From Deseret News archives:

'The Producers' arrives on DVD

Published: Thursday, May 18, 2006 1:27 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Here are three recent films that have arrived on DVD this week, along with four reissued discs of popular titles — dude, like, including, like, "Napoleon Dynamite." Geez!

"The Producers" (Universal, 2005, PG-13, $29.98). This remake of Mel Brooks' 1968 Oscar-winning film (he won for original screenplay) is an adaptation of the popular Broadway musical, with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick reprising their stage roles.

The story has a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer (Lane) scheming with a high-strung accountant (Broderick) to mount the worst play ever written, a sure flop — after collecting way too much money from way too many investors. The play? "Springtime for Hitler."

The stars — especially Lane — are right at home in this over-the-top farce, and though it's a bit strained at times, there are some funny sequences. Co-stars include Uma Thurman (sexy and hysterical) and Will Ferrell (as the German playwright, right at home in this broad-comedy setting).

Extras: Separate widescreen and full-frame editions, audio commentary (director Susan Stroman), deleted scenes, making-of featurette, bloopers, language options (English, French), subtitle options (English, Spanish, French), chapters.

Story continues below
"Something New" (Universal, 2006, PG-13, $29.98). The title notwithstanding, this is a romantic comedy-drama that trods familiar territory, as a black career woman (the winning Sanaa Lathan) is romanced by a white landscape architect (Simon Baker), much to the chagrin of her family and friends. Nothing spectacular, but the players are all good, including Alfre Woodard, Blair Underwood and Donald Faison (TV's "Scrubs").

Extras: Separate widescreen and full-frame editions, introduction (Blair Underwood), making-of featurettes, subtitle options (English, Spanish, French), chapters.

"Winter Passing" (Fox, 2005; R for language, sex, partial nudity, drugs; $27.98). The usually charming Zooey Deschanel is unable to shine in this dark mood-swing comedy-drama. She stars as an unhappy (and unlikable) struggling actress/cokehead who returns home to retrieve (and sell) love letters exchanged by her father (Ed Harris) and her recently deceased mother, both famous novelists. An uneasy reunion follows as Deschanel discovers her alcoholic dad has turned over the house to a former female student and a strange slacker (Will Ferrell, ill at ease doing very dry comic relief). Amy Madigan (Harris' real-life wife) plays the literary agent in pursuit of the letters.

Extras: Widescreen/full-frame versions, making-of featurette, subtitle options (English, Spanish), chapters.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image
Andrew Schwartz, Universal Studios

Nathan Lane, left, and Matthew Broderick reprise their stage roles in film version of "The Producers."

previousnext

Latest comments

True. It's not terribly funny and if it has any effect on society, it won't...

Letters: Christian founders

What else would you expect to find in a book called "The Founders on Religion"?

5A: Davis runs over Hunter

Ok not to be rude here, but check the stats, Hinds isnt first in yards and...

t-hinds = best player in utah

Anonymous: Was that English? I though conservatives believed if you are in...

Attack meant to kill apostle

Wow! Glad the Lord kept you safe. Separate comment: That was a horrible...

5A: Bingham rolls to title game

I have never been to a Utah high school game before as I am not from the...

Sponsor for gay-rights bills found

It would behoove the above commenters to recall that religion, including our...

Vandals take advantage of young Utes

Only 8000 attendance? BYU had 16,000+ tonight. What is wrong with Ute fans?...

ian you are the 3A MVP If you win next week so just do it that would be nice....

Advertisements
Advertisement