Video Reviews: 'Ray,' 'The Grudge'

'Ray' (PG-13): The timing couldn't be any more perfect for the early DVD release of "Ray," the brilliant Ray Charles biopic that nabbed six well-deserved Oscar nominations last week, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Jamie Foxx and Best Director for Taylor Hackford.

The film provides a fascinating look at the late musical genius' tumultuous life, from the heartbreaking realization that he was going blind as a child, to his early club days and subsequent fame as a star that crossed over into several genres of music.

There's no better way of putting it, Foxx is Ray Charles -- providing the fancy finger work on the ivories (no movie magic here: Foxx is a classically trained pianist), the jerky physically movements and the distinctive speaking voice that made the musician one of a kind. The only thing Foxx doesn't do is sing -- as Charles provided the vocal tracks -- but Foxx is so good, you'd swear it's really him. Kerry Washington also puts in a stellar performance as Charles' mother.

What makes "Ray" rise above your average biopic is that Hackford doesn't try to candy-coat Charles' life and rise to fame. The director delves deep into Charles' pained life stemming from a childhood tragedy, to his reputation as a womanizer and troubled marriages, to his battle with heroin addiction.

Clocking in at 2 hours and 32 minutes, the movie is a bit overlong -- but length aside, "Ray" is one command performance that can't be missed.

DVD Features: The disc includes the original theatrical version and extended version of film, featuring 14 deleted scenes not shown in theaters; two uncut musical performances from the film; a Foxx "Stepping into the Part" featurette titled "Ray Remembered" and more. (Universal Studios Home Video) - Feb. 1

'The Grudge' (PG-13) "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" star Sarah Michelle Gellar is no match for the angry spirits in this creepy horror thriller from Japanese horror maestro Takashi Shimizu and producers Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, two-thirds of the creative team behind "The Evil Dead" trilogy.

Gellar stars as Karen, an American nurse living in Tokyo who is exposed to curse that inhabits a house. Haunted by the victims that brought the curse about, she must fight to keep it from claiming her life and spreading to other victims.

A remake of Takashi's Japanese version of the film ("Ju-On: The Grudge"), "The Grudge" is a smartly conceived thriller that benefits from its subtlety. Its scary scenes are borne more through the power of suggestion than visible gore, promoting a spine-tingling atmosphere that becomes more and more unnerving as the film unwinds.

If you're a fan of another noted Japanese horror film remake of late, "The Ring," "The Grudge" will be right up your alley. DVD Features: Cast and crew commentary including Sam Raimi, Ted Raimi, Sarah Michelle Gellar and others; "Under the Skin" featurette; five-part "making-of" documentary and more. (Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment)

Also New This Week

'Mulan 2' (G): A made-for-video sequel to the hit Disney movie about the Chinese legend of Fa Mulan, "Mulan II" finds the strong-willed heroine on secret mission with her new husband, Li Shang. Several members of the original contemporary animated classic reprise their voice roles, including Ming-Na as Mulan, B.D. Wong as Li Shang, Harvey Fierstein as Yao, George Takei as First Ancestor, June Foray as Grandmother Fa and Lea Solanga and Donny Osmond as the singing voices of Mulan and Li Shang, respectively. New to the voice cast are Lucy Liu and Michelle Kwan in a cameo role. (Walt Disney Home Entertainment)

'Mr. 3000' (PG-13): Bernie Mac stars as a baseball star who cashes in on his fame as a player who retired after making 3,000 hits, only to discover years later that a statistical error pegged him at 2,997 -- forcing him to come out of retirement poorly out of shape to get the three hits he needs. (Touchstone Home Entertainment)

'Shall We Dance?' (PG-13): Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez and Susan Sarandon star in a remake of the 1996 hit Japanese romantic comedy, "Shall We Dansuu?" (Also new on DVD) Gere stars as a workaholic lawyer who fills a void in his life when he starts taking dancing lessons at a studio where a teacher (Lopez) has struck his fancy. Stanley Tucci and Bobby Cannavale ("The Station Agent") co-star. (both titles - Miramax Home Entertainment)

Also New

'Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow' (PG): One of the biggest film mysteries of 2004 was how "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" didn't take off with filmgoers. Written and directed by first-time helmer Kerry Conran, its a rousing action-adventure movie that hearkens the golden days of movie adventure serials such as "Flash Gordon," and such film classics as "The Wizard of Oz," "King Kong" and "Metropolis."

Starring Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie, "Sky Captain" is set in 1939 and follows the exploits of Polly Perkins (Paltrow), an intuitive New York City newspaper reporter who is trying to uncover the plot behind the disappearances of several world renowned scientists.

Her path takes a dramatic turn when Gotham is suddenly besieged by giant robots and futuristic aircraft. Flying in to fight the invaders is the dashing aviator, Captain Joe "Sky Captain" Sullivan, who picks up his old flame Polly and embarks on a worldwide journey to unravel a mysterious figure's plan of world domination.

While "Sky Captain" is clearly inspired by the classics, one thing Conran didn't borrow from the classics of yesteryear is something blue. That's because "Sky Captain" is the first film shot almost entirely in a blue screen setting, so ultimately, the only thing that's real you see in the finished product are the actors -- housed inside digital environments, sets and using props brought to life by the wonders of visual effects. It's a stunning achievement.

DVD Features: Production featurettes, the original "Sky Captain" short film that inspired the feature, deleted scenes, a gag reel and more. (Paramount Home Entertainment)

'Alien Vs. Predator' (PG-13): Also billed as "AVP," the film pits the modern horror/sci-fi icons against each other for the first time, a la Freddy and Jason.

Unlike the first four "Alien" installments, "AVP" doesn't star Sigourney Weaver, Arnold Schwarzenegger (or any other actors involved in the "Alien" or "Predator" movies (although "Aliens" star Lance Henriksen does turn up -- but not as the android Bishop). But, naturally, the title characters give it a familiar feel.

Sanaa Lathan, cast in a butt-kicking Weaver-like role, stars as one of the archeologists who happens upon a dormant, underground society of Predators while on a drilling mission in Antarctica. While both the Aliens and Predators have been the bad guys in the previous films, one of the species actually has a redeeming quality here.

Written and directed by "Resident Evil" filmmaker Paul W.S. Anderson, "AVP" is below the "Alien" and "Predator" film par, but an above-average effort in comparison to today's sci-fi horror offerings.

DVD Features: The disc has both the theatrical and extended versions of the film commentary by Anderson, Henriksen, Lathan (theatrical version only) and select crewmembers; production featurettes and more. (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment)