Page 24 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • December 15, 2010 DVDs (continued from Restaurant page) upon the greatest adventure of their lives. They encounter weird life forms and strange phenomena, including a people-swallowing squid, a living foam blob, sexy robots of the planet Piri, and the fearsome queen (Margaret Leighton) of the planet Astheria -- a character lifted from the ‘50s sci-fi series “Rocky Jones, Space Ranger” -- as they struggle to survive in deep space. Despite having been turned down by all three American networks, the show was scheduled, via syndication, to air in practically every city in the country. At its launch on the small screen in 1975, “Space: 1999” was the most expensive show of its kind in the history of television at $300,000 per episode. The Blu-ray edition contains all 24 first-season episodes and two bonus discs filled with hours of extras and featurettes. “Despicable Me” (Universal Home Entertainment) is an animated comedy about Gru, an aging villain who prides himself on how miserable he can be toward others. Lately, however, he has been slipping, and others have accomplished impressive crimes that outshine Gru’s. He decides the only way to regain his dwindling status is to steal the moon, assisted by the elderly Dr. Nefario and a legion of quirky, comical helpers called Minions. Plans do not go smoothly. When Gru finds he must care for three little girls, he discovers that it involves a great deal of work, and he becomes distracted by his new responsibilities. Vocal talents are provided by Steve Carell, Russell Brand, Jason Segal, Miranda Cosgrove, Kristin Wiig, and Julie Andrews. The animation style is a perfect fit for the story, and the low-key story development is enjoyable. For a change, viewers don’t have frenetic action taking the place of solid narrative, and Gru is more dimensional than many characters in live-action pictures. Younger kids might become impatient with its gradual, non-rushed development, but older kids and their parents will enjoy the nuances of emotion expressed by Gru as circumstances alter his perceptions of people and the world. Gru, like all well-crafted characters, is multifaceted, displays a range of emotions, and changes during the course of the movie. Bonuses on the three-disc Blu-ray combo pack include three mini-movies starring the Minions, a making-of featurette, and a documentary on the actors giving voice to the animated characters. “Dear Mr. Gacy” (Anchor Bay), based on the bestseller “The Last Victim” by Jason Moss, recounts the experiences of 18-year-old college student Jason Moss (Jesse Moss) and his relationship with notorious serial killer John Wayne Gacy (William Forsythe). As part of a school assignment, Moss sends a letter to Gacy in prison, portraying himself as a vulnerable kid. Gacy, suspicious at first, subjects Moss to a series of tests before eventually trusting him. What follows is a psychological game of cat-and- mouse between two manipulators, in which Moss’ life is turned upside down. Gacy’s original reign of terror extended from January 1972 to December 1978. He was convicted of 15 murders, although 30 bodies of men and boys were found buried under his house. Gacy is reminiscent of Hannibal Lecter in his ability to get into people’s minds, manipulate them, and mask a savage brutality with a sort of old-world charm. Forsythe turns in an appropriately creepy performance as Gacy. What makes the movie click is that both Gacy and Moss are manipulators, each attempting to outwit the other in a disturbing game of one-upmanship. A bonus featurette available on both the Blu-ray and DVD editions provides information on the real Gacy through interviews with cast, crew, and friends. Robert Klein was born in the Bronx and raised in a typical middle-class Jewish environment. After graduating from DeWitt Clinton High School, he planned to study medicine, but ended up at Second City, where he honed his comic skills. He eventually took on standup and became an observer and commentator on the foibles of society. “Robert Klein: Unbalanced” (HBO Home Entertainment) is the comedian’s ninth stand-up special for HBO. In his inimitable fashion, he discusses philandering Congressmen, hypocrisy in Washington, pop-culture obsessions, and job outsourcing. He also performs several musical interludes, backed by a symphony orchestra, that take comic aim at President Barack Obama, medical marijuana, and gay marriage. The years have not dimmed Klein’s sharp wit and ability to get laughs by pointing out absurdities of everyday life and skewering the famous and powerful. ARIES -- Mar 21/Apr 20 ARIES -- Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, if you’ve been waiting for the Aries, if you’ve been waiting for the opportunity to organize your life, it opportunity to organize your life, it has certainly arrived. Even though has certainly arrived. Even though those around you seem lazy, get as those around you seem lazy, get as much help as you can. much help as you can. TAURUS -- Apr 21/May 21 TAURUS -- Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, don’t overreact when someTaurus, don’t overreact when something out of the ordinary happens this thing out of the ordinary happens this week. Don’t be goaded into reacting to week. Don’t be goaded into reacting to the antics of a coworker. He or she is the antics of a coworker. He or she is just looking for a reaction. just looking for a reaction. GEMINI -- May 22/Jun 21 GEMINI -- May 22/Jun 21 Your expectations about work are not Your expectations about work are not realistic, Gemini, so it may be time to realistic, Gemini, so it may be time to revise your career outlook. Confrontarevise your career outlook. Confrontation is unavoidable on Wednesday. tion is unavoidable on Wednesday. CANCER -- Jun 22/Jul 22 CANCER -- Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, keep your eyes open and be Cancer, keep your eyes open and be flexible enough to recognize when an flexible enough to recognize when an opportunity arrives this week. You may opportunity arrives this week. You may need some added patience, as well. need some added patience, as well. LEO -- Jul 23/Aug 23 LEO -- Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, smart ideas on your part inspire Leo, smart ideas on your part inspire confidence in coworkers or fellow confidence in coworkers or fellow students this week. Keep up the good students this week. Keep up the good work and there is virtually nothing you work and there is virtually nothing you cannot achieve. cannot achieve. VIRGO -- Aug 24/Sept 22 VIRGO -- Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, this week you need to hear a Virgo, this week you need to hear a bit of criticism even though it may be bit of criticism even though it may be the last thing you want to do. Give the the last thing you want to do. Give the responses some thought before getting responses some thought before getting angry. angry. LIBRA -- Sept 23/Oct 23 LIBRA -- Sept 23/Oct 23 The next few days are perfect for getThe next few days are perfect for getting to know new people, Libra. Your ting to know new people, Libra. Your honest and welcoming smile will honest and welcoming smile will put anyone at ease, and you’ll make put anyone at ease, and you’ll make friends immediately. friends immediately. SCORPIO -- Oct 24/Nov 22 SCORPIO -- Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, even if you feel silly, go Scorpio, even if you feel silly, go overboard on romance this week. Your overboard on romance this week. Your husband, wife, or romantic partner husband, wife, or romantic partner will appreciate the added attention and will appreciate the added attention and so will you. so will you. SAGITTARIUS -- Nov 23/Dec 21 SAGITTARIUS -- Nov 23/Dec 21 Your social energy is top notch and Your social energy is top notch and others gravitate to your larger-thanothers gravitate to your larger-thanlife persona. On the downside, you life persona. On the downside, you can’t get organized and lose just about can’t get organized and lose just about everything you touch. everything you touch. CAPRICORN -- Dec 22/Jan 20 CAPRICORN -- Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, allow your creativity to Capricorn, allow your creativity to let others know what you are feeling. let others know what you are feeling. Put it in writing or artwork and create Put it in writing or artwork and create away. Immerse yourself in some selfaway. Immerse yourself in some selfdiscovery as well. discovery as well. AQUARIUS -- Jan 21/Feb 18 AQUARIUS -- Jan 21/Feb 18 In an indirect way you’ll be the center In an indirect way you’ll be the center of attention this week, Aquarius. But of attention this week, Aquarius. But there’s no need to feel self-conscious. there’s no need to feel self-conscious. Others are just in awe of what you can Others are just in awe of what you can accomplish. accomplish. PISCES -- Feb 19/Mar 20 PISCES -- Feb 19/Mar 20 This is a great time to reconnect with This is a great time to reconnect with people you haven’t spoken to in a people you haven’t spoken to in a while. While e-mail is okay, try to do while. While e-mail is okay, try to do it more personally with a phone call. it more personally with a phone call. Answer to Last Week’s Puzzle Answer to Last Week’s Puzzle