Home entertainment for couch potatoes

The Axis of Evil
Featuring: Maz Jobrani, Aron Kader, Ahmed Ahmed and Dean Obe Idallah
On January 29, 2002 President George W. Bush used the phrase 'the axis of evil' to describe Iran, Iraq and North Korea.

Soon thereafter, three young Americans of Middle Eastern descent got together, mulled over the phrase, thought there was something funny about it, and decided it was catchy enough to use as a name to sell a comic act.

Maz Jobrani, Aron Kader and Ahmed Ahmed's plan was to draw attention to the problems that Americans of Middle Eastern origin faced after 9/11. But this was to be done without malice – through standup comedy. As Jobrani says, "We make fun of our own situation and the things we have to go through."

Ahmed, who claims his name is on the FBI's Most Wanted List as well as on the No-fly List just because of his name, says, "Luckily, I've been able to find humour out of that and stretch it into my act."

The show was a big hit in the US and in the Middle East last year when the trio, accompanied by another standup comedian Dean Obe Idallah, toured Cairo, Beirut, Amman and Dubai. If you missed it, there's talk they will be back in the UAE soon.

This 60-minute DVD features all four comics talking about their experiences. Jobrani says when people meet him, they think he's an expert on gas. Some even call him to ask about the word on the street and enquire about the next terrorist hit.

Obe Idallah gets responses like, "Oh you are an Arab, I like hummus'. "Oh you are an Arab, you look so nice.' And 'Oh you are an Arab, I like Indian food'.

These guys are funny, though there are some people who think they have a political agenda. Fortunately, those who think so are in a minority.

Rating: 18

How She Move
Cast: Rutina Wesley, Dwain Murphy, Tre Armstrong
Raya (Rutina Wesley) is a student at a high-end private school. Her parents, immigrants from Jamaica, with high hopes for her future, somehow manage to scrape together the required fees. But a family tragedy stops the flow of funds and Raya has to return to her home in a tough Toronto neighbourhood.

Raya's only recourse is a scholarship which means hard work at short notice. As expected, she fails the test and has to decide on another move that will get her back into high school.

If she doesn't, she'll break her poor mother's heart.

A Step Monster Competition with a reward of $50,000 appears to be the answer to her prayers. She teams up with a male team, but obviously it can't be a smooth trip. There are obstacles and clashes and a breakup.

The finale is predictable, but if you like to move, you'll enjoy the energetic sequences, set to music by Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes and
Lil' Mama.

Special features include: the characters of How She Move; How She Move: From Rehearsal To Film and Telling Her Story. In these, we get to know about the origin of Step; why what began as a documentary turned into a feature; how the filmmakers mixed other genres such as hip-hop and breakdance with step; and other making-of-the-movie aspects.

Rating: PG-13