Tuesday, June 18, 2013
NEW ON THE SHELF
Jennifer Lawrence stars as Katniss Everdeen in “The Hunger Games.”
Lionsgate
"THE HUNGER GAMES," starring Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson. The latest unavoidable adaptation of the latest unavoidable young-adult fiction craze, this stylish sci-fi action-drama from director Gary Ross ("Seabiscuit") and based on the books by Suzanne Collins has invited undue comparisons to the "Twilight" series for its demographic alone.
However, it's actually a fairly sophisticated and thrilling film that borrows elements from sources as diverse as George Orwell, Greek mythology and Stephen King with its daunting tale of a not-too-distant future where underprivileged teenagers are handpicked to fight to the death in a televised competition.
The ever-commanding Lawrence makes for an ideal Katniss, Hutcherson serves as a likable love interest, and familiar faces such as Elizabeth Banks and Woody Harrelson round out the cast nicely. A big hit with audiences and critics alike, and with good reason. Rated PG-13. Running time: 2:22
Suggested retail price: $30.98; Blu-ray $39.99
"DEXTER: THE SIXTH SEASON," starring Michael C. Hall and Edward James Olmos. Everybody's favorite killer-killing killer is back for another round of good, old-fashioned, limb-hacking entertainment. Newly single and free to pursue his baser hobbies, this time around Dexter faces off against the wily and efficient Doomsday Killer. Long one of Showtime's more consistent offerings, "Dexter" continues to thrive thanks to Hall's fascinating and oddly ingratiating work in a difficult lead role. Special features include interviews with cast and crew. Not rated; contains graphic violence, language and sexual content. Running time: 10:18
Suggested retail price: $54.99; Blu-ray $65.99
NEW TO DVD
"COMMUNITY: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON," starring Joel McHale and Danny Pudi. Beloved by a rabid fanbase but consistently ignored in the ratings, this boldly surreal, unabashedly silly and tirelessly clever sitcom follows the least productive but certainly most entertaining study group in the business, with Pudi and Donald Glover consistently stealing the show as the pop-culture obsessed duo Abed and Troy. Special features include commentaries from cast and crew and outtakes. Not rated; contains mild language and crude humor. Running time: 7:48
Suggested retail price: $45.99
"HAPPY ENDINGS: SEASONS 1 & 2," starring Elisha Cuthbert and Max Pally. Wrongly dismissed as a "Friends" knockoff in its initial stages, this consistently hilarious sitcom shares the three guys/three gals setup. But that's where the similarities end, as "Endings" isn't particularly interested in maintaining a lot of realism, willing to go to very strange, admirable lengths for its laughs. Not rated; contains language and crude humor. Running time: 7:30
Suggested retail price: $45.99
NEW TO BLU-RAY
"JAWS," starring Roy Scheider and Robert Shaw. Spielberg's shark tale remains one of his best and most beloved films, and this remastered release is the best it's ever looked. A must for collectors and an ideal introduction for newcomers, this set includes a feature-length making-of documentary, deleted scenes and interviews with cast and crew. Rated PG for violence and language. Running time: 2:04
Suggested retail price: $29.98
"SHAFT," starring Richard Roundtree and Moses Gunn. Who's the digitally remastered private dick that's a sex machine to all the chicks? For the unfortunate few who don't know the answer to that particular query, we present the long-awaited Blu-ray release of this 1971 blaxploitation classic, with Roundtree flat-out embodying cool in the title role. Pure entertainment from start to finish. Rated R. Running time: 1:40
(Continued on page 2)
Tweet
Copyright ©2013 MaineToday Media, Inc.
Jobs
Cars
Real Estate
Maine Yellow Pages
Facebook
Twitter
Further Discussion
Here at PressHerald.com we value our readers and are committed to growing our community by encouraging you to add to the discussion. To ensure conscientious dialogue we have implemented a strict no-bullying policy. To participate, you must follow our Terms of Use.Questions about the article? Add them below and we’ll try to answer them or do a follow-up post as soon as we can. Technical problems? Email them to us with an exact description of the problem. Make sure to include: