HOME VIDEO SPOTLIGHT: For Colored Girls, 127 Hours, Burlesque

Brief capsules of new movies worth renting.

By R. Kurt Osenlund, The Good Life film critic


FOR COLORED GIRLS

Critics didn't get behind this Tyler Perry adaptation of Ntozake Shange's famous choreopoem, which is unfortunate, especially in light of all the recent "Hollywood Whiteout" talk. Perry may not be the cleanest storyteller, and he surely isn't the most subtle, but he draws an amazing collection of searing performances from his remarkable cast, which includes Kerry Washington, Loretta Devine, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose and the especially brilliant Kimberly Elise. Had the movie been better received, Oscar could have filled his Supporting Actress category with girls from "Girls." Any actress lover shouldn't dare miss it. (Avaialble Now)




127 HOURS

Oscar nominee and Oscar host delivers his very best performance in the now well-known dramatization of climber Aron Ralston's harrowing, limb-severing Utah-ravine ordeal. Franco gets to show off his equally formidable comedic and dramatic skills, but the talent who's showcased the most is director and co-writer Danny Boyle, who takes a lean and intensely isolated tale and expands it into a colorful and thrilling adventure. It's one of the year's more noteworthy filmmaking feats, and one that puts you acutely in tune with all that its hero experiences. (Available March 1)





BURLESQUE

Shame on the haters who bashed this hugely entertaining musical, which is well worth your time for the rousing numbers and pop-icon starpower alone. Cher and Christina Aquilera sadly never share a duet, but their sharing of the screen creates a whole lot of glittery, carefree, pseudo-campy sparks. Sure, Cher is more set decoration than actorly substance, and the plot and characterizations are bottom of the barrel, but the music and amusement are top-notch. (Available March 1)