Monthly Archives: September 2008

It’s a good week for comedy, with George Clooney, Simon Pegg and Danny McBride all offering films designed to make us laugh. What’s more, the “Sex & the City” movie has fashion fans everywhere drooling in their cosmos.

Sex and the City
3 stars (out of four)
Rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity and language
New Line
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

After knocking people out for years on HBO, “Sex and the City” made a successful trip to the big screen this year. And why not? The movie version of “SATC” is a solid relationship drama featuring strong performances in all key roles.

Sarah Jessica Parker is Carrie Bradshaw, a fashion-loving writer who is about to settle down with her on-again-off-again boyfriend “Mr. Big” (Chris Noth). And, because you can’t have a wedding without friends, Carrie’s TV series pals are on hand to help her prepare.

There’s Samantha (Kim Cattrall), the sex addict; Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), the hard-working attorney; and Charlotte (Kristin Davis), the stay-at-home mom. Although the movie is built around Carrie’s impending marriage to Big, each lady gets a complete story arc. That makes the film longwinded, but the solid performances overshadow all dead spots.

Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with the series. Writer-director Patrick King crafted a story that allows viewers to quickly “get” each character, so newcomers and longtime fans can watch and enjoy together.

The movie is available on a single DVD or on a 2-disc special edition featuring an extended cut. Extra features vary.

Leatherheads
3 1/2 stars
Rated PG-13 for brief strong language
Universal
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

George Clooney can’t seem to do wrong, at least not in the entertainment field. He’s been a fine actor for years, and with 2002’s “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” and 2005’s “Good Night, and Good Luck” he proved an adept director.

In “Leatherheads,” he stars and directs, handling both roles beautifully. The film is a throwback to 1930s and 1940s screwball comedies, with Clooney playing Jimmy “Dodge” Connelly, an aging football player trying to keep his professional team afloat during the uncertainty of the 1920s.

Desperate, Dodge hires college football’s biggest star, Carter Rutherford (John Krasinski). His plan works, but it also sparks a classic love triangle, as Dodge and Carter both fall for a no-nonsense reporter played by Renee Zellweger.

“Leatherheads” is essentially an homage to Golden Era movies so it plays like a film made 60 years ago. The dialogue is sharp and the performances stylized, making it perfect for folks who love classic cinema and long walks down memory lane.

DVD extras include deleted scenes, a commentary with Clooney and producer Grant Heslov and several making-of features.

Deception
2 stars
Rated R for sexual content, language, brief violence and some drug use
20th Century Fox
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

One would think a thriller centered on executive sex clubs would be too titillating to fail, but “Deception” is surprisingly bland. Ewan McGregor stars as Jonathan McQuarry, a hard-working accountant who is so immersed in numbers that he doesn’t have a social life. That changes when he meets Wyatt Bose (Hugh Jackman), a smooth-talking businessman who knows how to live it up.

When Jonathan mistakenly ends up with Wyatt’s phone, he’s introduced to a club where business people routinely hook up for commitment- and guilt-free sex. Jonathan is intrigued but realizes he’s not cut out for such a radical lifestyle when he meets a beautiful blonde (Michelle Williams) that he wants to start a relationship with. Before he can go any further, he learns that he’s been sucked into a radical blackmail scheme with the girl, millions of dollars and his life at stake.

The premise of “Deception” is decent, but director Marcel Langenegger telegraphs several key plot twists, leaving viewers with a thriller that forgets to thrill.

DVD features include deleted scenes, a making-of short, and a commentary by Langenegger.

Run, Fatboy, Run
3 stars
Rated PG-13 for some rude and sexual humor, nudity, language and smoking
New Line
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

What happens when a middle-aged Brit realizes he made a mistake by running out on his pregnant girlfriend? He tries to make up for it — and prove that he can commit — by competing in the ultimate athletic event, a marathon.

Things would have been easier for Dennis Doyle (Simon Pegg) if he had stuck with his girl (Thandie Newton), especially since she is now involved with a handsome American named Whit (Hank Azaria). But simplicity doesn’t suit a good romantic comedy, and “Fatboy” is good.

Pegg is so winning that he keeps viewer interest even when the plot becomes routine, and his supporting cast — especially Harish Patel as Dennis’ landlord and coach — is equally strong.

Special DVD features include a filmmakers’ commentary, deleted scenes and outtakes.

The Foot Fist Way
1 1/2 stars
Rated R for strong language and some sexual content
Paramount
Available on: DVD

Danny McBride is no household name, but recent appearances in “Pineapple Express” and “Tropic Thunder” are putting him on the map. While he was a supporting player in those big-budget flicks, he is the main man in “The Foot Fist Way,” an independent comedy about Fred Simmons, a moronic tae kwon do instructor.

As Simmons, McBride is the worst possible leader, speaking to his young students in an inappropriate manner, running down their self esteem, and even placing them in physical danger. The concept has comic value, especially since there are martial arts instructors who have no business working with children. Unfortunately, the gags aren’t consistent enough to merit a recommendation.

DVD extras include bloopers, deleted and extended scenes, an alternate ending and a commentary by McBride and director Jody Hill.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

The Godfather — The Coppola Restoration Collection: Might this be an offer you can’t refuse? Classic gangster films “The Godfather” and “The Godfather, Part II” have been painstakingly restored to provide better picture quality, and “The Godfather, Part III” has been digitally remastered for DVD. The films, which are frequently ranked among the best in American cinema, are also available on Blu-ray for the first time.

Reno 911!: Miami — More Busted Than Ever! Unrated Cut: New release of the “Reno 911!” movie featuring an unrated cut and a new “lost” version.

High School Musical 2 — 2-Disc Deluxe Dance Edition: The popular youth-friendly movie gets a new DVD treatment with never-before-seen extra features.

This week’s crop of videos includes something for everyone: a fast-paced family adventure, taut crime thriller, trite romantic comedy, and touching documentary. Surely, there’s something appropriate for that upcoming movie night.

Speed Racer
4 stars (out of four)
Rated PG for sequences of action, some violence, language and brief smoking
Warner Brothers
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

With its over-the-top visuals, stylized acting and fast-moving plot, “Speed Racer” is one of the greatest cartoon adaptations ever put to screen. The only down side is that most people don’t have a home theater capable of recreating the theatrical experience. But don’t let that stop you from renting the DVD. Nab the biggest TV you can, crank up the sound, and enjoy.

It’s no small challenge to take a classic Japanese cartoon series, introduce it to a new generation of fans and convert it to live action. Fortunately, filmmaking brothers Andy and Larry Wachowski — the guys behind “The Matrix” films — were up to the task. Visually, they have created one of the most astounding films to hit theaters this year. They also relate a pretty good story.

Emile Hirsch stars as Speed Racer, a young man who has dreamt of racing cars his entire life. He’s haunted by the fact that his older brother, Rex, died in a car accident, but that doesn’t prevent him from driving like a madman. It’s apparent that Speed is one of the finest drivers in the world, and that draws the attention of a schmaltzy corporate race team owner named Royalton (Roger Allam). He offers Speed a racing contract, but the young driver turns him down, leading Royalton to start a vendetta.

What follows is a smart-but-easy-flowing story that addresses corporate greed and family honor. Of course, those things take a backseat to the futuristic racecar action that drives the film. Every racing sequence is dominated by saturated primary colors, and Speed’s car careens through physically impossible stunts that make it seem as though the old-time cartoon has actually come to life.

“Speed Racer” is a near-perfect movie.

DVD special features include a tour of the movie set, a piece on the cars and racetracks, and a short about the racecar drivers.

Made of Honor
2 stars
Rated PG-13 for sexual content and language
Columbia Pictures
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

Director Paul Weiland’s latest boasts the most overused premise in the romantic comedy genre: old friends falling in love.

Sure, this happens in real-life, but it rarely happens as depicted in “Made of Honor,” a trite bit about a womanizing guy named Tom (Patrick Stewart) who finally falls for his pal Hannah (Michelle Monaghan). Trouble is, he realizes he loves her after bedding countless women and making it pretty clear that he’s not marriage material.

Still, he’s set to convince Hannah otherwise when she announces — of course — that she is engaged to a perfect guy named Colin (Kevin McKidd). And, guess what? Hannah asks Tom to be her maid of honor. Intent on breaking the engagement, Tom agrees.

If the plot sounds like the much-better “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” that’s because it is. “Made of Honor” is also like countless other “friends falling in love” flicks, and that makes it slow-moving, dull and predictable.

An audio commentary by Weiland is the only extra on DVD, but the Blu-ray disc adds deleted scenes and a couple making-of features.

88 Minutes
3 stars
Rated R for disturbing violent content, brief nudity and language
Tri Star
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

When “88 Minutes” was released in theaters, it was hammered by critics nationwide, and that makes me the odd man out. Maybe I’m getting soft, but I didn’t find it half bad. In fact, I’ll argue that it’s plenty entertaining in that “turn off your brain and enjoy” sort of way.

Al Pacino stars as Jack Gramm, a psychologist who testifies against serial killers in court, a profession that has served him well until now. On the eve of the execution of a nasty murderer named Jon Forster (Neal McDonough), he receives a call saying that he has just 88 minutes to live. As it becomes clear that the threat is serious and that Forster ordered it from behind bars, Gramm tries to discover who’s trying to kill him.

Too deep an examination of the plot — and its ridiculous complexity — will surely lead to disappointment. But folks who can simply hang on and enjoy Pacino’s performance will be rewarded with a fast-moving and enjoyable thriller. Alicia Witt, Leelee Sobieski, Amy Brenneman and William Forsythe also star.

DVD extras include a director’s commentary, a discussion with Al Pacinco and an alternate ending.

Young@Heart
3 stars
Rated PG for some mild language and thematic elements.
20th Century Fox
Available on: DVD

Director Stephen Walker’s 107-minute documentary about the Young@Heart chorus of Northampton, Mass., is inspiring, funny, touching and, sometimes, quite sad. He followed members of the chorus — all age 70 or older — through preparations for a new show including performances of Sonic Youth’s “Schizophrenia,” Cold Play’s “Fix You” and James Browns “I Feel Good.”

Although the group draws attention through the gimmick of senior citizens performing rock music, the documentary focuses on the vitality of individual members and the leadership of chorus director Bob Cilman. Audiences get a feel for the group’s rehearsal process, and they are also exposed to the real-life drama surrounding the health concerns of several members.

It’s saddening that several Young@Heart singers passed away during the making of the film, but it is stirring to see the dedication and love every member has for performing. Although it likely wasn’t his intent, Walker has crafted a piece that speaks to the power of music and its ability to bring out the best in people of all ages.

DVD extras include deleted scenes and a short feature about a Young@Heart appearance in Hollywood.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

Chuck — The Complete First Season: Offbeat comedy series about an easygoing computer geek named Chuck (Zachary Levi) who accidentally downloaded top secret information to his brain, making him a hot property for the U.S. government and its enemies. Most episodes revolve around Chuck balancing his life as a box store employee with near-daily intelligence exploits courtesy of a smoking hot spy named Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski).

Private Practice — The Complete First Season: This “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff got its start when Dr. Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) left Seattle Grace Hospital to set up shop in California. Don’t remember what happened? It’s all here.

Pushing Daisies — The Complete First Season: New drama based on the adventures of a pie maker who learns that he can bring the dead back to life. Only thing is, his power comes with a price.

Dirty Sexy Money — The Complete First Season: ABC drama focused on Nick George (Peter Krause), an idealistic lawyer drawn into a world of dirty deeds after he becomes the personal attorney to an ultra-rich family.

The High School Flashback Collection: Classic teen movies “The Breakfast Club,” “Weird Science” and “Sixteen Candles” packaged together in a boxed set.

It’s a busy week on the home video front with new releases ranging from a sweeping martial arts adventure to a Tina Fey comedy.

The Forbidden Kingdom
3 stars (out of four)
Rated PG-13 for sequences of martial arts action and some violence
Lionsgate
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

The main selling point behind “Forbidden Kingdom” is that it’s the first film to feature martial arts legends Jackie Chan and Jet Li on screen together. That’s good news on its own, but there’s more to the film than this star-power gimmick.

“Kingdom” is centered on Jason Tripitikas (Michael Angarano), a teen-age American who loves martial arts films but has zero kung fu skills. That changes when he is magically transported to an alternate world where he must return a magic staff to its rightful owner. Aiding him on his journey are a drunken kung fu master (Chan), a powerful monk (Li) and an angry young woman (Yifei Liu).

These three teach Jason how to fight and guide him through a journey that is packed with high-flying combat sequences … including an impressive battle between Chan and Li. Although the movie is built around martial arts action, it’s surprisingly tame, often playing like a young adult film.

To enjoy “Forbidden Kingdom,” one must get comfortable with a story that makes no apologies for moving viewers from one fight sequence to the next. One must also accept that this is a fantasy-based tale that owes as much to “Lord of the Rings” as “Fearless.” Do those things, and martial arts nirvana awaits.

The movie is available in a single-disc version and on a two-disc special edition. Extra features vary.

Baby Mama
3 stars
Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, language and a drug reference
Universal
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

When career woman Kate Holbrook (Tina Fey) decides to have a baby even though she doesn’t have a significant other, she enlists a sperm donor. Sadly, she discovers that she can’t get pregnant.

Not one to give up, Kate goes one step further and hires an earthy working-class gal named Angie (Amy Poehler) to be her surrogate mother. Everything is fine until Angie gets in a fight with her piggish boyfriend (Dax Shepard) and moves in with Kate. Suddenly, the two women realize they’re nothing alike, and it looks as though they’re in for a nine-month nightmare.

Although “Baby Mama” is a straightforward odd couple comedy that treads familiar ground, it’s worth watching because writer-director Michael McCullers delivers a host of good gags that keep things moving. Also, Fey and Poehler have excellent chemistry … even if they do allow Shepard and co-star Steve Martin to steal a number of scenes.

Extra features include deleted scenes, an alternate ending and a feature on the making of the film.

The Fall
2 1/2 stars
Rated R for some violent images
Sony
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

Tarsem Singh (“The Cell”) isn’t the sort of director who can sell a film on name alone, so it took A-list helmers David Fincher and Spike Jonze to push “The Fall” into theaters earlier this year. Fincher and Jonze also get a “presented by” credit on the DVD box, but this is still Tarsem’s film.

The elegant visuals and sweeping narrative are unlike anything Fincher or Jonze have produced, but the artistic scope of the project is consistent with their ambitions. It makes sense, then, that they would push Tarsem’s unusual passion piece.

“The Fall” relates the story of a 5-year-old girl named Alexandria (Catinca Untaru) who meets a Hollywood stuntman named Roy (Lee Pace) while both are recovering from injuries in a Los Angeles hospital. Roy was crippled when riding a horse off a bridge, but his real pain stems from the fact that his actress/girlfriend abandoned him. Alexandria, hurt herself by falling off a ladder while picking fruit with her family. The two talk everyday, and Roy tells her a fanciful story involving five bandits out to kill an evil ruler named Odius.

As the film pushes forward, Tarsem cuts between scenes of Alexandria’s and Roy’s relationship and of colorful re-enactments of the fantasy tale Roy is spinning. Soon, the two worlds intersect, particularly in the mind of the impressionable Alexandria.

Visually, Tarsem’s work is stunning, so “The Fall” is always beautiful to look at. Unfortunately, his storytelling — both in the real and fantasy worlds — lacks urgency. That means the movie bobs at a leisurely pace when it should be racing forward, dragging viewers along in anticipation.

Strong lead performances and breathtaking art direction go a long way toward making up for the movie’s flaws, but they don’t eliminate them.

DVD extras include deleted scenes, some short making-of features and two audio commentaries.

Smallville — The Complete Seventh Season
3 stars
Not rated
Warner Brothers
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

Although “Smallville” isn’t as fresh as when it bowed seven years ago, it remains one of the most enjoyable fantasy/science fiction series on television. The show is set during Superman’s younger years — long before he donned the costume — and it explains how Clark Kent (Tom Welling) went from farm boy to hero.

Even more interesting, is the program’s treatment of Superman’s arch villain, Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), who started as a good guy but became pure evil by the end of the seventh season. Season seven also spends a good deal of time with the arrival of Supergirl (Laura Vandervoort), the introduction of the classic villain Bizarro, and relationship problems between Clark’s friend Chloe (Allison Mack) and her boyfriend, Jimmy Olsen (Aaron Ashmore).

One reason the show flagged in later seasons is that it’s treatment of Lois Lane (Erica Durance) isn’t as appealing as it’s take on other characters. Also, the love of Clark’s life, Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk), has become increasingly dark and, oddly enough, less interesting. Still, the writing is consistently strong and the ever-present nods to Superman mythology are a lark.

DVD special features include commentary tracks on two episodes, short features on Supergirl and Jimmy Olsen, a digital comic book, and unaired scenes.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

Grey’s Anatomy — Season Four: Seventeen episodes of medical drama featuring the doctors of Seattle Grace hospital. Key happenings include Dr. Erica Hahn (Brooke Smith) taking over as head of cardiothoracics, Derek (Patrick Dempsey) and Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) struggling with difficult clinical trials, and Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) settling in as a permanent cast member.

Cool Hand Luke — Deluxe Edition: Re-release of the classic Paul Newman film about a chain gang prisoner who refuses to bow to authority. The new DVD features a fresh, anamorphic transfer of the film.

C.S.I. Miami — The Sixth Season: More crime scenes and more investigations as Horatio Caine (David Caruso) and company solve case after case.

The Big Lebowski: New, two-disc edition of Joel and Ethan Coen’s quirky, 1998 comedy about a slacker who gets mixed up with unsavory characters through a case of mistaken identity. The DVD was produced to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the film’s release. Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore and Steve Buscemi star.

Ugly Betty — The Complete Second Season: The sophomore season of America Ferrera’s soap-opera-like dramatic comedy is spread over five discs. Ferrera plays the title character, who is not so much ugly as out of place at the ultra-chic fashion magazine office where she works.

Barbie & the Diamond Castle: Animated Barbie musical about young women who team up to defeat a selfish muse and preserve music for the world.

Medium — The Fourth Season: The continuing adventures of Allison Dubois (Patricia Arquette), a Phoenix psychic who works with the district attorney’s office to solve cases. The show, which is a hit for NBC, also stars Jake Weber, Miguel Sandoval, Sofia Vassilieva and Maria Lark.

Wings — The Seventh Season: Next to last season of the 1990s, NBC comedy about two brothers running a small airline in Massachusetts.

Seed: Director Uwe Boll (“BloodRayne”) presents the story of a serial killer who survives repeated execution attempts and — after being buried alive — seeks revenge. The DVD, which contains extreme violence and gore, is not rated.

Jon & Kate Plus Ei8ht — Seasons 1+2: Reality television show that looks at life in the large family of Jon and Kate Gosselin. The young couple is raising a set of twins and a set of sextuplets.

I Want Candy: Direct-to-video comedy about two young men who secure funding for their film by agreeing to cast a popular adult film star as their lead. Carmen Electra, Tom Riley and Tom Burke star.

Although plenty of television series are hitting DVD this week, things are slow for mainstream feature films. In fact, once you get beyond the TV shows, a small film by Helen Hunt and a direct-to-DVD superhero cartoon are the biggest releases available.

 Then She Found Me
2 1/2 stars
Rated R for language and some sexual content
Image Entertainment
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

Actress Helen Hunt’s feature film directing debut is solid, but it does have problems, most stemming from a choppy screenplay that Hunt also had a hand in.

She stars as April Epner, a 39-year-old woman who is desperate to have a child. That likelihood fades when her short-term husband, Ben (Matthew Broderick), decides he made a mistake and abandons her. A day later, April’s adoptive mother dies, leaving her confused, alone and depressed.

The loneliness subsides when her biological mother, Bernice (Bette Midler), tracks her down and tries to establish a relationship, thinking she will be welcome now that April’s adoptive parents are dead. But April isn’t sure what she thinks of the flamboyant and pushy Bernice. Things get more complicated when April strikes up a relationship with a recently divorced Englishman named Frank (Colin Firth).

There’s a lot going on in “Then She Found Me.” More, in fact, than in the Elinor Lipman novel it was adapted from. The complexity means some plot threads are under-explored, but the excellent cast keeps things interesting and does a reasonably good job making up for the screenplay’s shortcomings.

DVD extras include a commentary by Hunt, cast interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.

Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow
3 stars
Rated PG for sci-fi action violence and some mild language
Lionsgate
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray

This direct-to-DVD animated feature is for comic book geeks and children only, but it should go a long way toward pleasing both of those groups.

Unlike Marvel’s previous direct-to-DVD movies, “Next Avengers” received a PG rating, making it more kid friendly than their usual PG-13s. That doesn’t, however, mean the plotting has been dumbed down.

For a kid-friendly cartoon, “Next Avengers” is surprisingly well plotted. It centers on the children of the Avengers superhero group, most of whom have been living in isolation since their parents were defeated in a cataclysmic battle with the robot Ultron. There’s James, son of Captain America and Black Widow; Torunn, daughter of Thor; Azari, son of the Black Panther; Hawkeye, son of the original Hawkeye; and Pym, son of Wasp and Giant Man.

Together the children are as powerful as their parents were, and an aging Iron Man has been training them for the day that they will face Ultron themselves. But the children realize they can’t win the fight against Ultron alone, so they go in search of the one hero strong enough to help them: the incredible Hulk.

The animation isn’t as detailed and spectacular as in blockbuster animated movies like “WALL-E” and “Ice Age,” but it’s good enough that it doesn’t distract from the storytelling. And in this case that storytelling is solid.

DVD extras include a feature on the making of the film.

The Big Bang Theory — The Complete First Season
4 stars
Not rated
Warner Brothers
Available on: DVD

Half-our television sitcoms don’t get much funnier than this romp about two uber-nerds living next door to a world-class hottie. Jim Parsons stars as Sheldon, a brilliant physicist who can explain the most complex scientific events but who has difficulty in basic social situations. Sheldon’s roommate and fellow scientist, Leonard (Johnny Galecki), is better with people, but he’s no social butterfly.

Their world turns on its ear when a beautiful young woman named Penny (Kayley Cuoco) moves in across the hall, introducing them to life outside the science lab. The fact that Leonard has a serious crush on Penny is a constant source of tension — and comedy — through the 17 episodes in season one.

Although the setup for “Big Bang” is fairly typical, the show rises above its television competitors with extremely witty writing and a cast that has perfect comic timing. Parsons, Galecki and Cuoco are all excellent, but supporting player Simon Helberg steals almost every scene he’s allowed as the painfully inept womanizer Howard Wolowitz.

Much of the humor in “Big Bang” revolves around geeky pastimes, like comic books, video games and science fiction, but you needn’t be a nerd to appreciate the show. The basic themes are so universal that anyone — geek or chic — can enjoy.

The 3-DVD set includes every season-one episode plus a short feature on the making of the series.

The Promotion
2 1/2 stars
Rated R for language including sexual references and some drug use
Genius Products
Available on: DVD

Grocery store assistant manager Doug Stauber (Seann William Scott) thinks he’s a shoo-in for manager of his corporation’s new Chicago store. Then Richard Welhner (John C. Reilly) transfers from Canada and announces that he’s also going for the job.

With each man desperate to land the gig, they start a rivalry that involves everything from backstabbing to commiserating, and both learn valuable lessons along the way.

Written and directed by Steve Conrad, the guy who penned 2006’s “The Pursuit of Happyness,” the film has nice moments, bobbing between drama and easygoing comedy. Unfortunately, the film fails to establish a firm identity.

It isn’t raucous and over-the-top enough to be a gut-busting Hollywood comedy, but neither is it touching and sincere enough to be taken seriously as drama. That leaves viewers with a picture that has its heart in the right place and boasts strong performances yet isn’t completely satisfying.

DVD extras include deleted scenes, a commentary by several of the filmmakers, outtakes and a making-of feature.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

Married Life: Chris Cooper plays a married man who falls in love with a younger woman (Rachel McAdams). He then decides to murder his wife (Patricia Clarkson) rather than put her through the humiliation of a divorce. Peirce Brosnan also stars.

Life — Season One: NBC drama focused on detective Charlie Crews (Damian Lewis), who returns to the force after spending 12 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Also stars Sarah Shahi.

Eli Stone — The Complete First Season: Quirky ABC dramedy about an attorney suffering hallucinations due to an inoperable brain aneurysm. Or could it be that the hallucinations are actually visions designed for a greater purpose? Jonny Lee Miller, Victor Garber and Loretta Devine star.

The Office — Season Four: The continuing comic adventures of employees working in a Pennsylvania branch of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer star.

Desperate Housewives — Season Four: In the 17 season-four episodes, the ladies of Wisteria Lane find themselves involved in a battle with cancer, a fake pregnancy and marital infidelity. Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria Parker and Nicollette Sheridan star.

Ghost Whisperer — The Third Season: Jennifer Love Hewitt is back as Melinda Gordon, a young woman who can communicate with the dead. The show centers on her efforts to help ghosts move on while she learns more about her family history. Jay Mohr, David Conrad and Camryn Manheim also star.

Cheers — Season 10: Second-to-last season of the popular situation comedy involving the denizens of a cozy bar in Boston. Ted Danson, Kirstie Alley, Kelsey Grammar, Woody Harrelson, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger and George Wendt star.

Supernatural — The Complete Third Season: More drama from brothers Sam and Dean Winchester (Jared Padelecki and Jensen Ackles) who travel the U.S. combating monsters and other evil forces.

Itty Bitty Titty Committee: Lesbian-themed comedy about a young woman who goes through a rough patch and joins a radical feminist group. Melonie Diaz and Nicole Vicius star and Jamie Babbit directs.

How to Rob a Bank: A lifelong slacker (Nick Stahl) and a bored bank employee (Erika Christensen) get caught in the middle of a heist gone bad.