Cruise still rocks in 'Risky,' 25 years later
This week, we catch up on some recent DVD releases you might have missed.
"Risky Business" (25th Anniversary Edition) - Everyone remembers the signature scene from "Risky Business": Tom Cruise dancing in his underwear to Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock 'n' Roll." You might have forgotten, though, how smart and dark the rest of the movie is. Writer-director Paul Brickman, a North Shore native, adds a surreal, satirical bite to the teen-sex-comedy formula, and the result is a hilarious hybrid of fantasy and nightmare. Cruise, who became a star with this performance, plays Joel, a Glencoe teen who turns his home into a brothel while his parents are away. Rebecca De Mornay lights up the screen as Joel's liberated prostitute-girlfriend who also serves as his de facto business manager. Superficial aspects of the film might seem dated, especially Tangerine Dream's synth-laden score, but I think "Risky Business" holds up well as a funny look at adolescence and a biting satire of suburban materialism. This 25th anniversary DVD includes lots of priceless extras, including Cruise's endearingly awkward screen tests. (R; Warner Home Video, $19.96)
"Forgetting Sarah Marshall" (three-disc special edition) - Jason Segel, a veteran of the cult-favorite "Freaks and Geeks" television series, wrote and stars in this sweet and funny comedy, which Judd Apatow produced. Segel plays schlubby man-child Peter, who's just been dumped by his beautiful actress-girlfriend (Kristen Bell). While in full mourning, he meets sexy hotel clerk Rachel (Mila Kunis), who tries to help him grow up. The movie delivers plenty of the raunchy humor that is now an Apatow trademark, but never at the expense of the story's romantic center. This special edition comes with an unrated cut of the film and tons of supplements, including a commentary, deleted scenes and hilarious outtakes. (R and NR; Universal, $34.98)
"L.A. Confidential" (two-disc special edition) - Director Curtis Hanson and a fantastic cast (led by a then-unknown actor named Russell Crowe) delivered one of the best crime films in recent memory back in 1997 with "L.A. Confidential." Based on a novel by James Ellroy, this suspenseful, brutal thriller set in 1950s Los Angeles reminds me of moody '70s classics like "Chinatown" and "The French Connection." Warner Bros. has replaced a previous DVD release of "Confidential" with this nifty two-disc set, which includes a commentary and a wealth of fascinating behind-the-scenes material. (R; Warner Home Video, $20.97)
"Sports Night: The Complete Series" (10th anniversary edition) - If, like me, you missed this fantastic Aaron Sorkin show when it aired a decade ago, now's the time to check it out. Sorkin rewrote the rules of television sitcoms with "Sports Night," which revolves around the people who put together a SportsCenter-like cable sports program in New York City. The half-hour episodes feel like mini-movies, with stories that rely on witty dialogue (delivered in Sorkin's now-familiar rapid style), strong characters and inventive staging. This eight-disc box set includes all 45 episodes of the show (it lasted just two seasons, despite critical acclaim) and a wealth of bonus features. It's an excellent presentation of one of television's better moments. (NR: Shout! Factory, $60.99)