| New Video and DVD Releases | |
| Part 1: This Week's New Releases on Video/DVD |
by Ivana Redwine
There are some interesting video/DVD releases slated for December 21, 2004, including "De-Lovely," "King Arthur," "The Manchurian Candidate," "Napoleon Dynamite," and "Shaun of the Dead." In addition, we'll take a sneak peek at next week's movies on video/DVD.
December 21, 2004 - Video and DVD Releases
"De-Lovely"
Tagline:
"A love that would never die and music that would live forever."
Length:
125 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual content
This is a biopic about Cole Porter (1891-1964), the celebrated American composer who wrote "Night and Day," "Begin the Beguine," "Let's Do It," and many more songs. Kevin Kline plays Porter, and Ashley Judd portrays Porter's wife Linda. The movie acknowledges Porter's sexual relationships with men, and it covers his work on Broadway and in Hollywood. Porter's songs are performed by contemporary singers, such as Diana Krall and Elvis Costello.
Selected Special DVD Features:• Widescreen
Formats Available: The above information on special features refers to the DVD. Check for availability on VHS.
"King
Arthur"
Tagline:
"Rule your fate."
Length:
126 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense battle sequences, a scene
of sensuality and some language
Set in the fifth century, this is a Jerry Bruckheimer action version of the Arthurian legend in which Clive Owen plays the title character and Keira Knightley portrays Guinevere. The Romans are leaving Britain, and Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table end up taking on the task of leading the Britons against the invading Saxons. The movie is all about the battle sequences, as Guinevere dons leather, paints her face blue, and joins in the fray.
Selected Special DVD Features:• Available in Rated and Unrated Editions
Formats Available: The above information on special features refers to the DVD. Check for availability on VHS.
"The
Manchurian Candidate"
Tagline:
"This summer everything is under control."
Length:
129 minutes
MPAA Rating: R for violence and some language
Directed by Jonathan Demme, this political thriller is an update of the classic 1962 film. Denzel Washington, Liev Schreiber, and Meryl Streep are in roles corresponding loosely to those played by Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, and Angela Lansbury. In the remake, an army veteran tries to clarify hazy memories of the Gulf War, and his quest might impact a U.S. presidential election. This time, Manchurian refers not to a region but to a corporation.
Selected Special DVD Features:• Widescreen
Formats Available: The above information on special features refers to the DVD. Check for availability on VHS.
"Napoleon
Dynamite"
Tagline:
"He's out to prove he's got nothing to prove."
Length:
86 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic elements and language
Set in a small Western town, this little comedy's protagonist is an awkward, wild-haired, nerdy high school student named Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder). Napoleon lives with his grandma and his unemployed 30-something brother, and his eccentric uncle, who's stuck in a 1982 timewarp, eventually moves in with them. At school, Napoleon is constantly picked on, but he befriends the only Latino student and helps him run for class president.
Selected Special DVD Features:• Deleted Scenes
Formats Available: The above information on special features refers to the DVD. Check for availability on VHS.
"Shaun
of the Dead"
Tagline:
"A romantic comedy. With zombies."
Length:
99 minutes
MPAA Rating: R for zombie violence/gore and language
This British horror comedy spoofs zombie movies. Shaun is a 29-year-old slacker who lives in London with two other guys. When the city suddenly begins crawling with zombies, Shaun, his pals, his family, and his girlfriend head for a local pub, where they hope they will be safe. The movie follows the motley group as they encounter the undead, and the humor revolves around the ineptness with which Shaun and the others deal with the situation.
Selected Special DVD Features:• Widescreen
Formats Available: The above information on special features refers to the DVD. Check for availability on VHS.
