Season'
FOX's "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" spent much of its first season on the defensive.
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'The Wire: The Complete Fifth Season'
Not much more can be said about the greatness of "The Wire," the HBO series that ended its brilliant five-season run in March. Put simply, it's one of the great achievements in television history.
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'Witchblade: The Complete Series'
Seven years after its debut, you can now relive (or experience for the first time) the glory of "Witchblade: The Complete Series" without depending on illegal methods or grainy video tapes thanks to this new DVD release.
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'Spaced: The Complete Series'
An upfront confession: I'm a relative newcomer to "Spaced," having only seen bits and pieces of the feverishly loved British comedy before getting a copy of the long-awaited American DVD release.
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'Step Up 2: The Streets'
If you're the kind of person who liked "Step Up" enough to check out the sequel "Step Up 2: The Streets," then no precautions needed about suspending disbelief or loving dance to the exclusion of needing a compelling story. Since DVD rentals often involve less enthusiasm and more curiosity, however, it's good to note that the bonus features do a creditable job of capturing the passion of street dancing and first-time director Jon M. Chu's love for the film.
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