Even if today's DVD releases were major—they're not unless watching Paris Hilton struggle to look alive in The Hottie & the Nottie strikes you as the ultimate symbol of creative striving —the pick of the week would still be the Two-Disc Special Edition of I'm Not There. Look, I know you didn't see this visionary work from director Todd Haynes in theaters. Just consider the film's paltry $3,728,430 gross (Iron Man made more than that in it's first five minutes at the box office). So it's time to grab this DVD—splendiferous in sound and image—and let it work you over. Haynes puts the music and the myth of Bob Dylan before us and, get this, never once mentions the name of the mesmeric changeling at his film's center. There's no need: Cover versions of Dylan songs occupy the movie like angels and demons doing battle at an exorcism. Not content with just one actor to portray Dylan in the act of inventing himself, Haynes hired six and hit the mega-jackpot with

(more...)

---

OK, everyone knew Iron Man would hit box-office paydirt. But $100 million in one weekend ($104 million if you count the preview shows on Thursday night) and $201 million if you count the worldwide grosses. That's gold, baby, gold! What we have here is the second best debut ever for a non-sequel after 2002's Spider-Man, which took in $114 million, and the 10th biggest opening of all time. It's a great kickoff for Hollywood's summer 2008 and even better for audiences and critic types like me since Iron Man is actually one terrific movie. Not too many superhero epics can boast an award-caliber performance like the one Robert Downey, Jr. delivers as Tony Stark, aka Iron Man. Which brings me to today's topic: What actor gave the best performance ever as a superhero?

(more...)

---

Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk and Indiana Jones will face off in a superhero smackdown — Hollywood pulls out all the action and comedy stops for summer, but here's a preview that asks the burning question: Is any of it any damn good? Click here for Peter Travers' complete guide to the season's films, including trailers for all the biggest titles.

---

The blockbuster movie season starts this weekend, and Peter Travers is armed and ready with his video review of Iron Man. Click above for the Rolling Stone film critic's take on that movie, plus his thoughts on the David Mamet mixed martial arts flick Redbelt and the romantic comedy Made of Honor.

• Review: Iron Man (3.5 stars)
• Review: Redbelt (3 stars)

Watch every episode of our weekly Peter Travers video podcast by subscribing via iTunes (when prompted, click “Launch application”). Every Friday, a new episode will be delivered to your iTunes. [If you don’t have iTunes, download it here.]

[Video: Jennifer Hsu]

---