Tag Archives: entertainment

The title character in "WALL-E."

It’s a great week for home video, as most of the major releases are outstanding. Children should be particularly excited because the Pixar hit “WALL-E” is finally available on DVD.

WALL-E
3 1/2 stars (out of four)
Rated G
Disney
Available Tuesday on DVD and Blu-ray

It takes a brave director to make a silent film in the 21st century, but Andrew Stanton (“A Bug’s Life,” “Finding Nemo”) is just the guy to do it.

“WALL-E” is not, of course, a silent film in the traditional sense because it uses music and sound effects to great consequence. Still, dialog is so limited that the picture carries the spirit of a silent, telling 90 percent of its story visually.

The movie is set in the distant future where the title character is an ancient, rusted-out robot who has spent countless years trying to clean up a trash-covered planet Earth. Humans have long since abandoned the planet, having destroyed it with over-consumption. Because WALL-E is lonely, he is ecstatic when a sleek modern robot named EVE touches down on Earth.

After a shaky beginning, WALL-E and EVE start to pal around. But just when it looks like they’re destined for love, EVE is thrown into a robot coma and recalled to her mother ship. The broken-hearted WALL-E decides to hitch a ride with her in hopes of reviving their relationship.

As with all Pixar movies, the animation in “WALL-E” is astounding. But the movie is more than a feast for the eyes. The characters are wonderful, the story is sweet, and the overall execution is dynamite. Stanton and company are to be congratulated for crafting a movie that combines the best of modern technology with the visual grace of America’s silent classics.

“WALL-E” is available in several different packages, including a single-disc release and a 3-disc special edition. Extra features vary.

Tropic Thunder
3 stars
Available in rated and unrated versions. The theatrical cut is rated R for pervasive language including sexual references, violent content and drug material
DreamWorks
Available Tuesday on DVD and Blu-ray

“Tropic Thunder” is vicious, crude and often offensive, but it’s also really funny.

Ben Stiller stars as Tugg Speedman, an aging action hero trying to gain artistic clout by starring in a Vietnam War movie based on real events. He’s joined by other popular actors, including Oscar-winner Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.), comedian Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black) and rapper-turned-actor Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson). Sadly, the group is in no way prepared to make an emotionally resonant movie.

So, director Damien Cockburn (Steve Coogan) decides to chopper his cast into the middle of the Vietnamese jungle and force it to hike out while he grabs footage, the idea being that the realism will raise the stakes. Alas, the plan is derailed when Cockburn is taken out of the picture and the actors discover that the jungle is controlled by drug-running militants.

The comedy in “Tropic Thunder” is politically incorrect, and the gags poke fun at everyone from self-absorbed celebrities to the mentally impaired. There are even dicey racial gags, most centered on Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Lazarus, a white actor playing a black man. While the touchy subject matter could offend some viewers, those who realize it’s all in good fun will find themselves immersed in an enjoyable and consistently funny movie.

The R-rated version of the film is available on a single-disc release, and the unrated director’s cut is available on a two-disc edition. Extra features vary.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
2 1/2 stars
Rated PG-13 for mature material and sensuality
Warner Brothers
Available Tuesday on DVD and Blu-ray

Picking up where the original “Sisterhood” left off, this sequel relates new adventures from friends Carmen (America Ferrera), Tibby (Amber Tamblyn), Lena (Alexis Bledel) and Bridget (Blake Lively). All four pals are now attending prestigious colleges, and they get together just briefly before going their separate ways during summer vacation.

Tibby has to complete a class in New York, Bridget is involved in an archeological dig in Turkey, Lena is studying in a summer art program, and Carmen is working for a theater company in Vermont. To stay in touch, the girls agree to once again trade off wearing a pair of jeans that magically fit each one of them perfectly.

“Sisterhood 2” has a separate story arc for each of the main characters, plus the underlying theme that time and responsibilities are slowly pulling them apart. Because the cast is first-rate, the movie has some beautiful moments, including scenes where Carmen’s mother is giving birth to a new child and Lena must decide whether the relationship with her Greek boyfriend Kostas (Michael Rady) can work.

Alas, there are so many storylines — several of them extremely melodramatic — that the picture starts to take on the tone of a soap opera. This doesn’t kill it, but it does slow the pacing and make it less appealing than the original “Sisterhood.”

The movie is available in widescreen and full-screen versions. Extra features include extra scenes, a gag reel and a short about the inspiration for the movie’s final scene.

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
3 1/2 stars
Rated R for drug and sexual content, language and some nudity
Magnolia Home Entertainment
Available Tuesday on DVD

Director Alex Gibney, who last year won an Oscar for “Taxi to the Dark Side,” an examination of the U.S. military’s torture practices, is back with a documentary about the life of journalist Hunter S. Thompson.

“Gonzo” touches on Thompson’s childhood, but it mostly focuses on his career accomplishments, including his acclaimed books “Hells Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga,” “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and “Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail ’72.”

Gibney tells Thompson’s tale with archival footage, interviews with the journalist’s friends and acquaintances, and a hefty dose of readings from his work. Johnny Depp, who played Thompson in the “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” movie, handles the readings with a wonderful Thompson-esque delivery.

During his lifetime, Thompson was known as much for his gun-toting, hard-drinking behavior as his stellar writing, and “Gonzo” considers his personal and professional lives. At two hours, “Gonzo” is hardly a complete portrait, but it is a nice primer.

DVD extras include deleted scenes, extended interviews, a Thompson tribute, photo galleries, drawings by Ralph Steadman and a commentary by Gibney.

ALSO OUT TUESDAY

The Complete “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” Collector’s Edition: More than 36 hours of Monty Python sketch comedy collected on 21 discs. This set includes all four seasons of the “Flying Circus” television series, two discs filled with live performances, plus two documentaries never before released in America.

“Hannah Montana” — The Complete First Season: Miley Cyrus stars as a 14-year-old who is a student by day and pop star by night in this Disney Channel series. Emily Osment, Jason Earles, Billy Ray Cyrus, Mitchell Musso and Moises Arias also star. Big fans may want to check out The Hannah Montana DVD Game, a separate release featuring 11 interactive games controlled by a DVD remote.

“Star Trek” the Original Series — Season Three Remastered: All 24 episodes from the third season of the groundbreaking science-fiction series featuring Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and the rest of the Starship Enterprise crew. This release features remastered versions of each episode, complete with new computer-generated special effects.

Griffith Masterworks 2: Five-disc set featuring six of director D.W. Griffith’s movies: “Edgar Allen Poe (1909), “The Avenging Conscience” (1914), “Way Down East” (1920), “Sally of the Sawdust” (1925), “Abraham Lincoln” (1930) and “The Struggle” (1931). Also included is “Father of Film,” a 156-minute Griffith documentary.

The Derek Jarman Collection: Three films — “Sebastiane,” “The Tempest” and “War Requiem” — by the late English director Derek Jarman. “Sebastiane” is noteworthy as Jarman’s first feature-length movie and “War Requiem” includes the final screen appearance by Sir Laurence Olivier. The collection also features “Derek,” a 76-minute documentary about the filmmaker.

“Fanfan la Tulipe”: The Criterion Collection is serving up a restored digital transfer of the 1952 French adventure about a peasant (Gerard Philipe) who joins the army to avoid a shotgun wedding. Gina Lollobrigida also stars. The movie is presented in French with English subtitles, and the DVD includes an optional English-dubbed soundtrack.

“The Universe” — The Complete Season One: A&E Home Video is releasing the first season of this popular series about the cosmos on Blu-ray. Along with the series, this set includes the documentary “Beyond the Big Bang.”

Po completes his training and receives the Dragon Scroll in "Kung Fu Panda."

Children and fantasy fans shouldn’t have trouble finding a movie this week because DVD releases include the sequel to “Hellboy,” a new “Star Wars” adventure and a delightful animated comedy from DreamWorks.

Kung Fu Panda
3 1/2 stars (out of four)
Rated PG for sequences of martial arts action
DreamWorks
Available now on DVD and Blu-ray

DreamWorks Animation has another winner in “Kung Fu Panda,” a creative feature about Po, an overweight panda bear who dreams of becoming a martial arts hero.

He gets his chance when Master Oogway, the most famous martial artist in his land, announces that Po is destined to become the Dragon Warrior, a fierce fighter with the power to defeat an evil and feared leopard named Tai Lung. Po’s anointment doesn’t sit well Master Oogway’s protégé, Master Shifu, who can’t imagine turning Po into a hero. Shifu would rather see one of his long-time students — known collectively as the Furious Five — become Dragon Warrior.

In order for the lowly Po to fulfill his destiny, he must overcome not only the prejudice of others but his own self doubt.

“Kung Fu Panda” is wonderfully realized, with every animal character rendered in glorious detail. While this makes the movie great to look at, it’s the clever storytelling and fantastic voice cast that really set it apart. Comedian Jack Black voices Po, infusing him with an irresistible, manic energy. Other big-name voicers include Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu and Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen, Jackie Chan and Lucy Liu as members of the Furious Five.

The movie is available by itself or in a two-pack with the short film “Secrets of the Furious Five.” The latter is a cute, 24-minute picture in which Po explains how members of the Furious Five got their starts.

Hellboy II: The Golden Army
3 stars (out of four)
Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence and some
language
Universal
Available Tuesday on DVD and Blu-ray

Writer-director Guillermo del Toro’s second stab at the Hellboy franchise is a considerable improvement over his first. This time, he’s delivered a comic book movie that is fast-paced, filled with great special effects and often quite funny.

The plot has Hellboy, a powerful demon who fights for America under the auspices of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, attempting to stop the spiritual world from starting a war on humanity. The leader of the spiritual rebellion is Prince Nuada (Luke Gross), a powerful warrior who is angry that his father agreed to a truce with humanity eons before.

Convinced that his kind should rule the world, Nuada schemes to take control of a mechanical army that is said to be indestructible. Hellboy (Ron Perlman) does his best to foil Nuada’s plans with the help of other heroes possessing special abilities, most notably his fiery girlfriend, Liz (Selma Blair), and the amphibian Abe Sapien (Doug Jones).

“Golden Army” is heavy on action, and most of the sequences are beautifully staged, making the film terrific eye candy.

It is available on single-disc releases and on a three-disc special edition. Extra features vary.

This Christmas
2 stars
Rated PG-13 for comic sexual content and some violence
Sony Pictures
Available Tuesday on DVD and Blu-ray

Why do people watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” year after year after year? Because new holiday classics are hard to come by. Writer-director Preston A. Whitmore II did his best to create one with “This Christmas” but, like most of his filmmaking peers, he came up short.

“This Christmas” takes a hard look at the Whitfield family, which is gathering together for the holidays for the first time in years. The matriarch is Ma’Dere (Loretta Devine), a traditional mother who insists that her live-in boyfriend, Joe (Delroy Lindo), pretend that he has his own place when the kids are around.

While Ma’Dere puts on her holiday charade, her children deal with their own issues. Her oldest daughter (Regina King) is trying to convince everyone to sell the family business. A son (Idris Elba) is being chased by small-time thugs. Another son (Chris Brown) is hiding his desire to become a full-time musician.

Believe it or not, that’s just the half of it, and that’s the problem with “This Christmas.” There are so many characters and subplots that it is difficult to invest in any of them, which is too bad because the cast is very good.

DVD extras include deleted and extended scenes, a filmmakers’ commentary, a making-of feature and a music video featuring Brown.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars
3 stars (out of four)
Rated PG for sci-fi action violence throughout, brief language and momentary smoking
Warner Brothers
Available Tuesday on DVD and Blu-ray

Like Cartoon Network’s “Clone Wars” television series, the action in this animated feature is set between the live-action “Star Wars” films “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith.”

When Jabba the Hutt’s son is kidnapped, Jedi knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi are asked to rescue the infant in an effort to garner favor with Jabba, who controls crucial shipping routes. The mission isn’t simple because the renegade count Dooku and his apprentice Ventress are working to assure their failure. Also, Anakin must watch over his new Padawan learner Ahsoka.

“Clone Wars” has a lighter tone than the live-action movies, and that makes it kid appropriate, but it is also well-plotted enough for adults to enjoy. The stylized animation is a cross between anime and more traditional computer-generated imagery, but it isn’t as detailed as in most modern theatrical releases. Still, the look is generally appealing, and the many action sequences are beautifully choreographed.

All in all, “Clone Wars” is an enjoyable adventure film that “Star Wars” junkies will do well to check out.

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

ALSO OUT TUESDAY

“Beer for My Horses”: Country singer Toby Keith co-wrote this adventure comedy with comedian Rodney Carrington. It was inspired by one of Keith’s songs, and he and Carrington star as deputies who defy orders in hopes of saving a friend who was kidnapped by drug dealers.

Walt Disney Treasures: For years, Buena Vista Home Entertainment has been treating fans to vintage cartoons and television shows via its Disney Treasures releases. The latest are “The Chronological Donald: Volume Four,” “The Mickey Mouse Club Presents Annette” and “Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh.” The Donald Duck set includes 31 of the popular character’s cartoons released between 1951 and 1961. “Annette” collects 20 episodes of Annette Funicello’s daily TV series about a country girl who moves to the suburbs to live with her rich aunt and uncle. Lastly, “Dr. Syn” features all three installments of the 1960s Disney miniseries about a parson with a heroic alter ego.

“The Boys in the Band”: Director William Friedkin’s 1970 relationship drama about gay men who gather for a birthday party but experience something more outrageous was restored just for this DVD. The film is considered a groundbreaking piece of gay cinema, and it stars Leonard Frey, Kenneth Nelson, Peter White, Laurence Luckinbill and Cliff Gorman.

“Scrubs” — Season Seven: The seventh season of this medical comedy about employees of Sacred Heart teaching hospital was abbreviated by the Hollywood writers’ strike, but 11 episodes still made it on air. This two-disc set has them all.

“Thomas Kinkade’s Christmas Cottage”: Direct-to-DVD film based on painter Thomas Kinkade’s life. The film tells the story of a young Kinkade (Jared Padalecki) who returns from college to find that his mother (Marcia Gay Harden) is in danger of losing her home. He is inspired to paint a mural and discovers his calling while infusing others with the Christmas spirit.

“7th Heaven” — The Seventh Season: All 22 episodes from the seventh season of this long-running family drama about a Protestant minister and his family.

“The Streets of San Francisco” — Season 2, Volume 2: Twelve episodes of the classic police drama centered on investigators Mike Stone (Karl Malden) and Steve Keller (Michael Douglas).

“Studio One” Anthology: Seventeen episodes of “Studio One,” which aired teleplays in the 1940s and 1950s. Included are presentations of “June Moon” with Jack Lemmon and Eva Marie Saint, “Twelve Angry Men” with Robert Cummings, “1984” with Eddie Albert and Lorne Greene, and Julius Caesar with Theodore Bikel.

“Son of the Beach” — Volume 2: The action — and comedy — centers on a squad of lifeguards known as Shore Patrol 30. Produced by Howard Stern, “Son of the Beach” is essentially a “Bay Watch” parody. This set includes unaired episodes from season two along with every regular episode of season three.

Anne Hathaway and Steve Carell in

The DVD world paused to catch it’s breath this week, as there is only one major theatrical release making its way onto video. But, as usual, we’ve got plenty of television shows, reissues and direct-to-DVD titles to take up the slack.

Get Smart
2 stars (out of four)
Rated PG-13 for some rude humor, action violence and language
Warner Brothers
Available Tuesday on DVD and Blu-Ray

Big screen adaptations of television shows have become commonplace at the multiplex, and this is the latest. Like the 1960s television show that it’s based on, “Get Smart” follows the adventures of Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell), a well meaning but often incompetent secret agent.

On his first assignment, Max is paired with Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway), a veteran operative who reluctantly takes him under her wing. As they work together, Max’s technique improves and 99 begins to warm up to him. Then, another spy calls Max’s loyalty into question, putting his career and America in danger.

Carell and Hathaway are talented actors and their character readings are solid. Unfortunately, the “Get Smart” script isn’t nearly as entertaining as they are. The pacing is slow and good gags are intermittent, leaving viewers with a picture that is more ponderous than funny.

The film is available in single-disc versions and a two-disc special edition. Extra features vary.

 
Futurama: Bender’s Game
3 stars
Unrated
20th Century Fox
Available Tuesday on DVD and Blu-ray

“Futurama,” brainchild of “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening, has endured one of the strangest runs in television history. Initially, the animated show aired on Fox from 1999 to 2003. Then, production ceased but reruns were broadcast on Cartoon Network. Fast forward to 2007 when “Futurama” was reborn.

The original creative team gathered with the idea of making four direct-to-DVD movies that could be split into individual episodes and aired on Comedy Central. The latest — and third — of those films is “Bender’s Game,” an homage to the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons.

For folks who don’t know “Futurama,” a primer. The animated series is set in the 31st century, and it revolves around the adventures of Philip J. Fry, a 21st century man who made it to the future after being cryogenically frozen. He and his friends, including a mutant named Leela and testy robot named Bender, work for a delivery company owned by eccentric professor Hubert J. Farnsworth.

In “Bender’s Game,” the title character discovers he has an imagination and embraces it by playing Dungeons & Dragons.
Alas, Bender uses his imagination too frequently and eventually goes mad. Meanwhile, Professor Farnsworth enlists his employees’ help in bringing a greedy fuel executive down a notch.

The two stories intertwine when Bender magically transports everyone into an alternate dimension where they are forced to play out an adaptation of “The Lord of the Rings.” It sounds bizarre because it is. But it’s also a lot of fun.

“Bender’s Game” is filled with pop culture references and witty asides that are often more entertaining than the overall story. Although the show is animated, the language and content are targeted at adults. And those who like science fiction and sharply scripted humor should find it a pleasant distraction.

DVD extras include an audio commentary by the filmmakers, a storyboard animatic, a bit on Dungeons & Dragons and deleted scenes.

 
Reaper: Season One
3 1/2 stars
Unrated
Lionsgate
Available Tuesday on DVD

Few television shows are as good out of the box as “Reaper,” a supernatural dramedy that blends “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”-style action and special effects with a significant helping of laughs.

Bret Harrison plays Sam, a lowly box store employee who is shocked to discover that his parents sold his soul to Satan (Ray Wise). As if that’s not bad enough, he also learns he must work for the Devil as a bounty hunter … or suffer unpleasant consequences.

Most episodes involve Sam and his wacky friends — the uber-slacker “Sock” (Tyler Labine) and the more conservative Ben (Rick Gonzalez) — capturing demons who have escaped from Hell. This setup gives individual episodes a strong beginning, middle and end, but the screenwriters also include a variety of ongoing stories.

The most important side plot involves Sam’s quest to find a way out of his devilish contract. Also in play is his desire for a romantic relationship with his friend Andi (Missy Peregrym); a contentious relationship with his boss, Ted (Donavon Stinson); and a plot by friendly demons to unseat Satan.

Too often, television series — even good ones — start with poor character development, but the “Reaper” ensemble created layered and well-fleshed-out characters at episode one. Wise is particularly winning as the Devil, who effortlessly swings from genial to menacing.

This five-disc set includes all 18 season-one episodes plus extra features including audio commentaries, deleted scenes and a gag reel.

  
ALSO OUT TUESDAY

“Return to Sleepaway Camp”: This direct-to-DVD addition to the “Sleepaway Camp” franchise is timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the original, 1983 film. The story centers on campers at rural Camp Manabe who experience a series of bizarre accidents. The tragedy recalls the bloodbath that took place years before at nearby camp Arawak, the setting for the original picture.

“Spin City” — Season One: It’s hard to believe this television sitcom is just now getting a DVD release, but better late than never. Michael J. Fox stars as Mike Flaherty, the workaholic deputy mayor of New York City. Along with an oddball cast of cohorts, he keeps the city government churning. Barry Bostwick, Richard Kind, Alan Ruck, Michael Boatman, Connie Britton and Alexander Chaplin also star.

“Get Smart” — The Complete Series Gift Set: If Steve Carell’s “Get Smart” remake stirs nostalgia for the television series, this 25-disc set should more than sate your appetite. It includes all 138 episodes of the original series with Don Adams as secret agent Maxwell Smart and Barbara Feldon as the voluptuous Agent 99.

“Star Wars” — The Prequel Trilogy: This set offers the opportunity to purchase “The Phantom Menace,” “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith” in a boxed set. Each movie was already available ala carte, so there’s no new content.

“Shrek the Halls”: Set after “Shrek the Third,” this half-hour animated adventure plugs the Shrek characters into a holiday setting.

The Bourne Trilogy: As spy thrillers go, Matt Damon’s outings as amnesiac secret agent Jason Bourne are top-notch. This set includes the franchise’s original film — “The Bourne Identity” — plus both sequels, “The Bourne Supremacy” and “The Bourne Ultimatum.”

The Wild Wild West — The Complete Series: Fans of the 1960s science fiction Western can own all four seasons thanks to this 27-disc gift set. The show follows the adventures of secret service agents James West (Robert Conrad) and Artemus Gordon (Ross Martin), who traveled in a high-tech train protecting President Ulysses S. Grant and other American interests.

The Gregory Peck Film Collection: A six-disc set from Universal featuring some of Peck’s best-known films. Included are “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Cape Fear,” “Arabesque,” “Mirage,” “Captain Newman, M.D.” and “The World in His Arms.”

Planet of the Apes — 40th Anniversary Collection: All five of Charlton Heston’s “Planet of the Apes” movies are available on Blu-ray for the first time. They can be purchased collectively through this set or individually.

A Christmas Story — Ultimate Collector’s Edition: Repackaging of the much-loved holiday movie about a 1940s boy who desperately wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. The film has been available on DVD for years, but this version includes a variety of memorabilia. The film is also being released on Blu-ray for the first time.

Batman — The Complete Animated Series: What’s with all the huge, multi-disc sets? We’re heading into the holiday season, meaning distributors are trotting out as many high-end gift ideas as possible. For fans of the Dark Knight, this is a good one. “Batman the Animated Series” is a superbly made superhero cartoon, and this collection includes every episode.