Susan Granger’s DVD update for week of Friday, April 2:
Just in time for Easter, there’s “Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years,” a comprehensive look at the events and people who have both influenced and been a part of the faith’s epic journey from the Crucifixion to the Crusades, the Reformation to the sweeping changes of Vatican II.
“Holy Grail in America” opens debate about the location of the most famous religious relic in history. Long thought to be guarded by the Knights Templar until their 14th century massacre, provocative new evidence suggests that the Holy Grail might, in fact, be right under our feet.
From the sublime to the ridiculous, “Men Who Stare at Goats,” starring George Clooney, Ewan McGregor and Jeff Bridges, is a surreal, absurdly satirical spoof of how U.S. military intelligence is harnessing the paranormal to combat its enemies.
John Woo’s “Red Cliff” is a spectacular, visually impeccable historical adventure set in second century China near the end of the Han Dynasty; the marathon battle scenes are thrilling and meticulously detailed, and the astute military strategy is fascinating.
“The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day” continues Troy Duff’s tough, stylized saga of the vigilante MacManus brothers in Ireland. And “The Prisoner” is a reinterpretation of the 1960s Patrick McGoohan cult classic, starring Jim Caviezel and Ian McKellen.
Banking on the success of the funky, family-friendly original, “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” revisits the fractious singing-and-dancing rodents, blending CGI with live action. “Free Willy: Escape from Pirate’s Cove” introduces Daytime Emmy-winner Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, in her film debut. And the “Smithsonian Networks Kids Pack” takes kids to Washington D.C.’s National Zoo to meet its newest animal babies and then brings them home to find the wondrous inhabitants living in their own backyard.
PICKS OF THE WEEK: For families, Wes Anderson’s Oscar-nominated “Fantastic Mr. Fox” is a droll, delightful animated adaptation of Roald Dahl’s best-seller. For adults, Guy Ritchie’s slick “Sherlock Holmes” re-imagines Scotland Yard’s most famous detective as Robert Downey Jr. with Jude Law as his companion, Dr. Watson.