There's an extra coat of hot wax on Pixar's vibrant, NASCAR-influenced comedy about a world populated entirely by cars. Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) is the slick rookie taking the Piston Cup series by storm when the last race of the season (the film's high-octane opening) ends in a three-way tie. On the way to the tie-breaker race in California, Lightning loses his way off Route 66 in the Southwest desert and is taught to stop and smell the roses by the forgotten citizens of Radiator Springs. It's odd to have such a slim story from the whizzes of Pixar, and the film pales a bit from their other films (though can that be a fair comparison?). Nonetheless, Cars is another gleaming ride with Pixar founder John Lasseter, who's directing for the first time since Toy Story 2. There's the usual spectrum of excellent characters teamed with appropriate voice talent, loads of smooth humor for kids and parents alike, knockout visuals, and a colorful array of sidekicks, including a scene-stealing baby blue forklift named Guido. Lightning's plight is changed with the help of former big-city lawyer Sally Carrera (Pixar veteran Bonnie Hunt), the town's patriarch Doc Hudson (Paul Newman), and kooky tow truck Mater (Larry the Cable Guy). The Incredibles was the first Pixar film to break the 100-minute barrier, but had enough story not to suffer; Cars, at 116 minutes (including some must-see end credit footage), is not as fortunate, plus it never pierces the heart. Trivia fans should have bonanza with the frame-by-frame DVD function; the movie is stuffed with in-jokes, some appearing only for an instant. Ages 5 and up. —Doug Thomas

A poor young boy, Charlie Bucket, is rewarded by an eccentric candy-maker named Willy Wonka for having a kind heart.
Genre: Feature Film Family
Rating: PG
Release Date: 15-MAY-2007
Media Type: DVD

Based on the broadway musical two women convicted of murder in the 1920s become celebrities by manipulating the media. Studio: Buena Vista Home Video Release Date: 01/12/2007 Starring: Renee Zellweger Richard Gere Run time: 113 minutes Rating: Pg13 Director: Rob Marshall

Alicia Silverstone won everyone over with her portrayal of a Beverly Hills teen, Cher, whose penchant for helping others with their relationships and self-esteem is a cover for her own loneliness. Director Amy Heckerling (Fast Times at Ridgemont High) made a smart, funny variation on Jane Austen's novel Emma, sweetly romantic and gently satirical of 90210 social manners. The cast is unbeatable: Dan Hedaya as Cher's rock-solid dad, Wallace Shawn as a geeky teacher, Paul Rudd as the boy who has always been Cher's surrogate brother—and the true holder of her most secret wishes. —Tom Keogh

Hong Kong wuxia films, or martial arts fantasies, traditionally squeeze poor acting, slapstick humor, and silly story lines between elaborate fight scenes in which characters can literally fly. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has no shortage of breathtaking battles, but it also has the dramatic soul of a Greek tragedy and the sweep of an epic romance. This is the work of director Ang Lee, who fell in love with movies while watching wuxia films as a youngster and made Crouching Tiger as a tribute to the form. To elevate the genre above its B-movie roots and broaden its appeal, Lee did two important things. First, he assembled an all-star lineup of talent, joining the famous Asian actors Chow Yun-fat and Michelle Yeoh with the striking, charismatic newcomer Zhang Ziyi. Behind the scenes, Lee called upon cinematographer Peter Pau (The Killer, The Bride with White Hair) and legendary fight choreographer Yuen Wo-ping, best known outside Asia for his work on The Matrix. Second, in adapting the story from a Chinese pulp-fiction novel written by Wang Du Lu, Lee focused not on the pursuit of a legendary sword known as "The Green Destiny," but instead on the struggles of his female leads against social obligation. In his hands, the requisite fight scenes become another means of expressing the individual spirits of his characters and their conflicts with society and each other.

The filming required an immense effort from all involved. Chow and Yeoh had to learn to speak Mandarin, which Lee insisted on using instead of Cantonese to achieve a more classic, lyrical feel. The astonishing battles between Jen (Zhang) and Yu Shu Lien (Yeoh) on the rooftops and Jen and Li Mu Bai (Chow) atop the branches of bamboo trees required weeks of excruciating wire and harness work (which in turn required meticulous "digital wire removal"). But the result is a seamless blend of action, romance, and social commentary in a populist film that, like its young star Zhang, soars with balletic grace and dignity. —Eugene Wei

When you experience The Work of Director Spike Jonze, you enter a world where anything can happen and frequently does. From the innovative director of Being John Malkovich and Adaptation., this superior compilation of music videos, documentaries, interviews, and early rarities offers abundant proof that Jonze is the real deal—a filmmaker ablaze with fresh ideas and fresh ways of filming them. While collectors will regret that only 16 of Jonze's 40+ music videos are included here, this glorious sampling represents the cream of Jonze's bumper crop, and for sheer ingenuity, it doesn't get any better than this. From the Beastie Boys' popular TV cop-spoof "Sabotage" to the intensely disciplined backwards-filming technique of the Pharcyde's "Drop," it's clear that Jonze has an affinity for inventive street theater, culminating in the sad/happy vibe of Fatlip's introspective "What's Up Fatlip?" and the pop-jazz effervescence of Bjork's "It's Oh So Quiet." Technical wizardry is also a Jonze trademark, especially in the elaborate "Happy Days" nostalgia of Weezer's "Buddy Holly" and the graceful fly-wire dancing of Christopher Walken to Fatboy Slim's pulsing "Weapon of Choice." No doubt about it: Every one of these videos is an award-worthy testament to Jonze's ability to combine hard work with fun-loving spontaneity.

Accompanied by an informative 52-page booklet, this two-sided DVD (one in a three-disc series that includes the equally dazzling work of Michel Gondry and Chris Cunningham) also explores Jonze's artistic evolution with an entertaining selection of video rarities and three half-hour documentaries, the best being a revealing and very funny interview with rapper Fatlip after his dismissal from the Pharcyde. Commentaries for the music videos are consistently worthwhile, supporting Jonze's own belief that his best videos were made for artists whose work he genuinely enjoyed. Lucky for us, his pleasure is infectious. —Jeff Shannon

The show begins with rapturous applause from the audience, strobe-lit flashes of each original band member—Nick Rhodes, Simon LeBon, and the (unrelated) Taylors John, Andy, and Roger—and they're off. The reunited Duran Duran, filmed during a two-night stand at Wembley Arena in 2004, plunges into "(Reach Up for the) Sunrise," before launching into old favorites like "Hungry Like the Wolf" and "Something I Should Know." LeBon keeps the stage patter to a minimum; it's all about the music. On occasion, the Armani-clad quintet are joined by statuesque singer Sara Brown ("Come Undone," "Notorious," "The Reflex," etc.) and sax man Andy Hamilton ("Union of the Snake," "Rio"). As expected from a band that came to fame during the height of the video era, film and anime images are projected during certain numbers, such as "The Chauffeur," "Careless Memories" and "A View to a Kill" (grainy Rhodes-shot images of Liz Hurley rather than scenes from the James Bond outing of the same name). The one selection that doesn't quite fit the 20-song set is 1988's "I Don't Want Your Love." With Brown's help, they give it their all, but funk-metal isn't really Duran Duran's strong suit (although the song later appears as a 3D bonus feature). The deluxe edition includes a 10-track CD recorded during the same London engagement and a pair of 3D glasses. —Kathleen C. Fennessy

Emma woodhouse is a wealthy young woman who meddles in other peoples affairs and plays matchmaker. The only problem is that shes not very good at it and she makes a tangled mess of everyones lives until the day she falls in love and everyone else is free from her matchmaking escapades. Studio: Buena Vista Home Video Release Date: 01/13/2004 Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow Greta Scacchi Run time: 121 minutes Rating: Pg Director: Douglas Mcgrath

Studio: Buena Vista Home Video Release Date: 05/16/2008 Run time: 100 minutes Rating: G

The adventures of a group of furry creatures called Fraggles who live in an underground home called Fraggle Rock, and their neighbors the Doozers, and the Gorgs.
Genre: Television
Rating: NR
Release Date: 6-SEP-2005
Media Type: DVD

Andrew is a struggling 20-something actor who floats through life in a lithium-induced haze. When he returns to new jersey for his mothers funeral without his lithium & the drugs begin to leave his system andrew begins to feel things for the 1st time in years. Its a scary prospect for the young man. Studio: Tcfhe Release Date: 04/15/2008 Starring: Zach Braff Natalie Portman Run time: 103 minutes Rating: R

Chili palmer is a miami loan shark who is sent to l.A. To collect on a gambling debt from film producer harry zimm. Chili is an avid movie fan even of the b-movie screamers that harry churns out. Instead of breaking harrys legs chili pitches him an idea that could be the break of harrys career. Studio: Tcfhe/mgm Release Date: 05/22/2007 Starring: John Travolta Renee Russo Run time: 105 minutes Rating: R Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

Watching Gigantic (A Tale of Two Johns) is like stepping into a delightful alternate universe where wit and ingenuity are valued over sexual display and bombast. This energetic documentary explores the quirky world of They Might Be Giants, surely one of the most distinctive rock bands of all time. Through interviews with the band's creative duo, John Flansburgh and John Linnell, as well as concert clips, video snippets, and interviews with commentators and musicians like Ira Glass, Sarah Vowell, Frank Black, Conan O'Brien, Jon Stewart, and the gloriously deranged Syd Straw, Gigantic tracks the irresistible rise of They Might Be Giants to the curious cult niche they occupy with panache and aplomb. The movie ably captures the band's off-kilter humor while also appreciating their poetry and musicianship. In addition, there's enough bonus material (full videos, live footage, deleted scenes and interviews) to make any fan's head explode. —Bret Fetzer