DVD Releases
Big movies coming to the small screen
By Marni Weisz
NIM’S ISLAND
Stars: Jodie Foster, Abigail Breslin
Directors: Jennifer Flackett, Mark Levin
Story: Living alone on an isolated island with no one but her biologist dad (Gerard Butler), her animal friends and her series of Alex Rider books to keep her company seems like a dream for young Nim (Breslin). That is, until her father goes missing during an expedition and she has to call on the reclusive author of those books (Foster) to help find him.
DVD Extras: deleted scenes, commentary tracks, “Nim’s Friends,” “Abigail’s Journey,” “Working on Water”
August 12
SMART PEOPLE
Stars: Dennis Quaid, Ellen Page
Director: Noam Murro (debut)
Story: When a grouchy, self-centred English professor (Quaid) suffers a brain injury he’s forced to rely on his free-spirited and unreliable brother (Thomas Haden Church) m ore than he’d like. On the plus side, he hooks up with the doctor (Sarah Jessica Parker) who treated him. Page steps in as his precocious, but conservative, 17-year-old daughter.
DVD Extras: interviews with cast and crew, writer and director commentary, outtakes, nine deleted scenes, “Smart People at Sundance”
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS OSAMA BIN LADEN?
Stars: Morgan Spurlock, Alexandra Jamieson
Director: Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me)
Story: While the title implies that documentary filmmaker Spurlock set out to find the mastermind behind the September 11th attacks, truth is, he was really looking for perspective on the war on terror. His journey takes him through a number of Middle Eastern countries where he asks a wide variety of residents for their takes on Islam, the U.S. and world events.
DVD Extras: alternate ending, Afghan animation
August 19
HANNAH MONTANA/MILEY CYRUS: BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Stars: Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus
Director: Bruce Hendricks (Ultimate X: The Movie)
Story: As on her TV show, Cyrus plays both awkward schoolgirl Miley Stewart and her pop-star alter ego Hannah Montana in this concert film that didn’t really need any gimmicks to attract droves of young fans, but added the element of eye-popping 3D just for good measure. And yup, the DVD comes with 3D glasses so it’ll be just like having Miley dancing in your living room.
DVD Extras: sing-along mode, additional songs, “The Ultimate Personal Tour”
MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY
Stars: Amy Adams, Frances McDormand
Director: Bharat Nalluri (The Crow: Salvation)
Story: Unemployed nanny Miss Pettigrew (McDormand) accidentally falls into the job of social secretary for the free-spirited actress Delysia Lafosse (Adams). Much of Miss Pettigrew’s time is spent sorting out her boss’s love life, which involves affairs with three different men, which is particularly gasp-worthy since the film takes place in the late 1930s. Oh my.
DVD Extras: deleted scenes, “Miss Pettigrew’s Long Trip to Hollywood,” “Making an Unforgettable Day,” director commentary
PROM NIGHT
Stars: Brittany Snow, Scott Porter
Director: Nelson McCormick (For Which He Stands)
Story: Three years after Donna Keppel’s (Snow) entire family was murdered by an obsessed psychopath, said psychopath escapes from his mental institution and comes looking for her. And just in time for prom!
DVD Extras: deleted scenes, gag reel, photo album, commentary tracks
All release dates are subject to change.