New on DVD
When in Rome
Rated PG-13 for brief suggestive content
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Beth (Kristen Bell) is unlucky in love until she goes to her sister’s wedding in Italy and steals a few coins out of a local fountain. Upon returning to America, she is confused as to why she is being heavily stalked by a group of fanatical men, when she realizes that she stole those mens’ coins from the fountain. Unless she returns them to the fountain, they will be stalking her forever. If you just watched the first and last act of the film, you would think you were in worst film of the year territory. The setup and conclusion are both so horrendous that it’s hard to believe the actors were able to get through their lines with a straight face. The second act, however, has some pretty bright spots. The men chasing her, played by Josh Duhamel, Will Arnett, Jon Heder, Dax Shepard, and Danny DeVito, all had some pretty hilarious moments and make you rethink your synopsis, that is until you get to the end. If you are looking for the great romantic comedy that we’ve been missing for a long time now, this isn’t it. I’ll keep searching though and let you know. C-
Collapse
Not Rated
Available on DVD
Former Los Angeles police officer turned reporter Michael Ruppert was one of the only people who correctly predicted our recent financial crisis, almost perfectly. Now Chris Smith (The Yes Men and American Movie) sits down for a riveting interview with him where he gives his next prediction: a new meltdown based on oil, economics, and covert U.S. policies that he thinks are leading us to an impending global catastrophe. Is he paranoid? Brilliant? Crazy? Perhaps a little of all of these, but frighteningly so – he is convincing. His arguments have a lot of facts thrown in that are hard to refute. This is an incredibly exciting documentary that you really should check out, no matter what your politics dictate. A-
Supernatural: The Complete First Season
Available and Blu-ray
For five seasons now this CW show has flown under my radar, and I’m not exactly sure how, because this is exactly the kind of show I like to watch. Supernatural follows two brothers whose father hunted evil for 22 years. When their father turns up missing, they must hunt what their father hunts. Along the way they run into vampires, ghosts, and demons, all of which must be brought down. It’s a fun concept and a pretty well constructed show, with great special effects – especially considering it’s on the CW (no disrespect intended). B
The Illusionist
Rated PG-13 for some sexuality and violence
Available on Blu-ray
Back in 2006, two magician film went head-to-head at the box office: The Illusionist, starring Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti and The Prestige, starring Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale. The Prestige might have won the box office battle, but in my humble opinion, The Illusionist was by far the better of the two. The acting is excellent, the story is tricky but not impossible to follow, and the production values are spectacular. Plus, the award-winning score by Philip Glass gives the film an added dimension of beauty. A-