Yahoo! Movies: New Crime/Gangster DVD Releases

Batman Begins

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:23:08 -0000

Christopher Nolan's film explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark Knight's emergence as a force for good in Gotham. In the wake of his parents' murder, disillusioned industrial heir Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. He treturns to Gotham and unveils his alter-ego: Batman, a masked crusader who uses his strength, intellect and an array of high tech deceptions to fight the sinister forces that threaten the city. (2 hrs. 20 min.) Release date: May 12, 2009

The Usual Suspects

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:23:07 -0000

When a truck loaded with stripped gun parts is hijacked outside of Queens, five notorious thieves become overnight guests of the NYPD, but that's all they need to hatch a plan that brings them to Los Angeles for the ultimate take, $91 million in hard cash. Roger Verbal Kint, an apparent victim of cerebral palsy yet an accomplished con man, soon falls under the persuasive powers of U.S. Customs Special Agent David Kujan, who's hot on their trail. Kint weaves a tale that begins six weeks ago, back at the police shake-down in New York. Assembled among the professional felons are hardware specialist Todd Hockney, entry man Michael McManus and Dean Keaton, an ex-cop whose hijacking and smuggling exploits have incurred Kujan's wrath. Customs has been building a case on Keaton for three years, and despite Kint's claim that Keaton is dead, Kujan looks to squeeze Kint until he gets his man. In a surprise plot twist, a pitiable con man is being outwitted by an eager Fed. Or ! is he? (1 hr. 45 min.) Release date: May 12, 2009

Street Kings

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:23:06 -0000

David Ayer, who wrote TRAINING DAY, gives us another unflinching look at disillusionment and questionable decision-making within the ranks of the LAPD. Ayer's second directorial effort tells the story of burnt-out Tom Ludlow (Keanu Reeves), a functioning alcoholic and undisciplined detective with the Special Vice Unit. While so much of this characterization appears resonatingly familiar at first, we soon learn that the character here has been tweaked. While this loose cannon in no way does things by the book, he is also far from playing by his own rules. Ludlow is relied upon by the other detectives in the unit, and by their almost maniacally ambitious Captain Wander (Forest Whitaker), to go outside the law whenever needed. The infractions he is pressured to commit are quickly and uncomplainingly covered up by Captain Wander, while Ludlow and the rest of Special Vice receive accolades for their high clearance rate. Not until one of these cover-ups leads to the brutal murder of his ex-partner (Terry Crews) does Ludlow try to dispel the apathy (and the vodka fumes) clouding his purpose. This procedural melodrama is almost completely internalized within the LAPD, as Vice cops investigate Narcotics cops, who snitch on Homicide cops, and no one talks to Internal Affairs, etc. Crimes are staged, executed, and pinned firmly on suspects with alarming efficiency as the necessary DNA, murder weapons, and fingerprints are then sprinkled around the scenes after the fact.

A study in familiar elements slightly skewed, STREET KINGS provides a satisfying dose of bright, loud, violent police work blended with the right amount of discreetly passed interoffice envelopes to keep the taut intrigue in step with the body count. Little time is wasted on exposition, and the audience's ability to extrapolate is given a great deal of credit as Ludlow's dead wife, substance abuse, and past career troubles are flashed at us briefly, then put away in favor of the crisis at hand. (1 hr. 48 min.) Release date: Jun 16, 2009

Big Momma s House 2

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:23:05 -0000

The adventures of master-of-disguise, FBI special agent Malcolm Turner continue. This time he must go undercover as Big Momma to nail his ex-partner's murderer. While undercover in the house of the suspected criminal, Malcom grows attached to the suspect's three childen. (1 hr. 38 min.) Release date: May 12, 2009

Hitman

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:23:04 -0000

Based on the popular Playstation 2 game, HITMAN chronicles the frame-up and retribution-packed odyssey of Number 47 (Timothy Olyphant), a bald assassin raised from birth to be a killer and tattooed with a barcode on the back of his head. There's lots of BOURNE SUPREMACY-style flash-edits and superhuman stunt work as 47 seeks to find out why moderate Russian presidential nominee Belicoff (Ulrich Thomsen) was the client for his own assassination, a hit that 47 pulled off perfectly, except for one hitch: the target's still alive. For romantic interest we have Olga Kurylenko as a foxy Russian prostitute sold into slavery by the evil Belicoff. She and 47 wind up on the lam together but they'll never be safe as long as Belicoff is still alive. Meanwhile, Interpol agent Mike Whittier (Dougray Scott) has been tracking 47 for years; he's on the scent and about to close in. Luc Besson was the producer on this, and fans of his TRANSPORTER, THE PROFESSIONAL and LA FEMME NIKITA films will eat it up, as it's got the same narrative arc, same hyper-kinetic shoot-em-up flavor, vividly saturated colors, swooping camerawork, tightly choreographed fights, and lots of blood flying from the copious bullet wounds. Vin Diesel executive produced, and one wonders what stopped his big bald head from filling the screen in the lead, but no matter, as Olyphant does a thorough job, speaking in a measured drawl that recalls, of all people, Clint Eastwood in his DIRTY HARRY days. (1 hr. 33 min.) Release date: Jun 16, 2009

Virtuosity

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:23:03 -0000

In 1999 Los Angeles, an imprisoned ex-cop is given one last shot at redemption when he's turned loose to track down a virtual killer who has escaped the confines of cyberspace. Computer-generated special effects--and a pre-stardom performance from Russell Crowe as the digital killer--enhance this thriller from the director of 1992's THE LAWNMOWER MAN. (1 hr. 45 min.) Release date: May 12, 2009

Death Sentence

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:23:02 -0000

A white-collar revenge fantasy in the vein of DEATH WISH (and based on a novel by the same author, Brian Garfield), DEATH SENTENCE ponders the nature and limits of retribution, asking if murder can ever be justified. Director James Wan (SAW) delivers a high-end exploitation film, complete with a washed-out, grainy appearance and some startling violence, but with complex, thrilling action sequences.

Kevin Bacon is Nick Hume, a successful businessman with two children and a lovely wife (Kelly Preston). While driving home from his older, college-bound son's hockey game, Nick must pull into a gas station in a tough part of town. When the boy goes into the store to buy a drink, his throat is slit during a bloody robbery attempt. Nick identifies the killer, but with him as the only witness, the case is unable to go to trial. Discovering that the murder was merely a gang initiation, Nick is pushed over the edge, taking on the deadly gang headed by the fierce Billy Darley (Garrett Hedlund). Payback becomes all-encompassing for Nick: it not only takes over his life, but it also causes a startling physical transformation. Wan forgoes emotional impact in favor of souped-up, visceral, and occasionally thrilling setpieces. Bacon makes Nick's transformation from a suburban, suit-and-tie family man into a gaunt, shaved-headed angel of death startling and believable. Full of interesting contradictions, DEATH SENTENCE lets viewers have it both ways--fulfilling their bloodlust while ensuring that Nick's targets are despicable people who deserve their fates. Ultimately, though it serves to remind us that, as a solution, violence only begets more violence. (1 hr. 50 min.) Release date: Jun 16, 2009

The Taking of Pelham 1, 2, 3

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:23:01 -0000

THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE superbly achieves what few other movies do: a successful blend of thrills, style, comedy, drama, suspense and action. It is the precursor for many thrillers of the 1990s, from indie hits like Quentin Tarantino's RESERVOIR DOGS, and more popular, Hollywood vehicles like SPEED.

The story focuses on four criminals who hijack a subway car and demand one million dollars from the mayor of New York, threatening to kill one hostage per minute if their demands aren't met. The hijackers are Mr. Blue (Robert Shaw), the crafty and efficient leader; Mr. Green (Martin Balsam), the train driver; Mr. Gray (Hector Elizondo), the hothead; and Mr. Brown (Earl Hindman), a nervous, stuttering man. New York City transit lieutenant Zachary Garber (Walter Matthau) goes above and beyond his call of duty to play negotiator with the hijackers. The camera grabs the viewer by taking him down into dark gritty hallows of the subway tunnels and into the midst of the harrowing situation on the hijacked car. Based on the book by John
Godey, TAKING OF PELHAM is a true classic that depicts the dark, crime-ridden climate of 1970s New York city. (1 hr. 44 min.) Release date: Jun 9, 2009

Fanboys

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:23:00 -0000

STAR WARS zealots, rejoice, for thy movie is at hand: an odyssey across America with a van full of hardcore science-fiction-loving geeks that drop STAR WARS quotes at the drop of a vintage collector's-item Darth Vader helmet. Their mission: to infiltrate Skywalker ranch--or die trying--and heist a pre-release print of THE PHANTOM MENACE. With stops along the way for bad internet dates and general misbehavior (as well as some drama concerning one of the fanboys dying of cancer), their mission becomes a whole STAR WARS-style adventure in itself, their van doubling for the Millennium Falcon plunging through the outer space of the Midwest. There's sci-fi-convention-collectible eye candy, surreal car chases, and moments from the STAR WARS films (such as the trash compactor scene) recreated with loving detail. Dan Fogler (BALLS OF FURY) supplies the hairy guy momentum and Kristen Bell (FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL) is surprisingly funny as the requisite way-out-of-their-league hot chick, who just happens to love STAR WARS too (those lucky nerds). The hilarious Seth Rogen shows up in several mangy roles, and there are cameos by Billy Dee Williams (as Judge Reinhold), Carrie Fisher, Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, Boba Fett, Darth Maul, an actor playing a kung fu version of Aint it Cool's Harry Knowles, and even William Shatner. Kevin Spacey was one of the film's producers. (1 hr. 30 min.) Release date: May 19, 2009

Winter of Frozen Dreams

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:59 -0000

No description available Release date: May 5, 2009

A Bullet For Joey

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:58 -0000

Nefarious Eric Hartman (Peter van Eyck), a spy working for the Communists, tricks Joe Victor (George Raft), a naive gangster, into working for him. Victor's assignment is to kidnap a nuclear physicist and "rub out" a Federal Agent who has been sniffing after Hartman. It isn't long, however, before Victor realizes where Hartman's sympathies lie. (1 hr. 25 min.) Release date: Jun 23, 2009

The Friends of Eddie Coyle

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:57 -0000

No description available (1 hr. 40 min.) Release date: May 19, 2009

Paul Blart: Mall Cop

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:56 -0000

IN THEATRES JANUARY 16, 2009: Coming off the finale of television's popular sitcom THE KING OF QUEENS and 2007's I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY, funnyman Kevin James takes the role of a single dad in this largely physical comedy, which the actor also co-wrote. Paul Blart (James) is a hard worker, but has never landed his dream job of being New Jersey state trooper due to his excess weight. Determined to support his mother and his daughter, Blart takes the slightly less glamorous post as the security guard at his local shopping mall. He never complains, approaching the job with impressive diligence and pride, but doesn't get much respect for it. It's only when a group of misfits in Santa's Helper disguises take hold of the mall and several hostages that Blart's would-be cop smarts come in handy and he gets a chance to shine. With a deadly situation on hand, Blart may finally be able to show the world (and his romantic interest, who just happens to be one of the hostages) what he's made of. Though the villains have several advantages over him, Blart has a Segway scooter and a big heart on his side.

While many of its jokes come at the expense of James's extra pounds, the film ultimately makes its star out to be a hero. With his everyman appeal, James is well-suited to play Blart, showing that even average Joes can make a difference with the right attitude. PAUL BLART: MALL COP takes the banal out of the shopping mall, infusing a familiar setting with energy, laughs, and high-stakes drama. (1 hr. 31 min.) Release date: May 19, 2009

Mr. Brooks

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:55 -0000

Kevin Costner stars as Earl Brooks, a man whose seemingly perfect family and status in the community hide an ugly secret. Brooks constantly says the plea of an addict--the Serenity Prayer--but he's not in the grip of drugs or alcohol. Instead, his neat little bow tie belies a man with an urge to kill. Though he's staved off that desire for two years, it has returned thanks to the efforts of his evil inner voice (William Hurt, A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE). He is caught in the act by a man who calls himself Mr. Smith (Dane Cook, EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH), but Mr. Smith doesn't want to turn Brooks in. The smarmy amateur photographer wants to learn from Brooks's methodical ways and become a killer himself. Meanwhile, a tough cop (Demi Moore, BOBBY) hunts for the man responsible for deaths all over Portland while she deals with issues in her own life.

MR. BROOKS presents a fascinating portrait of a man at war with himself. As the devil on Brooks's shoulder, Oscar winner Hurt adeptly alternates between menace and glee, adding to a resume already replete with varied roles. Though Costner is mostly known for playing nice guys (FIELD OF DREAMS) and charming rogues (BULL DURHAM), his performance as the tortured killer is interesting to watch, and he rises to the challenge of playing a completely different character than the kind he is known for. MR. BROOKS is an engaging thriller that goes into the fractured mind of a murderer, while also delivering an intriguing maze of multiple subplots. (2 hrs.) Release date: May 12, 2009

Fast Lane

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:54 -0000

No description available (1 hr. 30 min.) Release date: Jun 23, 2009

Nicotina

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:53 -0000

Greed transforms into twisted desperation when a simple exchange goes awry, and the lives of amateur thieves, an obsessed hacker and ordinary people explode in a tumultuous night over a fortune in diamonds. When the haze finally clears, computers have been hacked, people have been whacked and lives have gone up in a cloud of smoke. Diego Luna (Y T� Mam� Tambien, The Terminal) and Rafael Incl�n star in this highly stylized caper about the addictive, intoxicating possibility of an easy life. Winner of six 2004 Mexican Ariel Awards and five MTV Mexico Movie Awards including "Favorite Movie and Actor - Diego Luna." (1 hr. 33 min.) Release date: Jun 9, 2009

Angel

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:52 -0000

French phenom Fran�ois Ozon directs this lush adaptation of a novel by the English writer Elizabeth Taylor. ANGEL begins in England in 1905, with the beauty of the title (Romola Garai) ardently pursuing a career as a writer. Her book catches the fancy of the British public, and soon Angel is a celebrity--but she still longs for love. This period film also stars Sam Neill, Lucy Russell, Michael Fassbender, and Charlotte Rampling, a frequent collaborator of Ozon. (1 hr. 27 min.) Release date: May 26, 2009

What Doesn't Kill You

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:51 -0000

For his assured directorial debut, character actor Brian Goodman reaches into his troubled past. WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU tells the tale of two best friends who grew up in South Boston and fell into a life of petty crime. Brian (Mark Ruffalo) has a beautiful wife (Amanda Peet) and two children, but his addiction to drugs and alcohol keeps him from becoming the father he should be. Paulie (Ethan Hawke) is determined to make a big score so that they can stop scraping by and retire in style. But when a local police officer (co-writer Donnie Wahlberg) finally catches them in the act, they are forced to serve time in jail. Upon returning home, Brian must confront the painful truth that crime is the only life that he knows. Yet, as difficult as it seems, he struggles to clean up his act once and for all, in order to make sure that he never has to leave his family behind again.

WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU is an old-school crime drama, directed with a knowing confidence by Goodman, who himself grew up on the streets of Southie and spent time in prison. Ruffalo and Hawke step into their roles with convincing gusto. In the process, they reaffirm their status as two of their generation's finest actors. What ultimately elevates the film's impact is the realization that this isn't just another thriller; it's the heartfelt story of a man who wants to make a better life for himself and his family. (1 hr. 40 min.) Release date: May 26, 2009

Killshot

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:50 -0000

In an adaptation of Elmore Leonard�s best-selling crime novel, the beautiful Carmen Colson (Diane Lane) and her husband Wayne (Thomas Jane) become entangled in a scam with a bumbling, small time con artist (Joseph Gordon Levitt) and his over-the-hill hitman partner the Blackbird (Mickey Rourke). Ultimately, it all comes down to one wife, one husband, two killers... and one lethal killshot. A Quentin Tarantino presentation. (1 hr. 24 min.) Release date: May 26, 2009