DVDS
Isla Fisher plays a would-be writer who loves to shop
It makes me sound clever to compare the movie “Confessions of a Shopaholic” to one of those summer beach books: It’s lightweight, lighthearted and just entertaining enough to while away a couple of hours.
Surprise. The movie is based on a book by Sophie Kinsella that is the very definition of summer reading. Though there are differences between the story and the film, they are both ripe for summer enjoyment.
“Confessions of a Shopaholic,” the movie, (Disney, available now) has the added advantage of starring two of the most likable actors working in the film today, Isla Fisher and Hugh Dancy. The effervescent Fisher (“Wedding Crashers”) stars as Becky Bloomwood, a fashionista with a kaleidoscope of maxed out credit cards to match her stunning wardrobe. A writer, she pines for a job at the fashion mag Alette as much as she craves the newest Gucci boots.
Despite her financial naivety, she falls into a job at Successful Saving magazine where editor Luke Brandon (Dancy, who was so endearing in “The Jane Austen Book Club”) sees beneath her frivolous facade to her writing talents.
The movie tends to be silly (watch out for the talking mannequins) and characters, such as the French magazine editor played by Kristen Scott Thomas, are uncomfortably cartoonish. But there’s no denying the chemistry between Fisher and Dancy, and that makes the film ultimately easy to watch.
The movie is available as a single-disc DVD ($29.99) and Blu-ray ($44.99). The two-disc DVD ($32.99) has a digital copy along with bloopers, deleted scenes and a music video by Shontelle featuring Akon. The Blu-ray ($39.99) has two additional music videos, plus a making-of called “Behind the Fashion” that includes a look at the wardrobe by Patricia Field.
• The larger-than-life grandmotherly figure Madea is back and causing more hilarious trouble in “Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail” ($29.95, Lionsgate, available now). The movie is just what fans of the multitalented Perry — writer, director, producer, actor — expect. Equal parts laughter and tears, the film finds Madea finally having to do some time after her high jinks land her in front of an unsympathetic judge.
Derek Luke plays the kind-hearted assistant D. A.; Keshia Knight Pulliam (“The Cosby Show”) is the prostitute who will benefit from meeting Madea and reconnecting with an old friend. Perry regulars David Mann and Tamela Mann are on hand, as are the wonderful Viola Davis and Vanessa Ferlito.
Though the DVD is lacking a commentary by Perry (I would have loved to hear that), it does have six featurettes, including “Madea Is Back!” where the cast and crew share what they love about Perry and the characters of Madea and Uncle Joe. “Bringing in the Heavy Hitters” looks at the cameo appearances by a host of celebrities, including Dr. Phil, who ad-libbed the hilarious “everybody’s gonna get got” scene with Perry (as Madea).
If you’re wondering if there will be more Madea, Perry answers that question in one of the interviews: “I’m devoted to the fans. If they want to see it, I’ll do it.”
• Fans of Lucille Ball — and there are quite a few around here — will be happy to hear that two specials made for CBS in the 1970s and not seen since will be available on DVD on Tuesday. The two specials are packaged together as “The Lucille Ball Specials: Lucy Gets Lucky and Three for Two” ($19.98, MPI Home Video).
In “Lucy Gets Lucky,” Ball is seen alongside Dean Martin and Jackie Coogan. “Three for Two” stars Ball with Jackie Gleason in three mini comedy-dramas written by Joseph Bologna and Renee Taylor.
The DVD includes the documentary “Let’s Talk to Lucy,” which has radio interviews with Martin, rare footage, bloopers and a featurette with guest actor Gio Conforti.
Coming Tuesday
“Dark Streets” (Sony), “The Education of Charlie Banks” (Anchor Bay), “Lookin’ to Get Out” (WHV), “Jonas Brothers: The Concert Experience Deluxe Extended Movie in 3-D” (Disney), “Nostradamus: 2012” (A&E), “The Queens of Country” (MPI), “Princess Protection Program” (Disney), “Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li” (Fox), “Tokyo!” (Liberation), “Tunnel Rats” (Vivendi) and “12 Rounds Extreme Cut” (Fox).
TV on DVD: “Eastbound & Down” (HBO), “Entourage: The Complete Fifth Season” (HBO), “The It Crowd: The Complete Season Two” (MPI), “ Secret Diary of a Call Girl: Season Two” (Lionsgate) and “Stargate: Atlantis Season 5” (Fox).•
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