Thursday, Sep. 04, 2008

What's new in entertainment

A look at what's new in movies, books, music, television, video games and DVDs for the weekend.

MOVIES:

"BANGKOK DANGEROUS"
Nicolas Cage stars in this thriller as a hit man hired by a Bangkok crime boss to carry out four assassinations. His assignment gets more complicated when he falls for a shopkeeper and forms an attachment to the young thief he's hired to assist him. With Shahkrit Yamnarm and Charlie Young. Directed by Oxide Pang and Danny Pang, who have remade their 1999 film of the same title. Released by Lionsgate. Rated R.
Official movie site
What the critics say:
"Parts of 'Bangkok Dangerous,' far from seeming unfamiliar or freshly stylized, offer nothing that you couldn’t catch in an episode of 'CSI.'"
-Anthony Lane, The New Yorker
"The remake feels like a hollow excuse to present the myriad ways in which a bullet can pierce a cranium."
-Jordan Mintzer, Variety

OPENING IN LIMITED RELEASE (check local listings):

"MISTER FOE"
After his mother dies, a young man named Hallam (Jamie Bell) develops a taste for voyeurism in this provocative, acidly funny film from Scotland. When his home life becomes unbearable after his father remarries, Hallam takes off and quickly finds adventure and bizarre romance in the city. With Ciaran Hinds, Claire Forlani and Sophia Myles. Directed by David Mackenzie. Released by Magnolia Pictures. Not rated.
Official movie site
What the critics say:
"'Mister Foe' is much more than just another well-made coming-of-age drama. It goes deeper, and stays longer, kicking around in your head."
-Steven Rea, The Philadelphia Inquirer
"The story is rooted in the grim emotion of paralyzing grief, yet the story is wildly entertaining."
-Kirk Honeycutt, The Hollywood Reporter

"PING PONG PLAYA"
An independent comedy about a Chinese-American slacker (Jimmy Tsai) who dreams of becoming a basketball player but instead must defend his family's honor in a local ping-pong tournament. With Andrew Vo, Khary Payton, Jim Lau and Roger Fan. Directed by Jessica Yu. Released by IFC Films. Rated PG-13.
Official movie site
What the critics say:
"A winning comedy that entertainingly elevates a low-profile sport."
-Justin Lowe, The Hollywood Reporter
"A good, clean, fun comedy."
-Peter Debruge, Variety

DVD:

"Baby Mama"
A comedy about a driven executive named Kate (Tina Fey of "30 Rock") who learn she can't conceive and turns to working-class woman Angie ("Saturday Night Live"'s Amy Poehler) to be the surrogate mother of her child. Everything's fine until Angie turns up at Kate's door, needing a place to stay. With Greg Kinnear, Dax Shepard and Sigourney Weaver. Directed by Michael McCullers. Released by Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Rated PG-13. Available Sept. 9.

"The Big Lebowski - 10th Anniversary Edition"
This special edition of the Coen brothers' cult comedy includes bonus features such as "The Dude Abides: 'The Big Lebowski' ten years later" and "The Lebowski Fest: An Achiever's Story." Starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi and Julianne Moore. Released by Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Rated R. Available Sept. 9.

"The Fall"
A visually lavish mix of fantasy and drama about a paralyzed stuntman (Lee Pace) who spins wild tales for a little girl (Catinca Untaru) with a broken arm as they both recover at a California hospital in 1915. Directed by Tarsem Singh. Released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Rated R. Available Sept. 9.

"The Forbidden Kingdom"
Jackie Chan and Jet Li team up in this action film about a teenager obsessed with martial arts movies who discovers a weapon once owned by a legendary warrior and sage known as the Monkey King. Before you can say "Bruce Lee" he's whisked off to ancient China to help a rescue party free the imprisoned Monkey King. With Crystal Liu and Collin Chou. Directed by Rob Minkoff. Released by Lionsgate. Rated PG-13. Available Sept. 9.

"Fox Horror Classics Collection, Vol. 2"
This collection includes "Dr. Renault's Secret," "Dragonwyck" and "Chandu the Magician," plus loads of extras, including two vintage "Dragonwyck" radio shows performed by Vincent Price. Released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. All films are unrated. Available Sept. 9.

"Grey's Anatomy - Season 4"
Season four is more of the same, which means excessive self-absorption courtesy of Dr. Meredith Grey. Includes extended episodes, unaired scenes and outtakes. Released by Touchstone/Disney. Not rated. Available Sept. 9.

"In Treatment"
HBO's drama about a troubled therapist (Emmy-nominated Gabriel Byrne), four of his patients and the therapist he confides in arrives on DVD. Released by HBO. Not rated. Available Sept. 9.

"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Season 3 "
The third season of FX's dark comedy about Philly slackers includes "Meet the McPoyles" and "Dancing Guy" featurettes, plus a gag reel. Released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Not rated. Available Sept. 9.

"Smallville - Season 7"
The most recent season of the show about a young Clark Kent introduced familiar DC Comics characters Black Canary and Braniac and saw Lois Lane going to work at The Daily Planet. Released by Warner Home Video. Not rated. Available Sept. 9.

"Ugly Betty - Season 2"
Ahead of the season three premiere on Sept. 25, season two arrives on disc to remind you that something of a cliffhanger occurred last time as Betty was faced with a difficult choice. Released by Touchstone/Disney. Not rated. Available Sept. 9.

VIDEO GAMES:

Note: Release dates subject to change without notice.

"Active Life Outdoor Challenge"
A collection of games that includes virtual versions of river rafting, mine-cart adventure and log jumping, all of which take advantage of the Wii controller's unique features. Published by Namco Bandai Games for Nintendo Wii. Rated E. Available Sept. 9.

"Hell's Kitchen: The Video Game"
Pretend you're a browbeaten contestant on the reality show. Prepare meals while Chef Gordon Ramsay either praises or berates you. As you get better you get access to the chef's very own recipes. Published by UBI Soft for Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and PC. Rated T. Available Sept. 9.

"NHL 2009"
This new version of the hockey game changes last year's by including a way to defeat the Skill Stick and play better defense. Career mode lets players rise to the big leagues and challenge the game's best. Published by Electronic Arts for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. Rated E-10+. Available Sept. 9 (Wii version available Sept. 8).

"NHL 2K9"
The updated version of this hockey game allows players to assemble a team of up to 8 for online games. Published by 2K Sports for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. Available Sept. 8.

"Spore Creatures"
This game allows players to evolve their own customized species, befriend and fight other creatures and eventually solve a mystery to save the entire galaxy. Published by Electronic Arts for Nintendo DS. Rated E. Available Sept. 7.

"TNA Impact!"
A wrestling game based on the popular TV show, except this time the outcome isn't preordained. Features some of the show's most popular wrestlers. Published by Midway for Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3. Rated T. Available Sept. 9.

"Zoids Assault"
Take on enemies with an army of giant biomechanical creatures at your disposal in this futuristic tactical war game. Published by Atlus for Xbox 360. Rated T. Available Sept. 9.

MUSIC:

Joan Baez, "Day After Tomorrow": Steve Earle produced and contributed three songs to the folk singer's new disc in which she covers songs by Elvis Costello, Patty Griffin Tom Waits and others. Released by Razor & Tie. In stores Sept. 9.

Jim Brickman, "Unspoken": The Grammy-nominated pianist performs renditions of well-known romantic and sentimental songs including "Over the Rainbow," "Far Away From Home" and "Whisper." Released by Savoy Jazz. In stores Sept. 9.

Eric Benet, "Love and Life": The R&B singer traveled back to his hometown Milwaukee to rediscover his roots for his fourth solo album, which includes the hit single "You're The Only One." Released by Reprise/WEA. In stores Sept. 9.

Natalie Cole, "Still Unforgettable": The singer's latest album is a collection of American standards and includes a long-ago duet with her late father, Nat "King Cole." Released by Rhino/WEA. In stores Sept. 9.

Dave Grusin & Lee Ritenour, "Amparo": This collaboration between jazz veterans Grusin and Ritenour fuses classical melodies with South American traditions. Chris Botti, Renée Fleming, James Taylor, and Joshua Bell appear as guest artists. Released by Decca. In stores Sept. 9.

Lang Lang, "Chopin: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2": The young Chinese piano virtuoso plays two of Chopin's best-known works accompanied by the Vienna Philharmonic and conductor Zubin Mehta. Released by Deutsche Grammophon. In stores Sept. 9.

LL Cool J, "Exit 13": The rapper's final album with Def Jam boasts appearances by 50 Cent, Sheek Louch, Fat Joe, Ryan Leslie, Wyclef Jean, The-Dream, Lil Mo, Grandmaster Caz. Funkmaster Flex and ... Richie Sambora (!). Released by Def Jam. In stores Sept. 9.

Patty Loveless, "Sleepless Nights": Loveless performs classic country songs with help from Vince Gill, Harold Bradley, John Hobbs, Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Harry Stinson, Steve Gibson and Biff Watson. Released by Time Life Records. In stores Sept. 9.

Joan Osborne, "Little Wild One": The singer-songwriter reunites with the producing team that worked on her breakthrough 1995 album "Relish." Released by Time Life Records. In stores Sept. 9.

Jessica Simpson, "Do You Know": Simpson's first country record includes duets with Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Charley Pride. Released by Epic. In stores Sept. 9.

Tricky, "Knowle West Boy": The eclectic English artist fuses some of his earliest influences - post-punk, Two-Tone, reggae, hip hop and pop - into his latest effort. Released by Domino. In stores Sept. 9.

TV:

All times are EDT/PDT.

Sunday, Sept. 7

"America United: In Support of Our Troops": A wide array of musical and comedic talents including Janet Jackson, Toby Keith, Snoop Dogg, ZZ Top and Kathy Griffin are on hand for this special. 9 p.m., ABC.

"True Blood": A new series that blends drama with horror about vampires who co-exist uneasily with humans. From Alan Ball, the creator of "Six Feet Under." 9 p.m., HBO.

"2008 MTV Video Music Awards": Travis Barker, Lupe Fiasco, the Jonas Brothers, Kid Rock, Pink, Rihanna and Lil Wayne are among the performers scheduled for the annual awards show. Actor-comedian Russell Brand ("Forgetting Sarah Marshall") hosts. 9 p.m., MTV.

"Entourage": The fifth season begins with Vince and friends partying in Mexico and hoping to forget Vince's recent failure with the ambitious, disastrous movie "Medellin." 10 p.m., HBO.

Monday, Sept. 8

"Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles": The second season begins with good terminator Cameron's fate still unknown. 8 p.m., Fox.

Tuesday, Sept. 9

"Fringe": "Lost" co-creator J.J. Abrams is behind this mix of science-fiction and horror about an FBI agent who investigates strange cases with the help of a literally mad scientist, among others. 8 p.m., Fox.

"Privileged": A new drama about a bright young Ivy League grad who's hired by a cosmetics mogul to tutor spoiled teenage twins living in Palm Beach, Fla. 9 p.m., The CW.

"Somebodies": BET's first scripted show concerns a group of young African-Americans adjusting to life after college. 10:30 p.m., BET.

Thursday, Sept. 11

"102 Minutes That Changed America": This documentary looks back on the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history by tapping more 100 individual sources. 9 p.m., History Channel.

BOOKS:

Billy Collins, "Ballistics: Poems": The former U.S. poet laureate finds the transcendent in everyday life in this new collection. Published by Random House. In stores Sept. 9.

Jamie Lee Curtis, "Big Words for Little People": The actress and author collaborates again with illustrator Laura Cornell for this book that makes learning new words fun for young readers. Published by HarperCollins. In stores Sept. 9.

Thomas L. Friedman, "Hot, Flat, and Crowded": The New York Times columnist makes the case for rapid change in the face of increasing global warming. Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. In stores Sept. 9.

Barack Obama, "Change We Can Believe In: Barack Obama's Plan to Renew America's Promise": The Democratic presidential candidate lays out his plan to fix America's economy, health care system and foreign policy. Published by Crown Publishing Group. In stores Sept. 9.

Bob Schieffer, "Bob Schieffer's America": A collection of 168 essays on politics and current affairs from the veteran CBS newsman. Published by Penguin. In stores Sept. 9.

Bob Woodward, "The War Within: A Secret White House History 2006-2008, Vol. 4": The fourth volume in Woodward's massive history uses once-secret documents to illuminate the Bush administration's inner workings as it grapples with the ongoing Iraq war. Published by Simon & Schuster. In stores Sept. 9.

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