Extra Scoop
'Mummy Returns' with so-so DVD extras

By Jordan Riefe
Special to The Advertiser

Popular wrestler The Rock is The Scorpion King in "The Mummy Returns." Universal Pictures

An ancient mummy is awakened, bringing with him a force that will end mankind. A married pair of Egyptologists set out to rescue their son and save humanity.

"The best sequel films always manage to deliver what everyone enjoyed most about the first one," says Brendan Fraser in this disc's "making-of" doc, "Spotlight On Location." Right he is, and this sequel is every bit as good as the first, if not better.

Among the disc's many special features, the "making-of" is a mostly promotional misfire with bits gleaned from the electronic press kit. A five-minute blooper reel is worth a glance, but an "exclusive" sit-down with The Rock is not, and judging by an early trailer also provided on the disc, neither is his upcoming "Mummy" spin-off, "The Scorpion King."

Effects supervisor John Berton provides an easy-to-follow step-by-step approach to four of the films CGI sequences, while commentary from director Stephen Sommers and editor Bob Duscay is lighthearted, with a couple of darts reserved for Roger Ebert, who gave the pic a "thumbs down."

"THE TERMINATOR" (MGM) 1985
R
107 minutes
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn, Paul Winfield

A cyborg from the future pursues a waitress and her protector.

"I always thought 'Terminator' was 'It's A Wonderful Life' with guns," quips writer Bill Wisher in "Other Voices," the definitive "making-of" doc. An exhaustive look at the genesis of "The Terminator" covers Cameron's early days as an art director and the dream he had that inspired the franchise. Early candidates for the role of Terminator were Lance Henriksen, who wound up playing a cop, and O.J. Simpson.

"The Terminator: A Retrospective" is another, equally insightful documentary featuring a sit-down between Cameron and Schwarzenegger with the former doing all the talking. A collection of seven scenes, with commentary, features more romance between Biehn and Hamilton that was mercifully cut from the final film for reasons of story and pacing. Five art galleries offering a wealth of concept art and production design from Cameron, effects supervisor Stan Winston, publicity stills and more are well worth a look.

"HEARTBREAKERS" (MGM) 2001
PG-13
123 minutes
Sigourney Weaver, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Gene Hackman, Ray Liotta

Comedy in which a mother/daughter con team set their sights on a rich heir to a tobacco fortune.

A crackerjack cast comes together to serve up a less-than-crackerjack film. Although there are some clever bits, much of the film's draw is in the allure of Sigourney Weaver and the physical charms of Jennifer Love Hewitt.

In one "making-of" we learn that the script had been around for so long that at one time Meg Ryan was to play the Hewitt role. Other candidates included Cameron Diaz and Alicia Silverstone while Cher and Anjelica Huston were up for Weaver's role. Also included is an outtake of Weaver singing the Beatles song "Back In the USSR" in a phony Russian accent. It plays like nails on a chalkboard. Commentary by director David Mirkin as well as Weaver and Hewitt is informative and entertaining.

"MONSTER MANIA" (Image Entertainment) 1997
Not rated
62 minutes
Jack Palance, Elvira

A documentary catalogue of horror films from the early days of film to present.

Primarily a series of film clips from classic horror films, "Monster Mania" does have its high points, including rare clips from a 1910 production of "Frankenstein" directed by Thomas Edison. Other highlights include home movies of Boris Karloff and a look at some of the special effects behind 1920s "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" and 1925s "The Phantom of the Opera." Made by documentary filmmaker Kevin Burns, "Monster Mania" is a must for horror movie fans who just can't get enough of those famous monsters of film land.

Jordan Riefe is a Los Angeles-based writer and West Coast radio correspondent for Variety magazine.