Peter Brown, The Examiner
2007-04-28 10:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

SAN FRANCISCO -

One of the best Broadway adaptations to come to film in a long time, “Dreamgirls” is the fictional tale of a supergroup similar to the Supremes.

It has a great cast: Beyonce Knowles, Anika Noni Rose and, of course, Oscar winner and former “American Idol” contestant Jennifer Hudson as the Dreamettes. The women are discovered by a car salesman, played by Jamie Foxx, and get a gig working for a James Brown-type Motown performer (brilliantly played by Eddie Murphy).

The two-disc DVD has great special features including an exclusive performance by Hudson, six featurettes, a feature-length documentary on the film from pre- to post-production, 12 alternate scenes, photo galleries and much more.

Price: $34.99.

Rent or buy: Buy.

ALPHA DOG

It's difficult to like — let alone get attached to — the characters in “Alpha Dog.” Emile Hirsch plays a drug dealer surrounded by cronies and other dealers (one’s played by Justin Timberlake) looking to take over his top spot.

It’s not a movie for children. With a directorial approach more like “Unsolved Mysteries” than an action flick, it’s yet another film about the plight of disenchanted youths, bored out of their skulls, who turn to drugs. The movie doesn’t break new ground, despite some interesting cinematography.

Among the notable features on the DVD is a timeline that shows events unfolding in real time. That makes this DVD worth a rental.

Price: $29.98.

Rent or buy: Rent.

LITTLE CHILDREN

“Little Children” is an odd film about unhappy suburbanites who put on a happy face in public. Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson play the main characters in bad marriages who begin an affair in a neighborhood that has more skeletons in closets than those on Wisteria Lane. Winslet steals the show with an emotional bravery that is rare on film.

The DVD doesn’t have many extras, which is a shame.

Price: $27.98.

Rent or buy: A good rental.

THE HITCHER

The person who thought that doing remakes of every classic horror film was a good idea needs to be tied down to a chair and forced to repeatedly watch each and every bad one in this category.

Sean Bean is wasted in this remake of “The Hitcher,” about a pair of teens who pick up the wrong hitchhiker. While Rutger Hauer in the original was a cold, calculating, creepy cretin, Bean’s character is Superman, with the ability to outwit his brainless foes at every turn.

The DVD has two featurettes and some deleted scenes.

Price: $29.98.

Rent or buy: Rent the original.

MELROSE PLACE/BEVERLY HILLS 90210 — SEASON TWO

The classic television serials that launched the modern-day teenage prime-time soap opera are back in these second-season releases. Here we have more Peach Pit and pool diving trickery and romance — all in good fun.

The DVDs are a step in the right direction compared with those from the first season, which had few extras. These new releases have a “best of the worst” section and montages of various romances, as well as audio commentaries.

Price: $54.99.

Rent or buy: Buy — fans only.

Other DVDs being released Tuesday:

“Will & Grace: Season Six,” “What I Like About You: Season One,” “Girls Next Door: Season Two,” “Fletch: The Jane Doe Edition,” “King of Queens: Season Eight,” “The Best of the Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet,” “Inside the Actor’s Studio: Johnny Depp,” “Motives 2: Retribution” and “Camelot.”