‘The Happening’
From writer/director M. Night Shyamalan (“Signs,” “The Sixth Sense”) comes this paranoid thriller about a family on the run from a natural crisis (breezes carrying deadly neurotoxins) that presents a large-scale threat to humanity. While the end of the world isn’t expected to be a walk in the park, that is precisely where it all begins with strollers in New York City’s Central Park. (Fox)
‘L.A. Confidential’ Two-Disc Special Edition
A double Oscar winner (Best Adapted Screenplay for Brian Helgeland and Curtis Hanson, and Best Supporting Actress for Kim Basinger) this drama revisits 1950s Hollywood filled with mystery, corruption, romance, and ambition. Based on James Ellroy’s “L.A. Quartet” series of novels, this riveting bit of film noir also features Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, and Kevin Spacey. A trunk-full of special features include: Making L.A. Confidential, The Visual Style of L.A. Confidential; From Book to Screen; Off the Record; and extensive visuals of the various locations and sets used in the picture. All-new interviews with the cast are included. (Warner Bros)
High School: Flashback Collection (’The Breakfast Club,’ ‘Weird Science,’ ‘Sixteen Candles’)
Here is a triple serving of youth in action from director John Hughes, one of the fathers of the “Brat Pack” movement in the 1980s. The three-disc set comes packaged in a mini school locker with hours of bonus features. “Sixteen Candles” features Molly Ringwald in a story where a “sweet sixteenth” birthday becomes anything but special as she suffers from every embarrassment possible. In “Weird Science,” two nerdy boys attempt to create the perfect woman, but she turns out to be more than that, a lot more. Ringwald is joined by Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Alley Sheedy, and Judd Nelson in “The Breakfast Club” where five high school students, all different stereotypes, come out of detention discovering how they have a lot more in common than they thought. (Universal)
‘High School Musical 2’ 2-Disc Deluxe Dance Edition
Here is a return to East High and the dance craze led by Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, and Chad again directed and choreographed by Kenny Ortega. Following up on the original which was the number one TV movie on DVD in 2006 and a quadruple platinum best-selling album soundtrack, this package also provides over five hours of bonus material. Dance instruction segments, cast interviews, and a sneak peek at “High School Musical 3” are presented in this edition. (Disney)
‘The Love Guru’ Digital Copy Special Edition
Mike Myers portrays a leading self-help guru trying to assist a hockey player win his wife back from a rival athlete. Co-starring Jessica Alba and Justin Timberlake, the package also includes a digital copy of the film compatible with iTunes and Windows. Bonus materials include bloopers, deleted and extended scenes. (Paramount)
‘The Partridge Family’ The Complete Third Season
“C’mon, Get Happy!” This classic 1970s comedy involving that “groovy” family of pop musicians arrives on three discs containing all 25 episodes from season three. The fatherless family of six tour the country in a psychedelic-painted bus. Shirley Jones stars as the mother, teen idol David Cassidy is her son Keith, as is Danny Bonaduce the schemer, Susan Dey is the daughter on keyboards while Brian Forster and Suzanne Crough are the youngest kids. One of the series’ true stars is the family’s often exasperated manager Rueben Kincaid portrayed by David Madden. Guest stars include Slim Pickens and Jodie Foster. (Sony)
‘My Name Is Earl’ Season Three
Jason Lee stars as a ne’er do well who wins $100,000 in the lottery and decides to right all the wrongs from his past with his newfound realization. Karma doesn’t come easy for Earl and you can see for yourself spread out over four discs, just how hard it can be. In addition to all 18 episodes are deleted scenes, a gag reel, and a segment about creating the characters. (Fox)
Randy Williams can be reached at writtenbyrw@yahoo.com
