‘Mindfreak’
The charismatic Criss Angel, shares an ability with his idol Houdini to draw in his audience with a wide array of tricks, illusions, and feats of daring. The world’s only five-time/back-to-back Magician of the Year is featured in 20 episodes with daredevil performances all live and unstaged including being steamrolled on a bed of broken glass and escaping from an out-of-control transport van filled with 100 pounds of explosives. (A&E) ‘Lust, Caution’ Like what he did with Annie Proulx’s similarly brief story, “Brokeback Mountain,” Ang Lee directs a fine adaptation of an Eileen Chang short story. A passionate espionage thriller set in WWII-era Shanghai, in which a young woman, Wang Jiazhi, gets swept up in a dangerous game of emotional intrigue with a powerful political figure, Mr. Yee. Supplements include a feature entitled: Tiles of Deception, Lurid Affections. The film is available in R and NC-17 versions. (Universal) ‘Into the Wild’ Collector’s Edition Inspired by the true story of Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch), a young man abandons his life of comfort to pursue the freedom of life on the road. It is a quest that takes him across North America and ultimately to the challenge of his life in the Alaskan wilderness. A second disc contains supplements behind the story, characters and experiences of the film. (Paramount) ‘Margot at the Wedding’ Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Jason Leigh provide a quirky look as neurotic sisters who have reunited when Nicole arrives and meets Jennifer’s groom-to-be (Jack Black). A raw psycho-sociological examination of sibling relationships, the picture is written and directed by Oscar-winner Noah Baumbach (”The Squid and the Whale”). Bonus material includes a conversation between husband and wife/director and star Baumbach and Leigh. (Paramount) ‘Newhart’ The Complete First Season After a four-year break from television comedy, Bob Newhart made a triumphant return in 1982. Nominated for 25 Emmys during its eight-year run on CBS, the hit series has Newhart trading in his psychiatrist couch and the Windy City for the comfort of a small inn in rural Vermont that he runs with his wife. (Fox) ‘Dresden’ The most-watched German television production of all-time, this mini-series is a tale of love with a German nurse (Felicitas Woll) and a British pilot (John Light) set against the backdrop of the Dresden bombings (one of WWII’s most controversial events.) Presented Film and television author RANDY WILLIAMS reviews the latest movies, television shows, documentaries and music programs now available for purchase online or at your local retail store.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 29, 2008. Read the original PDF.