DVD reviews: ‘Vicky Cristina,’ ‘Mirrors’

REVIEWS

By David Germain

updated 1:49 p.m. ET Jan. 15, 2009

“Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
Woody Allen made one of his periodic returns to commercial status and also scored some of his highest marks with critics in years on this romance set in Spain. Allen collaborates for the third time with Scarlett Johansson, who stars as an adventurous American on vacation in Spain with a staid pal (Rebecca Hall), the two of them caught up in a love quadrangle with a lusty painter (Javier Bardem) and his volatile ex-wife (Penelope Cruz). Fans will have to do without DVD extras, as Allen prefers to let his movies speak for themselves. DVD, $28.95; Blu-ray, $34.99. (Genius) Read the review.

“Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys”
Filmmaker and co-star Perry offers up another domestic tale with this drama about two women (Alfre Woodard and Kathy Bates) who hit the road to escape turmoil as their families tumble into adultery scandals, business corruption and other infamy. The DVD comes with deleted scenes and four behind-the-scenes featurettes, among them one on the movie’s New Orleans settings and one on the cast, which includes Sanaa Lathan, KaDee Strickland, Robin Givens and Taraji P. Henson. DVD, $29.95. (Lionsgate)

“Mirrors”
Kiefer Sutherland stars as a disgraced ex-cop whose new job as watchman at a defunct department store hurls him into a supernatural mystery as terrifying images in the building’s mirrors threaten his family. Along with the R-rated theatrical cut, the DVD and Blu-ray include an unrated extended version of the horror flick. Among other extras are an alternate ending, deleted footage accompanied by commentary with director Alexandre Aja and a few making-of segments. The Blu-ray release also has a digital copy of the movie for portable video players. DVD, $29.99; Blu-ray, $39.99. (20th Century Fox)

“Appaloosa”

Video   ‘Appaloosa’ Based on the book by Robert B. Parker, this Western tells the story of two friends (Viggo Mortensen, Ed Harris) who must protect their town. Buena Vista Pictures

Ed Harris does just about everything in this old-fashioned Western, which he co-wrote, produced and directed while starring alongside Viggo Mortensen. Harris and Mortensen play longtime partners in the lawmen-for-hire game who sign on to clean up a town overrun by outlaws working for a murderous rancher (Jeremy Irons). Renee Zellweger co-stars as a fickle widow who complicates the good guys’ friendship. Harris and writing-producing partner Robert Knott offer commentary, while the DVD and Blu-ray also pack deleted scenes and a handful of background featurettes. DVD, $28.98; Blu-ray, $35.99. (Warner Bros.) Read the review.

TV on DVD:

“Dallas: The Complete Tenth Season” — J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman) and his scheming relations are back in the prime-time soap set among a wealthy Texas oil family. The three-disc set has year 10’s 29 episodes. DVD set, $39.98. (Warner Bros.)

“Walker, Texas Ranger: The Sixth Season” — Chuck Norris saddles up again as a modern lawman with an Old West, no-nonsense approach to fighting crooks. Season six’s 25 episodes are packed in a six-disc set. DVD set, $49.99. (Paramount)

“Matlock: The Second Season” — Andy Griffith helped give old-timers a good name with his legal drama about a gruff Southern defense attorney. A six-disc set features year two’s 23 episodes. DVD set, $49.99. (Paramount)

“Reba: Season Five” — Reba McEntire returns as a single mom trying to hold her family, career and personal life together. The fifth year’s 22 episodes come in a two-disc set. DVD set, $29.99. (20th Century Fox)

“Lovejoy: The Complete Season Four” — Ian McShane resumes his dual gig as an antiques dealer who solves crimes on the side in this British mystery series. The four-disc set has season four’s 13 episodes plus a chat with McShane. DVD set, $69.98. (BBC)

Other new releases:

“Swing Vote” — Kevin Costner’s a middle-aged slacker who winds up with the deciding vote in a presidential election. The DVD and Blu-ray release have deleted and extended scenes with commentary from director Joshua Michael Stern, who also offers commentary for the full movie. DVD, $29.99; Blu-ray, $34.99. (Disney) Read the review.

“My Best Friend’s Girl” — Kate Hudson is at the center of a love triangle between the guy she dumped (Jason Biggs) and his best buddy (Dane Cook). The movie is available in the R-rated theatrical version or an unrated cut. DVD and Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes, commentary with Biggs and a handful of featurettes. DVD, $29.95; Blu-ray, $39.99. (Lionsgate)

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