Rumor Has It **|A good idea is a good idea until it becomes a bad one. Such was the Yogi Berra-style thought that struck too early in Rob Reiner’s film starring Jennifer Aniston and Kevin Costner. “Rumor” has some stylish barbs. What this romantic comedy doesn’t have, but strains to, is much substance. Reiner tempted fate quoting “The Graduate.” If you are cannibalizing a classic, you should make sure your contribution is worthy. “Rumor Has It” is Kraft sliced singles to ripe camembert. |PG-13|97 minutes|Released today|Lisa Kennedy
The New World *** 1/2|Terrence Malick is rightfully known as a director of dreamy epics, pitting mankind against indifferent nature at crucial historical moments. Here he takes on Pocahontas and early English settlers. Q’orianka Kilcher is stunning as Pocahontas, though some will find the pace frustratingly slow. Malick may not offer the movie you want, but if you give it a try, you may find he provides the movie you need.|PG-13|135 minutes|Released today|Michael Booth
Nanny McPhee *** 1/2|Long ago, Nanny McPhee would have been played by Julie Andrews. But screenwriter-star Emma Thompson plies her own exquisite magic. As the mysterious nanny who comes to the aid of the seven very naughty Brown children, she has an odd walk and an amusing way of tilting her head. And Thompson and Colin Firth (as Mr. Brown, a widower) know how to keep a good gag running. “Nanny McPhee” is such a marvel that, in the end, the children aren’t the only ones who’ll regret her departure.|PG|98 minutes|Released today|Lisa Kennedy
Ronin ***|We’re not going to claim this is the best action film ever made, but it certainly has some of the finest car chases. Robert De Niro and Jean Reno star in this tale of a group of rogue tough guys – there’s an allegory to Japanese samurai in there somewhere – who are hired to steal a case. It mixes in some Russian mob, ex-KGB, the CIA and one of the most steerring-wheel gripping, wrong-way chases through the streets of Paris you’ll ever experience. The special edition mixes in a variety of extras and how-they-did-that scenes.|R|118 minutes|Special edition released today|Edward P. Smith
King of the Hill: The Complete Sixth Season| Texas propane salesman Hank Hill, his messed-up family and his circle of redneck Southern friends are back with another season of the animated series. A three-disc set has all 21 episodes from season six.|DVD set, $39.98|Released May 2|David Germain, Associated Press
OTHER RELEASES | These DVDs are also available today
Andy Griffith: The Complete Sixth Season
Animation Runner Kuromi 2
The Barbie Diaries
Big Momma’s House 2
Dr. Katz Professional Therapist: Season One
Earthquake
Everybody Loves Raymond: The Complete Sixth Season
The Facts of Life: The Complete First and Second Seasons
Forty Shades of Blue
The 400 Blows
The Golden Girls Season 5
Grandma’s Boy
If Only
Late Spring
Life Goes On: The Complete First Season
On the Outs
The Poseidon Adventure
Puff, Puff, Pass
Queer as Folk: The Final Season
Rescue Me: The Complete Second Season
Robin’s Hood
Scrubs Season 3
Sgt. Bilko 50th Anniversary Edition
Surrender Dorothy
That ’70s Show Season Four
The Towering Inferno
The West Wing: The Complete Sixth Season
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING | This week’s top DVDs
This week’s top videos in rentals and sales:
RENTALS
1. Hostel
2. Fun With Dick and Jane
3. The Chronicles of Narnia
4. King Kong
5. Wolf Creek
SALES
1. Hostel
2. Fun With Dick & Jane
3. The Chronicles Of Narnia (full screen)
4. The Chronicles Of Narnia (widescreen)
5. Chicken Little
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