DVD Review Round-Up

There's no fighting it, school is in full swing but hey, there are weekends and nights...uh after homework (are your parents reading this?) so we've got another wide variety stash of fun DVDs for your escapist pleasure. From TV season sets to classic films that are always entertaining for all generations to some of the very recently-released movies, it's all here. Read on...

From Paramount Home Entertainment

Ghost Whisperer: The Second Season

Bodacious Jennifer Love Hewitt as Melinda Gordon is still seeing dead people and they are getting less and less friendly this second season. This sophomore season adds Camryn Manheim as Delia Banks, a single mom who becomes Melinda's confidant and Jay Mohr as Rick Payne, a university prof who talks paranormal and occult with Melinda. Gabriel Rance (Ariel Serricchio) is the new bad guy trying to steal souls and grab some evil for a power boost. All these characters made for a more interesting season.

Video/Audio: Video has some compression and a bit of grain but is pretty much what you saw on TV; clean enough. Dolby 5.1 digital surround sound is very good and clean. You can hear dialogue..sometimes music is crisper and the surround speakers do get some use with music and sound effects.

Extra Features: Like in the season one set, you get several featurettes and some audio comments on four episodes including "Love Never Dies,", "Children Of Ghosts", "The Collector" and "Mean Ghost". Fun but nothing really too new revealed.

"A Conversation With The Living" is a longer featurette with cast and crew (David Conrad, John Gray, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Camryn Manheim, Jay Mohr, Kim Moses, Ian Sander, and they also throw in James Van Praagh) as they chat about the story and character development through the season and how the show is getting darker etc. Pretty interesting to fans.

"Ghostly Visions" talks with main make-up artist Kandace Westmore on how she and staff created the creepy dead make-up looks in season 2. It's a fun watch for a "how to" Halloween make-up class.

"Grandview Graveyard" is a click on the headstone feature that tells you the backstories for several ghost created for the show; writers and producers give you more on these spirits. Very interesting, especially if you had a fave ghost character. I liked Kyle McCall from "Love Still Won't Die".

In "Melinda's Closet" you learn all about Melinda's sexy look with the costume designer who combines a romantic style with antique and up to date outfits. Love Hewitt puts in her two cents. Fun!

You get the webisodes on "The Other Side" a series of short spin off online episodes that see things from the ghosts POV. There are 8 of these. Series star Mark Hapka is a little behind the scenes feature. Fun, especially if you watched these.

"Jennifer Love Hewitt Speed Painting Video" is a short, cute animated look at Jennifer Love created on a computer.

"Crystal Ball Mind" is an interactive exercise playable via your DVD player. It involves picking a number and matching the number with a character from the show.. cute but not really a "game". It's kinda like what you got as a "game" in the Heroes: Season One DVD set. Cute to do at least once.

Tarot Cards: You get a set of three kinda strange Ghost Whisperer tarot cards. Wonder if there is a full deck somewhere?

Wrapping Up: This is a fun show with great characters and spooky effects. It's got a good heart; Melinda is just trying to help troubled souls cross over to get some peace. The second season offered her more of a challenge. The new season is supposed to be even more challenging. If you are a fan, you've got to have this well-done season set.

Saturday Night Fever :30th Anniversary Special Collector's Edition

Okay, the last time you might have seen John Travolta, he was playing Edna Turnblad in Hairspray! Your mom saw John a whole different way.. very buff and super gorgeous in films like Grease and the iconic Saturday Night Fever; the story of a lower class young man who found his true success, passion and romance through dance contests at his local disco. This movie launched a pop culture phenomenon and is a classic!

Video/Audio: This film was released 5 years ago on DVD and this version seems a little better. The movie was shot on 1970's film so the transfer is somewhat grainy and some of the colors are washed out but I think the movie looks better than it did in theaters back in the day. The music and dances are some of the best ever but the film had some dialogue that was probably looped and didn't match too well. Some of the music has a tinny sound but hey, it sounds pretty darn good in surround.

Special Features: Lots, some from the previous DVD but new ones are added under "Catching the Fever".. this presents more recent interviews with cast and director John Badham but, hey, not John Travolta. You do hear from The Bee Gees for the first time and learn about their working on the soundtrack. Other cast members appear and you even see some of the locations... then and today. Some of them have changed.

From the last release you get a good commentary track by director John Badham and there are some Disco dance lessons that are a hoot. You get featurettes on the crazy disco-era clothes and some trivia games. These are fun, especially if you don't own any previous versions of the film. I think the previous release had some deleted scenes. This one doesn't.

Wrapping Up: You need to see this film, then decide if you want to own it. This new version does have come cool and fun special features although something with Travolta today would have been neat. At least rent if not buy. The story, dances and blast to the past are really fun!

From Universal Home Entertainment

Knocked Up: 2-Disc Collector's Edition

Warning: This film is rated "R" for raunchy... but it's hilarious. Story goes: Slacker Ben (Seth Rogen) and hard-working career girl Alison (Katherine Heigl) meet at a club where she is celebrating a promotion and he's well, just celebrating. They have too much to drink, get together for a one-nighter and, yep, she's baby bound. Will this mismatched couple become a family?

Video/Audio: This is a very new movie so the widescreen transfer is perfect. Looks and sounds great. Raunchy dialogue can be heard very well.

Extra Features: Loads! This is a 2-disc special. On disc one is a full-length commentary that features star Seth, Judd Apatow and Bill Hader from "Saturday Night Live" who is an editor for character Alison's show. He's also in Superbad. This track is loaded with jokes and silliness combined with actual info on how the film was shot and what the filmmakers were hoping would work. The guys talk about their own dating disasters. Hader does voice impressions. Very worth a listen.

You get deleted and extended scenes on both of the discs and, as is usually the case, some are very funny and some just needed to be cut out.

Other features include: "Line-O-Rama": We hear the various ad-libbed lines the actors tossed out until they got a "keeper". Hilarious! Some of these on both discs. "Gag Reel": you get two of them; one on each disc. cracking up, flubbing lines and silly accidents etc. Great.

With "Kids on the Loose" you get a short piece with the kids in the movie that are outtakes with Apatow's kids being funny and rebellious. Cute. "Raw Footage" features two long scenes showing the actors in various versions of the scenes, including stopping for direction. Cute but not really necessary. "Roller Coaster Doc" is funny as poor actor Jay Baruchel is forced to ride a roller coaster at Knotts Berry Farm. He's super scared. Funny but kinda sad.

"Directing the Director": a "mockumentary" in which we pretend that Universal didn't trust Judd Apatow to direct the film so they sent Capote director Bennett Miller to hang over his shoulder on set. Really funny. "Loudon Wainwright III Live at McCabes" is just that, a live music video, nice sounds on "You Can't Fail Me Now."

"Video Diaries"- Judd Apatow talks on set about directing the film. Very funny. "Beard-O-Rama" - jokes from the actor with the hated beard in the movie. Cute. "Kuni Files"- Alison's doctor is hilarious, a real doctor, stand-up comedian Ken Jeong, very funny. "Gummy: The 6th Roommate" is another fake "mockumentary" where David Krumholtz from "Numbers" on TV poses as the supposed 6th friend. Silly and cute. "Stripper Confidential" a more raunchy version of the Las Vegas strip club scene. Whooo!

"Finding Ben Stone" a longer mockumentary talking about other actors who might have played Ben the lead. It's not true but really funny. Orlando Bloom, James Franco, Michael Cera, Bill Hader, Justin Long, Bill Hader and even director Judd Apatow pretend to have tried out for the role. This one is hilarious! "Loundon Wainwright III Scoring Session" is actually kinda serious as the composer/musician talks about writing the music for the film.

There are more short silly features and then Katherine Heigl's Audition which is great. There is also an Easter Egg special if you click on a plus sign on Disc two's Menu.

Wrapping Up: This movie is hilarious but manages to deal with real-life problems and relationships. If you can watch R-rated without the "rents" going ballistic, rent it or buy. This is one of the most extra-packed DVDs I've ever seen; there's a lot of entertainment here.

Georgia Rule

This may be Lindsay Lohan's last film role that she can be proud of. Let's hope not. Of course she's kind of playing herself as Rachel, an out of control, wild-child sex vixen who has to come stay with her grandma Georgia (Jane Fonda) in small town Idaho for the summer but she's great in the role. Mom Lilly (Felicity Huffman from "Desperate Housewives") has her own alcohol and marriage problems and can't be bothered with such a rebellious daughter. A horrible family secret is revealed and three generations of women will have to get along to deal with it.

Video/Audio: The Video: This recently-released film looks wonderful here in the transfer to widescreen. Colors are bright, etc. You can hear the popular tunes on the soundtrack fine as well as the emotional dialogue

Special Features: You get a commentary from director Garry Marshall about what is going on on screen. Don't expect a lot of juicy comments on Lindsay's off-screen behavior (this was the film that garnered her a scathing scolding letter from the film's producer). Interesting track with some jokes but not all that riveting.

"Deleted Scenes": There are seven and also three interesting alternate endings which you can choose to have Garry Marshall explain. Interesting choices. Very good to watch. The "Gag Reel" is excellent with both flubs and cute, edited comments. Super enjoyable. "Making of Georgia Rule" is the usual studio press kit "selling" info with cast and crew. As is "The Women of 'Georgia Rule'" only "Women" does give you great insight into the acting styles and relationships between the three femme leads. Very enjoyable and you do get some Lindsay comments here. "On the Set with Garry Marshall" is about how all the actors love him and his directing style. Fun to watch.

Wrapping Up: This film is definitely what some folks call a "chick flick" (I hate that term) but both guys and gals can relate to the emotional destruction a dysfunctional family can bring. Acting is excellent! Lindsay is very, very good. The movie is a must for teen girls struggling for identity and family forgiveness. So, rent if not buy for the emotional roller coaster ride and a few laughs too.

From 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

The Graduate: 40th Anniversary Edition

If you've never seen this iconic, classic film about a young man (a very young Dustin Hoffman) trying to decide on career and experiment with love and lust, you simply must see it. The film launched Dustin's career and both Anne Bancroft as the sexy older woman next door and her innocent daughter, played by a luminous Katharine Ross, are excellent. The Simon and Garfunkel music in the film is also wonderful and classic and you get 4 of the most famous songs in an extra CD in the package!

Video/Audio: This film has been released on DVD before but this 40th anniversary edition improves of previous releases. A new transfer gives us the widescreen intended and colors are darn sharp especially for an older film. Don't see a lot of edges or grain. Amazing. New Dolby digital mix sounds great. Dialogue, the great music etc. comes through clear. Great job!

Special Features: You get some extras from old DVD versions including a couple of longer docs "The Graduate at 25" and "One on One with Dustin Hoffman," both are really great explorations of this iconic film. There are two Audio Commentaries added for this new edition. The first with actors Dustin Hoffman and Katharine Ross spills a lot of goodies on the making of the film. Hoffman seems to remember it like is was yesterday and reveals some really fun tidbits. Katherine Ross says less but Dustin keeps talking about the crush he had on her when they were filming which she kind of dismisses. Cute.

The second commentary is a chat with famous director Mike Nichols and contemporary filmmaker Steven Soderbergh. Steven questions Mike and the result is very interesting...sort of a retrospective on the film. Loved it.

There are two new featurettes added to ones on previous releases. "Students of The Graduate" gives us newer directors all influenced by the movie and has talks with and you hear from critics and film historians etc. Interesting. "The Seduction" is more discussion with some of the same folks. It's not really about how the seduction scene worked but more about what is behind the character motivation. Again, interesting.

As mentioned before you also get a very cool bonus music CD with four of the famous songs from the film: Simon & Garkfunkel songs featured in the movie: "The Sound of Silence," "Mrs. Robinson," "Scarborough Fair/Canticle," and "April Come She Will." Great music!

Wrapping Up: Hey, this film is just as relevant today as it was back when. Teens and young adults are still looking for a place in the world and struggling with relationships, first loves and first hook-ups. You can't do better than this DVD for this film. I'd add it to my collection!

From Warner Brother Home Video

We Are Marshall

This inspirational sports film is up there with Remember the Titans, Rudy, Hoosiers etc. It's very sad but also uplifting. it's got real heart. This is the true story of a horrible plane crash that killed the whole 1970 Marshall University football team. Those left behind struggle with grief and rebuilding the team. Coach Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey) is gung-ho to get the football program going again and he bumps heads with surviving coach Red Dawson (Matthew Fox). A fiancee left behind (Kate Mara) has to deal with the loss of her man.

Video/Audio: This newer film looks great and the soundtrack is very well mixed with lots of ambient football game sounds. The levels vary a bit from dialogue to sound effects but you can hear both.

Special Features: Not many. There is a kinda strange feature that really is just an ad to stir up tourism for the state of West Virginia as far as I could tell. The actors tout filming in the state. Not really needed. "Legendary Coaches: How Coaches Overcome Adversity" is a collection of interviews with famous real coaches Jack Lengyel, Bobby Bowden, Pat Summit, Lute Olson, George Horton and John Wooden. Not really that great unless you are a solid football fan. There is a very short featurette on the university as it is today.. kind of another selling piece for going to school there?

Wrapping Up: Special features aren't that great but the story is really touching and well-done. The movie is directed by McG of Charlie's Angels fame and he did a nice job. If you like films that inspire you to rise from the ashes, this is definitely worth a rent at least.

Smallville: The Complete Sixth Season

If you are a fan, you know the drill. By now, Clark has lost Lana to Lex and the sixth season brings us the very cool Green Arrow character. Clark escapes the Phantom Zone and has to find the Zoners and keep Lex from forming a super soldier army. Clark finally has to accept being a superhero while dealing with his sorrow over losing Lana to Lex.

Video/Audio: Pretty clear as seen on TV. Colors and skin tones are brighter than usual. The Dolby track delivers a great music score, dialogue and ambient sound effects. Very balanced among the speakers. Great.

Special Features: Fans will love these. On Disc One two featurettes "Smallville: Big Fans" and "Green Arrow: The Legend Of The Emerald Archer" are very entertaining. "Big Fans" turns the tables an interview some of the show's fans, creators and throws in some of the stuff shot at the San Diego Comic Con presentation. You see how some super dedicated fans celebrate the show. Fun, especially if this is your fave show.

"Green Arrow" featurette tells you all about the history of the superhero and has interviews with comic writers and artists. It's narrated by Mark Hamill of Star Wars. Cool

Disc Two offers three featurettes; "Smallville Legends: The Oliver Queen Chronicles," "The Making Of Smallville Legends: The Oliver Queen Chronicles," and "Smallville Legends: Justice And Doom." "Queen" is a kinda weird animated history of Oliver Queen character evolving into Green Arrow. Okay for comic book fans only I'd say. The "Making Of" just shows how these animated stories were produced. "Justice and Doom" is a digital comic book where the pages of the story just change in front of you. This is about The Justice League vs. Lex Luthor's super soldiers; again, okay only if you luv comics bigtime.

You get some "Deleted Scenes" after each episode Nothing amazing but they do add to the enjoyment of each episode. Some background on some of the new characters are found here too.

Wrapping Up: It's nice in the Sixth Season to see Clark realize that his destiny involves more than hanging around the farm. He's gotta accept his future responsibilities. Adding Green Arrow and other guest characters made this season interesting and seeing Clark deal with his feelings for Lana is very fulfilling. If you are a fan, you've gotta have this season in your collection. A few of the extras, however, will only appeal to dedicated comics fans.

***

Lynn Barker is a Hollywood-based entertainment journalist and produced screenwriter.