Indiana Jones' latest adventure still delivers action, effects
"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"
It's been 19 years since the last Indiana Jones film, and this one delivers. It has all the action and adventure of its predecessors, along with great photography, clever dialogue and great special effects.
The story takes place in 1957 at an American bomb-testing base in Nevada, where Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) and his friend George McHale (Ray Winstone) are held captive by Russian soldiers led by Dr. Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett). She wants Jones to find information for her on some crystal skulls that will give the Russians ultimate power.
Jones escapes and, while on the run from the KGB, runs into a biker named Mutt Williams (Shia Labeouf) who needs his help in finding Professor Oxley (John Hurt), who is involved with the crystal skulls. It seems that he has been captured along with Mutt's mother, Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen).
The duo heads to Peru, where they are recaptured by the Russians. Indy, George, Oxley, Mutt and his mother escape to the temple with the crystal skulls, where danger awaits. It's a fight to the finish, as old fans and new will love this film.
"Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History"
This great two-disc set is one of the most entertaining and complete documentaries ever produced about the Hollywood musical. Hosted by Shirley Jones, it spans the genre from Busby Berkeley and MGM musicals to "Dreamgirls."
There are more than 50 films featured, including "The Wizard of Oz," "Singin' in the Rain," "Cabaret," "West Side Story," "Oklahoma," "Saturday Night Fever" and others. More than 40 songs and stars are featured along with experts and historians, who give their perspectives about Hollywood musicals through the years.
"Holiday Inn: Collector's Set"
The classic musical comedy is now available in this three-dic set, which includes a new colorized version of the film along with the original black and white, and the CD soundtrack. The bonus features include: a retrospective of Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, the making of the song-and-dance numbers, audio commentary by film historian Ken Barnes with archive comments by Crosby, Astaire and John Scott Trotter and the original theatrical trailer.
"Standard Operating Procedure"
Errol Morris is one of the world's top documentarians. He spent two years putting together this outstanding film about what really happened at the Abu Ghraib detention facility. You will hear from the people themselves, and watch in excruciating detail what went on there. It is a hard film to watch, but one that should be seen.
Available next week
"Alfred Hitchcock: Premiere Collection"
"Casino Royale: 40th Anniversary Edition"
"Flight of the Red Balloon"
"Incredible Hulk"
"Man From U.N.C.L.E.: Complete Series"
"The Strangers"