The Duchess
DVD
Directed by Saul Dibb
Starring Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling, Dominic Cooper, Hayley Atwell
Paramount Home Entertainment
Release Date: December 27, 2008

Based on a true story, The Duchess is about desire, responsibility, and ultimately redemption. Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire (Keira Knightley of Pirates of the Caribbean), marries the Duke of Devonshire, a much older man, and all of her visions of love and marriage are quickly dispelled. The Duke (Ralph Fiennes of Harry Potter, and yes, he played Voldemort) approached his marriage as one of necessity, he needed to produce an heir and Georgiana would help him reach that goal. His desire turned into need and no thought was given to his future bride. His necessity determined her fate and little more was to be done or said about that. An interesting tenet is when Georgiana first learned of her upcoming nuptials. She was surprised and happy with the decision — surprised that the Duke had any interest in her and happy because she was told that love is found on first glances and impressions.

Responsibility plagues each of the characters differently and completely. Bess Foster (Hayley Atwell) is forced into an affair to save her children; Georgiana embraces her love-less marriage and turns away from her true love to save her children; and the Duke, well let’s just say that his responsibility is only unto himself as he finally sires an heir to his title. He answers to no one and dictates the lives of all around him. This is a testament to gender dynamics at the time [...]

The third installment of The Mummy series is sure not to disappoint. Well, one thing is disappointing and I have to say it right from the beginning. What happened to the real Evelyn O’Connell? I really hate to start a review like this. I like to tell a bit about the movie and then give my feelings, but I couldn’t, and I am sure you won’t be able to. It’s not that Maria Bello (Thank You for Smoking, A History of Violence) is bad in her depiction of Evelyn, it’s just that, Rachel Weisz is our Evelyn. Maybe Weisz’s decision to do Definitely, Maybe or My Blueberry Nights blocked her from The Mummy project. If it did, I have one thing to say: she should have stuck with The Mummy series. No judgments on the other two movies, but, you get my drift.

In The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, a new kind of mummy is released, Emperor Han (Jet Li), by mistake of course, and it is up to Rick (Brendan Fraser) and Evelyn, along with their now-adult son Alex (Luke Ford) and Evelyn’s brother John (John Hannah) to save the world from complete enslavement.

The Mummy franchise has yet to disappoint me and Rob Cohen does not do so now. In the interest of not giving away everything in the movie, I am keeping my review short, but I will go in detail about this DVD edition’s many bonus features [...]

Martin Lawrence, Mike Epps, James Earl Jones, and Mo’Nique star in this comedy from director Malcolm D. Lee.

In The Great Debaters, Denzel Washington stars as Melvin B. Tolson, a professor who nurtured and lead a black debate team to challenge segregation by debating white colleges and ultimately the pinnacle of educational facilities, Harvard.

This uncensored director’s cut contains the three Imaginationland episodes from Season 11 edited together as one feature-length movie.

Halle Berry, Benicio Del Toro, and David Duchovny star in this drama from director Susanne Bier.

Norah Jones makes her film debut in Wong Kar Wai’s first English-language film, which also stars Jude Law, David Strathairn, Rachel Weisz, and Natalie Portman.

Marc Forester directs this true story based on the bestselling novel about an Afghani man who returns to his homeland to help a friend.

This DVD contains every episode of Season One of the Comedy Central hit cartoon series, plus a bonus episode and other featurettes and commentaries.

Kurt Cobain – About a Son
Documentary, 135 minutes
Directed by AJ Schnack
Shout! Factory/Sidetrack Films
Available Feb. 19, 2008
“Kurt Cobain was a person just like everybody else, he cried, and laughed, loved his child, loved his wife, and was frustrated, and happy, and crabby, and jovial, and all those things. I think a lot of that has been [...]

Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe star in this Ridley Scott-directed drama based on true events.

Tracee Ellis Ross, Golden Brooks, Persia White, Jill Marie Jones star as the title girlfriends in Season 3 of this sitcom from writer Mara Brock Akil.

Martin Lawrence and James Earl Jones star in this family comedy written and directed by Malcolm D. Lee.

Comedy Central roasts the clock-wearing rapper turned reality TV star Flavor Flav, presented here extended and uncensored.

The Rock stars in this football-oriented Disney family comedy from director Andy Fickman.

Martin Scorsese presents this coming-to-America love story from writer/director Emanuele Crialese.

This latest biography from the Discovery Channel explores the mysteries behind the remains of ancient Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut.

This 4-disc DVD set contains all 24 episodes of season 10 of TV’s hit sitcom Frasier, starring Kelsey Grammer.

This documentary tells the tale of the first credited “black godfather” Nicky Barnes, known as Mr. Untouchable, who gives first-hand testimony of his life, his addiction, his romance, and ultimately his payback.