Director Steven Spielberg's first foray into animation finds him out of his element. The dated storytelling and animation style indicate Spielberg's nostalgically motivated effort to bring Georges Remi's popular comic book series to life -- but the results are clunky. Tintin is an intrepid young journalist who purchases a rare model ship and finds himself receiving exorbitant offers to buy it from strange men. He refuses to sell and the subsequent theft of his new purchase leads Tintin, accompanied by his faithful dog Snowy, into an investigation that culminate in the discovery of sunken treasure stolen by 17th century pirates. Long, dull passages are punctuated by colorful, but uneven action. Although Snowy, the adorable canine brains of the operation, partially redeems this effort, the film's audience is difficult to pinpoint. DVD features: No special features. Blu-ray features: Toasting Tintin: Part 1 & Part 2, Journey of Tintin, World of Tintin, Who's Who of Tintin, Conceptual Design, In the Volume, Snowy: From Beginning to End, Animating Tintin, The Score, Collecting Tintin.
THE DESCENDANTS
(2011)
* * *1/2
Directed by Alexander Payne
Starring George Clooney, Beau Bridges, Judy Greer, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller
Fox//Rated R//Drama//110 minutes
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray
Clooney's soulful, Oscar-nominated performance is at the center of "The Descendents," a story that finds Matt King's life in crisis. Adapted from the Kaui Hart Hemmings novel, the screenplay won an Oscar for Alexander Payne of "Sideways," by finding a sweet spot that combines subtle humor with looming tragedy. In Hawaii, a boating accident has critically injured Matt wife, and caused her affair to come light. Working on a lucrative real estate deal, Matt can't afford to come publicly unglued. His daughters need stability, so Matt searches for the strength to face what will come. Second thoughts about the real estate deal, and the very real prospect of losing his wife, all weigh on Matt's mind as he picks his way through the wreckage, searching for answers. DVD features: Everybody Loves George, Working with Alexander, Hawaiian Style. Blu-ray features same plus: Deleted Scenes with director's introductions, The Real Descendants, Casting, Working with Water, Music Videos: Will I Ever See You Again, Postcards from Paradise, Honolulu's Whisper, Waiting for the Light, The World Parade ñ Hawaii (Silent Film), A Conversation with George Clooney and Alexander Payne, Digital Copy of the Film.
JACK AND JILL
(2011)
CR: * (D)
Directed By Dennis Dugan
Starring Adam Sandler, Katie Holmes, Al Pacino
Sony//Rated PG//Comedy//91 minutes
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack and digital download
Adam Sandler re-teams with his favorite director, Dennis Dugan, for their seventh comedy. The resulting one-joke movie stars Sandler twice. He plays Jack Sadelstein, a successful Los Angeles advertising exec, happily married with two kids (Holmes slums as his wife). Sandler also plays Jill, Jack's annoying twin sister, decked out in Little-Bo-Peep hair and a Bronxy attitude. Jill's annual visit is normally brief, but this year she refuses to leave until Jack has escorted her to the many places making her list of "must-sees." Against all odds, Jill is spied by Al Pacino who becomes smitten and is relentless in his efforts to gain Jill's affections. Long on folksy sentimentality and short on sense, Sandler's movie panders to the Thanksgiving crowd by setting the action around one of our favorites holidays. DVD features: Deleted scenes, blooper reel, Look who stopped by, Boys will be girls. Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack features same plus: film on both DVD and Blu-ray, Stomach ache, Don't call it a boat - Royal Caribbean.
FOOTLOOSE
(2011)
* *1/2 (B-)
THE DESCENDANTS
* * *1/2
Directed by Alexander Payne
Starring George Clooney, Beau Bridges, Judy Greer, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller
Fox//Rated R//Drama//110 minutes
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray
Clooney's soulful, Oscar-nominated performance is at the center of "The Descendents," a story that finds Matt King's life in crisis. Adapted from the Kaui Hart Hemmings novel, the screenplay won an Oscar for Alexander Payne of "Sideways," by finding a sweet spot that combines subtle humor with looming tragedy. In Hawaii, a boating accident has critically injured Matt wife, and caused her affair to come light. Working on a lucrative real estate deal, Matt can't afford to come publicly unglued. His daughters need stability, so Matt searches for the strength to face what will come. Second thoughts about the real estate deal, and the very real prospect of losing his wife, all weigh on Matt's mind as he picks his way through the wreckage, searching for answers. DVD features: Everybody Loves George, Working with Alexander, Hawaiian Style. Blu-ray features same plus: Deleted Scenes with director's introductions, The Real Descendants, Casting, Working with Water, Music Videos: Will I Ever See You Again, Postcards from Paradise, Honolulu's Whisper, Waiting for the Light, The World Parade ñ Hawaii (Silent Film), A Conversation with George Clooney and Alexander Payne, Digital Copy of the Film.
JACK AND JILL
(2011)
CR: * (D)
Directed By Dennis Dugan
Starring Adam Sandler, Katie Holmes, Al Pacino
Sony//Rated PG//Comedy//91 minutes
Available on: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack and digital download
Adam Sandler re-teams with his favorite director, Dennis Dugan, for their seventh comedy. The resulting one-joke movie stars Sandler twice. He plays Jack Sadelstein, a successful Los Angeles advertising exec, happily married with two kids (Holmes slums as his wife). Sandler also plays Jill, Jack's annoying twin sister, decked out in Little-Bo-Peep hair and a Bronxy attitude. Jill's annual visit is normally brief, but this year she refuses to leave until Jack has escorted her to the many places making her list of "must-sees." Against all odds, Jill is spied by Al Pacino who becomes smitten and is relentless in his efforts to gain Jill's affections. Long on folksy sentimentality and short on sense, Sandler's movie panders to the Thanksgiving crowd by setting the action around one of our favorites holidays. DVD features: Deleted scenes, blooper reel, Look who stopped by, Boys will be girls. Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack features same plus: film on both DVD and Blu-ray, Stomach ache, Don't call it a boat - Royal Caribbean.
FOOTLOOSE
(2011)
* *1/2 (B-)
