Susan Granger’s DVD Update for week of Friday, April 8:
With their older Pevensie siblings grown, hot-tempered Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and self-doubting Lucy (Georgia Henley) star in “The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader.” Along with their nasty cousin Eustace (Will Poulter), they’re swept into a fantastical world on a quest to retrieve seven Lost Lord swords.
Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor team up in “I Love You, Phillip Morris,” an awkward black comedy revolving about the shocking scams of a bizarre sociopath. Filmed years ago (as evidenced by the clunky cellphones), it was reportedly delayed because Disney honchos didn’t want fans to think their “Christmas Carol” Ebenezer Scrooge was gay.
While “Tron Legacy” was impressive as an IMAX 3-D technical extravaganza, its effect shrinks in proportion to the size of your television set – and it’s still the story of a 27 year-old hacker (Garrett Hedlund) pulled inside a computer and forced to play space-age gladiator games to free his captive father (Jeff Bridges), a legendary software genius.
It’s a sad commentary on the pathetic state of comedies that “The Little Fockers” even attracted an audience. Lewd, vulgar and tiresome, it’s the third installment, starring Ben Stiller, Robert DeNiro, Blythe Danner, Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand. On the other hand, Sarah Silverman is hilarious in “Who’s the Caboose?” while Swedes, slapstick and synchronized swimming characterize the low-key “The Swimsuit Issue.”
For collectors, there’s the historic, one-time-only, live NBC “Colgate Comedy Hour” production of Cole Porter’s classic musical comedy “Anything Goes” with Frank Sinatra and Ethel Merman making their television acting debuts, along with Bert Lahr and Sheree North; extras include an interview with musical director Buddy Bregman.
For kids, the “Barney PlayDate Pack” finds the friendly purple dinosaur and his friends igniting learning and imagination, while “Thomas & Friends PlayDate Pack” stresses loyalty, friendship and cooperation….both are perfect for Easter/Passover gifts.
PICK OF THE WEEK: Revealing a litany of pungent and provocative scandals, the irreverent, satirical “Casino Jack” features Kevin Spacey as Jack Abramoff, the brazen, legendary super-lobbyist who amassed an excessive fortune – before being sent to prison.