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First-rate cast stars in not-so-great Public Enemies
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Johnny Depp stars as legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger in Public Enemies.
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Published: December 10, 2009
Public Enemies (R): Despite a first-rate cast led by Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, director Michael Mann's gangster epic falls short of greatness. Charismatic bank robber John Dillinger (Depp) has become public enemy number one, but also a folk hero to the Depression-era masses; Melvin Purvis (Bale) is a by-the-book FBI agent assigned to hunt him down. Marion Cotillard co-stars as Dillinger's romantic interest, and Billy Crudup is underused as FBI head J. Edgar Hoover.
Extras in the two-DVD and Blu-ray editions include extensive featurettes about the real-life characters and the making of the movie, plus commentary.
Legendary Gangsters 5-Movie Collection (R): The single-DVD version of Public Enemies is also available in this boxed set, which combines it with other films about lives of crime: Casino, Carlito's Way, Scarface and American Gangster.
Julie & Julia (PG-13): Aspiring writer Julie Powell (Amy Adams) tries to emulate legendary chef Julia Child (Meryl Streep) by cooking her way through Child's popular cookbook and blogging about it. The DVD has a few extras, but the Blu-ray is loaded with bonus material, including various featurettes about Child and her famous recipes.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (PG): Young wizard-in-training Harry and his friends reunite for another adventure. It's not for newcomers to the series, but fans should be pleased overall. The Blu-ray version includes a "Maximum Movie Mode" with picture-in-picture commentary and featurettes. Also available (separately) for Potter fans is Harry Potter: Wizarding World, a trivia game playable on a DVD player.
Harry Potter Ultimate Editions (PG): The first two movies in the series — The Sorcerer's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets — have been re-released in separate four-disc special editions with new documentaries, screen tests, and 48-page companion booklets.
World's Greatest Dad (R): This dark, dark comedy, which played here at the RiverRun International Film Festival, was written and directed by comedian Bobcat Goldthwait. The film follows a frustrated writer (Robin Williams) whose obnoxious son dies in an embarrassing accident. To cover it up, dad writes a fake suicide note, with unexpected consequences. Extras include deleted scenes and commentary.
Sherlock Holmes Double Features (unrated): Here are two more double-features of classic Holmes mysteries with Basil Rathbone. One volume has The Spider Woman and The Voice of Terror; the other has The House of Fear and The Pearl of Death. The movies have been digitally remastered.
Rescue Me: Season 5, Vol. 2: Denis Leary's edgy comedy-drama, about a caustic New York firefighter whose life keeps spiraling out of control, continues its fifth season.
The Fugitive: Season 3, Vol. 2: Dr. Richard Kimble (David Janssen) keeps on chasing that one-armed man in this four-disc boxed set.
Perry Mason: Season 4, Vol. 2: Kimble probably would've avoided conviction if he'd had defense attorney Mason (Raymond Burr) on his case in the first place.
Johnny Mercer: The Dream's On Me (unrated): This documentary, produced by cable channel TCM, looks at the career of prolific songwriter Mercer. A bonus disc includes musical performances.
The Living Fireplace Vol. 2 on Blu-ray: Celebrate the holidays by turning your high-definition TV into a roaring fireplace with this new release, which includes a variety of footage and sound options, from Christmas music to jazz to classical — or simply the sounds of crackling logs.
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