Week of April 7

by Philip Yu    April 6, 2009

In this week's new DVD releases, Oscar winner Kate Winslet is a woman hiding a terrible secret, and a masked crimefighter must save the city from a madman.

Pick of the Week

The Reader Kate Winslet gives an Oscar-winning performance in a haunting love story about truth, reconciliation, and how one generation comes to terms with the crimes of another. Set in post-World War II Germany, 15-year old Michael Berg is unexpectedly drawn into a passionate but secret affair with a mysterious older woman named Hanna, until she suddenly and inexplicably disappears. Years later, the two cross paths again, and Michael is stunned to discover Hanna standing on trial for Nazi war crimes. As Hanna's past is revealed, Michael uncovers a deep secret that will impact both their lives.

Comic Book Adaptation

The Spirit Legendary comic book writer Frank Miller directs a visually inventive adaptation of Will Eisner's classic graphic novels. Gabriel Macht is Denny Colt, a street-hardened hero who rises from the grave and dons the mask of The Spirit, fighting crime from the shadows of Central City. Samuel L. Jackson is The Octopus, a maniacal villain with deranged plans to control the entire city. Then there's the assortment of slinky, dangerous dames -- Eva Mendes, Scarlett Johansson, Sarah Paulson -- who want to seduce, love or kill the masked crusader.

Coming Next Week

The Wrestler Mickey Rourke gives the comeback performance of a lifetime with a triumphant turn as Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a washed-up 1980s-era pro wrestler whose broken body and career have seen better days. In an effort to build a new life, Randy takes a job at a deli, moves in with an aging stripper and tries to reconcile with his estranged daughter. But the prospect of getting back in the ring for one more match proves too tempting to resist -- even if it means risking everything.

First Look

Green Lantern: First Flight Out on July 21: Green Lantern, the DC Universe's ring-wielding galactic guardian, stars in his own feature-length original animated movie, with the voices of Christopher Meloni, Victor Garber and Tricia Helfer. When Hal Jordan first becomes a Green Lantern, he is placed under the supervision of a senior Lantern, Sinestro, only to discover that his mentor is part of a conspiracy that threatens the entire Green Lantern Corps.