‘Friday the 13th’ forgets to be scary
“Friday the 13th”
A group of hot friends stumbles into Camp Crystal Lake, where 29 years ago a young boy (Jason) drowned, which prompted his mother to kill the counselors, which prompted a sole survivor to decapitate her, which prompted Jason to return from the dead to continue the vengeful spree, which prompted an endless movie franchise.
The friends are murdered in horrible ways. One girl survives but is imprisoned by Jason. The story jumps forward a month. The captured girl’s brother comes poking around Crystal Lake. While posting fliers for his missing sister, he hooks up with a group of hot friends heading to a cabin. The same fate awaits.
The movie has a couple of half-laughs, zero scares and only one moment of artistically inventive slaughter.
DVD extras: featurette, deleted scenes. (1:37; rated R for strong bloody violence, graphic sexual content, language and drugs.)
“The Seventh Seal: The Criterion Collection”
Swedish director Ingmar Bergman’s meditative study of life and death is updated and re-issued by Criterion.
Max von Sydow stars as a disillusioned knight who fought in the Crusades, encountering Death on a beach and challenging him to a fateful game of chess. This highly-acclaimed allegory features a superb digital restoration.
DVD extras: “Bergman Island,” a documentary about the director that features in-depth and revealing interviews; a commentary track; archival interview with von Sydow; and a 1989 tribute to Bergman by Woody Allen. A booklet with essays about Bergman and the movie is included. (1:37; not rated.)
“Morning Light”
A true-life adventure about 15 novice sailors competing to be selected for the crew of the Morning Light, which will compete in the Transpacific Yacht Race from Los Angeles to Honolulu.
The documentary was conceived by producer Roy E. Disney, himself a passionate yachtsman, who has competed in the race.
The DVD looks superb; the water is blue, the sounds of the ocean inspiring.
DVD extras: a making-of featurette and stories from the race. (1:37; PG for language)
“Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes To Jail”
Not able to manage her anger problem, Madea lands herself in jail after a high-speed chase, of course. With Derek Luke, Keshia Knight Pulliam, RonReaco Lee, Robin Coleman. (1:43; PG-13 for adult themes, drug content, some violence, sexual situations)
“What Goes Up”
A New York journalist sent to New Hampshire to cover the story of the first teacher in space befriends misfit students. With Steve Coogan, Hilary Duff, Molly Shannon. (1:55; R for sexuality, profanity and some drug use, all involving teens)
“Transformers:
The Complete
First Season”
Just in time for “Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen” comes this 25th-anniversary reissue of the cartoon series that introduced the Autobots and the Decepticons to Earth. Voices of Peter Cullen, Frank Welker, Chris Latta. (6:00; not rated)
Also available: “The Cell 2,” “The Three Stooges Collection Vol. 6,” “Burn Notice: Season 2,” “Family Guy: Vol. 7.”