Alan Rapp

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 Pierce Brosnan as an assassin in Mexico, a Doctor who travels through time (if not space), more people finding meaning in dance lessons, a trio of beautiful detectives, and more.  Take a peek inside for the full list.

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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:

Film:

The Matador – Pierce Brosnan shines as a hit man who is slowly losing his nerve (and mind) when he happens to cross paths with Greg Kinnear in a Mexican bar.  The DVD contains commentary tracks by writer/director Richard Shepard, and Brosnan and Kinnear, deleted and extended scenes, trailers and TV spots, and a featurette on the making of the film.  Check out our original reviews: you can read December’s review here, or mine here.

The Libertine – Lush but lackluster big budget production starring Jonny Depp as the master of debauchery, the Earl of Rochester.  Grainy, gritty, and pretty empty and unfulfilling.  The DVD includes commentary by director Laurence Dunmore, deleted scenes, and a featurette on the making of the film.

Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing & Charm School – Yet another dance movie where characters find meaning of their lives by learning to dance.  Robert Carlyle, Marisa Tomei, and John Goodman star.  The DVD includes commentary and a short 1990 film that was the basis for this feature.

Firecracker – The small independent film from last year deals with murder in the small Kansas town, an abusive family, new love, and a sideshow carnival.

Animated/Family:

The Legend of Prince Valiant – The Complete Series, Volume One – After losing his kingdom the Prince of Thule journeys to find the fabled Camelot and become a knight of King Arthur.  The set includes interviews with creators and Arthur historians, commentaries for two episodes by creators, writers, and artists, storyboards and slideshows, and DVD-Rom episode scripts.

TV:

Doctor Who – The Complete First Season – The return of the Doctor was a little disappointing.  True Christopher Eccleston is a good pick for the next incarnation of the role and Billie Piper works well as Rose, but was anyone else disappointed that the TARDIS never left the Earth, and could only get out of modern day London in a scant handful of episodes!?!  All 13 episodes are available here on five discs.  Extras include commentary on every episode by writers and producers, an interview with Eccleston, a video diary, storyboards, trailers, and a collection of featurettes on the the new series narrated by Simon Pegg.

Charlie’s Angels – The Complete Third Season – All 24 third season episodes of the gals (Kate Jackson, Cheryl Ladd, and Jaclyn Smith) and ol’ Bosley (David Doyle) solving crimes in sunny California.

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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 Friday which include Richard Linklater’s take on the weird universe of Philip K Dick and Amy Sedaris and Stephen Colbert in the off-beat Strangers with Candy.  Oh yeah, and there’s this movie about pirates too…

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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.

A Scanner Darkly

Philip K Dick’s bizarre novel about an undercover cop (Keanu Reeves) who is hooked on the new drug called Substance D which causes hallucinations, split personalities, and a loss of connection to the concious world..  Richard Linklater directs and brings the world into focus using the same Rotoscope techniques (animating over the real time footage) he used in 2001’s Waking Life which just may be the best way to envision Dick’s world.  Robert Downey Jr, Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder.  Weird, odd, strange, and different; a must see for fans of both Linklater and Dick.  Check back on Friday for the review.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

Johnny Depp, Keira Knightly, and Orlando Bloom and director Gore Verbinski return for the first of two sequels about pirates, love, curses, and Captain Jack Sparrow.  Depp takes center stage when Davy Jones (the one with the locker, not the “daydream believer”) comes a callin’ on Sparrow’s debt just as Turner and Swann are jailed for helping Cap’n Jack escape (on their wedding day no less!).  Madcap action and a special effects bonanza ensue, but the story is sadly lacking as the series seems to be treading water until next May.  Sadly it’s a much too long sequel that isn’t nearly as good as the first film; check back on Friday for the full review.

Strangers with Candy (limited)

The off-beat, short lived, Comedy Central television show about a 46 year-old ex-hooker, ex-drug addict (Amy Sedaris) who returns to high school, comes to the big screen.  Series creators Paul Dinello, Stephen Colbert, and Sedaris share in the writing credits for the film which should hold pretty true to the show’s original offensive pull no punches humor.  Colbert’s performance as the self-centered high school teacher has been getting high praise from critics.  There’s also an interesting cast of supporting performances from Philip Seymour Hoffman, Allison Janney, Matthew Broderick, and Sarah Jessica Parker as a randy grief conselor.

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Film Title, Eight Letters

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Wordplay
  • IMDb: link

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Intellectual pursuits can be fun.  The new documentary Wordplay looks at those who enjoy a good crossword puzzle from the makers, to the casual fans, to those who take the competition seriously enough to challenge each other in open competition.  It’s an entertaining look at a world that many probably aren’t completely aware of.

The documentary breaks down into three different parts.  First, there is a look at the puzzlemakers, most notably New York Times Crossword editor Bill Shortz.  Second, the film documents many celebrity fans of the New York Times Crossword.  And third, it examines the annual contest and the contestants who journey to Stanford, CT to be crowned the crossword champion of the year.

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Film Title, Eight Letters Read More »

Aaron Spelling

/ / Uncategorized

The Love Boat.  Matt Houston.  Charmed.  Starsky and Hutch.  Fantasy Island.  The Mod Squad.  Beverly Hills, 90210.  Charlie’s Angels.  7th Heaven.  Hart to Hart.  Melrose Place.  T.J. Hooker.  Dynasty.  You probably watched one of those or one of countless others that sprung from the mind of TV producer Aaron Spelling.  Sadly Spelling died last Friday at the ripe old age of 83.  Spelling was a tiny man who had huge influence on the genre of television creating hit after hit (ok, and a few misses – anyone remember Models, Inc.)?  He was one of the most prolific producers in the history of television including a run in the 80’s where he had seven shows airing on one network the same year!  Spelling earned adoration from fans over the years but little critical praise, but that never bothered the man who when one show failed had at least two in development to take its place.  In a time where good new shows on television are becoming as scarce as good Democratic candidates for President a man like Spelling will sorely be missed

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The Love Boat.  Matt Houston.  Charmed.  Starsky and Hutch.  Fantasy Island.  The Mod Squad.  Beverly Hills, 90210.  Charlie’s Angels.  7th Heaven.  Hart to Hart.  Melrose Place.  T.J. Hooker.  Dynasty.  You probably watched one of those or one of countless others that sprung from the mind of TV producer Aaron Spelling.  Sadly Spelling died last Friday at the ripe old age of 83.  Spelling was a tiny man who had huge influence on the genre of television creating hit after hit (ok, and a few misses – anyone remember Models, Inc.)?  He was one of the most prolific producers in the history of television including a run in the 80’s where he had seven shows airing on one network the same year!  Spelling earned adoration from fans over the years but little critical praise, but that never bothered the man who when one show failed had at least two in development to take its place.  In a time where good new shows on television are becoming as scarce as good Democratic candidates for President a man like Spelling will sorely be missed

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Superman Remade

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Superman Returns
  • IMDb: link

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What’s with Hollywood and rubberized super hero suits?  Is there some kind of run on cloth?  Did they buy it all in bulk a few years ago and have to use it all up before buying something new?  Anyway…

Superman Returns isn’t a great super hero flick, but it does have charm and heart which left me happy, though not ecstatic, with the outcome.  Given its similarities, it’s impossible to not compare it to Donner’s original, and find it wanting.  Still, in a summer that’s given us X-Men: The Last Stand and Nacho Libre this Superman looks damn good.

Five years ago (sometime not long after the events of Superman II) Earth’s scientists found the remains of Krypton and, without saying his goodbyes, Superman left his adopted home.  As the movie opens Superman (Brandon Routh) crashes back to Earth on the Kent farm.  After a brief talk with Ma Kent (Eva Marie Saint – very nice casting choice!) Clark returns to Metropolis and his life as a reporter for the Daily Planet.

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Superman Remade Read More »