New on DVD: Dec. 30 (2003/12/30)- Tickets to Movies in Theaters, Broadway Shows, London Theatre & More

New DVD’s This Week: Dec.
30

S.W.A.T.

Jim Street (Colin Farrell) is a former S.W.A.T. team member who was thrown off the team for a controversial decision made during a hostage situation. After agreeing to a demotion, the dedicated Street gets his chance to redeem himself when a team commander, Dan "Hondo" Harrelson (Samuel L. Jackson), recruits him for a new Special Weapons and Tactics unit. After weeks of rigorous physical training, the new team is immediately thrown into action when a notorious drug lord (Olivier Martinez), offers a $100 million bounty to anyone who can free him from police custody. As they escort the kingpin out of Los Angeles into the hands of the Feds, the S.W.A.T. team is pursued by a ruthless and well-armed band of mercenaries.

What’s
Cool:

Commentary by director Clark Johnson and screenwriters David Ayer and David McKenna
Featurettes: “6th Street Bridge: Anatomy of a Shoot Out” “S.W.A.T.: TV’s Original Super Cops” “The Making of S.W.A.T.” and “Sound & Fury of S.W.A.T.”
Eight deleted scenes
Gag reel

	From Our Review:
	Frustratingly shallow summer blockbuster fare, S.W.A.T. takes gratuitous gun violence to a whole new level. More. . .

The Order

For centuries, a secret Order has existed within the Church. While investigating a series of unexplained murders, renegade priest Father Alex Bernier (Heath Ledger) discovers an entity known as The Sin Eater, who absolves the unforgivable outside the Church by “eating” their sins while allowing greater evil to go unpunished. Burdened by this load, the Sin Eater craves release through death, but who will eat his sins and grant eternal peace? Who will carry on his dark tradition? As the young priest uncovers the answers and pursues these paragons of evil, he fights to save his own soul and that of the troubled woman Mara (Shannyn Sossamon) he loves.

What’s
Cool:

Two discs, dual sided
Widescreen
Dolby Digital 5.1 – English
Commentary by director Brian Helgeland
Eight deleted scenes with optional director commentary

	From Our Review:
	Director Brian Helgeland’s The Order is a chilling film with an original premise that unfortunately gets lost in a maze of superfluous subplots and silly looking special effects. More…

Still Hot

Freaky Friday

Fifteen-year-old Anna (Lindsay Lohan) and her mother, Dr. Tess Coleman (Jamie Lee Curtis), don’t see eye to eye on much of anything. From clothes to hair to music to men, mom and daughter go at it over just about everything. While Anna resents her mother for not supporting her rock-music aspirations, Tess is infuriated by her daughter’s bad grades and rudeness to her soon-to-be stepfather. Then one Friday morning, the two wake up to find they’ve magically switched bodies. Given this bizarre chance to live in the other’s shoes, Tess and her mother slowly begin to respect each other’s feelings and understand their motivations, which is a good thing. Of course, there’s one big problem–Tess has to find a way to get back into her body in time for her Saturday wedding.

What’s Cool:

Deleted scenes
Bloopers
Alternate endings introduced by director Mark Waters
Featurette: “Backstage Pass with Lindsay Lohan”
Music Videos: “What I Like About You” by Lillix and “Me vs. the World” by Halo Frendlies

	From Our Review:
	Director Mark S. Waters whips up a sweet and thoroughly modern version of the ’70s movie that caters to young adults without being crass. Propped up by a charming story and strong performances, Freaky Friday is a touching and funny movie for kids, teens and adults. More. . .

Jeepers Creepers 2

The Creeper is back again to feast on young and nubile teens in this sequel to the 2001 horror flick. Heading home victorious after a football game, the bus breaks down on East 9 Highway leading to the demise of coaches and cheerleaders alike. The Creeper needs healthy young people to give him that last little boost before ceasing his 23-day snack and returning home for a 23-year-long nap.

What’s Cool:

Commentary by director Victor Salva
Deleted scenes
“The Making-of Jeepers Creepers 2 featurette
Filmographies

	From Our Review:
	Unlike its innovative predecessor, director Victor Salva’s Jeepers Creepers 2 falls prey to the slasher syndrome. The mystery of the Creeper has all but vanished here and audiences have nothing to look forward to except what method the Creeper will use to pick off the next underdeveloped character. More. . .

The Medallion

Eddie Yang (Jackie Chan) and his partner Arthur Watson (Lee Evans) are hot on the trail of Snakehead (Julian Sands) an international smuggler of human cargo. When Eddie and Arthur are seriously injured while in pursuit, a mysterious medallion restores their health and transforms them into Highbinders, warriors of remarkable strength and ability. With their new superpowers and the help of Interpol agent Nicole (Claire Forlani), the crimefighters take on the bad guys martial arts style.

What’s Cool:

Widescreen
Dolby Digital 5.1 English/French
Commentary by producer Alfred Cheung
Deleted scenes

	From Our Review:
	Jackie Chan has just as much fun in The Medallion as he does in any of his other films–but he doesn’t need the overworked special effects used in it to accentuate his extraordinary talents. More…

Compiled by Anne Reiman

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