Page 28 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • December 19, 2012 ‘Hitchcock’ (continued from Entertainment page) respect from an art form they love. She centers her life around him and understands that she and movies will always be competitors for his attention. Alma knows the real man -- her husband -- from the self-promoting, public Master of Suspense. Despite considerable padding, facial prosthetics, and adopted mannerisms, Hopkins falls short in his channeling of Hitchcock. He never quite nails the accent audiences have come to know from the real Hitchcock’s long-running TV show. However, after a few minutes, the viewer goes with the flow. Alma, a far less public figure, comes off more effectively through Mirren’s portrayal. Her Alma is intelligent, outspoken, and even intimidating, standing up to studio bosses when they threaten to take over the production of “Psycho.” The supporting cast is strong, with many well-known actors in small roles. Toni Collette plays assistant and gal Friday Peggy Robertson; Ralph Macchio is screenwriter Joseph Stefano; Michael Stuhlbarg is Lew Wasserman, Hitchcock’s agent and friend; and Richard Portnow is Barney Balaban, president of Paramount Pictures. “Hitchcock” is at its best providing viewers with the many interesting behind-the-scenes stories about the making of “Psycho,” such as Hitchcock’s endless conflicts with the censors over the film’s violent shower scene, the special campaign designed to keep the ending of the movie a surprise, the dispute over whether music should accompany the shower murder, and Hitchcock’s involvement in every aspect of production, however small. “Hitchcock” takes viewers into the private life of a famous director, illustrating that the glamour of moviemaking does not come without tireless preparation, a clear vision, and the determination to stick with that vision despite the obstacles. Rated PG-13, “Hitchcock” captures a time of challenges to the film industry. by William Friedkin (“The French Connection,” “The Exorcist”). When drug dealer Chris Smith (Emile Hirsch) loses his stash of cocaine, he winds up in debt. Chris comes to his father (Thomas Haden Church) with a plan. They decide to hire someone to kill Chris’ biological mother so his emotionally damaged sister Dottie (Juno Temple) can claim the life insurance. The hit man of choice is depraved Dallas detective and part-time murderer Joe Cooper (Matthew McConaughey). Because the plan is crazy to begin with, there is no place to go but down. Amid loads of NC-17 violence, the scheme spirals out of control, with one unforeseen event setting off another as the bodies pile up. Blu-ray extras include a featurette, a Q&A session with the cast, an introduction by Friedkin, and commentary . DVD releases (continued from Restaurant page) adventure. Piano prodigy Eli Bloom (Jesse Eisenberg) is on his way to the most important audition of his life, but first he has to drop off his mother, Penny (Melissa Leo), at a drug rehab center. Since Penny is not quite high enough to be admitted, mother and son end up at the door of her dealer, Sprinkles (Tracy Morgan). A series of comic misadventures ensues. Blu-ray extras include a making-of featurette, and an interview with Tracy Morgan. “Killer Joe” (Lionsgate) is an adaptation of the earliest work of Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Tracy Letts, directed