New on DVD
Doubt
Rated PG-13 for thematic material
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Set in the 1960s, Doubt tells the story of a nun (Meryl Streep) who is suspicious of a priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman) that she believes may have molested a boy in their school. While the film plays better as the play it was based on, you can’t discount the terrific performances from the leading cast that make this film tick. It may not be immensely entertaining, but it sure does make you think. B
Bedtime Stories
Rated PG for some mild rude humor and mild language
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Adam Sandler stars in this pic about a hotel handyman with big dreams that enjoys telling stupid bedtimes stories to his sister’s kids. Watching this film I rolled my eyes back in my head so many times that I need to consult an ophthalmologist. I don’t think that adults will like this much, but the real question is: will kids like it? I sure hope not. If I had kids that liked it, I would attempt to Clockwork-Orange it out of them. F
The Tale of Despereaux
Rated G
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Despereaux the mouse is not afraid of anything, and to prove it he sets out on a mission to save the princess and her kingdom. Not even spectacular animation and an all-star cast of voices could make this weird little mouse tale come to life. The pic lacks the humor of most children’s films and tells a story that frankly proves to be more strange than entertaining. C-
Cleopatra: 75th Anniversary Edition
Unrated
Available on DVD
With a remastered print and a new transfer to DVD, Cecil B. DeMille’s classic story of the queen of the Nile starring screen legend Claudette Colbert, shows off its historical significance and splendor in this new special edition. Since I had not actually seen this film in its entirety before, I was pleasantly surprised with its style. The storytelling and acting are a bit dated, as would be expected, but the sets and costumes were extraordinary, even by today’s standards. Also, I had no idea how racy the film could be. The costumes left little to the imagination, which took me by surprise considering the time it was made. As for the special features, I actually enjoyed watching the three short documentaries on the disc as much as I enjoyed the movie itself. B+