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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 2, 2009

An American Carol

Surely there are cleverer ways to satirize the rhetorical excesses of Michael Moore - a target as wide as a barn, ba dump bump - than this lame "comedy" about a paunchy director whose anti-American spirit (he wants to abolish the Fourth of July!) earns him visits from three flag-waving ghosts: George Washington, JFK and Patton, the latter played by Kelsey Grammer (no, really).

PG-13; 83 minutes

Towelhead **½

Alan "American Beauty" Ball wrote and directed this adaptation of the coming-of-age novel by Alicia Erian. Summer Bishil plays a 13-year-old Lebanese-American girl whose hypocritical parents complicate her life while she struggles with her burgeoning sexuality and the racist pedophile next door. Most reviews found the issue-baiting heavy handed, but praised Bishil's sensitive performance.

R; 116 minutes

Surfer, Dude

Mathew McConaughey bravely stretches outside his comfort zone to play a shirtless surfer who also dabbles in naked folk music. Returning from a world tour to discover that he's contractually obligated to star in such soulless ventures as a reality show, he slips into an existential funk that will require topless models and a supporting turn by Woody Harrelson to cure.

R; 89 minutes

OTHER NEW DVD RELEASES

•Secret Life of An American Teenager - Season 1: Molly

Ringwald. Not rated; 173 minutes

•Internet Dating: Katt Williams. Not rated; 89 minutes (pictured)

•Nip/Tuck - Season 5, Part 1: Dylan Walsh, Julian McMahon.

Not rated; 700 minutes

•Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands: Sonia Braga, Mauro

Mendonca. Not rated; 106 minutes

Synopses by Amanda Henry; ratings from The Associated Press

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