Sydney White

This modern-day retelling of Snow White throws in a little Revenge of the Nerds for good measure, and makes a pretty good starring vehicle for perky Amanda Bynes, who scored earlier this year with her solid supporting turn in Hairspray. Here, Bynes plays Sydney, an enthusiastic college freshman keen on fulfilling her late mother's wish that she get into the “right” sorority, Kappa Phi Nu. But bitchy sorority prez Rachel Witchburn (Sara Paxton) has Sydney banished, and she winds up living off campus in a house with seven dorks. Naturally, Sydney snags a Prince Charming—the hunky Tyler (Matt Long)—and ultimately turns the tables on Rachel and her equally snotty sisters. Unfortunately, while director Joe Nussbaum's Sydney White boasts some clever gags and endearing characters, it's also fairly formulaic and a bit on the sluggish side. Optional. [Note: DVD extras include 12 minutes of deleted scenes, a “Meet the Dorks” cast featurette (8 min.), “The Original Dork” featurette on director Joe Nussbaum (7 min.), a five-minute “Welcome to the Vortex” behind-the-scenes featurette, four minutes of outtakes, a “Sydney White and Her Prince” featurette (4 min.), a “Kappa's Forever?” cast featurette (4 min.), “The Skooze” behind-the-scenes featurette (4 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a so-so film.] (E. Hulse)