Susan Granger’s DVD Update for week of Fri., Jan. 30th:
Samuel L. Jackson stars in Neil LaBute’s “Lakeview Terrace” as a widower/father and 28-year veteran of the LAPD who becomes enraged when a young, bi-racial couple (Patrick Wilson, Kerry Washington) moves into his upscale suburban neighborhood, so he decides to psychologically torture and intimidate them, a menacing move that ultimately turns tragic when they decide to fight back.
“RockNRolla” is yet another “Pulp-Fiction”-like contemporary crime caper from writer/director Guy Ritchie. Set in London, it involves a Russian billionaire (Karel Roden) who concocts a crooked land deal, attracting many denizens of London’s criminal underworld (Tom Wilkinson, Gerard Butler, Thandie Newton). Narrated like a graphic comic with several labyrinthine plotlines, it’s very British, meaning that the mobsters spurt occasionally undecipherable Cockney.
“Pride and Glory” is a conventional corrupt cop melodrama revolving around a multi-generational police family who are forced to choose between their loyalties to each other and their loyalty to the department. Jon Voight stars as the Chief of Manhattan Detectives with Noah Emmerich and Edward Norton as his sons and Colin Farrell as his son-in-law.
“Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger” is a new 90-minute special featuring footage from three of the comedian’s shows in New York, South Africa and the United Kingdom. In addition, a 3-disc collector’s edition includes full-length performances from London, Johannesburg and Manhattan, plus behind-the scenes conversations.
Ron Livingston stars in “Holly,” which takes a hard look at child prostitution, focusing on a 12 year-old girl brought back to a Cambodian brothel after trying to escape. Playing an American expatriate and gambler, Livingston takes a paternal interest in the vulnerable child and she sees him as a potential savior.
PICK OF THE WEEK: Oscar-nominated Penelope Cruz co-stars in Woody Allen’s “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” a charming romantic comedy that chronicles the adventures of two American tourists (Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson) spending the summer in Barcelona. It’s a cleverly crafted meditation on love – in all its many permutations.