City Island Set in a quaint fishing community on the outskirts of New York City, "City Island" -- an independent gem that has become a surprise hit that landed in the Top-20 theatrical releases by box office for more than 10 weeks -- is a funny and touching tale about a family whose comfortable co-existence is upended by surprising revelations of past secrets and present day lies. Vince Rizzo (Andy Garcia) is a lifelong resident of the tiny, tradition-steeped Bronx enclave of City Island. A family man who makes his living as a corrections officer, Vince longs to become an actor. Ashamed to admit his aspirations to his family, Vince would rather let his fiery wife Joyce (Julianna Margulies) believe his weekly poker games are a cover for an extramarital affair than admit he's secretly taking acting classes in Manhattan. When Vince is asked to reveal his biggest secret in class, he inadvertently sets off a chaotic chain of events that turns his mundane suburban life upside down. Inspired by the exercise, he decides to bring his long-lost ex-con son Tony (Steven Strait) home to meet the family, and it soon becomes clear that everyone -- including his college student daughter (Dominik Garcia-Lorido, Garcia's real-life daughter), teenaged son Vinnie, Jr. (Ezra Miller), charismatic acting partner (Emily Mortimer) and drama coach (Alan Arkin) -- has something to hide. A perfect storm of deception, half truths and confusion makes Vince and his family members realize that the truth may not set them free, but it is easier to keep track of than all their well-intentioned white lies. Vitals: Director: Raymond De Felitta. Stars: Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies, Steven Strait, Dominik Garcia-Lorido, Ezra Miller, Alan Arkin, Emily Mortimer. 2010, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 104 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $6.000 million, Anchor Bay. | | |
THIS WEEK'S DVD RELEASES:
Addicted to Her Love (aka Love Is the Drug) (2006) John Patrick Amedori, Lizzy Caplan, D.J. Cotrona, Daryl Hannah, Jonathon Trent. An outsider at a new school falls for a girl who travels in an elite circle and finds that he can make friends with the group by supplying them with drugs from the pharmacy he works at -- with dire consequences. Extras: Commentary by director Elliott Lester and star John Patrick Amedori, behind-the-scenes featurette, photo gallery. (E1 Entertainment).
Adventures at School (2009) This essential back-to-school library for kids ages 3 to 9 includes 14 tales on three discs: "Crazy Hair Day ... And More Back to School Stories," "The Teacher From the Black Lagoon ... And More School Stories," and "Miss Nelson Has a Field Day ... And More School Time Stories." $24.95. (Scholastic StorybookTreasures).
The Age of Stupid (2009) The year is 2055. The Earth is devastated. One man (Pete Postlethwaite) remains in "The Global Archive," a vast storage facility protecting all of humanity's collective achievements. Based on mainstream scientific projections from the present day, the film focuses on the archivist as he tries to work out why we didn't save ourselves while we still had the chance. He flips through a startling array of news clips, interviews and scientific reports from our current time, each its own way a warning sign of the destruction that is looming if we don't change our current consumption practices. $29.95. Extras: Making-of documentary; Pete Postlethwaite ambushing the UK's Minister for Climate Change; deleted scenes; extended interviews; eight short climate films; crew commentary; more. (Docurama).
Ax Men: The Complete Season Three (2010) Four-disc set with 13 episodes, $34.95. (A&E).
The Back-up Plan (2010) Jennifer Lopez, Alex O'Loughlin, Michaela Watkins, Eric Christian Olsen. Extras: Deleted scenes, "Belly Laughs: Making The Back-up Plan" featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc, which adds movieIQ+sync and BD-Live. (Sony).
The Bad Mother's Handbook (2007) Robert Pattinson, Catherine Tate, Holly Grainger, Anne Reid, Steve John Shepherd. A young man helps a friend with her pregnancy and finds himself on a memorable nine-month journey with three independent, outspoken women. (Lionsgate).
City Island (2010) Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies, Steven Strait, Dominik Garcia-Lorido, Ezra Miller, Alan Arkin, Emily Mortimer. Extras: Commentary by writer-producer-director Raymond De Felitta and producer-actor Andy Garcia; "Dinner With the Rizzos" featurette; deleted scenes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc, which adds a digital copy of the film. (Anchor Bay).
Dark Night (2005) Sarah Strange, Kurt Max Runte. A modern noir dark comedy about love, lust, art and the power of the image in today's culture. An eccentric modern-day dandy obsessed by the power of art and visual imagery to mold the behavior and psychology of the individual orchestrates an elaborate series of staged visual events for the sole purpose of subliminally influencing the life of a harmless, down-to-earth graphic designer ... events that begin to take on the cruel and sinister overtones. (Vanguard Cinema).
Dorian Gray (2009) Colin Firth, Ben Barnes, Rebecca Hall, Ben Chaplin. A new horror adaptation of Oscar Wilde's 1891 hedonistic best-seller "The Picture of Dorian Gray." Extras: Commentary by director Oliver Parker and screenwriter Toby Finlay, multiple behind-the-scenes featurettes including cast/crew interviews, deleted scenes, more. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (National Entertainment Media).
Dream Boy (2008) Stephan Bender, Maximillian Roeg, Randy Wayne, Owen Beckman, Diana Scarwid, Rooney Mara, Rickie Lee Jones. Chronicles the relationship between two gay teenagers in the rural South in the late '70s. (E1 Entertainment).
The Flight of the Conchords: The Complete Collection (2007-09) Three-disc set with 22 episodes, $49.99. Extras: "Flight of the Conchords: On Air Documentary," "Flight of the Conchords: One Night Stand." (HBO Home Video).
Four Stories of St. Julian (2009) Nicholl Hiren, Ky Evans, David Alan Graf, Tommie St. Cyr. Unconventional thriller takes place entirely inside an elevator: the elevator inside the St Julian building, a decrepit, inner-city building that was once a respected hospital but is now home to the city's downtrodden and corrupt. As four strangers begin a routine descent, the elevator suddenly lurches to a halt, becoming stuck between floors, fomenting a battle for survival among the elevator's habitants. (Vanguard Cinema).
Gangland: Season Five (2009-10) Three-disc set with 11 episodes, $34.95. (A&E).
Gossip Girl: The Complete Third Season (2009-10) Five-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.98. Extras: "Gossip Girl Mode": Interactive viewing experience on Episode 16, "The Empire Strikes Jack"; "A Gossip Girl Fabulous Affair: Throwing a Party Gossip Girl-Style" featurette; Plasticines Bitch and Lady Gaga "Bad Romance" music videos; gag reel; unaired scenes. (Warner).
Group Sex (2010) Henry Winkler, Tom Arnold, Greg Grunberg, Lisa Lampanelli, James Denton. A young man unwittingly follows his girl into a sexual addiction recovery group where he meets a host of oddball characters, including a man who has a thing for condiments and a newly celibate martial artist. (Monarch Home Video).
Instant Expert Series. New line of informative DVDs that offer a quick, authoritative guide to essential subjects, for students and lifelong learners. Each DVD includes an interactive quiz, printed study materials, discussion questions, more. First entries in the series, $14.95 each: "Ancient History: Egypt", "World History: The French Revolution," "American History: The Mayflower," "America History: Ben Franklin," "Arts and Literature: Beowulf," "Science and Technology: The Story of Oil." (A&E Home Entertainment).
Lost: The Complete Sixth and Final Season (2010) Five-disc set with 16 episodes, $59.99. Extras: Bloopers and deleted scenes; commentaries on four episodes ("LA X," "Dr. Linus," "Ab Aeterno" and "Across the Sea"); "The End: Crafting a Final Season" featurette; "A Hero's Journey" featurette; "See You in Another Life, Brotha" featurette that unlocks the mysteries of this season's intriguing flash sideways; "Lost on Location"; plus a featurette that delves deeper into the world of "Lost" with a much-anticipated new chapter of the island's story from executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse. Also available on Blu-ray Disc, which adds immersive "Lost University." (Disney).
Lost: The Complete Collection (2009) Thirty-six disc set with every episode in the series (Seasons 1 through 6), $229.99. Extras: More than 30 hours of Season 1-6 bonus materials (previously released materials from Season 1-5 and the all-new Season 6 bonus material); a unique series of featurettes that takes viewers on very personal tours of Oahu where the series was created, with key cast and crew; bonus showcases events ranging from the series cast and crew at San Diego's famed Comic-Con convention to international voice recordings, local events and even fan parties, all of which helped make the show into a worldwide favorite; a closer look at some of the props with cast, writers and producers, exploring their significance, stories and emotional ties to the characters; a look at every character who died on the series; 16 "Lost" "Slapdowns" featurettes showcasing celebrity "Lost" fans who confront executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse to ask press questions about the final season, including the Muppets and cast members Nestor Carbonell, Michael Emerson, Rebecca Mader and more; a special edition collectible "Senet" game as seen in Season 6; a custom "Lost" island replica; an exclusive episode guide; a collectible Ankh; and a black light penlight. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Disney).
Metamorphosis (2007) Christopher Lambert, Corey Sevier, Irena A. Hoffman. Three young Americans encounter vampires and the supernatural in modern Eastern Europe. (MTI Home Video).
NCIS: The Seventh Season (2009-10) Six-disc set with 24 episodes, $64.99. Extras: "NCIS: A Sound Investment," "Lucky Number Seven," "Home Sweet Home: Creating the Gibbs House," "The Future Is Now: NCIS Meets the Jet Pack," "Gimme Two Steps: Staging the Bar Fight," "Celebrating Episode 150," "Personal Effects," commentaries. (CBS/Paramount).
Nickelodeon Favorites: Happy Halloween (2009) Six Halloween-themed episodes, one each from "Dora the Explorer," "Go, Diego, Go!, " "Wonder Pets!," "Yo Gabba Gabba," "Blue's Clues" and "Ni Hao, Kai-lan," $16.99. (Paramount).
90210: The Second Season (2009-10) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $47.99. Extras: "New Faces, Same Drama," "From the Hills to the Beach: The Look of 90210," "Beverly Hills Surf Crew," "Welcome to the Beach Club," "Set Tour: Beverly Hills Beach Club," "Adrianna and Navid," "Looking Back: 90210 Season 2 in Review," commentaries. (CBS/Paramount).
One Night (2008) Melissa Leo, Michael Muhney, Bill Sage, Robert Clohessy. A group of New Yorkers venture into Friday night unaware that their lives are about to change. As the night unfolds, they all convene at the same music venue, and their lives intersect in ways both humorous and poignant. (Vanguard Cinema).
The Patty Duke Show: The Complete Third Season (1965-66) Six-disc set with 32 episodes, $39.97. (Shout! Factory).
Pawn Stars: The Complete Season Two (2009-10) Four-disc set with 32 episodes, $24.95. (A&E).
Private (2009) Kelsey Sanders, Samantha Cope, Natalie Floyd, Tristin Mays. Extras: Drama, romance and deadly thrills at a the exclusive Easton Academy private school. Extras: Cast and screenwriters interviews. (NewVideo/Flatiron Film Co.).
Red vs. Blue Season 7: Recreation (2010) Web series based on the "Halo" video game. $19.95. Extras: Commentary, "Relocated" miniseries, special videos and PSAs, deleted scenes, outtakes. (New Video/Flatiron Film Co.).
The Simpsons: The Complete Thirteenth Season (2009) Four-disc set with 22 episodes, packed in a collectible molded head packaging featuring Ralph Wiggum, $59.99. Extras: Commentary on every episode; deleted scenes; featurettes: "A Token from Matt Groening," "Ralphisms," "The People Ball," "The 13th Crewman," "Blame It on the Monkeys," "The Games," "The Sweet Life of Ralph"; animation showcases; sketch galleries; commercials; special language feature; Easter eggs. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
The Square (2010) David Roberts, Claire van der Boom, Joel Edgerton, Anthony Hayes. Sinister tale centering on an adulterous couple whose scheming leads to arson, blackmail and murder. Extras: Deleted Scenes, "Inside The Square" featurette, "Pre-Visualisation" featurette, visual effects scene deconstructions, music video: "Sand" by Jessica Chapnik, director Nash Edgerton's award-winning short film "Spider." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).
Squeal (2008) Kevin Oestenstad, Allison Batty, Stephen Dean, Joe Burke. While on their first indie tour, a rock group's bus gets stranded on a country road, where they meet up with some strange farm inhabitants -- members of a half-pig/half-human science experiment, who want to add the rockers to their group. (E1 Entertainment).
Survival of the Dead (2009) Kenneth Welsh, Kathleen Munroe, Julian Richings. The newest film from George A. Romero (creator of the "Night of the Living Dead" franchise), picks up where his last outing, "Diary of the Dead," leaves off: in a nightmarish world where humans are the minority and zombies rule. Set on an island off the coast of North America, two powerful families maintain an impression of order in the wake of a zombie epidemic, but are at opposite extremes: One believes that the undead must be destroyed without exception, while the other family insists that afflicted loved ones be kept "alive" until a cure is found to bring their relatives back to their human state. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).
Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes (2010) Original animated movie, $19.98. (Warner).
Three Silent Classics by Josef Von Sternberg. Vienna-born, New York-raised Josef von Sternberg ("Shanghai Express," "Morocco") directed some of the most influential, extraordinarily stylish dramas ever to come out of Hollywood. Though best known for his star-making collaborations with Marlene Dietrich, Sternberg began his movie career during the final years of the silent era, dazzling audiences and critics with his films' dark visions and innovative cinematography. The titles in this collection, made on the cusp of the sound age, are three of Sternberg's greatest works, gritty evocations of gangster life ("Underworld"; 1927), the Russian Revolution ("The Last Command"; 1928) and working-class desperation ("The Docks of New York"; 1928) made into shadowy movie spectacle. New, restored high-definition digital transfers. Extras: Six scores: one by Robert Israel for each film; two by the Alloy Orchestra, for "Underworld" and "The Last Command"; and a piano and voice piece by Donald Sosin for "The Docks of New York"; two new visual essays: one by UCLA film professor Janet Bergstrom and the other by film scholar Tag Gallagher; 1968 Swedish television interview with director Josef von Sternberg, covering his entire career; 96-page booklet featuring essays by film critic Geoffrey O'Brien, film scholar Anton Kaes, and author Luc Sante, the original film treatment for "Underworld" by Ben Hecht, and an excerpt from Sternberg's autobiography, "Fun in a Chinese Laundry," on Emil Jannings. (The Criterion Collection).
Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg (2009) Eye-opening documentary about television pioneer Gertrude Berg, the entertainment genius and entrepreneur who wrote, starred in and produced the first successful American sitcom, "The Goldbergs," and charmed a nation. Traces Berg's rise to stardom from her childhood in New York to her early radio days to her enormously influential sitcom, "The Goldbergs" (1949-56), which brought Berg the first Best Actress Emmy in history. Berg's passion and incredible productivity paved the way for a wide variety of causes, including women in entertainment, Jewish-American identity and actors' rights, but she is most celebrated for singlehandedly proving that the American family transcends social, religious and economic divisions. $29.95. Extras: Commentary with director Aviva Kempner; episodes of "The Goldbergs" (including a surprising 1954 episode featuring Molly and Jake in the same bed together, unheard of at the time); Gertrude Berg's guest appearances with Edward R. Murrow and on Ed Sullivan; additional scenes and interviews; a Gertrude Berg recipe; an essay from the director; more. (Docurama).
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