DVDs of the Week: A ‘Date,’ a ‘Death’ and a ‘Diplomat’

Whoever decided to team Steve Carell and Tina Fey together on the big screen deserves a raise.

The duo’s first comedy, “Date Night,’ leads off this week’s DVD/Blu-ray release slate. The pairing doesn’t live up to expectations, but the film puts marriage in an often hilarious light.

• “Date Night” – Steve Carell and Tina Fey prove a formidable coupling in this intermittently amusing farce. A suburban couple hit the Big Apple for an impulsive date night, but a mistaken identity blunder makes them the target of some local goons. The first half sparkles with domestic wit, but the plot forces the comedy to veer into predictable directions. The Blu-ray extras include a gag reel, commentary from director Shawn Levy, an extended car chase sequence and the cast sharing their own disaster dates.

• “Death at a Funeral” – This American remake of the 2007 British romp changes up the entire cast – save for the great Peter Dinklage. A black family reunites to mourn the death of its patriarch, but the deceased hid a secret which resurfaces at the very worst time. Director Neil LaBute handles a strong cast including Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan and James Marsden. Blu-ray extras include commentary from LaBute and Rock, deleted scenes and a featurette dubbed “Death at a Funeral: Last Rites, Dark Secrets.” Not reviewed by WWTW.
• “The Joneses” – Consumerism takes it on the chin in this unfairly maligned satire. David Duchovny and Demi More played a picture perfect married couple who are actually stealth marketers for goods aimed at the upper middle class. Some of the satire hits the target, but a subplot involving an unlikely romance doesn’t generate enough heat. Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes.
• “The Diplomat” – Dougray Scott, the man once pegged to play Wolverine, stars as a British diplomat accused of drug trafficking after he’s caught with a heaping helping of heroin. The case leads to a global conspiracy involving nukes, swiped from the former Soviet Union, a threat that may be too close for comfort for some viewers. The cast also includes Richard Roxburgh, Claire Forlani and Rachael Blake. Not reviewed by WWTW.

(Photo: Tina Fey and Steve Carell play a married couple on the run in ‘Date Night’/Fox Home Entertainment)

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