New ‘Godfather’ Set Presents Films As Coppola Wants You to See Them

By Barry Caine

Actor Joe Mantegna says that for him, the “Godfather” trilogy is the Italian “Star Wars.” The American Film Institute calls “The Godfather” the second greatest American film (“Citizen Kane” ranks No. 1).

This week, remastered versions of the three films are available as “The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration” in a five-disc DVD set, four-disc Blu-ray set, or individually.

The colors look richer. Portions of faces previously buried in shadow are visible, although the series-pervading darkness, by design, remains. The graininess is about the same as in previous versions, and I’m not sure there’s a need to upgrade to this collection unless you’re a huge fan — or a collector. The captivating performances (Brando, Pacino, DeNiro, et al.) and storytelling swoop you up in any rendition, even VHS.

On the other hand, the new set costs about the same as a tank of gas. And this is “The Godfather” Coppola wants you to see. Go with your gut.

Extras: A short on the restoration is interesting but thick with techno-jargon; new shorts on the series in retrospect and obstacles to getting the first film made are fun; much more.

Clooney passes

George Clooney’s cocksure, grinning face shows up in almost every frame of “Leatherheads,” a frothy screwball comedy about the early days of pro football. Set in 1925, the picture lacks pop but provides an affable — as in C+/B — diversion because of its appealing stars: Renee Zellweger as an ambitious reporter; John Krasinski as a boy-next-door-type war hero and college grid star; and Clooney as an aging pro player-manager out to sign the war hero to give his flailing sport a little respectability and a big boost at the box office. Scenes pegging to a possible scandal put cement boots on the storytelling.

Clooney, who also directs, creates a handsome period piece that captures the look of the times and the grittiness of the game. But if you see it, do so with low expectations.

Extras: A diverting look at Clooney’s mischievous side; deleted scenes; making-of, effects and creating-football-scenes shorts; commentary.

Dresses for success

As Big Apple columnist Carrie Bradshaw, Sarah Jessica Parker spends the first half of “Sex and the City: The Movie” the movie trying on poofy frocks to amuse herself and her friends Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda (Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon) and posing in fancy wedding dresses for a magazine spread.

And that’s why God created fast-forward.

The second half, where Carrie — scheduled to marry Mr. Big (Chris Noth) — and her buds deal with relationship dissatisfaction and betrayal, delivers enough substance to turn the film into a fairly satisfying fantasy; do you know anyone who dresses like them? Or can afford to? (If you do, introduce me.) “Dreamgirls’” Jennifer Hudson adds a dose of earthiness as Carrie’s new assistant. Bottom line: Nice to see them again despite the fashion madness. Also in Blu-ray and two-disc versions.

Extras: Filmmaker’s commentary; shorts on fashion and more on second disc.

Also on DVD

“Deception”: Ewan McGregor, a naive accountant, gets in trouble with the law after his slick, lawyer friend Hugh Jackman takes him to a secret sex club. (Also on Blu-ray.)

“The Foot Fist Way”: Martial-arts comedy with Danny McBride (“Tropic Thunder”).

“Madagascar”: Escaped animated zoo animals on Blu-ray.

“Mother of Tears”: Asia Argento must confront a nasty witchy woman in the dumb-but-watchable end to her dad’s (Dario Argento) “Three Mothers” trilogy.

“Midnight Eagle”: Photographer tries to save the world after witnessing a bomber carrying deadly material crash in the Alps; in Japanese.

“The Neighbor”: Matthew Modine gets bent out of shape when he learns his ex-wife’s going to marry his best friend and his feud with his pretty upstairs neighbor escalates — so he takes her to his ex’s wedding.

“Pathology”: Med students working in a morgue compete to see who can commit the perfect murder; with Milo Ventimiglia (“Heroes”).

“Reno 911!: Miami — The Movie Unrated Edition”: Mocumentary- style look at goofy cops.

“Run, Fat Boy, Run”: Out-of-shape Simon Pegg (“Shaun of the Dead”) competes in the London Marathon to win back Thandie Newton from her current beau, Hank Azaria. (Also on Blu-ray).

“Shrek the Third”: Green ogre on Blu-ray.

“Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat Special Edition”: Cute, campy modern-day horror Western about rival groups of undead populating a small town and trying to go straight with synthetic blood; with Bruce Campbell.

“Water”: Documentary claims intentions can change the structure of water and thoughts can alter environment; so what else is new?

Coming soon

Sept. 30 — “Iron Man”

TV on DVD

“Alvin & the Chipmunks: Alvin’s Thanksgiving Celebration”; “Alvin & the Chipmunks: Classic Holiday Gift Set”; “Brothers & Sisters: The Complete Second Season”; “Caillou’s Winter Wonders”; “Cashmere Mafia: The Complete Series”; “CSI: New York — The Fourth Season”; “Dinosaur King: The Adventure Begins”; “Friday the 13th — The Series: The First Season” (not bad for 1987).

Also: “High School Musical 2: Deluxe Dance Edition”; “iCarly: Season 1, Vol. 1″; “Rob & Big: The Complete Uncensored Third Season”; “Samantha Who? The Complete First Season”: “Schoolhouse Rock! The Election Collection”; “America’s Greatest Monuments: Washington, D.C.”; Stories from the Vaults: Season One”; “This American Life: The First Season”; “Vipers.”

Reach Barry Caine at bcaine @bayareanewsgroup.com.

Originally published by Barry Caine, Oakland Tribune.

(c) 2008 Oakland Tribune. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.