This week, the other Sacha Baron Cohen film.
World Trade Center (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)
With the release of United 93, many thought the emotional allotment for films dealing directly with 9/11 had been reached for the year, albeit admirably. Could there possibly be room for more? The critical and financial success of this, Oliver Stone's take on the matter, seems to indicate yes. The fact that Stone made a film that conservatives liked is an accomplishment in and of itself, but that audiences in general were moved by this fairly straightforward take on the heroic response to the attacks suggests that perhaps we were more ready for cinematic responses than we thought, even from someone we expected to be controversial.
Extras include commentary from Stone, the real Will Jimeno (played by Michael Pena in the film), and some of the actual rescue workers from that day.
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (Unrated Widescreen Edition)
As funny as Anchorman? No. But still damn funny. Doesn't hurt to have Sacha Baron Cohen on board, but to really see him shine you obviously need to watch Borat. John C. Reilly and Gary Cole, on the other hand, knock their supporting roles out of the park, or, as it were, drive them around in a circle really fast.
Lots and lots of extras, mostly revolving around Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly's in-character improv.
The Devil Wears Prada
To reduce this to a chick flick is to ignore the qualities that put it on AFI's top ten of 2006. Meryl Streep is predictably Oscar-riffic as fashion tyrant Anna Wintour - I mean Miranda Priestly, and everyone else acquits themselves admirably, including Adrian Grenier who, admittedly, looks like he's Vincent Chase having scored a sweet role in a film with, in Ari's words, "Meryl. Fucking. Streep."
Extras include a whopping 15 deleted scenes.
Barnyard - The Original Party Animals (Widescreen Edition)
This is the CGI animal flick that takes place on a barn. How many more of these have we got? (Seriously, though, Happy Feet is awesome. See it in the theater.)
Extras include commentary from director Steve Oedekerk, who directed my guiltiest pleasure, Kung-Pow: Enter the Fist. (Those of you who share my shame will be pleased/disturbed to know that there is, in fact, a sequel in the works).
House of Sand
Sometimes, you just have to be honest with yourself. This movie, about several generations of women growing up in the Brazilian desert, is supposed to be awesome (and has Fernada Montenegro, who rocked Central Station, to boot). But I have about as much desire to see it as, say, Material Girls, which you can read about in the long list. I figured this one at least deserved the higher mention.
Extras include "The Making of House of Sand." You have to admire the simplicity of that.
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