Little Screen
Published Friday November 6th, 2009
This week's new releases, available Tuesday, are rated by Jay Bobbin of Zap2it on a scale of one to four, with H equivalent to a poor rating and *** meaning excellent.
UP
***
The Disney-Pixar teaming scores yet again with this delightful, sometimes emotional fantasy about a cranky senior citizen (voice of Edward Asner, who's perfect for the part) who decides to fulfill a goal he had with his late wife.
To reach South America, he attaches numerous balloons to his house and heads aloft -- with a young scout (voice of Jordan Nagal), who was on the traveler's porch at the wrong moment, as an unexpected companion.
Christopher Plummer, Delroy Lindo and John Ratzenberger (Cheers) also are heard in the tale that truly has appeal for all ages.
THE UGLY TRUTH
***
Katherine Heigl's latest bid for success beyond "Grey's Anatomy" casts her as a television-show producer who has much more success professionally than she does romantically.
She decides to seek advice from one of her program's correspondents (Gerard Butler), whose mind-set about love makes him a chauvinist, to put it mildly.
Anyone who's ever seen a story about such opposites can guess what ultimately happens, but the two stars are fun to watch.
The cast of director Robert Luketic (Legally Blonde) also includes John Michael Higgins and Cheryl Hines ("Curb Your Enthusiasm").
SESAME STREET:
40 YEARS OF SUNNY DAYS
***
For four decades, a PBS program has invited youngsters to join in the fun and education as lovable characters -- both human and Muppet -- have offered all sorts of life lessons.
This release commemorates the 40th-anniversary milestone, also being celebrated this week in new episodes of the continuing series, by compiling highlights of one of the most celebrated shows ever offered by television.
Big Bird and Elmo will be on hand, of course, but also expect past favorites such as Mr. Hooper.
THE ACCIDENTAL HUSBAND
HH
Though it boasts such names as Uma Thurman, Colin Firth and director Griffin Dunne, this romantic comedy bypassed an American theatrical release to make its debut on DVD.
Thurman plays a psychologist who dispenses advice on the radio, to the dismay of a fireman (Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Watchmen) whose fiancee listened to the doctor and called off the wedding.
Wanting to even the score, the jilted groom takes steps to make it seem he's married to the doctor -- whose fiance (Firth) isn't too pleased. Sam Shepard and Isabella Rossellini also star.
DVD extra: "making-of" documentary.
DAWSON'S CREEK:
THE COMPLETE SERIES
***
Before Katie Holmes became Mrs. Tom Cruise, and before Michelle Williams made such acclaimed movies as "Brokeback Mountain," they played residents of picturesque Capeside in this 1998-2003 series that boosted attention to what then was The WB Network.
James Van Der Beek has the title role as aspiring filmmaker Dawson, whose life also involves ne'er-do-well pal Pacey (Joshua Jackson) and many others who pass in and out of the New England town.
Kevin Williamson created the show, whose theme song is Paula Cole's "I Don't Want to Wait."
DVD extras: deleted scenes; interview with Williamson; trivia game; music CD.
HOGAN'S HEROES:
THE KOMPLETE SERIES,
KOMMANDANT'S KOLLECTION
***
Inspired by the Oscar-winning movie "Stalag 17," this 1965-71 CBS sitcom -- which was produced by Bing Crosby's company -- is offered in a complete DVD set totalling 27 discs.
Bob Crane plays the likable leader of the POWs in a German prison camp overseen by the comical Col. Klink and Sgt. Schultz (Werner Klemperer, John Banner); later "Family Feud" host Richard Dawson is among those playing the other inmates.
Coming soon:
BRUNO
Nov. 17
After his "Borat" round, Sacha Baron Cohen immerses himself in an alter ego again, this time a fashionista who leaves Austria in a bid to find success and fame in America.
MY SISTER'S KEEPER
Nov. 17
A youngster (Abigail Breslin) has doubts about making the sacrifice needed to save her leukemia-stricken sister in this adaptation of Jodi Picoult's book.
STAR TREK
Nov. 17
The enduring sci-fi franchise gets an overhaul from director J.J. Abrams, with Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto as younger Kirk and Spock.
ANGELS & DEMONS
Nov. 24
Tom Hanks is back as Robert Langdon, the symbologist of "The Da Vinci Code," who helps unravel a plot against the Vatican.
FOUR CHRISTMASES
Nov. 24
When their traditional holiday getaway is foiled by fog, a couple (Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon) is trapped into visiting various relatives.
FUNNY PEOPLE
Nov. 24
A comedian's (Adam Sandler) terminal illness prompts him to play mentor to an aspiring comic (Seth Rogen). Leslie Mann also stars for her husband, writer-director Judd Apatow.
Oldies but goodies -- If your local video store is fresh out of the newest titles, give these attractions a try:
FIVE WEEKS IN A BALLOON
1962
***
Movie-adventure master Irwin Allen directed this tale of a professor (Sir Cedric Hardwicke) who makes a high-flying journey to Africa. Red Buttons and Barbara Eden go along for the ride.
SOMEONE LIKE YOU ...
2001
***
A talk-show talent booker (Ashley Judd) gets attention she doesn't want after taking the male species to task in a magazine article. Hugh Jackman and Greg Kinnear also star.
STALAG 17
1953
***
Director Billy Wilder's award-winning comedy drama casts William Holden as a spirited prisoner of war who matches wits with the German camp's commandant (Otto Preminger).
* Little Screen appears in Life & Times each Friday.
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