This week, the DVDs begin on Krypton:
DVDs for Nov. 12 by Boo Allen
This week we begin on Krypton:
Man of Steel (***)
Superman (Henry Cavill) returns, but this time as a man searching for roots and identity. Director Zach Snyder’s (300) new take on the familiar super-hero actually improves it, as this time around, old nemesis General Zod (Michael Shannon) searches for the Man of Steel. Originally, Zod was a foe of Superman’s father, Jor-El (Russell Crowe), on Krypton. Snyder paces his film admirably, leading to the eventual showdown only after a few hours of loud, high tech sequences, mostly enjoyable in a guilty way. In the impressive supporting cast, Amy Adams makes a plausible Lois Lane, and Kevin Costner and Diane Lane play the Kents, the proud parents. With Ayelet Zurer, Laurence Fishburne, Chris Meloni, Richard Schiff, Antje Traue.
Rated PG-13, 143 minutes. The DVD, in all formats and combo packs, offers several featurettes but incorporates them into the movie with a simultaneous, satisfying experience. With this option, as the film progresses, split screens appear with a member of cast or crew there to explain or point out something invariably interesting.
Intolerance
This renowned 1916 silent film from pioneer filmmaker D.W. Griffith, now arriving in a new 2K restoration and on high definition Blu-ray for the first time, defies a star system rating. This genuine screen classic broke ground with its intricate editing, creative photography (by Griffith cameraman Billy Bitzer), and its narrative reach, alternating among four different story lines. Griffith uses the iconic figure of a mother, deemed “The Eternal Motherhood,” rocking a cradle as his base as he then flips among stories about Jesus and the Pharisees, the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre of Huguenots in 16th century France, and the conquest of Babylon by Persia. The disc also includes Carl Davis’ original complementary musical score. Griffith made cinema history while also providing a training ground for several future directors : Victor Fleming (Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz), Tod Browning (Freaks, Dracula), Sidney Franklin (The Good Earth, Private Lives) and the incredibly prolific Allan Dwan, who had over 400 directing credits.
Not rated, 197 minutes. The two disc set also includes two excellent documentaries, the 63 minute “The Fall of Babylon” and the comprehensive 100 minute “Mother and the Law.” It also contains a 16 page booklet with two essays, an additional interview and a brief “behind-the-scenes” featurette.
2 Guns (***)
Two big name stars and a clever plot enliven this action-thriller about two low level criminals (Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg) who scheme to rob a bank of three million dollars hidden in a safety deposit box by a Mexican drug lord (James Edward Olmos). When they succeed and discover over forty million dollars, they find themselves chased by Naval Intelligence, the C.I.A., the drug cartel, and a spurned female (Paula Patton). But first, the pair learns each other’s true identity, a plot spoiler best saved for the fast moving work from director Baltasar Kormakur, with script from Blake Masters based on Steven Grant’s comic book.
Rated R, 109 minutes. The DVD includes commentary, eight deleted and extended scenes, and a four part, 30 minute “making of” featurette. The Blu-ray holds additional supplements.
As Cool as I Am (**1/2)
Claire Danes heads the bill as Lainee Diamond, but it is Sarah Bolger, playing her daughter Lucy, who takes the most screen time in this family melodrama. Sixteen year-old Lucy seems bright and well-liked by classmates, particularly by her best friend, Kenny (Thomas Mann), who wants to be more than a friend. Eventually, Lucy, intentionally or not, becomes more and more like her mother as Lainee takes to a promiscuous lifestyle when her husband, Chuck (James Marsden), leaves town on one of his frequent trips. Director Max Mayer, from Virginia Spragg’s screenplay based on Pete Fromm’s book, seems to have a lot to say, spreading attention around on various crises and relationships. He also brings up and then drops such hot topics as child abuse and rape, leaving us to question what exactly is the film’s main concern.
Rated R, 92 minutes. The DVD includes a four minute “behind-the-scenes” featurette.
Passion (**)
Brian De Palma re-makes Alain Corneau’s excellent 2010 French film “Love Crime,” and the result is a crime. The veteran director turns out a lurid, borderline camp version of the story of a corporate back-stabber, Christine (Rachel McAdams), who mistreats and abuses a woman, Isabelle (Noomi Rapace), who works for her. Isabelle has her revenge with a intricately plotted out, if sometimes unbelievable, murder scheme. In the interim, De Palma mixes in unsuitable split frames and garish colors to render an entertaining film that qualifies as being borderline goofy. In other words, De Palma turns it into a De Palma film.
Rated R, 102 minutes. The DVD includes interviews with Rapace, De Palma, and McAdams.
Ambushed (**1/2)
A drug deal goes awry in this action-thriller starring Dolph Lundgren, Vinnie Jones, and Randy Couture. Gianni Capaldi and Daniel Bonjour play, respectively, Los Angeles drug dealers Eddie and Frank. They try and pull off a swindle and find themselves tracked by a mob boss, a cop, and a federal agent. Giorgio Scrafini directed from a script by Agustin.
Rated R, 97 minutes. The DVD includes a “behind-the-scenes featurette.
Guess How Much I Love You: Hidden Treasure
From the Disney Junior series comes this animated feature based on Sam McBratney’s children’s book about Little Nutbrown Hare and his father Big Nutbrown Hare. The young rabbit, oops, hare, plays in the grass and fields with his friends, while his father gives sage advice on a variety of subjects.
Not rated, 80 minutes.
Finally, from this week’s TV arrivals:
Silk—series one
This compelling B.B.C. series follows a group of high- minded, deadly serious barristers, i.e., lawyers, at a small law firm as they fight for their clients while advancing their careers. The firm’s two leading advocates, Martha (Maxine Peake) and Clive (Rupert Penry-Jones), defend a series of dodgy clients in each of the six episodes, on two discs, while also seeking to become a member of the prestigious Queen’s Counsel, that is, taking the “Silk.” Complicating matters further are an unwanted pregnancy, an inter-office romance involving Clive and the daughter (Natalie Dormer) of a sitting judge, and an office manager suspected of embezzling money, which sets off a possible mutiny among the ranks. It’s a smooth blend of intrigue, romance, and suspense.
Not rated, 300 minutes. The set also includes a “behind-the-scenes” featurette.
The Carol Burnett Show: Christmas With Carol
Returning for viewing is this holiday-themed program taken from “The Carol Burnett Show” that originally aired in 1977. All the Burnett regulars appear: Tim Conway, Vicki Lawrence, and even Alan Alda pops up. Bonus sketches include appearances from comedy legends Sid Caesar and Jonathan Winters.
Not rated, 115 minutes.
Also on DVD: Blackfish, Message, Turbo.