DVD Releases and News

Fresh Fodder: New DVD Releases - 1/9/2007

This Tuesday's releases are some pretty dense ones, depending on how you define the word. The funny thing is that we're not really chomping at the bit to see any of these based on their previews, but they've made our radar solely on the basis of their stars or directors.

We've added all of these to our Netflix queue on the following criteria: "The Illusionist" stars Edward Norton, "Crank" has an interesting premise and stars "Snatch" actor Jason Statham, "Idiocracy" got dumped on by Fox and is directed by cult favorite Mike Judge, and "The Night Listener" made it primarily because we're keen on seeing Robin Williams in a serious role again.

If you saw these in the theatre, post your review in the comments at the bottom.

The Stuff We Care About

The Illusionist

Synopsis: "Director Neil Burger's screen adaptation of Steven Millhauser's short story 'Eisenheim the Illusionist'. Eisenheim (Edward Norton) is a magician in early 1900's Vienna, who falls in love with a woman well above his social standing. When she becomes engaged to a Crown Prince, Eisenheim uses his powers to free her and undermine the stability of the royal house of Vienna."

Features

Rating: Rated PG-13 for some sexuality and violence
Runtime: 110 Minutes
Label: 20th Century Fox
Studio: 20th Century Fox
DVD Format: Widescreen , 1.78:1, Closed Captioned, Color
DVD Features: Subtitles: English, Spanish, Audio Track 1: English, Dolby Digital 5.1
Region: 1 (USA, Canada and US territories)

Special Features

Commentary by writer/directed Neil Burger
"Making of The Illusionist" featurette
Jessica Biel on The Illusionist" featurette
Theatrical Trailer

Preview:

Crank

Amazon Synopsis: "Professional assassin Chev Chelios (Statham) learns his rival (Cantillo) has injected him with a poison that will kill him if his heart rate drops."

Features

Rating: Rated R for strong violence, pervasive language, sexuality, nudity and drug use
Runtime: 87 Minutes
Label: Lionsgate
Studio: Lions Gate
DVD Format: Widescreen Anamorphic, 2.35:1, Color
DVD Features: Subtitles: English, Spanish, Audio Track 1: English, Dolby Digital 5.1 EX, Audio Track 2: English, Dolby Digital 2.0
Region: 1 (USA, Canada and US territories)

Special Features

Behind-the-scenes footage and making-of insights
Interviews
Commentary
Family-friendly audio option

Preview:

Idiocracy

Amazon Synopsis: "Private Joe Bowers, the definition of "average American", is selected by the Pentagon to be the guinea pig for a top-secret hibernation program. Forgotten, he awakes 500 years in the future. He discovers a society so incredibly dumbed-down that he's easily the most intelligent person alive."

Features

Rating: Rated R for language and sex-related humor
Runtime: 84 Minutes
Label: 20th Century Fox
Studio: 20th Century Fox
DVD Format: Keep Case, Widescreen Anamorphic, 1.85:1, Closed Captioned, Color
DVD Features: Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Audio Track 1: English, Dolby Digital 5.1, Audio Track 2: Spanish, Dolby Digital 2.1 Surround
Region: 1 (USA, Canada and US territories)

Special Features

Deleted Scenes

Clip (NSFW):

The Night Listener

Amazon Synopsis: "In the midst of his crumbling relationship, a radio show host begins speaking to his biggest fan, a young boy, via the telephone. But when questions about the boy's identity come up, the host's life is thrown into chaos."

Features

Rating: Rated R for language and some disquieting sexual content
Runtime: 91 Minutes
Label: Miramax
Studio: Miramax
DVD Format: Keep Case, Widescreen Anamorphic, 1.85:1, Closed Captioned, Color
DVD Features: Subtitles: Spanish, French, Audio Track 1: English, Dolby Digital 5.1
Region: 1 (USA, Canada and US territories)