Here are three recent films that have arrived on DVD this week, along with four reissued discs of popular titles — dude, like, including, like, "Napoleon Dynamite." Geez!
"The Producers" (Universal, 2005, PG-13, $29.98). This remake of Mel Brooks' 1968 Oscar-winning film (he won for original screenplay) is an adaptation of the popular Broadway musical, with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick reprising their stage roles.
The story has a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer (Lane) scheming with a high-strung accountant (Broderick) to mount the worst play ever written, a sure flop — after collecting way too much money from way too many investors. The play? "Springtime for Hitler."
The stars — especially Lane — are right at home in this over-the-top farce, and though it's a bit strained at times, there are some funny sequences. Co-stars include Uma Thurman (sexy and hysterical) and Will Ferrell (as the German playwright, right at home in this broad-comedy setting).
Extras: Separate widescreen and full-frame editions, audio commentary (director Susan Stroman), deleted scenes, making-of featurette, bloopers, language options (English, French), subtitle options (English, Spanish, French), chapters.
"Something New" (Universal, 2006, PG-13, $29.98). The title notwithstanding, this is a romantic comedy-drama that trods familiar territory, as a black career woman (the winning Sanaa Lathan) is romanced by a white landscape architect (Simon Baker), much to the chagrin of her family and friends. Nothing spectacular, but the players are all good, including Alfre Woodard, Blair Underwood and Donald Faison (TV's "Scrubs").
Extras: Separate widescreen and full-frame editions, introduction (Blair Underwood), making-of featurettes, subtitle options (English, Spanish, French), chapters.
"Winter Passing" (Fox, 2005; R for language, sex, partial nudity, drugs; $27.98). The usually charming Zooey Deschanel is unable to shine in this dark mood-swing comedy-drama. She stars as an unhappy (and unlikable) struggling actress/cokehead who returns home to retrieve (and sell) love letters exchanged by her father (Ed Harris) and her recently deceased mother, both famous novelists. An uneasy reunion follows as Deschanel discovers her alcoholic dad has turned over the house to a former female student and a strange slacker (Will Ferrell, ill at ease doing very dry comic relief). Amy Madigan (Harris' real-life wife) plays the literary agent in pursuit of the letters.
Extras: Widescreen/full-frame versions, making-of featurette, subtitle options (English, Spanish), chapters.
"Napoleon Dynamite: Like, the Best Special Edition, Ever!" (Fox, 2004, PG, $26.98). Hey, "vote for Pedro" fans, this really new special edition has, like, everything the original disc had, but like it also has more stuff, y'know? OK, you either get the movie or you don't, but there's no denying the loyalty of people who are fans of this deadpan teen comedy. Best of all is Jared Hess' short film, which inspired this feature.
Extras: Widescreen, original short film "Peluca," audio commentary from earlier edition (Hess, Heder, producer Jeremy Coon), new audio commentary (co-stars Aaron Ruell, Efren Ramirez, Jon Gries, Tina Majorino), deleted/extended scenes, featurettes, auditions, bloopers, MTV promos, trailers, photo gallery, language options (English, Spanish, French), subtitle options (English, Spanish), chapters.
"Crimson Tide: Unrated Extended Edition" (Hollywood, 1995, not rated but with R-level language, $19.99). Veteran submarine commander Gene Hackman and his first officer, Denzel Washington, clash over how to react to orders that could bring about a nuclear war in this variation on "The Caine Mutiny." Very well-acted, with sharp dialogue and a first-rate cast, including Viggo Mortensen, James Gandolfini, Rick Schroder, Steve Zahn and unbilled Jason Robards. Extended by 28 minutes.
Extras: Widescreen, deleted scenes, featurettes, optional English subtitles, chapters.
"Enemy of the State: Unrated Extended Edition" (Touchstone, 1998; not rated but with R-level violence, language, sex, nudity; $19.99). Jason Robards also appears unbilled here. And Gene Hackman also co-stars, this time as a shady character who lends help to an innocent man on the run (Will Smith), a lawyer who is the victim of the ultimate identity theft. It seems a high-ranking government official (Jon Voight) is after him because Smith has incriminating evidence. Not always smart but loaded with action and a great cast. Look for Jack Black ("King Kong," "School of Rock") and Jason Lee ("My Name Is Earl") in supporting roles. Extended by 8 minutes.
Extras: Widescreen, deleted scenes, featurettes, trailer, optional English subtitles, chapters.
"Con Air: Unrated Extended Edition" (Touchstone, 1997; not rated but R-level violence, language; $19.99). This mostly filmed-in-Utah thriller had a huge budget, probably equally spent on garnering name talent (Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, John Malkovich) and blowing stuff up. It's as dumb as they come, but no one can accuse it of being boring. Cage is a paroled ex-con and decorated veteran on a transport plane with really nasty bad guys, so when they take over the plane, guess who has to save the day? Filmed at the Salt Lake and Ogden airports, substituting for Oakland, Calif., and Carson City, Nev., respectively. Extended by seven minutes.
Extras: Widescreen, optional English subtitles, chapters.
E-mail: hicks@desnews.com