What It’s About: As someone who did work at a fashion magazine (albeit for a very short time) I was very excited to see the cattiness come to life in this version of Lauren Weisberger’s book. Let me tell ya—this is one entertaining movie and Meryl Streep had better win the Oscar for he Cruella de Ville impersonation.
Even those who don’t like chick flicks will be entertained by the evil and fun in this movie. It’s funny and original and a great break from all the boring sequels coming out recently. Emily Blunt basically steals the movie from Anne Hathaway here, as the bitchy assistant who hires the idealistic Andrea (Hathaway) and trains her to be her subordinate in every way. Hathaway isn’t bad, but Blunt outshines her in every scene they share. But it really is Streep who steals the show here, with one of the scariest characters I’ve ever seen on the big screen. I simply can’t stress enough how wonderful Prada is, please please please watch it for yourselves.
Synopsis: Based on the hilarious best-selling novel, this sinfully funny movie starring Academy Award® winner Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway is “sensationally entertaining in every way” (Maxim). As assistant to impossibly demanding New York fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly (Streep), young Andy Sachs (Hathaway) has landed a job that “a million girls would die for.” Unfortunately, her heaven-sent appointment as Miranda’s personal whipping girl just might be the death of her. Featuring stand-out performances by Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt, plus a closet full of must-have DVD “accessories,” The Devil Wears Prada is “a fresh, funny, fabulous masterpiece” (Liz Smith).
Technical Stuff: The picture seems okay, but had some grain and smear. I can’t comment for sure since I received a Fox screener instead of a retail version. I don’t anticipate there to be any problems however, since this is a brand new release.
The soundtrack comes in Dolby 5.1 and is excellent with the music (the soundtrack is great!) coming through perfectly and the New York Streets coming alive in my living room. French Dolby 2.0 stereo soundtrack and a Spanish Dolby 2.0 stereo soundtrack, with optional English and Spanish subtitles, are also available.
Extras?
Audio Commentary with Director David Frankel, Producer Wendy Finerman, CostumeDeisgner Patricia Field, Screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna, Editor Mark Livolsi, and Director of Photography Florian Ballhaus
Featurettes: "Trip to the Big Screen," "NYC and Fashion," "Fashion Visonary Patricia Field," "Getting Valentino"
15 Deleted Scenes
Theatrical Trailer
Gag Reel
Final Verdict: Dear God. Please let Meryl Streep get an Oscar for this role. I promise I will stop drinking wine. Well, so much anyway. Love, me.

What It’s About: If you watch and enjoy 7th Heaven you already know that you’re buying this season because you already have the other two and gee willikers, this is one of the best shows on television anyhow, much better than all that violence and sex and drugs the others shows are peddling. If you don’t watch 7th Heaven, I’m here to tell you that it’s actually a very entertaining show and not everyone who watches is sounds like the sentence before this one.
The show centers around the Camden family and man, are there a lot of kids. This makes for some good drama, and while yes, there aren’t dead people being cut open here, trust me, there is sex and drugs and all that good stuff. Some of the big stuff this season is Annie being pregnant with twins, Matt going to college and Lucy having a new boyfriend. Simon gets held at gunpoint and Mary (Jessica Biel) gets a ton of drama. Only little Ruthie doesn’t have that much going on with her. All in all, these are very entertaining episodes and the show does draw in you in. Can I see myself wanting to watch over and over? No, but I’m not a die-hard fan.
Synopsis: From leading television producer Aaron Spelling comes 7TH HEAVEN, a critically acclaimed family drama about a minister, his wife and their seven children. The WB's highest-rated series, 7TH HEAVEN has captured the hearts of television audiences with its witty, charming and heartwarming storytelling and has been praised for providing high-quality entertainment for all ages.
Technical Stuff: First of all the case has changed for this show; it’s now in a sleeker and sturdier packaging which is great except it will look weird next to the other season on your shelf. But perhaps I’m the only anal-retentive who cares about stuff like that…
The picture is pretty good, with a teensy bit of grain and is presented in its original full frame aspect. It’s no HD, but it’ll do.
The sound doesn’t need anything fancy and the Dolby 2.0 works well for all the dialogue. Some music was changed for the DVD release.
Extras?
none (boo Paramount)
Final Verdict: This is a sweet show with plenty of gentle comedy and drama. Sure, it’s a little over the top sometimes but I would still rank it as hugely watchable and quite addictive.

What It’s About: Will Ferrell and director Adam McKay have created a formula that works for them and they’re sticking to it. Talladega Nights is silly and all over the place, much like their previous creation, Anchorman. Does it work? You betcha.
Ferrell is hilarious as always as the cocky racecar driver Ricky Bobby, who ends up freaking out and needing a comeback. The best part in the movie though, belongs to Borat’s Sacha Baron Cohen, who absolutely steals the movie with his gay French Formula One Champion, Jean Girard. Seriously—so funny I spit stuff out.
Synopsis: The story of NASCAR racing sensation Ricky Bobby (Ferrell), whose "win at all costs" approach has made him a national hero. He and his loyal racing partner and childhood friend, Cal Naughton Jr. (Reilly), are a fearless duo who thrill their fans by finishing most races in the No. 1 and No. 2 positions. When a flamboyant French Formula One driver, Jean Girard (Cohen), challenges him for the supremacy of NASCAR, Ricky Bobby must face his own demons and fight Girard for the right to be known as racing's top driver.
Technical Stuff: Fantastic picture—clear, crisp and bright. The Dolby 5.1 is solid but could use a little more vroom from the back speakers. Also available in French 5.1 and English and French subtitles.
Extras?
13 More Minutes Not Seen in Theaters
Deleted and Extended Scenes
Gag Reel
Line-O-Rama
Alternate lines not used in film
Interviews with Ricky, Cal and Carley
Bonus Race Footage
Will Ferrell Returns To Talladega
Audio Commetary with Director and Friends
Daytona 500 Spot
NASCAR Chase for the Nextel Cup Spot
DVD-ROM link to NASCAR.com
Interviews with Jean Girard and Gregory
Walker & Texas Ranger: Montage and Outtakes
More Deleted Scenes: What’d You Do Today? and Cal Calls Ricky
Ricky and Cal’s Commercials
Ricky and Cal’s Public Service Announcement
Final Verdict: If you’re a fan of Will Ferrell, you’ll love this one—it’s one of his best ever.

What It’s About: Can we all agree that Kate Bosworth needs to eat? And that Brandon Routh sets off the gay-dar? And that he totally looks like Christopher Reeve which is a little creepy? Okay. So can we all agree that Superman Returns rocked? Probably not.
For some reason, critics weren’t too impressed with this movie. My guess is it’s because a lot of them are or were comic book nerds who simply don’t like continuations of old series. That’s my theory since I hugely enjoyed this movie. I thought the special effects were super cool and the plot was interesting and Kevin Spacey was great. But…I did think Kate Bosworth was a huge snore as Lois Lane (let’s face it, the girl’s personality went the way of her body fat) and there were some stupid plot points. But for a comic book movie, Superman Returns does a fine job and does not sully the great Superman name. So relax, comic book geeks. Breathe.
Synopsis: Superman – born on a planet which has long since died – has been raised by adoptive parents on the Kent farm in Kansas. The young boy Kal-El is renamed Clark Kent (Brandon Routh), and though he has grown up among humans, he is not one of them. Under Earth’s yellow sun, he can do things humans can only dream of, but to co-exist with them he must live a dual life as mild, unassuming Clark Kent, secretly transforming into the Man of Steel when the world cries out for him.
But now, the world’s crises have gone unheeded for five long years since Superman’s mysterious disappearance. Without him, crime has risen in the city of Metropolis and beyond; that’s not even counting the future destructive acts of Lex Luthor, who has been sprung from prison with the specific intent of using Superman’s technological secrets for his own personal gain and glory.
Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth), star reporter for the Daily Planet and the love of Superman’s life, has moved on since Superman left without a word. She has even won a Pulitzer Prize for her essay, “Why the World Doesn’t Need Superman.” Lois has other issues to contend with – she is now engaged to the editor’s nephew and has a young son to look after.
But for Superman, the long search for his place in the universe ends back at the Kent farm, among the only family he has ever known. His destiny lies in Metropolis, where one look in Lois’s eyes tells him that this place, among the flawed but ultimately good people of Earth, is his true home. And with Lex’s plan coming to fruition mere hours after his return, the world will never need Superman more than it does now.
Technical Stuff: The movie looks fantastic thanks to its vivid colours and sharp transfer. It has a real comic book feel to it, the bright colours giving the sense of a painting. I hear the HD version is beautiful as well.
Soundtrack is amazing as well. Who would expect anything else for such a huge title. The Dolby 5.1 is stellar and sounds amazing. Everything is larger than life and perfectly balanced.
Extras?
10 Deleted Scenes
Requiem for Krypton: Making Superman Returns - a comprehensive 3-hour documentary that takes you behind the scenes onto the set of Superman Returns.
Final Verdict: I really enjoyed it, despite its few flaws. Check out Lois Lane’s son too—he’s freaking adorable.

What It’s About: I grew up in the 90210 and Melrose Place days. They were my O.C.. But they were so much better. Funnily enough, when Beverly Hills 90210 started to air in 1990 (I was 12), I wasn’t allowed to watch it as my parents thought I was too young. Still, I managed to sneak a few episodes here and there and even managed to get what would become my favourite ever on VHS tape—the spring dance from Season One.
Man, did I watch that tape over and over. And getting to see it on DVD all these years later was amazing. I completely returned to my youth and felt like I was 13 again. I remembered everything. Of course, what I remembered didn’t seem so darn hurtin’ as it did this time around. I seriously used to think those clothes were rocking? And that hair! With the curled bangs. Sigh. I can’t wait for the cooler-than-everyone eighth-graders I teach to look back one days and realize they were fashion victims too. But I digress… Onto the actual DVDs themselves.
Love them. These shows were fantastic and completely addictive. By the time Melrose rolled around I was old enough to watch and got my weekly fix with my mom. Seeing it on DVD made me laugh my butt off, and it’s interesting to see how they tried to make it as an earnest drama at first. Then once Heather Locklear hit the scene as evil Amanda, things got good. I didn’t really enjoy watching the first few syrupy episodes on the set, but really got a kick out of about the last four. Can’t wait for the next seasons to come out when people start getting pushed into the pool.
As for 90210, there’s not much I need to say here. I’ve been waiting for years for this show to come out on DVD and despite the grainy picture I’m not disappointed. Watching the Walshes adjust to Beverly Hills is highly entertaining and I don’t think it’s just my nostalgia talking. It’s everything I hoped it would be, fulfilling my youth yearning to a tee. Love, love, love!
Synopsis: One of the landmark shows of the 1990s, BEVERLY HILLS 90210 quickly became an important fixture on Fox and in the popular discourse of adolescents and young adults. The first season’s main characters, Dylan, Kelly, Donna, Steve, David, Andrea and twins Brandon and Brenda, all attended high school in ultra-rich Beverly Hills. Brandon and Brenda Walsh and their parents, transplants from Minneapolis, were the stable nuclear family with strong values; their home was a safe haven for the whole gang and the center of much of the drama. The show dealt with a steady stream of love triangles and other romantic entanglements and touched on more serious issues as well.
MELROSE PLACE follows the lives and loves of a group of young people living in an apartment building in a trendy neighbourhood in California. The show was a spin off of “Beverly Hills 90210” and guest starred Heather Locklear as the scheming Amanda Woodward, head of her own advertising agency and eventual owner of the apartment building.
Technical Stuff: Here’s where things aren’t that impressive. The picture kinda sucks. It’s grainy and there seems to be damage to the film itself with tears and excessive dirt. Sometimes the picture becomes decent, but overall it isn’t great. Melrose is better but still not very good. But after waiting all those years, would I suggest not getting this set because of it? Absolutely not.
The sound is Dolby Digital 2.0 and pretty flat. Nothing special going on whatsoever here, and there is a nice warning that "some music has been changed in this home entertainment version".
Extras?
Beverly Hills 90210
· “Beginnings With Darren Star” Featurette
· “Meet The Class Of West Beverly High”:
· “90210 Behind The Scenes” Featurette
Melrose Place
· “Melrose Place: New Style Profile” Mini-Featurette
· “Amanda” Mini-Featurette
· Season One – Episode Guide
· Melrose Place: Behind The Scenes
· Looking Back – Season One – The Recap
· “Neighbors & Friends” Mini-Featurette
Final Verdict: If you grew up with these shows like me, buying them is a no-brainer. That’s not to say they don’t have their faults (see Technical Stuff) but fans like us don’t care about stuff like that too much when it comes to these shows. It’s also worth noting that they are also being sold as a set: The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful. Talk about an awesome Christmas gift, non?

What It’s About: I’m not really into cars. I always found them boring and not girlie enough for me (now shoes…shoes I could relate to.) Therefore, when this animated Cars movie came around I expected to be bored to tears. I should have know better, seeing as it was a Disney/Pixar feature.
Needless to say, I wasn’t bored and in fact, found myself highly amused with this cute flick. It’s not Pixar or Disney’s best, but it’s still warm and funny with several charming moments. The real strength here though, is the visual aspect which I’ll go into in Technical Stuff. All in all, it’s still one of the stronger animated movies to have come out in the last 6 months.
Synopsis: After taking moviegoers into the magical worlds of toys, bugs, monsters, fish, and superheroes, the masterfulstorytellers and technical wizards at Pixar Animation Studios and Academy Award®-winning director John Lasseter hit the road with this fast-paced comedy adventure set inside the unique world of cars. In addition to Owen Wilson, Paul Newman and Bonnie Hunt, CARS includes an all-star vocal cast including, Larry The
Cable Guy (as Mater, a wise-cracking, rusty but trusty tow truck), George Carlin (as Fillmore, the town’s resident hippie van, Paul Dooley (as Sarge, the no-nonsense Army Jeep) and Cheech Marin (as Ramone, the low-riding, car-painting Impala). As well, the fast-action film favorite includes the voice of Jenifer Lewis (as Flo, the sassy, no-nonsense 50’s big-fin show car), Tony Shalhoub (as Luigi, the excitable, tire-brokering Italian import), Michael Wallis (as Sheriff, the Mercury Police Cruiser), Michael Keaton (as Chick Hicks, Lightning McQueen’s nemesis), Richard Petty (as The King, the classiest champ on the race-car circuit) and John Ratzenberger (as Mack, the big-hearted Super-liner who ferries McQueen across the country). Ratzenberger is the only actor to have appeared in all of Pixar’s feature films.
Technical Stuff: As always, Pixar does an amazing job with the picture. It’s stunning, even without HD. It’s razor-sharp, incredibly detailed, and simply a trea tto look at.
The sound is also super-fancy with a Dolby Digital 5.1 EX track, encoded at a bitrate of 448Kbps. Every single roar in this movie sounds amazing, lifelike and like they’re racing in your living room. Pretty cool, no?
Extras?
· Mater and the Ghostlight
This all-new exclusive animated short film directed by John Lasseter and co-directed by
Dan Scanlon, features Mater, the lovable rusty tow truck from the film. In this funny and spooky tale, mischievous Mater, the prankster of Radiator Springs, has the tables turned on him as he learns the truth behind the mystery of “The Ghostlight.”
· One Man Band
This Academy Award®-nominated short film (Best Animated Short 2005) is included exclusively on the CARS DVD. It tells the humorously captivating story of two street musicians where musical mayhem coincides with brilliant visuals.
· Inspiration for Cars
Creator John Lasseter takes viewers on an insightful cruise through the world of CARS.
From Lasseter’s personal home movies, his life-changing trip across the country with his
family, the animators’ journey down Route 66 and discovering the thrill of the racetrack,
this firsthand account explores how the film was born. Plus, meet the real-life Mater who
inspired the beloved character.
· Epilogue
Enjoy the hilarious end credit vignettes, shown full screen, which spoof beloved Pixar films including Monsters, Inc., Toy Story and Finding Nemo.
· Deleted Scenes

Final Verdict: This is on our Christmas gift-giving list. It’s a sweet and funny movie that kids will love and dads will enjoy watching on their new LCD TV and listening to its soundtrack on their new surround system.

What It’s About: Having loved the book, I was one of the thousands of people eagerly awaiting the film adaptation. And after watching it, I was one of the thousands to say it didn’t work. Not that it didn’t mirror the plot of the novel almost to a tee—it did. But the tension and charm of Brown’s writing just didn’t translate.
It’s hard to say who’s to blame. After all, the acting is great, the cinematography top-notch. Perhaps it’s just that the soul of a book rarely comes through in a movie and this one was too hyped up. If you can get past Tom Hanks’s bad hair, it’s still an entertaining movie—just not the masterpiece we all hoped for.
Synopsis: In The Da Vinci Code, noted symbologist Professor Robert Langdon (Hanks) and police cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Tautou) go on a heart-racing quest to unearth the biggest cover-up in human history. Langdon is called to the Louvre Museum late one night where a curator has been murdered, leaving behind a mysterious trail of symbols and clues. With his own survival at stake, Langdon unveils a series of stunning secrets hidden in the art work of Leonardo Da Vinci, all leading to a covert society dedicated to guarding an ancient secret that has remained hidden for 2000 years. The pair set off on a frantic quest through Paris, London and Scotland, collecting clues as they desperately attempt to crack the code and reveal secrets that will shake the very foundations of mankind.
Technical Stuff: The DVD has an amazing transfer. The exquisitely detailed anamorphic picture is clear and crisp. Not one complaint here.
The sound is just as wonderful as the picture. The audio track is a powerful 5.1 track that roars up when need be clearly and keeps the dialogue perfectly mixed. Also available are Spanish and French 5.1 audio tracks, as well as a Dolby Surround track. Subtitles are also available in English, Spanish, and French.
Extras?
· First Day on the Set with Ron Howard Featurette
Director Ron Howard introduces the film and the excitement of beginning production at the Louvre in Paris
· A Discussion with Dan Brown Featurette
Featurette on “The Da Vinci Code” author Dan Brown
· A Portrait of Langdon Featurette
Who is Robert Langdon? How was Tom Hanks chosen to play this iconic character? How did Tom Hanks become the character? What do Tom Hanks and Langdon have in common?
· Who is Sophie Neveu? Featurette
The long and challenging journey to the casting of Audrey Tautou as Sophie Neveu, including the actress’ screen test with Tom Hanks
· Unusual Suspects Featurette
The international cast…Colourful, memorable and frightening characters
· Magical Places Featurette
A fascinating and surprising discussion about the cities and places that were chosen for the film locations
· Close- up on Mona Lisa Featurette
Ron Howard, his cast and colleagues share their experience working next to one of the most famous paintings in the world
· The Filmmaking Experience Part 1 Featurette
Ron Howard discusses his collaboration with his Director of Photography, the challenges faced by production and the excitement of bringing the book to the screen. Includes a DVD exclusive look at filming the last and revealing scene.
· The Filmmaking Experience Part 2 Featurette
Continuation of Part 1
· The Codes of “The Da Vinci Code” Featurette
Discusses the hidden codes and symbols in the film. Isolates images from the film, giving the viewer clues over time as to what they mean, eventually giving a detailed description of what the imagery was intended to mean
· The Music of “The Da Vinci Code” Featurette
Overview of creating the music for the film
· DVD ROM- Da Vinci Code Puzzle Game PC Demo
Demo of ”The Da Vinci Code” PC Game from Sony Pictures Games
· Bonus Previews

Final Verdict: Fans of the book will still enjoy the film and those looking for an intelligent thriller will also. If you need a shoot ‘em up big bang styles movie, this isn’t for you. And we love Audrey Tatou.

What It’s About: Sometimes thinking about the environment and the damage we’re doing to it scares the bejeebus out of me. Then I see a movie like An Inconvenient Truth and I realize I’m scared for a reason. If we don’t change the way we abuse the planet—we’re screwed.
This isn’t an alarmist film, it’s never frantic or over-the top. It’s simply a logical, sad and determined man (Al Gore) sharing simple scientific data, facts and stunning graphics on how global warming is getting worse and what will happen if we don’t do something about it. It’s a terrifying film, but one that I would say everyone should watch—in fact, I’m showing it to my grade 8 class this week. This is information everyone on the planet needs, whether they want to hear it or not. There is some biographical info on Al Gore that doesn’t need to be there, but it doesn’t take away from the importance of the movie at all.
Synopsis: Director Davis Guggenheim eloquently weaves the science of global warming with Al Gore’s personal history and lifelong commitment to reversing the effects of global climate change in the most talked-about documentary of the year. An audience and critical favorite, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH makes the compelling case that global warming is real, man-made, and its effects will be cataclysmic if we don’t act now. Gore presents a wide array of facts and information in a thoughtful and compelling way: often humorous, frequently emotional, always fascinating. In the end, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH accomplishes what all great films should: it leaves the viewer shaken, involved and inspired.
Technical Stuff: The picture isn’t anything fancy, but frankly, who cares when the message is so important.
The sound is a little low (I had to turn my volume higher than normal) but still clear and comes through with enough power. A Dolby 2.0 stereo track is included, as are optional English, French and Spanish subtitles.
Extras?
The DVD will be packaged with no excess materials, so as to make the smallest environmental footprint possible. Packaging will include 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper, inks and coatings formulated to emit virtually no volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere, no inserts, no laminates and no plastic. The package was manufactured by Ivy Hill. The back of the DVD package will direct teachers to www.climatecrisis.org where a free downloadable educational guide will be available.
· Commentaries
· New update by Al Gore
· Making of featurette
· “I Need to Wake Up” music video by Melissa Ethridge

Final Verdict: I don’t care if it’s slow at parts; this is a movie everyone NEEDS to see.