Susan Granger’s dvd/video update for week of Friday, April 10:
Several years ago, Jim Carrey played a lawyer who was forced to tell the truth for 24 hours in “Liar, Liar” and, in the just-released “Yes Man,” he continues that behavior modification concept as a negativity-prone junior loan officer whose life is changed by a self-help guru (Terence Stamp) who preaches, “Yes is the new no.”
In “The Caller,” a mind-bending, psychological thriller about responsibility and redemption, Frank Langella plays a corporate exec who knows he’s through in the international global energy business, so he calls a private detective (Elliott Gould) to keep an eye on him until his anticipated demise.
“The Mysterious Cities of Gold,” an animated NBC/Nickelodeon series of the 1980s, mixes ancient history, archaeology and science fiction, following three children who set out on an amazing adventure. The special Deluxe Edition includes a 32-page booklet, a 12-page historical pamphlet, postcards and double-sided fold-out poster.
Rich in humor and warmth, “Live and Become” is the epic tale of an Ethiopian boy who is airlifted to Israel from a Sudanese refugee camp in 1984 during Operation Moses. But he has two big secrets: his is neither a Jew nor an orphan, just an African lad struggling to fulfill his mother’s parting request that he “go, live and become.”
Less impressive: “The Tale of Despereaux” is an animated tale about a brave little mouse with endearingly elephantine ears who devours stories about brave knights vanquishing dragons and rescuing fair maidens. And Adam Sandler’s tepid, tedious “Bedtime Stories” is a compilation of superficial wish-fulfillment fantasies; it’s a strong indictment of the writing when a bug-eyed guinea pig gets the most laughs.
And for film buffs: The First Weekend Club is a non-profit, virtual club that promotes great Canadian films; if you’re interested, access www.firstweekendclub.ca/become-a-member-today.html.
PICK OF THE WEEK: With five Oscar nominations, “Doubt” brings to life a fierce battle of wits between a rigidly old-fashioned nun (Meryl Streep) and a free-thinking priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman), played out in a crucible of sexual politics and religious piety – with superb supporting performances by Viola Davis and Amy Adams.