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transcendence dvd cover
transcendence dvd cover

Transcendence,

directed by Wally Pfister

(PG-13, 118 minutes)

As futuristic thrillers about the rise of the machines go, Transcendence is elevated by a classy cast and well-integrated CGI. But, while raising questions about the possibility of maintaining consciousness after the destruction of the body, it lacks any genuine philosophical heft. Instead, it chooses to go the dumbed-down route of car chases and big explosions.

Johnny Depp stars as brilliant Dr. Will Caster, an artificial intelligence researcher who is slowly being assassinated via radiation poisoning by a group (led by Kate Mara) opposed to his research. His gradual demise gives his wife, Evelyn (Rebecca Hall), and fellow scientist, Max (Paul Bettany), time to encode his consciousness and upload it onto a hard drive before he departs.

Evelyn sets Will's spirit free to roam the Internet, learn stuff and eventually lead her to establish a fortress of solitude in the desert, where digital Will can continue his work. Meanwhile Max, who had misgivings from the start, and even wonders whether what they've loosed on the Internet really is Will or just some kind of power-hungry simulation, is captured by the group, whose members took their inspiration from his writings. Battle lines are drawn between Will and the mental machinations of Max.

Because the film tells its story in flashback, there's not that much tension in Transcendence. Aside from some of the textural details, there's hardly anything to ponder. Artificial intelligence is here. Human stupidity remains. And no doubt there's an interesting movie to be plotted along those lines. But for all its pretension, Transcendence isn't it.

Dom Hemingway (R, 93 minutes) If only the ex-con at the center of Dom Hemingway was as weirdly charismatic as John C. Hall's Showtime TV serial killer Dexter, this dark comedy might have resonated with audiences. But Jude Law isn't able to project the right degree of Tony Soprano likability onto Dom, a master safe cracker and totally loose cannon who went to prison for 12 years to protect his boss, then expects to get what's his upon his release. With Richard E. Grant, Demian Bichir, Emilia Clarke; written and directed by Richard Shepard.

Sabotage (R, 109 minutes) Arnold Schwarzenegger leaves politics behind and returns to cinematic macho-violence, playing the grim leader of a DEA task force that squares off against a world-renowned drug cartel. What appears to be a success turns troublesome when task force members begin to die off, one after the other, thanks to an over-abundance of graphic bloodletting. With Sam Worthington, Terrence Howard, Olivia Williams, Mireille Enos; directed by David Ayer.

Made in America (unrated, 93 minutes) An all-access pass to a culturally diverse two-day Philadelphia rap/indie/rock/dance music festival created by hip-hop megastar Jay Z, focusing not so much on what's happening on stage but rather on interviews with top entertainers as well as with roadies, food vendors, backup singers and newcomers to the performing world. With Kanye West, Jill Scott, the Hives, Eddie Vedder; directed by Ron Howard.

The Single Moms Club (PG-13, 111 minutes) Typical of what we've come to expect from Tyler Perry, The Single Moms Club is a melodrama that follows five very different women who band together to face the challenges of being mothers without partners. And drink wine. With Nia Long, Cocoa Brown, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Zulay Henao, Amy Smart, Terry Crews; directed by Tyler Perry.

Heaven Is for Real (PG, 99 minutes) Based on the nonfiction best-seller, this is the story of Todd Burpo (Greg Kinnear), a small-town businessman whose young son Colton (Connor Corum) recovers from a near-death experience with vivid memories of his visit to heaven. With Margo Martindale, Kelly Reilly, Thomas Haden Church; directed by Randall Wallace.

The Blu-ray combo pack and DVD include six deleted scenes and a behind-the-scenes featurette.

Make Your Move (PG-13, 110 minutes) Inspired by the story of Romeo and Juliet, Make Your Move employs terrific choreography and trite dialogue to explore the unlikely romance between Derek Hough (Dancing With the Stars) and Korean pop star BoA as tap-dancing ex-con Donny and hip-hop dance troupe leader Aya, two hoofers from decidedly different backgrounds who come together to show the competitive world of Brooklyn dance clubs who's boss.

Bonus materials include deleted scenes, commentary with writer/director Duane Adler and choreographers Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo. Also included is a featurette titled "Making the Moves" that demonstrates how the dancers and choreographers take the action from rehearsals to the big screen.

MovieStyle on 07/25/2014

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