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by Ivana Redwine

Here's a selection of new movies on DVD for May, 2005.

May 3, 2005

"The Chorus"

An Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Film, this heartwarming French-language drama tells the tale of an inspiring teacher. The story is set in post-World War II France at a school for troubled boys where the headmaster is quick to mete out physical punishment. But Clément Matheiu (Gérard Jugnot), a middle-aged newcomer to the school staff, takes a different approach with the unruly boys: he secretly involves them in singing in a chorus.

"National Treasure"

Nicolas Cage stars in this action-adventure box-office hit. Benjamin Franklin Gates (Cage) goes on a quest seeking an American treasure that has something to do with the Knights Templar and the Freemasons. The Declaration of Independence contains a clue to the treasure's location, and a National Archives conservator (Diane Kruger) gets involved. Also appearing in the movie are Harvey Keitel, Jon Voight, Sean Bean, and Christopher Plummer.

"The Phantom of the Opera"

This is the screen adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's blockbuster stage musical about a mysterious masked man who haunts an opera house in 19th-century Paris. Michael Crawford gained fame by playing the Phantom on stage, but the film stars Gerard Butler in that role. The young singer Christine is performed in the movie by Emmy Rossum. The production is lavish and includes some well-known songs, notably "The Music of the Night."

May 10, 2005

"Assault on Precinct 13"

Ethan Hawke and Laurence Fishburne star in this violent action movie, a remake of a 1976 John Carpenter film. In the 2005 version, Hawke plays a police sergeant in charge of a lonely station that's being shut down forever. But blizzard conditions force a bus transporting prisoners, including a crime lord (Fishburne), to stop at the station. Soon the station comes under attack from a group of heavily armed men, and those inside must fight for their lives.

"In Good Company"

This feel-good comedy/drama stars Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace, and Scarlett Johansson. At age 51, Dan (Quaid) heads up ad sales at a magazine when it is sold to a conglomerate, turning his life upside down. Carter (Grace), a 26-year-old with no relevant experience, is brought in to replace Dan, who is kept on as an assistant. But an additional complication arises when Carter begins secretly seeing Dan's college-age daughter (Johansson).

"The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou"

Wes Anderson directed and co-wrote this idiosyncratic comedy that stars Bill Murray. Steve Zissou (Murray) has become famous through documentaries about himself and his crew having sea adventures. But on his most recent outing, his best friend was eaten by a jaguar shark. Now Steve sets out to track down and kill the shark, making a documentary along the way. Owen Wilson plays a guy who may or may not be Steve's illegitimate son.

"The Merchant of Venice"

Directed by Michael Radford, this screen adaptation of Shakespeare's play stars Al Pacino as the Jewish moneylender Shylock and Jeremy Irons as the Christian title character. When the merchant can't repay a loan on time, his contract stipulates Shylock can take a pound of his flesh. But the matter goes to court, where a woman posing as a male lawyer plays a key role. A problematic aspect of the story is that it raises the issue of anti-Semitism.

"Racing Stripes"

This family movie is a live-action drama starring Bruce Greenwood and Hayden Panettiere. But it also features animals that appear to talk with the voices of actors like Dustin Hoffman, Whoopi Goldberg, Snoop Dog, Joe Pantoliano, and Mandy Moore. The story is about a young zebra named Stripes (voice of Frankie Muniz) who wants to run in a horse race. There are comic animated horseflies voiced by Steve Harvey and David Spade.

May 17, 2005

"Kinsey"

Liam Neeson stars in this biopic about American biologist Alfred Kinsey (1894-1956), whose studies of human sexuality made him famous. The film chronicles Kinsey's career at Indiana University, including his early work with gall wasps and his controversial research into human sexual behavior. Also, the movie delves into his relationship with his puritanical father, his marriage to Clara (Laura Linney), and his exploration of his own sexuality.

"The Sea Inside"

Winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, this Spanish-language drama was directed by Alejandro Amenábar and stars Javier Bardem. Set in Spain, the film is based on the true story of Ramón Sampedro, who became a quadriplegic in his 20s as a result of an accident. The movie focuses on Sampedro's struggle to have his life ended without anyone being prosecuted, a cause that sparks both support and opposition.

"Team America: World Police"

Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of "South Park," spoof action movies in this comedy whose characters are puppets. Team America is a commando unit based inside Mount Rushmore that fights terrorism around the world. Unfortunately, there is collateral damage destroying the Eiffel Tower and the Sphinx. The main villain is North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il, and opposing Team America there's a bunch of liberal Hollywood actors.

"White Noise"

This paranormal thriller is based on the premise that dead people communicate with the living through messages left in radio and TV static. Jonathan Rivers (Michael Keaton) is trying to get on with his life after the recent death of his wife when he hears about Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP). He begins recording radio and TV static, and he gets strange messages that seem to forecast upcoming events. What is going on?

May 24, 2005

"Are We There Yet?"

Ice Cube and Nia Long star in this family comedy. Ice Cube plays Nick, a bachelor who falls for divorcée Suzanne (Long). Her two kids hope she'll get back together with their dad, and they try to run off any guy showing an interest in her. Nick hates kids, but he's so attracted to Suzanne that he starts seeing her anyway. She ends up in Vancouver while Nick and the kids drive up from Oregon to join her, and the trip is filled with comic complications.

"The Aviator"

Directed by Martin Scorsese, this biopic about Howard Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio) was nominated for 11 Oscars and won five. The film covers Hughes's glory years when he made movies, dated Hollywood stars, made TWA into a major airline, and built and flew military planes. One story thread concerns his romantic relationship with Katharine Hepburn (Cate Blanchett in an Oscar-winning performance). Another involves his battle for airline routes against Pan Am's Juan Trippe (Alec Baldwin) and U.S. Senator Brewster (Alan Alda).

"Pooh's Heffalump Movie"
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This is a children's animated movie based on A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh stories. Thus, it takes place in Hundred Acre Wood, and the characters include Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Roo, Eeyore, and Rabbit. Pooh and his friends hear scary sounds coming from Heffalump Hollow and set out to investigate. It turns out little Roo is the first to meet Lumpy, a baby heffalump (actually an elephant). Lumpy is voiced by eight-year-old Brit Kyle Stanger.

May 31, 2005

"Boogeyman"

In this horror movie, 20-something Tim Jensen (Barry Watson) is afraid of the dark. No wonder, though, since one night when he was eight, Tim witnessed his dad disappear forever into a closet, apparently being pulled by something unseen. Now, at a therapist's suggestion, Tim wants to conquer his fear of the Boogeyman and decides to spend a night in his boyhood home, where it turns out he's in for lots of spooky, supernatural goings-on.

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