'Rescue Dawn'
• Cast and crew are very specific when they discuss the story of Dieter Dengler in a making-of featurette for "Rescue Dawn." All parties point to the Navy pilot's positive attitude and optimism in the face of the worst circumstances. His attitude is captured splendidly in director Werner Herzog's film based on Dengler, a man who escaped capture from the Viet Cong and fought for his survival in the jungles of Vietnam. Playing the role of Dengler, Christian Bale is amazing and continues to live up to his rep as one of the best actors working today. The breakout nod in this one goes to Steve Zahn, who also plays a prisoner of war. Mostly known as a comedy guy, Zahn displays enormous talent here as a dramatic actor. Jeremy Davies also carries his weight in a supporting role. With fine performances and a gripping story about overcoming enormous odds, "Rescue Dawn" is a marvelous piece of filmmaking. Based on the 1997 documentary, "Little Dieter Needs to Fly," Herzog's film does right by Dengler. A handful of special features accompany the DVD. Herzog's commentary, deleted scenes and a stills gallery are available, but the four-part featurette on the making of the film is exceptional. It covers the crews' thoughts on Dengler and the hard work it took to put this great film together. PG-13, 2007. Rating: 3.5 Stars.
Buy It: Because it's a film about Vietnam with a "happy" ending.
-- Garrett Conti/Tribune-Review
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'Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause'
• If this is what Santa Claus and his hometown of the North Pole are like, you won't want to believe in jolly, old St. Nick. Ever since director Michael Lembeck took over this holiday franchise from John Pasquin, it's been a steady descent from nice to naughty. "Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause" is loaded with cliches, lackluster jokes and the annoying Martin Short, who hasn't been funny since his "Saturday Night Live" days. Short plays the evil Jack Frost, and back as Santa is Tim "The Tool Man" Allen, joined by Judge Reinhold, Ann-Margret and Alan Arkin, fresh off of his Oscar win. In this third installment, Santa meets with trouble when he brings in Jack Frost to help with the big day. Only, Frost has a plan to take over the North Pole, and Santa will have to stop him cold in his tracks. There are plenty of extras to consume after the film, including a music video and "Christmas Carol-oke." Other bonus features: a blooper reel, alternate opening, featurettes on Allen and Short, and a thorough making-of featurette that covers a lot of the special effects. G, 2007. Rating: 1 Stars.
Skip It: Unless you're spiking the egg nog this holiday season. -- GC
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'Live Free or Die Hard'
• John McClane is back. Wow, is he ever back. Bruce Willis reclaims his role as McClane, a cop that can't stay out of trouble in "Live Free or Die Hard," an explosive film that keeps the pedal to the metal. While the second and third editions of "Die Hard" didn't measure up to the initial 1988 installment, "Live Free" blows the roof off this franchise. Packed with action and a solid dose of laughs, director Len Wiseman has fully resuscitated McClane and pumped new life into the action genre. The old-fashioned McClane meets a new nemesis in this adventure, going toe-to-toe with a group of cyber enemies looking to make a big score. There are some ridiculous action sequences, but they're easily acceptable with the high quality of the film. "Live Free" is available in one- and two-disc editions. The two-disc version stands out with its plethora of extras. A look behind the scenes, a ton of featurettes, interviews and a music video are included. Most importantly, though, the double-disc version includes a digital copy of the film for fast access on your computer. Unrated, 2007. Rating: 3 Stars.
Rent It: Because you want to know if John McClane still has it. -- GC
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'Hairspray'
• Beneath all of the singing and dancing, "Hairspray" manages to send an upbeat message that should be universal. This updated version of director John Waters' 1988 cult classic targets segregation and the ability to overcome the odds. Surely, Waters should be OK with the work director Adam Shankman did behind the camera for this splendid musical. While most remakes are stuck in neutral, "Hairspray" manages to hold its own based on the energy and rhythm it brings to the screen. Nikki Blonsky is this season's Jennifer Hudson, shining in her role as the main character of Tracy Turnblad. In her first feature film, Blonsky displays plenty of polish, whether she's singing, dancing or acting. Amanda Bynes, Queen Latifah, John Travolta -- in drag -- and James Marsden also star in supporting roles. The musical theme carries over to the bonus features. A two-disc "Shake & Shimmy" edition includes a lyric track to sing along with the film, dance instructions, documentaries on "Hairspray" and its roots, deleted scenes, commentary, and a new musical number. A scaled-down DVD also is available. PG, 2007. Rating: 3 Stars.
Rent It: Because the original Tracy Turnblad -- Ricki Lake -- makes a cameo appearance. -- GC
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"Ghosts of Cite Soleil" : The notorious lives of Haitian gang leaders are exposed in this powerful documentary that doesn't give in for a bloody second. Director Asger Leth really puts his nose in the middle of the action here, possibly risking his own life to tell this tale of bloodshed and human wreckage. It's hard to look away, especially when Leth pulls the viewer in close with vivid sequences of danger. Unrated, 2007. Rating: 3.5 Stars.
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"Titanic: 10th Anniversary Edition": It's hard to believe that it was 10 years ago that James Cameron's "Titanic" steamrolled over the cinematic landscape with sweeping success. It counts 11 Oscars, including best picture, among its accomplishments. This new two-disc edition includes historical and movie-related commentary, featurettes, a Celine Dion music video for "My Heart Will Go On" and most importantly, a slick new alternate ending. PG-13, 2007. Rating: 3.5 Stars.
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"Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse" : For all of the acclaim that director Francis Ford Coppola received from his Vietnam War epic "Apocalypse Now," he almost lost everything -- including his lead actor Martin Sheen -- making it. This riveting documentary takes a look at making the film and the bad luck that followed the director. The disc also includes an additional documentary on Coppola's newest work -- "Youth without Youth" -- and honest commentary from the director and his wife. R, 2007. Rating: 3 Stars.
"The Ritchie Boys": An interesting documentary on a never-before-told story from World War II, "The Ritchie Boys" tends to drag in several spots but eventually rewards the viewer with a story of courageousness and emotion. For WWII buffs, this story about a group of brave German Jews is a must-see, especially with plenty of rare footage from the war. Not so interesting for the rest of us, though. Special features include almost an hour of bonus scenes and a quick bio on director Christian Bauer. Unrated, 2007. Rating: 2 Stars.
