DVD Playhouse--October 2008

DVD PLAYHOUSE—OCT. 2008
BY
ALLEN GARDNER

THE GODFATHER: THE COPPOLA RESTORATION (Paramount) All three Godfather films have been meticulously restored and remastered under the supervision of Francis Ford Coppola, and the results are breathtaking, with the films looking, and sounding, as good as new. Fitting treatment for one of cinema’s most important, and enduring, franchises. Five disc set features a two-disc bonus supplement, crammed with hours of documentaries on the film’s production, audition footage, outtakes, and more. Commentary by Coppola on all three films. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
L.A. CONFIDENTIAL—SPECIAL EDITION (Warner Bros.) Masterful adaptation of James Ellroy’s crime opus about three L.A. cops (Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey) circa 1953 who find their lives turned upside down after their investigation into a massacre in a downtown coffee shop turns out to be anything but routine. Kim Basinger won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her turn as a savvy call girl with a golden heart. Fine support from Danny de Vito, David Strathairn, and James Cromwell. Director Curtis Hanson and Brian Helgeland took home an Oscar for their screenplay. Top-drawer across the board, a modern classic. Two-disc set. Bonuses: Commentary by cast and crew; Music-only track; CD soundtrack; Five featurettes; Interviews; TV pilot; Interactive map tour. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL (Paramount) Harrison Ford dons the fedora for the fourth time in this serviceable, but ultimately disappointing effort, which has Indy reuniting with old flame Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen, cute as ever) taking on a spunky sidekick (Shia LaBeouf), and battling evil Russians (led by Cate Blanchett, who chews the scenery with aplomb) for the possession of a mythical crystal skull. Set pieces galore, but curiously devoid of energy, particularly from Ford, who seems to be phoning in most of his performance. One absolutely brilliant sequence, set on a nuclear testing ground, is worth watching just by itself. Overall though, one can’t help but sing “Where have you gone, Indiana Jones…?” Bonuses: Four featurettes; Game demo; Photo galleries; Trailers. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
CHAPLIN: 15th ANNIVERSARY EDITION (Lions Gate) Robert Downey, Jr. is absolutely brilliant in Richard Attenborough’s biopic on the life and times of silent film great Charlie Chaplin. Uneven at times, but overall a beautifully-made, warts-and-all portrait of a true artistic genius. All-star cast includes Anthony Hopkins, Diane Lane, (Charlie’s daughter) Geraldine Chaplin, Kevin Kline, and James Woods. Bonuses: Chaplin home movie; Three featurettes; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
AN AUTUMN AFTERNOON (Criterion) Final film from Japanese master Yasujiro Ozu tells the gentle story of an aging man’s acceptance that the life and world he once knew has passed him by, heralded by the marriage of his daughter with whom he has been living. Beautifully shot in desaturated color, the film is a fitting swan song for one of cinema’s greatest voices. Bonuses: Commentary by Ozu scholar David Bordwell; Excerpt from French TV program on Ozu; Trailer. Full screen. Dolby1.0 mono.
IRON MAN (Paramount) Smart, kick-ass adaptation of the Marvel Comics classic about a cold-blooded industrialist (Robert Downey, Jr., great as always) who finds his scruples put to the test when he is betrayed by arms dealers, and decides to fight back using a rocket-powered suit of armor of his own design. Energetically directed by Jon Favreau, with fine support from Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Terrence Howard. 2-disc set. Bonuses: Deleted and extended scenes; 7-part documentary; Three featurettes; Downey’s screen test; Photo galleries. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
THREE FROM MAX OPHULS Criterion releases three of the French directors finest works: LA RONDE, a sweeping tale about love and life among France’s different social strata; LE PLAISIR, based on a triptych of tales by Guy de Maupassant about the limits of spiritual and physical pleasure; and THE EARRINGS OF MADAME DE…Ophuls’ most celebrated work, about an aristocratic woman (Danielle Darrieux) who sets off a chain reaction in Parisian society when she sells her earrings to pay off personal debts. All three films feature Ophuls’ signature sweeping camerawork, which influenced generations of filmmakers. Bonuses: Commentary by film scholar Susan White; Interviews with Ophuls’ family members, cast and crew members, film scholars. Full screen. Dolby 1.0 mono.
TOUCH OF EVIL: 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION (Universal) Three versions of Orson Welles’ masterpiece: the restored version from 1998, re-cut to Welles’ original vision; the theatrical version; and the preview version, created prior to the theatrical release, which incorporates some of Welles’ original requests. This tale of sleazy shenanigans south of the border is viewed by many scholars as the greatest film noir ever made. Charlton Heston stars as a Mexican (!) police Captain whose honeymoon with new bride Janet Leigh is interrupted by a car bomb. Welles is unforgettable as a walking metaphor for corruption and decay as the crooked border town police chief. Simply great. Bonuses: Retrospective documentary; Featurette; Commentary by Heston, Leigh, film scholars and restoration experts. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
THE RAY HARRYHAUSEN COLLECTIBLE DVD GIFT SET (Sony) Mammoth boxed set of sci-fi master Ray Harryhausen’s finest work, with a collectible Ymir monster figurine included! Three Harryhausen classics: EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS, 20 MILLION MILES TO EARTH, and IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA arrive in 2-disc sets, featuring color and black & white versions of the films, as well as Harryhausen and visual effects experts; Dozens of featurettes; Interviews with cast and crew; Photo and ad galleries. All thee are widescreen, Dolby 5.1 surround.
THREE FROM HITCH Universal releases three classic Alfred Hitchcock titles to their Legacy Series: REAR WINDOW stars James Stewart as a photographer laid-up with a broken leg and a bored fiancée (Grace Kelly) who thinks he’s witnessed a neighbor (Raymond Burr) murdering his wife. VERTIGO again stars Stewart, this time as a former cop obsessed with the woman (Kim Novak) whom he thinks died due to his negligence. Finally, PSYCHO tells the creepy story of a woman (Janet Leigh) on the lam who stops at the wrong motel for the night, run by a creepy young man (Anthony Perkins) and his mysterious mother…All three are two-disc sets, and feature commentary by film scholars and restoration experts; Featurettes; Alternative scenes; Retrospective documentaries; Episodes of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.” Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
TWO FROM MELVILLE Criterion releases two crime classics from French maestro Jean-Pierre Melville: LE DEUXIEME SOUFFLE stars Melville regular Lino Ventura as a veteran underworld figure plotting a final bank robbery and the suave police inspector (Paul Meurisse) on his tail. Nail-biting suspense, with one of the best heist sequences ever put to film; LE DOULOS stars Jean-Paul Belmondo as an enigmatic gangster who may, or may not, have ratted out a colleague recently released from prison. Full of twists and turns, and quite brutal for its time (1962). Bonuses: Commentary by film scholar Ginette Vincendeau; Interviews with Volker Schlondorff and Bertrand Tavernier; Archival interviews with cast and crew; Trailers. Widescreen. Dolby 1.0 mono.
THE INCREDIBLE HULK (Universal) Edward Norton takes over the big green suit as scientist Bruce Banner, a scientist who seeks a cure for the rage inside him that causes a monstrous physical transformation—one that military intelligence men like Tim Roth and William Hurt would like to use for their own purposes. Fun, smart, and a big improvement over the Ang Lee version from 2003. Bonuses: Deleted scenes; Commentary by cast and crew; Alternate opening; Six featurettes; Trailers. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
BOY A (Weinstein Co./Genius Products) A young man (Andrew Garfield) is released from prison after committing a heinous crime when he was a boy. As he tries to rebuild his life, he finds the horrible act of his past continually coming back to haunt him. Powerful “kitchen sink” story pulls no punches, and was nominated for 7 BAFTA awards, with Garfield deservedly winning Best Actor. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
THE NEW WORLD: THE EXTENDED CUT (New Line) Terence Malick’s epic treatment of the romance between Capt. John Smith and the Indian princess Pocahontas during the early days of the American colonies is breathtakingly beautiful on every level, but is absolutely lifeless otherwise. The extended cut, with 30 minutes more footage, just gives us more of what we had too much of to begin with! Fine cast also includes Christian Bale and Christopher Plummer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
LEATHERHEADS (Universal) George Clooney (who also directed) stars as the captain of a struggling amateur football team in the 1920s who thinks he’s found his meal ticket in the form of a college superstar (John Krasinski). Amiable screwball comedy set in the infancy of pro football is enjoyable, but leaves you almost the minute you turn away from it. Still fun to watch, with a cast that looks like it was having equal giggles in front of the camera. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Deleted scenes; Four featurettes; Commentary by Clooney and producer Grant Heslov. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
THE ALICE FAYE COLLECTION, VOL. 2 (20th Century Fox) Five films from the song and dance queen of Hollywood’s golden age: ROSE OF WASHINGTON SQUARE, HOLLYWOOD CAVALCADE, THE GREAT AMERICAN BROADCAST, HELLO FRISCO HELLO, and FOUR JILLS IN A JEEP are all pretty interchangeable as far as plot (lots of set-ups for Alice to break into song with a handsome leading man), but are great fun as touchstones late ‘30s and early ‘40s entertainment. All are full screen, Dolby 2.0 mono.
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE (New Video) Animated delight based on the Maurice Sendak’s children’s classic, telling the story of rebellious, imaginative Max, who is sent to bed without supper. When he falls asleep, he sails off to a world inhabited by weird creatures and becomes the king of all wild things - until he misses his real home. Also features five other animated versions of Sendak stories, set to music by Carole King. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
OSS 177: CAIRO, NEST OF SPIES (Music Box Films) French spoof of an actual James Bond-esque franchise that was a hit during the ‘60s in Europe. Jean Dujardin stars as intrepid secret agent Hubert Bonisseur de la Bath, a.k.a. OSS 117, who fights spies and dazzles the ladies in Cairo, circa 1955. As a more suave, competent version of Peter Sellers’ Inspector Clouseau, Dujardin is aces, but it’s hard to parody a genre that is often a parody of itself. Bonuses: Featurette; Deleted scenes; Gag reel. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
PARANOID PARK (IFC Films) When a teenager is found dead in Portland’s infamous Paranoid Park, police investigate the local high school for possible suspects, forcing one young man (Gabe Nevins) into a moral dilemma. Another honest, disturbing take on adolescence from Gus Van Sant, shooting in his home town again, with master D.P. Christopher Doyle behind the lens. Full screen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL (Universal) A struggling musician (Jason Segel, who also wrote the screenplay) gets dumped by the girlfriend (Kristin Bell) he worships for a huge rock star (Russell Brand) and follows them on their holiday to Hawaii. There he meets a local girl (Mila Kunis, very appealing) who helps him rethink his ways. Enjoyable to a point, but doesn’t know when to quit, either. Easily could have lost 20-25 minutes of footage and still been fine. Another exercise in thoughtful raunch from producer Judd Apatow. Available in unrated and R-rated versions, and on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Deleted and extended scenes; Audition footage; Five featurettes; Commentary by cast and crew; Gag reel. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
CHAPTER 27 (Peace Arch Entertainment) Disturbing look into the mind of Mark David Chapman, who murdered John Lennon December 8, 1980. Jared Leto is remarkable as Chapman, a pathetic character of the Travis Bickle mold, but writer/director J.P. Schaffer hammers some things too squarely on the nose in his script (Lindsay Lohan’s character, named Jude, is greeted by Chapman multiple times with “Hey, Jude…”) and over-directs with a vengeance, with more shaky camera moves and rapid cuts than Michael Bay could provide at his most manic. A mixed bag, to be sure, but worth seeing for Leto’s amazing transformation into Chapman. Bonuses: Featurette. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
CAPRICORN ONE (Lions Gate) Fun, cheesy ‘70s paranoid thriller about a reporter (Elliot Gould) who uncovers that a shot to the moon by NASA was really a hoax, filmed on a soundstage. With a cast that includes Telly Savalas, James Brolin and O.J. Simpson, what else can a viewer do but tie on their boogie shoes and get down? Written and directed by Peter Hyams. Bonuses: Commentary by Hyams; Featurette; Trailers; Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
THE FOOT-FIST WAY (Paramount) Tasteless, but quite funny comedy about an inept strip mall karate instructor (Danny McBride, who co-wrote) who thinks he’s the ultimate kung-fu fighter, until he finds that his wife has been cheating on him and realizes his life is a mess. He embarks on a journey to meet his hero: martial arts legend Chuck “the Truck” Wallace, with hilarious results. Bonuses: Commentary by McBride, director Jody Hill; Bloopers; Deleted and extended scenes; Alternate ending. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
MONDAYS IN THE SUN (Lions Gate) Javier Bardem stars in this drama that swept Spain’s Goya Awards, playing an unemployed shipyard worker who manages to help keep the faith for himself, and those of his friends, even as their circumstances get more dire. Finely observed film, in the neo-realist tradition. Bonuses: Commentary by Bardem and director Fernando Leon de Aranoa; Deleted scenes; Featurette; Storyboards. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
WATERSHIP DOWN (Warner Bros.) Animated feature based on Richard Adams’ allegorical best-seller about a community of rabbits whose warren is threatened. When a small group decides to flee and start anew, they must face new allies, foes and the biggest threat of all: man. Featuring voice talent from Zero Mostel, John Hurt, Denholm Elliott and Ralph Richrdson, this 1978 film isn’t for young children to be sure, but will pack a punch and shed a tear or two for teens and adults. Bonuses: Three featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo.
HAMMER FILMS: 4 CREEPY CLASSICS (Sony) Four of the British horror factory’s best frightfests from the 1960s: THE TWO FACES OF DR. JEKYLL gives a new spin on the world’s most famous case of dual personality; SCREAM OF FEAR is a dizzying thriller that follows one woman’s descent into madness; THE GORGON is a hideous beast whose gaze turns men into stone; and THE CURSE OF THE MUMMY’S TOMB is a stylish and cautionary tale of blasphemy and greed. All include the original theatrical trailer, and are Widescreen, Dolby 2.0 mono.
THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY (Warner Bros.) Beautifully-made adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic story about a handsome man (George Sanders) who never seems to age, whereas a portrait of him does. Won the Oscar for Best Cinematography of 1945, and features early turns by Angela Lansbury, Donna Reed and Peter Lawford. Bonuses: Commentary by Lansbury, historian Steve Haberman; Oscar-winning short and cartoon; Trailer. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
THE LITTLE RASCALS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION (Genius Entertainment) All 80 of Hal Roach’s original “Little Rascals” shorts in one set for the first time, restored and remastered on 8 discs. Terrific fun, and they’ve never looked or sounded better. Bonuses: Introductions and commentaries by film historians; 3 silent shorts; 3 featurettes. Full screen. Dolby 1.0 mono.
MARTINI MOVIES Sony releases a series of titles from the ‘50s through the ‘70s for the hep-cat in all of us: Glenn Ford and Rita Hayworth star in AFFAIR IN TRINIDAD, with Ford investigating his brother’s murder in the tropics; THE GARMENT JUNGLE stars Lee J. Cobb and Kerwin Matthews in this tale of corruption set in New York’s “rag trade”; Richard Brooks directs Warren Beatty and Goldie Hawn in $(DOLLARS), a high-spirited caper about a hooker and a con man who team up for a Hamburg bank heist; Sidney Lumet helms THE ANDERSON TAPES, starring Sean Connery and Dyan Cannon as an ex-con and his girlfriend, who realize that her high-end apartment building holds a king’s ransom full of loot. Nice early turn from Christopher Walken. Finally, THE NEW CENTURIONS stars George C. Scott and Stacy Keach as L.A. cops who live as hard as the beat they walk, in this fine adaptation of Joseph Wambaugh’s novel. All feature theatrical trailers and featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
ASIAN IMPORTS Genius Products/Weinstein Co. releases two more titles in their Dragon Dynasty series: THE REBEL is the biggest box office hit in Vietnamese history, a sweeping martial arts epic set in 1920s Indochina. Terrific mix of martial arts and historical drama. 2 disc set. Bonuses: Commentary by cast and crew; Six featurettes; Photo gallery. FIST OF LEGEND stars the great Jet Li along with martial arts legend Yuen Wo-ping for what many connoisseurs believe to be some of the best fight sequences ever filmed. Li stars as a karate master who returns home to avenge his sister’s death. 2-disc set. Bonuses: Commentary by cast and crew; 5 featurettes; Deleted scenes; Trailer gallery. Both are widescreen, Dolby 2.0 stereo.
MUSIC TO THE EARS Some terrific profiles of musicians arrive on disc this month, starting with Weinstein Co./Genius Products’ release of LOU REED: BERLIN, directed by Julian Schnabel, a magnificent film documenting Reed performing his legendary 1973 album live for the first time. Bonuses: Two featurettes; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Koch Vision releases JEWEL: THE ESSENTIAL LIVE SONGBOOK featuring two discs, each featuring a different live performance, with over 45 songs. Bonuses: Interview with Jewel. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. MVD releases THE BEATLES: MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR MEMORIES, a look at the making of the band’s 1967 film, narrated by the film’s co-star, Victor Spinetti. Bonuses: Extra interviews with fans and participants. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. INSIDE BOB DYLAN’S JESUS YEARS takes a look at the renowned folk singer’s flirtation with Christianity and gospel music in the late ‘70s. A fascinating look at a complex, and ever-changing artist. Bonuses: Photo gallery; Featurettes; Soundtrack MP3s. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. Finally, Lions Gate releases CSNY/Déjà Vu, Neil Young’s look at the band’s “Freedom of Speech” U.S. tour. Terrific concert footage mixed with insightful interviews. Bonuses: Trailer; Bonus videos; Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround.
DOCUMENTARY DAYS Some of the best new documentaries arrive on disc this month, starting with Image/ThinkFilm’s release of the Oscar-winning TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE, Alex Gibney’s harrowing look into the torture and murder of an innocent Afghani taxi driver by U.S. forces. Incendiary and sobering. Bonuses: Commentary by Gibney; Outtakes; Extended interviews; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Magnolia releases BIGGER, STRONGER, FASTER a funny, sad and telling look at how American’s obsession with body image has promoted steroid abuse among many pro and amateur athletes. Lots of nice personal touches from director Chris Bell. Bonuses: Deleted scenes; Featurette. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Rock City Entertainment releases BARACK OBAMA: THE POWER OF CHANGE, a compelling and thorough documentary look at the wunderkind of American politics and his rise from humble beginnings to the United States Senate. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. SPIRIT OF THE MARATHON follows six competitors training for the Chicago Marathon. Fascinating fly-on-the-wall look at an athlete’s process. Bonuses: Featurette; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Anchor Bay releases LARRY FLYNT: THE RIGHT TO BE LEFT ALONE, a sensational portrait of America’s most celebrated pornographer and proponent of the First Amendment. Bonuses: Interview with Flynt; Deposition footage; Commentary by filmmakers; Photo gallery. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono. Kultur releases THE ROCKY HORROR TRIBUTE SHOW a record of a reunion performance in 2006 with new narration by the show's author, Richard O'Brien, featuring old cast members reprising their roles, and a few new faces, as well. Great fun for "Rocky Horror" fans. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
DON’T TOUCH THAT DIAL! Some of television’s finest arrive on DVD this month, led by Time-Life’s release of THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS COMEDY HOUR, VOL. 3, featuring 4 discs of the taboo-breaking show, which was constantly at odds with CBS’ network censors. Performances by Steve Martin, Donovan, The Doors, George Carlin, and more highlight this fascinating time capsule on 4 discs. Bonuses: Uncensored episodes with unreleased segments; “Pat Paulsen for President” TV special, narrated by Henry Fonda; Outtakes of Tommy Smothers and Paulsen’s interview with Robert F. Kennedy in 1968; Collection of censorship memos. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. A&E releases HORATIO HORNBLOWER: COLLECTOR’S EDITION, featuring the entire series of telefilms starring Ioan Gruffudd as a lad who joins the Royal Navy at the outset of the Napoleonic Wars. Thrilling spectacle, highly entertaining. 8-disc set. Bonuses: Interview with Gruffudd; Five featurettes; Photo gallery. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. Paramount releases CSI: THE EIGHTH SEASON, featuring William L. Petersen and his intrepid band of forensic cops solving crime. Bonuses: Five featurettes; Commentary by cast and crew; Bonus episode. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE SEASON FIVE, features more adventures of Peter Graves, Leonard Nimoy and their band of spies in thrilling tales of espionage. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. THE CULT OF CARTMAN: REVELATIONS features some of “South Park’s” finest epiodes, highlighted by the rotund Cartman’s words of wisdom. Bonuses: New animation. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: THE COMPLETE SERIES is a gorgeous boxed set featuring all 55 episodes on 16 discs of the 1987-90 series, starring Linda Hamilton and Ron Perlman. Bonuses: Featurettes; Interactive game. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. BROTHERHOOD: THE SECOND SEASON continues the sordid goings-on in and around Providence, RI’s Caffee family, one brother (Jason Isaacs) a gangster, the other (Jason Clarke) a rising politician. Great stuff! Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Lions Gate releases SPEED RACER: THE COMPLETE CLASSIC COLLECTION, all 52 episodes of the first Japanese anime crossover series from the ‘60s, housed in a collectible Speed Racer model case! Bonuses: Featurettes; Bonus episode. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. 20th Century Fox releases THE SIMPSONS: THE ELEVENTH SEASON, all 22 episodes featuring commentary by cast and crew; Featurettes; Deleted scenes; Animation showcases; Sketch galleries. Full screen. Dolby 5.1 surround. MY NAME IS EARL: SEASON FIVE, features more zaniness from Jason Lee and friends on 4 discs featuring 18 episodes. Bonuses: Two featurettes; Gag reel; Deleted scenes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Warner Bros. releases THE PEANUTS DELUXE HOLIDAY COLLECTION, featuring A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS, A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING and IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN, three holiday classics for the whole family. Bonuses: Bonus episodes; Featurettes. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. Shout Factory releases SPORTS NIGHT: THE COMPLETE SERIES, Aaron Sorkin’s smart, funny take about life behind the scenes at an ESPN-like sports network. 8-disc set features 2 discs of bonuses, including: Interviews with cast and crew; Featurettes; Gag reel; Commentary by cast and crew. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. Finally, Acorn Media releases AGATHA CHRISTIE’S MYSTERY LOVER’S COLLECTION, containing five telefilms featuring Christie’s famous sleuths Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot and Tommy & Tuppence : THE SECRET ADVERSARY, THE AFFAIR OF THE PINK PEARL, THE BODY IN THE LIBRARY, THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES, and THE PALE HORSE, the last of which is curiously set in swinging London of the ‘60s. Full and widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo and mono. GEORGE GENTLY: SERIES ONE, stars Martin Shaw as a Scotland Yard inspector in the 1960s who finds himself transferred to the North of England to solve crimes. Smart, well-acted and well-written. 3 episodes. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. RAIN SHADOW: SERIES 1 stars Rachel Ward in this hit Australian series about a small farming town struggling to survive. Great “kitchen sink” realism. Bonuses: Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. THE COMMANDER: SET 1, from the creator of “Prime Suspect,” follows veteran Scotland Yard inspector Clare Blake as she tries to mix her business and personal lives, oftentimes unsuccessfully. Bonuses: Interviews with cast and crew; Featurette. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. AFFAIRS OF THE HEART: SERIES ONE is adapted from the work of Henry James, set in the country homes of England, the palazzos of Venice, to the art studios of London. Starring a who’s-who of British talent: Diana Rigg, Ian Ogilvy, Jeremy Brett and others. 7 episodes. Full screen. Dolby 1.0 mono.
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: Universal releases GEORGE A. ROMERO’S LAND OF THE DEAD, Romero’s fourth entry in his zombie series, featuring John Leguizamo, Dennis Hopper and Simon Baker, fighting undead that seem to have human-like intelligence. Bonuses: Commentary by Romero; Five featurettes; Audition footage; John Carpenter’s THE THING is an inventively gruesome take on the classic story of a remote outpost infected by an alien being that absorbs and reproduces its victims in human form! Truly scary stuff. Bonuses: Commentary by Carpenter and Kurt Russell. DAWN OF THE DEAD is a competent, but unnecessary remake of George Romero’s classic about a disparate group holed up in a local mall as zombies swarm outside. Bonuses: Commentary by director Zack Snyder, producer Eric Newman. Martin Scorsese’s classic CASINO tells the story of the Chicago mob’s take-over of Las Vegas in the ‘70s. Robert de Niro, Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone head a fine cast. Bonuses: Interviews with cast and crew; Deleted scenes; Two featurettes. All are widescreen, Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround. Touchstone/Disney releases THE SIXTH SENSE, the creepy sensation about shrink Bruce Willis trying to help young Haley Joel Osmet with his dilemma of “I see dead people.” A classic! Bonuses: Deleted scenes; Six featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. New Line/HBO release SEX AND THE CITY: THE MOVIE—EXTENDED CUT, continuing the adventures of Carrie Bradshaw and her libidinous NYC pals. Bonuses: Commentary by director Michael Patrick King; Four featurettes; Additional scenes; 2 interactive features: Sex and the City: the City and Dish It! Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Sony releases Errol Morris’ documentary STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE, a scathing look at the cover-up that went on in Iraq’s Abu Ghraib Prison. Bonuses: Commentary by Morris; 9 additional scenes; Blue-ray exclusive features: Two hours of new interviews; Panel discussion and press conferences. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. YOU DON’T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN is a goof featuring Adam Sandler as an Israeli counterterrorism agent who tries to reinvent himself as a Manhattan hairdresser. Uh, yeah…Bonuses: Commentary by Sandler, cast and crew; Deleted scenes; 13 featurettes; Graphics-in-picture track. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. 20th Century Fox releases DAREDEVIL: DIRECTOR’S CUT a smashing, and dark, adaptation of the Marvel Comic, with Ben Affleck scoring big in the lead, and Colin Farrell holding his own as a psycho villain. Bonuses: Commentary by cast and crew; Enhanced viewing mode—takes you behind the scenes as you watch the film; Eight featurettes; Three music videos; Photo galleries. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround. Finally, Image Entertainment releases the stirring Discovery Channel documentary WHEN WE LEFT THE EARTH: THE NASA MISSIONS, which charts the epic struggle that went into sending men into space. Six episodes. Bonuses: NASA films and film highlights; Extra interviews; Mission clips. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Warner Bros. releases Lawrence Kasdan’s directing debut BODY HEAT, a steamy film noir starring William Hurt as a not-too-bright lawyer seduced by femme fatale Kathleen Turner into murdering husband Richard Crenna. One of the best modern noirs! Bonuses: Deleted scenes; 3 featurettes. Vintage interviews with Hurt and Turner; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.