THE SCREENING ROOM

ON DVD: NBC’s “Smash,” “The Wise Kids,” “Game Change,” And More!

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This week’s home-entertainment run the gamut from futuristic comic-book action in Dredd to all-too-human drama in the queer drama The Wise Kids (above) to bombastic musical numbers from the first season Smash. Plus two real-life personalities—gay entertainment mogul David Geffen and political savant Sarah Palin—get their due in Inventing David Geffen and Game Change, respectively.

 

Smash: Season One

($44.99 DVD; Universal)

Season One of NBC’s Glee for grownups followed the troubled birth of a musical about Marilyn Monroe, with sassy turns by Megan Hilty and Katharine McPhee, plus ample scenery chewing from Debra Messing and Anjelica Huston and musical numbers by Hairspray‘s Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. DVD extras include deleted scenes and featurettes to keep you busy until Season Two kicks off on February 5.

 

http://youtu.be/ZUM3HpGHFgk

The Wise Kids

($24.99 DVD; Wolfe)

Writer/director Stephen Cone’s coming-of-age drama follows three teenage friends from a South Carolina Baptist church as they prepare to leave high school. A pastor’s daughter, Brea, is undergoing her first crisis of faith, while lanky wannabe filmmaker, Tim, attempts to get his friends and family on board with his budding homosexuality—which fundamentalist Laura just can’t wrap her head or Bible passages around. Emphatic and tender, The Wise Kids is a new, beautiful thing indeed.

 

http://youtu.be/97jCvwhaHQE

Inventing David Geffen

($29.99 Blu-ray, 24.99 DVD; PBS)

This PBS American Masters documentary illuminates the life and work of out Hollywood rainmaker, David Geffen, including his rise from a Brooklyn childhood to co-founder of DreamWorks, the first new Hollywood studio in more than 50 years, as well as his substantial philanthropical work in AIDS care and other causes. The doc includes rare interviews with the famously press-shy Geffen and dozens of his industry compatriots, including including Elton John, Steven Spielberg and Cher.

 

http://youtu.be/QOa98P_Mv68

Game Change

($24.99 Blu-ray; HBO)

Winner of four Emmys, this deliciously entertaining original film from HBO examines how Sarah Palin was selected as John McCain’s running mate in the 2008 election. With a flawless makeover and performance that snagged one of those statuettes, Julianne Moore brings a surprising humanity to Palin—while  brilliantly structured storytelling and supporting turns from Woody Harrelson and Ed Harris make this well worth repeat viewings. Extras include a featurette examining the controversial book that served as basis for the film.

 

 

Dredd

($39.99 3D Blu-ray, $39.98 DVD; Lionsgate)

In this second cinematic adaptation of the iconic British comic-book series, Karl Urban (Star Trek) stars as Judge Dredd, a sadistic cop who serves as judge, jury, and executioner in a Dystopian future. When Dredd and a rookie partner investigate a gory triple homicide, they get trapped in a complex lorded over by druglord Ma-Ma and her speed-addicted goons. Trust us: it’s a lot cooler and more fun than the ridiculous 1995 version starring Sylvester Stallone. Extras include a three-minute motion-comic prequel and a handful of featurettes.

ALSO OUT ON DVD:

B66644

BearCity (Blu-ray)

Sleep Tight

Frankenweenie

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