Week of September 8

by Philip Yu    September 8, 2009

America's Best Dance Spoof

Dance Flick The Wayans Brothers bring their special brand of nothing-is-sacred spoofing to Hollywood's dance genre, parodying movies like 'Step Up' and 'Save the Last Dance.' Street dancer Thomas Uncles is from the wrong side of the tracks, but his bond with the beautiful Megan White might help the duo realize their dreams as they enter into the mother of all dance battles. Sure, you've seen these moves before, but after the Wayans take their shots, you'll never look at them the same again.

Behind the Fashions

Valentino: The Last Emperor A colorful documentary portrait of the celebrated life and career of Valentino Garavani, the man behind the legendary couture label Valentino. With unprecedented access, director Matt Tyrnauer focuses on the period between Valentino's seventieth birthday and his final couture show, as well as his significant contributions to the field of fashion. At the heart of the film is a love story: the unique and endearing relationship between Valentino and Giancarlo Giammetti, his business partner, lover, best friend and confidante of 50 years.

Still Going

Crank 2 High Voltage Picking up right where he left off, Jason Statham jumps back into action as hitman Chev Chelios, who is kidnapped by a mysterious mobster and wakes up to discover his nearly indestructible heart has been surgically removed and replaced with a battery-operated ticker that requires regular jolts of electricity in order to work. Determined to get his real heart back and wreak vengeance on whoever stole it, Chev embarks on an electrifying chase through Los Angeles where anything goes to stay alive.

Out of the Vault

The Buttercup Chain "When two people are in love they're a couple. When four people are in love they're the Buttercup Chain." After gathering dust on the shelf for decades, an obscure-but-groovy little gem comes to DVD for the first time. An official selection of the 1970 Cannes Film Festival, this curious story explores friendship, love and dependency between four inseparable friends -- an emotionally unstable young man, his depressed sister, a kind Swedish architect, and a free-spirited American student touring Europe.