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New on DVD: 'Transformers 2' confuses
Posted at 12:00 AM on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009
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*"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" Grade D+: Michael Bay got by with using eye-jerking action and two- dimensional characters to make the first "Transformers" mindless fun.
This time, he's traded in the fun for rehashed scenes and a muddled plot. The story plays out with Grand Canyon-size leaps of logic.
Bay wastes little time getting to the confusing part of the script: It seems there was a robot war thousands of years ago that ended with a key being hidden. This key has something to do with Egypt, the pyramids and a machine that steals all of the energy from the sun. Trying to figure out what's going on is like putting together a puzzle that is face down.
Numerous robotic transformations occur during the 2 hours and 20 minutes of the film.
But the biggest transformation never happens: The disjointed offering never turns into a good movie.
*"It's Garry Shandling's Show: Complete Series" Grade A: This Showtime series, which aired from 1986-1990, paved the way for programs like "Malcolm in the Middle" and "The Bernie Mac Show" as it would often ignore the fourth wall.
Shandling, playing a character that was pretty much himself, would often talk directly to the camera.
This made the 72 episodes clever, funny and offbeat. In this time of weak comedies on television, this series is a great reminder of when sitcoms were funny.
Also new ...
Coming to DVD Tuesday:
*"Love N' Dancing": A woman (Amy Smart) has second thoughts about her wedding when she meets a champion dancer.
*"Top Chef New York: The Complete Season 5": Padma Lakshmi hosts the cable reality cooking show.
*"Cheri": Michelle Pfeiffer stars in this story of love and lust.
*"William Castle Film Collection": DVD set includes "The Tingler" and "13 Ghosts." *"Greg Giraldo: Midlife Vices": Comedy Central special starring Greg Giraldo. *"SNL: The Best of Amy Poehler": Features comedy highlights from the NBC Saturday night series.
*"The Elephant King": Two brothers are in a world they don't fully understand.
*"Numb3rs: The Fifth Season": David Krumholtz stars in this crime drama where math and police work collide.
TV and movie critic Rick Bentley can be reached at rbentley@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6355. Read his blog at fresnobeehive.com.
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