New DVDs, and some good ones on the line-up for today, including Superhero flicks and romantic comedies for dudes. Really.

As always, Dr. Videoport Jones is here to assist.

Iron Man

Videoport Jones: "Hey, wow, a superhero movie that doesn't suck. Neat concept. Perhaps the success (critically and ECONOMICALLY...caps to get studios' attention) of both this and 'The Dark Knight' will convince the Powers That Screw Everything Up not to hire teams of monkeys with hair plugs to, well, monkey around with what's worked for decades in the comics and, instead, turn their next enterprise over to a talented, respectful nerdgeek who'll do the source material justice. Enter Jon Favreau, a dude who clearly has a lot of Marvel back issues in polybags in his basement. While I've never been a big fan of Iron Man as a character (a rich prettyboy with a technological, vaguely right-wing bent), I will say that my nerdheart went 'squee!' with delight more than a few times as I saw how he, and star Robert Downey Jr. failed to tart up, dumb down, or just plain 'f' with the character as the film went along. Fun effects, Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, some laughs...pretty much everything a comic geek could have wanted."

Justin: "Jonesy my man, you have nailed it once again. Sometimes it's scary how much we're on the same wavelength. I too was never a big Iron Man guy, devoted my time to Batman, Spidey, the X-Men, the Justice League, Archie...uh, forget that last one. ANYWAY, it's not that there was anything wrong with Mr. Stark and his toys, but they did nothing for me. But when you look at Iron Man as a movie property, how could you not say 'Of COURSE!' Rich playboy, geo-politics, fancy weapons, robotics and a high degree of explosions - how is this not the perfect formula. But at the same time, that formula could easily been ruined and set on fire (*cough, cough, BRETT RATNER - cough, cough*). I loved this movie and the combo of Jon 'You're so money' Favreau and Robert Downey Jr. just sealed the deal. It's like a central casting dream. And on top of that you have to give credit for Jeff Bridges for being down right scary and very un-Lebowski-like. Plus, I know a comic book movie works well when it wins over my non-comic book reading lady. Overall a fun movie that breezes along without being unforgettable and leaves you wanting more. I demand a boozy Tony Stark careening out of control in the Iron Man suit!"

The Foot Fist Way

VPJ: "Super low budget indie comedy about a blustery, largely inept mall dojo karate expert is the first, self-financed film from Danny McBride, whom I'm assured is going to be the Next Big Comedy Guy. He's had some small but mildly memorable roles in 'Hot Rod,' 'Tropic Thunder', and 'Pineapple Express' since he made this, but he hasn't made much of an impression on me as of yet. Looking forward to this one, though. Your thoughts, J-man?"

JE:"I'd give it a shot. McBride was subtle, weird and awesome as Red in 'Pineapple Express.' I can honestly say I said 'who is that dude,' and wanted to know a little more after the Express. So it sounds like a solid renter. But the less we talk about 'Tropic Thunder' the better in my book."

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

VPJ: "Judd-freaking-Apatow. I think the thing that strikes me most about the guy is his ability to judge comic talent. He assembled a bunch of uniquely-gifted young stars for his criminally-neglected TV series 'Freaks & Geeks' (available at Videoport!), almost all of whom have gone on to work with him later on and produce, write, and star in some of the best comedies in recent memory. It's Jason Segel's turn this time, as Apatow produces his former protege's (he was sadly sweet dim-bulb drummer Nick in 'F&G,' and a hilariously stalker-y boyfriend in 'Undeclared') writing and starring debut in this funny, raunchy relationship comedy about, yes, another sad sack who gets kicked in the nuts by love. It's a slight cut below the Apatow-directed 'The 40 Year Old Virgin' and 'Knocked Up' (also with Segel), but that puts it eight or nine whacks above the rest of the stale 'comedies' that Hollywood shovels out to us. Co-starring certified funny people Paul Rudd, '30 Rock's' Jack McBrayer, Russell Brand, Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Jonah Hill, this one's a no-brainer. And you know how I mean that. As my friend the Guak says in approbation every time the man's name is mentioned: 'apaTOW!'"

JE: "Bingo. When I saw this movie it stuck in my head for a long time and I couldn't figure it out. The movie was hilarious, and the cast was like an who's who of below-the-radar actors I love. But it was more than that. You're right that it's not on par with '40 Year-Old Virgin' and 'Knocked Up,' but I think what stuck with me is that it seemed like as honest (and comedic) a depiction of break-up from the POV of a guy that I've ever seen. I honestly thought it was a romantic comedy for guys, and I don't say that as a bad thing. The fact is if you watered down the script, reverse some roles and put Sandra Bullock in the lead, this would be a chick flick. Segel makes it work so well and gets a surprising turn from Kunis. Overall a well written, thoughtful and I might even say 'charming' movie about what sucks about break-ups and fumbling along in the aftermath. Also, puppets and musical theater. Also, don't forget you can check out Segel in the hilarious 'How I Met Your Mother,' on CBS. I swear that was not a plug, but I do love that show."

Taxi to the Darkside

VPJ: "US forces in Afghanistan picked up a poor Afghani cab driver on the word of an informant who said he was a terrorist. The cabbie was tortured, maimed, and died in a US-run prison by US soldiers, the informant turned out to be a terrorist himself, and US 'leaders' claimed the man died of 'natural causes', all the while defending their OK of torture as an official US policy. But, you know, only when really necessary...like when Jack Bauer has only six seconds to find out what the secret bomb code is or something cool like that. Don't worry, you can trust them...they're the government. This documentary will make you absolutely furious and sick to your soul. Assuming you have one."

JE: "I've heard lots of good things about this documentary, or about as good as you can hear about a film that lays bare the awful realities of the war on terror and torture. But just recently have I become acquainted with Alex Gibney and his work. Gibney not only directed this, but also 'Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room,' and 'Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson,' which I saw recently. So being a little familiar with that work, I'd take it as a good bet that this one will be just as interesting, if not sad or altogether depressing."

Chapter 27

VPJ: "I suppose we needed a movie about the a-hole who assassinated John Lennon? Like we couldn't have lived without one (actually, there are at least two (and, yay!, Videoport has the other, 'The Killing of John Lennon' as well). Sigh. Well, Jared Leto plays Mark David Chapman this time, packing a bunch of weight onto his prettyboy, Calvin Klein-model frame to appropriately portray the fat, pathetic, delusional fraction of a human who murdered a beloved public figure (and to 'pull a DeNiro' in a bid for acting legitimacy). You guys can have this one- apparently Lindsay Lohan is in it too, just to make sure I'll never see it."

JE: "Uh, wow. Just...uh...why would you put Lindsay Lohan in a movie about the guy who killed John Lennon? Seriously? Like you point out, another movie about the death of Lennon is going to be hard to take for many people, especially any serious music fan. Why through Lohan into the equation. Someone else can have this one. I'll say 'Thanks, but no thanks.'"

Mister Lonely

VPJ: "Ah Harmony Korine, you little provocateur, you. He wrote the loathsome, exploitative, inexplicably-overrated 'Kids,' directed by creepy old man Larry Clark before branching out to wig the bejesus out of everybody by directing his own scripts in 'Julien Donkey-Boy' & 'Gummo' until, deciding he just wasn't as good at exploitative, pedophilic ickiness on his own and re-teaming with Clark for 'Ken Park' (all available at Videoport! We're going to hell!) and, now, bringing out this oddity, again on his own. The tale of a Mexican Michael Jackson impersonator ('Y Tu Mama Tambien's' Diego Luna) who meets a Marliyn Monroe wannabe (the talented Samantha Morton) and accompanies her to her island home, populated exclusively by people pretending to be Charlie CHaplin, Sammy Davis Jr., and others. It makes damn near no sense, but there are some actual actors in the cast this time around (Werner Herzog even makes an appearance) and has a certain, incomprehensible Lynchian thing going on. My buttons remained unpressed, however."

JE: "Thanks for the serious wiggins there Jonesy. Ugh. I feel like I need a shower just going over the Korine (and Clark's) body of (filthy and icky) work. Because 'Kids,' wasn't creepy enough, and on that alone I think most people knew to stay away from 'Gummo' and 'Ken Park.' It's like he just keeps trying to force himself on the public, like some old-school Times Square smut peddler. Maybe smut was too strong a word, but seriously, the dude creeps me out. So consider this not a ringing endorsement for 'Mister Lonely.'"

Parting shots

- What lessons should the movie studios take away from "Iron Man?" What lessons will they really take away?
- Is the Apatow name like the midas touch right now in Hollywood, or are Jonesy and Justin drinking the Kool-Aid?
- Can you think of a worse movie to put The Lohan in other than a film on John Lennon's killer?

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