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An action-packed collection, “The Bourne Trilogy” (Universal, $94.98), and a classic comedy, “Groundhog Day” (Sony, 1993, $28.95), top this week’s impressive list of Blu-ray titles.
Matt Damon plays Jason Bourne in the trio of thrillers that pulsate even more in the high-definition DVD format.
“The Bourne Identity” (2002) opens with the body of a man (Damon) floating in the stormy Mediterranean Sea being picked up by an Italian fishing boat. The man has two bullet holes in his back and is seemingly on the brink of death. He also has a small laser device implanted in his body that contains the number of Swiss bank account.
He is nursed back to health by the fishermen but suffers from amnesia and can’t remember who he is. Eventually, he is put ashore and heads to Zurich to see what is in the account. At the bank, he finds several passports with his picture on them and comes to believe that his name is Jason Bourne. Still, he can’t recall anything about his background.
Bourne becomes even more desperate to find out about his life after he realizes someone is out to kill him. Back in America, Conklin (Chris Cooper) heads up the CIA’s Treadstone Project, which was organized to carry out assassinations around the world. It turns out Bourne is one of their agents. When Conklin discovers he’s alive, the order goes out to agents everywhere to get rid of Bourne.
Meanwhile, Bourne has headed to Paris with the help of a girl named Marie (Franka Potente). There, he hopes to uncover even more information about himself. In the process, he puts himself and Marie in grave danger. It all makes for fast-paced piece of entertainment.
“The Bourne Supremacy” (2004) has Bourne and Marie living in hiding, supposedly far away from any CIA operatives. But when a CIA agent is killed and $3 million of the agency’s money is stolen, the organization is convinced Bourne is behind it all. The reason? A partial fingerprint of Bourne’s is found at the scene of the crime.
Although Bourne has been framed, CIA agents are again given orders to kill. After an assassination attempt on his life fails, Bourne comes out of hiding to find out some answers and why he is being targeted again. It makes for another edge-of-the-seat outing.
“The Bourne Ultimatum” (2007) picks up where “Supremacy” left off, with Bourne in Moscow trying to elude assassins. Bourne continues his search to learn more about his identity while also becoming the object of attempts to bump him off. On his way to London, Bourne reads a newspaper story that sets him on a path that might finally give him the answers he has been seeking. As in the previous films, Damon plays Bourne with just the right urgent but calm demeanor. The trilogy is highly recommended for anyone who likes action and suspense.
“Groundhog Day” (Sony, 1993, $28.95): Can there be anyone who does not like this movie? It’s a fine example of a clever idea being carried out to perfection. Bill Murray plays self-centered Pittsburgh weatherman Phil Connors, who is sent to Punxsutwaney, Pa., to cover the annual Groundhog Day ceremonies. Along for the trip are his producer (Andie McDowell) and cameraman (Chris Elliott). They arrive the day before the festivities.
The next morning, Connors’ alarm clock goes off at 6 a.m. He gets up, dresses and heads out to report on the event. After it’s over, the trio heads back to Pittsburgh but a blizzard forces them to stay overnight again in Punxsutawney. The next morning the alarm again goes off at 6 a.m. Connors gets dressed, goes outside and discovers it is Groundhog Day again. Everything that happened the day before unfolds the same way. The next day, it’s the same thing again. The day repeats itself over and over. Connors is the only one aware of the situation.
Connors begins to alter his routine with each “new” old day. There are plenty of laughs along the way and some serious moments, too. The experience begins to change Connors’ view of life. Directed by Harold Ramis who also directed “Caddyshack” and was involved in writing the scripts for the “Ghostbusters” movies. Highly recommended.
Other Blu-ray releases this week:
“Zodiac” (Paramount, 2007, $36.99): An absorbing account of the unsolved San Francisco Zodiac serial killings that began in 1969, as seen through the eyes of several men who became involved in the case. The movie begins with the July 4 slaying of two teenagers. The killer sends notes to three area newspapers, threatening to kill again if they are not published. He kills again and again.
Homicide detectives David Tuschi (Mark Ruffalo) and William Armstrong (Anthony Edwards) lead the investigation of the case. Despite the clues left behind by the killer, they get nowhere. Meanwhile, newspaper cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) and reporter Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) become obsessed with trying to solve the crime and find the killer. Even after the authorities have given up hope, the two remain dedicated to the case.
Although there are some bloody sequences early in the film, the rest of it focuses on the tedious and time-consuming work carried on by those attempting to track find the murderer’s identity. It also follows the impact the case has on the lives of those working on it. Director David Fincher manages to keep us involved with several suspenseful moments. Highly recommended.
“Any Given Sunday” (Warner, 1999, $28.99): Director Oliver Stone gives us his take on the world of pro football with this film that is almost impossible not to watch. Every character has his or her share of flaws and has mastered practically every four-letter word known to mankind. Al Pacino plays coach Tony D’Amato, who is trying to turn around the struggling Miami Sharks. D’Amato is an old school keep-it-on-the-ground coach who must change his philosophy.
Jamie Foxx plays Willie Beamen, the third-string quarterback who is forced into action after the team’s first two quarterbacks are sidelined. Beamen becomes a sensation. Cameron Diaz plays the team’s owner who wants to the team to win only so she can sell it at a handsome price. The film covers everything in pro football from the use of painkillers to the viciousness of the game itself.
Also in the cast are James Woods, Dennis Quaid, LL Cool J, Matthew Modine, Ann-Margret and football legends Jim Brown and Lawrence Taylor. Stone himself appears as a play-by-play announcer. How on the mark the film is in its portrayal of pro football is anybody’s guess. But it’s a heckuva well-done movie. Recommended.
“Lakeview Terrace” (Sony, 2008, $39.95): Samuel L, Jackson stars as Abel Turner, a veteran LAPD police officer with a chip on his shoulder. When Lisa (Kerry Washington) and Chris Mattson (Patrick Wilson), an interracial couple, move next door to Turner, he is not happy about having them as neighbors. Not approving of mixed marriages, Turner begins to harass them. Making their lives miserable soon becomes an obsession with him. The situation heats up when the couple decides to fight back. This thought-provoking film is recommended.
“Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (Genius, 2008, $34.99): Considering Woody Allen directed this comedy-drama, it’s not surprising that it has its share of interesting characters. Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) are best friends who decide to spend part of the summer in Spain at the home of Vicky’s relatives. Cristina is the more adventurous of the two while Vicky is much more grounded. They become involved with an abstract artist, which leads to several funny complications.
“Pride & Glory” (New Line, 2008, $35.99): When a drug bust goes wrong and four cops are killed, Ray Tierney (Edward Norton) leads an investigation that uncovers corruption in the police department. He also discovers evidence that could rock his family, which has been associated with the NYPD for generations. Also in the cast are Colin Farrell and Jon Voight.
“RocknRolla” (Warner, 2008, $35.99): Here’s a look at the London underworld, with Tom Wilkinson playing British mobster Lenny Cole, who seems to thoroughly enjoy the life he has chosen. There are all sorts of people he has to deal with including a Russian gangster who wants a piece of the action.
“Open Season 2” (Sony, 2009, $39.95): All the animals are back in a computer-animated sequel to the original 2006 theatrical release. This is direct-to-video production. The kids will enjoy it.
