Conjuring up an indie success

The life after: Magic filled the theaters in 2006. Though “The Prestige” had a richer budget, bigger stars and a major studio behind it, the handsome low-budget indie “The Illusionist” was the first out of the starting gate.

Adapted from a Steven Millhauser short story and directed by Neil Burger, “The Illusionist” revolves around an enigmatic magician (Edward Norton) who captivates audiences in turn-of-the-last-century Vienna. But he finds his life in danger when he reconnects with a childhood friend (Jessica Biel) who happens to be engaged to the ruthless crown prince (Rufus Sewell).

Made for approximately $16.5 million in Prague, Czech Republic, the film received generally favorable reviews, grossing $39.2 million in the U.S. It’s No. 19 on Amazon.com’s pre-sales list. And Burger is nominated for Film Independent’s Spirit Award for his screenplay.

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Left in the desert

So much for star power: You’d expect a film starring Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz to be promising entertainment, but their Western comedy “Bandidas,” arriving Tuesday on DVD, managed to get only a limited release in the U.S. in September. And for good reason -- it’s not funny.

Penned by Luc Besson of “La Femme Nikita” fame and Robert Mark Kamen and directed by newcomers Joachim Roenning and Espen Sandberg, the story revolves around two Mexican women who become bank robbers after their fathers are killed by a ruthless representative (Dwight Yoakam, wearing a black fright wig) of a New York bank.

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Now it’s gore-lite

Rated G: The action-thriller “Crank,” starring Jason Statham as an L.A.-based assassin who discovers he’s been injected with a poison that will kill him within the hour, is filled with violence, sex and relentless R-rated language. But for those with sensitive ears, the DVD provides a family-friendly audio track to the film -- it’s the edited version that will eventually show up on broadcast television.

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Evil foiled again

Marvel man: Marvel Comics maestro Stan Lee and his POW! Entertainment Inc. has teamed with Starz Home Entertainment to produce two full-length animated features. The first one, “Stan Lee Presents: Mosaic,” debuts Tuesday on DVD. Oscar winner Anna Paquin provides the voice of Maggie Nelson, a carefree teenager who is transformed into a chameleon-like superhero. With the help of a handsome young mentor, Maggie must save the world from the bad guys.

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Siberia beckons

Cannes flashback: If you like your Russian films long -- 260 minutes -- and set in a tiny, snowbound rural town in Siberia, then Andrei Konchalovsky’s 1979 “Siberiade” is the film for you. The movie, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, makes its DVD bow Tuesday.

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-- SUSAN KING