DVD Roundup: 2.19.08

Margot at the Wedding

Buy this DVD at Amazon.com

Rating: R

Starring:

Zane Pais as Claude

Susan Blackwell as Woman on Train

Nicole Kidman as Margot

Jack Black as Malcolm

Flora Cross as Ingrid

Jennifer Jason Leigh as Pauline

Seth Barrish as Toby

Matthew Arkin as Alan

Michael Cullen as Mr. Vogler

Enid Graham as Mrs. Vogler

Sophie Nyweide as Vogler Daughter

Justin Roth as Vogler Son

Ciarán Hinds as Dick Koosman

Halley Feiffer as Maisy Koosman

Special Features:

A conversation with Noah Baumbach and Jennifer Jason Leigh

Theatrical Trailers

Other Info:

Widescreen

Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

Spanish Language

French and Spanish Subtitles

Running Time: 92 Minutes

Synopsis:

The following is from the DVD description:

“From Academy Award nominated writer/director Noah Baumback (‘The Squid and the Whale’) comes a daringly funny and bracingly honest exploration of the tender, absurd and sometimes excruciating relationship between siblings. Played with an uncompromising fearlessness by Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman and Golden Globe nominee Jennifer Jason Leigh, this nakedly honest film lays bare all aspects of the human comedy. Margot (Nicole Kidman), a savagely bright, razor tongued short story writer who creates chaos wherever she goes, sets off on a surprise journey to the wedding of her estrange and free spirited sister Pauline (Jennifer Jason Leigh). Margot, with her son Claude (Zane Pais) in tow, arrives with the force of a hurricane. From the minute she meets Pauline’s fiancé – the unemployed artist Malcolm (Jack Black) – Margot starts to plant seeds of doubt about the union. What ensures is a frequently brilliant, squirm inducingly funny film.”

“Margot at the Wedding” is rated R for sexual content and language.

CS Comment:

This film got a rousing 4.5 out of 10 rating from our reviewer Edward Douglas, so take that as warning.

Available Tuesday, February 19


Dallas: The Complete Eighth Season

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Rating: Not Rated

Starring:

Larry Hagman as John Ross ‘J.R.’ Ewing, Jr.

Patrick Duffy as Bobby Ewing

Victoria Principal as Pamela Barnes Ewing

Barbara Bel Geddes as Eleanor Southworth ‘Miss Ellie’ Ewing

Linda Gray as Sue Ellen Ewing

Steve Kanaly as Ray Krebbs

Ken Kercheval as Cliff Barnes

Charlene Tilton as Lucy Ewing Cooper

Special Features:

New Featurette: Dallas Makeover – Travilla Style

Explore the revolutionary new look brought to the show by Emmy winning Costume Designer Travilla

Other Info:

Fullscreen (1.33:1) and Widescreen (2.40:1)

Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

French and Spanish Languages

Running Time: 104 Minutes

Synopsis:

The following is from the DVD description:

“Dallas fans just can’t get enough of the Ewings. So Season 8 brings a new one – cousin Jamie Ewing, a blonde, blue-eyed little ol’ cupcake with a big, fat claim on the oil empire. And it brings a new face: Academy Award winner Donna Reed stepping gracefully into Miss Ellie’s high heels while an ailing Barbara Bel Geddes recovers. And, of course, it brings a gusher of high-tension, high-finance drama: three corpses, one murder trial, weddings, breakups, adultery, medical traumas, kidnapping, lies, long-forgotten secrets and sudden wealth. That’s not all, not by a Texas Longhorn shot. The season ends with that dynamic Dallas classic, a wow-did-you-see-that cliffhanger.”

“Dallas: The Complete Eighth Season” is not rated.

CS Comment:

What season did J.R. get shot? Apparently not in Season 8.

Available Tuesday, February 19


Jakers! Treasure Hunt on Raloo Farm

Buy this DVD at Amazon.com

Rating: Not Rated

Starring:

Peadar Lamb as Piggley Winks

Maile Flanagan as Young Piggley Winks

Russi Taylor as Annie Winks

Tara Strong as Dannan O’Mallard

Charles Adler as Mr. Hornsby

Nika Futterman as Seamus

Melissa Disney as Meggie

Pamela Adlon as Hector MacBadger

Mel Brooks as Wiley the Sheep

Special Features:

The Great Fairy Test – Read Along

Piggley’s Storyteller Playhouse

Meet The Grandparents

Other Info:

Widescreen

Dolby Digital Stereo Sound

Spanish and French Languages

Running Time: 92 Minutes

Synopsis:

The following is from the DVD description:

“Set in the Irish town of Tara in the 1950s, Piggley and his two best friends Ferny the Bull and Dannan the Duck love to let their imagination run riot. Whether they’re fishing for the Salmon of Knowledge or sailing the Seven Seas in their pirate ship made from hay bales, the friends always find something to do.”

“Jakers! Treasure Hunt on Raloo Farm” is not rated.

CS Comment:

Mel Brooks fans! Add this kiddie show to your DVD collection!

Available Tuesday, February 19


Little Einsteins: Race for Space

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Rating: TV-G

Starring:

Erica Huang as June

Aiden Pompey as Quincy

Jesse Schwartz as Leo

Natalia Wojcik as Annie

Special Features:

Rocket Around-The-World Activity — Learn How Different Tempos “Drive” The Music, And Help Guide Rocket Through The Sahara Desert, Hawaii And The Swiss Alps

Bonus Shorts — Lou and Lou: Safety Patrol — “Race For Safety”; “Buckle Down For Safety”

Other Info:

Fullscreen (1.33:1)

Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

French and Spanish Language Tracks

Running Time: 72 Minutes

Synopsis:

The following is from the DVD description:

“Rev up Rocket and soar full speed ahead into action-packed, music-powered adventures! Join Leo, June, Quincy, Annie and Rocket on a mission to rescue the Three Little Piggies when their airplanes spin out of control. Can Rocket fly fast enough and far enough to bring the Piggies all the way home? Only with your help! Journey with the Little Einsteins as they zoom to outer space on their most thrilling voyage ever! Then, get ready to race around the globe against the world’s greatest flying machines. But look out! Big Jet is up to his old tricks. And he’ll do anything to win the trophy. Whether your preschooler is exploring the ancient city of Machu Picchu, whooshing past stars or planets, or searching for hidden treasure in Hawaii, ‘Race for Space’ is a first-class ticket to nonstop entertainment you can enjoy together!”

“Little Einsteins: Race for Space” is not rated.

CS Comment:

Have your kids graduated from “Baby Einstein”? Have them check out “Little Einsteins”!

Available Tuesday, February 19


Desert Bayou

Buy this DVD at Amazon.com

Rating: Not Rated

Special Features:

Director’s Commentary Track

Extended Interviews

Movie Tailers

Other Info:

Running Time: 92 Minutes

Synopsis:

The following is from the DVD description:

“In the wake of one of the worst natural and humanitarian disasters ever to visit American shores, 600 African Americans were airlifted to the almost entirely white state of Utah…without their knowledge. ‘Desert Bayou’ seeks to examine whether two cultures can come together in a time of utter chaos, or whether their differences prove too great a challenge to overcome. In their own words, evacuees of Hurricane Katrina tell how they survived the storm of the century and out of the rubble ended up at a military installation in the deserts of Utah. With interviews from evacuees, political, military and religious leaders as well as community and social figures, the questions of race, politics and religion hurdle towards each other in this truly American story: A story of loss and reunion, of sorrow and rebirth, of anger and rejoicing, but most of all…a story of hope.”

“Desert Bayou” is not rated.

CS Comment:

Living in Houston and having dealt with many Katrina evacuees, I’m surprised ANY went to Utah. We had our hands full.

Available Tuesday, February 19


Angels in the Dust

Buy this DVD at Amazon.com

Rating: Not Rated

Special Features:

Deleted Scenes

Director’s Commentary Track

Public Service Announcements by Jo Frost, the “Supernanny” and actress Alicia Witt

Other Info:

Running Time: 105 Minutes

Synopsis:

The following is from the DVD description:

“The inspiring story of Marion Cloete who, with her family, fearlessly walked away from a life of privilege in Johannesburg to start an orphanage for more than 550 South African children. For a nation overwhelmed by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and recovering from Apartheid’s legacy, Marion’s orphanage offers a pathway of hope.”

“Angels in the Dust” is not rated.

CS Comment:

This certainly puts the Katrina disaster in perspective! We’re pretty well off in the U.S. compared to these folks.

Available Tuesday, February 19


Handy Manny: Fixing It Right

Buy this DVD at Amazon.com

Rating: TV-G

Starring:

Wilmer Valderrama as Manny

Carlos Alazraqui as Felipe

Dee Bradley Baker as Turner

Nika Futterman as Stretch

Tom Kenny as Mr. Lopart

Fred Stoller as Rusty

Nancy Truman as Kelly

Special Features:

“Fix It With Handy Manny” Set-Top Game

Other Info:

Fullscreen (1.33:1)

Dolby Digital Stereo Sound

Spanish Language

Running Time: 58 Minutes

Synopsis:

The following is from the DVD description:

“Hop up and jump into fun with Handy Manny and his loyal, lovable talking tools. Working together, they’ll get the job done right before you can say Gracias, mi amigo! Cheer on Manny and his tools as Rusty heroically overcomes his fear of heights to repair a jungle gym, Pat surprises everyone, including himself, when he finds a clever solution to a really big problem, and Dusty solves that oh-too-familiar mystery Where do socks go when a clothes dryer seems to be eating them. Join Manny and his gregarious gang of can-do helpers and you’ll discover how cooperation and creative thinking make ‘Fixing It Right’ fantastic fun for everyone!”

“Handy Manny: Fixing It Right” is rated TV-G.

CS Comment:

So this is where Wilmer Valderrama ended up after dating Lindsey Lohan! Who knew?

Available Tuesday, February 19


Final Inquiry

Buy this DVD at Amazon.com

Rating: PG-13

Starring:

Daniele Liotti as Tito Valerio Tauro

Dolph Lundgren as Brixos

Mónica Cruz as Tabitha

Hristo Shopov as Pontius Pilate

Christo Jivkov as Stefano

Max von Sydow as Tiberius

Vincenzo Bocciarelli as Caligola

Fernando Guillén Cuervo as Saul of Tarsus

F. Murray Abraham as Nathan

Francesca De Sapio as Rebecca

Maria Pia Calzone as Mary, Mother of Jesus

Anna Kanakis as Claudia Procula

Enrico Lo Verso as Shimon Peter

Ornella Muti as Mary of Magdalene

Giulio Base as Lazzaro

Special Features:

Trailers

Other Info:

Widescreen (1.78:1)

Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

French and Spanish Subtitles

Running Time: 112 Minutes

Synopsis:

The following is from the DVD description:

“When a solar eclipse and earthquakes simultaneously occur throughout the Roman Empire, Emperor Tiberius calls upon Tito Valerio Tauro (Daniele Liotti), a prominent Roman investigator, to seek out the proposed cause…an alleged resurrection of a Jewish rabbi…a powerful mystery that could bring down an empire.”

“Final Inquiry” is rated PG-13 for violence.

CS Comment:

While this film had the same target audience as “The Passion of The Christ,” I don’t think it had the same box office. And it features Dolph Lundgren.

Available Tuesday, February 19

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