News-Record.com

Movie

Title: "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" PG-13 (scary images)

Grade: C-

Basic story: The year is 1957. The Russians are after a crystal skull that will give them no less than power over mankind. Intent to stop them is our hero, who still wears the fedora with believable panache.

What you'll love: Here are the highlights: The action sequences will take your breath away. That's it.

What you won't: This is noisy, overstuffed, mechanical, recycled and, above all, soulless. Instead of a reinvention for a new era, this is just like every other summer movie.

Comic

Title: "Final Crisis #1 (of 7)" $3.99

Grade: C+

Basic story: All that's good in the DC Comics universe is about to be obliterated by a bunch of bad guys, because that's all they know how to do.

What you'll love: DC's track record on anything, especially big stories, hasn't been the best of late. Still, this looks promising. It's got the feel of an epic. For now anyway.

What you won't: -

Cd

Title: 3 Doors Down "3 Doors Down" $13.98

Grade: B

Basic story: Their fourth disc offers the strongest collection of their career.

What you'll love: A fiery mix of Southern rock and Bic-lighter ballads, there's no denying a slew of arena-ready standouts, including the muscular "Train" and "Runaway."

What you won't: The band isn't going to win over any harsh critics with this effort, but it's probably another platinum seller, along with a sold-out tour.

Title: Donna Summer "Crayons" $18.97

Grade: D-

Basic story: Summer, 59, hasn't recorded in 17 years. To hear the breadth of her voice is to know that it is possible for her to make another great record. But this isn't it.

What you'll love: -

What you won't: Last dance? The album tries to be many things: a Mary J. Blige record, a Mariah Carey record, and finally, a hard-core dance-floor record. There's just no center.

Dvd

Title: "National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets" $29.99

Grade: B+

Basic story: Treasure hunter Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) is back to traipse around the world in search of vast riches, the kind that only sequels can provide.

What you'll love: There's a ton of extras here — as there should be, this being a blockbuster and all. Deleted scenes. Jon Voight commentary. Visual effects. Stunts. And more.

What you won't: -

Title: "24: Season One (Special Edition)" $59.98Grade: B+

Basic story: The following review takes place between 10 p.m. (dramatic pause) and 11 p.m. The writers' strike killed the clock. This new set will have to tide you over.

What you'll love: Kiefer Sutherland provides an introduction. There's an alternate ending (maybe Teri lived in this one). And some other cool extras, including a Season 7 trailer.

What you won't: -

Title: "Night of the Living Dead" $19.98

Grade: F

Basic story: Dead men balking: How many times are they going to keep releasing this? Just in time for its 40th anniversary, the horror classic has been remastered. Again.

What you'll love: -

What you won't: There was the "Millenium Edition." The "Remastered" one. The "30th Anniversary Edition." And so on. There's nothing here that isn't on another set.

Title: "Square Pegs — The Complete Series" $29.95

Grade: B-

Basic story: Before she was a hip columnist looking for love, "Sex and the City" star Sarah Jessica Parker was an outsider trying to fit in at her high school in this 1980s comedy.

What you'll love: One of those rare shows that got teens right, you can relive all 19 episodes. Interviews with the cast are an insightful and thoughtful bonus.

What you won't: -