Movies New on DVD & Download-16 October 2007


N E W • T H I S • W E E K
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The Hoax (2007) [R] -- W.I.P. Scale™ Rating: $12.75
Review-lite: Director Lasse Hallström has never shied away from a challenge, so it should be no different when taking on the story of the grandest hoax of all time—the Clifford Irving biography of Howard Hughes. William Wheeler based the screenplay for the film on Irving's own book and account of the events that led him to attempt to deftly swindle his publishers out of more than a million dollars under the auspices of writing the only authorized and accurate biography of the reclusive billionaire. Richard Gere plays the role of Irving delivering a magnificent performance shot straight from the hip as if he were truly destined for this role all along. While the film has some weaknesses, Marcia Gay Harden's misguided performance, the slow pacing of the middle third, and some focus on really needless details, overall, the film is worthy of a viewing just for Gere's portrayal of Irving alone. (click for full details and complete review)

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The Invisible (2007) [PG-13] -- W.I.P. Scale™ Rating: $11.50
Review-lite: As Hollywood continues searching for new stories, it is discovering the a fertile world as exemplified by David S. Goyer's film, The Invisible, adapted from the book Den Osynlige and film by Swedish author Mats Wahl. Goyer's version, rendered worthy of comments no producer wants uttered upon exit: "Not as good as The Sixth Sense" and "Basically everything's in the preview", seems faithful to written descriptions of the original. Senior Nick Powell's Justin Chatwin's and Margarita Levieva's performances were standouts. The rest of the cast, with only partially developed characters, does not fare as well. Most dubious was Pete (Chris Marquette) Nick's 'best' buddy who cashes in their friendship to save his own hide. It's an incongruous film with the best and the worst blended together like expensive coffee swirled with artificial, gelatinous whipped crème. (click for full details and complete review)

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The Invisible [Blu-ray](2007)

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A Mighty Heart (2007) [R]

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A Mighty Heart [DVD](2007)
Based on the book by journalist Mariane Pearl, this harrowing, true-life drama chronicles the desperate search for her husband, Wall Street Journal reporter Dan Pearl, who was kidnapped while the couple was working in Pakistan in 2002. Angelina Jolie delivers a powerful performance as Mariane, who must maintain a brave face while the chance of ever finding Daniel alive dwindles. Dan Futterman, Will Patton, Archie Panjabi also star. 108 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; "making of" documentary; featurettes.





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Planet Terror (2007) [R] -- W.I.P. Scale™ Rating: $13.00
Review-lite: Robert Rodriguez has created something very special in Planet Terror. This is not a traditionally great movie. Taken out of the context, it might be ridiculous, however, the context is key. And within the context Planet Terror is a fascinating, highly entertaining, riotously good fun with every detail covered exquisitely. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and I applaud the talent and ingenuity behind the creation of this film. Planet Terror is truly the first film of 2007 that I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing a second time. Count me in as the newest fan of Rose McGowan and Freddy Rodríguez as well. (click for full details and complete review)

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Planet Terror [DVD](2007)




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The Reaping (2007) [R] -- W.I.P. Scale™ Rating: $8.50
Review-lite: Hillary Swank and Stephen Rea in a scary new mystery film set, like 2005's wonderfully twisty, spooky, and surprising Skeleton Key, in the bayous of Louisiana, had the beginnings of what seemed like it might be a really good movie. Swank plays a former Christian missionary committed to bringing her religion to remote regions of Africa, set back in her faith when her husband and daughter are murdered by the local tribal elder who blames their presence for the year-long drought. Her new gig? Debunking miracles with scientific explanations. That goes well for her until a small town science teacher from the isolated town of Haven begs her to come investigate the recreation of the 10 Biblical plagues God sprung on the ancient Egyptians. Unfortunately, despite adequate acting and special effects, the story ends badly with too many unanswered questions and confusing revelations requiring a flowchart to unravel. (click for full details and complete review)

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Transformers (2007) [PG-13] 144 minutes -- W.I.P. Scale™ Rating: $14.00
Review-lite: You've never seen anything like Michael Bay's Transformers as they are the next evolution in mesmerizing CGI film effects and destined to win awards in all of the technical film awards. The film tracks the life of teenager, Sam Witwicky (Shia LeBeouf) as he uncovers a plot to destroy the world by transforming evil robots called Decepticons®. Only the loyal Autobots® led by Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen) can save the planet. While the acting and writing for the dialogue left much to be desired, nothing can compare to the visual and auditory sensations this film packs into a powerful, adrenalin pounding action thriller. Not since Independence Day has there been such a great Fourth of July weekend film, and not since Star Wars have the grounds of technical achievement been elevated to a whole new era. (click for full details and complete review)

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Related Transformer Titles
Transformers 3-Pack #1: Vols. 1-3 [VHS] VHS
Includes "Prime Threat," "Revenge of the Decepticons" and "Programmed for Evil." NOTE: This Title Is Out Of Print; Limit One Per Customer.


Transformers, Vol. 5: Return To Cybertron [VHS] VHS
Includes "War Dawn" and "Forever Is a Long Time Coming." NOTE: This Title Is Out Of Print; Limit One Per Customer.


Transformers: Season 2: Part 1 Boxed Set [VHS](1985) VHS
The first 24 episodes from the second season--including "Autobot Spike," "Atlantis Arise," the two-part "Dinobot Island," "Microbots" and "A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court"--have been collected in a six-tape boxed set. 10 hrs. total. NOTE: This Title Is Out Of Print; Limit One Per Customer.


Transformers: The Movie (20th Anniversary Special Edition) [DVD](1986) DVD
In the year 2005, the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons reaches its pinnacle as they vie for control of the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, the one thing in the universe that can stop the giant planet-devouring robot Unicron's reign of destruction. 'Til all are one! Feature-length animated actioner includes the voices of Judd Nelson, Leonard Nimoy, Robert Stack, Eric Idle, Lionel Stander, and Orson Welles. 84 min. Standard and Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: French, Spanish; audio commentary; deleted scenes; interviews; trivia; DVD-ROM content; original toy commercials; more. Two-disc set.


Beast Wars: Transformers, Vol. 1 [DVD] DVD
Includes "Beast Wars, Pts. 1 and 2," "The Web," "Equal Measures," "Chain of Command" and "Power Surge." 130 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1.


Beast Wars: Transformers, Vol. 2 [DVD] DVD
Includes "Fallen Comrades," "Double Jeopardy," "The Probe," "Gorilla Warfare," "A Better Mousetrap" and "Victory." 150 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; animation tests.


Beast Wars: Transformers: The Complete First Season [DVD](1996) DVD
All 26 first-season episodes--including the two-parters "Beast Wars," "The Web," "Gorilla Warfare," "Dark Voyage," "The Spark," and "Call of the Wild"--are available in a four-disc collector's set. 10 1/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; interviews.


Transformers: Energon: The Battle For Energon [DVD] DVD
Includes "Cybertron City" and "Energon Stars." 42 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; bonus episodes "Scorponok" and "Megatron's Stars."


Transformers: Energon: The Return Of Megatron [DVD] DVD
Includes "Megatron Resurrected" and "Megatron's Raid." 42 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; bonus episodes "Starscream, The Mysterious Mercenary" and "The Battle of the Asteroid Belt."


Transformers: Armada: Best Of The Autobots [DVD] DVD
Includes "Carnival," "Palace," "Alliance," and "Union." 90 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.


Transformers: Armada: Best Of The Decepticons [DVD] DVD
Includes "Swoop," "Overmatch," "Remorse," and "Puppet." 90 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.


Transformers: Armada: Season One, Part One [DVD](2002) DVD
The first 26 episodes from season one--including "First Encounter," "Confrontation," "Overmatch," "Decisive Battle," and "Link Up"--have been collected in a four-disc set. 10 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English.


Transformers: Energon: Omega Supreme [DVD] DVD
Includes "Crash Course" and "Omega Supreme." Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; featurette; bonus episodes "Heroic Battle" and "The Power of Unicron."


Transformers: Energon: Shockblast Unleashed [DVD] DVD
Includes "Shockblast: Rampage" and "Open Fire!" Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; featurette; bonus episodes "Ripped-Up Space" and "Protection."


Transformers: Armada: Best Battles [DVD] DVD
Includes "Metamorphosis," "Base," "Confrontation," and "Decisive Battle." 90 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.


Transformers: Armada: Flashbacks [DVD] DVD
Includes "Trust," "Prehistory" and the two-part "Past." 90 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.


Beast Wars: Transformers: The Complete Second Season [DVD](1997) DVD
All 13 second-season episodes--including "Aftermath," "Tangled Web," "Maximal, No More," the two-parter "Other Visits," and the three-parter "The Agenda"--are available in a two-disc collector's set. 5 1/2 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; test footage.


Transformers: Armada: Battle For The Mini-Cons [DVD] DVD
Includes "Chase," "Tactician," "Rescue," and "Mars." 90 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.


Transformers: Armada: Power Of The Mini-Cons [DVD] DVD
Includes "Soldier," "Jungle," "Desperate," and "Runaway." 90 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.


Beast Wars: Transformers: The Complete Third Season [DVD](1998) DVD
All 13 third-season episodes--including "Optimal Situation," "Changing of the Guard," the two-part "Feral Scream," "Go with the Flow," and "Other Victories"--are available in a two-disc collector's set. 5 3/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1.


Transformers: Cybertron: Robots In Disguise: A New Beginning [DVD] DVD
Episodes include "Haven" and "Hidden." 44 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; bonus episodes "Landmine," "Space."


Beast Machines: Transformers: The Complete Series [DVD](1999) DVD
Picking up where "Beast Wars" left off, the exciting animated saga of Optimus Prime and the Maximals continues as the planet Cybertron is threatened once again by Megatron and a new army of Vehicons. In order to vanquish the vehicular villains, Optimus and his friends master a new method of mind-body transforming. The series's complete run of 26 episodes--including "Fires of the Past," "Survivor," "Prometheus Unbound," "In Darkest Knight," and "A Wolf in the Fold"--is featured in a four-disc set. 11 2/3 hrs. total. Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; audio commentary; interviews.


Transformers Armada: Season One, Part Two [DVD](2002) DVD
The last 26 episodes from season one--including "Detection," "Regeneration," "Puppet," "Portent," and "Mortal Combat"--have been collected in a four-disc set. 10 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English.




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