New on DVD
Leverage: The First Season
Unrated
Available on DVD
This new TNT action series starring Oscar winner Timothy Hutton (Ordinary People) tells the story of a former insurance investigator who leads a group of thieves on a series of Robin Hood adventures after they achieve the score of their lives. Designed for an audience that is fed up with corporate America (for which TNT is part of), the lies they feed, and the money they steal, this movie could be a real crowd-pleaser. I just wish the writing was stronger and that the stories were a bit more plausible. The dialogue is fast and witty, almost like a sleight of hand keeping the audience from realizing that the substance of the show is so shallow. C+
Karl Malden (1912-2009)
We’ve heard so much about Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett lately that we have all but missed the passing of one of the true legends of Hollywood: Karl Malden. With this being a week where there’s not much out on DVD, I’d like to take this opportunity to recommend taking a look back at this truly amazing star. While he acted in movies for almost fifty years, he was best known for his Oscar-winning turn as Mitch in A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) costarring Marlon Brando. A few years later he teamed up with Brando again in On the Waterfront (1954) as Father Barry, the priest that tries to convince Brando’s character to do the right thing and testify against the mob. This role also had him nominated for a second Oscar (and with that kind of performance he should have had a second win). The last film I’d like to recommend is the brilliant Patton (1970), where Malden took on the part of General Omar Bradley during World War II. Overall, Malden lead a brilliant career and I think that in between listening to Jacko CDs and watching Charlie Angel’s reruns – check out this legendary actor and some of his magnificent films.