‘Shoot ‘Em Up’ lacks firepower
Perhaps the best of the three features being released on DVD today, “Shoot ‘Em Up” (New Line, $29) casts magnetic leading man Clive Owen as an angry loner who finds himself protecting an infant -- after he delivers the baby in a warehouse amid a raucous gunfight. Over-the-top in every possible way, the action-thriller also features a memorable turn from Paul Giamatti, who seems to be enjoying himself playing against type as a well-groomed but sleazoid hit man; Monica Bellucci plays a lactating prostitute -- yes, you read that right -- who serves as the baby’s surrogate mother.
Included on the disc are typical behind-the-scenes production featurettes and fast-paced commentary from writer-director Michael Davis.
Milla Jovovich returns for the third time as action heroine Alice in “Resident Evil: Extinction” (Sony, $29). In this cross between “The Road Warrior” and “Night of the Living Dead,” Alice and her posse -- played by Oded Fehr, Mike Epps, Ali Larter and Ashanti -- take on zombies in the Nevada desert among the ruins of what was Las Vegas. Included on the disc are deleted scenes, capsule featurettes on the production and engaging commentary with director Russell Mulcahy, writer-producer Paul W.S. Anderson and producer Jeremy Bolt that’s far more inspired than their movie.
It’s usually great fun to watch tough guys Jet Li and Jason Statham in action. But despite some nifty fight scenes choreographed by Corey Yuen, “War” (Lionsgate, $29) fails to ignite. Statham plays an obsessed San Francisco FBI agent; Jet Li is his nemesis, an assassin called Rogue. The DVD certainly doesn’t stint on extras, with a gag reel -- all involving Jet Li’s gaffes -- deleted and extended scenes, decent production featurettes, a mini-documentary on the film’s score and two commentary tracks. The best extra is an audio trivia track, which features everything from the history of Lionsgate to interviews with the cast and crew.
Also new
“The Tudors -- The Complete First Season” (Showtime, $43): The life and times of young Henry VIII (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) have been turned into an addictive, R-rated bodice-ripper series for Showtime. The cast, which also includes Sam Neill and Jeremy Northam, is strong, and the costumes, production design and cinematography are first-rate. Extras are pretty slim, with a few glossy and short production featurettes, but the DVD does include episodes of other Showtime series, such as “Californication.”
“Indie Sex” (IFC, $30): An adults-only documentary that aired on the Independent Film Channel. The series, directed by Lisa Ades and Lesli Klainberg, explores sex in films, from the earliest stag movie made in America in 1915 to current features. The documentary is divided into three parts: “Censored,” “Teens” and “Extremes.” Included are graphic movie sex scenes -- most shocking are the stag films made during the silent era -- and interviews with the likes of John Waters and John Cameron Mitchell, two filmmakers who have pushed the cinematic sex envelope, as well as burlesque queen Dita Von Teese.
“Solstice” (Weinstein $20): Daniel Myrick (“The Blair Witch Project”) directed this teen horror film that has an attractive young cast and a few scares but will probably leave hard-core horror fans wanting more thrills, chills and gore. Extras include a behind-the-scenes documentary and commentary from Myrick.
“Weird Science -- The Complete Seasons 1 & 2” (A&E;): John Hughes scored a hit the summer of 1985 with the teen comedy about two nerds who conjure up a dream girl on their computer. Nine years later, USA turned it into a totally forgettable series. John Mallory Asher and Michael Manasseri play the dweebs; Vanessa Angel is their creation. Extras include commentary from the stars.
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