New DVDs: ‘Spider-Man 3,’ ‘License to Wed’

REVIEWS

By David Germain

updated 7:19 p.m. ET Oct. 29, 2007

“Spider-Man 3”
The year’s top-grossing hit swings onto DVD and high-definition Blu-ray disc on its own and in collections packaged with the two earlier installments of director Sam Raimi’s comic-book franchise. The main players return for the conclusion of the love triangle and friends-turned-foes saga among Spidey (Tobey Maguire), Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) and Harry (James Franco). The film also introduces two new enemies scheming against Spider-Man, the Sandman (Thomas Haden Church) and Venom (Topher Grace). A single-disc DVD has commentary with cast and crew, while two-disc DVD and Blu-ray releases are stuffed with extras, among them a look at one of the coolest effects the franchise has devised, the transformation of Church into Sandman. Further segments examine stunt sequences and the origins of the other villains. The latest film also comes packaged with “Spider-Man” and “Spider-Man 2” in DVD and Blu-ray boxed sets. Single-disc DVD, $28.97; two-disc DVD set, $36.95; two-disc Blu-ray set, $49.95; “Spider-Man” trilogy DVD set, $38.96; “Spider-Man” trilogy Blu-ray set, $98.95. (Sony) Read the review

“License to Wed”
In this lame comedy, prospective spouses must meet the outrageous domestic demands of preacherman Robin Williams before they are allowed to exchange vows. Williams stars as a minister who puts the not-so-happy bride (Mandy Moore) and groom (John Krasinski) through an exercise in premarital torture before he’ll sign off on their nuptials, his methods including bizarre role-playing, parenting practice with robot infants and high-tech surveillance to make sure they follow his no-sex-before-marriage rule. The DVD has deleted scenes accompanied by commentary from director Ken Kwapis. Along with the DVD release, the movie is available in a high-definition Blu-ray disc and a combination disc with both standard DVD and high-definition HD DVD versions. DVD, $28.98; Blu-ray disc, $34.99; HD DVD, $39.99. (Warner Bros.) Read the review

“El Cantante”
This passion project for real-life marrieds Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony lives up to musical expectations with its buoyant soundtrack, but there’s little passion in the dour story of drug addiction, family tragedy and other adversity in the lives of salsa star Hector Lavoe and his wife. The film biography follows the rise and fall of Lavoe, who pioneered the musical style in the 1970s. The DVD has a behind-the-segments on the music and story behind the film, on which Lopez was a producer, plus commentary with director Leon Ichaso and his co-writers. DVD, $27.95. (New Line) Read the review

“Talk to Me”
Don Cheadle was born to gab his way through this film biography about Ralph “Petey” Greene, a former prison inmate who became an outspoken radio personality and activist amid the civil-rights movement of the 1960s. Cheadle leads a sturdy cast that includes Chiwetel Ejiofor as the station manager who gives Greene a shot on the radio, plus Martin Sheen, Cedric the Entertainer and Mike Epps. The film from director Kasi Lemmons is accompanied by deleted scenes, a featurette on Greene and his significance in black politics of the era and a segment on the movie’s re-creation of 1960s and ’70s style through music and fashion. DVD, $29.98. (Universal) Read the review

“Looney Tunes: Golden Collection — Volume Five”
Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and other cartoon favorites return in a new gathering of classic “Looney Tunes” shorts. The four-disc set packs 60 cartoons, with one disc devoted to Bugs and Daffy’s adventures, one focused on spoofs of beloved fairy tales, one gathering prime “Looney Tunes” from master animator Bob Clampett and one packed with rare early cartoons from the Warner Bros. vaults. Many of the shorts come with commentary by filmmakers and animation experts, and the set has a documentary on Looney Tunes maestro Chuck Jones. Along with the four-disc collection, an abridged two-disc “Spotlight Collection” containing 30 cartoons is available. “Golden Collection” DVD set, $64.92; “Spotlight Collection” DVD set, $26.99. (Warner Bros.)

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