August 2006

New on DVD

/ / Home Video News 

We’re here to let you know what’s out there for your entertainment dollar.  Every week a new batch of DVD’s gets shipped out and thrown onto the shelves.  This week we’ve got Denzel Washington and Clive Owen in Spike Lee’s heist flick, another film of cheerleaders “bringing it on,” Larry the Cable Guy as a health inspector, the Avengers assembling once more, and season sets of Sealab 2021, Prison Break,  Farscape, and more.  Take a peek inside for the full list.

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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:

Film:

Inside Man – Spike Lee gives us a heist flick which pits Denzel Washington against Clive Owen.  The DVD includes commentary by Lee, an interview with Lee and Washington discussing their past collaborations, and deleted and extended scenes.  As I said in my original review “it’s a pretty good heist flick.  If you’re a fan of the genre or these actors I’d recommend the film to you.”  Read the full review here.

Brick – A loner (Joesph Gordon Levitt), who in searching for the truth about the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend, finds himself suddenly in the middle of a high school crime ring.  Included on the DVD are extended and deleted scenes, a casting of the film featurette, and commentary by cast and crew.

Bring It On: All or Nothing – Hey, I’ll admit I’m a fan of the first film, but do we really need a franchise of straight to DVD sequels?  The latest stars Hayden Panettiere as the school’s spunky cheerleading captain.  DVD extras include a gag reel, a behind the scenes featurette, a dance tutorial, and a cheer camp featurette.

The Lost City – A project Andy Garcia has been trying to get made since he hit Hollywood is a loving look at his native Cuba and his directorial debut.  The story involves a nightclub owner (Garcia) in 1958 Cuba caught between the transition from the oppressive Fulgencio Batista (Juan Fernandez) regime to Fidel Castro’s Marxist government.  The DVD extras include commentary by Garcia, Nestor Carbonell, and production designer Waldemar Kalinowski, a featurette on the making of the film, deleted scenes, a still gallery, and notes from cast and crew.

Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector – The one-joke redneck blue collar comedian gets his own film playing a health inspector(?), teamed up with a rookie partner (Iris Bahr), trying to uncover the cause of food poisoning at all the top restaraunts while wooing (can a cable guy woo?) a waitress (Megyn Price).  No DVD extras.

 

Special Edition:

Airplane (“Don’t Call Me Shirley!” Edition) – Do you like gladiator movies?  Jim Abrahams and David Zucker bring us their first, and best, crazy film that taught us not to call Leslie Neilsen “Shirley,” the troubles of a drinking problem, how to talk jive, and the lesson to never order the fish on a plane.  This new edition contains commentary by Abrahams, Jerry and David Zucker, and producer Jon Davison, deleted scenes, an extended edition of the film, interviews, a trivia track, and the theatrical trailer.

 

Animated/Family:

Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther – For fans of the first animated film of the Ultimate line of the Marvel heroes, here’s a sequel.  The team reunites to help the Black Panther stop a new force of invading aliens.

Sealab 2021 – Season Four – More misadventures of the Adult Swim hit involving “scientists” in the research station at the bottom of the sea.  All 13 episodes are included with deleted scenes, alternate endings, and a best of Sealab featurette.

 

TV:

Prison Break – Season One – Last year’s unexpected hit about a wrongfully convicted man (Dominic Purcell) and his brother (Wentworth Miller) who decides to break him out of prison.  All 22 episodes are collected on six discs including commentary, alternate and deleted scenes, a featurette on the making of the show, TV spots and more.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – The Complete Fourth Season – All 26 fourth season episodes of Will Smith and the rest of the Banks family in their wacky adventures.

Farscape – Season 4, Collection 2 – More of the Sci-fi original.  This collection includes commentary for one episode by cast and crew, a “listening in” segment, select histories, a production design gallery, and deleted scenes.

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This Week

/ / Film News & Trailers

So what’s out there this week?  Well today we’ll take a look at the films scheduled to be released this week.  On Wednesday Oliver Stone’s 9/11 film World Trade Center will be released (check back for our review!).  Friday’s releases include Tim Allen and a bunch of kids trying to save the world, Kristen Bell hearing voices from the other side, and yet another film about dancing.  All that and a boatload of indie films out this week in limited release as well; read on…

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Here’s what’s scheduled to hit theaters this week.  Want to know more?  Just click on the title for film info including a full cast list.  Want a closer look?  Just click on the poster to watch the trailer.

Opening Wednesday:

World Trade Center

Oliver Stone has never been more subtle.  This is the film United 93 wanted to be.  Stone tells the story of a pair of Port Authority cops (Nicholas Cage and Michael Pena) who are buried alive after entering the towers trying to save others on 9/11.  The film moves between their circumstances and those of their families (Maria Bello and Maggie Gyllenhaal as the wives) who watch in horror and desperation, not knowing if they are alive or dead.  Stone tells a basic story relying on human emotion and strong performances from a terrific cast.  The film opens on Wednesday and we’ll have the review.

Opening Friday:

Zoom

Tim Allen plays the superhero Captain Zoom who sends off his daughter (Kate Mara) to a special academy called Sky High where the youngsters with super powers are taught how to develop them by Professor X.  (Sony was actually sued over the “similarities”).  At the academy the kids learn about the plot of a new super-villain and band together to stop the new menace.  If the trailers are true, and they never lie, looks like it could be fun.  Anyone else think director Peter Hewitt might have made more out of Fantastic Four franchise?  (‘Course so would a coma patient, or a rock).

Pulse

Kristen Bell (the delectably cute Veronica Mars) stars in this English remake of Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s 2001 Kairo.  The plot involves the discovery of an evil signal that is hacked into and can’t be shut off.  The film also stars Christina Milan (why does there always have to be a “musician” in the group?), Ian Omerhalder, Riki Lindhome, Jonathan Tucker, and Julie Newcaster.  The track record of Japanese horror flicks remade by Hollywood doesn’t exactly inspire (remember last year’s Dark Water?), but the trailer comes off as both creepy and intriguing.  We’ll have to see for ourselves.

Step Up

Yet another film where the main plot focuses around dancing.  Oh boy.  In this one Tyler (Channing Tatum) is sentenced to community service at a super elite dance school (yeah, riiiight…).  There he meets a young sexy ballet dancer (Jenna Dewan) who pulls him out of his shell and helps him discover his hidden talent, a new respect for life, and a love of dancing.  Rachel Griffiths (Six Feet Under), Diedre Lovejoy, Ryan Sands, Alyson Stoner, Schuster Vance, and Courtney Irons also star.  Also with Anne Fletcher, choreographer turned first time director.  Check back Friday for the review.

Currently in Limited Release, Opening Wide on Friday:

Peaceful Warrior

The latest from writer/director Victor Salva (Jeepers Creepers, Clownhouse, Powder) is an inspirational and emotional tale of a young collegiate gymnast (Scott Mechlowicz) who strikes up a student/mentor relationship with a gas station sage (Nick Nolte) who teaches him the “way of the peaceful warrior.”  The film is based on Dan Millman’s semi-autobiographical book of the same name.  The supporting cast for the film includes Amy Smart and Ashton Holmes.  It’s been playing in limited release for about two months and will open wide on more screens this Friday.  Check back for our review.

Opening Friday in Limited Release:

Conversations with Other Women

At a wedding reception sparks fly between a man (Aaron Eckhart) and woman (Helena Bonham Carter) who continue to flirt.  The pair steal away together to a hotel room where more about their past and future is to be discovered and revealed.  For fans of dialogue, instead of action, you may have found something here in director Hans Canosa and writer Gabrielle Zevin’s latest collaboration (they gave us 2002’s Alma Mater).  The film also stars Olivia Wile, Brian Geraghty, Brianna Brown, and Thomas Lennon.  It opens on Friday in limited release in New York, Los Angeles, and San Fransisco.

The House of Sand (Casa de Areia)

A pregnant woman (Fernada Torres) and her new husband take her mother (Fernada Montenegro) and move to a remote region of northern Brazil in 1910.  Despite her husband’s love for the land, Aureilla will spend her life, with her mother and daughter, in the arid desert hoping only to escape.  Directed by Andrucha Waddington, the film is banking heavily on Montenego’s presence (one of the most respected actors in Brazil) and the chemisty in casting her real life daughter to play the same role in the film.  The Brazilian film is presented in Portuguese with English subtitles; it opens in New York and Los Angeles on Friday.

Waltzing Anna

Robert Capelli Jr. (who also co-wrote the script) stars as an unscrupuous New York doctor who thrives on the bureauracracy of the insurance system.  When found guilty he is sentenced to work six months at a nursing home where relationships with his patients and his romantic interest in a nurse (Emmanuelle Chriqui) begin to thaw the doctor’s cold heart.  The film also stas Marilyn Chris, Pat Hingle, Jeff Kovatch, Grant Shaud (of TV’s Murphy Brown), Casey Simasko, and Shelby Young.  The film was co-written and directed by Doug Bollinger; it opens in limited release on Friday.

Poster Boy

Matt Newton plays the title role of Henry, a closeted gay son of a conservative United States Senator (Michael Lerner).  When an openly gay friend (Jack Noseworthy) learns of Henry’s secret he decides to take advantage of the situation and get some revenge on the conservative right during the Senator’s re-election campaign.  Karen Allen, Valerie Geffner, Ian Reed Kesler, and Amanda Kaplan also star.  Co-written by Lecia Rosenthal and Ryan Shiraki, the film is directed by first timer Zak Tucker.  The only question is will anyone in the midwest get to, or want to, see it?  The film opens Friday in limited release.

Half Nelson

An inner-city junior high school techer (Ryan Gosling) is a favorite among students for his edgier approach and focus on teaching them to think for themselves.  When one of his students (Shareeka Epps) discovers his dark secret (drug addiction) an unlikely friendship forms as the two try to help each other.  Karen Chilton, Anthony Mackie, Tina Holmes, Monique Curnen, Stephanie Bast, and Bryce Silver also star.  The film is a longer version of writer/director Ryan Fleck’s 2004 short film Gowanus, Brooklyn (which also starred Epps and Chilton).  The film will be released in New York on Friday.

Viva Pedo!

Sony Pictures Classics is re-releasing eight of Pedro Almodovar’s films: Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, All About My Mother, Talk to Her, Flower of my Secret, Live Flesh, Law of Desire, Matador, and Bad Education.  Each film has been restored and new prints have been made for each film.  In November Almodovar’s latest film Volver will also be released.  The films will open in New York and Los Angeles on Friday and gradually expand to other cities this fall.  For more information check out the official site.

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Whodunit?

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Who Killed the Electric Car?
  • IMDB: link

This film will make you both incredibly angry and deeply sad.  Once upon a time the United States was known for technological innovation, and it seems for a few years, in the early 90’s, we were again with the revolutionary electric car.  So what happened?  Just who killed the electric car and why?

Who Killed the Electric Car? is structured in two parts.  The first examines the creation of the electric car and its, much too short, history.  The second half of the movie is an investigation for the reasons behind the destruction of the futuristic automobile that was better, cleaner, and cheaper than the gas guzzlers we are driving today.

With interviews by consumers and celebrities who drove the cars, California activists, and a narration by Martin Sheen, the film presents a detailed look at the quick rise, and even faster fall, of an automobile powered by electricity which produced no harmful emissions.

…

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Whodunit? Read More »

Stupid is a Good Thing

/ / Movie Reviews

Talladega Nights, when it all comes down to it, is nothing more than one big, 105 minute long joke.  Really all it is is Will Ferrell sending up the Red-Neck and running around like an crazy person who thinks he’s on fire.  It’s just a good thing that with Ferrell and his Anchorman helmer, Adam McKay behind him, they stretch out the joke without mercy and make it laughable the entire time with surprising ease.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
4 Stars

Will Ferrell is the head honcho comedian in Hollywood today.  Sure, Jim Carrey is as zany as ever, but it’s been years since he’s put out a comedy that wasn’t brought down by a boring script or director.  And Adam Sandler regularly puts out a $100 million dollar picture, but they sort of blow hard.  Ferrell, on the other hand, has captured and even helped to create today’s humor, pushing pompous and outrageous jerks to the foreground, while busting many a gut in teenagers across the country.  Whether they’re watching DVDs of Anchorman or watching reruns of SNL, Ferrell’s leading the industry.

And Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby only helps to cement his position in Hollywood.  It may be dumb, it might not have dilemmas that force you to question everything about your life; but it’s funny.  It’s damn funny.  Ferrell, co-stars Gary Cole and John C. Reilly, and Adam McKay nail the sense of humor found in Anchorman to a disturbing degree.

Ferrell is the film’s namesake, a man who grew up shouting “I wanna go fast!” about as often as he breathed.  But with some words of wisdom from his dead-beat dad (Cole), Bobby gets the determination to drive faster than anyone else, eventually breaching the top ranks of NASCAR.  Once there, he gladly takes his self-appointed title as the best person ever.  He brags and assumes greatness, but at the same time is kind and well-meaning enough to be lovable and able to sympathize with.  He really does believe he’s the best and the brightest of his kind, until the king of the French Racing circuit (Sacha Baron Cohen) comes along and tries to steal his glory.

Ferrell and Cohen exaggerate their characters to colossal degrees, but do so with success.  Ferrell, on one hand, thinks America is the best country in the world, loves Jesus and names his kids Walker and Texas Ranger.  If George W. Bush were a NASCAR racer, he might be Ricky Bobby.  Cohen takes his Euro trash character and exploits every stereotype ever made, not only giving him a French accent that sounds like his tongue has swelled to twice its size, but also making him flamboyantly, outrageously and literally gay.  Some may mistake this for homophobia, but plain simple all it is is taking every preconception we’ve had about the French and saying, “What if all of that was real?”

The clashing characters combine to give Talladega Nights a satirical take on U.S. relations with Europe in this era of a Struggle Against Extremism.  It takes our idea of the French and their idea of us; and if we’re really this stupid, who can blame them for hating us?  And if the French are really that gay, how can we not laugh at them?  It’s a pleasant undertone that emerges, likely by accident, that helps to add intelligence to a movie centers on idiots.  But in the end, it’s the humor that makes Talladega Nights what it is, not antics a la Dr. Strangelove.

Talladega Nights isn’t anything if it isn’t funny, pushing jokes that work every minute and more.  It’s not just laugh-out-loud funny, it’s I-hope-I-don’t- accidentally-spit-on-everyone-else-in-the-theater funny.  It might not be touching like Little Miss Sunshine, but it’s not that kind of movie: it’s a stupid comedy.  And if stupid comedies work can work this well, than it must be good to be stupid.

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The Night Listener

/ / Movie Reviews

Robin Williams goes crazy creepy stalker guy on a kid and a blind woman…and he’s the normal one.  The Night Listener never quite achieves its goals.  Still there’s some interesting parts, performances, and mysteries that might be worth a look if you’re a fan of thrillers.  I can’t quite recommend it, but I won’t tell you to stay away.

The Night Listener
2 & 1/2 Stars

The greatest flaw in The Night Listener is how it blows a good setup and, in the end, never becomes the film it desires to be, or could have been.  But where most thrillers these days are blood n’ guts slasher films, it is nice to see a psychological thriller, even if it goes off the deep end.

Gabriel Noone (Robin Williams) is a famous radio personality whose world is crumbling around him.  His lover Jess (Bobby Cannavale) has moved out, tired of having their relationship mined for fodder on Gabriel’s show.  It’s at this point Gabriel’s agent gives him a manuscript to read by a dying young boy named Pete (Rory Culkin).

Pete’s story tells of his molestation by the hands of his parents and their friends (complete with creepy, and totally unnecesary, flashbacks shown in dark grainy footage).  After reading the manuscript and learning of Pete’s poor health Gabriel begins a telephone relationship with Pete and Donna (Toni Collette), the woman who takes care of him.

As weeks go by small inconsistencies and questions about Pete and Donna begin to fester in Gabriel’s mind and he begins to wonder if he is the victim of a hoax.  Unable to let it go, Gabriel begins a journey to find if Pete and Donna are real.  What he finds are more questions than answers.

The film has a good set-up but no real sense of realization, resolution, or completion.  Once Gabriel’s travels begin, the story takes a sharp left-turn into crazywackofunland.  He starts behaving erratically and engaging in behavior that defies the logic and sense of the man from the first half of the film.

The movie continues to tease us with the identity and reality of Pete, and presents several suggestions for Donna’s behavior.  However, halfway through the film you realize the writers have no idea how to make the mystery pay-off for the audience.

A final note for those of you going to see this film.  There’s a strange epilogue tacked on to the end that gives away the truth of the story.  Besides being incredibly lame, it destroys the only real thing the film had going for it – the mystery of Pete.  I’d suggest you leave as Gabriel is summing up the story on the radio, unless you want to be severely disappointed.

There are several interesting bits here but they aren’t put together well enough for me to recommend the film to you.  You just have this feeling if the film had been put in the hands of a more experienced director or had gotten the necessary rewrites it could have been much more than just a mild curiosity.

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