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Video in stores
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David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reunite as Mulder and Scully in The X-Files: I Want to Believe.
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Published: December 4, 2008
Video in stores -
The X-Files: I Want to Believe (PG-13): As a self-contained film, the latest X-Files movie isn't all that good. The plot revolves around an absurd conspiracy and relies too heavily on coincidence. But as a return visit to some much-loved characters, it fares much better. Years after the end of their UFO-hunting days, former FBI agents Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) join forces once again to solve a mystery. Billy Connolly co-stars as a man with a troubled past who may be their best lead.
On DVD, the film is available as a single DVD or a three-DVD special edition with hours of extras including a feature-length documentary and a digital copy for portable players. The Blu-ray version has even more extras, including features with new material posted online and accessible through the BD-Live web portal. The first X-Files movie, Fight the Future, is also making its Blu-ray debut this week, available separately or in a two-pack with I Want to Believe.
Wanted (R): This ultra-stylish action film is loosely based on a cult comic book by Mark Millar and directed by Timur Bekmambetov, who is best known for the Russian films Night Watch and Day Watch. James McAvoy stars as the latest recruit to The Fraternity, a secret society of assassins who have been trained to defy the laws of physics. He has to learn the ropes from Fox, a beautiful warrior woman played by Angelina Jolie. The cast also includes Morgan Freeman and Terence Stamp.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (PG): The second film based on C.S. Lewis' fantasy novels picks up shortly after the events of the first, at least from the perspective of four siblings who have returned to the real world after their first adventure in the magical land of Narnia. Only a year has passed for them, but when they return they discover that hundreds of years have passed in Narnia and the land is in chaos. The film is available in a single-disc DVD with minimal extras or in a more elaborate Collector's Edition, on three DVDs or two Blu-ray discs.
Step Brothers (R and Unrated versions): Talladega Nights colleagues Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly and director Adam McKay reunite for this comedy about sibling rivalry and bonding. Ferrell and Reilly play middle-age slackers living lazily at home, one with his dad, the other with his mom, whose marriage forces the two into unwanted step-brotherhood.
The Longshots (PG-13): Ice Cube hits the sidelines in this sports tale based on a true story about the first girl to play Pop Warner football, a league that was previously a boys-only club. Cube plays a coach who drafts his niece (Keke Palmer) to take over as quarterback, her natural athletic ability lifting the team from also-rans to championship contenders.
Lower Learning (R): Jason Biggs, Eva Longoria Parker and The Daily Show veteran Rob Corddry star in this raunchy comedy about the dysfunctional staff of an elementary school.
Casablanca Ultimate Collectors Edition (Unrated): You must remember this…. The 1942 classic, one of the most beloved movies in history, is now available in Blu-ray and as a new "Ultimate Edition" DVD release. Extras include multiple commentaries, outtakes, documentaries, the Bugs Bunny homage cartoon Carrotblanca, an episode of the 1955 TV-series adaptation, and a radio production with the cast reprising their roles. The box also includes a passport holder and luggage tag, a 48-page booklet and cards reprinting lobby cards and posters.
The Day the Earth Stood Still Special Edition (Unrated): Before the remake with Keanu Reeves hits theaters next week, check out the 1951 original, which is still one of the most gripping science-fiction films ever made. Michael Rennie stars as an alien who travels to Earth, accompanied by a menacing robot named Gort, to warn mankind to mend its ways or risk extinction. The two-DVD edition has extras including making-of featurettes and an audio recording of the short story that inspired the film; the Blu-ray version also adds an option to create your own version of the eerie music that begins the film, plus an arcade-style game.
Becket (PG-13): This acclaimed 1964 epic comes to Blu-ray, with a stellar cast including Peter O'Toole, Richard Burton and John Gielgud. It tells the story of Henry II's struggle with his former friend, Thomas Becket. The disc includes commentary by O'Toole, a still gallery and interviews.
Hey There, It's Yogi Bear and The Man Called Flintstone (G): These two theatrical films -- from 1964 and 1966, respectively -- were based on popular cartoons. In Hey There, Yogi goes on a cross-country chase to rescue his girlfriend Cindy. In The Man Called Flintstone, a spy spoof, Fred has to take the place of Rock Slag, a dashing secret agent who happens to look just like him.
Saturday Night Live: The Complete Fourth Season (Unrated): The 1978-79 season of SNL comes to DVD in a seven-disc boxed set with such beloved characters as The Blues Brothers, the Nerds, Nick the Lounge Singer and Fred Garvin: Male Prostitute. Among the guest stars this time around are everyone from Milton Berle and Walter Matthau to Monty Python veterans Michael Palin and Eric Idle, plus music by such performers as Talking Heads, Devo, The Grateful Dead, The Rolling Stones, James Taylor and Peter Tosh.
The Best of Dr. Katz (Unrated): This DVD has some of the best episodes of the Comedy Central animated sitcom, about a mopey therapist whose clients are mostly stand-up comics, including Margaret Cho, David Cross, Richard Lewis, Patton Oswalt and Brian Regan.
Metalocalypse (Unrated): This Adult Swim cartoon series follows the members of Dethklok, a wildly successful heavy metal band, as they get into various wacky predicaments. Unlike the live-action heavy-metal parody This is Spinal Tap, these guys are superstars. Like the members of Tap, they are oblivious, self-absorbed and often hilarious.
Frost/Nixon (Unrated): This historic interview of former president Richard Nixon, conducted by British journalist David Frost, is the basis of a movie due in theaters later this month from director Ron Howard.
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