DVD Playhouse: August 2008

DVD PLAYHOUSE—AUGUST 2008
By Allen Gardner

TRAFIC (Criterion) Jacques Tati’s final outing as the bumbling Monsieur Hulot, this time finding himself on the road to Amsterdam where he’s taking his state-of-the-art camper to an auto show. Late career gem from the actor/filmmaker, loaded with his signature sight gags and satire on consumer society and technology. 2 disc set. Bonuses: 1971 interview with cast and crew; 1973 TV profile of Tati; Trailer; New, two-part documentary on Tati and M. Hulot. Full screen. Dolby 1.0 mono.
BRAND UPON THE BRAIN! (Criterion) Wild, almost indescribable assault on the senses from maverick Canadian filmmaker Guy Maddin. Set in a lighthouse on Black Notch Island where fictional protagonist (you guessed it) Guy Maddin is raised by his domineering, Bible-thumping mother. David Lynch meets Salvador Dali would be the best way to sum up this comic, sci-fi nightmare of a film, not for all tastes to be sure, but also unforgettable. Bonuses: Narration tracks by Isabella Rossellini, Laurie Anderson, John Ashbery, Crispin Glover, Guy Maddin, Louis Negin, and Eli Wallach; Documentary; Two new short films by Maddin; Deleted scene; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo.
MON ONCLE, ANTOINE (Criterion) A young boy comes of age in rural Quebec of the 1940s. Nicely-done cinema-verite-style film borrows much from the French New Wave, but does so honestly, and with a great deal of heart. Quiet, gentle, beautifully understated film could be used as an object lesson for today’s young filmmakers who seem obsessed with hyperactive editing and things that go “boom!” 2 disc set. Bonuses: Trailer; English-dubbed soundtrack; Documentary on film’s production; Documentary on director Claude Jurta; 1957 experimental short by Jurta and Norman McLaren. Widescreen. Dolby 1.0 mono.
THE SMALL BACK ROOM (Criterion) Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s intriguing noir exercise about a bomb-disposal expert (David Farrar) who struggles in love (with lovely Kathleen Byron) and his latest assignment to analyze a devastating new weapon developed by the Germans. A deft blend of suspense and romance that, like most Powell/Pressburger efforts, still feels contemporary nearly 60 years after its release. Bonuses: Commentary by film scholar Charles Barr; Interview with cinematographer Chris Challis; Audio excerpts from Powell’s dictations for his autobiography. Full screen. Dolby 1.0 mono.
TWENTY-FOUR EYES (Criterion) Beautiful film from Japan about a dedicated teacher which is also a telling social and political tale of Japan itself, spanning the years 1928 through post-WW II. Hideko Takamine is breathtaking as the idealistic teacher, whose faith never waivers in youth, even in her country’s darkest hour. Finely observed character study from director Keisuke Kinoshita. Bonuses: Interview with Japanese cinema scholar Tadao Sato; Trailers. Full screen. Dolby 1.0 mono.
KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN (City Lights) Mesmerizing film adaptation based on Manuel Puig’s novel about two prisoners (William Hurt and Raul Julia) in an unnamed Latin American jail who form a complex relationship rooted in fantasy, in which their political, social and sexual identities crystallize. Stunningly directed by Hector Babenco, Hurt’s turn as a transsexual inmate scored him a Best Actor Oscar in 1985. 2 disc set. Bonuses: Four featurettes; Documentary: Tangled Web, Making Kiss of the Spider Woman. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
QUID PRO QUO (Magnolia) Nick Stahl plays an ambitious reporter investigating why a perfectly healthy man entered a local hospital and demanded that surgeons remove one of his legs. After hooking up with an informant (Vera Farmiga), he is led into a bizarre subculture of willing amputees! Bizarre mystery story is also compelling as hell, thanks to a terrific cast and fine direction by Carlos Brooks. Bonuses: Audition tapes; Documentary excerpts; Storyboards; Deleted scenes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
THE LIFE BEFORE HER EYES (Magnolia) Fascinating portrait of two best friends (Evan Rachel Wood and Eva Amurri) on the brink of adulthood, one a hell-raiser, the other a timid soul. An intriguing study of extremes by director Vadim Perelman, featuring fine supporting work from Uma Thurman . Bonuses: Deleted scenes; Alternate ending; Casting sessions; Photo gallery; Featurette; Commentary by Perelman and production designer Maia Javan. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS OSAMA BIN LADEN? (Genius Products/Weinstein Co.) Morgan Spurlock’s darkly humorous look at the (thus far) inept manhunt for the world’s most wanted terrorist. Spurlock travels the Middle East interviewing both ordinary people and political experts on the world’s most war-ravaged region, and the implications of Bin Laden’s still being at large. Funny and thought-provoking, as with Spurlock’s previous efforts. Bonuses: Alternate ending; Animated history of Afghanistan; Interviews with Shimon Peres, IRA leader Martin McGuinness; Egyptian activist Saad Ibrahim; Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
THE BANK JOB (Lions Gate) True heist story about a motley gang of robbers who pulled off a daring bank robbery in 1971 London. Jason Statham heads a fine cast, and the period is beautifully recreated, but one wishes that director Roger Donaldson, who’s done such fine work in the suspense genre before with films like No Way Out, would have emphasized grittiness more and humor less. Still overall a solid thriller, worth a look. Bonuses: Commentary by Donaldson, actress Saffron Burrows, composer J. Peter Robinson; Two featurettes; Deleted and extended scenes; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
SECRETARY (Lions Gate) Maggie Gyllenhaal is pitch-perfect as an ambitious young woman who takes a job as the secretary to a tightly-wound lawyer (James Spader, great as always) and soon finds herself involved in a kinky, sadomasochistic affair with the seemingly-reserved yuppie, that soon turns loving! Quite sweet (believe it or not!) romantic comedy from co-writer/director Steve Shanberg. Bonuses: Commentary by Shanberg and co-writer Erin Cressida Wilson; Featurette; Photo gallery. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 surround.
THE INGLORIOUS BASTARDS (Ryko/Severin Films) 1978 Italian exploitation “classic” is an unabashed rip-off of The Dirty Dozen, wherein a motley band of American soldiers (B-movie stalwarts Bo Svenson and Fred “the Hammer” Williamson among them), all hardened criminals headed for court-martials, break out of their prison convoy after it’s attacked by Germans. Before they can reach safety in neutral Switzerland they find themselves recruited by an army intelligence officer (Ian Bannen) for a suicide mission behind enemy lines. Consistently campy and cheesy, but rarely any fun, and painfully derivative of an entire genre of better movies made a decade (or more) earlier. Currently being remade by Quentin Tarantino, but based on the very middling source material, all one can ask is “why?” One thing’s for sure: Quentin has nowhere to go but up! Three disc set. Bonuses: Two featurettes; Trailers; Documentary on film’s production; Trailer; Soundtrack CD. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
THE EXECUTIONER’S SONG: DIRECTOR’S CUT (Paramount) Dynamite adaptation by Norman Mailer of his own historical novel about convicted murderer Gary Gilmore (Tommy Lee Jones, riveting) and his desire to be executed for his crimes, by firing squad. Jones gives a haunting portrait of an intelligent man driven to self-destruction by demons so deep-seeded, that he seems keenly aware that only doom can await him at the end of the road. Rosanna Arquette, Christine Lahti and Eli Wallach are fine in support. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
THE ROLLING STONES: SHINE A LIGHT (Paramount) Martin Scorsese returns to the rock concert documentary stage that he helped redefine with The Last Waltz 30 years ago, filming The Stones during their “A Bigger Bang” tour in 2007. Lots of great energy captured by the world’s greatest continuously operating rock band, with Scorsese’s kinetic camerawork adding much to the proceedings. Bonuses: Four bonuses songs; Featurette. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY (Universal) Frances McDormand stars as a woman in 1930s England who lands a job as social secretary to high-society bad girl Delysia Lafossse (Amy Adams, a gem) and quickly finds herself at her wit’s end in trying to put out all the disastrous fires that her “lady” starts! Period comedy owes much to the very broad classics of the time in which it’s set. That said, if you’re game, it’s a fun ride. Bonuses: Deleted scenes; Two featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
VAMPYR (Criterion) Carl Theodor Dreyer’s masterpiece of texture, mood and style concerning a student of the occult and a virtual parade of supernatural haunts and evildoers that live in and around Paris. Perhaps the most atmospheric film of its time (or perhaps all-time), this gem from 1932 has gone onto influence countless generations of filmmakers with its innovative camerawork, editing and use of early sound. 2 disc set. Bonuses: Original German version; Commentary by film scholar Tony Rayns; 1966 documentary on Dreyer; Visual essay by Caspar Tybjerg on Dreyer; 1958 radio broadcast of Dreyer reading an essay about filmmaking; Book: “Writing Vampyr.” Full screen. Dolby 1.0 mono.
HIGH AND LOW (Criterion) Another of Japanese master Akira Kurosawa’s masterpieces, based on an American crime novel by Ed McBain. Toshiro Mifune stars as a wealthy industrialist who finds that his chauffeur’s son has been kidnapped—only the kidnappers think the boy is his, and are demanding a huge ransom! Seamless blend of ticking clock thriller and social commentary on Japan’s class system. Two disc set. Bonuses: Commentary by Kurosawa scholar Stephen Prince; Short documentary; Interviews with Mifune, actor Tsutomu Yamazaki; Trailers. Widescreen. Dolby 1.0 mono.
UN FLIC (DIRTY MONEY) (Lions Gate) Crime classic from French master Jean-Pierre Melville (his final film) about a Paris police chief (Alain Delon) who discovers that his American friend (Richard Crenna) not only leads a group of bank robbers after-hours, but is also sharing his mistress (Catherine Deneuve, at her most beautiful). Terrific thriller from 1972, full of Melville’s trademark grim faces, long silences and drab colors. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
I LOVE THE ‘80S! Paramount releases a new collection of their biggest hits of the Regan era: John Hughes’ classic teen romp FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF features a commentary track by Hughes; the musical coming-of-age story FOOTLOOSE which made a star of Kevin Bacon; Two more films from the Hughes banner: Molly Ringwald’s angst-ridden classic PRETTY IN PINK and Eric Stoltz in SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL; Finally the box office smash TOP GUN with Tom Cruise as the Navy’s hottest, and most foolhardy, fighter pilot. Features commentary by producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Tony Scott and naval experts; 4 music videos; TV spots. All are widescreen, Dolby 5.1 surround and feature a bonus CD of ‘80s pop classics.
PUPPY (Dokument Films) Twisted little thriller from New Zealand about a young girl who is kidnapped by a delusional tow truck driver and forced to pretend she’s his recently-deceased wife. Micro-budget film shot in 20 days is quite impressive, albeit crude on many levels, but still works on a Russ Meyer-meets-Roger Corman guilty pleasure level. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo.
WATCHING THE DETECTIVES (Genius Entertainment) Amusing romantic comedy about a video store owner (Cillian Murphy) who falls in love with a real-life femme fatale (Lucy Liu) that’s like a character out of the movies he’s obsessed with! Clever, loaded with film references for cinefiles everywhere. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
LONESOME DOVE (Genius Entertainment) Classic mini-series, based on Larry McMurtry’s best-seller swept the 1989 Emmys about two aging Texas Rangers (Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones, never better) who yearn for one last adventure before hanging up their spurs as civilization is slowly creeping upon their old west way of life. They find their quest in heading a cattle drive 3,000 miles north to the grasslands of Montana. All-star cast includes Diane Lane, Danny Glover, Anjelica Huston, Steve Buscemi, and Chris Cooper. Bonuses: Featurettes; Interviews with cast and crew; Sketch gallery. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
THE FIRST OLYMPICS: ATHENS 1896 (Sony) Fine miniseries about the men who brought the Olympic Games back to life at the end of the 19th century. David Caruso and Alex Hyde-White head a fine cast that benefits greatly from Gary Allison and William Bast’s well-crafted teleplay about a group of dedicated people who achieved the impossible. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
FORBIDDEN ZONE: IN COLOR! (Legend Films) Richard Elfman’s cult classic (formerly shown only in black & white) about a beautiful girl who finds herself transported into “the sixth dimension,” and a subterranean world ruled by horny midget King Fatso and his jealous Queen Doris. Surreal, absurd, psychedelic and generally subversive, did we also mention that it’s a musical? Not for all tastes, to be sure, but a wild ride you’re sure not to forget! Bonuses: Intro by Elfman; Pop-up trivia; Japanese promo; Extended scene; Deleted scenes; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround.
ONLY THE VALIANT (Republic/Lions Gate) Gregory Peck stars in this classic western as a hard-nosed cavalry officer whose martinet ways alienate him from the soldiers under his command, particularly after he sends a popular officer on a suicide mission. When they are forced to hold down their fort under attack from Apaches, Peck must fight the Indians, his own men, and the pressure of a pending Army investigation. Tense, well-crafted oater, directed by the great Gordon Douglas. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo.
DISFIGURED (Cinema Libre) An intimate portrait of an obese woman and a woman suffering from the eating disorder anorexia who find a common bond in Venice, CA. Honest portrait of very real people dealing with damage, self-inflicted and otherwise. An honest, perceptive, powerful film. Bonuses: Deleted scenes; Cast and crew commentary; Documentary; Outtakes and bloopers; Trailer; Featurette. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
WASTED (Genius Products/Weinstein Co.) A group of 20-something pals revisit their home town circa 1996 while attending the funeral of a high school buddy. During the course of the weekend, friendships are rekindled, re-examined, and some old demons are stared down. Well-done, intimate indie with well-sketched turns by its young cast (Eddie Kaye Thomas, Kip Pardue, Josh Cooke). Bonuses: Deleted scenes; Commentary by director/co-writer Matt Oates, co-writer Jeremiah Lowder, Cooke; Still gallery. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
TAI CHI MASTER (Genius Products/Weinstein Co.) Another title in the “Dragon Dynasty” series, with martial arts superstar Jet Li starring as a freedom fighting rebel who must face off against his former best friend on the battlefield. Michelle Yeoh co-stars in this epic, directed by famed Hong Kong action maestro Yuen Wo-ping (who choreographed The Matrix films). Bonuses: Commentary by Hong Kong film scholar Ben Logan; Featurettes. Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
DON’T TOUCH THAT DIAL! More of televisions greatest hits, from past and present, arrive on DVD this month. Paramount leads the pack with STAR TREK: SEASON TWO, all 26 episodes remastered with new special effects, bonus episodes from the Star Trek animated series and Deep Space Nine, as well as behind-the-scenes home movies. Full screen Dolby 5.1 surround. SOUTH PARK: THE COMPLETE ELEVENTH SEASON, features all 14 uncensored episodes following the escapades of those foul-mouthed tots from the “quiet, redneck mountain town” of South Park, CO. Bonuses: Commentary by creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. GIRLFRIENDS: THE FOURTH SEASON, features more sexy adventures from the hottest, most sophisticated ladies in L.A. in 23 episodes on 3 discs. Exec produced by Kelsey Grammer, the fourth season finds the girlfriends dealing with forbidden romance, self-improvement, and a very testy first year of marriage. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. DEXTER: THE SECOND SEASON, continues the grisly adventures of everyone’s favorite crime fighting forensic scientist and serial killer! Michael C. Hall is brilliant in the title role, and is backed by a dynamite supporting cast in one of TV’s smartest, most offbeat thrillers. 2 disc set bonuses include: Bonus episodes of Showtime series THE TUDORS, CALIFORNICATION and BROTHERHOOD; Interview and podcast with Hall. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. DAVE’S WORLD: THE FIRST SEASON stars Harry Anderson as real-life newspaper columnist Dave Barry in 23 episodes of the sitcom inspired by his syndicated columns full of humor and insight. 3 disc set. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. CAROLINE IN THE CITY: THE FIRST SEASON stars Lea Thompson as a newspaper cartoonist whose neurotic New York adventures make up this comic gem. 24 episodes on three discs. Bonuses: Episodic promos. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 surround. THE HILLS: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON, continues the adventures of privileged Hollywood kids who find their lives going in different directions post-college. Bonuses: Deleted scenes; Interviews with cast and crew; Commentary by cast and crew; Two featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. In the classics section, we find BEVERLY HILLS 90210: THE FIFTH SEASON, 31 episodes of the 1990s hit that brought the fast lane lifestyle of the country’s most famous zip code to life. Four disc set. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. PERRY MASON: SEASON 3, VOL. 1 stars Raymond Burr as TV’s most famous attorney (at least of the 1950s). 12 pulse-pounding episodes in glorious black & white! Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. FAMILY TIES: SEASON FOUR, gives us another 24 funny, heartwarming episodes of the Keaton family, whose parents are ‘60s idealists and children are all ‘80s yuppie, particularly elder son Alex (Michael J. Fox). Bonuses: TV-movie Family Ties Vacation; Gag reel; Episodic promos. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. THE LOVE BOAT: SEASON ONE, VOL. 2, brings 12 more lighthearted tales of love on the high seas aboard the world’s most romantic cruise ship. Bonuses: TV-movie The New Love Boat; Episodic promos. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. Universal releases HOUSE: SEASON FOUR, starring Hugh Laurie as TV’s grumpiest, but most brilliant doctor. Bonuses: Six featurettes; Commentary by producers David Shore and Katie Jacobs. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT: SEASON SEVEN, features 22 episodes on five discs, starring Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay as detectives assigned to investigate the most brutal, sexually-based crimes on the tough streets of NYC. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Acorn Media brings the classic 1976-77 series THE DUCHESS OF DUKE STREET to DVD, about a woman who rises from the kitchen staff to become the manager of London’s finest turn-of-the-century hotel. 31 episodes. Bonuses: Photo gallery; Filmographies. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. FIRST AMONG EQUALS, based on Jeffrey Archer’s novel is a 10-part story of sex, money and power in the halls of British government. Tom Wilkinson stars. Smart, scintillating, literate drama. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. ALFRESCO is the zany 1980s comedy series that introduced the world to rising stars Emma Thompson, Hugh Laurie, Robbie Coltrane, Ben Elton and Stephen Fry. Bonuses: Three-episode pilot series; Featurette; Cast bios. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. TERRY PRATCHETT’S DISCWORLD COLLECTION: WYRD SISTERS & SOUL MUSIC are wild animated adventures based on author Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, featuring a fantastic cast of dwarves, witches, trolls, elfs and giants. Picture J.R.R. Tolkien on acid, and you get the idea! 2 disc set. Bonuses: Storyboards; Interview with Pratchett. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. Warner Bros. releases TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, SEASON ONE, starring Lena Headey as the mother of civilization’s savoir John Connor, who must train her son to fight against the machines that will attempt world domination. Bonuses: Commentary by exec producer Josh Friedman, cast and crew; Featurettes; Audition tapes; Gag reel; Extended cut of episode 7; Storyboards. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. THE BIG BANG THEORY: THE FIRST SEASON, follows the comic misadventures of physicists Leonard and Sheldon, who are brilliant in all things scientific, but lacking when it comes to social graces, such as dealing with the opposite sex. This becomes readily apparent when a comely neighbor moves across the hall. Funny and clever. Bonuses: Two featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 surround. Koch Vision releases ADVENTURES OF THE GALAXY RANGERS, VOL. 2, the further, offbeat adventures of an outer-space wagon train, featuring voice work from Jerry Orbach, among other fine actors. Bonuses: Interviews with and commentary by series creator Robert Mandell and writers Dan Fiorella and John Rawlins; Featurette on Orbach; Slideshow; Orignal music tracks. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. WIRE IN THE BLOOD: PRAYER OF THE BONE has clincal psychologist/profiler Dr. Tony Hill (Robson Green) traveling to a small Texas town from the UK to testify as an expert witness in the trial of a brutal murderer. Smart, intense adult drama. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono. P.D. JAMES: THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION, features nine dramatizations of the celebrated author's mysteries on 15 DVDs, each starring Roy Marsden as Scotland Yark sleuth Adam Dalgliesh. All are beautifully acted, intelligently written. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. Finally, VSC releases THE HUDSON BROTHERS RAZZLE-DAZZLE SHOW: THE COMPLETE SERIES, a Saturday morning favorite among kids raised in the very groovy '70s, combining very inventive, subversive humor with some truly great music. Dubbed by none other than John Lennon as "The kings of Saturday morning," these 16 hours of programs are sure to take you back to a more "colorful" time! Bonuses: Two featurettes; Bonus sketches. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
DOCUMENTARY DAYS Genius Products/The Weinstein Co. releases PETE SEEGER: THE POWER OF SONG, filmmaker Jim Brown’s fascinating look into the life and work of one of folk music’s most influential voices. Loaded with archival footage and interviews with giants of the scene such as Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, and many more. Bonuses: 3 additional scenes; 5 short films from the Seeger family. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Paramount/PBS release MUHAMMAD ALI: MADE IN MIAMI, a look at the critical role the city of Miami played in the evolution of (arguably) the greatest boxer of the 20th century. A fascinating look into how Cassius Marcellus Clay of Louisville became one of the most significant cultural figures of our time. Bonuses: Interview with the film’s producers. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. Arthouse Films releases THE COOL SCHOOL: HOW L.A. LEARNED TO LOVE MODERN ART, a portrait of LA’s seminal Ferus Gallery and it’s proprietors Walter Hopps and Irving Blum, who helped build the LA art scene from the ground up. Narrated by Jeff Bridges and featuring interviews with figures such as Dennis Hopper, Ed Ruscha and others. Bonuses: Three featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
Thorco Films releases THE AUDIENCE STRIKES BACK, a humorous look at eight audience members at an opening day screening of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith who participate in a roundtable discussion about the Star Wars phenomenon, shot in real time. Fascinating look at how pop culture influences the lives of everyday people. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono. Magnolia releases SURFWISE, a provocative documentary look at the Paskowitz family, headed by their once-successful physician father, who chucked it all and took his wife and nine children to live in a camper by the beach. Bonuses: Commentary by director Doug Pray, producer Matt Weaver, and Salvador Paskowitz; Three featurettes; Outtakes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Finally, COCAINE COWBOYS 2: HUSTLIN’ WITH THE GODMOTHER, tells the remarkable, horrific story of Griselda Blanco, one of Miami’s biggest drug traffickers who was responsible for hundreds of murders, smuggling over 300 tons of cocaine, and plotting the kidnapping of JFK Jr.! Must be seen to be believed. Bonuses: Featurette; Filmmaker commentary; Photo galleries; Deleted scenes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
THE HORROR, THE HORROR…More titles to give you goosebumps and nightmares: Lions Gate leads the pack with DUNGEON GIRL, a disturbing story of a young girl abducted and raised to womanhood by a disturbed man. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. BONE EATER is an evil Indian spirit who is unleashed when a construction crew accidentally unseals his tomb, wreaking havoc on the small town in which he’s released. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. TRAPPED ASHES is an anthology of horror tales from noted directors such as Joe Dante, Ken Russell, Monte Hellman and Sean Cunningham. Bonuses: Cast and crew commentary; Director’s cuts of the films; Documentary; Deleted scenes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA’S GUEST tells the horrific, sexy story of the vampire count who kidnaps a young beauty from her lover’s arms, and his quest to bring her back. Bonuses: Director’s commentary; Photo gallery; Trailers. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. DEAD AND GONE tells the story of a man who kidnaps his comatose, shrew of a wife in an attempt to kill her so he can collect her life insurance, but soon finds himself haunted by his lady’s vengeful spirit! Bonuses: Filmmaker commentary; Featurette; Deleted scenes; Outtakes; Trailers. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. SIX FILMS TO KEEP YOU AWAKE is another anthology, this time of short films from Europe: Spectre, A Real Friend, A Christmas Tale, The Baby’s Room and To Let. Bonuses: Six featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. BELPHEGOR: PHANTOM OF THE LOUVRE, is a terrific French ghost story starring lovely Sophie Marceau and legendary Julie Christie, who do battle with an evil spirit let out of an Egyptian tomb at Paris’ famed museum. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Anchor Bay releases BRUTAL MASSACRE: A COMEDY, a Hollywood satire “mockumentary” about a washed up director who tries a final comeback with the ultimate festival of gore on film! Bonuses: Extended and deleted scenes; Featurette; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Genius Products release THE BOSTON STRANGLER: THE UNTOLD STORY, which poses the question that Boston police arrested the wrong man in the notorious 1960s sex crimes that terrorized the city. Bonuses: Cast and crew commentary; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. THE KILLING GENE: UNRATED, stars Stellan Skarsgard as a veteran cop investigating a string of murders where the victim was forced to choose between their own death, or that of a loved one. Creepy, well-made, with a fine cast. Bonuses: Deleted scenes; 3 featurettes; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. WIDE AWAKE tells the story of a vengeful former patient, looking for payback on the surgeon who kept him awake during heart surgery as a boy! Bonuses: Deleted scenes; 3 featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
BLU-RAY TITLES Blu-ray technology offers a new standard in DVD viewing and the home theater experience: 1080p resolution; Lossless audio, which delivers the finest uncompressed digital sound available; and Smart Menu Technology, which floats on-screen during playback so you never leave the film. Just a few of the titles arriving on Blu-Ray this month include: Sony releases THE COUTNERFEITERS, winner of the 2007 Oscar for Best Foreign Film, telling the true story of a German/Jewish forger who, in exchange for comfortable living conditions, helped his Nazi captors forge phony bank notes to fund the German war effort. Bonuses: Commentary by director Stefan Ruzowitzky; Deleted scenes; Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby 51. surround. REDBELT, written and directed by David Mamet, is a compelling drama about a Jiu-Jitsu instructor (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who undergoes a crisis of conscience when forces beyond his control force him to step into the competitive ring. Bonuses: Commentary by Mamet and Randy Couture; Four featurettes; Interviews with Mamet and David White. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. BELLY is a gritty hip-hop drama punctuated by a terrific score and dazzling cinematography. Widescreen. DTS 7.1 HD master audio. I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER is a teen fright fest starring Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze, Jr. as teens who find themselves targets of a vengeful hit-and-run victim. Bonuses: Filmmaker commentary; Director’s short film, “Joyride”; Featurette; Music video; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE is a based-on-a-true story tale of a young girl whose body was overtaken by a seemingly supernatural force. Laura Linney, Tom Wilkinson, Campbell Scott and Colm Feore head a fine cast. Bonuses: Director commentary; Three featurettes; Deleted scene. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. URBAN LEGEND is another fright-fest, this time revolving around a group of New England college students who find an urban legend coming back to life in their community. Bonuses: Director commentary; Featurette. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Lions Gate releases Oliver Stone’s acclaimed film about THE DOORS, the west coast rock legends fronted by iconic Jim Morrison (Val Kilmer, in his best turn to date). A near-perfect portrait of the excess that was ‘60s rock and roll. Bonuses: Commentary by Stone; Featurette; Deleted scenes; Trailer. Widescreen. DTS 7.1 HD Master Audio. Finally, Summit Entertainment releases NEVER BACK DOWN, about a new kid in town, who must prove himself with his fists and his heart when local bullies challenge him. Bonsues: Deleted scenes; Two featurettes; Alternate angle fight mode; Commentary by cast and crew. Widescreen. DTS 5.1 Master Audio.