Entertainment

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Friday, July 3, 2009 DVD releases / July 7 "Knowing" John Koestler (Nicolas Cage) comes across a 50-year-old list of numbers that somehow seems to have predicted -- down to the precise date and location -- every major disaster of the last half-century, plus a few that haven't happened yet. His problems -- alcohol abuse, the recent death of his wife -- make him sound unhinged when he tries to warn people of the coming apocalypse. Yes, the film is creepy, but the narrative corner into which this movie, directed by Alex Proyas ("I, Robot"), paints itself is a simultaneously silly and morbidly depressing one. Rated: PG-13 for disturbing scenes of carnage and brief vulgar language DVD extras: Director commentary; featurettes. "Push" The premise here -- a hide-and-seek game between superhumans and a government agency -- is old, but the execution is fresh, earnest and inoffensive. Dakota Fanning sheds her porcelain-doll image by playing Cassie, a grungy-haired, boot-wearing Watcher, or someone with the ability to divine and then sketch images from the future. Using that skill, she knows she must search out and team with a Mover named Nick (Chris Evans), who's hiding from a U.S. government agency called the Division. Cassie and Nick must snatch a briefcase from the Division or face certain death. The pleasure here comes from its glamorized grit, its no-nonsense pacing and the committed performances of the actors roughhousing in the gray area between heroism and villainy. Rated: PG-13 for violence, brief strong language, smoking and a scene of teen drinking DVD extras: Commentary with director and cast; deleted scenes; featurette. "The Unborn" This visually polished slice of hokum introduces us to young Casey (Odette Yustman), who is troubled by visions of a creepy little kid. He seems to have something to do with Casey's dead mother, though her dad (B-movie veteran James Remar) pooh-poohs the idea. At first. Then one of Casey's babysitting charges, another creepy kid, gets into the act. Before long, Casey has persuaded her best friend and boyfriend to help her find the truth about her past. Jane Alexander and Gary Oldman are also on hand to add a little maturity to the proceedings. More important, the special effects crew does exemplary work. They use subtle distortions to show Casey's point of view. The often clunky, cliched script is not as effective, particularly in the stretch. Rated: PG-13 for violence, strong language and frightening images DVD extras: Includes the rated and unrated versions of the film; deleted scenes. Also "Beau Geste," "Five Fingers," "Murder She Wrote: Season 10" and "Mystery Science Theater 3000: XV." The Washington Post READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Teen dies after Granite Falls crash 2. Bikini coffee stands to be regulated as adult entertainment 3. Sultan brothers plead guilty in death of rival gang member 4. Body found after house catches fire north of Bothell 5. Gregoire unveils budget with deep cuts, will press for tax hikes 6. Grief and gratitude expressed for four slain officers 7. Two teenagers hurt in crash near Granite Falls 8. Friends and family honor Clearview couple who loved always 9. Roe appointed interim county prosecutor 10. Arlington's budget is ‘bare bones' 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Zambian woman thanks students for their help • Food banks see rise in use • ‘Making Spirits Bright’ in Edmonds • Wolfpack takes aim at state • Seahawks help students smile • 95 and still volunteering • Sno-King joined by local TV king • Veterans back for Wildcats • Lynnwood seeks to plug $2 million budget gap • Snohomish County offers the best and most affordable venues for conferen ... • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed