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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, May 30, 2008

'Rambo' back in action in special-edition release

By Bruce Dancis
McClatchy-Tribune News Service

  • "Rambo"

    One and two discs, Lionsgate, rated R

    Sylvester Stallone revives his John Rambo character (just as he revived Rocky Balboa), also directing and co-writing this story. It finds the intrepid warrior living a peaceful life in a rural Thai village where he transports people on his old PT boat and catches snakes. But when some Christian aid workers, whom Rambo had ferried into Burma, are kidnapped by Burmese troops, he springs back into more violent action.

    The two-disc Special Edition includes such bonus features as a commentary by Stallone, deleted scenes and six short documentaries on subjects such as the history of the Rambo character and the making of this movie.

  • "Cassandra's Dream"

    Genius Products/The Weinstein Co., PG-13

    In Woody Allen's third straight movie made in London (after the terrific "Match Point" and the disappointing "Scoop"), Colin Farrell and Ewan McGregor star as brothers who need money and agree to help their wealthy but crooked uncle (Tom Wilkinson) deal with his business "problem." There are no bonus features.

  • "Grace Is Gone"

    Genius Products/The Weinstein Co., PG-13

    Despite receiving generally favorable reviews when it opened in select cities last December, this drama about an ordinary man (John Cusack) trying to cope with the death of his wife in Iraq was not released in most markets.

    Special features include a conversation between Cusack and director James Strouse; a documentary on the real story on which the movie is based; and a profile of TAPS, an organization providing support for those who have lost loved ones in war.

  • "What Would Jesus Buy?"

    Arts Alliance America, PG

    Produced by Morgan Spurlock and directed by Rob Van Alkemade, this is the story of a man named Bill Talen, who moved to New York, became the Rev. Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping and began to preach about the evils of commercialism and the true meaning of Christmas.

    The film chronicles his journeys to Wal-Mart headquarters, the Mall of America, Disneyland and other places to spread his gospel. No bonus features.

  • "The Thief of Bagdad"

    Two discs, Criterion Collection, not rated

    Back in 1940, when Baghdad was still associated by Westerners with the "Arabian Nights," this British-made adventure story from co-directors Alexander Korda and Michael Powell was famous for its pioneering special effects. It tells the familiar story (see Disney's "Aladdin") of a Prince Ahmad (John Justin), who joins forces with a thief named Abu (Sabu) to regain his royal position and win the love of a princess.

    The DVD comes with extensive bonus features, including two audio commentaries, one with directors Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese, the other with film historian Bruce Eder.

  • "Holocaust"

    Three discs, Paramount Home Entertainment, not rated

    Winner of eight Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award after it aired on NBC in 1978, this 7 1/2-hour miniseries tells the dual stories of a Jewish family in Berlin and the family of a Nazi from 1935 to 1945. The miniseries, directed by Marvin Chomsky, featured Emmy winners Meryl Streep, Michael Moriarty and Blanche Baker. This 30th anniversary DVD edition contains no bonus features.