June 4, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 33 ‘Small Time’ is return to character-driven films with real problems are being overshadowed these days by superheroes, alien invasions, and computer-fueled spectacles. “Small Time” is a refreshing return to character- driven movies. The only special feature on the Blu-ray release is audio commentary with Surnow, Meloni, and Norris. “The Nutty Professor 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition” (Warner Home Video) is an elaborate box set tribute to the comedy of Jerry Lewis. Julius F. Kelp (Lewis), a shy, bumbling chemistry teacher who has a crush on his student Stella Purdy (Stella Stevens). Kelp develops a magic potion that turns him into smooth nightclub singer Buddy Love. Stella is drawn to Buddy, but the potion’s formula is unstable and Buddy keeps slipping back into Julius at embar- rassing moments. by Dennis Seuling “Small Time” (Anchor Bay) is the story of Al Klein (Christopher Meloni, “Law & Order: SVU”) and his longtime friend, Ash Martini (Dean Norris, “Breaking Bad”). These two own a used car lot and know every trick in the book when it comes to selling cars. Ash has lived a carefree life, never really settling down. Al still has feel- ings for his ex-wife, Barbara (Bridget Moy- nahan, “Blue Bloods”), who left him for a more successful man. After graduating from high school, their son, Freddy (Devon Bostick, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”), decides to forego college in favor of selling cars with his old man. Al is thrilled when Freddy moves in with him. It is the first time the two have lived under one roof since Freddy was a kid. Barbara, however, is not at all pleased. She is concerned that what is best for Al might not be best for their son, as Freddy quickly transforms from innocent kid into a seasoned shark. This is the first big-screen effort from Joel Surnow (TV’s “24”), who wrote the screenplay and directed. Surnow has based this film, at least in part, on personal expe- rience. He worked into his mid-twenties with his father as a carpet salesman. With a cast mostly of TV actors, this comedy/ drama is appealing in its colorful assort- ment of characters, but there are structural problems. Freddy’s transition from awk- Al (Christopher Meloni, right) and Freddy (Devon Bostick) are a father and son learn- ing from each other in ‘Small Time.’ ward novice to fast-talking sharpie occurs too quickly. However, the movie effectively shows the developing relationship between a father and son getting to know each other for the first time. Movies about real people Lewis’ films have grossed over $800 million. He was the top box office star along with Dean Martin from 1952 to 1956, and solo from 1957 to 1964. He has appeared in more than 50 movies, directed a dozen, and was a familiar face on television. He also appeared on Broadway and on tour in “Damn Yankees.” He is credited with initiating the technique of placing a video camera next to the motion picture camera (the Video Assist) so he could play back his scenes and direct himself. In addition to “The Nutty Professor,” the four-disc Blu-ray set includes the fea- tures “Cinderfella” (1960) and “The Errand Boy” (1961), the CD “Phoney Phone Calls” (Lewis’ secretly recorded prank phone calls), a new profile of Lewis, a 48-page (continued on Crossword page)