Movies: What's new on DVD; a look back at 'Cocktail'; 'Private Ryan'

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BY MICAH MERTES / Lincoln Journal Star

DVDs: What’s new today

“21” (PG-13): In this slick, likable thriller loosely based on a true story, a couple of MIT kids put their mad math skills to the test and try to conquer the blackjack tables of Vegas. But even if they’ve got the numbers in control, emotions are running hot. Complications ensue.

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Tom Hanks stars in "Saving Private Ryan," which was released 10 years ago. (File photo)

Tom Hanks stars in "Saving Private Ryan," which was released 10 years ago. (File photo)

 “The Last Winter” (R): “The Happening” didn’t really do it for you as an environmental horror film? Try this film about a group of oil drillers who are either being stalked by supernatural forces or going mad in the isolated Alaskan terrain. The cast is lead by “Hellboy’s” Ron Perlman.

“Spaced: The Complete Series”: In the late ’90s the BBC had this really funny sitcom about a motley group who lived together in an apartment. The good thing about this arrangement was instead of Courteney Cox or David Schwimmer, it included the not-yet-famous Simon Pegg (of “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz”). The complete series is available in the U.S. for the first time with commentaries by longtime “Spaced” fans Quentin Tarantino and Diablo Cody.

Movies: A look back

We take a look back at releases from 20 and 10 years ago — some good, some not so much.

“Cocktail”

Theatrical release date: July 27, 1988

This movie’s as much an ’80s artifact as Huey Lewis and the News or leg warmers. It stars Tom Cruise (back when Katie Holmes was just getting ready for the fifth grade) as an up and coming bartender in New York City. And there’s not that much more to it. There’s plenty of fancy drink-pouring, vintage Tom Cruise and a sprightly Elisabeth Shue (long before she went into hiding). What more could one ask for?

“Saving Private Ryan”

Theatrical release date: July 24, 1998

Who would have thought that 1998 would produce one of the most beloved films of all time?

This movie has so much great stuff: from the horrifying Normandy invasion to the pitch-perfect camaraderie between soldiers to the stellar performances by everyone. And it was the first movie to show Tom Hanks’ dark side.

Some of ‘Ryan’s” detractors dismiss the film as a technically impressive Audie Murphy movie, a little boy’s rah-rah fantasy of war. But it stands as a landmark film that shows us the havoc war wreaks on the soldier’s soul.

DVDs: What we’re watching

These are the movies Lincoln-area Netflix.com users are watching more than Netflix users elsewhere as of Monday:

1. “National Lampoon’s Bagboy”

2. “Though None Go with Me”

3. “I, Robot”

4. “If Only”

5. “The Sopranos: Season 5”