By DNA Smith
PICKS OF THE WEEK
“Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” (G) — Never? Seriously? Cuz I wanna say Never — as in “I never want to watch this movie again.” Not that this is a horrible movie (it isn’t). It’s just not meant for men of my age. “Never Say Never” is targeted at Bieber’s base: 9 to 16-year-old girls. He is the 21st-century’s Donny Osmond, a nice, non-threatening boy crooner. The film is little bit documentary, a little bit concert movie, telling the Bieber’s story from his start as a YouTube sensation up to his sellout concert at Madison Square Garden. The DVD is loaded with special features, including “R.I.P. Hair Flip,” a featurette about Bieber hacking off his signature hairdo, which will have his legion of fans crying, “BabyBabyBaby NOOOO!!”
“No Strings Attached” (R) — Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman star as Adam and Emma in this predictable romantic comedy about “friends with benefits.” Adam and Emma have known each other since high school. Now as adults, he works on a “Glee”-like TV show and she’s a doctor. After a night of wild partying, they decide to try out the whole “friends with benefits” scenario; but after a while, Adam wants something more meaningful. She doesn’t. But of course, this is a rom-com, so we all know how this sticky situation will resolve itself.
“Something Wild: The Criterion Collection” (R) — Speaking of rom-coms, here’s a good one. Jonathan Demme’s 1986 offbeat road picture/romantic comedy stars Jeff Daniels and Melanie Griffith as wound-too-tight businessman and the manic pixie dreamgirl who go on a weekend of adventure that takes a turn for the worse when her a dangerous ex-husband (Ray Liotta) shows up.
“Patton: 40th Anniversary Edition” (PG) — Written by Francis Ford Coppola, winner of seven Academy Awards and starring George C. Scott and Karl Malden, “Patton,” is one of the great biopics of all time. From the infamous opening monologue with Scott backed by a massive American flag, through Patton’s campaign against Rommel in North Africa, to the slapping controversy that nearly ended his career, to his unrelenting campaign across Europe and finally to Patton’s unheroic death, “Patton” is not only an epic masterpiece about war, but a skillful and intimate look at a man who was larger than life.
TV SHOWS
“Home Improvement” 20th Anniversary Complete Collection (Collectable toolbox packaging)
“Webster” Season Two
“Nova: Smartest Machine on Earth”
“Doctor Who: Terror of the Autons”
“Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated” Season 1
“Bravestarr” The Complete Series
“The Archies”
“Sabrina the Teenage Witch”
“Civil War Journal: Conflict Begins”
“Chobits” The Complete Series
“Lassie” (2 Pack)
© 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.