SUT . DV D our picks of the week by Ken Fox & Maitland McDonagh » (2004 $9998 Seinfeld cocreator Lary Davidis back with his sortof autobiographical comedy series, and Season 4ssstory nels the funniest yet In the 10-episode sea- son, Mel Brooks, for some insane reason, becomes convinced that Larry would beperfecttostarin "The Producers. Potential costar Ben Stiller, who, ke everyoneelse, has taken aninstant dsiketoLarry, isr'tso sure. EXTRAS: None Toobad-the outtakes from thisparty improvised series are probably abast Series: MOVIE CHOICE corey Peet eres CRASH 2008; RatedR:$28:98) ‘An LA. carjacking and its aftershocks expose the racism of a group of dispa- rate Angelenos in “Million Dollar Baby” screenwriter Paul Haggis’ self-described “passion piece.” Though flawed, this is a provoca- tive, briliantly acted movie. EXTRAS: Behind-the- scenes feature; Haggis’ audio commentary. Movie: Extras: ‘TV Gue's Matt Roush hails the resurgence of comediesinthenew TV season, but how do the fresh men compare to old favorites? Now's your chance to find out. » he Complete Si Season (887-88 $3999) Shelley Long has departed but Kirstie Alley is here. >e 2000; $4498) Includes comment byRay Romano, Patricia Heaton andothers. 1996-99, $3999 Frasier struggles with unemployment and ‘Amy Brenneman arrives. TO KILL A MOCKING- BIRD (1962; NR; $26.98) Universal's beautifully remastered Legacy Se~ ries edition does justice to this American classic about gentle, horned rimmed Alabama attor- ney Atticus Finch and his willingness to stand up for what is right. extras: Commentary from producer Alan J Pakula and director Robert Mulligan; A Conversation With Gregory Peck,” a fitting tribute to the actor whose unforgettable portrayal of Atticus Finch won him an Oscar. Movi: Extras:(2004; P63; $2698) The power of Don Cheadle'sturnas Paul Rusesabagina, the Rwandan hotelier whosavednearly 1200ofhiscountry- ‘men during the 1994 ‘genocide, is matched » only by the man himself, (2004 RatedP6;$2898) Johnny whoappears inthe extras. Depp's (above,left)Oscar- EXTRAS: "Return to Rwanda’ ominatedperformanceas doc with Rusesabagina, who Peter Pan creator JM.Barrie _also provides commentary. transformsthe potentially Movie: x * Extras: creepy story of amiddle-aged playwright’ friendship with four young boys and their ailing mother (the radiant Kate Winslet) into an enchant- ing tearjerker. EXTRAS: Making-of featurettes; deleted scenes; commentary. Movie: + % Extras: BIG DVD GIVEAWAY! NEW TV RELEASE ‘THE BOB NEWHART SHOW: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON (1972-73, 2998) The ensemble surrounding Newhart’s psy- hologist Bob Hartley-including wife Suzanne Pleshette-isas tight as ever 30-plus years on, butit's Bob's bone dry demeanor that's the big laugh-getter. EXTRAS: None. Series: Pete SYNE kee ‘Thomas Haden Church, Oscar-nominatedstar of "Sideways" 2004 R $2998) ‘Are you now a wine snob? I don'treally care about wine. Most of the restaurants Igo todontt even havea winelist. You'll never hear me say, “Steward, youve brought me ) Our picks of the week by Ken Fox & Maitland McDonagh » (2003; $9998) Missed the first sea son of HBO's spooky Depression-era series? Now youcan catch upbefore Season pre- iAmaia | mieres on January9.NotsinceDavidLynch Mili 4) freaked us out with Twin Peaks has there _monicminister (Clancy Brown), hasan unholy been anythingas out there as this piece of power over people's minds. The period detail 2) DustBow! American gothic. Thestoryfollows _willhold your attention andif alo Season ‘and geeks, whililuminating the destinies of Season2,wecanonly hopethe follow-through §) two very different men cursed with super- is as good as the windup. Extras are slim: natural powers.One, lowly roustabout (Nick three episode commentaries; making-of 8] stahn,canheal with atouch; the other, ade- featurette Series: +s Extras: (2004; Rated R; {go back into the water, director Chris Kentis delivers a reminder that it’ fullof things with toothy grins. A bickering couple on vacation gets left behind in the sea by their dive boat...well,not quite alone. The low-budget film’s squirm-inducing gimmick: Kentis. | dropped actors Blanchard Ryan and Daniel | Travis in the drink with real sharks, EXTRAS: Two commen taries; shark documentary. Movie: 4x % Extra BB PR ANAS | | atraveling carnival andits roster of freaks collected on six discs~feels ike a prelude to | | | '$2996) Scrubs' Zach Braff ‘writes, directs and stars. The ‘soundtrack is a must-have. >> Troy @O04;R:$2995) It ain't ‘exactly Homer, but this deluxe double-disc DVD is epic. » (2004 PC: $2998) ‘Tennis pros Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany play alove match.DVDour picks of the week - Our picks of the week by Ken Fox & Maitland McDonagh by Ken Fox & Maitland McDonagh » (2004; $5998) In what must rank as the most extreme makeover in TV history, the fun but frankly less-than-classic 70s space opera has been retooled into this dark AR est etbelledal Sdn! ‘and dramatic series that speaks to our own [iia 4 | Mode." While the movies roll, pressing enTeR ter Stallone. As for the movies themselves, Teabife ansieties about warterrorism,sleeper aa 3| at certain points brings up maps, dossiers, “First Blood’-a misunderstood-drifter-pays- agents and WMDs. Even if you're already MAGuimulentdeetaags eae j| character briefings laser-quided targeting, back-sadistic-tedneck-cops picture-is still deep into Season 2, currently airing on SciFi _mentaries from director Michael Rymer and picture-in-picture radar sweeps and the the best of the three (look for CSt: Miami's Channel, this five-disc set is worth a look. executive producers David Eick and Ronald like. If that doesn't load your carbine there's David Caruso as one of the local lawmen). EXTRA Theyiriciude the oplgnal our-hour “D. Moore are jiseauetntas yall enue also an alternate ending to “First Blood’ in The other two remain the overblown wish- Maeercsand eight feat icienciticoni- Sorter which John Rambo commits suicideandnew fulfillment fantasies they always were. £ | second-channel commentary by star Syives- MOVIES: + EXTRAS: (1982-88; Rated R; $4498) Do you think movies should be more ike video games? g | Ifo, you'll be realy jazzed when you play the ember 25, 2008 26 s. I MOVIE CHOICE tHe outsiers: THE COM- PLETE NOVEL (1983; Rated PG-13; $26.99) Francis Ford Coppola's adaptation of novelist S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders fea tures an impressive cast of future stars, ‘SPOTLIGHT: JOHN IRVING FILMS More movies based on John (2004; R; Irving novels... $2398) Kim Basinger’sromp with ahigh >>The Word According to | schoo! kid caused such a ruckus when Garp (962;R;$1998) Robin Wil- plete Mo this adaptation of John Irving's novel Nam frst serousrole | including Patrick Swayze, Rob Loweand Peanewepiareqtuy A Widow for One Year hit theaters that >» The Hotel New Hampshire | C. Thomas Howell as three brothers jaset (1969-98; many failed tomentionhow good she is 0864:R:$994) Jodie Foster and caught up in class rivalry between blue- gg oP Hrdwipciertebemitg J colar greasers (Matt DilonEmilioEstever, Tom Cruse) and $0299. numb wife of a philandering writer (Jeff Bridges) who winds >> The Cider House Rules preppy rich kids (Leif Garrett, Diane Lane) in the mid-'60s. This riffin: §| upin bed with her husband's assistant (Jon Foster). XTRAS: —(999_P6-1:5499) An Oscar win- “complete novel” version adds an introductory sequence cut Sony eo Titres oot rtiegconrnartan, hovers ocean toe Ree ee a tromthetheatrclversion endothe deleted scenes exraas: Untld Story @s Coppola commentary; “making-of” and behind-the-scenes $2998) material, Movie: Extras:DVD Our picks of the week by Ken Fox & Maitland McDonagh (2004; $5898) In what must rank as the most extreme make- overin TV history, the fun but frankly less-than-classic "70s space opera has been retooled intothis dark and dramatic series that speaks to our own reabiife anxi- eties about war, terrorism, sleeper agents and WMDs. Even if you're already deep into Season 2, currently airing on Sci Fi Channel, this five-disc set is worth a look. EXTRAS: It includes the original four-hour minise- ries and eight featurettes; audio commentaries from director Michael Rymer and executive producers David Eick and Ronald D. Moore are just as smart as oli expiach aaah ees [ spoT.icht: FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA'S TEEN CLASSICS ‘Shot back-to-back in Tulsa with overlap- png casts, Francis Ford Coppola's adap- tations of two favorites by youngradult ‘novelist SE. Hinton are fi sides ofa coin forged in reckless youthful energy and emotional turmoil THE OUTSIDERS: THE COMPLET! NOVEL (983; P6-13;52699) Set in the mi "60s, The Outsiders features an impres- sive cast of future stars, including Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe and C. Thomas Howell as three orphaned brothers caught up in class rivalry between blue-collar greasers (Matt Dillon, Emilio Estevez, Tom Cruise) and preppy rich kids (Leif Garrett, Diane Lane). Coppola assembled tis “complete novel” version, which adds an introduc: tory sequence cut from the theatrical release and other deleted scenes, partly in response toletters from youngreaders. EXTRAS: Coppola commentary; “making- of” and behind-the-scenes material. Extras: LE FISH: SPECIAL EDITION (0883, 1898) A swoony exercise in adoles- cent mythmaking, "Rumble Fish’ unfolds in an urban never-never land where sen- sitive andnone-too-swift teenhood Rusty James (Matt Dillon) languishes in the shadow of his impossibly cool older brother (Mickey Rourke), a doomed poet ‘ona motorbike. Coppola's “art movie for teens” features the baby-faced Nicolas Cage, Lawrence Fishburne and Christo~ pher Penn, as well as director-to-be Sofia Coppola, credited as “Domino” and playing teen bombshell Diane Lane's bratty little sister. EXTRAS: Com- mentary by Coppola; "making-of" and behind-the-scenes material, Movie: Extras: