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By John Larsen 04/26/2007
Night at the Museum
New York’s Museum of Natural History comes alive in this grand adventure starring Ben Stiller as the latest in a series of night watchmen, following in the footsteps of old timers Dick Van Dyke, Bill Cobbs and Mickey Rooney. Desperate to hold down a job to impress his son, loser Larry Daley (Stiller) accepts a position as night watchman, unaware that once the doors are shut, history comes to life. The premise allows the filmmakers plenty of opportunities to poke fun at history and historical characters (Robin Williams is Teddy Roosevelt; Owen Wilson and Steve Coogan play miniature gunslingers and Roman leaders) while grounding the outrageous in Stiller’s engaging performance. Lots of fun and laughs, plus a good dose of heart. Two-disc special edition showcases deleted and extended scenes, a hilarious blooper reel, numerous featurettes and commentaries, and a DVD-ROM game. (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment)
Smokin’ Aces
When second-rate Las Vegas illusionist Buddy Israel (Jeremy Piven) decides to squeal on his mob buddies, a $1 million contract on his life attracts numerous gangs of hit men in writer-director Joe Carnahan’s kinetic thriller. Taking his cue from exploitation films of the ’70s, Carnahan piles on the bullets as one eclectic group of killer after another file into Lake Tahoe for a shot at the prize. Flashy cast includes Ben Affleck, Andy Garcia, Ryan Reynolds, Ray Liotta and singer Alicia Keys as one-half of a female hit squad. Don’t blink or you’ll miss something. DVD deals additional scenes and outtakes, plus a special effects reel. (Universal Studios Home Entertainment)
Code Name: The Cleaner
Cedric the Entertainer seems to be having a good time in this OK comedy about a man who wakes up in a world of confusion and deceit. Jake Rodgers (Cedric) has three problems: the dead body in his bed, the suitcase full of money and the fact that he has no idea who he is or how he got there. His hot wife (Nicollette Sheridan) and mysterious assistant (Lucy Liu) claim he is a secret agent involved in a government conspiracy. Nothing is what it seems as Jake tries to piece together his missing memories while dodging bullets and babes. (New Line Home Entertainment)
World Wrestling Entertainment: The New & Improved DX and Mick Foley: Greatest Hits & Misses — A Life in Wrestling (Hardcore Edition)
Fans of Wrestle-Mania can continue the celebration with two new releases. The New & Improved DX chronicles the rise and fall of D-Generation X, fueled by WWE renegades Triple H and Shawn Michaels, who in 2006 turned Vince McMahon’s Raw into their own personal bitch slap. The three-DVD collection includes all the outrageous promotional stunts and feuds, plus clever packaging. Mick Foley: Greatest Hits & Misses is a three-DVD reissue featuring Foley’s greatest matches, handpicked by the man himself. With more than 90 minutes of additional DVD extras, the collection includes complete and uncensored bouts from 1993-2006. (WWE Home Video)
Funny Money
Chevy Chase has some funny moments in this comedy based on the British play. Chase plays ac-countant Henry Perkins, who ac-cidentally picks up the wrong briefcase, only to learn it is filled with a $1 million. Jake and his wife Carol (Penelope Ann Miller) can’t believe their good fortune, which goes from bad to worse when the original owners and numerous peripheral characters try to get a piece of the pie. DVD issues featurette, plus poster and still gallery. (Starz)
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