“Blow” Blu-ray: Here is a movie about the deglamorization of glamorous people living it up in the presumably glamorous world of drugs. Based on real-life drug smuggler George Jung (Johnny Depp), a boring dope from Massachusetts who ruled the cocaine market in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s, “Blow” is ultimately more about charisma than it is about truth, more about Depp’s smooth strut and tousled hair than it is about George Jung’s fatal flaws – his stupidity, desperation, ego and small-town greed. The flawed movie is less about its characters and more about mimicry – specifically, mimicking Martin Scorsese’s “GoodFellas” and “Casino.” But what truly kills “Blow” is its sluggish pace, its struggle for an epic tone and the director’s inability to make us take any of the action and the characters seriously. The film is supposed to be about the ramifications of peddling illegal substances and the ugliness of substance abuse, but since it’s lacking in substance itself, it never makes that critical connection with the audience. Rated R. Grade: D+

“Boston Legal: Season Four”: A marvelous show – a spinoff of “The Practice” – with one of the best casts working on television. Dialogue, characters and story come together seamlessly in this jaunty legal dramedy, with James Spader and William Shatner mining a chemistry no one could have expected. The ending of each show is the mint on the pillow, with these two cutting loose over brandy and a cigar in ways that nicely loosen up network TV. Add the acidity of Candice Bergen, who continues to ride a high here, and you have one of the best series on television. Grade: A

“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Season Three”: A dark, irreverent series that always has felt like a hybrid of “Seinfeld,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Arrested Development,” with a dash of “Cheers,” since the show takes place at a bar. The premise is simple – in fact, it’s about nothing. The three male owners of Paddy’s Irish Pub (Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, Charlie Day) spar daily with bartender Sweet Dee (Kaitlin Olson), who will remind viewers of Elaine from “Seinfield” – only amplfied. Danny DeVito joined the cast in the second season, and as you’d expect, his involvement only lifts an already engaging comedy. Grade: B

“Torchwood: Complete Second Series”: From the BBC, a sci-fi spinoff of the network’s “Doctor Who” franchise, with a solid dose of sex meant to spice up the proceedings. And it does. Thematically, the two shows are closely interlinked – the very name is an anagram of “Doctor Who” – but in terms of quality, this second season of the series suggests it still has a way to go before it matches the sheer inventiveness of its inspiration. The show stars John Barrowman as Capt. Jack Harkness, who leads a small task force of geeks gleaning alien technology to undo their share of aliens, while in this season Harkness is faced with elements that give the show a shot of drama – the presence of his former lover (James Marsters), not to mention the fleeting, unexpected appearance of his brother Gray (Laclan Nieboer). Grade: B+

WeekinRewind.com is the site for Bangor Daily News film critic Christopher Smith’s blog, DVD giveaways and archive of movie reviews. Smith’s reviews appear Mondays, Fridays and weekends in Lifestyle, as well as on bangordailynews.com. He may be reached at Christopher@week

inrewind.com.

Who wins? Maybe you.

On the fence when it comes to this year?s presidential election? Can?t quite decide which candidate is for you? Bangor Daily News film critic Christopher Smith has two new Biography Channel DVD giveaways that offer insight into the lives of Barack Obama and John McCain. Log on to Smith?s blog, Weekinrewind.com, for your chance to win one of five copies (each) of ?Barack Obama? and ?John McCain.? Because, really, when it comes right down to it, an educated vote is the only responsible way to vote.