'Watchmen' letdown at box office

There haven't been two bigger box-office disappointments in quite some time.

To date, the much-hyped, legally contentious movie version of "Watchmen" has grossed $104 million in ticket sales domestically, and it looks destined to fall short of making back its reported $150-million-plus production budget. The film might break even at best.

Meanwhile, "Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience" has grossed about $19 million in its deservedly short theatrical run.

Say what you will about the R-rated comic book adaptation of "Watchmen," there was ample warning given that this material wasn't intended for kids or for the easily offended.

The Jonas Brothers feature, on the other hand, was a shameless "cash grab" from Disney. Ticket prices were nearly doubled, since it was a premium, 3-D exhibition. That the studio and theater owners somehow thought families had that kind of "discretionary funds" to spend on a movie — especially in these hard economic times — is pretty ridiculous.

WHO WANTS TO WATCH MORE 'WATCHMEN?'

For those who did enjoy the "Watchmen" movie, you may want to check out the recently released DVD "Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter" (Warners, $27.95).

It boasts an animated minifeature based on the gruesome pirate tale that ran through Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' original "Watchmen" comic book miniseries.

The DVD also features "Under the Hood," a faux news program segment starring some of the older hero characters, played by Carla Gugino and Jeffrey Dean Morgan in the theatrical feature.

And an extra, behind-the-scenes feature shows footage that was filmed — but was ultimately cut — from the theatrical release.

"Tales of the Black Freighter" is akin to the rest of "Watchmen" and deserves its R rating. "Under the Hood" is rated PG.

A 'KILLER' DVD!

I'm even more enthusiastic about "Killer at Large," an award-winning documentary feature that comes from the talented guys behind the similarly worthwhile nonfiction film "This Divided State" (2005).

This chilling 2008 examination of the country's "obesity epidemic" features testimonials from former U.S. President Bill Clinton, consumer advocate Ralph Nader, former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, Arnold Schwarzenegger, filmmaker and BYU graduate Neil LaBute, and others.

It's not always an easy film to watch, but it definitely offers some food for thought.

The film is finally being released on DVD by the Disinformation Company.

The DVD version of "Killer at Large" (not rated, $19.95) features several extras, commentary tracks, deleted scenes, footage from the New York City premiere — with Chevy Chase — as well as footage showing Chase's Congressional testimony about childhood obesity.

"Killer at Large" is available online from sites such as Amazon, and should be available at most local Barnes & Noble and f.y.e. locations. For more information, browse the sites www.killeratlarge.com, www.disinfo.com or www.myspace.com/disinfo.

E-mail: jeff@desnews.com