DVD/VIDEO REVIEWS week of April 6, 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.

Doubt

 Engrossing drama set in 1964 at a Bronx parochial grammar school where the nun (Meryl Streep) who serves as principal suspects a popular priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman) of impropriety with a 12-year-old black student, and together with a young teacher (Amy Adams), sets out to confront him. Writer-director John Patrick Shanley has successfully adapted his Pulitzer Prize-winning stage hit, deftly recreating the Catholic milieu of the era, with outstanding performances, including that of Viola Davis as the distraught mother of the putative victim. Though sexual abuse is part of the story, it is the balance of doubt and certainty in society at large that forms the principal thematic subtext. Discreetly handled sexual abuse theme. The well-produced DVD includes thoughtful and informative feature commentary by Shanley; and excellent features on the genesis of the story and its road from stage to screen, the scoring  of the film, the Sisters of Charity, and how the actors approached their roles. Spanish titles option. A-III --adults. (PG-13) (Miramax Films/Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray) 2008

Faith Like Potatoes

Earnest, though somewhat heavy-handed fact-based conversion story about an anger-prone white South African farmer (Frank Rautenbach) whose embrace of Evangelical Christianity transforms his relationship with his wife (Jeanne Wilhelm) and turns him from a materialistic workaholic to a dedicated preacher. While frequently impressive visuals sometimes outstrip the uneven acting in director Regardt van den Bergh’s adaptation of Angus Buchan’s autobiographical novel of the same title – that also features Hamilton Dhalmini as the planter’s Zulu foreman and close friend – the drama, which sees its admirable protagonist founding an orphanage, working for interracial reconciliation and grappling with personal crises, is undeniably edifying. A graphic accident scene. Added features on the widescreen DVD include an hour-long documentary about Buchan, a making-of featurette and director and cast commentary. Spanish titles option. A-II -- adults and adolescents. (PG) (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) 2006

Marley & Me (3-Disc Bad Dog Edition)

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. The Blu-ray DVD includes deleted scenes, multiple featurettes, a gag reel, a standard DVD, and a digital copy. Spanish language and titles options. A-II -- adults and adolescents. (PG)(Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment) 2008

No Country for Old Men (3-Disc Collector’s Edition)

Spellbinding, richly detailed thriller based on Cormac McCarthy's 2003 novel set in the Texas borderlands as a cold-blooded, psychopathic killer (Javier Bardem) ruthlessly pursues a welder (Josh Brolin) who's taken a suitcase of loot after stumbling across a brutal drug slaying, while a philosophical small-town sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones) pursues them both hoping to avert tragedy. Co-directors and writers Joel and Ethan Coen create an atmosphere of almost unbearably quiet tension, with powerful performances by a masterful cast (including Woody Harrelson and Kelly MacDonald), underscored by themes of the struggle between good and evil, the changing ethos of the West, temptation, honor and sacrifice. Strong violence and multiple killings with blood, occasional rough language and profanity, and brief partial nudity. The lavish DVD set includes a digital copy, a making-of documentary, and bountiful additional feature material including an amusing tongue-in-cheek behind-the-scenes piece by Brolin; a Q&A with the Coens and the crew; a “Charlie Rose” interview with the Coens, Brolin, and Bardem; and much more. Spanish language and titles options. A-III --adults.  (R) (Miramax Films/Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray) 2007

The Tale of Despereaux

 Charming animated adventure story about a chivalrous mouse (voice of Matthew Broderick) who is banished to a rat-filled tunnel for fearlessly befriending a distressed human princess (voice of Emma Watson), contrary to the timid customs of his society, and gains the protection of a globe-trotting rat (voice of Dustin Hoffman) with gourmet tastes, who also dreams of derring-do. Though somewhat overloaded with multiple plotlines, co-directors Sam Fell and Rob Stevenhagen's painterly adaptation of Kate DiCamillo's 2003 best-selling, Newbery Medal-winning children's novel is delightfully innocent and idealistic as it celebrates its hero's sense of honor and love of reading and charts his companion's discovery of the power of forgiveness. The DVD includes a whimsical making-of featurette; “Top Ten Uses for Oversized Ears”; games; and other interactive features. Spanish language and titles option. A-I -- general patronage. (G) (Universal Studios Home Video; also available on Blu-ray with many more bonus features) 2008

 Yes Man (2-Disc Special Edition)

Fitfully funny comedy in which a bored bank employee (Jim Carrey) attends a seminar run by a self-help guru (a comically intimidating Terence Stamp) and vows to say yes to every invitation or suggestion, leading to romance with a quirky singer (Zooey Deschanel), a renewed relationship with his best friend (Bradley Cooper) and greater respect from his nerdy boss (Rhys Darby, spot-on). Principally a vehicle for Carrey's facial and physical antics, director Peyton Reed's adaptation of Danny Wallace's best-selling memoir salutes openness to life and adventure and satirizes superstition, but also features considerable sexual humor, including a distasteful subplot involving Carrey's elderly but randy neighbor (Fionnula Flanagan). Nongrapic, nonmarital sexual activity, brief rear nudity, some sexual humor, one use of the F-word, much crude language and a few profanities. The DVD includes features on Carrey’s shenanigans on the set; the stunts; a gag reel; music videos, and a digital copy on the second disc. Spanish language and titles options. A-III --adults. (PG-13) (Warner Home Video; also available on Blu-ray with extra features) 2008