| New Release DVDs: |
| The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior |
| THE SCORPION KING 2 uncovers the origins of the 2002 summer blockbuster which starred Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Mathayus, the most fearsome desert warrior of the ancient world. Reaching deep into the past, this prequel begins with the king as a 13-year-old peasant boy (Michael Copon) who witnesses the kidnapping and death of his father at the hands of the terrifying Sargon (played by towering UFC Heavyweight Randy Couture). Thirsty for vengeance, young Mathayus trains at the Order of the Black Scorpion to sharpen his skills as a killing machine, then journeys to the underworld to retrieve the one sword that can help him defeat Sargon. When the burgeoning Scorpion King finally comes to blows with his murderous rival, the fate of the entire human race hangs in the balance. (1 hr. 49 min.) |
| Street Kings |
David Ayer, who wrote TRAINING DAY, gives us another unflinching look at disillusionment and questionable decision-making within the ranks of the LAPD. Ayer's second directorial effort tells the story of burnt-out Tom Ludlow (Keanu Reeves), a functioning alcoholic and undisciplined detective with the Special Vice Unit. While so much of this characterization appears resonatingly familiar at first, we soon learn that the character here has been tweaked. While this loose cannon in no way does things by the book, he is also far from playing by his own rules. Ludlow is relied upon by the other detectives in the unit, and by their almost maniacally ambitious Captain Wander (Forest Whitaker), to go outside the law whenever needed. The infractions he is pressured to commit are quickly and uncomplainingly covered up by Captain Wander, while Ludlow and the rest of Special Vice receive accolades for their high clearance rate. Not until one of these cover-ups leads to the brutal murder of his ex-partner (Terry Crews) does Ludlow try to dispel the apathy (and the vodka fumes) clouding his purpose. This procedural melodrama is almost completely internalized within the LAPD, as Vice cops investigate Narcotics cops, who snitch on Homicide cops, and no one talks to Internal Affairs, etc. Crimes are staged, executed, and pinned firmly on suspects with alarming efficiency as the necessary DNA, murder weapons, and fingerprints are then sprinkled around the scenes after the fact.
A study in familiar elements slightly skewed, STREET KINGS provides a satisfying dose of bright, loud, violent police work blended with the right amount of discreetly passed interoffice envelopes to keep the taut intrigue in step with the body count. Little time is wasted on exposition, and the audience's ability to extrapolate is given a great deal of credit as Ludlow's dead wife, substance abuse, and past career troubles are flashed at us briefly, then put away in favor of the crisis at hand. (1 hr. 48 min.) |
| Immortal |
| The New York of 2095 retains some of its past majesty, such as the Empire State Building, and many other skyscrapers. But the skyline is principally dominated by a huge floating pyramid that has appeared, apparently sent by ancient Egyptian Gods. This is the scenario that director Enki Bilal sets for his film, IMMORTAL, which was among the first to shoot actors playing out their entire roles against a blue screen, then depositing them in a computer-generated environment in post-production. The pyramid has appeared in the skyline so the Gods can rid themselves of Horus (Thomas M. Pollard), who scours Manhattan for a suitable human body to inhabit. As he searches for a mate, Horus's life is irrevocably thrown together with a strange, blue-haired girl who is embarking on a quest that mirrors the hero's own. A sci-fi epic that resembles genre favorites such as THE FIFTH ELEMENT and THE MATRIX, Bilal based the action on his own comic strips, producing an innovative, action-packed movie in the process. |
| Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour |
| Based on the hit Disney television show, HANNAH MONTANA/MILEY CYRUS: BEST OF BOTH WORLDS CONCERT TOUR 3-D provides dedicated fans an all-access pass to the Best of Both Worlds concert tour. Leaving behind character Miley Stewart, the concert instead splits time between pop phenom Hannah Montana and Cyrus, who assumes the role of Montana's "ordinary girl" alter ego. Footage of the concert is interspersed with numerous behind-the-scene vignettes. Among these are pre-tour rehearsals--orchestrated by HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL impresario Kenny Ortega--and a touching jam session with father Billy Ray Cyrus. Also included are ecstatic fan testimonials and the film's most humorous moment, in which fathers race each other in high-heeled shoes for the chance to win concert tickets and backstage passes. Montana/Cyrus is joined on stage by the Jonas Brothers, who whip up the crowd with their own brand of high-energy pop. The film employs most of its 3-D tricks in the opening credits then pulls back the reins to focus on giving viewers the next best thing to actually being at the show. Filled with fist-pumping anthems ("Girls Night Out," "Nobody's Perfect," and the title track), BEST OF BOTH WORLDS remains true to the television show's dual personality theme: through good times and bad, every girl is her own superstar. For fans and parents alike, it's a wholesome and empowering message wrapped up in pure infectious fun. (1 hr. 40 min.) |
| Prom Night |
| It's been three years since her family was murdered by a teacher obsessed with her, and Donna (Brittany Snow) is getting ready to go to the prom with her boyfriend, Bobby (Scott Porter). Now living with her aunt and uncle, Donna has just started having nightmares again about the tragedy, especially the part where she was hiding under the bed as she watched the teacher, Richard Fenton (Johnathon Schaech), kill her mother. On prom night, Detective Winn (Idris Elba), who handled the original case, is suddenly told that three days ago Fenton had broken out of the psychiatric hospital where he was imprisoned, and is now missing. With a strong suspicion that Fenton will be heading after Donna to fulfill what he believes is his destiny--to be with her--Winn and Detective Nash (James Ransone) go to the prom, which is being held in a lavish hotel, to keep their eyes on Donna and to watch out for Fenton. But Fenton is a crafty villain, already on another murderous rampage as he makes his way toward Donna, who he believes belongs to him and only him. Nelson McCormick's remake of the 1980 thriller PROM NIGHT, which starred scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis, has been completely reimagined by screenwriter J. S. Cardone. Instead of focusing on the body count and grisly methods of murder, McCormick--who has directed episodes of such hit television shows as E.R., COLD CASE, and HOUSE--delves more into the mind of the characters, especially Donna, Fenton, and Winn. The creepy mood is enhanced by cinematographer Checco Varese's shadowy photography and Paul Haslinger's eerie score. Dana Davis gives an excellent supporting performance as Donna's friend Lisa, who is determined to be named prom queen over snobby rich girl Crissy Lynn (Brianne Davis). (1 hr. 28 min.) |
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