“Harsh Times”
An intriguing look at the chasm between the worlds of urban gang violence and the police forces that attempt to control it. Christian Bale stars as a troubled ex-Army Ranger, recently discharged, who returns to the mean streets of South Central Los Angeles to pursue a career in police work. A powerful film that serves as an important wake-up call to young people drifting through dangerous times and places.|R| 120 minutes|
Released today|Bill Zwecker, Universal Press Syndicate
“Shortbus”
This randy, raucous ensemble of a movie is far sweeter and nostalgic than you’d ever expect, given the intensely graphic and unsimulated sex scenes. The main character, played by Sook-Yin Lee, is a couples counselor who can’t have an orgasm; a gay couple takes her on a tour of sexuality, using the sex- and-conversation club Shortbus as their vehicle. Funnier and more touching than an almost-porn movie has any right to be.|Not rated|102 minutes|Released today|Michael Booth
“Fast Food Nation”
This uneven adaptation takes on many of the issues from Eric Schlosser’s best-
selling nonfiction work of the same name. Director Richard Linklater creates some memorable scenes and characters as Greg Kinnear tries to research why his burger company’s meat is showing up contaminated. We also see the plight of Mexican immigrants hired to work at low wages and high rates of injury at a Colorado meatpacking plant. But Link-
later too often loses the thread of the narrative in side issues. In the end, there’s too much wide-ranging material in Schlosser’s expose to make one coherent feature film.|R|
106 minutes|Released March 6|Michael Booth
“Rocky Balboa”
Stallone steps in the ring for one last round, this time trying to admit he’s aged a little. Rocky is restless in retirement, running his fancy restaurant and spending time at Adrian’s grave (died young, yo). ESPN pits the younger Rocky against current champion Mason “The Line” Dixon in a computer game, and the match piques interests. Rocky has to fight again, to exorcise his demons. While the movie is slow and a long walk down memory lane, there’s no denying Rocky is one of the great American characters on film, and Stallone plays him well.|PG|96 minutes|Releases March 20|Michael Booth
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INVIDEO.ORG
TV ON DVD
“Hawaii Five-O: Season 1”: |Jack Lord and James MacArthur star in the show that debuted in 1968, following a team of tough Hawaiian detectives. The seven-disc set has the first 24 episodes, plus the movie pilot and a 1996 retrospective.|
$54.99|Released March 6|
David Germain, The Associated Press
TOP DVD SALES
1. Flushed Away
2. The Prestige
3. The Departed
4. Babel
5. Man Of The Year
TOP RENTALS
1. The Departed
2. Man Of The Year
3. The Prestige
4. Babel
5. Flushed Away
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