DVD REVIEW OF NEW RELEASES.

Byline: Rob Lowman Entertainment Editor

Cheadle excels in hero role

'If people see this footage,'' a photojournalist played by Joaquin Phoenix tells hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle) in ``Hotel Rwanda,'' ``they'll say, 'Oh my God, that's terrible,' and they'll go on eating their dinners.''

The journalist was referring to genocide taking place in that African country in 1994. He was right, of course. For reasons that now seem like a failure of morality, Western powers did not intervene. By the time the 100-day bloody conflict was over, it claimed nearly 1 million lives - some 800,000 of them Tutsis slaughtered by the ruling Hutu tribe.

Somehow during that period Rusesabagina - a Hutu married to a Tutsi, Tatiana (Sophie Okonedo) - managed to save more than 1,000 Tutsis by keeping the hotel he managed as a safe haven despite Hutu attempts to overrun the grounds.

It is through Rusesabagina's eyes that we see the violence, hatred and savagery that is at the heart of the true story of ``Hotel Rwanda,'' which was directed by Terry George. And while the film keeps much of the brutality off camera, you see it all in Cheadle's amazing, understated performance.

Rusesabagina is a gentle, civilized man who at first can't comprehend what is happening, but he quickly realizes he must keep his wits about him in order for him and the others to survive. Cheadle brilliantly manifests both the outer calm and inner turmoil of the man - often with just a simple look.

While the film is saddled with trying to explain the complicated reasons behind the conflict and the world's response, it smartly sticks to Rusesabagina's story to do so. ``Hotel Rwanda'' is guilty at times of trying to wrench pathos out of a situation already rife with emotion, but that does little to undercut the film's impact.

The DVD includes commentary by Rusesabagina and George plus a documentary on Rwanda.

``Hotel Rwanda'' (MGM; $26.98) includes commentary and featurettes.

'Bad Education,' 'Ocean's Twelve,' 'The Woodsman,' 'Suspect Zero' Pedro Almodovar's ``Bad Education'' audaciously pushes the edges of film noir. Its elaborate plot-shuffling between time periods fuses fantasy and reality and mixes in the heated sexuality of a femme fatale without involving a woman. Mexican heartthrob Gael Garcia Bernal plays three roles, depending on how you're counting since there are stories within stories.

It would be hard to encapsulate ``Bad Education'' in a few sentences, but Almodovar (``Talk to Me,'' ``Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown'') has proven himself again to be one of film's few genuine auteurs working today. His provocative cinematic world may be uncomfortable for some, but it can't be dismissed.

For those critics who thought Steven Soderbergh's ``Ocean's Twelve'' was supposed to be more than a fun souffle with glamorous stars, all I can say is, what were you thinking? In fact, this George Clooney/Brad Pitt/Julia Roberts/Catherine Zeta-Jones vehicle is right on target with its offbeat gags, insides jokes, winks at the audience and general loopiness.

The sequel to Soderbergh's box-office hit ``Ocean's Eleven'' - which was based on the original Rat Pack movie - has moved much of the action to Europe but hasn't lost its sense of razzle-dazzle. Though not as elegantly plotted or as tightly executed as its predecessor, ``Twelve'' scores as diverting entertainment. And Soderbergh and his stars don't even break a sweat doing so. Everyone sails through the movie with that devil-may-care attitude of a Fred Astaire or Cary Grant, which is part of the film's charm.

Kevin Bacon gives a strong performance in Nicole Kassell's ``The Woodsman,'' the story of a paroled sex offender who had targeted preteen girls.

Bacon's Walter is a man in turmoil. He knows his obsession could land him back in prison, so he must remain outwardly passive while reining in his demons. Kassell and Bacon don't attempt to make Walter a sympathetic character, instead letting his inner struggle seep out to create a creepy atmosphere in the movie.

There are other skilled portrayals in ``The Woodsman,'' particularly Mos Def as a police sergeant keeping an eye on Walter, not believing his molesting days are behind him. Of course, that is the question the audience is asking, too, even as Walter gets a girlfriend in a receptionist named Eve (Krya Sedgwick, Bacon's real-life wife).

Somehow, though, ``The Woodsman'' is more unsettling than illuminating. Fictional attempts to delve into the minds of such psychopaths are ultimately defeated. What we are likely to hear in a real situation is a line like, ``You know, he never gave us any trouble.''

Talk about madness - how about a movie about a serial killer murdering serial killers and a lawman out for justice? That's what ``Suspect Zero,'' starring Aaron Eckhart and Ben Kingsley, is about. Direct by E. Elias Merhige (``Shadow of the Vampire''), ``Zero'' can pretty much be summed up by the title - no logic and no credibility. Why so many, including Tom Cruise's production company, signed on to this ride to nowhere is the only mystery.

``Ocean's Twelve'' (Warner; $27.95).

Bad Education (Columbia; $26.96).

``The Woodsman'' (Columbia; $26.96).

``Suspect Zero'' (Paramount; $29.99).

'Really Bend It Like Beckham'

Can you really learn to bend it like Beckham?

That depends on your skills, but the man himself, English soccer star David Beckham, offers some tips on how to send a ball curling around a defender and past a goalie in the DVD ``Really Bend It Like Beckham.'' Beckham, who plays for super football club Real Madrid as well as for the English national team, is renowned for such a feat, which has made him one of the richest athletes in the world. In this DVD, shot in high definition and using multiple angles, Beckham breaks down his technique. How many soccer players will be able to duplicate the kick is another question. But Beckham keeps the instruction simple enough, and it would seem invaluable for anyone who plays the game.

The two-disc set also has lots of other stuff about Beckham, whose matinee-idol looks and marriage to Posh Spice also get him constantly in the news.

The discs also include complete Spanish and French versions of the entire program and menus.

``Really Bend It Like Beckham'' (Capital Entertainment; $24.98).

'Bob Newhart' and more TV

Few comedians can stay funny for nearly 50 years. Then there's Bob Newhart, who proved a hoot in ``Elf,'' the 2003 holiday hit starring Will Ferrell. It's not his zingers, though there are some, that make Newhart funny. And it's not his wild and crazy persona - because there isn't one. All you have to do is read the title to Newhart's hit 1960 album - ``The Button Down Mind of Bob Newhart'' - to understand his humor. The now-75-year-old comic has made people laugh ever since with his often quirky, often stammering, often insecure, often officious characters.

Arguably the high point of his career was the TV series ``The Bob Newhart Show,'' which ran from 1972-78, the first season of which is out today on DVD. In it Newhart played psychologist Bob Hartley. Suzanne Pleshette was his wife, Emily, an elementary school teacher. Among the wacky characters - many of them his patients - were Marcia Wallace as Carol, the receptionist at his Chicago office that he shared with bachelor dentist Jerry (Peter Bonerz). But it was Newhart's understated reactions that more often than not drew the biggest laughs. And while the series may have '70s written all over it, Newhart's wit fits all eras.

Other TV-related DVD releases are listed below.

``The Bob Newhart Show - The Complete First Season'' (Fox; $29.98).

``Harvey Birdman Attorney at Law, Vol. 1'' (Warner; $29.98).

``The Hitchhiker, Vol. 2'' (Warner; $34.98).

``Space Ghost Coast to Coast - Volume Three'' (Warner; $29.98).

``The A-Team - Season Two'' (Universal; $49.98).

``Magnum, P.I. - The Complete Second Season'' (Universal; $49.98).

``Sledge Hammer! - Season Two'' (Anchor Bay; $39.98).

``All in the Family - The Complete Fourth Season'' (Columbia; $29.95).

``The Jeffersons - The Complete Third Season'' (Columbia; $29.95).

``Knight Rider - Season Two'' (Universal; $49.98)

Rob Lowman, [phone]

robert.lowman(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) DON CHEADLE in ``Hotel Rwanda''

(2) GEORGE CLOONEY, left, BRAD PITT and BERNIE MAC in ``Ocean's Twelve''