DVD Corner

“ER: The Complete Sixth Season”: The melodrama escalates to a fever pitch, but in this sixth season of “ER,” it had to, didn’t it? This is, after all, the first season without Doug Ross (George Clooney), who left the show at the end of the fifth season to apparently become People magazine’s ongoing Sexiest Man Alive. With Alan Alda in several guest appearances, the usual chaos and disorder ensue, with romance and broken hearts hurtling through the doors of Chicago’s Sacred Heart almost as frequently as the injured and the dying. Grade: B

“Invincible”: Based on the real-life 1976 events that led 30-year-old Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg), a struggling substitute teacher and bartender on the south side of Philadelphia, to be chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles’ Dick Vermeil (Greg Kinnear) to play ball. His success was critical in lifting not only himself, but also Philadelphia, which at that point needed to get behind somebody who embodied the best elements of themselves. Fine performances from Wahlberg, Kinnear and Elizabeth Banks as Vince’s love interest are instrumental in keeping the schmaltz at bay. Rated PG-13. Grade: B

“Little Miss Sunshine”: One of the year’s brightest (and darkest) comedies. It follows the beleaguered Hoover family, a seemingly hopeless wreck of losers who reluctantly back their one shred of hope – endearing, 7-year-old Olive (Abigail Breslin, terrific) – when this goofy, bespectacled girl is chosen by default to participate in the Little Miss Sunshine pageant in Redondo Beach, Calif. Since the Hoovers live in Albuquerque and have no money, that means an unforgettable road trip is at hand, with everybody in the family climbing aboard a dilapidated Volkswagen bus, itself a metaphor for their broken relationships. Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Steve Carell, Paul Dano and an unforgettable Alan Arkin all do fine work, but it’s the amazing Breslin who steals the show. Grade: B+

“My Super-Ex Girlfriend”: Ivan Reitman’s bawdy comedy imagines Uma Thurman as G-Girl, a neurotic, golden-haired superhero who routinely saves the day while patrolling the skies of New York City. In her secret life as a superhero, G-Girl is so hot, she hits the spot. But in the double life she leads as the mousy Jenny Johnson, she is lonely beyond reason until a successful first date with Matt Saunders (Luke Wilson). Jenny is so taken by him, her superpowered wall of self-protection dissolves, a relationship blooms, and so does Jenny’s controlling neediness, which suggests she’s dangerously off kilter, as Matt disastrously finds out. Anna Faris and Eddie Izzard round the cast in one of summer’s best diversions. Grade: A-

“Supergirl”: More like “Mediocregirl.” Helen Slater takes the title role and makes the most of it in spite of a clumsy comic tone that has the effect of kryptonite – it weakens an already dim script. Overacting along the fringes are a bevy of relics – Faye Dunaway, Brenda Vaccaro, Peter O’Toole – but one suspects this risible movie likely is absent from their vita. As for Supergirl, G-Girl could take her down in a minute. Rated PG. Grade: C-

“Superman: The Movie” – DVD, HD DVD, Blu-ray: Here is your man of steel. Yes, Superman returned last summer with Brendan Routh in the lead, but he was no match for the terrific 1978 original with Christopher Reeve. This movie leaps, it soars – it does everything you hope it will do, and then it surpasses those expectations by offering more. The relationship between Reeve’s Superman and Margot Kidder’s Lois Lane is one of cinema’s great love affairs, every bit as influential as, say, anything that unfolded at Tara. The film also is available in an excellent, comprehensive four-disc edition. The high-definition HD DVD and Blu-ray transfers only improve on what’s already great. Rated PG. Grade: A

“Superman II: 2-Disc Edition” and “Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut”- DVD, HD DVD, Blu-ray”: Call it “Superman Redux,” with the cast from the first film returning. Here, Gene Hackman’s Lex Luthor, recently bust out of prison, is up to his old menace, as are Non (Jack O’Halloran), Ursa (Sarah Douglas) and Gen. Zod (Terence Stamp). Director Richard Lester received sole credit for the 1981 theatrical cut, though it was Donner who delivered most of the goods. Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder strengthen their zing, but let’s not forget Valerie Perrine as Miss Teschmacher, whose relationship with Luthor – and Superman – is one of the best parts of the show. Marlon Brando’s scenes were cut to save millions in Lester’s version, but in the Donner version, they’re restored. Fans should know that Donner’s film is a rough cut, with his footage and editing choices interlaced with scenes shot by Lester. Rated PG. Grade: A-

“24: Season 5”: Kiefer Sutherland back as Jack Bauer, who this time out finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy to control Central Asia’s oil supply. Amid the intrigue, brooding glances and gunfire, love enters the equation, as do several entertaining twists. From the get-go, we’re off and running, with this particular series tighter and nastier than anything that came before it. Grade: B+

“The Wicker Man”: Somebody, please, burn it at the stake. Here, in the worst movie of 2006, Academy Award-winning actress Ellen Burstyn appears in a fright wig and “Braveheart” makeup, flapping her arms as she wends around giant beehives and trips through utopian woods with her creepy island “sisters” hot on her tail. Also here is Academy Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage, the star of the show, who at one point dons a bear suit and dances in what essentially is his own little parade of death. What were they thinking? All of this and so much more (and so much less) unfolds in “The Wicker Man,” which is the sort of movie that’s so bad, it takes three good movies to get over it. Grade: BOMB