Susan Granger’s DVD Update for week of Fri., May 20:
“The Rite” is a tepid psychological thriller about a seminary student (Colin O’Donoghue) reluctantly attending Vatican exorcism school and observing a priest (Anthony Hopkins) attempting to exorcise a pregnant 16 year-old who was raped by her father.
While Jason Statham plays the assassin-for-hire in Simon West’s remake of “The Mechanic” with Donald Sutherland, Ben Foster and Tony Goldwyn, it’s just mindless, brutal mayhem, changing the conclusion to open up the possibility of a sequel.
A college freshman (Minka Kelly from “Friday Night Lights”) from Iowa is traumatized by a psychopath (Leighton Meester from “Gossip Girl”) in “The Roommate,” which is a dorm shame. Also set in college, “Brotherhood,” starring Jon Foster, Lou Taylor Pucci and Trevor Morgan finds a fraternity pledge caught in a convenience store robbery as part of his initiation; when everything starts falling apart, he’s forced to choose between his new brothers and his ethics.
Just after Prince William and Kate Middleton tied the knot in dazzling style, “British Royal Weddings of the 20th Century” is a comprehensive, nostalgic look back at some of the most memorable nuptials, including Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew and Princess Anne.
“Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo” delves into the mystery of Japan’s perennial love affair with insects, challenging viewers to observe the world of bugs from an uncommon perspective.
For pre-schoolers, there’s “Barney: I Can Do It” showing kids how to brush their teeth, tie their shoes and clean their rooms, and “Thomas & Friends: The Birthday Express,” set on the Island of Sodor and packaged with a bonus wooden train whistle. And Sesame Workshop presents “Grover Learns Hebrew,” exploring Jewish culture and tradition in Israel.
PICK OF THE WEEK: Versatile Natalie Portman finds herself the shunned stepmother in Don Roos’ “The Other Woman” after winning her older husband (Scott Cohen) from his first wife (Lisa Kudrow), particularly as she attempts to connect with her stubborn, precocious stepson. Shot in late 2008/early 2009, Portman managed to create empathy for this truly idiosyncratic character before she began shooting “Black Swan.”