‘When a Stranger Calls’ dials up on DVD

REVIEWS

By David Germain

updated 4:55 p.m. ET May 15, 2006

“When a Stranger Calls”
Next to bratty kids that lock you in the closet and sick babies that throw up on your new sweater, a baby sitter’s worst nightmare is the psycho killer stalking you by phone. Hollywood’s incessant parade of bad horror remakes continued with this update of the 1979 thriller, Camilla Belle starring this time as the teen terrorized by a nutcase who phones to ask, “Have you checked the children?” — the calls originating from inside the house. The DVD includes deleted footage and a making-of featurette. Director Simon West joins cast members for commentary, while screenwriter Jake Wade Wall provides separate commentary. DVD, $28.95. (Sony) Read the review

“The Producers”

Andrew Schwartz / AP

Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick were the toast of Broadway when they originated their roles in the musical stage adaptation of Mel Brooks’ classic film comedy of outrageous show business fortune. They received a lukewarm critical reception in their reprise of the roles for the Hollywood remake. Lane plays a down-and-out Broadway producer who teams with Broderick’s nerdy accountant to produce a surefire flop — a musical comedy about Adolf Hitler — so they can walk away with unspent money put up by investors. Uma Thurman and Will Ferrell co-star. DVD deleted scenes include a musical number cut from the film, while director Susan Stroman offers commentary. The disc also has a featurette examining one of the central production numbers. DVD, $29.98. (Universal) Read the review

“The Ringer”

Fox Searchlight

It sounds so dreadful: Johnny Knoxville, a clown of the moronic and grotesque on TV’s “Jackass,” as a regular guy pretending to be mentally disabled so he can run circles around the competition in the Special Olympics. While far from a masterpiece, Knoxville’s comedy turns out better than expected, offering some laughs and inspiration mixed with its politically incorrect story. The Special Olympics gave its blessing, with the organization’s chairman offering an introduction to the movie on the DVD. The disc also has a featurette on the Special Olympics, 16 deleted scenes and commentary with Knoxville, producer Peter Farrelly, director Barry W. Blaustein and other collaborators. DVD, $29.98. (20th Century Fox) Read the review

“Napoleon Dynamite”
Billed as “Like, the best special edition ever!” This new two-disc set of the 2004 independent hit is loaded with extras for the “Vote for Pedro” crowd. Starring Jon Heder as the title character, the coolest, wildest-haired geek in Idaho, the film follows the bizarrely comic exploits of his wallflower romantic interest, his lunatic family and budding school politician Pedro. The set has two commentaries, one with Heder and director Jared Hess, the other with fellow cast members. Heder and Hess also team for commentary on deleted scenes, and the set has new documentary segments and clips from the actors’ auditions. DVD set, $26.98. (20th Century Fox) Read the review

“Enemy of the State,” “Con Air,” “Crimson Tide”
Three action tales from blockbuster producer Jerry Bruckheimer get new DVD treatment. Will Smith and Gene Hackman star in the conspiracy thriller “Enemy of the State,” about an attorney targeted by government thugs after he’s handed incriminating evidence about a top official. “Con Air” features Nicolas Cage, John Cusack and John Malkovich in the tale of a transport plane hijacked by prison inmates. “Crimson Tide” casts Denzel Washington as an executive officer at odds with his submarine commander (Hackman) during a nuclear crisis. All three movies come in extended editions offering a few extra minutes of footage. DVDs, $19.99 each. (Disney)

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