DVD reviews: ‘Made of Honor,’ ‘Speed Racer’

REVIEWS

By David Germain

updated 1:42 p.m. ET Sept. 18, 2008

“Made of Honor”
Patrick Dempsey stars in this twist on wedding romances, playing a man content with a platonic relationship with his best friend (Michelle Monaghan) until she returns from a business trip to Scotland with a fiance and a request that her male pal stand up for her as “maid” of honor. And so begins his own secret love for her as he tries to walk the line between his wedding party duties and surreptitious schemes to win the bride for himself. The DVD and Blu-ray disc have commentary with director Paul Weiland, while the Blu-ray release also comes with deleted scenes and two making-of featurettes. DVD, $28.96; Blu-ray, $38.96. (Sony) Read the review.

“Speed Racer”

Video   ‘Speed Racer’ The Wachowski brothers direct this live-action version of the classic 1960s animated series. Buena Vista Pictures

After creating a blockbuster sci-fi trilogy with “The Matrix” flicks, the Wachowski brothers stumbled badly with this costly flop that blends live-action and candy-colored computer animation for a big-screen update of the TV cartoon show. Emile Hirsch stars in the title role, a driving prodigy who tries to salvage the family business and bring honor back to the corrupt auto-racing circuit by competing in a hazardous road tournament. Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon and Matthew Fox co-star. DVD and Blu-ray extras include a set tour and a making-of featurette. The Blu-ray disc also has a digital copy of the movie for portable video players. DVD, $28.98; Blu-ray, $35.99. (Warner Bros.) Read the review.

“88 Minutes”

Chris Helcermanas-benge / Sony Pictures via AP

Al Pacino stars as a criminal profiler who helped put a serial killer on death row but now has his own rapidly approaching expiration date. The thriller piles on outlandish action as Pacino’s forensic psychologist receives a phone call telling him he has 88 minutes to live, prompting a scramble as he races to track down his stalker and unravel a dense mystery loaded with suspects. The DVD and Blu-ray releases come with an alternate ending, a conversation with Pacino and a segment with director Jon Avnet, who also provides commentary. DVD, $28.96; Blu-ray, $38.96. (Sony) Read the review.

“Risky Business”
Tom Cruise returns to dance in his underwear to Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock and Roll” in this 25th anniversary DVD update of his breakout movie that put him on the road to decades of superstardom. Cruise plays a teen with an Ivy League future who suddenly turns pimp after meeting a prostitute (Rebecca De Mornay), setting his house up as a brothel while his parents are away. Cruise and other cast members recall their experiences on the movie in a new documentary segment, and the actor also joins director Paul Brickman for commentary. There also are an alternate version of the ending and screen tests by Cruise and De Mornay. The two-disc Blu-ray release also has a digital copy of the movie. DVD, $19.97; Blu-ray set, $28.99. (Warner Bros.)

“Beetlejuice”
Tim Burton’s wild supernatural comedy gets a DVD makeover in this 20th anniversary edition. Michael Keaton stars in the title role as an obnoxious dead creep enlisted by a couple of recently deceased ghosts (Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin) to help them scare the new inhabitants out of their New England home, including Winona Ryder as a brooding teen. The DVD and Blu-ray discs come with three episodes from the animated “Beetlejuice” TV show. DVD, $19.97; Blu-ray, $34.99. (Warner Bros.)

TV on DVD:

“Pushing Daisies: The Complete First Season” — This clever take on death-after-life stars Lee Pace as a pie maker whose touch can bring the dead back to life, but only for a minute, or else someone else nearby has to die instead. Anna Friel co-stars as our hero’s childhood sweetie, who goes belly up until he restores her to life. The first nine episodes and a making-of featurette come in a three-disc package. DVD set, $29.98; Blu-ray set, $39.99. (Warner Bros.)

“Chuck: The Complete First Season” — A young tech geek (Zachary Levi) accidentally downloads classified information into his brain, making him a valuable commodity and prompting the government to assign agents (Adam Baldwin and Yvonne Strahovski) to protect him. A four-disc set has the first 13 episodes, plus deleted scenes and a couple of featurettes. DVD set, $39.98. (Warner Bros.)

“Will & Grace: Season Eight” — The comedy starring Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes ends its run with an all-star series finale. The final 22 episodes are packed in a four-disc set that includes cast interviews and commentary on the last episode. A 33-disc “Complete Series” boxed set also is available. “Season Eight” DVD set, $44.98; “Complete Series” set, $249.98. (Lionsgate)

“Criminal Minds: Season 3” — Joe Mantegna joins the crime drama as a veteran FBI profiler who reteams with the crack unit he helped found to track down bad guys. The five-disc set has year three’s 20 episodes, along with deleted scenes and making-of segments. DVD set, $64.99. (Paramount)

“Torchwood: The Complete Second Season” — An offbeat team of operatives with a mysterious leader (John Barrowman) battle alien menaces and other paranormal activities in this edgy British action series. Season two’s 13 episodes come in a five-disc set with deleted footage and a featurette on Barrowman’s character. DVD set, $79.98. (BBC)

“First Among Equals” — Adapted from the novel by Jeffrey Archer, this 10-part miniseries traces the careers of four British Parliament members from their first day on the job through 20 years of service. The cast includes Tom Wilkinson. The three-disc set includes a biographical segment on Archer. DVD set, 49.99. (Acorn)

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