As drama, ‘Underworld’ feels bloodless

Underworld

Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman

Columbia TriStar, $29

This horror flick has far more style than substance. TV commercial director Len Wiseman makes his theatrical debut with this tale revolving around werewolves and vampires. Though he has put a lot of care into the look of the film and handles the action scenes like a veteran, he skimps on the script and performances. No matter how glossy and slick “Underworld” is, Wiseman can’t hide the fact that it’s just dramatically silly.

The digital edition packs in extras, with featurettes on the look of the film, stunts, makeup and special effects. Audio commentaries include one with Wiseman, who is now engaged to his star.

*

Uptown Girls

Brittany Murphy, Dakota Fanning

MGM, $27

This disappointing comedy-drama wastes the talents of Murphy, who looks far too thin for her own good, and child actress Fanning. Murphy plays a madcap heiress who, upon discovering her accountant has embezzled all of her money, goes to work as the nanny to a rich, humorless little girl (Fanning). Before the last reel, of course, Murphy has learned about responsibility and Fanning has embraced her inner child.

Murphy’s little pet pink pig, Mu, steals every scene she’s in.

The skimpy digital edition includes some deleted scenes, a by-the-numbers production documentary and a mini-documentary about the costume design.

*

Hell’s Angels on Wheels

Jack Nicholson,

Adam Roarke

Image, $20

Fans of the iconic actor will definitely want to check out this low-budget but highly entertaining 1967 biker flick directed by Richard Rush of “The Stunt Man” fame.

Nicholson plays a rebellious gas station attendant named Poet who loses his job when he gives a pushy customer a piece of his mind and ends up befriended by a group of Hells Angels led by Roarke’s Buddy. Soon Poet finds himself involved in crazy parties, hot sex and gang fights. Laszlo Kovacs supplied the cinematography.

*

Out of Time

Denzel Washington, Eva Mendes

MGM, $28

Washington teams up with his “Devil in a Blue Dress” director, Carl Franklin, for this murder mystery that is filled with atmosphere and sexual tension but doesn’t come anywhere near the complexities of “Devil.”

Washington plays a police chief of a small Florida beach town who falls victim to a trap set by his mistress and her husband and quickly discovers he has precious little time to save himself from being arrested as the prime suspect in a murder. John Billingsley gives the film’s best performance as Washington’s best friend, the medical examiner. A production documentary, outtakes, character profiles and screen tests are among the highlights of the digital edition. Director Franklin seems very much at ease with himself in his audio commentary.