DVD REVIEWS OF NEW RELEASES A NEW 'POTTER' LOOK IN THE AGE OF PUBERTY.Byline: Rob Lowman Entertainment Editor Having Alfonso Cuaron, director of both the racy rac·y adj. rac·i·er, rac·i·est 1. Having a distinctive and characteristic quality or taste. 2. Strong and sharp in flavor or odor; piquant or pungent. 3. Risqué; ribald. 4. coming-of-age film ``Y Tu Mama Tambien,'' and the wonderfully imaginative family fare ``A Little Princess A Little Princess is a 1905 children's novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It is a revised and expanded version of Burnett's 1888 serialized novella entitled Sara Crewe: or, What happened at Miss Minchin's boarding school, which was published in St. ,'' take the reins of third installment of the ``Harry Potter'' franchise, ``The Prisoner of Azkaban,'' was an inspired choice. Cuaron's ``Prisoner'' is a more imaginative and cinematic reading than the first two ``Potters,'' which were directed by Chris Columbus. The previous films unfolded in a near-reverent fashion as if Columbus was afraid to mess with mess with Verb Informal, chiefly US to interfere in, or become involved with, a dangerous person, thing, or situation: he had started messing with drugs J.K. Rowling's work. While Columbus had the problem of bringing Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his friends - Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson This article is about the actress. For other people named Emma Watson, see Emma Watson (disambiguation). Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson[1] (born 15 April 1990) is an English actress. ) - to the screen, Cuaron had a trickier proposition: bringing them into puberty. He also faced a story that was more complicated and thus more ungainly. While Cuaron and screenwriter Steve Kloves never completely solve the narrative problem, ``Prisoner'' has a visual flow that brings to life a world that is not only magical but sensual, visceral and dark as well. As Harry and his pals approach their teens, there are moments of rebellion and anger as laid out in the opening scene - humorous but nasty - as well as a sexual awakening, which can be seen in the trio's awkward's movements. Cuaron also had a strong cast of older actors - Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson Emma Thompson (born 15 April 1959) is an Emmy-, BAFTA- and Academy Award-winning English actress, comedian, and screenwriter. She is also a patron of the Refugee Council. Biography Early life Thompson was born in Paddington, London, England. , Gary Oldman, Robbie Coltrane, David Thewlis and Michael Gambon as headmaster Albus Dumbledore Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is a fictional character within the Harry Potter series written by British author J. K. Rowling. He is the headmaster of the fictional wizarding school Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the majority of the series and , who took up the late Richard Harris' wand - as a nice counterbalance to the youths. But the strength of the film is still Cuaron's cinematic vision, which becomes more evident on repeated viewing. Although ``Prisoner'' explores the maturing Harry, the extras on the two-disc DVD DVD: see digital versatile disc. DVD in full digital video disc or digital versatile disc Type of optical disc. The DVD represents the second generation of compact-disc (CD) technology. - which comes out Wednesday - while pleasant diversions, are mostly geared for the younger crowd. No commentary, by the way, however Rowling joins Cuaron in a making-of featurette. For those who don't have the earlier films, there is also a box set of all three titles. Steven Spielberg's ``The Terminal'' was one of the more misread mis·read tr.v. mis·read , mis·read·ing, mis·reads 1. To read inaccurately. 2. To misinterpret or misunderstand: misread our friendly concern as prying. films of the year. Maybe it was the title, which implies various meanings: the literal space that Tom Hanks' character, Viktor - a traveler from Eastern Europe Eastern Europe The countries of eastern Europe, especially those that were allied with the USSR in the Warsaw Pact, which was established in 1955 and dissolved in 1991. caught in a political no man's land - inhabits; at the end; or period of time - like the final stages of a disease. Viktor's dilemma is that he's a traveler who is visiting the States when his fictional country's government is overthrown, rendering him a political question mark. He has no status to enter this country - especially under our Homeland Security Noun 1. Homeland Security - the federal department that administers all matters relating to homeland security Department of Homeland Security executive department - a federal department in the executive branch of the government of the United States laws - and no standing to go back to his war-torn nation. The nightmarish situation has shades of Kafka, Gogol and Becket beck·et n. Nautical A device, such as a looped rope, hook and eye, strap, or grommet, used to hold or fasten loose ropes, spars, or oars in position. [Origin unknown.] Noun 1. . But while Spielberg is gently commenting on the impersonality and sometimes ridiculousness of the bureaucracy of the Homeland Security system, he chose to focus on the uplifting aspects of Viktor's story - how he doesn't give up, how he finds ways to survive, how he connects with people despite his predicament. There is even a love interest in the form of a stewardess (Catherine Zeta-Jones). As I said after coming out of an early screening, ``The Terminal'' starts as a nightmare but turns into a fairy tale A Fairy Tale (AKA A Magic Tale) - Fantastic ballet in 1 Act, with choreography by Marius Petipa, and music by (?) Richter. First presented by students of the Imperial Ballet School on April 4/16 (Julian/Gregorian calendar dates), 1891 in the . Many people didn't see that way, but you're not long into the movie before there's a subtle shift in tone, and Spielberg, the man behind ``E.T.,'' tries to create a magical feeling for the film. Most of the time he succeeds. The film is also helped immeasurably by Hanks' Viktor. A couple of times, the director tries too hard. One scene, which I saw at the screening, was Spielberg at his schmaltziest. I heard later that it was excised from the final cut. But since DreamWorks continues to refuse to send out final discs until release date, I couldn't rewatch the film. Nor could I examine the extras, which are said to include a featurette on the building of the giant airline terminal set. It might be interesting. The teen film of the week is ``Sleepover,'' starring ``Spy Kids' '' Alexa Vega. Aimed at younger teens, it is as relatively inoffensive as it is inconsequential. ``Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'' (Warner; $29.95) on two discs. ``Harry Potter - Years 1-3'' (Warner; $59.92) includes the first three films and extras on six discs. ``The Terminal'' (DreamWorks; $29.99). ``Sleepover'' (MGM MGM in full Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. U.S. corporation and film studio. It was formed when the film distributor Marcus Loew, who bought Metro Pictures in 1920, merged it with the Goldwyn production company in 1924 and with Louis B. Mayer Pictures in 1925. ; $26.98). 'Seinfeld,' 'Home Improvement,' 'Golden Girls,' 'Tanner on Tanner' ``Get out.'' They really are coming out with the first three seasons of ``Seinfeld'' on DVD? The line about the long-running NBC NBC in full National Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. commercial broadcasting company. It was formed in 1926 by RCA Corp., General Electric Co. (GE), and Westinghouse and was the first U.S. company to operate a broadcast network. comedy is that it was a show about nothing. And usually it was. But the show has legions of fans - it constantly runs in syndication - so who am I to argue? Now I have nothing against nothing. Most television shows don't aspire to even that. There even was something oddly subversive about ``Seinfeld's'' self-centered quartet - Jerry, Elaine (Julia Louie-Dreyfus), George (Jason Alexander) and Kramer (Michael Richards). It was their selfishness and pettiness that made them interesting - something many of us recognize in ourselves without admitting to it. And it was their outrageous rationalizations and devious behavior in the face of small dilemmas that led to the humor. How often would a fib or small deceit turn into a major to-do? The thing that set ``Seinfeld'' apart was that its characters were not - thankfully - the supposedly lovable lunks (``Raymond'') that populate most sitcoms. That gave the show an edge and provided more laughs than almost any other network comedy. The DVD set of seasons one and two gives fans of the series plenty to check out: a number of commentaries, including those from co-creator Larry David, deleted scenes, some Seinfeld stand-up stand·up or stand-up adj. 1. Standing erect; upright: a standup collar. 2. Taken, done, or used while standing: a standup supper; a standup bar. never used on the show, an hour-long feature on how Seinfeld and David created the series, and pop-up notes. Season three provides an equal number of fascinating extras. There is also a gift box set. Two more conventional sitcoms out are the first seasons of ``Home Improvement,'' starring Tim Allen as a lovable lunk Lunk can refer to either of the following two fictional people from the universe:
adj. 1. Characteristic of or befitting a grandmother. 2. Having the qualities of a grandmother. types saying racy things for the humor. ``Tanner on Tanner Tanner on Tanner is a 2004 comedy and the sequel series to the 1988 Robert Altman directed and Garry Trudeau written miniseries about a failed presidential candidate, Tanner '88. ,'' director Robert Altman and Garry Trudeau's follow-up to their 1988 miniseries satire, ``Tanner '88,'' tried to lampoon this year's presidential campaign. The two-hour, four-part series, which aired on the Sundance Channel before this fall's election, has Michael Murphy back as Sen. Jack Tanner, whose White House bid is the subject of a documentary by his daughter (Cynthia Nixon). Unfortunately, while ``Tanner on Tanner'' has its moments, the real campaign was far loonier. Altman, Trudeau, Murphy and Nixon are interviewed on the DVD. Other TV show box sets are listed below. ``Seinfeld - Seasons 1-2'' (Columbia; $49.95) 18 episodes on four discs plus extras. ``Seinfeld - Season 3'' (Columbia; $49.95) 23 episodes on four discs plus extras. ``Seinfeld Gift Set'' (Columbia; $119.95) includes Seasons 1-3 with original script, salt and pepper shakers Salt and pepper shakers are condiment holders used in Western culture that are designed to allow food eaters to distribute edible salt and ground pepper.[1] This is a conjoined term for salt shaker and pepper shaker. , and playing cards. ``Home Improvement - Season 1'' (Disney; $49.99) on four discs. ``Golden Girls - Season 1'' (Disney; $49.99) on four discs. ``Tanner on Tanner'' (Sundance; $19.99). ``Boy Meets World - Season 2'' (Disney; $49.99) on four discs. ``Lizzie McGuire'' (Disney; $49.99) includes the first 22 episodes on four discs. Rob Lowman, (818) 713-3687 robert.lowman(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) EMMA WATSON, RUPERT GRINT, ALAN RICKMAN and DANIEL RADCLIFFE in ``Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.'' (2) MICHEAL RICHARDS, left, JULIA-LOUIS DREYFUS, JERRY SEINFELD and JASON ALEXANDER in ``Seinfeld.'' |
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