Documentary brings ‘Black Holes’ into focus

Fri., March 20, 2009

From Staff And Wire Reports

‘Monster Black Holes’

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Inveterate channel surfers inevitably end up at the National Geographic Channel where they’re likely to be tempted by such titles as “Death of the Earth,” “Most Amazing Close Encounters” and “Secrets of the Druids.” This 50-minute DVD tackles one of science’s biggest mysteries: the galactic phenomena known as black holes. Using the typical TV documentary style, which melds computer-generated images with a lot of talking-head interviews, “Monster Black Holes” might not be as exciting as, say, watching a hiker survive a grizzly bear attack. But for the science-minded among us, or just those looking for something a little more fulfilling than another episode of “The Biggest Loser,” this is an easy way to pass an hour. DVD includes no extras. (:50; not rated)

– By Dan Webster, staff writer

‘Elegy’

Ben Kingsley plays a womanizing college professor who meets his match when he targets an older student (Spanish actress Penelope Cruz). “You understand why the Spanish director, Isabel Coixet, chose Cruz instead of, say, a 19-year-old. An actress needs depth and the experience of life to play these scenes, and Cruz has them.” DVD includes commentary by writer Nicholas Meyer and producer Gary Lucchesi, making-of featurettes. (1:48; rated R for sexuality, nudity and language)

– By Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times

‘The Matador’

Stephen Higgins and Nina Gilden Seavey’s documentary explores the career of matador David Fandila, aka El Fandi, who attempts to accomplish what his father couldn’t – kill 100 bulls in a single year. “Artistry and barbarism collide on the field, and the filmmakers are understandably agog at the subtle sexual suggestions of this modern-day gladiator sport, approaching it from a distance that isn’t so much privileged as it is perplexed.” DVD, which is available in Blu-ray, includes one of El Fandi’s fights, making-of featurette, music video. (1:14; not rated)

– By Ed Gonzalez, Slate Magazine

‘Punisher: War Zone’

Ray Stevenson takes over for Thomas Jane in this film based on the graphic-novel series and goes in pursuit of the disfigured crime lord Jigsaw (Dominic West). “With its dopey fight scenes, grimy look and goopy gore, this movie is so far from ept that inept is the wrong word. It’s anti-ept.” DVD, which is available in Blu-ray, includes cast and crew commentary, making-of featurettes. (1:43; rated R for pervasive strong brutal violence, language and some drug use)

– By Kyle Smith, New York Post

‘Walled In’

A structural engineer (Mischa Barton) employed to demolish an apartment building stumbles on the corpses of people walled-up by a serial killer. “All in all, this production, helmed by director Gilles Paquet-Brenner, offers some claustrophobic frights within an unusual apartment complex and some truly offbeat characters. It just ends up going in the wrong direction at the end.” DVD includes making-of featurettes, theatrical trailers. (1:40; rated R for violence)

– By Justin Felix, dvdtalk.com

Also available: “Afro Ninja: Destiny,” “My Zinc Bed,” “Revenge of the Boarding School Dropouts,” “Van Wilder: Freshman Year”