“HANNAH MONTANA: ONE IN A MILLION”
Full-screen, 2007, TV G
Best extra: ‘The Top 10 Disney Channel Character Feuds’
MILEY CYRUS, AKA HANNAH Montana, is living the life. Not only are her concerts selling out at record ticket rates, but also she’s coming to the big screen in 3-D this weekend in a Disney concert. These Disney DVD releases seem to just be icing on the cake for the teen megastar.
The latest is no exception, “Hannah Montana: One in a Million.” It features four of the pop diva’s outrageous shows from her Disney Channel sitcom.
They include an episode with The Jonas Brothers, one with Dolly Parton and Vicki Lawrence, and one with smokin’ Heather Locklear.
Each deals with friendship, miscommunication, jealousy and making up.
Bonuses include, of course, two Hannah videos, “True Friend” and “One In A Million” (both low-key for the energetic teen), plus a bonus episode of “That’s So Raven,” featuring Raven’s “Cheetah Girls” pal, Adrienne Bailon.
The one extra of substance, and that’s not saying much, is hosted by Jason Earles, who plays Miley’s brother, Jackson Stewart, on the show. He talks about the top 10 character feuds from the Disney Channel. Do these characters ever become friends again? Find out.
— Toni Guagenti
“THE INVASION”
HD and standard-def widescreen, 2007, rated PG-13 for violence and disturbing images
Best extra: "We've Been Snatched Before" a 20-minute documentary taped in hi-def for the Blu-ray version.
THE QUESTION THAT COMES to mind at the prospect of yet another remake of "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers" is: Why?
The 1950s-era classic original, despite its McCarthyite overtones, was a masterpiece of creepy suspense. The 1978 remake, with Donald Sutherland, was even more terrifying thanks to its creative special effects, group of appealing characters. This latest, starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, has few new twists, except its setting in Washington, D.C. Nothing about the film is more powerful than the first two and its characters are more formulaic and less sympathetic.
The HD picture is rock solid, with plenty of detail. It out-performs the standard DVD, but its soundtrack is unimpressive, especially for a sci-fi adventure.
Several brief extras are more like promos available in HD, but the one lengthy one contains thought-provoking interviews with writers and scientists about the nature of epidemics, pandemics, and fear: "The last real predator for humans," quips one of the Ph.D.s, are microbes." — Peggy Earle
“EL CID”
Enhanced widescreen, 1961, unrated, contains action violence
Best extra: A documentary, “Samuel Bronston: The Epic Journey of A Dreamer,” reveals the background of a entrepreneur/hustler who built a studio in Spain, worked with a galaxy of international stars and was the creative force behind epic films “King of Kings,” “Fall of the Roman Empire,” “John Paul Jones” and “Circus World.” He may have died penniless, but it was an incredible ride.
IT HAS TAKEN YEARS to get “El Cid” on DVD. Now that it’s here, Weinstein Co. has pulled out all the stops with re-mastered two-disc deluxe and collector’s editions. Each offers hours of extras, including commentary from Bronston’s son, Bill, and historian Neal M. Rosendorf, vintage radio interviews with stars Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren, a making-of documentary and feature on composer Miklós Rózsa. The Collector’s Edition also includes miniature lobby cards, a reprint of the Dell Movie Classic comic, and a full-color 40-page booklet.
Like the film, these features are intelligent and engaging. There is plenty of name-dropping background. Heston and Loren warred with each other throughout filming. The actor admits he was “hard” on his leading ladies and should have been kinder. Loren, one of the first million-dollar leading ladies, was responsible for getting writer Ben Barzman (“The Boy With Green Hair,” “Give Us This Day”) in to improve the script everyone said was a disaster.
Still, producer Bronston came up with and delivered a film about Spain’s national hero. Rodrigo de Bivar, the son of a Castilian noble, was named “El Seid” or “The Lord/Leader” by enemy Moors, to whom he had shown mercy and later formed an alliance. It wasn’t a popular move and his ethics made him a pawn in political and bloody machinations. No matter. El Cid’s heart remained pure, leading to a remarkable feat at the Battle of Valencia and one of the most spectacular climaxes seen on film.
On the negative side, there are no actual Hispanics, Moors or Muslims playing lead roles in “El Cid.” However, the movie was filmed in Spain where 1,700 troops of the Spanish army, 500 cavalry and all able-bodied men in the area participated in the battle scenes. — Kay Reynolds
“DADDY DAY CAMP”
HD and enhanced widescreen, 2007, PG for mild bodily humor and language
Best extra: “How I Spent My Summer Making Daddy Day Camp” interviews the child actors. Some are natural and kid-like, others sound like tiny adults. Unnerving.
BACK IN 2003, “Daddy Day Care,” starring Eddie Murphy, Jeff Garlin and Steve Zahn was released. Yes, the humor was broad but it was funny and made money – hence the sequel, “Daddy Day Camp” starring Cuba Gooding Jr.
Some sequels are good. Some are not and this is one of them. The problem? If you’re over the age of 5, it’s just not funny. Think of a drawn out sit-com about silly men and smart kids. You have seen these set ups before, from the exploding plumbing to the harmless hollow tree filled with bees. Three dads bumble about trying to save a run down summer camp while a smug, business savvy dad and his equally smug son try to take over the land to expand their domain.
Not even Blu-ray can save this. Visuals are as uninspired as the plot. As for sound – if screaming kids is your idea of fun, have at it.
— Kay Reynolds
“PIONEERS OF TELEVISION: LATE NIGHT SITCOMS, GAME SHOWS AND VARIETY”
Enhanced widescreen, 2008, not rated Best extra: Phyllis Diller giving a blow-by-blow account of her first ever appearance on TV (check out the eye-brows). We'll say nothing else except that if the Hammer Studios had managed to sign her first, America would be out one comedienne and Christopher Lee would have had a steady girl friend in his movies.
WE KNOW LENO AND LETTERMAN, Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon, but how about Gary Moore and Durwood Kirby? Arthur Godfrey and Julius LaRosa? How did Vanna White get her job? What exactly could you get away with on "The Ed Sullivan Show"? (Here's a hint: Not much.)
"Pioneers of Television" covers the stories of the individuals who nursed the new medium from its infancy to the entertainment force it is today. Unfortunately, the narrative tone is a little like a eulogy, but when the series lets its principals talk about themselves and each other the show really shines. Anyone interested in the history of television will find this an entertaining and valuable item.
Extras include extended interviews with Diller, Tim Conway, Florence Henderson and others. One disc, four episodes.
— Mike Reynolds
“ROCKET SCIENCE”
Enhanced widescreen, 2006, R for some sexual content and language
Best extra: “The Making Of ‘Rocket Science’” with writer/director Jeffrey Blitz
IF YOU WANT TO be transported back to high school with all its ups and downs, depressions and elations, than HBO Films’ “Rocket Science” is for you. It’s also a winner for anyone who enjoys a smart movie with talented young actors, such as Reece Daniel Thompson (Hal Hefner), Anna Kendrick (Ginny Ryerson), Vincent Piazza (Earl Hefner) or Nicholas D’Agosto (Ben Wekselbaum).
After stuttering teen Hal is recruited for the high school debate team by fast-talking, ambitious Ginny, the world seems so clear, so simple. But, like real life, it’s not meant to be. Follow Hal as he tries to make sense of it all in this film by Blitz, the award-winning director of “Spellbound.”
Extras are sadly limited to a 12-minute making-of with Blitz and several of the movie’s actors, including Thompson, Kendrick and D’Agosto. Blitz explains the similarities between the Hal’s life and his own, but, contrary to popular belief, it’s limited. The DVD also includes a music video, “I Love the Unknown” with Clem Snide – written by Eef Barzelay.
I would have liked to have heard more about the music choices (Violent Femmes tunes fit in perfectly with the theme), filming locations and more from the actors themselves; alas, the movie must – and does - stand on its own.
— Toni Guagenti
“TWITCHES TOO: DOUBLE CHARMED EDITION”
Full-screen, 2007, TV PG Best extra: ‘Twitched: A Look Behind the Magic’
TIA AND TAMERA Mowry are fabulously fun and talented actresses, but if the material’s not right, well, it takes away from their magic. “Twitches Too,” a sequel to 2005’s Disney Channel “Twitches,” came and went without much fanfare for good reason.
The story continues where the last one left off, these royal witches separated at birth, adjust to life after finding out the truth about their lives, and after defeating the darkness and saving their birth kingdom, Conventry.
In “Too,” the darkness returns, or is it really Alex and Camryn’s long-lost father trying to communicate with them from the Shadowlands. Regardless, the ladies need to sort out their differences, come together, combine their magic and fight evil.
The bonuses include an alternate scene and a look behind the show – basically a joke about the twins being actual witches and how hard it was to find twins who have magical powers to play the roles. Everyone plays along, including director Stuart Gillard. — Toni Guagenti
“MONTY PYTHON’S LIFE OF BRIAN: THE IMMACULATE EDITION”
HD Widescreen, 1979, R for nudity and language Best extra: "The Story of Brian" is a new, hour long documentary about the making of the film. Features new interviews with the surviving members of Monty Python and a slew of behind-the-scenes footage.
MONTY PYTHON’S "Life of Brian," like Scorsese's "The Last Temptation of Christ" after it, was plagued with controversy upon its release and attacked by Christians and Catholics, who missed its true message (probably because they didn't see it). The film has survived and is a classic of sorts, telling the story of Brian, born in the stable next to Jesus, who grows up to be mistaken for the Messiah. The film pokes no fun at the Christian faith, it just has fun with fanaticism in general.
"Brian" comes with a new 1080p transfer that is the best I've ever seen the film look (there have been many DVD releases over the years). Detail and contrast are exceptional throughout though there does seem to be some minor edge enhancement and artifacts during dark scenes. All in all though, this is a tremendous step up from previous versions. The TrueHD track is far less impressive, which has more to do with the original mix than anything else. Everything sounds flat and lackluster and I had to turn to subtitles every now and then to catch everything that was being said.
This Blu-ray release coincides with a standard DVD containing the same bonus features which includes two audio commentaries (Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, John Cleese, Michael Palin), an audio recording of one of the early table reads accompanied by storyboards, deleted scenes, radio spots, photo gallery, and trailers. There are no Blu-ray exclusive features.
— Josh Boone
“THE NAKED PREY”
Enhanced wide-screen, 1966, unrated, violence and nudity
Best extra: A commentary with film scholar Stephen Prince
“THIS SPORTING LIFE”
Full-screen, 1963, unrated, language, violence, brief nudity
Best extra: A commentary with editor Paul Ryan and author David Storey
ONE IS ABOUT A safari guide who, stripped and defenseless, is hunted through the African bush by his captors. The other follows a self-defeating rugby player trying to escape the coal mines in the north of England.
In many ways, however, Cornel Wilde’s “The Naked Prey” and Lindsay Anderson’s “This Sporting Life” are similar.
Despite their disparate settings, both deal with savagery. In “Prey,” the guide, identified as Man (played by director Wilde), turns to savagery as he witnesses it around him. “Sporting Life’s” Frank Machin – Richard Harris in a force-of-nature performance – lashes out at his dismal lot in life. In an accompanying essay, author/scholar Neil Sinyard calls the film a “clenched fist of a movie.”
Maverick techniques also distinguish each film. Wilde almost exclusively employed a wide-screen camera, even for the close-ups. Anderson’s unorthodox flashbacks confounded critics at the time. Wilde, who played glamorous leading men early in his career, had directed some films before “Prey,” but it was his first in a trilogy about survival. Anderson (“If ... ,” “O Lucky Man!”) started out in theater and made lauded documentaries before making his feature debut with “Sporting Life.”
The chief similarity, though, may be that Wilde and Anderson don’t sugarcoat their narratives. It’s all there – in your face. Included in “Sporting Life’s” accompanying booklet is a 1963 article by Anderson, a champion of England’s Free Cinema movement (it was the equivalent of the French New Wave). “It is dreadful to be asked what a film is about,” he writes. “The film is what it is about.”
Viewers surely will appreciate that both Criterion titles come with insightful commentaries. Film scholar Stephen Prince does the honors for “Prey.” Among his many telling points are that it was shot in South Africa at the height of apartheid and that its arrival in the United States during the civil rights and black power movements had far-reaching resonance.
Paul Ryan, a friend of Anderson’s who edited “Never Apologise: The Collected Writings of Lindsay Anderson,” offers invaluable insights on the “Sporting Life” track. Joining him is author David Storey, who wrote the novel on which the movie is based. As a young man, he played rugby to escape the coal mines, and his recollections about the book’s genesis and his own path from the playing field to published author are wonderful.
— Craig Shapiro
“CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM: THE COMPLETE SIXTH SEASON”
Full-screen, 2007, rated TV-MA for language and adult situations
Best extra: "Conversation with Larry David and Susie Essman"
FANS WON’T BE disappointed by these hilariously over-the-top ten episodes, in the course of which Larry and Cheryl take in a black family made homeless in a hurricane. A late arrival is Leon (J.B. Smoove), another member of the Black (yes, that's their name) family who lives in L.A., but decides he'd rather live in the Davids' luxurious home. Larry typically offends and enrages just about everybody, from a deaf dog-lover to a grieving friend to the matriarch of the Blacks. Extras include a gag reel and behind-the-scenes feature, but the on-stage interview by David's co-star and long-time friend Essman is the most informative. David explains that he doesn't give outlines of the plot to every cast member because he doesn't want to spoil the spontaneity of the all ad-lib show.
— Peggy Earle
“4 BY AGNES VARDA”
Enhanced widescreen and full-screen, 1954,1961,1964,1985, unrated but several of the films have adult themes and nudity
Best extra: A 1988 short film by Varda about the Cote d'Azur.
THIS 4-DISC BOX set is an embarrassment of riches for any film buff – but a dream come true for Varda fans. Not only does it contain beautifully restored versions of her films, "La Pointe Courte," "Cleo From 5 to 7," "La Bonheur," and "Vagabond," but each disk has several terrific extras, most of which are directed or produced by Varda. Her 1958 documentary on the Cote d'Azur is charming, innovative and delightful – which is also an apt description of Varda. Also included is a booklet containing essays on each of her four films. Nicknamed the "grandmother of the New Wave," though she was only in her 20s when she made "La Pointe Courte," Varda combined the documentary style of the Italian neorealists with a more modern and avant-garde sensibility. The subjects of these films range from a pop singer waiting in real time for the potentially devastating results of a medical test; a man with an apparently perfect family who initiates an affair; and the short life of a freedom-loving, homeless teenage girl.
— Peggy Earle
“JAG: THE FIFTH SEASON”
Full-screen, 1999-2000, not rated
Best extra: Gag reel
DONALD P. BELLISARIO must be in the middle of a creative mood, as compared to revisiting his successes. For the second season in a row, he has ignored the opportunity to put any commentaries on "JAG" DVDs, a departure from what the first three seasons included. The viewers definitely get shortchanged as the only extra on this set is a gag reel, something that really works well for comedies, not dramas.' But, alas, fans will see that Harmon Rabb (David James Elliott) doesn't depart the series, though there was some hint of that at the end of the fourth season. Rather, he spends a couple of episodes reliving his dream to return to flying jets. He's just too old to make it as a fighter ace, though, and after a few episodes, he discovers his heart belongs to JAG, but not to Mac (Catherine Bell), who has taken to Mic Brumby (Trevor Goddard), the visiting Aussie. Adm. Chegwidden (John M. Jackson) faces story lines of his own as he finds romance and gets nominated for a federal judgeship -- only to learn that politics comes first and JAG is where he, too, belongs. Episodes include ones that revolve around a stolen sub and a hijacked plane, a breach of rules of engagement, and -- in a story line that has recently been in the real news -- a case where someone is wearing medals he didn't earn.
“BLUE MURDER: SET 2”
Full-screen, 2006, unrated but not for children
Best extra: Text interview with Caroline Quentin.
THIS REFRESHING BRITISH TV series features a Manchester police detective named Janine Lewis. What makes her unlike any American T.V. heroine is that she looks like an ordinary person – sort of attractive and quite overweight. She is also separated from her husband and struggling to raise four children while she tries to solve murders. Quentin stars as Lewis, and she is utterly likeable, in all her flawed honesty. In the text interview, she mentions how important the elements of humor are in the scripts: "Drama without comedy isn't like life."
— Peggy Earle
“LOONEY TUNES GOLDEN COLLECTION: VOLUME FIVE”
Full-screen, various years, not rated
Best extra: “Drawn to Life: The Art of Robert McKimson,” a look at the overlooked, and underappreciated Warner Brothers animator and director.
FOR VOLUME FIVE, this series follows its scatter-shot approach to chronicling Warner Bros. cartoon history. Rather than following any kind of logic, the four discs group cartoons by subject matter. So disc two is dubbed “Fun-Filled Fairy Tales” and features three variations on Red Riding Hood, but fails to include one of the funniest variations, one directed by Friz Freleng in the early ’40s.
The line-up of the collection ensures that while certain cartoons are mentioned in the special feature segments, you won’t have a chance to watch them on this collection. Still, there are any number of gems here, some seen endlessly on television (do I have to watch “The Old Grey Hare” again?), others never seen (“Bacall To Arms”). This collection includes a couple Private Snafu cartoons, created by the Frank Capra, Theodore Geisel and the Warner Bros. animation department. But rather than show a whole collection, it pulls out one or two. Are we to wait to the next collection to see more? This series would benefit from the chronological approach used by Disney. — Larry Printz
“SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: TO LOVE A PATTY”
Full-screen, 2007, not rated
Best extra: "Original Animatic: ‘To Love a Patty’"
IF IT’S YOUR QUEST to own each and every "SpongeBob SquarePants" episode made for Nickelodeon, here’s a chance to get another seven episodes on one disc, starting with "To Love a Patty," when SpongeBob falls for one of his own, handmade krabby patties. She’s lovely for only so long before she starts to rot.
SpongeBob and his sidekicks, Mr. Krabs, Plankton, Squidward, Sandy, Gary and Patrick, never get old, and these episodes are no exception, including "A Flea in Her Dome," "Mermaidman vs. SpongeBob" and "Blackened Sponge."
Extras are not typically the main fare on these DVDs, so don’t be disheartened when you only get a karaoke music video to a SpongeBob tune and the original drawings of "To Love a Patty" put up simultaneously in split-screen with the finished cartoon version.
Aye, aye matey!
— Toni Guagenti
“LAKE PLACID 2: UNRATED”
Enhanced widescreen, 2007, unrated but contains scenes of violence, gore, nudity, crude humor and language
Best extra: There are three but none could be called “best.”
HOW DO YOU make a spoof of a spoof? The original “Lake Placid,” starring Bill Pullman, Bridget Fonda, Oliver Platt, Brendan Gleeson and Betty White was a hoot. It is without a doubt the best people-eating alligator movie ever made. The ending even leads us to think there might be a sequel.
Be careful what you wish for, fans, and let’s hope “Lake Placid 2” is just a bad, bad dream. There’s nothing but bad script, bad direction, bad effects and bad acting to be found in this made-for-TV movie. Avoid it at all possible costs.
— Kay Reynolds
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