September DVD/Movie Roundup
"The Buzz Track‹The Sounds of Entertainment This Month"
The D
September 8, 2004
By Kyra Kirkwood
What teen hasn't dreamed of annihilating the superficial and
destructive lives of those popular, evil, just-plain-mean girls in high school?
Cady Heron thinks she can do one better with her revengeful plot to destroy "The
Plastics," but she is blinded to a fatal fly in her ointment: she's become
a Plastic herself. Such is the plot for the razor-sharp and unbelievably funny
comedy, Mean Girls, available Sept. 21
from Paramount Home Entertainment. Written by "Saturday Night Live"
jewel Tina Fey, the $85 million box-office smash centers on the life of a new
student trying hard to fit in, and then trying even harder to stand out. The "diet
bar" sequence is nothing short of classic, in terms of high-school revenge
standards. The special-edition DVD is loaded with extras, such as a commentary
by the always witty Fey, producer Lorne Michaels and director Mark Waters. But
first explore the blooper reel ("Word Vomit") and the three
featurettes: "Only the Strong Survive," "The Politics of Girl
World" and "Plastic Foundation." You'll be left thinking your
own tortured teen years weren't so bad after all. S.R.P. $19.95.
Although the movie never surmounted its "Bennifer"
stigma, and there is no Silent Bob to amuse viewers, Jersey Girl shouldn't be missed by any true Kevin Smith fan. This
romantic comedy is available on DVD Sept. 7. The all-star cast includes Smith's
best buddy Ben Affleck, Affleck's much-publicized ex-fiancée Jennifer Lopez
(who doesn't garner a whole lot of face time) and "Lord of the Rings"
elf Liv Tyler. When tragedy strikes a young mover and shaker, he suddenly
becomes a single father, forced to scrap his perfect life and move back into
his childhood home with his father. Years later, a chance meeting with an intriguing
woman makes him re-evaluate his so-called plans for the future. Miramax Home Entertainment
did a commendable job including substance-filled extras on this disc. But with
the ceaselessly clever Smith at the helm, what else would you expect? The audio
commentary with this director/writer, along with Affleck, won't disappoint. Don't
miss the other audio commentary with Smith, producer Scott Moiser and special
guest Jason Mewes‹yes, that Jason Mewes. As in Jay, the hetero life mate of
Silent Bob‹who had no part in the film, yet lends his crass humor to it just
the same. The disc also contains a making-of featurette with star interviews
and behind-the-scenes footage, a "Conversation with Kevin Smith and Ben
Affleck," original text interviews with cast and "Kevin Smith's
Roadside Attractions." The latter, which was seen on "The Tonight
Show with Jay Leno," features Smith on a road trip to some of the nation's
weirdest and most unique tidbits, such as the tiniest church and a New York
diamond mine. S.R.P. $29.99.
Jinkies! It's the Mystery Inc gang, back for another round
of crime-solving fun in Warner Home Video's Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, available Sept. 14. As with all good sequels, this
one employs the talent of the original cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, the
elastic-faced Matthew Lillard, Freddie Prinze Jr. and Linda Cardellini. This
time around, the savvy sleuths must battle a masked villain and his monster
machine that creates real-life versions of Mystery Inc's former foes, like the
Cotton Candy Glob. Warner produced some zoinked-out extras for this disc, such
as a lengthy deleted scene sequence and two music videos. But the real Scooby Snack
treats are the "Triple Threat Featurette," where Scooby gives viewers
an inside look at the stunts, sets and visual effects used to create the movie;
and the "Dancing Dog," which explores the CGI magic used to create
Scooby's righteous groove thing. Also included are two audiovisual puzzles, "The Scooby-Doo
Monsters Unleashed Challenge" and "Behind the Mystery Mystery: The
Mystery of the Missing Pants." Round out the top-dog features with the "True
Ghoul Hollywood Story," a
cute "investigation" into the real lives and history of the movie's monsters.
S.R.P. $27.95.
A hard-drinking, burned-out CIA agent looses his charge, a
precocious nine-year-old girl, to ruthless kidnappers in Twentieth Century Fox
Home Entertainment's Man on Fire,
starring Denzel Washington. The slim-pickings disc debuts Sept. 14. While this
is no John Q, Man on
Fire is a watchable, action-packed thriller
that doesn't completely disappoint or squash Washington's acting chops. Of course, his light is dimmed a bit
when the adorable Dakota Fanning steals some of the flame. Special features
include a commentary by director Tony Scott, producer Lucas Foster,
screenwriter Brian Helgeland and actor Fanning. It's a shame more wasn't included,
perhaps a documentary about kidnapping or some contribution from Washington. S.R.P, $29.98.
Early reviews trashed it, critics loved it, fans didn't spend
nearly enough money seeing it in theaters. But Touchstone Home Entertainment
hopes The Alamo will find new life on
the DVD shelf when it streets Sept. 28. This epic, action-packed, beautifully
shot film explores the lonely, dangerous and heroic existences of the men who
fought one of the most momentous battles in American history. It stars Billy
Bob Thornton, Dennis Quaid, Jason Patric and Patrick Wilson. The extensive list
of extra features on the disc include a look at the real heroes of the film,
such as Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and Sam Houston. Deleted scenes, a making-of
featurette and a special program with director John Lee Hancock, Quaid and others
sharing their thoughts on their Texas roots round out the fare. S.R.P. $29.99.
The Rock proves once again why he's one of the top players
in Hollywood these days with his Walking Tall, due out Sept. 28 from MGM Home Entertainment. Inspired by the true
story of Sheriff Buford Pusser and his drive to rid his hometown of drugs and
crime, Walking Tall gives The
Rock a chance to bust heads and chew on a true dramatic role, all at the same
time. The DVD is filled with numerous extras, such as two feature-length audio
commentaries (one with The Rock, another with director Kevin Bray, photography
director Glenn MacPherson and editor Robert Ivison), blooper reel, three deleted scenes, a photo gallery and a
featurette on the creation of the film's stunts, including interviews with the
director and stunt coordinator. The latter feature, hosted by The Rock, is an
unusual and decent extra that shouldn't be missed. Oh, and don't forget about
the always-good-for-a-brainless-laugh bloopers reel, or the alternate ending.
S.R.P. 27.98.
* Van Helsing, with Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale, Sept. 28
* Home on the Range, with Steve Buscemi, Sept. 14
* Footloose Special Collector's
Edition, starring Kevin Bacon, Sept. 28
* Coffee and Cigarettes, with Cate Blanchett and Roberto Benigni, Sept. 21