Page 20 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II, III & IV • April 14, 2010 DVDs (continued from Restaurant page) “Studio One,” a hallmark of early dramatic television. In “The Arena,” newly elected Senator James Norton (Wendell Corey) must decide whether to use damaging information to destroy the career of his father’s political rival or keep the scandal quiet and create an ally. The characters are painted in very broad strokes, and it is hard to accept that young Norton never saw his bitter, acerbic father for what he is. Chester Morris chews up the scenery as a political manipulator, and it is interesting to see young Frances Sternhagen, who would establish herself as a character actress on Broadway and in films, in a small role. “The Strike,” the second Serling drama, takes place during the Korean War. It is a moralistic tale about soldiers cornered in a bunker with an indecisive leader who is forced to issue an order that will result in the deaths of 20 of his men in order to save hundreds of lives. This drama suffers from the confinement of its set, and is very talky -- more so than audiences are used to these days, when directors have learned to cut frequently to keep things interesting. The climax, however, still packs a punch. These dramas show Serling honing his skills in a tough medium voracious for new material. These shows are not as good as Serling’s Emmy-winning “Requiem for a Heavyweight,” but do show the cleverness and style that would flourish in “The Twilight Zone” stories. “I Sell the Dead” (MPI Home Video) is a nifty horror film reminiscent of the lush, gothic style of England’s Hammer Films. Dominic Monaghan (“The Lord of the Rings”) stars as 19th century corpse snatcher Arthur Blake, who desecrated the cemeteries and coffins of Britain until his capture by police. Just before Blake is to be hanged, he confesses to a peculiar priest (Ron Perlman of “Hellboy”) his gruesome tale of vampires, zombies, and cadaver-dealing that turns him from the savagery of the criminal underworld to the terrors of the undead. The movie has a neat around-the-fire ghost story feel, as Blake recounts his encounters with the supernatural. Its episodic structure reminded me of such TV series as “Tales from the Darkside” or “Tales of the Unexpected.” The cinematography is first rate, and the production design appropriately atmospheric, especially the recreation of fog-laden London cobblestone streets. There are also gruesomely realistic, graphic special effects. “Plunder: The Crime of Our Time” (Disinformation) looks at how America’s financial crisis developed, from the collapse of Bear Stearns to the mysterious world of hedge funds. Industry insiders tell both stories. The documentary also shows how hastily arranged government bailouts did not revive the economy and may have lost billions. Director Danny Schechter interviews bankers, respected economists, insider experts, journalists -- including Paul Krugman -- and Sam Antar, a convicted white-collar criminal who blew the whistle on intentionally dishonest practices. After recounting the history of the financial collapse, Schechter calls for a full investigation and structural reforms of financial institutions to ensure accountability by the whitecollar perpetrators who profited from the misery of their victims. “The Deadliest Catch: Season 5” (Image Entertainment) is a five-disc box set featuring one of the most captivating and exciting reality shows on television. The show chronicles the tough work of deep sea fishermen as they fish for red king crab and opilio crab. The show focuses on five captains and their crews as they brave the Bering Sea, undergoing great risk in hopes of monetary reward. Brutal storms, grueling hours, serious injuries, flaring tempers, and fierce competition contribute plenty of human drama. The show does not have the staged look of other “reality” shows, such as “The Bachelor,” or the show-biz glitz of “American Idol.” Here, the camera more an observer than a manipulator. Sixteen episodes are included. Extras include five featurettes focusing on the lives of the fishermen after the catch. ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Capitalize on your speed and strengths this week, Aries. They’ll help you to pull through with flying colors when an assignment leaves others feeling down. ARIES - - Apr 21/May 21 TAURUS Mar 21/Apr 20 Capitalize on your Enjoy the process speed and strengths of learning when this week, Aries. They’ll help you to you have a chance to sit in on an pull through with flying colors when important meeting. You othersa feeling an assignment leaves have oncein-a-lifetime opportunity, Taurus, so down. make the most of it. Enjoy the process of 21 GEMINI - May 22/Junlearning when you you a chance an experiment Whenhave engage in to sit in on an important meeting. You reasonably this week, Gemini, you’rehave a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity, be. Posisure what the outcome willTaurus, so make the most of from tive reinforcement it. friends is another good sign. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 When you engage in an experiment CANCER -Gemini, you’re reasonably this week, Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, youthe outcome will sign,Posisure what may be a water be. but this week is not the right time for maktive reinforcement from friends is aning waves. It’s best if you just go with other good sign. the flow instead. There will be other CANCER - ripples. times to causeJun 22/Jul 22 this - Jul 23/Aug right LEOweek is not the23 time for making you been best if you just go with Havewaves. It’sfeeling like you’re getthe flow instead. There will be other ting all of the advantages with none of times to cause ripples. the responsibilities? Well, the times they are a-changin’, Leo. Expect LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 bumpier roads ahead. like you’re getHave you been feeling Cancer, you may be a water sign, but VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 the times the responsibilities? Well, Suspicions have you jumping around they are a-changin’, Leo. Expect bumpier roads ahead. like a circus acrobat, Virgo. Calm down and put your anxiety into perVIRGO - you’ll run the risk spective or Aug 24/Sept 22 of burnSuspicions ing bridges. have you jumping around like a circus acrobat, Virgo. Calm down and put your anxiety into perLIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 spective or you’ll run the risk of burnIf you feel like you’ve lost your way, ing bridges. ting all of the advantages with none of Libra, rest assured that you are not alone. ThisSept 23/Oct 23 time to talk LIBRA - may be a good over your worries with lost your who If you feel like you’ve a friend way, means the world to you. you are not Libra, rest assured that over your - Oct 24/Nov 22 SCORPIO worries with a friend who means the world to could Help someone who you. use a little more attention this week, Scorpio. But SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 don’t use your personal problems as Help someone who could use a little examples. They are out of place in this more attention this week, Scorpio. But particular situation. don’t use your personal problems as alone. This may be a good time to talk SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 particular situation. Make good use of your time, Sagittarius, particularly-on Tuesday, when SAGITTARIUS Nov 23/Dec 21 Make good use of your time, Sagitothers will need guidance and leadertarius, particularly on candidate for ship. You’re the perfectTuesday, when others the job. will need guidance and leaderthe job. CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 You have to think outside of the box CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 when have to think outside of the box You stressful events spring up, Capricorn. stressful events spring up, Capwhen Just remember that there are more than two options -- you’ll find ricorn. Just remember that there are the right path. options -- you’ll find more than two the right path. ship. You’re the perfect candidate for examples. They are out of place in this Answer to Last Week’s Puzzle Answer to Last Week’s Puzzle AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 AQUARIUS Jan 21/Feb 18 Being overly -dramatic serves your Being well dramatic Aquarius. purposesoverly this week,serves your purposes believe week, Aquarius. Those whowell thisyou are seriously Those who catering to your every considering believe you are seriously considering catering to your every whim. whim. PISCES - -Feb 19/Mar 20 PISCES Feb 19/Mar 20 Invest what you can afford to lose in aa Invest what you can afford to lose in big gamble that plagues you on Thursbig gamble that plagues you on Thursday, Pisces. Just remember to remain day, Pisces. Just remember to remain calm in the face of adversity. calm in the face of adversity.