DVD Rundown

Sorry I'm late on the draw this week but I had a family emergency that took me out of town for 24 hours. All is well now so we pick up our regularly scheduled programming already in progress.

Elf (PG)
Starring: Will Ferrell, James Caan, and Zooey Deschanel
Director: Jon Favreau

Favreau spins a sweet tale about a man adopted by an elf (Bob Newhart) who travels through candy canes, gumdrops, and the Lincoln Tunnel in search of his long lost father. Eventually the big-elf-who-could saves Christmas, but that's just to be expected. MATINEE


Ragtime (PG)
Starring: James Cagney, Howard E. Rollins, and Elizabeth McGovern
Director: Milos Forman

I've never had a chance to see this film and I look forward to renting it soon. This period piece is set in early 1900's New York about a jazz pianist that has won fame and fortune that some folks just don't appreciate. Based on the E.L. Doctorow novel that was also turned into a musical. Cagney came out of retirement to make this film.


The Chronicles of Riddick (PG-13)
Starring: Vin Diesel, Judi Dench, and Thandie Newton
Director: David Twohy

So here's the deal. I loved Pitch Black. I caught it on CATV late one night and wound up watching it virtually every time it came on for months. There wasn't much special about the film but the Vin Diesel's career certainly took off afterward. For a while, anyway. I'll be renting this one as soon as possible but, judging from the poor reviews and poor box office bank, I'm sure to be disappointed.


I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (R)
Starring: Clive Owen, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, and Charlotte Rampling
Director: Mike Hodges

A retired bad guy comes out of retirement to investigate the events surrounding his brother's suicide.


Foul Play (PG)
Starring: Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase, and Dudley Moore
Director: Colin Higgins

Seems Like Old Times is a much better film, but Foul Play has a few moments of fun. For the most part it is more mystery than comedy. Chase doesn't show up until the second act and Moore is only in one scene in the entire film, although it is a very funny, albeit naughty, scene. RENTAL


The Saddest Music in the World (NR)
Starring: Isabella Rossellini, Mark McKinney, and Maria De Medeiros
Director: Guy Maddin

This film is billed as a musical (of sorts) about a woman that starts a contest to find the saddest music in the world.

Also be on the lookout for special editions of Daredevil (HOT DATE) and Top Gun (MATINEE) if you're a fan.