Page 32 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II, III & IV • May 26, 2010 away to Saigon. Thuy must come to grips with the challenges of daily survival and becomes part of an interconnected relationship with beautiful flight attendant Lan (Cat Ly) and lonely zookeeper Han (Le The Lu). To avoid the authorities and her strict uncle tracking her down, Thuy must summon all her cleverness and determination in her attempt at lasting happiness. The film is somewhat predictable, but is remarkable in its feeling of hope. Young Han is immediately endearing. She elicits sympathy and demonstrates her independence and ability to survive in the crowded streets of Saigon. The film starts to feel contrived when the two characters Thuy meets merge so neatly. Though there is a sense of Thuy’s less-than-ideal existence, director Stephane Gauger downplays harsher elements of life on the streets in favor of a more romanticized perspective. Bonuses include director’s audio commentary, a behindthe-scenes featurette, and deleted scenes. Three Mel Brooks comedies are newly released on Blu-ray by 20th Century-Fox Home Entertainment. “High Anxiety,” the director’s hilarious homage to the movies of Alfred Hitchcock, stars Brooks as Dr. Richard Thorndyke, the newly appointed head psychiatrist of the Psycho Neurotic Institute for the Very, Very Nervous. Thorndyke has to combat his own phobias as he finds himself in the midst of a plot involving a fellow psychiatrist (Harvey Korman), a nurse (Cloris Leachman), and a blonde damsel in distress (Madeline Kahn). What makes this film so wonderful is the obvious affection Brooks feels for the Master of Suspense. His send-ups are on the money, even to spoofing Hitch’s rich orchestral scores and his use of subjective camera work to show scenes from a character’s point of view. Brooks performs the title song in all his faux-Sinatra stylings. Hitchcock himself reportedly loved the movie and sent Brooks a case of wine as a thank you. Brooks’ “History of the World, Part 1” contains an elaborate, bizarrely captivating, Busby Berkeley-esque Spanish Inquisition production number. “Robin Hood: Men in Tights,” starring Cary Elwes as Robin, features Brooks as a Jewish version of Friar Tuck, Rabbi Tuckman. Tracey Ullman appears as the hag Latrine, and Dom DeLuise delivers a dead-on spoof of Marlon Brando as Don Corleone. DVDs (continued from Restaurant page) also staged terrific action sequences with dangerous stunts during the Indian attacks. The Criterion Blu-ray edition contains a newly restored high-definition digital transfer, audio commentary by Western authority Jim Kitse, the 1917 John Ford-directed silent feature “Bucking Broadway,” a 1968 video interview with Ford, a video appreciation of “Stagecoach” with director and Ford biographer Peter Bogdanovich, a video homage to legendary stuntman Yakima Canutt, and a booklet featuring an essay on the film and the short story on which the movie is based. “Dear John” (Sony Home Entertainment) is a romantic drama that incorporates 9/11 as a crucial plot point. John Tyree (Channing Tatum) is a soldier on leave in South Carolina, visiting his reclusive father (Richard Jenkins). At the beach, he meets attractive young Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried) and despite their diverse backgrounds, they click. When his leave is about to end, they vow to write to each other until his tour of duty is complete and they can reunite, but when the planes fly into the World Trade Center on 9/11, he signs for a permanent tour of duty. The best thing about “Dear John” is Tatum, who convinces as a romantic lead with an edge -- his character has anger management issues that create a lot of melodrama along the way. Seyfried, by contrast, is bland. Aside from her good looks, it’s difficult to see what Tatum’s John Tyree sees in her. This “chick flick” is for those viewers who enjoyed “The Notebook.” It is a romantic story that takes unexpected turns and seems geared to turn on the tear ducts every few minutes. Special features include an alternate ending, outtakes, deleted and alternate scenes, and a conversation with stars Tatum and Seyfried and director Lasse Hallstrom. “The Owl and the Sparrow” (Image Entertainment) takes place in a small Vietnamese village. Ten-year-old Thuy (Pham Thi Han) is mostly confined to working in her uncle’s bamboo factory. This changes when she runs ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 You’ve been avoiding a serious relaYou’ve been avoiding a serious relationship, Aries. However, someone in tionship, Aries. However, someone in your life right now is making you feel your life right now is making you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. all warm and fuzzy inside. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 You may have to put scheduled plans You may have to put scheduled plans on hold for the time being, Taurus. A on hold for the time being, Taurus. A new project arises that will require all new project arises that will require all of your attention. It will be up to you of your attention. It will be up to you to complete it. to complete it. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 A short vacation just may be what you A short vacation just may be what you need to change your way of thinking, need to change your way of thinking, Gemini. The road less traveled is usuGemini. The road less traveled is usually less traveled for a reason. But ally less traveled for a reason. But you’re up for an adventure. you’re up for an adventure. CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Don’t take your frustrations out on Don’t take your frustrations out on those around you, Cancer. While you those around you, Cancer. While you may be bored and looking for things may be bored and looking for things to do, this is no one’s fault but your to do, this is no one’s fault but your own. own. LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, next week proves to be one with Leo, next week proves to be one with big changes around every bend. From big changes around every bend. From financial gains to opportunities for financial gains to opportunities for fun, you certainly won’t be bored. fun, you certainly won’t be bored. VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 It’s time to get revved up about makIt’s time to get revved up about making a change in your life, Virgo. Right ing a change in your life, Virgo. Right now you’ve offered a lot of lip service now you’ve offered a lot of lip service but no concrete action. Step up to the but no concrete action. Step up to the plate. plate. LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 Dive headfirst into your next project Dive headfirst into your next project and prove to disbelievers that you and prove to disbelievers that you have the skills and talent to get the job have the skills and talent to get the job done, Libra. You have to believe in done, Libra. You have to believe in yourself first before others will. yourself first before others will. SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 You cannot run away from problems, You cannot run away from problems, Scorpio -- they’ll wait around for your Scorpio -- they’ll wait around for your return. Build up the strength to face return. Build up the strength to face each difficulty head-on and you’ll feel each difficulty head-on and you’ll feel more satisfied. more satisfied. SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 Someone close to you is not ready to Someone close to you is not ready to receive a helping hand despite your receive a helping hand despite your willingness to offer one. It’s best if willingness to offer one. It’s best if you focus your attention on someone you focus your attention on someone else for the time being. else for the time being. CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, you may want to put a tight Capricorn, you may want to put a tight lock on your wallet because spendlock on your wallet because spending must be curbed this week. If you ing must be curbed this week. If you check your budget you’ll find that check your budget you’ll find that you’re overdrawn. you’re overdrawn. AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 Smile and work through a situation Smile and work through a situation that is trying your patience, Aquarius. that is trying your patience, Aquarius. You may find that you’re overreactYou may find that you’re overreacting and things will return to normal ing and things will return to normal shortly. shortly. PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 A short-lived conflict will come up A short-lived conflict will come up that has you feeling a bit down in the that has you feeling a bit down in the dumps, Pisces. Gemini cheers you up dumps, Pisces. Gemini cheers you up on Thursday. on Thursday. Answer to Last Week’s Puzzle Answer to Last Week’s Puzzle