By Ray DeRousse

As usual, we have the odd assortment of television shows (Punky Brewster, and for Matt, ‘Allo ‘Allo) and children’s shows (most notably, Veggie Tales) coming out his week on DVD. But there are a few biggies in the bunch that deserve our attention.

P.S. I Love You

The most financially successful of this week’s releases stars Hilary Swank as Holly, an intelligent woman blissfully married to Gerard Butler. Unfortunately, an illness takes his life, leaving poor Holly all alone. But just as her grief seems too heavy to bear, she begins receiving letters from her husband which were written before his death. Each letter leads her into further adventures, and ends with the simple phrase: P.S. I Love You.

My boy KC actually enjoyed this film, as evidenced by his review. I can’t even begin to imagine a romance between Butler and Hilary “Horseface” Swank, but I definitely do not fall into the film’s target demographic. Like soap operas, this exists to give female viewers the fantasy that their concerns in life are the most important in the universe, and that the sole purpose of everything and everyone around them is to coddle their emotions.

The film was moderately successful at the tail end of last year, earning a bit over $53 million at the American box office. Perhaps it might have resonated a bit better had it been directed by someone like Nora Ephron rather than (gasp!) a man like Richard LaGravenese. Here’s the trailer:

Sorry if this preview sounds a little sexist. I just can’t seem to look at films like this without seeing the board meeting in Hollywood during which they construct these things using their chick flick erector sets.

First Sunday

Ice Cube continues to devalue his rap career with yet another “day of the week” comedy. Cube plays Durell, a petty thief in league with his best buddy LeeJohn, played by Tracy Morgan. Durell needs $17,000 at the end of one week or his girlfiend loses her shop and moves to Atlanta, taking their son with her. So of course, they decide to rob a church. Highlarious highjinks ensue.

No, this is not a sequel to Cube’s Friday or Next Friday or The Following Friday or The Second Friday Of Next Month. I’m not even sure why every one of Cube’s movies need to include a day of the week in the title. Personally, I wait on pins and needles for Cube’s next big screen comedy, Welfare Wednesday.

As a white male, I don’t connect with the urban comedies of late. Films like Norbit, which are hugely popular among African Americans, contain over-the-top stereotypes that seem too broad for me. As for Cube, he plays virtually the same character in everything he does: the scowling, pissed-off black man. Morgan, on the other hand, is a likeable screen presence and a genuinely funny guy. No doubt the two play off of each other fairly well. The story, however, leaves much to be desired for a comedy. In fact, this sounds more like a drama. Not sure what they were thinking here. Anyway, this is the rather uninspired trailer:

The film made only $38 million in its theatrical run. NORBIT and FRIDAY made over $100 million while courting similar audiences. Let that be your guide.

Bella

This indie chick flick managed to make some critical waves during its initial run, quite possibly due to its appealing cast of international stars.

An international soccer star played by Eduardo Verestegui, while on his way to sign a major contract in New York, has an incident occur that ends his soccer career. Meanwhile, a struggling New York waitress played by Tammy Blanchard has a chance meeting with the soccer player, and their lives are turned upside down by love. Of course, she’s pregnant with another man’s child.

You know, just like it happens in real life.

This film won five film festival awards, including the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival. Which probably means, of course, that it’s a bit better than the standard chick flick fare. The film has an engaging trailer:

Over Her Dead Body

The always-stunning Eva Longoria plays Kate, who is killed on her wedding day. Her fiance Henry (Paul Rudd), devastated by grief because he was unable to consummate his marriage to this magnificent creature, consults a psychic (Lake Bell) in order to communicate with her. They fall in love. Unfortunately, Kate’s ghost doesn’t particularly care for these developments, and proceeds to haunt them. Hijinks ensue.

Who are we rooting for here? Is Kate the empathetic person, or should we be rooting instead for this couple to bond despite her interference? Let’s consult the trailer for a better look:

Looks dumb. The film made a paltry $7 million at the box office despite the power of Longoria and Rudd in the cast. By comparison, I could make $7 million with a film featuring me standing stationary in the nude for two hours.

I’m Not There

Director Todd Haynes, one of the stranger directors in recent memory, crafts a film around the early years of acclaimed musician Bob Dylan. To flesh out his story, Haynes employs a unique technique - use different actors to play Dylan during various phases of his career.

What a cast he uses, too. Dylan is played by Cate Blanchett, Christian Bale, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, Marcus Carl Franklin, and Ben Whishaw. Each one brings a unique twist on Dylan’s early life, while the technique Haynes employs perfectly mirrors the shapeshifting quality of Dylan’s career. I have a DVD review of this one coming soon.

Meanwhile, here’s the trailer:

While Blanchett (rightly) received most of the acclaim for her portrayal, it is sad to see Ledger’s moody take on the musician and realize that it’s the second-to-last complete performance from this guy. While I am not a fan of Dylan’s music, the film creates a mystical atmosphere that is difficult to escape … which is probably why it only made $4 million dollars at the box office.

Under The Radar Pick: Teeth

Virginal high school student Dawn (Jess Wiexler) represses her sexuality by actively participating in the school chastity group. However, when she is sexually assaulted one night, she discovers that her vagina has a dental plan and a particular taste for blood. Soon young Dawn discovers the pitfalls - and power - of having vagina dentata.

I mean, seriously … if you like cheesy horror flicks with a ton of laughs and gore, how do you NOT want to see this? The makers of this thing are true genuises; the concept alone makes you giggle in anticipatory glee.

Here is the brilliant trailer:

Almost unbelievably, this film made under $1 million dollars. Either the thing wasn’t marketed correctly, or people were genuinely creeped-out by the subject matter. It never came to my city, so I didn’t get a chance to see it theatrically. But I assure you, I will be seeing it on DVD. You should, too.

Aside from one artistically-worthwhile film and one killer B-movie, the pickins are slim on DVD this week. This will give you a better shot at seeing IRON MAN in theaters, or SPEED RACER this coming weekend. I strongly encourage both. And please, the weather is nice right now … go outside and do something in the sunshine.