Our Picks Reviews - Page 10

Crusoe-The Complete Series
DVD ($29.98)

If you missed it last fall, here's another chance to catch the latest spin on literature's most famous shipwrecked sailor. NBC's version had lush scenery, slam-bang adventure and the coolest gizmo-packed tree house ever—but not enough viewers to last beyond its initial 12 episodes. Philip Winchester plays Crusoe as a hyper-resourceful 18th-century MacGyver, and British actress Anna Walton, as Mrs. C, keeps the home fires burnin' back in old England. If you're familiar with the swashbuckling saga of the marooned mariner, you'll enjoying comparing the onscreen drama to the classic Daniel Defoe novel, a paperback copy of which is included.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

from Amazon.com

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Valkryie-2-Disc Special Edition
DVD ($34.99)

Tom Cruise stars as a German colonel who masterminds a daring inside plot to kill Adolph Hitler in this based-on-a-true story saga released theatrically in 2008. History tells us the scheme failed, but that doesn't detract from the movie's pressure-cooker suspense, powerful performances from Cruise, Kenneth Branaugh and Terence Stamp, or the feeling that you've got a fly-on-the-wall vantage point from which to witness the unfolding of one of World War II's most ambitious—and high-stakes—coup attempts. More than three hours of bonus materials include commentary from Cruise, behind-the-scenes features and a digital copy for downloading. (Rated PG-13)
—Neil Pond, American Profile

from Amazon.com

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Marley & Me-2-Disc BAD DOG Edition
DVD ($34.99)

Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson star in this based-on-a-bestseller heart-tugger about a yuppie couple and the mischievous mutt that becomes a part of their family. As the years unfold, Marley makes plenty of messes but becomes an anchor for their ever-changing lives. You'll laugh—but be sure to have some tissues handy for the final 20 minutes. Extras include nearly 20 deleted scenes, bloopers, making-of featurettes and (in the Blu-ray version) a downloadable digital copy for your computer or portable media player. (Rated PG)
—Neil Pond, American Profile

from Amazon.com

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Escape From the Deep
By Alex Kershaw
Softcover, 270 pages ($15.95)

Now available in paperback, this true WWII story puts you inside the decorated U.S. submarine Tang, sent to the bottom of the sea by its own misfired torpedo during a battle off the coast of Japan. Nine survivors miraculously escaped death in a watery tomb—only to face an even more harrowing ordeal at the hands of their angry enemy captors. A tale of courage, survival and heroism beyond what most of us can even imagine, it's got the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster. So read it now and be ready to tell everyone, "Oh, the movie was good—but the book was better!"
—Neil Pond, American Profile

from Amazon.com

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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
DVD $39.99

 
Amazing special effects shine in this tale of a man (Brad Pitt) who ages backward through the 20th century. When he meets the woman with whom he wants to share his unusual journey (Cate Blanchett), he must deal with the fact that he's destined to get younger as she gets older. Bonus features on this Blu-ray edition include commentary by Pitt and Blanchett, plus a documentary on the innovative makeup techniques and computerized wizardry that earned the movie three Academy Awards earlier this year.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

from Amazon.com

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The Wrestler
DVD ($29.98)

Take a ringside seat for Mickey Rourke's riveting, widely acclaimed performance as a former wrestling superstar, Randy "The Ram," trying to hold on to the glory of his slam-bang past. Marisa Tomei is equally outstanding as the exotic dancer who finds herself unable to keep her emotional distance from this wounded weekend warrior. Bonus features include a 45-minute making-of documentary, which tracks the film's own gritty underdog saga.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

from Amazon.com

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Scene It—Star Trek Edition
DVD game ($39.99)

"Star Trek" fans are buzzing about the splashy new movie, which brings the venerable sci-fi franchise back to the big screen. But if you want to fire up the TV and boldly go where no gamer has gone before, settle in with some like-mined Trekkie friends for this interactive challenge, which features hundreds of questions based on clips from five different versions of the television series and all the previous movies. Not that much into Captain Kirk, Spock and the Klingons? You'll still get a kick out of the game's barrage of trivia and fast-paced tests of your observational skills.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

from Amazon.com

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Frost / Nixon
DVD ($29.98)

Director Ron Howard's critically acclaimed, dramatic "re-imagining" of the real-life 1977 televised encounter between British show host David Frost and former U.S. president Richard Nixon elevates the historical footnote to a must-see movie. Frank Langella is pitch-perfect as Nixon, and Michael Sheen, portraying Frost, will remind viewers why they liked him so much (as Prime Minister Tony Blair) in "The Queen." Extras include commentary by Howard, deleted scenes, a making-of doc and footage from the real interview.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

from Amazon.com

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