OUT ON HOME VIDEO
By Lisa Miller 02/25/2010
LAW ABIDING CITIZEN
Directed by F. Gary Gray and starring Jamie Foxx, Gerard Butler, Bruce McGill, Leslie Bibb, Colm Meaney, Viola Davis, Regina Hall and Michael Irby
Achor Bay/Rated R/Thriller/109 minutes
Available on DVD and Blu-Ray
(2.5 stars out of 4)
The thrills associated with the sadistic murders of “Law Abiding Citizen” are debatable. An imperfect judicial system disappoints Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler), whose wife and daughter were murdered by a pair of home invaders. Against Shelton’s wishes, Assistant District Attorney Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx) gives one perpetrator a short prison sentence in exchange for his testimony against the other. Rice doesn’t know that Shelton possesses the skills to punish Rice and everyone else connected with the plea bargain. Following the botched execution of the other killer, the second killer — freed by Rice’s deal — is found murdered in Shelton’s warehouse. While looking into Shelton’s background, Rice’s assistant (Leslie Bibb) learns he’s a government contractor who’s become wealthy by designing devices that kill from afar. Whether or not Rice learns the lesson Shelton intends to teach him, both the legal system and films would be better off without these pointless revenge fantasies.
PHANTOM RACER
Directed by Terry Ingram and starring Greg Evigan and Nicole Eggert
Rhino/Rated TV-14/Horror/87 minutes
Available on: DVD
(1 star out of 4)
Twenty years after a race car crash kills JJ Sawyer’s (Evigan) rival, the dead man’s car goes on a killing spree. This attempt to channel Stephen King culminates in face-slicing windshield wipers, a trunk-door cleaving a victim in two and self-tightening seat belts stronger than boa constrictors. Gotta love those vintage hot rods! No special DVD features.
NOVA: BECOMING HUMAN
Created by Graham Townsley
PBS Video/Not Rated/Documentary/
180 minutes
Available on DVD and Blu-Ray
(4 stars out of 4)
Archaeologists continue the long search for fossils marking the emergence of hominids. In the first of three programs, a 4-million-year-old skull takes us further back along the human branch. In the second episode, DNA research discloses more about our origins. In the third episode we trace threats to our young species. The programs combine current scientific theory with known facts and stunning computer-generated animation to bring early hominids to life. Strategies used to find fossils and the cutting-edge methods used to examine them are depicted, while renowned scientists illuminate the small differences that brought us to our present form. Good family viewing. DVD and Blu-Ray features described video for the sight impaired.
FROM MEXICO WITH LOVE
Directed by Jimmy Nickerson and starring Stephen Lang, Bruce McGill, Steven Bauer, Kuno Becker, Danay Garcia, Alex Nesic, Michael Klesic and Gene LeBell
Lionsgate/Rated PG-13/Drama/98 minutes
Available on DVD
(2 stars out of 4)
Hector (Becker), an illegal migrant farm worker in Texas, boxes in barnyards and bars for extra money. His talent gets noticed by Big Al (Lang), a local ranch owner determined to keep his son Robert atop the underground boxing heap. One night, Big Al’s ranch hands beat Hector and leave him for dead in the desert. After he recovers, Hector persuades ex-boxer Billy Jenks to train him to fight a grudge match against Robert. Gritty boxing action and a unique perspective keep up the momentum in this low-budget drama that often slides into melodrama. DVD features: Spanish subtitles, widescreen.
CABIN FEVER: Director’s Cut
Directed by Eli Roth and starring Rider Strong, Jordan Ladd and Joey Kern
Lionsgate/Rated R/Horror/98 min
Available on Blu-Ray
(3 stars out of 4)
Reissued to coincide with the release of its direct-to-video sequel, this grisly horror is surprisingly thoughtful. While staying at a cabin in the woods, five high school grads kill a man infected with an Ebola-like virus. One after another the kids fall ill with the same symptoms and begin to turn on one another, proof that we never fully understand what we’re capable of until our lives are on the line.
SHAUN THE SHEEP: A Woolly Good Time
Created by Nick Park
Lionsgate/Not Rated/Animated/40 minutes
Available on DVD
(4 stars out of 4)
“Shaun The Sheep,” a spin-off by Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park, appears in five-minute episodes on the Disney Channel. Dialog-free action revolves around a barnyard of sheep (led by Shaun), pigs, chickens and a super smart dog — all belonging to a nearsighted farmer.
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