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``THE BLACK DAHLIA'': Director Brian De Palma (``Scarface'') applies his unique visual sense and a top-notch cast to ``L.A. Confidential'' author James Ellroy's novel inspired by one of Hollywood's most famous unsolved crimes.

A would-be starlet's (Mia Kirshner) murder in the late 1940s draws two police detectives (Josh Hartnett, Aaron Eckhart), who also are rivals for the same woman (Scarlett Johansson), into the resulting probe. Hilary Swank also stars as a mystery woman with ties to the victim. DVD extras: three ``making-of'' documentaries.

*** (R: AS, P, V) ``THE DESCENT'': Several young women on an expedition deep into a cave in the Appalachians -- are you thinking already that it won't end well? You're right in the case of writer-director Neil Marshall's thriller. Despite the skills they bring with them on the expedition, the participants are no match for the bizarre force that lurks within the space where they end up trapped.

Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Mendoza and Saskia Mulder are among the stars. DVD extras: theatrical trailer; ``making-of'' documentary; audio commentary by Marshall and cast members; deleted and extended scenes; outtakes. ** (R and unrated versions: AS, P, GV) ``JACKASS NUMBER TWO'': If you're familiar with the MTV series, you'll know from the title whether this sequel to the first big-screen version is your cup of tea.

Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera and others return as they attempt stunts that should not be tried at home, some of them with a ``Candid Camera'' motivation as the reactions of baffled onlookers are captured. Not unlike the effect of ``Borat,'' you may laugh a lot, then question yourself for having done so. DVD extras: theatrical trailer; behind-the-scenes footage; outtakes; music video.

** (R: AS, N, P) ``THE LAST KISS'': ``Garden State'' gave Zach Braff (``Scrubs'') the corner on confused-young-man roles, and even though he isn't also the writer-director this time, he's on similar story turf by playing a man whose attraction to a student (Rachel Bilson, ``The O.C.'') intensifies after learning of his girlfriend's (Jacinda Barrett) pregnancy.

He gets all sorts of input on what to do by observing the relationships of those around him. Director Tony Goldwyn's well-assembled cast also includes Blythe Danner, Tom Wilkinson, Casey Affleck and Harold Ramis. DVD extras: theatrical trailer; four ``making-of'' documentaries; audio commentary by Goldwyn, Braff, Barrett, Bilson and co-stars Michael Weston and Eric Christian Olsen; deleted scenes; outtakes; music video.

*** (R: AS, N, P) ``FACTOTUM'': This drama based on the life of troubled writer Charles Bukowski, whose novel was the source of the film, has a sad postscript: It was one of the last projects done by independent-film staple Adrienne Shelly, the actress who was murdered recently. Matt Dillon is excellent as Bukowski's alter ego, whose vices constantly got in his way professionally and personally. Lili Taylor and Marisa Tomei play the principal women in his life, and Fisher Stevens also appears.

DVD extras: ``making-of'' documentary; deleted scenes. *** (R: AS, P) ``THE SIMPLE LIFE 4: 'TIL DEATH DO US PART'': The title is meant to be ironic in this round of the unscripted series, since Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie refused to work with each other, forcing E! Entertainment Television (for the first time it had the show instead of Fox) to film the ladies' segments separately, then cobble them together.

It quickly becomes evident the stars (who reportedly have made up since) are more than the sum of their parts, since it's not nearly as much fun watching each of them experience various families without the other also there. ** (Not rated: AS, P) ``THE COVENANT'' (Jan. 2): Several descendants of Salem's witches inherit amazing powers but also age faster than the norm.

Cast members include Steven Strait and Sebastian Stan. (PG-13: AS, P, V) ``SNAKES ON A PLANE'' (Jan. 2): Reptiles are set loose aboard an airborne flight to keep a passenger from testifying in a trial.

Samuel L. Jackson plays a federal agent who's also taking the trip. (R: AS, P, V) ``CRANK'' (Jan.

9): A hit man (Jason Statham) has to keep his adrenaline going, literally, after he's injected with a chemical that will prove fatal if he lets his heart rate drop. (R: AS, N, P, V) ``THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE BEGINNING'' (Jan. 16): Others encountered Leatherface and his bizarre family before the original story, according to this prequel.

Jordana Brewster stars. (R and unrated versions: AS, P, GV) ``FLYBOYS'' (Jan. 23): Members of World War I's airborne Lafayette Escadrille deal with combat in the skies and personal challenges on the ground.

James Franco and Jean Reno star. (PG-13: AS, V) ``GRIDIRON GANG'' (Jan. 23): In this fact-based story, The Rock plays a counselor who inspires a group of juvenile delinquents to make something of their lives through the discipline of football.

(PG-13: AS, P, V) Serving the Berks County community and surrounding areas for over 130 years! These links are not endorsements of any products or services in such sites, and no information in such site has been endorsed or approved by this site.