Entertainment, Movies - Army Times

What’s new on DVD for Oct. 27

A pre-hysterical animated sequel, a Woody Allen romantic comedy and a classic foreign thriller arrive DVD on Oct. 27.

‘Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs’

Fox Home Entertainment ($29.98)

• The lowdown: Manny, Sid and the rest of the gang return for a third animated feature in which the herd discovers a lost world populated with dinosaurs. Of course, conflicts ensue until everything is straightened out at the finale.

The movie was hot at the box office. Produced for $90 million, it hit theaters July 1 and made $195.9 million in the United States and $682.2 million overseas. Critics gave the film a cool reception. It received a 44 percent positive rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Gannett film critic Bill Goodykoontz was a fan, writing, “The animation is first-rate, and the first look at the lost world beneath the ice is stunning, particularly in 3-D.” The DVD’s audio and visual transfers are excellent; the color jumps off the screen, the sound is clear as a bell.

• Don’t miss: A commentary track, a couple of Scrat cartoons and featurettes about the nutty squirrel comprise the major bonus offerings.

• Rated: PG.

• Critic’s rating: Two-and-a-half stars.

‘Whatever Works’ (Blu-ray)

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment ($39.95 Blu-ray; $27.96 DVD)

• The lowdown: Larry David stars in this Woody Allen vehicle, based on a script Allen wrote in the 1970s, about a misanthrope who meets a much younger and charming Southern runaway (Evan Rachel Wood) and eventually marries her.

Allen has populated his New York with some wonderful supporting players including Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley Jr. and Michael McKean. Released June 19, the movie earned $5.3 million domestically and $10.5 million overseas. Critics were nearly spilt on the film, giving it a 48 percent positive rating on the tomatometer. Claudia Puig of USA Today wrote, “One would think Allen had worked though his on-screen fascination with the older man-young girl scenario by now. This latest exploration just feels derivative and musty.” The Blu-ray’s 1080p high def picture is extremely sharp, while the DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack is crisp and flawless.

• Don’t miss: The disc is BD Live enabled, allowing you to download extras onto your computer.

• Rated: PG-13, brief nudity, sexual situations.

• Critic’s rating: Two-and-a-half stars.

‘Z’

The Criterion Collection ($39.95)

• The lowdown: Greek expatriate director Costa-Gavras’ 1969 political thriller about a murder that is covered up by the military and government won an Academy Award for best foreign film.

The movie is a classic which never loses its impact no matter how many times you see it. At Rottentomatoes, the movie garnered a 90 percent positive rating. The digital restoration is splendid, making the film look as if it were just released.

• Don’t miss: A new interview with Costa-Gavras and cinematographer Raoul Coutard is the major extra. Other bonus offerings include a commentary track, archival interviews with the director and cast members and a booklet with essays about the movie.

• Rated: Not rated.

• Critic’s rating: Four stars.