‘We Are Marshall’ Matthew McConaughey portrays football coach Jack Lengyel, who comes to Huntington, West Virginia to take the job no one wanted, rebuilding the Marshall University football program after a plane crash had wiped out the team. Using football as a metaphor for life, knocking you down and expecting you to get back up, the compassionate coach helps restore the community after the devastating tragedy. Added elements include: “Marshall Now”— looking at the University campus today. It also features “Legendary Coaches” — Inspirational stories with various coaches talking about how they led their teams to victory. (Warner Bros.) ‘Mr. Brooks’
Philanthropist, devoted family man, prosperous business man, outward appearances indicate Mr. Brooks (Kevin Costner) is a model citizen, but he has a dark secret. Mr. Brooks has been literally getting away with murder, addicted to the dangers of his evil alter-ego. The film co-stars William Hurt, Demi Moore, and Dane Cook. (Fox) ‘The Sopranos - Season 6 Part II’
The final nine episodes of the landmark series centering on the personal and “professional” world of Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) arrives on DVD with four discs. The Emmy, Golden Globe, and Peabody-winning series concludes with Tony facing legal pressures, life-altering decisions at home, and loyalty questions of even his most trusted associates. Special features: “Making Cleaver” — a backdoor view of the film that Christopher pitched to Hollywood, “Music of the Sopranos,” and assorted audio commentaries from several cast members. (HBO) ‘Michael Palin Pole-to-Pole’
A follow-up to the very popular “Around the World in 80 Days” series, the former Monty Python member ventures out to go the most direct land route from the North Pole to the South Pole. Strange, sad, and wonderful tales occur as Palin travels through the Soviet Union (just as it was breaking up), Turkey, and the full length of the African continent meeting a diverse array of people from very different cultures in 17 countries. The engaging comedian tries just about everything from white water rafting in Zimbabwe to riding on the roofs of trains and applying tree bark prescribed by a Mpulugu witch doctor to get rid of his evil shadow, all while managing to find time for a spot of tea. (BBC Warner) ‘America’s Game-Super Bowl Champions 49ers Collection’
Three teams have won five Super Bowls. The San Francisco 49ers were the first to do it. This detailed and glossy NFL Films presentation details each of those Super Seasons featuring some of the game’s greatest players — Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott, and Steve Young among others, as well as the late, great coach Bill Walsh. The five-disc set covers the years 1981, 1984, 1988, 1989, and 1994. (Warner Bros.) ‘All My Loving’
This groundbreaking documentary (first aired in 1968) explores the explosive music of the ‘60s and its effect on pop culture. Tony Palmer, one of the foremost music documentary filmmakers, brought acts like Cream, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and Frank Zappa, to mass television and forced critics and the public alike to rethink their prejudices and witness the undeniable musicals talents on display. (MVD) ‘Criminal Minds - Season Two’
Mandy Patinkin leads an elite team of FBI profilers with special abilities to get into the minds of evil-doers. All 23 episodes plus special features with real experts on behavioral science involving criminal minds as well as a look at the science of physical evidence come in this three-disc package. (Paramount) RANDY WILLIAMS
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 26, 2007. Read the original PDF.