DVD Reviews

Batman: Gotham Knight 2-Disc Collectors Edition
There is probably no character in the history of comic books, and specifically comics adapted to other mediums, as open to individual interpretation as Batman. Dont belive me? Just think of the different versions of Batman that have been committed to film: Adam Wests sillier, multicolored version; Tim Burtons Gothic hero, flawed as much as his rogues gallery; Joel Shumachers nipply super-hero

The Spiderwick Chronicles - 2 Disc Field Guide Edition
For years the blending of the mundane contemporary world with a magical world of mystery has been dominated by the IHarry Potteri books, movies, underoos, and breakfast cereal. What about those of us who werent born to be wizards, but instead are stuck in the ordinary world? IThe Spiderwick Chroniclesi shows that we too can enjoy a magical, extraordinary world around us

My Blueberry Nights
Since the film becomes about the people Elizabeth meets, these people have to be interesting. Everyone is on their A game here including Jude Law who initially seems absurd as a lovelorn cafe owner in NYC. Once that shock is over, Law is more genuinely likable and charming than he has ever been before. David Strathairn has long been one of our best actors and he clearly relished the opportunity to play a cop who is one kind of person during the day and another after drinking at night.

Drillbit Taylor: Extended Survival Edition Blu-ray
In a nutshell, iDrillbit Taylori bears tons of similarities to the Judd Apatow-produced success comedy iSuperbadi, which Rogen also co-wrote. While the latter focuses on a couple of high school seniors struggling to buy booze and get laid, the former tells the story of a couple of high school freshmen struggling to get rid of the bullies. Interestingly enough, even the central characters and the actors portraying them seem strikingly familiar.

Vantage Point Blu-ray
The characters, with the possible exception of Quaids just-back-on-duty agent who took a bullet for the President the year before are not well defined and their motivations are murky at best. The terrorists who carry out the mayhem dont have defined goals so judging their actions is not possible. Director Pete Travis and screenwriter Barry Levy seem to recognize this and let the ending devolve into a series of chases and confrontations with the rewinding plot device tossed aside.

In Bruges
Ray Farrell and Ken Gleeson are two hitmen who just completed a difficult job where Ray accidentally kills a child. Their boss, Harry Fiennes, a family man who happens to be in the business of killing people, is not happy with the results of the hit, so he holes them up in Bruges, Belgium - which could be the last destination for one of the men. BRBR

City of Men
While the filmmakers noted that they wanted to show the impact of the drug gangs on the regular citizens of the IfavelasI, the movie fails in this regard. A few scenes of people ducking into houses and closing roll-down doors over storefronts when the automatic weapon fire starts doesnt give much of a sense of life in the Rio slums. More time fleshing out a credible and less obvious story between Ace and Wallace would have made things infinitely more interesting.

Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins
iWelcome Home Roscoe Jenkinsi represents Martin Lawrences attempt at a feel-good family flick, but only feels good when its over. Despite some humorous performances from Monique and Mike Epps, the jokes are all old and Lawrences performance feels phoned in with a few ridiculous cross-eyed expressions for good measure. The story is painfully predictable, which would be fine if we were laughing so hard we didnt notice, but unfortunately thats not the case

Definitely, Maybe
If youre someone who hates stuff like IThe Wedding PlannerI, INine MonthsI, IThe BachelorI, and IGood Luck ChuckI, then be aware it is possible to make a romantic comedy that doesnt rely solely on absurd misunderstandings or contain any declarations of love in front of a group of strangers. IDefinitely, MaybeI relies on good acting, funny lines, a very cute kid, and enough real emotion to carry it off. Its worth checking out.

The Other Boleyn Girl
The majority of movies based in the Middle Ages are droning or action packed therefore mostly catering to an audience of the male persuasion. While this is neither droning nor action packed it still hasnt added anything entirely new to the genre. It wishes it could be iIn Her ShoesiiGreys Anatomyi yet it obviously falls short.

Be Kind Rewind Blu-ray
The good old video home system really changed the world of home entertainment. People bought the films they loved for a one-time charge, and they watched them whenever and wherever they wanted, over and over again. Although you dont see much of the VHS anymore in todays world, it still plays a big role in Michel Gondrys good-hearted comedy iBe Kind Rewindi, a charming little movie about how amateur filmmaking can bring people together to achieve great things.

Semi-Pro Lets Get Sweaty Edition
Unfortunately for Will Ferrell, iSemi-Proi will probably go down in history as That basketball movie with Will Ferrell wearing an afro, or, That movie where that poor stunt double got mauled by a bear. Either way you put it, both of these unfiltered quotes could probably be combined to sum up the movie as a whole: Will Ferrell. Playing basketball. With an afro. And getting mauled by a bear. There really isnt much more to this lackluster, sport-themed comedy than that.

The Sword in the Stone 45th Anniversary Edition
A 45th anniversary seems a somewhat random milestone to re-release a Disney animated film, but any excuse is a good excuse to make another few dollars on the gold mine that is the Disney catalogue. It actually does give some people, like me, the first opportunity to sit down and watch 1963s IThe Sword in the StoneI all the way through. It also gives me the opportunity to say, meh.

The Jungle Book 2 Special Edition
A small group of Disney fanszealots see any animated sequel as an abomination. It is the equivalent of digging up the corpse of Walt Disney himself and spitting right into what remains of his face. Most of these people need to get a grip, but certainly the Disney animated sequels are a sad bunch. IThe Jungle Book 2I is actually one of the better movies in this collection, but its still a weak effort.

The Signal
Theres been quite a lot of buzz on the net about this indie horror flick from Atlanta, Georgia with a plot that sounds kind of like Stephen Kings iCelli or M. Nights iThe Happeningi only the film doesnt really bother with the concept at all. Its just an excuse to hang three short films of varying quality together. The film does not and probably could not-due to budgetary restrictions really deal with the widespread madness and panic that would take over any metropolitan locale ...BR