Susan Granger’s dvd/video update for week of April 3:
Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson are lonely, middle-aged losers who develop a supportively comforting relationship in the charming “Last Chance Harvey,” as he struggles to overcome the hurt and humiliation he’s experiencing in both his personal and professional life and find a path for the future.
Spiritual redemption is the theme of Will Smith’s “Seven Pounds,” which begins with him making a 911 call regarding his upcoming suicide. He’s haunted by a terrible mistake he made years ago and, as penance, he’s determined to aid others in the most meaningful ways imaginable, particularly a sad-eyed cardiac patient (Rosario Dawson).
In “Marley & Me,” it’s all about John Grogan’s (Owen Wilson) amazingly untrained yellow Labrador who runs amok for 13 years as his master not only grows but also matures, as does his wife (Jennifer Aniston) and children. There are 22 different canines that play “the world’s worst dog” in this heartfelt story about how a dog, even a badly behaved one, becomes an integral part of a family.
“Ricky Gervais: Out of England” is the British comedian’s stand-up comedy special, taped at Madison Square Garden, expounding on issues such as fundraising, fame, nursery rhymes, Nazis, moronic friends and obesity.
For classic film lovers, there are two-disc Hi-Def Blu-Ray Special Editions of two of my favorite 1950s musicals: “An American in Paris” with Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, and “Gigi” with Louis Jourdan, Maurice Chevalier and Leslie Caron. And in anticipation of Easter later this month, “Quo Vadis” is now on Blu-Ray Hi-Def; filmed on location in Rome, it stars Robert Taylor, Deborah Kerr, Leo Genn and Peter Ustinov.
PICK OF THE WEEK: If you haven’t seen the Oscar-winning “Slumdog Millionaire” in theaters, now’s your chance to enjoy this intoxicating, rags-to-riches tale set in Mumbi against the backdrop of India’s version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” The story revolves around an 18 year-old orphan (Dev Patel) who’s suspected of cheating by the game show’s host and, while being grilled by a police inspector, he reluctantly reveals how his Dickensian life experiences have informed his knowledge.