July 18, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II, III & IV • Page 19 Release pokes fun at south-of-the-border action flicks by Dennis Seuling Will Ferrell has distinguished himself in such memorable comedies as “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” “Elf,” and “Wedding Crashers,” but he has never before taken on a movie like “Casa de mi Padre” (Lionsgate). Ferrell plays Armando Alvarez, a simple Mexican who is proud to work on his father’s ranch. When the ranch begins to struggle financially, Armando’s younger brother, Raul (Diego Luna), comes to the rescue and brings his beautiful fiancée, Sonia (Genesis Rodriguez). Raul is a successful international businessman who shows promise for saving the ranch, but when Armando falls for Sonia and Raul’s business dealings turn out to be shady, the Alvarez family members find themselves in a war with each other and with Mexico’s most feared drug lord, Onza (Gael Garcia Bernal). The distinctive aspect of “Casa de mi Padre” is that it is in Spanish (with English subtitles) and broadly parodies low-budget Mexican cinema with intentionally cheap-looking studio sets juxtaposed with actual locations, fake horses on wheels, badly “disguised” miniature models standing in for an actual town, and over-the-top performances. Wisely, director Matt Piedmont has kept the action brisk and the running time brief, so the movie never overstays its welcome. The experience is richer for those who are familiar with the genre being spoofed, but offers plenty of laughs even for the uninitiated. Bonuses on “Casa de mi Padre,” available on Blu-ray and DVD, include audio commentary with Ferrell, Piedmont, and writer/producer Andrew Steele; deleted scenes; a making-of featurette; and a music video. “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) is directed by Lasse Hallstrom, the Oscar- Will Ferrell as Mexican rancher Armando Alvarez in the comedy ‘Casa de mi Padre.’ winning screenwriter of “Slumdog Millionaire.” A visionary sheik (Amy Waked) believes his passion for the peaceful pastime of salmon fly fishing can enrich the lives of his people, and he dreams of bringing the sport to the not so fish-friendly desert. Willing to spare no expense, he instructs his representative, Harriet (Emily Blunt), to turn his dream into reality, an extraordinary feat that will require the involvement of Britain’s leading fisheries expert, Dr. Alfred Jones (Ewan McGregor), who thinks the project is absurd and unachievable. When British government publicist Patricia Maxwell (Kristin Scott Thomas) champions it as a goodwill story, however, the unlikely team puts everything on the line to prove the impossible is possible. Metaphorically, the movie contains the message that we can find our oases no matter the desert. Also resonating is that, with unlimited resources, the wildest, craziest dream can be pursued, if not fully realized. McGregor and Blunt are the film’s best ingredients. Both have charm, and it’s fun to watch the scientifically oriented Dr. Jones become immersed in politics as a romance with Harriet blossoms. However, the film drags for long stretches until a satisfactory final act. There are two bonus featurettes. “Bonanza: The Official Third Season” (CBS Video) is a nine-disc set containing every episode from the 1961-62 season. This show chalked up 430 episodes in its 14-season prime-time run, which was second only to “Gunsmoke” as the longest-running TV Western. The show focuses on the Cartwright family, a father and his three sons -- each by a different wife -- who live on the sprawling Ponderosa ranch in Nevada territory. Lorne Greene plays the father, and Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon play the sons. Running at the height of TV Westerns’ popularity, “Bonanza” differed from the flock because it was a period drama that confronted contemporary social issues and emphasized the individual family members. Episodes ranged from high drama to comedy and addressed issues including substance abuse, domestic violence, bigotry, and out-of-wedlock birth. Guest stars in the third season include Lee Marvin, Inga Swenson, John Carradine, James Coburn, Jeff Morrow, Herschel Bernardi, Robert Culp, Arnold Stang, Dean Jones, and Vic Morrow. Special features include original Chevrolet commercials with cast members, a clip from the “Perry Como Kraft Music Hall,” photo galleries, and an excerpt from the radio show “Tales of Nevada -- Past & (continued on Crossword page)