New On DVD: 'The Bucket List,' 'Jumper'

'The Bucket List' (PG-13): It's not a life or death matter, but "The Bucket List" DVD is one that you must put on your rent or buy list if you get a chance. Film legends Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman are in top form in a tricky proposition of a film with "The Bucket List," which surprisingly finds comedy in the light of terminal illness.

"The Bucket List" follows the final months in the lives of Edward Cole (Nicholson) and Carter Chambers (Freeman), a billionaire hospital owner and veteran auto mechanic, respectively, who embark on a worldwide adventure.

The ideas come from a "bucket list" the two devise -- an idea Carter toyed with in a philosophy class as a college freshman. Originally, the list was supposed to be a metaphorical exercise of listing things you want to do before you "kick the bucket," but Edward has the financial means to try to make it all happen.

While some of the things on Edward and Carter's "bucket list" seem highly implausible for men their age with a terminal illness -- skydiving is the most notable instance -- director Rob Reiner manages to suspend the disbelief long enough for viewers to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Even with an inevitable ending hanging over their heads, Nicholson and Freeman bring an enormous amount of sparkle and joy to the final days of their characters' lives.

The film is not so much about grieving and fearing the inevitable, but celebrating the time that the characters have left. And with both actors in their 70s in real-life, you know that their hearts and souls have been poured into the parts. Nicholson and Freeman are an absolute joy to watch together -- hopefully time will allow another big-screen pairing or two.

"Will and Grace" star Sean Hayes is a scream as Edward's quick-witted assistant, while Beverly Todd brings a heartfelt layer of emotion to the film as Carter's wife, who is confused by her husband's final quest.

DVD Features: "Writing a Bucket List" featurette with screenwriter Justin Zackham; John Mayer's "Say" music video and more. (Warner Home Video)

'Jumper' (PG-13): "Star Wars" star Hayden Christensen flies high with "Jumper," a satisfying popcorn sci-fi adventure enhanced with the same fine layer of substance that made the "X-Men" movies such huge hits.

Hayden Christensen Interview

Christensen stars as David Rice, a young man with a genetic anomaly that allows him to bend time and space and teleport to anywhere in the world in a split second. Discovering his capabilities as a teen, David primarily uses his superpower for personal purposes, all the way from teleporting to exotic destinations throughout the world, to moving from one side of his couch to another. But as fast as David can move, he's still being tracked down by Roland ("Star Wars" star Samuel L. Jackson), a modern-day leader of the Paladins, a mysterious organization that has for centuries battled "Jumpers" like David in order to protect the world from being destroyed by his kind.

Christensen takes a huge leap away from his Darth Vader persona for "Jumper," making us completely forget that he's the same force of evil that poised to rule the galaxy in the "Star Wars" saga. Here he plays a man in conflict, realizing that there's more to his gift than just the convenient ability to travel anywhere he wants at the drop of a hat.

There's a bit of a "Spider-Man"-like "with great power comes great responsibility" narrative here, but what elevates "Jumper" to an even higher level is "X-Men"-like, moral debate of David's "mutant" powers, and how they pose a threat to groups of people who consider Jumpers freaks of nature that don't belong.

Jamie Bell co-stars as a rival Jumper and "The O.C.'s" Rachel Bilson plays David's love interest.

DVD Features: The two-disc set includes commentary by director Doug Liman and other filmmakers; deleted scenes; production featurettes; "Jumpstart: David's Story" animated graphic novel and more. (Fox Home Entertainment)