DVD Playhouse: January 2010

DVD PLAYHOUSE—JANUARY 2010
By
Allen Gardner

THE HURT LOCKER (Summit Entertainment) Absorbing character study follows the leader (Jeremy Renner) of a bomb squad unit in Iraq and his growing addiction to the adrenaline-fueled life and death edge that he and his men must walk on a daily basis. Director Kathryn Bigelow, an unheralded great filmmaker for nearly two decades, has finally hit paydirt with this gut-wrenching examination of war as drug, as opposed to hell. That said, The Hurt Locker is 2/3 of a great movie that takes a wild left turn in a subplot involving Renner’s character and that of a local boy to whom he takes a shine, and never quite recovers its momentum. In spite of that hiccup, it remains one of the best films of 2009 and, thus far, the finest cinematic exploration of America’s war in the Middle East. Also available on Blu-ray disc, in a transfer that is truly spectacular. Bonuses: Commentary by Bigelow and writer Mark Boal; Featurette; Photo gallery. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround.
500 DAYS OF SUMMER (20th Century Fox) Charming look at the romance between two 20-somethings (Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel) who experience mature love for the first time, but then discover their definitions of love, and themselves, changing rapidly. Perceptive, witty and very honest, a refreshing change from the broad, often crude comedies (see below) that have called themselves “romantic” in recent years. The two leads are irresistible. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Deleted and extended scenes; Short film by director Mark Webb; Featurettes; Interviews with cast and crew; Music video; Commentary by Webb and Levitt. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround.
ALL ABOUT STEVE (20th Century Fox) When a blind date between a news cameraman (Bradley Cooper) and a kooky, unstable woman (Sandra Bullock) goes horribly wrong, the cameraman soon finds himself being stalked by said kook as he travels cross-country, covering breaking news stories. Tiresome, obnoxious and about a subtle as a sledgehammer to the groin, this painfully unfunny comedy full of unlikable, desperate losers will have the single people in the audience pledging life-long abstinence, and all married (or involved) couples thanking their lucky stars that blind dates (and movies like this) no longer pertain to them. Yuck! Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Commentary by writer Kim Barker, actors Bullock, Thomas Haden Church, Cooper, Ken Jeong and director Phil Traill; Deleted/alternate scenes with commentary; Gag reel with commentary; Featurettes; Photo gallery. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround.
PARIS, TEXAS (Criterion) Wim Wenders’ moody, elegiac masterpiece, penned by Sam Shepard, about a haunted, nearly mute drifter named Travis (Harry Dean Stanton, in the finest performance of a storied career) who awkwardly attempts to reconnect with his young son, living with his younger brother (Dean Stockwell, also excellent, whose speech to Stanton in a tacky Texas coffee shop about the ties that bind is one of the most heartbreaking speeches in film history). Obsessed with finding his missing wife (Nastassja Kinski), Travis embarks on a doomed journey that carries with it a host of metaphors, both visual and dramatic. A one-of-a-kind film, the synthesis of a truly astounding collection of talent. Also available on Blu-ray disc, in a stunning transfer that gives Wenders’ and cinematographer Robby Muller’s work added depth. Bonuses: Commentary by Wenders; Interviews with Wenders, cast and crew; Interviews with filmmakers who discuss the film’s influence on their own work; Photo galleries; Trailer; Deleted scenes and Super 8 home movies from the set. Widescreen. Dolby (regular DVD) and DTS-HD (on BD) 5.1 surround.
DEPARTURES (Regent Releasing) Winner of 10 Japan Academy Prizes and the Best Foreign Film of 2009 Oscar, this elegant, moving drama from Japan follows the life of a former musician who, after his orchestra disbands, decides to move back to his rural hometown and take a job as an undertaker. Before he knows it, he finds that working with the deceased has given him an appreciation for life that had previously eluded him. Simple, beautifully shot and acted drama, not to be missed. Bonuses: Interview with director Yojiro Takita. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
GIVE ‘EM HELL MALONE (NEM) Thomas Jane stars as a tough-as-nails private eye who is sent to retrieve a briefcase from a fleabag hotel on the wrong side of the tracks. Of course, as in any film noir, that’s just the beginning. High-stylized, and great-looking, picture is fun at points, but never seems to decide whether it’s going for all-out, Sin City-style homage and eye candy, or is a gritty detective film, meant to be taken seriously. Some well-staged, and very bloody, shoot-outs and fisticuffs punctuate much of the film’s narrative, which could have used a bit more substance and a bit less B-negative. Overall, a mixed bag, and an odd one, at that. Bonuses: Interviews with actors Thomas Jane, Dough Hutchison, Elsa Pataky. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
SURROGATES (Touchstone) Bruce Willis stars an FBI agent in a future world where the rich and privileged never leave their homes, but exist in virtual reality chambers while their “surrogates,” or avatars live their lives for them, eliminating aging, crime, and other real-world dilemmas that have plagued man since the dawn of time. When a college student, who is linked to the creator (James Cromwell) of the surrogates, is killed, Willis must leave the comfort of his home and re-enter reality to track down the killer. Lots of ingenious ideas that are undone by a dumbed-down script which is heavy on action (do we really have to have a shoot-out/chase/fistfight every other minute? I mean, enough already…) and short on the intelligence that the original draft of the screenplay surely had, before it was rewritten by committee. Too bad, because this could have been a tough, bold return to thinking man’s sci-fi, like Blade Runner (The Director’s Cut) was. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Music video; Commentary by director Jonathan Mostow; BD bonuses: Deleted scenes; Two featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround.
CHE (Criterion) Steven Soderbergh’s two-part, four-and-a-half hour docudrama about Argentine-born revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara (Benicio Del Toro) is 21st century cinema’s first noble failure on a grand scale. Part one, based on Che’s diary of the Cuban Revolution, takes place mostly in the Sierra Maestra mountains, where Fidel Castro (Demian Bichir)’s 26th of July movement successfully defeated dictator Fulgencio Batista’s troops. Part two, based on Che’s “Bolivian Diary,” follows his ill-fated, covert mission into Latin America in an attempt to radicalize the working class and poor populations of the region. A bold, ambitious project that falls flat on its face almost from the get-go, because it lacks a point-of-view. Instead, the film is a series of vignettes with little, if any, connective tissue to hold it together. As a result, the audience gains no emotional involvement with, or insight into, any of the characters on-screen, most glaringly that of Che Guevara himself, whom Del Toro was born to play, but sadly gets lost in the sprawl of characters, time shifts, and seemingly endless series of chaotic events. Bichir is a standout, however, playing Castro as a passionate, narcissistic leader brimming with energy, ideas and ambition. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Both are two-disc sets. Bonuses: Commentary by Guevara scholar Jon Lee Anderson; Documentary on the film’s production; Deleted scenes; Trailer; Interviews with participants in and scholars of the Cuban Revolution; Short documentary about Che’s execution; Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby (on DVD) and DTS (on BD) 5.1 surround.
FAME (20th Century Fox) Alan Parker’s original 1980 version of Fame was a tough, R-rated look at contemporary kids in New York City, from diverse sides of the tracks, all competing to cut the mustard at the city’s legendary High School of Performing Arts. This updated, sanitized to PG take plays more like an "Afterschool Special" version of Parker’s seminal original, which blended neo-realist filmmaking with inspired musical numbers that seemed to bloom organically out of the drama that was unfolding on-screen. Perhaps the director of the remake, Kevin Tancharoen (whose previous credits include Britney Spears Live from Miami), didn’t take into account (or perhaps didn’t bother to watch) the original, which was about how artists are born, not made, and follow their very tough road out of necessity rather than choice. In addition to a bunch of 20-somethings who dance, sing and act like Broadway veterans being cast as high school freshmen, the veteran actors (Charles S. Dutton, Kelsey Grammer, and Debbie Allen, who appeared in the original) on-hand phone in their parts (although Grammer has a great opening monologue), not that there was much to work with in Alison Burnett’s screenplay. In a nutshell, Fame 2009 is a case study for everything that has gone wrong with Hollywood studio moviemaking in the past 25 years. Rent the original (which I did) before or after watching this debacle, and you’ll see what I mean. This ain’t your daddy’s Fame—and that’s not a good thing, kids. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Theatrical and extended, unrated versions of the film; Deleted scenes; Music video; Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround.
JENNIFER’S BODY (20th Century Fox) Nerdy high school girl Needy (Amanda Seyfried) and her mega-popular best friend Jennifer (Megan Fox), BFFs since sandbox days, find a wedge put between them when the babe, after taking an ill-advised ride with a creepy local rock band, turns into an undead-ish demon/vampire hybrid who proceeds to pick off all the boys in school to maintain her life force. When Jennifer sets her eyes, and her fangs, on Needy’s boyfriend, the BFFs suddenly find their friendship SOL. Clever, funny and scary genre mash from the inspired pen of Diablo Cody and talented cinematic skills of director Karyn Kusama. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Theatrical and unrated versions of the film; Commentary by Kusama and Cody; Deleted scenes; Featurettes; Gag reel; Trailers. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround.
LITTLE ASHES (E1 Entertainment) Speculative historical fiction about the meeting of the early 20th century's leading surrealists: Luis Bunuel (Matthew McNulty) Federico Garcia Lorca (Javier Beltran) and Salvador Dali (Robert Pattinson) at Madrid’s School of Fine Arts in 1922. A potentially fascinating look at the birth of a major artistic movement is undone by overly self-conscious and arty direction and some truly bizarre miscasting, particularly Brits McNulty and Pattinson playing Spaniards. Tries very hard to be “Masterpiece Theater,” but comes up short. Bonuses: Interviews with the cast and director. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
WUSHU (Lions Gate) Jackie Chan exec produced this martial arts adventure about a group of karate school pals who reunite as adults to take on an evil kung-fu master. Fun action film is pure comic book pulp in its execution, but enjoyable on that level if you’re willing to go there. Great to see chop-socky veteran Sammo Hung back in action. Bonuses: Featurettes; Trailer gallery. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
SAW VI DIRECTOR’S CUT (Lions Gate) Part VI leaves off where part V left us, with Special Agent Strahm dead and Detective Hoffman as the unchallenged successor to Jigsaw’s legacy. Didn’t think it was possible to take this franchise past part II and in this reviewer’s defense, I was right! Until they start giving more powerful medication to all the truly twisted writers in Hollywood, obviously the torture porn machine will continue to churn out dreck like this that keeps coming up with inventive ways to dismember, disembowel, and cut up our fellow man. Which begs one simple question: why? Enough already, guys! Bonuses: The original Saw part I; Commentary with producer Mark Burg, exec producers Peter Block and Jason Constantine, director Kevin Greutern, writers Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton; Featurettes; Music videos; Trailers; Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
FIREBALL (Lions Gate) Brutal action/adventure film from Thailand about a young man just released from juvie who joins up with an underground basketball league that combines the fundamentals of the very American game with the deadly art of Muay Thai. When the young man realizes that the enterprise is being run by the drug lords responsible for putting his brother in a coma, he vows to bring them, and the league, down. Slam-bang action has some breathtaking, and bloody, sequences that are something to behold. Bonuses: Featurettes; Photo gallery; Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
THE BOYS ARE BACK (Miramax) Clive Owen plays a sports journalist whose wife dies suddenly, leaving him to care for their young son while his older boy from his first marriage travels Down Under to console his dad, and try to mend their relationship. Director Scott Hicks wisely avoids sentimental pitfalls in this warts-and-all portrait, based on Simon Carr’s autobiographical book. Owen owns the screen with every scene he’s in, with fine support from young George MacKay and Nicholas McAnulty as the boys. Bonuses: Photographic essay with commentary by Hicks; Featurette. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
GAMER (Lions Gate) Gerard Butler stars in another ridiculous action mish-mash that wastes his considerable talents. This time, Butler stars as a condemned criminal and internationally famous soldier of fortune who is manipulated by human controllers in an online multiplayer game that puts prisoners’ lives at stake for real. Another intriguing premise that’s done in by a dumbed-down screenplay and an emphasis on sensation over story. Play Halo 3 instead! Bonuses: Commentary by cast and crew; Featurettes; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
PONTYPOOL (IFC Films) Former celebrity radio DJ “shock jock” Grant Mazzy (Stephen McHattie, a fine, underrated actor) has been kicked off the big-time airwaves and finds himself relegated to a small town morning show. Mazzy soon finds himself inundated with calls about acts of brutal violence which are plaguing the area, with the callers speaking in strange speech patterns. Quickly realizing that the population is being beset upon by a deadly virus that spreads through language. Mazzy faces a moral dilemma: does he stay on the air to provide a voice of reason, or is he helping spread the very virus that might wipe out mankind? Thought-provoking little thriller is an original take on the zombie genre, with liberal does of black humor and satire. Bonuses: Trailers; Filmmaker commentary; Short films. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
THE ESCAPIST (IFC Films) Brian Cox stars in this tough British crime drama as a hardened con doing a life sentence in a prison he’s determined to bust out of so he can see his terminally ill daughter before she dies. Assembling a hardcore crew of hard men (Joseph Fiennes, Liam Cunningham, Seu Jorge, Dominic Cooper, Steven Mackintosh; and Damian Lewis), Cox devises an ingenious plan that provides one of the best British crime dramas since Sexy Beast. Bloody good show, boys! Bonuses: Trailer; Deleted scenes; Featurette. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
GOLIATH (IFC Films) Indie festival favorite about an average Joe who’s undergoing the trials of Job: He’s lost his job, his wife and worst of all, his beloved cat, Goliath. Starring and written and directed by brothers David and Nathan Zellner, Goliath is a sweet, touching and very funny look at how animals are oftentimes more reliable than humans when it comes to relationships. Bonuses: Filmmaker commentary; Interviews with filmmakers; Deleted scenes; Featurette; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
PASSING STRANGE THE MOVIE (IFC Films) Spike Lee helms this film version of the award-winning rock opera that took Broadway by storm. Written by singer/songwriter Stew, the semi-autobiographical story follows a young black man who leaves 1970s L.A. for a European odyssey of sex, drugs, rock & roll, and redemption. Featuring the original Broadway cast, a dynamic group that brings this thrilling, unique work to life. Bonuses: Interviews with cast and crew; Featurette; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
DROP DEAD ROCK (MVD) ‘80s rock icons Adam Ant and Deborah Harry star in this made-for-cult-movie-status romp about a third-rate rock band who kidnap a legendary British rock star and hold him hostage, hoping that he’ll realize their genius after hearing the band’s music. Low budget comedy makes Mel Brooks’ films look pretty low key in comparison, but there are some genuine laughs and moments of sharp satire here. Bonuses: Music videos. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 surround.



DON’T TOUCH THAT DIAL! Acorn Media releases a host of prestigious titles from across the Pond: DOC MARTIN SERIES 3 follows the continuing adventures of Dr. Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes), a physician whose medical brilliance is matched only by his complete lack of bedside manner. Funny, barbed humor abounds in this delightful series. Bonuses: Cast trivia and filmographies. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. A MIND TO KILL SERIES 1 stars Philip Madoc as a hard-bitten Welsh detective who uses his wits (not to mention his fists and his gun) to solve some of the city’s most gruesome crimes. Gritty, neo-realist approach makes this a refreshing alternative to the slick, CSI-influenced shows that dominate the airwaves today. Bonuses: Director’s production notes; Cast filmographies. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. THE EVELYN WAUGH COLLECTION features films based on two of the author’s most biting satires: A Handful of Dust tells a darkly satirical tale of life among the idle rich, starring Kristen Scott Thomas, James Wilby, Rupert Graves, Anjelica Huston, Sir Alec Guinness, Stephen Fry and Dame Judi Dench (in a BAFTA-winning turn). Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono. Scoop stars Michael Maloney as a naïve newspaper reporter covering “a promising little war” in a fledgling African republic. Co-stars vets Denholm Elliott and Donald Pleasence. Full screen. Bonuses: Biography of Waugh; Cast filmographies. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. HITLER’S BODYGUARD is a four-disc set that takes a riveting look at the elite corps of bodyguards who swore allegiance to Adolph Hitler and helped to thwart some 40 assassination attempts during the Fuhrer’s reign. Terrific blend of rare archival footage, computer-generated recreations and interviews with historians make this a must-see for WW II buffs. Bonuses: 20-page viewer’s guide; Filmography; Photo galleries. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. GBH is the multi-award-winning miniseries that takes a hard look at the dirty business of politics in Great Britain. Starring Robert Lindsay and Michael Palin as political rivals, series also boasts a terrific soundtrack by Elvis Costello and Richard Harvey. Bonuses: Commentary by Lindsay, Palin and Peter Ansorge; Interview writer Alan Bleasdale; Biographies and filmographies. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. TAGGART SET 2 is a hard-driving police drama set in Scotland, where the men and women of the Glasgow vice squad must deal with society’s lowest common denominators on a daily basis. Tough, smart, and terrific. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. MIDSOMER MURDERS SET 14 adds more mysteries from the English countryside to the files of Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby. Four episodes in this four-disc set. Bonuses: Caroline Graham biography. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. WARTIME BRITAIN features three films set during the nation’s “finest hour”: The Heat of the Day, adapted by Harold Pinter from Elizabeth Bowen’s story of love and war, stars Michael York, Michael Gambon and Patricia Hodge in a WW II-era love triangle. Housewife, 49 is based on an actual wartime diary, starring Victoria Wood as an introverted woman who suddenly finds herself as a volunteer on the home front. Island at War stars James Wilby, and Philip Glenister as Britons living on the Channel Islands during German occupation. Full and widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono and stereo. E1 Entertainment releases THE WHITEST KIDS U’ KNOW THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON, an uncut/uncensored version of the hit sketch comedy series. Funny, clever and delightfully profane. Bonuses: Commentary with the cast; Featurettes; Sneak peek at season 3. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. LEONARD BERNSTEIN OMNIBUS features all of the legendary series’ episodes devoted to the equally renowned symphony conductor/composer, from 1954-1958. 4-disc set, beautifully restored. Bonuses: 24-page booklet; Bonus performance. Full screen. Dolby 1.0 mono. HBO releases BIG LOVE THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON, which finds things heating up in the polygamist community of Mormon separatists, starring Bill Paxton, Harry Dean Stanton, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloe Sevigny, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Amanda Seyfried. Beautifully written, performed and produced, one of the best series on television, hands-down. Bonuses: Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. WANDA SYKES I’MA BE ME is a terrifically funny comedy special, with Sykes delivering her unique brand of brash stand-up, recorded live in Washington D.C. Nice blend of social commentary, extemporaneous thought, and shocks! Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono. ABC Family releases MAKE IT OR BREAK IT EXTENDED EDITION VOLUME ONE, a reality look at four teenage Olympic hopefuls in their quest for gymnastics gold. Alternately funny, heartbreaking and suspenseful. Bonuses: Deleted scenes; Featurette. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU VOLUME ONE is the hit series, based on the hit movie, that follows two polar opposite sisters, Kat and Bianca, one a social activist, the other a social butterfly. Wholesome, but smart, humor, situations and characters. Bonuses: Pilot episode; Bloopers: Featurettes; Audio commentary by cast and crew. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Disney releases I (HEART) JONAS, seven episodes of the hit series following singing sensations The Jonas Brothers. Nice blend of traditional sitcom with the Jonases musical numbers interspersed. Bonuses: Featurette “You’ve Just Been Jobro’d.” Full screen. Dolby 5.1 surround. 20th Century Fox releases GLEE SEASON ONE VOLUME ONE ROAD TO SECTIONALS, features the first 13 episodes of the most critically-acclaimed new series of 2009, following the (mis)adventures of William McKinley High’s floundering glee club, under the direction of idealistic teacher Matthew Morrison. Jane Lynch is a hoot as a gung-ho coach. Winner of the 2009 Golden Globe for Best Comedy Series. 4-disc set. Bonuses: Audition footage; Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. DEFYING GRAVITY THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON stars Ron Livingston as the leader of a futuristic exploration team whose six year mission entails exploring our entire solar system. Intriguing mix of sci-fi and social drama, well-produced, acted and shot. Bonuses: Deleted scenes; Featurettes; Photo galleries. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. A&E releases PAWN STARS, a reality look at the business of pawn shops, focusing on the only remaining family-run pawn business in Las Vegas, run by the venerable Harrison clan. From a 15th century samurai sword to an original Picasso, there’s not much the Harrisons haven’t seen in their fifty years of business. Fascinating look at a little-seen subculture. Bonuses: Featurettes. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. CBS/Paramount releases BECKER THE THIRD SEASON, starring Ted Danson as everyone’s favorite ill-tempered family doctor from the Bronx. Very funny sitcom, with Danson being a true delight in the title role. 3-disc set features 24 episodes. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. Warner Bros. releases SOUTHLAND THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON UNCENSORED, featuring all seven episodes of the controversial cop show’s first season on two discs. Gritty, well-cast and realistic look at life on the wrong side of the L.A. street. Bonuses: Featurette. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Finally, Showtime/Lions Gate releases WEEDS SEASON FIVE, starring Mary Louise Parker as a suburban mom-turned marijuana entrepreneur, this time showcasing Nancy Botwin’s burgeoning business south of the border, and possibly being pregnant with the child of a crooked Mexican politician/drug lord! It just gets better…Bonuses: Cast and crew commentaries; Bloopers; Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.



DOCUMENTARY DAYS A&E releases one of its greatest titles yet: WWII IN HD, a mammoth, 7 ½ hour miniseries comprised of digitally-restored color footage from the front lines of the Second World War. Culled from rare color home movies shot by a dozen different soldiers in the European and Pacific theaters, this is truly a major event in the world of historical documentaries. Also available on Blu-ray disc, and highly-recommended! Bonuses: Character profiles; Featurettes. Full screen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround. Sexy Intellectual releases REVOLUTION IN THE HEAD RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE AND THE ART OF PROTEST, takes an in-depth look at the groundbreaking band, their work, and how they’ve consistently been at the forefront of the modern protest movement amongst popular musicians. Interviews with the band members, their manager, biographers, and fans all illustrate the powerful effect that art can have on contemporary culture. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. MVD releases ATOMIC JIHAD, a fascinating glimpse into the history of the modern extremist Muslim movement in Iran, beginning with the 1979 Islamic Revolution to today’s extremist government, headed by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Objective, well-researched, and riveting to watch. Bonuses: Soundtrack MP3s. Full screen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Indiepix releases DOMINICK DUNNE AFTER THE PARTY, an intimate look into the topsy-turvy life and career of the film producer, author and champion of victim’s rights who succumbed to cancer last year. Produced and released just prior to Dunne’s death, this warts-and-all portrait of a complex man of letters is riveting viewing from start to finish. Two disc set. Bonuses: Commentary by directors Kristy de Garis and Timothy Jalley; Additional and extended interviews; Rare home videos; Rare photos; Excerpt from Dunne’s last book; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. FRONTRUNNER takes a hard look at Afghanistan’s first democratic election, and Dr. Massouda Jalal, the first (and only) woman to run for President in the war-torn region. An inspiring study of a bold, brave free-thinker. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. COPYRIGHT CRIMINALS examines the creative and commercial value of musical sampling, tracing the rise of hip-hop from the urban streets of New York to its current status as a multi-billion dollar industry. One provocative question is the thesis of this fascinating doc: “Can you own a sound?” Bonuses: Trailer; Extended interviews; 15 bonus songs; Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo.



ANIMATION NATION Warner Bros. releases SUPER FRIENDS SEASON ONE VOLUME ONE from the first season of the 1970s Saturday morning sensation, featuring all of DC Comics’ most famous super heroes teaming up in now-classic animated adventures. Eight episodes on two-discs that are sure to please the young, and their parents who grew up watching the series upon its initial broadcast. Bonuses: Super Friends Trivia Challenge. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. A&E/Scholastic releases MARCH ON! THE DAY MY BROTHER MARTIN CHALLENGED THE WORLD, four animated stories of the Civil Rights Movement featuring two stories about Martin Luther King, the story of Rosa Parks, and a story from the Civil War-era Underground Railroad. Bonuses: Interviews with animators. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. Disney releases WINNIE THE POOH A VALENTINE FOR YOU, featuring a charming Valentine’s Day fable for the whole family starring A.A. Milne’s beloved characters, as well as three bonus stories. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 surround. Lions Gate releases JIM HENSON’S FRAGGLE ROCK THE ANIMATED SERIES, featuring the complete hit series of 13 episodes in a two-disc set. The classic from the 1980s still holds up for young and old today. Bonuses: Featurettes; Storyboards; Trailer gallery. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. 20th Century Fox/MGM releases MEL BROOKS’ SPACEBALLS THE TOTALLY WARPED ANIMATED ADVENTURES, a delightfully twisted animated turn on Brooks’ hit film from the ‘80s, featuring voice work from Joan Rivers, Daphne Zuniga and Brooks himself. Bonuses: Featurettes; Easter eggs. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. FAMILY GUY SOMETHING, SOMETHING DARK SIDE is an hilarious Star Wars parody featuring all the familiar Family Guy characters stepping in the shoes of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and the rest of the Lucasfilm universe. Very funny, and quite profane. You’ve been warned! Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Commentary by cast and crew; Featurettes; Trivia track. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround. THE SIMPSONS 20 YEARS: THE COMPLETE TWENTIETH SEASON offers all of the landmark series’ 2008-09 episodes, plus a bonus look at the 20th anniversary special, by Morgan Spurlock. What more can be said—it’s The Simpsons! Also available on Blu-ray disc. Full and widescreen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround.