(2010)
*1/2 (C-)
Directed by Joe Johnston
Starring Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving, Geraldine Chaplin
Universal Pictures//Rated R//Horror//119 minutes
Available on: DVD and Blu-Ray
This remake is faithful in setting and tone to the 1941 original.
One sure indication are forests shrouded in a crawling mist. The new storyline
adds a twist, and features more werewolves, but is remarkably uninspired.
Lawrence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro) returns to his family's English estate in
the wake of his brother's murder. Anthony Hopkins portrays Lawrence's estranged father, Sir John. Gwen
(Emily Blunt), the dead brother's bereft fiancée, has stayed on at the
cobweb-draped mansion that is also inhabited by a faithful, turbaned servant
who keeps a rifle, loaded with silver bullets, at the ready. The men go hunting
for the beast that killed Lawrence's
brother and encounter a gypsy (Geraldine Chaplin) who issues prophetic
warnings. Like Lon Chaney from the original, Del Toro comes across as a big lug
in a bowl-cut wig. The filmmakers recast the dapper Sir John as a deranged
patriarch, topping Hopkins
with long white hair and a beard. Hugo Weaving appears as a Scotland Yard
Detective, making the most of an underwritten role. More special effects
provide some fun, but do little to help the film create a sense of dread, or to
distract from a vision of the wolfman reminiscent of the "Star Wars'"
wookie. More killings, more blood, and more of man's vain self-interest are
more over the top, but are no more frightening than the original. DVD features:
Unrated Director's Cut of feature film, Deleted and Extended Scenes, English,
French or Spanish language tracks, widescreen. 2-Disc Blu-Ray features same
plus: Alternate Endings, Return of The Wolfman, The Beast Maker, Transformation
Secrets, The Wolfman Unleashed, My Scenes, U-Control: Legacy, Legend, and Lore,
The Wolf Man - full-length 1941 Feature Film, Digital Copy of The Wolfman
Unrated Version, pocket BLU App, social BLU App.
Life
(2009)
Written by Paul Spillenger
Narrated by Sir David Attenborough (* * * *, A)
Narrated by Oprah Winfrey (* * *, B)
BBC Video//Not Rated//Documentary//484 minutes
Available on: DVD and Blu-Ray
The strength of this BBC/Discovery Channel production lies in
documenting wildlife behavior never before captured on film. Over a period of
four years, nine crews spent more than 3,000 days planning, traveling and
patiently waiting for the occurrence of each rare event they hoped to film. The
show, broadcast on the Discovery Channel, is now available as a DVD set
containing 11 episodes. The first chapter, an overview of the series, is more
preview than program, but the last episode consists of 10 making-of featurettes
that detail the dedication and nerves of steel and required to film under
extreme conditions. Wildlife chapters consist of Reptiles and Amphibians,
Mammals, Fish, Birds, Creatures of the Deep, Hunters and Hunted, Insects,
Primates, and one of my unexpected favorites, Plants. As befitting a series
entitled "Life," some portion of each episode is concerned with
death, including the adaptations and behavior of carnivorous plants. On the
flip side, no effort is spared to document the extreme reproduction strategies
plants employ. Also engaging, the insect episode depicts reproductive and
parental behavior -- rarely seen. Each hour consists of about 15 vignettes that
spotlight unexpected events, even among frequently studied species. The
Discovery Channel hired Oprah to narrate, forsaking the BBC's superior
narration by naturalist Sir David Attenborough. Oprah's delivery, and the silly
remarks she's required to make, are a mismatch for this subject matter.
Fortunately, the Attenborough version is readily available. 4-Disc DVD
features: Making of "Life": Ten Behind the Scenes Video Diaries,
deleted scenes, Music Only Viewing Option, English language tracks, French or
Spanish subtitles, widescreen.
Burn Notice: Season Three
(2009)
* * * (Grade B)
Created by Matt Nix
Starring Bruce Campbell, Gabrielle Anwar, Jeffrey Donovan, Sharon Gless
Fox//Not Rated//Action, Comedy//550 minutes
Available on: DVD
Jeffrey Donovan plays Michael Westen, a talented spy whose
"burn notice" forces Westen to remain in Miami cut off from his money and government
contacts. He pays the bills by performing unlicensed private investigation
work, but he only takes jobs for clients getting a raw deal. Westen gets help
from Fiona (Anwar), a sexy explosives expert seeking a permanent future with
Michael, and from his ex-Navy SEAL buddy Sam (Campbell). Sharon Gless rounds out the cast
as Michael's fretful mom. Westen narrates the action, imparting tips on running
con games, making gadgets and explosives on the cheap, and other spy stuff. The
ongoing story arc follows his efforts to learn who burned him and why. Each
one-hour episode effectively blends action and humor. Note: Sharon Gless and
Tyne Daly, former stars of "Cagney and Lacey," appear together in one
episode. 4-Disc DVD Box Set features: DVD features: Smash, Crash, Boom: Inside
the Burn Notice Stunt Unit, 2009 San Diego Comic-Con International Panel, English
language tracks, Spanish, French or Portuguese subtitles, widescreen.
Space Cowboys
(2000)
* * * (B)
Directed by Clint Eastwood
Starring Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, James Garner, Marcia Gay Harden, William Devane
Warner//Rated PG-13//Action//130 minutes
Available on: Blu-Ray
Clint Eastwood plays air force pilot Frank Corvin, leading a trio
of senior citizens on a space mission to repair a 35-year-old Russian
satellite. Eastwood's direction develops the character of his aging astronauts
at an unhurried pace. Tommy Lee Jones shines as a brusque, romantic hero
pursuing the NASA engineer (Marcia Gay Harden) in charge of clearing the crew
for flight. Ulterior motives for the space mission unfold too rapidly, although
the strong characters and persuasive special effects nearly make up for this
sleight of hand. Blu-Ray features: Back on the ranch: On location with cast and
crew and Nasa consultants, The effects: Meet visual effects supervisor Michael
Owens and his collaborators, Tonight on Leno: Expanded version of the tonight
show with Jay Leno sequence, Up close with the editor: A conversation with Joel
Cox, Theatrical trailer, English, French or Spanish language tracks,
widescreen.
The Stranger
(2010)
-Bomb- (F)
Directed by Robert Lieberman
Starring Steve Austin, Adam Beach, Erica Cerra
Anchor Bay//Rated R//Action//90 minutes
Available on: DVD and Blu-Ray
Ex pro wrestler Steve Austin appears as a shadowy character known
only as The Stranger. Chased by both the Russian mob and the FBI, he attempts
to cure his amnesia with help from a pretty and very brave psychologist
(Cerra). Romantic bells don't ring for the pair, but the Stranger's head must
ring from the many violent confrontations and disturbing flashbacks he endures.
Adam Beach plays an FBI Agent hoping to learn the secrets locked inside the
Stranger's head, but implausible characters, dumb plot twists, and
overly-darkened scenes ensure that learning the telegraphed truth isn't worth
the effort. DVD or Blu-Ray features: The Stranger: Behind the Scenes,
Theatrical Trailer, English language tracks, widescreen.
Undisputed III: Redemption
(2010)
Directed by Isaac Florentine
Starring Scott Adkins, Mykel Shannon Jenkins, Mark Ivanir, Hristo Shopov, Marko Zaror
Warner//Rated R//Action//96 minutes
Available on: DVD and Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack
Eight incarcerated brawlers fight to win their freedom in matches
funded by a powerful gambling ring. Fighting to the death, Boyka (Scott Atkins)
works his way through the ranks, squaring off against increasingly tough
opponents. After he discovers that no one is getting out alive, Boyka seeks a
means of taking down the crooked syndicate. DVD features: English language
tracks, Spanish or French Canadian subtitles, widescreen. Blu-Ray Combo Pack features:
Feature film on both Blu-Ray and DVD, Digital Copy on Disc.
Bare Knuckles
(2009)
Directed by Eric "Kaos" Etebari
Starring Jeanette Roxborough, Chris Mulkey, Martin Kove, Louis Mandylor, Miranda Kwok, Joanne Baron
Available on: DVD
Image//Rated PG-13//Action//95 minutes
Girl fighting goes extreme in this film exploring illegal,
bare-knuckle fighting. Samantha Rogers (Roxborough) is a cocktail waitress
drawn into the ring by down-and-out fight promoter Sonny Cool (Kove).
Samantha's pugilistic efforts earn money she needs to provide a better life for
her young daughter, but Samantha knows it's a matter of time until her luck
runs out. Winner at the Downbeach Film Festival for Best Picture and Best
Actress for Jeanette Roxborough. DVD features: Behind the Ropes featurette,
"American Girl" Music video, English language tracks, Spanish
subtitles, widescreen.
Ghost Hunters International: Season 1, Part 1
(2008)
Starring Dustin Pari, Robb Demarest, Barry FitzGerald, Brandy Green
Image//Not Rated//Reality TV//481 minutes
Available on: DVD
Four paranormal investigators search for evidence of the ghosts
overseas. This set, from a SyFy Channel series, collects 11 episodes that
explore Medieval ruins, Castles, Victorian mansions and Dungeons fabled for
their supernatural activities in Great Britain,
Germany and New Zealand.
3-Disc DVD features: deleted scenes, English language tracks.
Killer Swarm
(2008)
Directed by Michael Karen
Starring Janin Reinhardt, Stephan Luca, Paula Schramm, Sonja Kirchberger
Maverick//Not Rated//Horror//90 minutes
Available on: DVD
A German flick originally entitled Killer Bees,"this 2008 film gets an English dub for its U.S. release.
When a swarm of aggressive, highly venomous black bees attacks a densely
populated city, the race is on to develop an antidote that will stave off mass
casualties. No special DVD features.
Small Town Saturday Night
DVD
(2007)
Directed by Ryan Craig
Starring Chris Pine, Bre Blair, Perry Anzilotti, Seth Ayott, Reggie Bannister, Brent Briscoe
Lionsgate//Rated R//Drama//94 minutes
Available on: DVD
Aspiring country singer/songwriter Rhett (Pine), is torn between
the small town life preferred by his girlfriend Samantha (Blair) and pursing a
music career in Nashville.
This first effort from writer/director Ryan Craig finds the lovebirds grappling
with issues having consequences for both themselves and their families. DVD
features: Trailer gallery, English language tracks, Spanish subtitles,
widescreen.
The Complete Musketeers (1974 - 1975)
Directed by Richard Lester
Starring Oliver Reed, Michael York, Raquel Welch, Richard Chamberlain, Charlton Heston, Christopher Lee, Faye Dunaway
Lionsgate//Rated PG//Comedy//214 minutes
Available on: DVD
D'Artagnan arrives in Paris determined to become a king's musketeer. He encounters three men who join him as friends and allies. Soon the foursome is humorously entangled in court intrigues, and is compelled to take on the dastardly Cardinal Richelieu. In England they attempt to prevent a scandal involving the Duke of Buckingham, diamond studs and the Queen of France. The tongue-in-cheek comedy extended over two films: "The Three Musketeers" and "The Four Musketeers." DVD Multipack features: Saga of the Musketeers: part 1 and part 2, Making-of featurette, Theatrical trailers, TV spots, English language tracks, widescreen.
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