Page 22 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • March 10, 2010 ‘The Crazies’ (continued from Entertainment page) and the small-town mayhem that suddenly breaks out is right out of “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street,” the classic “Twilight Zone” episode in which neighbor turned against neighbor, leading to mob violence. “The Crazies” has plenty of original moments, such as a scene in a car wash that turns out to be a frantic exercise in survival, a sequence when the mental health of one of the good guys comes into serious doubt, and a frightening fight in a mortuary involving a runaway bone saw. This film has a traditional three-act structure, but the second act is best not revealed here other than to say the nature of the “monsters” switches in an unexpected way and keeps the viewer involved until the fade-out, which does not do justice to the excellent buildup. Rated R, “The Crazies” is an above-average horror thriller. Rather than merely an exercise in bloody killings, it tells a cautionary tale of how fragile humans are and how easily a familiar, comfortable world can turn into a nightmare. formats. “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” (Warner Home Video) is an animated version of the 1967 stage musical and features the Peanuts gang created by Charles M. Schulz: Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder, Snoopy, and the rest. This 1985 TV special is available for the first time on DVD in a re-mastered deluxe edition. Rather than a single narrative, the show is made up of vignettes, much like the daily comic strips that inspired it, accompanied by songs. The episodes are tied together by Charlie Brown’s eternally poor self image. Highlights include “Schroeder,” in which the piano virtuoso plunks out Beethoven as Lucy contemplates wedded bliss; “Suppertime,” Snoopy’s ode to the highlight of a canine’s day; “Book Report,” an ensemble number; and the anthem to optimism, “Happiness.” The sole extra is “Animating a Charlie Brown Musical,” which explores the 20-year journey from record album to off-Broadway hit to animated television special. “Bugs Bunny’s Cupid Capers” (Warner Home Video) is a compilation of classic Looney Tunes made between 1948 and 1953. The collection includes “Hare Trimmed,” “The Grey-Hounded Hare,” “The Super Snooper,” “Rabbit Romeo,” “Wild over You,” “Of Rice and Hen,” and “Devil May Hare.” Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, Yosemite Sam, Tweety, Sylvester, The Roadrunner, Daffy Duck, and Pepe LePew join Bugs in these animated romps. The Warners animators were known for their gag-filled cartoons and strived for laughs above all. Produced originally to accompany feature films geared toward adults, the shorts achieved renewed life and popularity when they turned up on children’s television shows in the 1950s and 1960s. They hold up remarkably well, through parents should be aware that some contain violent slapstick. Two bonus cartoons, “Holiday Highlight” and “Past Performance,” are included. DVDs (continued from Restaurant page) (Frank Langella) delivers a box to Arthur (James Marsden) and Norma (Cameron Diaz), a couple in financial difficulties. Steward leaves the box and a key to a button within it and explains they have will have it for 24 hours. If they press the button, a person they do not know somewhere in the world will die and they will receive a million dollars. The movie is an interesting psychological story as the couple debates the pros and cons of the offer, weighing morality against their personal happiness. The premise of the film is intriguing and keeps the viewer riveted as developments take unexpected turns. Frank Langella, fresh from his triumph in “Frost/Nixon,” has a supporting role, but is a dominant presence. Is he a villain, merely a messenger from some higher authority, or a metaphoric figure? Marsden is fine as the husband, but Diaz has the key role here, and she is effective and believable. “The Box” is based on the short story “Button, Button,” by Richard Matheson. Expanding a short story into a feature film runs the risk of padding the movie with needless scenes and excessive exposition. Director Richard Kelly avoids this by keeping the suspense level high. Matheson was a regular contributor to the original “Twilight Zone” series. “The Box” is reminiscent of one of those episodes and packs a definite dramatic wallop. Extras include featurettes on the film’s visual effects and how director Kelly used family experiences to adapt the story to the screen; director commentary; and “Richard Matheson: In His Own Words,” an interview with the sci-fi author. “The Box” is available in Blu-ray and DVD ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 You’re feeling a bit disconnected from the world lately, Aries. It’s ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 nothing to worry about. a bit disconnected from You’re feelingYou just need some time alone and then you’ll reacquaint yourthe world lately, Aries. It’s nothing to self with the status quo. worry about. You just need some time alone and then you’ll reacquaint yourTAURUS - status quo. self with the Apr 21/May 21 It’s best if you curb your sudden feeling of aggression, Taurus. You TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 can put the energy to curb use. sudden feelIt’s best if youbetter your Make a list of things to do and Taurus. You ing of aggression,get to work. can put the energy to better use. Make a list of things to do and get to work. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Write a thank you note to someone GEMINIdone you a favor lately, Gemwho has - May 22/Jun 21 Write a thank you try to to someone note rekindle forini. It is best if who has done youA valuable oneGemmer friendships. a favor lately, needs ini.be is best if you try to rekindle forto It reinforced this week. mer friendships. A valuable one needs to be reinforced this week. CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Time and distance are no match for CANCERwho work their extensive Cancers - Jun 22/Jul 22 Time and distanceare definitely a perconnections. You are no match for Cancers who work to network. Your son who knows how their extensive connections. You are on top. smile proves you’re definitely a person who knows how to network. Your smile proves you’re 23 top. LEO - Jul 23/Aug on In a clash of wills this week, Leo, you LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 will come out the loser. Your opponent In a clash of wills this week, Leo, you has so much power that a fair fight is will come out the loser. Your opponent impossible. Walk away with your head has so much power that a fair fight is high. impossible. Walk away with your head high. VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 It’s a rare day 24/Sept have all of the VIRGO - Augwhen you22 answers, Virgo. It’s best if you the It’s a rare day when you have all ofseek the advice of others best it you seek answers, Virgo. It’s when if comes to a big decision. Work relations improve. the advice of others when it comes to a big decision. Work relations improve. Answer to Last Week’s Puzzle Answer to Last Week’s Puzzle LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 You can’t find a system LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 that caters solely to find a system that caters You can’tyour needs, Libra. You have to admit that needs, Libra. You have solely to your sometimes things won’t go your way. Keep activities won’t to admit that sometimes things simple this week. go your way. Keep activities simple this week. SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 Your senses are alive, 22 SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov Scorpio, and you’re feeling invincible. You embark Your senses are alive, Scorpio, and you’re feeling invincible. You embark on a path of change at work and others on a inspiredchange at work lead others are path of to follow your and -- with are inspired to follow your lead -- with varying degrees of success. varying degrees of success. SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 SAGITTARIUS - week, Sagittarius. It Less is more this Nov 23/Dec 21 Less istake much for people to warm up won’t more this week, Sagittarius. It won’t take much for people to warm up to you. Consider curbing any spending to you. Consider curbing on investment and concentrate strictly any spending and concentrate strictly on investment opportunities. opportunities. CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 in a Expect positive developments Expect positive developments in or working relationship, friendship a working relationship, Actions speak romance, Capricorn. friendship or romance, Capricorn. Actions speak louder than words for you this week, louder than words for you this week, so move forward. so move forward. AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 Don’t start any new projects this week, Don’t start any new projects this week, Aquarius. You are known to give up Aquarius. You are known to give up on things a tad too easily and you alon things a tad too easily and you already have plenty on your plate. ready have plenty on your plate. PISCES Feb 19/Mar 20 PISCES --Feb 19/Mar 20 Your world is mix of love and advenYour world is aamix of love and adventure this week, Pisces. Impulse runs ture this week, Pisces. Impulse runs wild, but it never steers you wrong. wild, but it never steers you wrong. Share the fun with others. Share the fun with others.