New On DVD: Lopez and Lost

Looking for something new to watch on DVD? Sadly, there's not much new this week, but at least there's always watching Transformers for the seventh time!

The Backup Plan

romantic comedy

The Gist: Jennifer Lopez plays a woman who listens to her ticking clock. She becomes pregnant the new fashioned way - at a fertility clinic - but could the guy she meets immediately thereafter be the long-awaited Mr. Right?

The Ups: Jennifer Lopez is charming.

The Downs: Charming, that is, outside of this dismal movie. With a plot seems to take nine months to finish, this film is dull and predictable.

The Verdict:  Have your own backup plan ready, maybe a DVD of "Selena."

Be Aware: Rated PG-13 for sexual content including references, some crude material, and language.

TV on DVD: Lost

the complete series

The Gist: Still haven't figured out what Lost really means? The entire series, about a group of remarkably attractive airline passenger who crash on a mysterious island that uncovers their darkest soul-secrets, is now available.

The Extras: In addition to DVDs of the entire series, the set includes a collectible Senet game, a collectible island replica, and a blacklight. For, um, whatever a blacklight is for. It must mean something.

The Ups: This series started out strong, with each character slowly revealing the backstories that should condemn them, but also hints of redemption. What was the island? Was it purgatory? A dream? A government facility? Or just a hellish part of the airline security line? With the DVDs, you can go frame by frame to find the clues that are surely embedded in secret messages in the backgrounds.

The Downs: A victim of its own success, this series faltered as it went on, trying to keep mystery going without, you know, ending the show. Eventually, thankfully, they decided to end it anyway and the show recovered. Somewhat.

The Verdict: Definitely worth watching for the deep character development and themes of damnation and redemption wrapped in mystery.

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Report from the set of Doonby