DVD Releases for Tuesday, August 10
Aug. 10 2010, Published 8:53 a.m. ET
Date Night (PG-13)
Leave it to Steve Carell to take a simple night out with his wife and unwittingly turn it into a series of raucous events. In Date Night, he teams up with Tina Fey for a heavily promoted assortment of misadventures, thanks to a case of mistaken identity with the wrong (read: mafioso) crowd. While the movie features a comedic dream-team at its helm, even their brains and star-power couldn’t save every joke. The result is a mixed bag of funny and less funny, but with two of Hollywood’s top talents, even the tepid moments aren't so bad. (Steve Carell Phil Foster, Tina Fey Claire Foster, Mark Wahlberg Holbrooke)
Death at a Funeral (R)
Put away the tissues, because this funeral is far from somber: For this family, a day of mourning their dad becomes a non-stop parade of over-the-top comedy, exposed secrets and reconciliation with the past (no matter how dirty the pictures, or how big the heartbreak). Sure, there are carnations, a casket and a few tears, but the proceedings unravel quickly when a lover from the past makes a surprise visit, a nutty uncle lets the potty humor rip, hot young things tempt the menfolk and a boyfriend hits the drugs (to be fair, he doesn’t mean to). With Chris Rock left to untangle the mess, this funeral can only get more wild, if not a bit heavy-handed. (Chris Rock Aaron, Tracy Morgan Norman, Martin Lawrence Ryan, Zoe Saldana Elaine)
Harry Brown (R)
On the surface, Harry Brown (Michael Caine) seems like a gentle old widower who lives alone in a suburban housing project in England, and spends time at the pub and taking walks. But when his best -- and only -- friend is killed by local thugs, Harry takes matters into his own hands. As he sets out on a quest for justice, his true ethos and mysterious past (not to mention his ease with guns) are revealed, as both lawless teens and an oblivious police force learn what real justice looks like (hint: it features blood and betrayal). (Michael Caine Harry Brown, Emily Mortimer Alice Frampton)
My Name Is Khan (PG-13)
How far would you go for love? Obviously not very, compared to Rizwan Khan. An Indian-born Muslim with Asperger’s syndrome (a form of autism), this indie flick with Bollywood stars charts his journey from Mumbai to San Francisco,and across the U.S. on a mission to win back his true love. Everything had been going great until 9/11, when Muslims in America became suspect, and tragedy struck at home. Rizwan’s beautiful Mandira takes off, but her departure doesn’t hold him back: Determined to clear his name and win her over once again, Rizwan sets out to set the record straight -- and stand up for love. (Shahrukh Khan Rizwan Khan, Kajol Mandira)
Movie Review : Dinner For Schmucks
The Joneses (R)
The American dream gets turned on its head in The Joneses, in which a faux family uses their manufactured perfection to sell everything from golf irons to catering services. As sales skyrocket and their popularity soars, things start to turn sour as their real-life feelings start to get in the way of their professional success. It’s a relief that a make-believe family really can’t be that perfect -- but as the Joneses discover their own realities, it’s unnerving what they reveal about ours. (Demi Moore Kate Jones, David Duchovny Steve Jones)