Danny Boyle's 'Trance' and classic Jack Benny
A modern mystery and a classic TV show top this week's new DVD releases. Trance, Grade B: When a painting ends up missing after a failed robbery attempt, thieves try to find out from Simon (James McAvoy), who is in charge of the painting's security, what happened to the artwork. An injury during the robbery has left Simon with no memory of what happened. The last hope is to send him to Elizabeth Lamb, a hypnotherapist (Rosario Dawson), to see if she can unlock the information.
A modern mystery and a classic TV show top this week's new DVD releases.
Trance, Grade B: When a painting ends up missing after a failed robbery attempt, thieves try to find out from Simon (James McAvoy), who is in charge of the painting's security, what happened to the artwork. An injury during the robbery has left Simon with no memory of what happened. The last hope is to send him to Elizabeth Lamb, a hypnotherapist (Rosario Dawson), to see if she can unlock the information.
Director Danny Boyle dives deep into the psyche to look at what makes people act the way they do with movies like Slumdog Millionaire and 127 Hours. His latest film continues that approach, but it becomes far more complicated because he weaves fact and fantasy together so tightly it's hard to tell where the thresholds exist.
The Jack Benny Program, The Lost Episodes, Grade B+: This three-DVD collection features 18 episodes of the television series that have been restored by the UCLA Film & Television Archive. Featuring the deadpan humor of Jack Benny, they have not been available since their original broadcast.
The episodes feature guest stars including Natalie Wood, Red Skelton, Gary Cooper, George Burns, John Wayne, Dick Van Dyke, Billy Graham, Milton Berle, Tony Curtis, even President Harry Truman.
Also new on DVD:
Mystery Science Theater 3000, XXVI: Movies in the set include The Slime People, Rocket Attack USA, Village of the Giants, and The Deadly Mantis.
The Silence: Director Baran bo Odar's look at an unsolved murder case just as a new 13-year-old girl's body has been found.
Ginger and Rosa: Coming-of-age story of two best friends whose relationship is affected by the events of the 1960s.
The Wedding Chapel: Shelley Long stars in this story about falling in love, forgiving, and embracing new beginnings.
The Gangster: The film is based on the true story of a gangster and the Bangkokian mafia.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Season 3: Includes all 47 episodes of the entire third season of the '80s TV series.
Kiss of the Damned: A beautiful vampire tries to resist the powerful feelings she has developed for a human screenwriter.
Hammerhead: Ian Holm narrates the documentary on the sea creatures.