DVD Review Round Up - Feb, 2008

Okay, this isn't a "Valentine's Day" DVD review round-up exactly but it does include a great classic romantic comedy and two recent ones as well as a TV episode collection from one of America's sweethearts, Miley Cyrus.

Some of these are friendly to both genders so guys don't have to run for the hills if the gals decide to pop one in the DVD player. Check it out...

From Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Hannah Montana Volume 4: One in a Million

Hannah fans...rejoice. Here are four more episodes from this upbeat comedy series. This was a fun season. For those living on an isolated asteroid, Hannah Montana is a popstar persona created by a Malibu High teen who prefers to keep her real identity secret. She lives with her dad and struggles with not only the usual teen angst but with hiding her celeb identity so that she can live a "normal" life. Comedy ensues.

This DVD contains: "Lilly's Mom Has Got it Goin' On" in which Heather Locklear gets matched up with Robbie Ray with horrible comic results. "Me and Mr. Jonas and Mr. Jonas and Mr. Jonas" has the Jonas Bros befriending Robbie Ray; a cute crossover episode. "I Will Always Loathe You" presents guest star Vicki Lawrence (as Robby's mom) and Dolly Parton's Aunt Dolly who turn up for a big music awards ceremony. Cute. "That's What Friends Are For?" brings back cute boyfriend Jake Ryan (Cody Linley) who now wants to be just friends.

Audio/Video: Not amazingly sharp but as good as on your TV originally. Surround Sound works fine through both dialogue and when Hannah sings. Not bad.

Special Features: You get two music videos; "One in a Million" and "True Friend" cute Miley stuff. There's another Backstage Pass featurette called "Come Feud With Me: The Top 10 Disney Channel Character Feuds", hosted by Jason Earles. Mildly fun with the feuds being: Hannah vs. The Jonas Bros, Zack Martin Vs. Cody Martin, Raven Vs. Alana, Kim Possible Vs. nemesis Drake, Cadet Kelly vs Cadet Captain Stone, Lizzy Maguire Vs. ex best friend Kate, Vicki Lawrence vs. Dolly Parton (as Mamaw and Aunt Dolly), Stevens Vs. Stevens (a younger Shia LaBeouf on "Even Stevens") clashing with his on-screen sister, Gabriella Vs. Sharpay and Hannah vs. arch rival Michaela. Miley pops up on set commenting on various types of feuds and how she handles them. You also get a "That's so Raven" episode called "Run Raven Run" with the Cheetah girls.

Wrapping Up: Hey, if you are a fan of this really kinda cute show, this is a fun four episodes. The extras feel like padding but Miley fans will probably go for them.

From 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

When Harry Met Sally: Collectors' Edition

This fun romantic comedy is a benchmark, milestone film that really hasn't been topped in the genre since it was made in 1989. If you can get past the big backcombed hair and big shoulder pads on the girls and big '80's sideburns and ultra-skinny ties on the guys, it is relevant today. The film asks 'can guys and girls really be just friends? What's different about the way girls and guys approach romance and friendship? Can you really be "friends with benefits"?' Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal are amazing in the movie.. Story goes: Harry Burns (Crystal) and feisty yet uptight Sally Albright (Ryan) meet in 1977 at college when Harry needs a ride from the U of Chicago to NYC and Sally obliges. They mix like oil and water; he's kinda crude and she's too posh. He thinks sex or thinking about it will always mess up any male/female friendship. Once in the city, they plan to never see each other again but fate throws the duo together years later and they become friends. Will they end up together? This movie launched terms like "transitional person" and "high maintenance" that we use all the time today.

Video/Audio: Presented in widescreen, colors are great in this older film transfer and I didn't see grain or damage. Lookin' good. The 5.1. Dolby Digital sound is fine. This is a character piece so you really just need to hear the dialogue well but the soundtrack of classic tunes comes through very balanced.

Special Features: This movie was out before on DVD but these features are much better. You get a really cute and funny you-are-there-packed commentary by Rob Reiner, writer Nora Ephron and Billy Crystal. Don't know why but Meg Ryan doesn't comment or appear on any special features for this DVD.

You also get a bevy of featurettes: "It All Started Like This" is a fun chat with Ephron and director Reiner as they jaw about how the movie came to be and what comedy was inspired by a real life incident. Very worth a listen. Also worth checking out is "Stories of Love" a short piece in which Reiner talks about meeting his own wife on the film and real-life cute meet couple stories. "When Rob Met Billy" focuses on the two pals Reiner and Crystal and "Creating Harry" focuses on the Crystal character and what Reiner, Ephron and Billy brought to develop it. "I Love New York" shows you how The Big Apple figured prominently in the story. "What Harry Met Sally Meant" delves into the real psychological differences between men and women; how we just don't see things the same way. Actually really interesting! In "So Can Men and Women Really Be Friends?" you get more of the same from a sociologist and a sex therapist; a little too scholarly.

There are seven "Deleted Scenes", very short but very funny and worth a watch.

Wrapping Up: Your parents will probably want to get this and hey, let um! You'll really enjoy it too. This is just a funny classic that holds up today. Hey, guys and gals will always clash... but the making up can rock!! Go for this DVD.

From Universal Home Entertainment

Sydney White

Amanda Bynes fans, listen up: In this college comedy she plays Sydney, a tomboy raised by her plumber dad (the still really cute John Schneider) on his construction sites. A sorority legacy of Kappa Phi Nu via her mom, Sydney plans to pledge her Freshman year at Southern Atlantic University. Of course, she doesn't fit in with the kinda ditzy, self-centered sorority sisters and especially their uber-blonde leader Rachel Witchburn (Sara Paxton) because Sydney quickly wins the attention of campus hottie Tyler Prince (Matt Long). She might even win the "Hot or Not" top spot in an online campus survey! Meanwhile, Sydney ends up living in a frat house full of Nerds that she'll try to turn into winners. (okay, yes, the basis for the story is really "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" if you haven't already figured that one out).

Video/Audio: This movie was out very recently and colors are bright, picture looks sharp and there aren't any problems with the transfer. Audio is fine as well with dialogue all coming out clear.

Special Features: Quite a few: There is a Gag Reel that is pretty funny with all the blooper boo-boos on set. "Deleted Scenes" offer material cut for pacing. Most from early in the movie. The director Joe Nussbaum intros each scene. "The Original Dork" is some on-set behind-the-scenes footage with the cast talking about the director's style and fun on set while he tries to work a Rubik's Cube (don't ask). In "Sydney White and Her Prince" we concentrate on Amanda and Matt Long chatting about their characters and working together. "Meet the Dorks" focuses on the actors playing the seven dork frat guys. Pretty funny. In "Kappas Forever" we concentrate on the wicked Rachel Witchburn character as the film's nemesis as played by Sara Paxton whom everybody love, love, loves.

In "The Skooze" we have a silly but cute look at the one frat guy Bashful who had to talk through his dog puppet Skoozer. The puppet gets away with interrupting interviews with the dorks. In "Welcome to the Vortex" we have Samm Levine, who plays one of the dorks, guiding us on a tour of their nerd heaven, the Vortex House.

Wrapping Up: Amanda Bynes is really charming in this movie and it is a real boost thumbs up for the college gal who is independent and doesn't go with the flow of the university Greek System. You go, gurl! Nothing new here but, hey, it's very cute and well worth a rent if not a buy for Amanda fans and those who love modern, young romantic comedies.

From Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Blonde Ambition

This slap-stick comedy film was created to showcase popstar/actress Jessica Simpson as a leading comedic actress. You judge. Story goes: Katie (Jessica Simpson) is girl from small-town Oklahoma who has hooked up with NYC hand model Billy (Drew Fuller). Katie goes to New York to surprise him but she gets the surprise when finding him in bed with another girl. Katie turns to cousin Haley (Rachel Leigh Cook) for comfort and ends up landing a job in a big corporate office with evil boss Debra (Penelope Ann Miller). Debra takes credit for Katie's ideas in her bid to take over the company while Katie gets attracted to Ben (Luke Wilson) a guy from the mail room.

Video/Audio: The widescreen presentation is okay if not very vibrant color-wise. Dolby digital audio is okay, with dialogue and music separated fine.

Special Features: You get three "Deleted scenes" some of which deal with a toothbrush gag and a conversation on oral fixations. Silly and it's okay that it's out of the film. "Blonde Ambition: Behind the Scenes with the Cast and Crew" is the usual selling behind-the-scenes footage and interviews. Okay but no big surprises.

Wrapping Up: Jessica was funnier in The Dukes of Hazzard. She seems to be trying too hard here to be a physical comedienne like Lucille Ball. She has no chemistry with Luke Wilson. Okay for a rent if you are a Jessica fan.

***

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