The new DVD releases include Apocalypto, Epic Movie, Letters From Iwo Jima and Venus. In addition, we'll take a sneak peek at next week's movies on video/DVD.
May 22, 2007 - New Video and DVD Releases:
Tagline: "When the end comes, not everyone is ready to go."
Length: 139 minutesMPAA Rating: R for sequences of graphic violence and disturbing images
Mel Gibson directed this violent action-adventure film set in 16th-century Central America. The dialogue is in Maya, and English subtitles are provided. The main character is Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood), who lives a simple village life with his pregnant wife and their little boy. But warriors attack, and Jaguar Paw is captured. He is taken to a city where hearts are ripped from human chests and severed heads are rolled down a tall pyramid. He escapes and is chased through the jungle as he tries to get back to his family. Selected DVD Special Features:
- Commentary
- Widescreen
Formats Available: The above information on special features refers to the DVD. Check for availability on VHS.
Epic Movie DVD
Length: 86 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, language and some comic violence (An unrated version of this movie is also available on DVD.)
In the spirit of Scary Movie and Date Movie, Epic Movie is a comedy that parodies other recent films, this time high-grossing ones of any genre. There are four main characters, one each drawn from The Da Vinci Code, Nacho Libre, Snakes on a Plane and X-Men. All four end up at Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, but go through a wardrobe to the land of Gnarnia (the initial letter is silent). Residing there are Aslo the Lion (Fred Willard) and the White Bitch (Jennifer Coolidge). Many jokes relate to bodily functions.
- Widescreen
Formats Available: The above information on special features refers to the DVD. Check for availability on VHS.
Letters From Iwo Jima DVD
Length: 142 minutes
MPAA Rating: R for graphic war violence
Clint Eastwood directed this Japanese-language World War II drama, a companion piece to his Flags of Our Fathers. In Letters, General Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe) is tasked with readying 20,000 Japanese soldiers on a tiny Pacific island for an attack by an overwhelming American force. The Japanese high command decides to provide no support and orders its troops on Iwo Jima to fight to their deaths. The movie follows a handful of the Japanese soldiers as they prepare as best they can to die with honor.
- Two-Disc DVD Set
Formats Available: The above information on special features refers to the DVD. Check for availability on VHS.
Venus DVD
Length: 95 minutes
MPAA Rating: R for language, some sexual content and brief nudity
Peter O'Toole received a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his performance in this little British movie set in London. O'Toole plays Maurice, an elderly actor who is friends with the grumpy Ian (Leslie Phillips), another aged trouper. Maurice's health is fragile, but he's still randy, and he's concerned about needing prostate surgery. When he meets Ian's sullen, low-class 19-year-old grandniece (Jodie Whittaker), Maurice is attracted to her. An odd relationship develops that benefits both the old man and the young woman.
- Widescreen
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