DVD/VIDEO REVIEWS week of March 30, 2009
This week's DVD and Blu-ray releases
The following are capsule reviews of new and recent DVD and Blu-ray releases from the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Theatrical movies have a USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification and Motion Picture Association of America rating. These classifications refer only to the theatrical version of the films below, and do not take into account the discs' extra content.
Bedtime for Frances
Classy DVD and award-winning book combination featuring Frances, author Russell Hoban's irrepressible preschool badger, her sister Gloria and her warmly nurturing parents. This three-part, 45-minute Jim Henson Co. production uses computer-generated animation to explore common childhood challenges like sibling rivalry, truth-telling in difficult circumstances and bedtime fears. Along with some cleverly interwoven lessons about numbers and the alphabet, Frances -- who loves singing and dancing -- also offers the targeted audience of 2- to 5-year-olds an introduction to some standard pieces of classical music, such as Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," here transformed into a song about cupcakes. Additional items on the full-screen DVD include a 50-page read-along book, a gallery with profiles of the characters and a 15-minute episode of the slightly saccharine "Fifi and the Flowertots," devoted, oddly enough, to a basic explanation of golf. (Lionsgate/Hit Entertainment) 2009
Marley & Me
Heartwarming, often rambling, but consistently likable true story about a journalist couple (Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston) in West Palm Beach, Fla., who adopt an unruly Labrador whose companionship sees them through the joys and vicissitudes of family life. Director David Frankel's adaptation of John Grogan's best-seller is deceptively plotless, but the leads are most engaging, the affirmation of marriage and parenthood strongly positive, actions always motivated by compassion and decency, and there's a bittersweet ending that will speak powerfully to anyone who's ever had a deep emotional connection to a pet. A few crass words and expressions, brief mild innuendo and sexual references. A-II -- adults and adolescents. (PG) (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray) 2008
Seven Pounds
Far-fetched and overlong drama about a guilt-ridden loner (Will Smith) intent on atoning for a terrible sin by giving life-altering assistance to seven needy strangers, including a blind pianist (Woody Harrelson), a Latina mother (Elpidia Carrillo) being physically abused by her boyfriend, and an artistic printer (Rosario Dawson) suffering from heart disease, for whom he falls. Director Gabriele Muccino's snail's-pace exploration of altruistic and romantic love includes the endorsement of an unwise and sinful choice driven by confused idealism, and requires careful interpretation by mature viewers. Suicide theme, nongraphic premarital sexual activity, a few sexual references, occasional crude and crass language, and a couple of uses of profanity. Spanish language and titles options. L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. (PG-13) (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray) 2008
Slumdog Millionaire
Vibrant drama in which a Mumbai, India, slum dweller (Dev Patel), suspected of cheating on a television quiz show, explains to a police inspector (Irrfan Khan) how his life experiences growing up with his brother (Madhur Mittal) and his loving pursuit of a childhood friend (Freida Pinto) enabled him to answer the acerbic program host's (Anil Kapoor) questions. Director Danny Boyle's sweeping panorama of Third World life, adapted from Vikas Swarup's novel, "Q & A," though harrowing at times, is ultimately hopeful, stressing the dignity of the underprivileged and the primacy of spiritual over material values. Beating and torture, fleeting rear nudity, crime and prostitution themes, underage drinking, brief scatological humor, and occasional rough and crude language. A-III -- adults. (R) (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray) 2008
Tell No One ("Ne Le Dis a Personne")
Absorbing mystery thriller about a pediatrician (Francois Cluzet) under renewed suspicion for the death of his wife (Marie-Josee Croze) eight years earlier, now on the run both from the police and some brutish thugs, while he tries to clear his name. Director Guillaume Canet has skillfully adapted American Harlan Coben's novel, with superlative performances from a cast that includes Andre Dussollier, Kristin Scott Thomas, Nathalie Baye and Jean Rochefort, though some episodes of violence and thematic material may not be to all tastes. In French, with subtitles. Brief but brutal violence, some grisly images, murder, suicide, torture, fleeting distant and shadowy nudity, a brief nongraphic sexual encounter, a lesbian relationship, drug use and rough language. L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America. (MPI Home Video; also available on Blu-ray) 2008
Thomas & Friends: High Speed Adventures
Six new animated children's stories set on the imaginary Island of Sodor where Thomas the Tank Engine and his many locomotive friends learn important life lessons -- not showing off or jumping to conclusions, helping others comes ahead of play -- as they carry out their work under the direction of railroad official Sir Topham Hatt. The title notwithstanding, calm generally reigns in these cheery and appealing tales, based on the popular book series -- the first published in 1945 -- begun by British author the Rev. W.V. Awdrey and later continued by his son, Christopher. Each seven-minute yarn emphasizes teamwork and communicates the moral that we should do our best to make amends for past mistakes. Excellent entertainment for youngsters. The full-screen DVD features an interactive game, a 25-page read-along book, and a 10-minute episode of "Roary the Racing Car." Spanish language option. (Lionsgate/Hit Entertainment)
2009