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New on DVD Feb. 23: 'Informant!' has two sides

Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010 | 12:00 AM

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The DVD selections hitting stores Tuesday feature a couple of scary titles worth watching plus a standout performance by a former "Sopranos" star.

"The Informant!" Grade B-: A rising star at an agri-industry company becomes a whistle-blower. Matt Damon stars.

The film teeters precariously between being a great movie and an awful one, and just when you are predisposed toward the former point of view, something nudges you toward the latter.

The whole film has a slightly gamey, strident feel, and you can't help but feel the comic effect, which is at the expense of a serious psychological condition, is a little smarmy.

"Sorority Row" Grade C: A prank gone bad leaves sorority sisters running for their lives.

When the film concentrates on being a camp version of '80s slasher movies, it is fun. Too often it ends up being like a sorority sister who has had way too much to drink and wanders away from the real entertainment value.

Rumer Willis and Briana Evigan star.

"Nurse Jackie: Season One" Grade B+: Edie Falco plays a nurse with a drug addiction and a ton of other personal problems. It's the amazing performance by the former "Sopranos" star that drives this unusual human drama.

This drama will strike a raw nerve.

Also Coming to DVD on Feb. 23:

* "Dead Snow": Vacationing medical students run into Nazi zombies. Jenny Skavlan stars.

* "Adam-12: Season Four": Martin Milner stars in this network cop series.

* "$9.99": A man can buy the meaning of life for just under $10 in this animated tale.

* "Eleven Minutes": The documentary looks at "Project Runway" winner Jay McCarroll.

* "Everybody's Fine": A widower (Robert De Niro) goes on a road trip to reconnect with his grown children.

* "The September Issue": A look at the team at Vogue as they put together their annual massive fashion edition.

* "The Universe: Season Four": The 12 episodes of the cable series look at star clusters, death stars and space wars.

* "The People Speak": Celebrities read some of America's great written works.

* "Night Court": The third season of the legal comedy features 22 episodes.

* "Three Blind Mice": A trio of naval officers face one important night before being sent to Iraq.

* "FlashForward": The first 10 episodes of the ABC series are being released for those needing to get caught up before new episodes begin March 18.

* "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant": An apprentice to a popular attraction in a traveling freak show is a pawn in a battle.

* "The Box": A couple must decide whether to press a button on a mysterious container to get $1 million, knowing someone they don't know will die.

* "Motherhood": Uma Thurman plays an urban, stay-at-home mom of two.


Donald Munro can be reached at dmunro@fresno bee.com and Rick Bentley at rbentley@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6355.

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