EW review: 'Jaws 30th' unnecessary
By Mandi Bierly
Entertainment Weekly
(Entertainment Weekly) -- "Courage and stupidity." That's what Steven Spielberg says he was full of when he filmed "Jaws." At 27, he was brave enough to take on Peter Benchley's killer-shark megaseller, but he was too naive to realize that his mechanical man-eater would malfunction to the point where he'd dub it ''the Great White Turd.''
Seriously large cojones. (And we're not talking about young Spielberg here.) That's what you -- who purchased the "25th Anniversary Edition" -- will think it takes for Universal to release "Jaws: 30th Anniversary Edition," this new two-disc set. The movie is still without a commentary or trivia track. The deleted scenes, outtakes, storyboards, and production pics haven't been sweetened. And worse, we already own 48 minutes of the two-hour making-of (now cleverly Cliff's-Noted in a commemorative photo journal).
The definitive doc will, of course, be worth the money for forgiving diehards, thanks to bonus bits like this one: Spielberg wanted to introduce Quint (Shaw) by having his hysterical laughter empty out a crowded Amity movie theater playing John Huston's "Moby Dick." The problem? "Moby Dick" star Gregory Peck wouldn't give him the film rights because it wasn't his finest performance.
Fans who can, however, survive without the extra dish should pass on this collection. The ''never-before-available'' set interview with Spielberg is notable only for his optimism that he'll wrap the movie in two months (instead of the actual five and a half). The one worthwhile addition to the repackaged ''Jaws Phenomenon'' featurette is just a better look at the note Spielberg sent George Lucas when Star Wars took over Jaws' spot as the top-grossing film of all time -- the letterhead depicts R2-D2 reeling the great white in on a fishing line.
We're all for celebrating milestones, but rather than the next Anniversary Edition, we'd prefer the Ultimate one.
EW Grade: B
'Hitch'
Reviewed by Mandi Bierly
As Alex Hitchens -- a.k.a. the Date Doctor -- in "Hitch," Will Smith helps sweet, clueless lotharios (like scene-stealer Kevin James) woo the women of their dreams (see Amber Valletta). Naturally, Hitch can't diagnose himself when he fumbles in the face of his own ideal beauty (Eva Mendes), and an inevitable misunderstanding threatens everyone's happiness. Fortunately, Smith's charm and James' heart keep things fresh.
EXTRAS The blooper reel has your standard oops-I-forgot-my-line moments, and the deleted scenes are nothing you'd miss. Roughly as engaging are the featurettes on ''Hitch Style'' (precious moments devoted to how hot Smith looks) and Big Willie's entree into the Guinness Book of World Records for ''the most appearances in 12 hours by a film star'' (only three). Completely intoxicating, however, is the eight-minute behind-the-scenes look at James' pizza-making, Q-tip-using dance sequence. Here's hoping the director's cut will one day feature his finest smooth moves, ''The Lighthouse'' and ''Slooow Thriller.''
EW Grade: B
'Rescue Me: The Complete First Season'
Reviewed by Erin Richter
Denis Leary and cocreator Peter Tolan ("The Job") imbue FX's provocative firehouse drama of "Rescue Me: The Complete First Season" with such warts-and-all authenticity that some people might be scared off. Doing a slow burn since 9/11, firefighter Tommy Gavin (a perfectly acerbic Leary) drinks on duty, tortures his estranged wife's boyfriend, and talks to ghosts. His comrades grapple with stalkers, infidelity, and intimate body waxing. And that's all in the first 13 episodes. (Season 2 starts June 21.) It's their flaws and the ways they deal with them that make these men tangible and so compelling.
EXTRAS The gag reel is mostly bleeped F-words (why censor a gag reel?), and four featurettes cover ''How It All Began,'' ''Authenticity,'' ''The Cast,'' and ''The Look.'' But Leary and Tolan's commentary on the first and last episodes reveals the most: They discuss real-life inspirations (like FDNY legend Capt. Patty Brown, who died September 11) and behind-the-scenes facts (did you know that firemen are encouraged to hide dead pets from kids and trained to mark where their bodies can be found if they're fatally injured?).
EW Grade: A-
Click Here
to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly
