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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, June 13, 2008

Releases cover everything from drama to history

By Bruce Dancis
McClatchy-Tribune News Service

  • "Jumper"

    One and two discs, Fox Home Entertainment, rated PG-13

    Directed by Doug Liman ("The Bourne Identity," "Mr. & Mrs. Smith"), this adventure story stars Hayden Christensen as a man who can instantly transport himself to any place on Earth. Unfortunately, he finds that not everyone appreciates his talent.

    The single-disc edition comes with an audio commentary by Liman, writer-producer Simon Kinberg and producer Lucas Foster, and two short features; the two-disc special edition adds six deleted scenes, two more short features and the animated graphic novel "Jumpstart: David's Story."

  • "The Bucket List"

    Warner Home Video, PG-13

    Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman (one's a billionaire, the other's a mechanic) team up as cancer patients sharing a hospital room and grim diagnoses who decide to enjoy together many of the experiences they've missed.

    Bonus features include a John Mayer music video, an interview with screenwriter Justin Zackham and a DVD-ROM link to more.

  • "The Other Boleyn Girl"

    Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, PG-13

    Based on Philippa Gregory's novel, if not on historical fact, this costume drama is about the two Boleyn sisters — Anne (Natalie Portman) and Mary (Scarlett Johansson) and their efforts to catch the eye and win the affection of King Henry VIII (Eric Bana).

    Special features include camera tests narrated by director Justin Chadwick, deleted scenes, biographies of the principal players and two documentaries — "To Be a Lady" and "Translating History to the Screen."

  • "4 Months 3 Weeks and 2 Days"

    Genius Products, not rated

    Set during the final years of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu's reign, when abortion was illegal, director Cristian Mungiu's film is about two college roommates trying to set up a black-market abortion.

    The film is in Romanian with English subtitles. There are no extra features.

  • "John Adams"

    Three discs, HBO Video, PG

    Led by Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney as John and Abigail Adams, this miniseries was one of the highlights of the current TV season and an excellent addition to American history on film.

    Based on David McCullough's biography, the seven-part miniseries provides an Adams'-eye view, from the events leading up to the American Revolution and the writing and signing of the Declaration of Independence to Adams' difficult term as the second president.

    Bonus features include an interview with McCullough, a behind-the-scenes documentary and more.

  • "High Noon: 2-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition"

    Two discs, Lionsgate, not rated

    Gary Cooper won an Oscar for his performance as frontier lawman Will Kane, who is forced to stand up alone against a gang of vengeful bad guys in Fred Zinnemann's memorable — and controversial — Western.

    Bonus features include a commentary by the children of Cooper, director Fred Zinnemann, screenwriter Carl Foreman and singer Tex Ritter; four documentaries; and more.