Page 20 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • August 25, 2010 DVDs (continued from Restaurant page) This makes the film lag, since it starts with little extraneous dialogue or fuss and builds at a crisp pace. It also tends to stop the narrative cold. A more traditional buildup would have made more sense here. Special features on the Blu-ray disc include a behindthe-scenes look at the film, deleted scenes, a music video, and making-of featurettes. “The Square” is also available on DVD. “Dorian Gray” (National Entertainment Media) is based on Oscar Wilde’s 1890 novel. When strikingly handsome Dorian (Ben Barnes) arrives in Victorian London, he is swept into a social whirlwind by the charismatic Lord Henry Wotton (Colin Firth), who introduces Dorian to the hedonistic pleasures of the city. Lord Henry’s friend, society artist Basil Hallward (Ben Chaplin), paints a portrait of Dorian to capture the full breadth of his youthful beauty. When the painting is unveiled, Dorian makes a wishful vow to give anything, even his soul, to stay as he is in the picture. His casual pledge is fulfilled when his portrait ages while he does not, and he descends down a path of horror, wickedness, debauchery, and murder in order to hide his frightening secret. Director Oliver Parker does not avoid the violent and sexual aspects of Dorian’s exploits. This Dorian is attractive to men and women, and he is into drugs, sadomasochism, and body piercing. There are elements here of “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde,” since the setting of both works is the same period and both Hyde and Dorian seek pleasure above all else. Hyde is more the monster, but Dorian’s unhealthy pursuits render him less and less human. The film’s strong points are Firth’s outstanding performance as Lord Henry, and the portrayal of turn-of-thelast-century London. Though Barnes looks the part, he is a rather colorless Dorian. He engages in all manner of vile activities, but it’s as if a chalk outline is going through the motions. Where is the passion? Fortunately, Firth digs in his heels to provide a dazzling performance of the man who leads Dorian down the path of corruption. Extras include audio commentary with the director and screenwriter, several behind-the-scenes featurettes, cast and crew interviews, deleted scenes, and a blooper reel. “The Back-Up Plan” (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) is a good reason to read a book, play Scrabble, wash your hair, or go jogging. It’s a total waste of time. Supposedly a romantic comedy, it is predictable, with a leading lady (Jennifer Lopez) who has no sense of comic timing, a bland leading man (Alex O’Loughlin), a contrived plot, and as much on-screen chemistry as a pair of cardboard paper towel rolls. Zoe (Lopez) is a single New Yorker who has not yet met Mr. Right, but she is itching to have a baby. She gets herself artificially inseminated only to meet Stan (O’Loughlin), an organic cheese maker, the same day. Zoe keeps her pregnancy a secret, but makes Stan’s life miserable because she is paranoid he will leave her. You know the rest. He finds out. He gets upset. They part. They reunite and live happily ever after. There is absolutely no wit or intelligence within miles of this picture. Lopez looks beautiful, as always, but it takes more than a curvy body to make a movie. Bonuses include an interview with Lopez and “a bouncing bundle of hilarious deleted scenes,” as stated on the DVD case. “The Flight of the Conchords: The Complete Collection” (HBO Home Entertainment) is a five-disc set featuring Seasons 1 and 2 of the quirky comedy series and the special, “Flight of the Conchords: One Night Stand.” Jermaine Clement and Bret McKenzie are a pair of New Zealand musicians living in New York City and hoping to hit the big time. Their manager is a New Zealand Consulate official, Murray (Rhys Darby), who is not very good about securing bookings. Despite their infrequent stage appearances, they have a stalker, Mel (Kristen Schaal). “Flight of the Conchords” combines the offbeat humor of “This Is Spinal Tap” with the colorful characters of “The Office” to come up with some very funny shows. The dialogue often involves extended conversations that get weirder and more surreal as they go on -- not exactly the speedy repartee of Abbott & Costello’s “Who’s on First?” but a comic blend comprised of a pinch of Jerry Seinfeld, a helping of Larry David, a few sprinkles of vaudeville, and several measures of Monty Python. Extras are plentiful and include a mini-documentary featuring Bret and Jermaine at their droll, deadpan best; “Dave’s Pawn Shop” mock TV ads; snippets from meetings with the inept manager and his associate Greg; deleted scenes; and outtakes. ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 ARIES --Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, all eyes are on you this week Aries, all eyes are on you this week so you better be in top form. Higherso you better be in top form. Higherups expect great things from you and ups expect great things from you and you’re not about to disappoint. Good you’re not about to disappoint. Good fortune is in store for Tuesday. fortune is in store for Tuesday. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 TAURUS --Apr 21/May 21 This week is bound to be fun advenThis week is bound to be aafun adventure, Taurus. Be ready to kick up your ture, Taurus. Be ready to kick up your heels and throw caution to the wind. heels and throw caution to the wind. Bring Pisces along to share in the exBring Pisces along to share in the excitement. citement. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 GEMINI --May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, someone close to you could Gemini, someone close to you could use pick-me-up so step up to the use aa pick-me-up so step up to the task. Remember to show compassion task. Remember to show compassion in this situation, because the thing the in this situation, because the thing the person needs least is lecture. person needs least is aalecture. CANCER Jun 22/Jul 22 CANCER --Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, this week you’ll seek the apCancer, this week you’ll seek the approval of family member but for all proval of aafamily member but for all the wrong reasons. You’re normally the wrong reasons. You’re normally secure enough in yourself that you secure enough in yourself that you don’t need an ego boost. don’t need an ego boost. LEO Jul 23/Aug 23 LEO --Jul 23/Aug 23 Your finances have been rocky for Your finances have been rocky for aa while, but things level out this week, while, but things level out this week, Leo. Use the break to get better grip Leo. Use the break to get aabetter grip on your finances for the rest of the on your finances for the rest of the year. year. VIRGO Aug 24/Sept 22 VIRGO --Aug 24/Sept 22 It’s not in your nature to hold grudge, It’s not in your nature to hold aagrudge, Virgo. Therefore, let miscommuVirgo. Therefore, let aa miscommunication between you and family nication between you and aa family member go and move on. Big changes member go and move on. Big changes are around the corner. are around the corner. LIBRA Sept 23/Oct 23 LIBRA --Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, your dishonesty in situation Libra, your dishonesty in aa situation has been haunting you. Now is the has been haunting you. Now is the time to come clean and redeem yourtime to come clean and redeem yourself. A phone call from distant relaself. A phone call from aa distant relative surprises you. tive surprises you. SCORPIO Oct 24/Nov 22 SCORPIO --Oct 24/Nov 22 If you’ve felt torn between making If you’ve felt torn between making decisions on the homefront, consider decisions on the homefront, consider doing your hard thinking this week. doing your hard thinking this week. The stars allow everything to become The stars allow everything to become clear for you. clear for you. SAGITTARIUS Nov 23/Dec 21 SAGITTARIUS --Nov 23/Dec 21 You’ve been on the fence about atYou’ve been on the fence about attending family event, Sagittarius. tending aa family event, Sagittarius. You should surround yourself with You should surround yourself with those you know will buoy your spirits, those you know will buoy your spirits, so consider going. so consider going. CAPRICORN Dec 22/Jan 20 CAPRICORN --Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, make amends for someCapricorn, make amends for something you did that friend took poorly. thing you did that aafriend took poorly. Even if you don’t believe yourself to Even if you don’t believe yourself to be in the wrong, it always pays to be be in the wrong, it always pays to be the bigger person. the bigger person. AQUARIUS Jan 21/Feb 18 AQUARIUS --Jan 21/Feb 18 This is the perfect time to dabble in This is the perfect time to dabble in real estate venture. Your stars are aa real estate venture. Your stars are strong in home-related matters, so strong in home-related matters, so there won’t be better time to take there won’t be aa better time to take action. action. PISCES Feb 19/Mar 20 PISCES --Feb 19/Mar 20 A romance is rekindled and you will A romance is rekindled and you will be on Cloud Nine this week, Pisces. be on Cloud Nine this week, Pisces. Focus on keeping the relationship Focus on keeping the relationship ablaze. This one is for keeps. ablaze. This one is for keeps. Answer to Last Week’s Puzzle Answer to Last Week’s Puzzle