New Video and DVD Releases

The new DVD releases include Crank, The Illusionist and The Night Listener. In addition, we'll take a sneak peek at next week's movies on video/DVD.

January 9, 2007 - New Video and DVD Releases:

Crank DVD

Tagline: "Poison in his veins. Vengeance in his heart."

Length: 87 minutes
MPAA Rating: R for strong violence, pervasive language, sexuality, nudity and drug use

Jason Statham stars in this movie, which features nonstop action. Chev Chelios (Statham) is a hit man who wakes up one day to find out he has been poisoned in his sleep with something called a Beijing cocktail. The toxin will be lethal unless he can keep his adrenaline level high. To stay alive, Chev must constantly do things that stimulate his adrenaline flow, and he goes on a rampage that leaves death and destruction in its wake. There is humor in the film, and Amy Smart plays Chev's scatterbrained girlfriend.

Selected DVD Special Features:

• Widescreen
• Also Available on Blu-ray Disc

Find out more about this DVD release.

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

The Illusionist DVD

Tagline: "Nothing is what it seems."

Length: 110 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some sexuality and violence

Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti star in this drama about a magician in Vienna circa 1900. Eisenheim (Norton) puts on astounding magic shows, and Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell) and his fiancée Sophie (Jessica Biel) attend a performance. It turns out Eisenheim and Sophie were childhood sweethearts, and they become lovers, but try to keep it hidden from Leopold. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince assigns Chief Inspector Uhl (Giamatti) to uncover Eisenheim's secrets and expose him as a fraud.

Selected DVD Special Features:

• Widescreen

Find out more about this DVD release.

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

The Night Listener DVD

Length: 82 minutes
MPAA Rating: R for language and some disquieting sexual content

Robin Williams stars in this drama, adapted from Armistead Maupin's novel, which was based on real life. Gabriel Noone (Williams), a talk-radio host who has recently broken up with his lover, is shown a manuscript supposedly written by Pete, a resident of a distant state who is said to be a terminally ill 14-year-old boy. Gabriel has many phone conversations with Pete and his protective stepmother Donna (Toni Collette). But uncertainty arises as to whether or not Pete exists, and Gabriel sets out to investigate.

Selected DVD Special Features:

• Featurette

Find out more about this DVD release.

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 This Week