The Darwin Awards
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Rating: Unrated
Starring:
David Arquette as Harvey
Ty Burrell as Emile
Josh Charles as Paramedic
Kevin Dunn as Insurance Exec
Nora Dunn as Mrs. Pearlman
Joseph Fiennes as Michael Burrows
Judah Friedlander as Simon
Lukas Haas as Farley
Tom Hollander as Henry
Brad Hunt as Stan
Juliette Lewis as Joleen
Julianna Margulies as Carla
Tim Blake Nelson as Perp
Alessandro Nivola as Ad Exec
Chris Penn as Tom
Special Features:
Making Of Featurette
Cast and Crew Interviews
Photo Gallery
Other Info:
Widescreen (1.85:1)
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Spanish Subtitles
Running Time: 94 Minutes
Synopsis:
The following is from the DVD cover:
“A comedy…to die for.
Detective Michael Burrows (Fiennes) is obsessed with The Darwin Awards, which are bestowed posthumously to people who accidentally kill themselves in incredibly stupid ways. So when he’s fired for bungling an arrest, he offers his profiling services to a life insurance company, and with the help of a tough claims investigator (Ryder), he sets out to learn how to identify these idiots .before they die!”
“The Darwin Awards” is rated R for language, violent images, some sexuality and drug use.
CS Comment:
A great group of cameos plus a funny concept make “The Darwin Awards” a movie worth checking out.
Available Tuesday, July 31
Lonely Hearts
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Rating: R
Starring:
John Travolta as Elmer C. Robinson
James Gandolfini as Charles Hildebrandt
Jared Leto as Ray Fernandez
Salma Hayek as Martha Beck
Scott Caan as Detective Reilly
Laura Dern as Rene Fodie
Michael Gaston as D.A. Hunt
Bruce MacVittie as Eastman
Dan Byrd as Eddie Robinson
Andrew Wheeler as Detective Tooley
Alice Krige as Janet Long
Dagmara Dominczyk as Delphine Downing
John Doman as Chief MacSwain
Bailee Madison as Rainelle Downing
Ellen Travolta as Ida
Special Features:
Making Of Featurette
Other Info:
Widescreen (2.35:1)
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
French Language
French Subtitles
Running Time: 108 Minutes
Synopsis:
The following is from the DVD cover:
“Martha Beck (Hayek) and Raymond Fernandez (Leto) were America’s notorious “Lonely Heart Killers.” Their lethal scam was simple; they would swindle and then viciously murder lovelorn war widows who would answer their proposal ads in which Ray would describe himself as a sexy Latin Lover. Ironically, Ray’s initial introduction to Martha was a prospective mark. But when they met, it was love at first sight, perhaps as a result of their passion for hot-blooded sex and cold-blooded murder. With Martha posing as Ray’s sister, they swindled elderly spinsters and widows of their savings then viciously murdered them in a bloodbath of sexual frenzy. Raymond and Martha believe they’re literally getting away with murder until homicide detectives Elmer C. Robinson (Travolta) and Charles Hildebrandt (Gandolfini) pick up their scent.”
“Lonely Hearts” is rated R for strong violence and sexual content, nudity and language.
CS Comment:
“Lonely Hearts” features an interesting non-fiction story and a great cast. If you like Travolta or cop dramas, this one is worth checking out.
Available Tuesday, July 31
Roving Mars
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Rating: G
Starring:
Paul Newman as Introduction by
Stephen Squyres as Himself
Rob Manning as Himself
Charles Elachi as Himself
Wayne Lee as Himself
Special Features:
Bonus Featurette: “Mars and Beyond” — Walt Disney’s 1957 Investigation Into The Mysteries Of The Universe And Space Travel
“Mars: Past, Present & Future” — Personal Reflections On Mars From the Filmmakers, JPL Rover Team Members And Students From The “Imagine Mars” Program
Other Info:
Widescreen (1.78:1) and Fullscreen (1.33:1)
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
French and Spanish Language
French and Spanish Subtitles
Running Time: 40 Minutes
Synopsis:
The following is from the DVD cover:
“Action. Drama. Anticipation. Exultation. Experience it all as you join the Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity for an awe-inspiring journey to the surface of the mysterious red planet. Through the eyes of these two intrepid, state-of-the-art rovers, and with NASA scientists and engineers at your side, you’ll see Mars in a way no one ever has before. You’ll feel what it’s like to stand on the startling surface of the planet that’s intrigued mankind for eons. ‘Roving Mars’ — It’s the ride of a lifetime.”
“Roving Mars” is rated G.
CS Comment:
You’ll probably find “Roving Mars” worth checking out if you downloaded images from the rovers online. However, this is the kind of movie you’re probably more interested in checking out at the museum or Space Center rather than watching at home. This is more education than entertainment.
Available Tuesday, July 31
Hawaii Five-O: The Second Season
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Rating: Not Rated
Starring:
Jack Lord as Det. Steve McGarrett
James MacArthur as Det. Danny Williams
Kam Fong as Det. Chin Ho Kelly
Herman Wedemeyer as Edward D. ‘Duke’ Lukela
Harry Endo as Che Fong
Special Features:
Episode Promos
Other Info:
Fullscreen
Dolby Digital Sound
Running Time: 20 Hours 6 Minutes
Synopsis:
The following is from the DVD cover:
“McGarrett, Danno, and the rest of the Five-0 squad are back in action in this captivating collection of 24 episodes from the legendary show’s second season. Saboteurs, revolutionaries, vigilantes, and the diabolical villain Wo Fat are just a few of the dangers Steve McGarrett and his team must face as they protect the peace on their island paradise of Hawaii. Featuring a parade of famous guest stars, ‘Hawaii Five-O: The Second Season’ is a must have for every fan of classic TV.”
CS Comment:
You can continue your “Hawaii Five-O” DVD collection with this set. Unfortunately there are no significant bonus features included here.
Available Tuesday, July 31
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch: The Complete Second Season
Buy this DVD at Amazon.com
Rating: Not Rated
Starring:
Melissa Joan Hart as Sabrina Spellman
Nick Bakay as Salem Saberhagen
Caroline Rhea as Hilda Spellman
Beth Broderick as Zelda Spellman
Nate Richert as Harvey Kinkle
Special Features:
None
Other Info:
Fullscreen (1.33:1)
Dolby Digital Stereo Sound
Running Time: 6 Hours 15 Minutes
Synopsis:
The following is from the DVD cover:
“Seventeen and Supernatural!
There’s magic in the air as ‘Sabrina, the Teenage Witch’ returns for its Second Season, with all 26 supernatural episodes on DVD for the very first time! Melissa Joan Hart stars as Sabrina Spellman, who lives with her Aunt Hilda (Caroline Rhea), Aunt Zelda (Beth Broderick), and Salem, their talking black cat (voice of Nick Bakay). This year, Sabrina conjures up spells – and big laughs! – for Harvey (Nate Richert), Valerie (Lindsay Sloane), Libby (Jenna Leigh Green), and new Vice Principal Kraft (Martin Mull). But Sabrina is also maturing into a responsible young woman. And there is so much more to learn as she trains for her witch’s license with her new Quizmaster (Almi Ballard). Season Two highlights include special Christmas and Valentine’s Day episodes, and even a trip to the Walt Disney World® theme park! Enjoy all the magic moments of ‘Sabrina, yhe Teenage Witch’!”
CS Comment:
I tried to get my 8 year old daughter to watch “Sabrina,” but she didn’t like it. Go figure.
Available Tuesday, July 31
