NEW ON DVD
“American Dreamz”**** From Paul Weitz, who brought us the smart comedies “About a Boy” and “In Good Company,” a more political bent: Dennis Quaid plays a president who doesn’t read the newspaper and has ignored years of bad news. His chief of staff, Willem Dafoe, tries to get him back into the populist eye by making him a judge on an “Idol”-style show called “American Dreamz,” hosted by the slippery Hugh Grant. Weitz swings at big targets and hits most of them in a delightful satire that reaches that rare state of being utterly cynical and unabashedly hopeful at the same time. |PG-13|108 minutes|Released today|Michael Booth
“The Omen”** 1/2 There wasn’t really much excuse to remake the spooky classic from 1976, and they didn’t even bother hiring a new screenwriter. Liev Schreiber and Julia Stiles don’t pack the same emotional wallop as Gregory Peck and Lee Remick, but this do-over has its moments. Still, you want to shout at the screen, “Don’t name him Damien! Didn’t you see the first movie?!!” |R|105 minutes|Released today|Michael Booth
“Over the Hedge”*** 1/2 Just when you thought you’ve had enough of cute talking animals, a good story and great comic timing revive the genre. Forest animals are newly hemmed in by a monstrous suburban development and must find new ways to forage for food. Meanwhile, a duplicitous raccoon is duping them into stealing junk food. The set piece with an overcaffeinated squirrel is worth the price of entry. |PG|77 minutes|Released today|Michael Booth
“You, Me and Dupree”** Two triangles clang in this slight comedy starring Owen Wilson, Matt Dillon and Kate Hudson. Making up the first are Carl, best friend and unwanted houseguest Dupree, and Carl’s new wife, Molly. Carl, Dupree and Molly’s formidable father (Michael Douglas) make up the second. Like many quasi-romantic comedies these days, the core relating takes place between the fellas. And the latter threesome speaks to ongoing conflicts of the young American male. Think of slacker Dupree (Wilson) as the potential trump card that wins in the game of life. At least that’s the fantasy being hawked here. After a preview screening someone said: “That Owen Wilson, what a fool.” She’s right. When he’s firing on all cylinders, Wilson plays the trickster catalyst with charming lassitude. Now, if only his accidental sage can find a fable worthy of his goofball wisdom. |PG-13|95 minutes|Released today|Lisa Kennedy
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING | This week’s top DVDs
SALES
1. The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift
2. Curious George
3. Lake House
4. The Wild
5. Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses
RENTALS
1. The Lake House
2. The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift
3. Lucky Number Slevin
4. Curious George
5. The Wild
BILLBOARD.COM
OTHER RELEASES | These DVDs are also available today
The Al Pacino Collection
Angela
Behind Enemy Lines II: Axis of Evil
The Big Black Comedy Show
Boxed Set
Big Love: Season 1
CSI NY: Season 2
Casanova
Champion
Charmed: Season 6
Clean, Shaven
Dark Reality
Deadfall
Feast
Gypo
Hard Luck
Her Best Move
La Femme Nikita: Season 5
The Magus
Only Human
Peeper
Reds 25th Anniversary Special
Collector’s Edition
Rest Stop
Starsky & Hutch: Season 4
That ’70s Show: Season 5
They All Laughed
The Virgin of Juarez
