DVD/VIDEO REVIEWS week of April 27, 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.
Bride Wars
Amiable if predictable romantic bauble about longtime devoted pals (Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway, both in good comic form), who have dreamt since childhood of June weddings at New York's Plaza Hotel, but then, as adults, have a falling-out just before their much-anticipated nuptials there, after which each sets out to sabotage the other. With the significant moral reservation that both gals are shown to be cohabiting with their fiances, director Gary Winick's fitfully amusing "chick flick" otherwise has no significant sex or language issues, and there are, at least, some worthy if pat messages of lasting friendship and sensible priorities. Premarital situations and some mildly suggestive dancing. Spanish language and titles options. A-III -- adults. (PG) (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray) 2009
Hotel for Dogs
Wholesomely enjoyable canine caper in which an orphaned brother and sister (Jake T. Austin and Emma Roberts) shelter their dog, along with a motley group of strays, in an abandoned hotel, outwitting their neglectful foster parents (Lisa Kudrow and Kevin Dillon) and causing complications for their genuinely caring social worker (Don Cheadle). Director Thor Freudenthal's cuddly adaptation of Lois Duncan's 1971 children's book, his feature debut, sees the affectionate siblings working together and with friends to care for their expanding pack and improvising a part-human, part-animal surrogate family. A couple of crass words. Spanish language and titles options. A-I -- general patronage. (PG) (Paramount Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray) 2009
Jetsons: The Movie
Feature-length cartoon based on the popular television series about a space-age family follows George Jetson into outer space where Mr. Spacely's sprocket factory is under siege by little creatures bent on sabotage. The producer-director team of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera sustain the upbeat personalities of the gadget-crazy Jetsons but fail to mesh two opposing animation styles -- the characteristically flat Jetsons look alongside the more dimensional, computerized animation. Musical interludes sung by teen pop stars Tiffany and Shane serve only as forgettable fillers. Spanish titles option. A-I -- general patronage. (G) (Universal Studios Home Video) 1990
Stranded: I've Come From a Plane That Crashed on the Mountains
Unsettling but ultimately moving documentary recounting the ordeal of 16 Uruguayan rugby players who survived a 1972 air crash in the Andes Mountains, their harrowing 10-week struggle against the elements and their resort to cannibalism as the only alternative to starvation. Director Gonzalo Arijon uses interviews with the survivors, archival footage and re-enactments to evoke the group's desperate heroism and profound spirit of unity and to explore the moral and religious implications of their experience. In Spanish. Subtitles. Mature themes, one use of the F-word and a few crass expressions. A-II-- adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America. (Zeitgeist Films Ltd.) 2008
Streisand: The Concerts
Comprehensive, nicely packaged boxed set of singer-actress-director Barbra Streisand's 1994 return to the concert stage, captured live at Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, Calif.; her third and most recent worldwide concert tour in 2006, filmed in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and featuring the male singing group Il Divo; and the 1985 HBO documentary special charting the making of her well-received "Broadway Album." The three discs feature some of the best examples of the American Songbook, and demonstrate not only the lady's good taste but also her remarkable vocal consistency over the decades. This is one performer who has not abused her God-given talent, and has kept her unique instrument in amazingly supple shape, even in her seventh decade. And despite her well-publicized qualms about performing live, Streisand seems utterly at ease, bringing extraordinary intimacy to these vast arenas. The two concerts are fluidly shot with copious audience shots of both celebrities and ordinary folk, all obviously deeply touched by the singer and her material. Bonus features on the three discs include several extra songs from the 2006 concert from Streisand and Il Divo, behind-the-scenes material and choice selections from her five early CBS-TV specials, including her magical version of "Silent Night" from "A Happening in Central Park." (Hip-O/Universal Music Enterprises; also available on Blu-ray) 1985-2006
The Uninvited
Restrained psychological thriller in which a mentally unstable teen girl (Emily Browning) and her sister (Arielle Kebbel) suspect their late mother's nurse (Elizabeth Banks) of murdering Mom to marry their father (David Strathairn). Directors Charles and Thomas Guard's mostly gore-free adaptation of a 2003 Korean film inspires a few chills the old-fashioned way, but its twisting plot is somewhat predictable. Brief nongraphic sexual activity, adultery, cohabitation, moderate violence, underage drinking, sexual and contraceptive references, occasional crass language and a few uses of profanity. Spanish titles option.
A-III -- adults. (PG-13) (Paramount Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray)
2009