By Jay Bobbin
Tribune Media Services
STARTING THIS WEEK: “SALT”: Angelina Jolie plays action heroine again, in a very big way, in this adventure of a CIA operative accused by a defector of being a double agent. She goes on the lam to prove her innocence, as former colleagues pit their skills against hers to try to catch her and bring her in. Director Phillip Noyce, who also worked with Jolie earlier on “The Bone Collector,” includes Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor in his cast – but this clearly is the energetic Jolie’s show. DVD extras: two “making-of” documentaries; audio commentary by Noyce; radio interview with Noyce. *** (PG-13 and unrated versions: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray)
“WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS”: Reunited with director Oliver Stone, Michael Douglas reprises his Oscar-winning role as ruthless financier Gordon Gekko – trying to rebuild his life after a prison stretch – in this well-played sequel. With his estranged daughter (Carey Mulligan) engaged to a broker (Shia LaBeouf), Gekko tries to reconnect with her via the fiance; Josh Brolin, Eli Wallach and Susan Sarandon also appear. DVD extras: audio commentary by Stone; interviews with Stone and cast members; digital copy of the movie. *** (PG-13: AS, P) (Also on Blu-ray)
“EASY A”: Emma Stone has appeared in such movies as “Superbad” and “Zombieland,” but she really comes into her own in this enjoyable, Will Gluck-directed comedy about a high-school student who gets a shocking new reputation. Her lie about a supposed romantic encounter gets out of hand, and the result brands her as someone who knows her way around guys … and, of course, ultimately paints her into a corner she might not be able to get out of. Cleverly paralleling “The Scarlet Letter,” the picture also features Penn Badgley (“Gossip Girl”), Amanda Bynes, Lisa Kudrow and Stanley Tucci. DVD extras: audio commentary by Stone and Gluck; outtakes; Stone audition footage. *** (PG-13: AS, P) (Also on Blu-ray)
“DEVIL”: A story by “The Sixth Sense” mentor M. Night Shyamalan fuels this relatively OK melodrama of several people trapped in an elevator … the catch being that one of them is Satan, meaning that things really get too close for comfort for the other four strangers stuck together. The ensemble cast includes Bokeem Woodbine, Geoffrey Arend (“(500) Days of Summer”) and familiar television face Jenny O’Hara. Chris Messina (“Julie & Julia”) also stars as a troubled police detective trying to get the passengers out. DVD extras: three “making-of” documentaries; deleted scenes. *** (PG-13: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray)
“STEP UP 3”: The story isn’t much to speak of, but the dancing is dynamic – as it would have to be in any film in this franchise – in this drama that uses the time-tested premise of an outsider (played in this case by Adam Sevani, returning from the previous movie) being the saving grace of a dance team. They’re aiming for the championship in a contest that takes it to the streets. Originally shown in theaters in 3-D, the film is available in that form for properly equipped Blu-ray players. Harry Shum Jr., now seen regularly on “Glee,” also is in the cast. DVD extras: “making-of” documentary; music videos; music montage. ** (PG-13: P) (Also on Blu-ray)
“BILLY THE EXTERMINATOR: SEASON ONE”: In an age when it seems almost every profession imaginable is represented by a reality show, Billy Bretherton has managed to parlay his line of work into a popular A&E Network series in which he pursues all sorts of creatures … enough to fill two seasons’ worth of episodes on DVD (the second one also is newly available). Such titles as “There’s a Gator in My Boat” and “Attack of the Trash Can Raccoon” should give you a good idea of what you’re in for. *** (Not rated: P)
COMING SOON: “THE AMERICAN” (Dec. 28): George Clooney really is the lone American in this melodrama about an assassin trying to get away from his profession. (R: AS, N, V)
“RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE” (Dec. 28): Milla Jovovich returns again as heroine Alice, still maneuvering her way through a virus-affected world of the undead. (R: AS, P, GV)
“DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS” (Jan. 4): To score points with his boss, a businessman (Paul Rudd) tries to meet the challenge of bringing the biggest fool he can find (Steve Carell) to a social occasion. (PG-13: AS, N, P)
“THE LAST EXORCISM” (Jan. 4): Trying to salvage whatever he still can of his reputation, an exposed pseudo-exorcist (Patrick Fabian) has a camera crew record his attempt to save a girl’s soul. (PG-13: AS, P, V)
“MACHETE” (Jan. 4): Danny Trejo, usually a supporting player, gets a showcase role in the Robert Rodriguez-co-directed saga of an ex-lawman on a path of revenge. Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba and Steven Seagal also star. (R: AS, N, P, GV)
“PIRANHA” (Jan. 11): Available in the 3-D form in which it played in theaters (as well as regular 2-D), this update of the cult-classic thriller stars Elisabeth Shue as a sheriff trying to protect her populace from deadly fish. (R: AS, N, P, GV)
FAMILY-VIEWING GUIDE KEY: AS, adult situations; N, nudity; P, profanity; V, violence; GV, particularly graphic violence.
(c)2010 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
