The new DVD releases include Fame, Halloween II, The Hurt Locker and Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All by Myself. You can also take a look at additional releases of interest and next week's movies on video/DVD.
January 12, 2010 - New DVD and Video Releases:
'Fame' DVD
This musical is a reinterpretation of the 1980 film of the same title that spawned a TV show and a stage musical. The story still takes place over four years at a New York high school for the performing arts, but the new movie has different characters and, with the exception of Debbie Allen, different actors. The emphasis is on polished dancing and singing, and the tone is similar to High School Musical. A highlight is young Naturi Naughton doing "Out Here on My Own." Teachers are played by Kelsey Grammer, Bebe Neuwirth, Megan Mullally and Charles S. Dutton.
'Halloween II' DVD
Rob Zombie wrote and directed this horror movie, the sequel to his 2007 Halloween, which was a remake of John Carpenter's 1978 classic. Tyler Mane is back from the 2007 film as the adult Michael Myers, as are Scout Taylor-Compton as Laurie Strode and Malcolm McDowell as Dr. Samuel Loomis. The story is still set in Haddonfield, Illinois. Loomis tours to promote his new book about Myers, while Laurie's sanity remains fragile after surviving the massacre. Myers continues his psychopathic murdering ways, and in his mind's eye sees his mother and a white horse.
'The Hurt Locker' DVD
Set in 2004 Baghdad, this tense, realistic drama focuses on three American soldiers whose job is to harmlessly disable improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The movie takes no position on the morality of the Iraq War; instead, the story is about the moment-to-moment lives of the men in the bomb squad. The three are played by relatively little known actors: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty, with Renner giving a memorable performance. Actors in supporting roles include Ralph Fiennes, Guy Pearce and David Morse. The film was directed by Kathryn Bigelow.
'Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All by Myself' DVD
Taraji P. Henson stars in this melodrama with humor that was written and directed by Tyler Perry, adapted from his own stage play. There's lots of music with supporting roles played by three topnotch singers: Gladys Knight, Mary J. Blige and Marvin L. Winans. Perry appears in two minor roles, including his famous alter ego Madea. Henson portrays April, a boozy, self-centered lounge singer who is reluctantly forced by circumstances to assume responsibility for her sister's kids. (April's singing voice is supplied by Cheryl Pepsii Riley.) But April eventually redeems herself.






