Imperial Valley News

Hollywood, California - Out On Home Video - by Lisa Miller:

Death Defying Acts (2008) Directed by Gillian Armstrong, Starring Guy Pearce, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Timothy Spall, Saoirse Ronan - Genius/Rated PG/Drama/97 min.

The fictionalized version of Harry Houdini’s search for a credible psychic sees the magician confront his mother issues while enjoying a few moments of bliss with a charming con woman. Guy Pearce appears as Houdini, but the escape artist plays second fiddle to Catherine Zeta-Jones’s Mary McGarvie and her daughter Benji (Saoirse Ronan). The women, impoverished Scottish con artists, are meant to be endearing as they pull off their scams. When Houdini swoops into Edinburgh offering a $10,000 prize to any psychic capable of reciting his mother’s dying words, Mary seizes her opportunity with gusto. Zeta-Jones and Pearce make a striking couple, but the elegant actress hasn’t a desperate bone in her body and Pearce’s performance unwinds as Houdini’s torment turns laughable.

Ronan’s young Benji is a convincing Houdini admirer, while Timothy Spall, portraying Houdini’s manager, Mr. Sugarman, properly conveys his character’s contempt for the schemes of a hifalutin gold-digger. DVD features: commentary with director Gillian Armstrong and producer Marian MacGowan, Making of featurette, trailer, DD 5.1 English language track, Spanish subtitles, widescreen.

Tinker Bell - DVD or Blu-Ray (2008) Directed by Bradley Raymond - Voices of Mae Whitman, Kristin Chenoweth, America Ferrera, Anjelica Huston, Lucy Liu, Jesse McCartney, Kathy Najimy - Buena Vista/Rated G/Animation/78 min.

Amazingly, this disappointing, direct-to-video feature drew a top drawer voice cast. Purported to be Tinker Bell’s origin story, the film positions Peter Pan’s sidekick and her female-dominated fairy world, at its center. Conflict arises after Tink’s talent test, standard issue for a young fairy, determines her lifelong assignment to the job of tinkerer. According to pat Disney formula, her defiance nearly spells disaster before Tink sets things right and recognizes the value of being a team player.

The film’s idealized fairyland is home to sprites made up and accessorized to the nines. Seeing fairies rush to fit into feminine stereotypes, the message that young girls should do the same comes through loud and clear. DVD or Blu-Ray features: 6 deleted scenes, “Fly To Your Heart” Selena Gomez music video, Magical Guide To Pixie Hollow, Ever Wonder, Creating Pixie Hollow, DVD-ROM: Tinker Trainer activity, DD 5.1 SS English, French or Spanish language track(s), widescreen.