June 12, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 23 Movie depicts Oz before Dorothy’s famous visit tion into Theodora, and Walt Disney’s personal fascination with the Oz books. A Blu-ray 2D/DVD combo pack is also available. “Enter the Dragon: 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition” (Warner Home Video) commemorates Bruce Lee’s most famous performance. Lee was an athlete and mixed martial artist who became a huge star of the action genre despite making relatively few movies. The plot revolves around an outstanding martial arts student (Lee), who is recruited by an intelligence agency and then uncovers the evil Han’s (Kien Shih) white slavery and drug trafficking ring on a secret island fortress. Along with martial arts champions Roper (John Saxon) and Williams (Jim Kelly), Lee infiltrates the stronghold and enters Han’s brutal tournament. Lee and his partners combine skills drawn from karate, judo, tae kwon do, and other martial arts in an exciting fight to the death, all staged by Lee. Bonuses include producer commentary, an interview gallery featuring Lee’s wife Linda Lee Caldwell, vintage promotional films, and three new featurettes. “After People” (Lionsgate) is a collection of four History Channel programs on the fate of humans and the planet, offering a provocative look at some grim realities. Combining visual effects and insights from Mila Kunis and James Franco star in ‘Oz the Great and Powerful.’ by Dennis Seuling “Oz the Great and Powerful” (Disney) tells the story of the arrogant Barnum Brothers Circus magician and full-time conman Oscar Diggs (James Franco), who came to be known as the Wizard of Oz. Diggs has an eye for the ladies -- single or otherwise. When the angry husband of a woman with whom Diggs has openly flirted seeks the conjurer with murder in his eyes, Oscar decides it’s time to skip town. His mode of transportation is a hotair balloon, which soon gets caught in a swirling tornado, nearly killing him, and sets him down in Oz, where he is immediately taken for a wizard. Learning that a pile of gold awaits this wizard, Oscar draws upon a few tricks and illusions, along with a false charm, to assume the role. All is not beautiful landscapes and quirky inhabitants in this Oz. A trio of witches works magic, some good, some evil, to complicate Oscar’s claim to the throne of Oz. Anyone approaching the iconic Judy Garland film faces audience expectations, intense scrutiny, and “show me” attitudes. “Oz the Great and Powerful” tells its story in an above-average production with striking visuals, showing off its $200 million budget with computer-generated images, dazzling effects, and some new characters, including a diminutive China Girl and a talking winged monkey that befriends Oscar on his arrival in Oz and becomes his sidekick. Franco sells his role admirably, particularly the unabashed arrogance that drives the wizard. He comes across with just the right balance of rogue and hero. Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis, and Rachel Weisz star as three witches, each with an agenda of her own. Kunis’ Theodora is the most interesting, and Oscar’s early attempts to toy with her feelings result in great danger to all of Oz. In homage to “The Wizard of Oz,” the first 20 minutes of “Oz the Great and Powerful” are presented in black and white, in a square frame. These early scenes are briskly paced and immediately establish Oscar’s shady character. The attention to detail is remarkable and helps capture the feel of the early 20th century. Production design in these scenes is visually stunning and reminiscent of old-time postcards As Oscar enters Oz, the picture slowly widens and color drenches the screen, an effect that looks impressive on the big screen in 3D. The 3D is used intelligently and to great effect. Sure, there are objects flung toward the camera, but the sense of depth works beautifully in the scenes of Oz and its inhabitants. Extras on the Blu-ray 3D edition include bloopers, featurettes on Danny Elfman’s score, the special effects that bring the China Girl character to life, production design, Mila Kunis’ physical transforma- experts, this series imagines what would happen to manmade structures, plants, animals, and insects if humans became extinct. The series also examines what past acts of destruction like Hiroshima and Hurricane Katrina have taught us about what could befall humankind in the wake of an apocalypse. Though well-researched and initially fascinating, the presentations become repetitive and tedious and seem padded to fill TV running time. Judicious editing would greatly improve the series. This DVD release contains over four hours of content. “The Silver Chalice” (Warner Archive) marked the screen debut of Paul Newman in a costume epic based on the novel by Thomas B. Costain. Newman plays Basil, a first-century Greek sculptor sold into slavery by his wicked uncle. Transported to Rome, Basil enjoys a measure of freedom after his captors discover his talent. He marries fellow slave Deborra (Pier Angeli) and dallies with the sensuous Helena (Virginia Mayo), the partner of court magician Simon (Jack Palance, who engages in considerable scenery chewing). Eventually, Basil is commissioned to create a silver receptacle for the chalice from which Jesus Christ drank at the last supper. The cast (continued on Crossword page)