’Speed Racer’ a winner in race of colors, contrast and details
“The Love Guru”
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When a movie actor, particularly a comedian, makes a film as bad as “The Love Guru,” it causes you to look back at his other work with a more critical eye. Were the “Austin Powers” movies really that good? Ditto for “Wayne’s World”?
Here, the talent at the center of these projects, former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Mike Myers, plays Guru Pitka, a U.S.-born/India-raised self-help specialist who wants to break into the American market. To do so, he must heal the marriage of an African American ice-hockey star (Romany Malco). The MPAA warning that the film boasts “crude content throughout” should be warning enough, especially whenever the cloying Myers is on screen. Jessica Alba and Justin Timberlake, despite being given nothing dignified to do, fare slightly better. DVD, which is available on Blu-ray, includes making-of featurettes, deleted and extended scenes, bloopers and outtakes. (1:27; rated PG-13 for crude content throughout, drug references, language, sexual content throughout, some comic violence)
– By Dan Webster
“88 Minutes”
Al Pacino plays a forensic psychologist/professor who, on the eve of the execution of the man whom he testified against, receives a phone message that he has 88 minutes to live. It’s so full of plot twists and revelations and exploding sports cars that its very perkiness comes to seem comic. DVD, which is available on Blu-ray, includes commentary by director Jon Avnet, making-of featurettes. (1:48; rated R for disturbing violent content, brief nudity and language)
– By Stephen Hunter, The Washington Post
“Made of Honor”
Patrick Dempsey stars as a commitment-phobe who, having just realized that he loves his best friend (Michelle Monaghan), finds himself being asked to serve as the maid of honor at her wedding. Dempsey – all his McHype notwithstanding – isn’t big enough for the movies. … And the script, while occasionally trying for “Knocked Up” raunchiness, just comes off as crass and crude. DVD, which is available on Blu-ray, includes commentary by director Paul Weiland, making-of featurettes. (1:44; rated PG-13 for sexual content and language)
By Stephen Whitty, Newhouse News
“Young@Heart”
This documentary follows a group of septuagenarians that sings rap, rock and punk songs. “Young@Heart” is a festival of good behavior, a little talent, a lot of work and a kind of commitment to the idea that shows must go on, individuals must sacrifice for the whole, and doing good is better, though harder, than talking good. DVD includes making-of featuettes, deleted scenes. (1:50; rated PG for adult themes)
– By Stephen Hunter, The Washington Post
“Snow Angels”
Life in a small Pennsylvania gets interrupted when seething emotions erupt into violence. “Snow Angels” starts out under a cloud of gloom. From there, things just get uglier. DVD comes in wide- and full-screen format with no extras. (1:46; rated R for sexuality, alcohol use, language and violence)
– By Robert W. Butler, McClatchy Newspapers
Also Available: “The Babysitters,” “Breaking the Maya Code,” “Constantine’s Sword,” “Kabluey,” “Lone Riders,” “Never Cry Werewolf,” “Tortured”