There are some interesting video/DVD releases slated for next week, including "Assault on Precinct 13," "In Good Company," "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou," and "The Merchant of Venice." Let's take a look at these movies on DVD and video, along with some additional releases of interest.

May 10, 2005 - Video and DVD Releases

"Assault on Precinct 13"

Tagline: "Unite and fight."

Length: 109 minutes
MPAA Rating: R for strong violence and language throughout, and for some drug content

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.

Selected Special DVD Features:

• Featurette

Formats Available: The above information on special features refers to the DVD. Check for availability on VHS.

"In Good Company"

Length: 109 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some sexual content and drug references

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).

Selected Special DVD Features:

• Deleted Scenes
• Commentary by Paul Weitz and Topher Grace

Formats Available: The above information on special features refers to the DVD. Check for availability on VHS.

"The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou"

Length: 118 minutes
MPAA Rating: R for language, some drug use, violence and partial nudity

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.

Selected Special DVD Features:

• Commentary by Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach
• Deleted Scenes
• Interviews

Formats Available: The above information on special features refers to the DVD. Check for availability on VHS.

"The Merchant of Venice"

Length: 138 minutes
MPAA Rating: R for some nudity

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.

Selected Special DVD Features:

• Commentary With Michael Radford and Lynn Collins
• Making-of Featurette

Formats Available: The above information on special features refers to the DVD. Check for availability on VHS.

"Racing Stripes"

Tagline: "His stripes made him an outcast. His heart made him a hero."

Length: 84 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG for mild crude humor and some language

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.

Selected Special DVD Features:

• Alternate Ending
• Director's Commentary
• Outtakes

Formats Available: The above information on special features refers to the DVD. Check for availability on VHS.

Next Page - Additional Video/DVD Releases of Interest Coming Next Week

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