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The Bank Job

This week's new releases, by Jay Bobbin of Zap2it, are rated on a scale of one to four, with H equivalent to a poor rating and **** meaning excellent.

THE BANK JOB

***

Inspired by a true British crime, director Roger Donaldson's ("No Way Out") entertaining caper casts Saffron Burrows as a model appointed to gather a team to steal certain safe-deposit-box contents. The thieves end up with more than they bargained for, making them targets not only of the police, but also of mobsters concerned about the information the crooks suddenly have in their possession. Jason Statham ("The Transporter") and David Suchet, alias television's "Poirot," also star.

COLLEGE ROAD TRIP

**

Seeking the right school is tough enough for a high-school senior without having his or her father along on the hunt, but that's just what happens to Raven-Symone's character in this Disney-produced comedy. Her police-officer dad, played by Martin Lawrence, insists on accompanying her to the university of her choice. They end up in the company of another daughter-father combo (Molly Ephraim, Donny Osmond) on the same pursuit. DVD extras: "making-of" documentary; audio commentary by Raven-Symone, director Roger Kumble and co-writers Carrie Evans and Emi Mochizuki; deleted scenes; outtakes; alternate opening and ending; music video.

STEP UP 2 THE STREETS

***

Not so much a literal sequel to the original "Step Up" as a revisiting of the same theme -- though the first film's Channing Tatum has a cameo -- this enjoyably energetic dance drama flips the genders by making the young woman (Briana Evigan, whose father is former "BJ and the Bear" star Greg) the nonconformist and the young man (Robert Hoffman) the relative conservative. At the Baltimore arts school she's just transferred into, they team up to form their own street-smart dance crew. DVD extras: two "making-of" documentaries; deleted scenes; music videos.

SAVING GRACE: SEASON ONE

***

Cable series have supplied fresh chapters for some notable actresses, one being Oscar winner Holly Hunter, who has earned wide critical acclaim for this FX drama (which begins its second season this week). She plays an Oklahoma City police detective who indulges in nearly every vice imaginable, setting her on a course toward tragedy -- and also toward an unlikely emissary from heaven (Leon Rippy). The content is quite adult, and Hunter is more than up to the challenges it gives her. DVD extras: audio commentary on selected episodes by executive producers Nancy Miller, Gary Randall and Artie Mandelberg; five "making-of" documentaries; music video.

PENELOPE

**

Played by Christina Ricci, a young woman falls prey to a curse that gives her the nose and ears of a pig in this modern fairy tale co-produced by Reese Witherspoon, who also has a supporting acting role here. The story isn't a complete success, but the heavy lifting goes to Ricci as Penelope, who seeks new experiences -- and true love -- while trying to break the spell and get the appearance she wants. James McAvoy ("Atonement"), Catherine O'Hara, Richard E. Grant and Peter Dinklage also star. DVD extra: "making-of" documentary.

SHUTTER

**

Yet another of the recent suspense movies mirroring Hong Kong thrillers, this tale stars Joshua Jackson ("Dawson's Creek") and Rachael Taylor ("Transformers") as newlyweds in Japan on business. They get into a car accident also involving a youngster, whose image literally haunts them in the aftermath by surfacing in the couple's photographs -- and potentially by manifesting itself in deadlier ways. DVD extras: five "making-of" documentaries; audio commentary by Taylor, screenwriter Luke Dawson and production executive Alex Sundell; deleted scenes; alternate ending.

Coming soon:

21

July 22

A professor (Kevin Spacey) guides several college students in counting cards and winning big in Las Vegas. Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth and Laurence Fishburne also star.

DOOMSDAY

July 29

The title is what all of humanity faces unless a virus can be contained in this thriller. Rhona Mitra plays a military scientist seeking a cure.

HAROLD AND KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUANTANAMO BAY

July 29

Following their visit to White Castle, the slacker buddies (John Cho, Kal Penn) get in trouble with authorities.

NIM'S ISLAND

Aug. 5

Seeking her missing father, a youngster (Abigail Breslin) appeals to her favorite adventure novelist (Jodie Foster), who's riddled with phobias.

HANNAH MONTANA AND MILEY CYRUS: BEST OF BOTH WORLDS CONCERT

Aug. 19

On video as in theaters, Cyrus' music performance is presented with a 3-D effect.

PROM NIGHT

Aug. 19

Brittany Snow plays the target of a stalker on what should be a happy occasion in this remake.

n Little Screen appears in Life & Times each Friday.