· · · · ·

• "Deal" — (MGM, 2008, PG-13, $27.98). This lazy yarn stars Burt Reynolds, who sleepwalks through his role as a former poker star who sees something in young card-playing addict Bret Harrison and decides to mentor him.

They win big, they lose big, they have a falling out, they square off in the big tournament finale — but you'll probably be snoozing long before it comes to that.

Shannon Elizabeth, as the token love interest, has a small role with a twist that you can see coming. And professional poker players show up to prove they can't act, while Jennifer Tilly, who is both a poker pro and an Oscar-nominated actress, seems to have forgotten how to act.

If you're a fan of the genre, view "Lucky You" or "The Cincinnati Kid" or "A Big Hand for the Little Lady" or any number of other poker-themed movies before you bother with this one.

Extras: widescreen, featurette (on how to play Texas Hold 'Em), trailer

---

E-mail: hicks@desnews.com