DVD PLAYHOUSE--FEBRUARY 2010

DVD PLAYHOUSE—FEBRUARY 2010
By
Allen Gardner

HUNGER (Criterion) Harrowing true story of imprisoned IRA member Bobby Sands (Michael Fassbender) and his 1981 hunger strike protesting the British government’s refusal to recognize him, and other IRA members as political prisoners. Director Steve McQueen delivers the story with true filmmaking panache, mixing startling imagery that blends both stunning beauty and stomach-churning horror. Fassbender is absolutely brilliant in the lead. Not for the faint-of-heart, but not to be missed or, particularly, ignored. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Interviews with McQueen and Fassbender; Short documentary; 1981 episode of BBC series “Panorama” that covers the IRA hunger strike; Trailer. Widescreen. DTS-HD audio on Blu-ray.
ADAM (20th Century Fox) Quirky romantic comedy about an eccentric, borderline Asperger’s Syndrome, astronomy buff (Hugh Dancy) who is drawn out of his self-imposed shell by a beautiful and sympathetic neighbor (Rose Byrne). Charming film with engaging performances by the two leads, but one can’t help but notice that it takes place in that alternate, idealized universe that only exists in movies: these two would never get together in real life! Bonuses: Deleted and alternate scenes; Featurettes; Commentary by writer/director Max Mayer and producer Leslie Urdang. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU (Vivendi) Americanized remake of Paris Je T’Aime, is, like its predecessor, comprised of a series of vignettes, each a separate story written and directed by different filmmakers and starring their own casts, all connected by their theme of romance, and location of the Big Apple. Also like its predecessor, some of the stories are small gems, while others fall flat. All-star , cross-generational cast features everyone from Shia LaBeouf, Bradley Cooper and Natalie Portman on one end of the spectrum with James Caan, Julie Christie, and John Hurt on the other. Scarlett Johansson makes her writing debut with an eponymously-titled segment, while Natalie Portman makes a directing debut with her own. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurettes; 5 director interviews; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
AMELIA (20th Century Fox) The life and times of famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart (Hilary Swank), the first public American feminist, whose exploits both in the air and on the ground captivated the public’s imagination for more than a decade, and continued to do so after her mysterious disappearance during a 1937 flight. A-list talent is in sight everywhere on this mammoth spectacle, both in front (Swank, Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor) and behind (director Mira Nair, writers Ron Bass and Anna Hamilton Phelan) the camera, making its utter mediocrity and lifelessness that much more inexcusable. Swank does her best to look and sound like the real Amelia, but is given little to work with in terms of allowing us, the audience, to gain any insight into what made the real woman tick. A sad misfire across the board and, deservedly, the biggest financial box office bomb of 2009. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Deleted scenes; Featurette; Movietone news reels about Earhart. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround.
REVANCHE (Criterion) Gripping thriller from Austria about a tough ex-con (Johannes Krisch) who plans to break his hooker girlfriend out of the brothel where they are stuck working. When their lives suddenly intersect with those of a seemingly simpleminded rural cop and his equally down-home wife, things get…complicated, and quickly. Meticulously-made, existential thriller offers white knuckle suspense, shocking violence and some images of true beauty that will stay with you. Nominated for Best Foreign Film, 2008. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Interview with director Gotz Spielmann; Documentary; Spielmann’s award-winning student short; Trailer. Widescreen. DTS-HD on Blu-ray.
COCO BEFORE CHANEL (Sony Classics) Engaging biopic about the early life of Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel (Audrey Tautou), who began life as an impoverished orphan, grew up to be a seamstress, and eventually rose to become the single most influential architect of women’s fashion in the world. Alessandro Nivola is fine in support as Coco’s love interest. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurettes; Commentary by writer/director Anne Fontaine. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround.
THE BOX (Warner Bros.) A married couple (Cameron Diaz and James Marsden) who have hit hard times financially are visited by a mysterious stranger (Frank Langella, wonderful as always) who offers an intriguing proposition: the small black box he carries has a red button on the top. Every time the couple pushes the button, they will receive a million dollars. The catch is, someone, somewhere, will also die. What would you do? Writer/director Richard Kelly, who was the wunderkind of the moment a decade ago with Donnie Darko, loosely adapts Richard Matheson’s short story, and starts it off well for the first half of the movie, but then loses focus as the twists, subplots and convolution spin hopelessly out of control. Nice try, but would have worked much better if he’d kept it simple. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Interview with Matheson. BD bonuses: Commentary by Kelly; Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround.
LOLA MONTES (Criterion) Martine Carol stars in Max Ophuls’ final film, from 1955, as the notorious courtesan and showgirl, told in retrospect by the ringmaster (Peter Ustinov, who chews the scenery with aplomb) in whose circus she wound up performing. Beautifully shot in color, the film works as both a romantic melodrama, movie spectacle and still-relevant commentary on the public’s fascination with “celebrity.” Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Commentary by Ophuls scholar Susan White; 1965 episode of the French series “Cineastes de notre temps” devoted to Ophuls and his work; Documentary on Ophuls; Make-up and hair test footage; Trailer. Widescreen. DTS-HD audio on Blu-ray.
SORORITY ROW (Summit Entertainment) A sorority pledge prank goes horribly wrong, resulting in the death of a sister. When the girls try to cover up the crime, one-by-one, they start turning up dead in increasingly gruesome ways. Soulless remake of the 1983 grindhouse classic The House on Sorority Row (thought by many fans of the genre to be the best slasher movie next to John Carpenter’s original Halloween) falls into the same trap as many films aimed at today’s teen/late adolescent set: it starts out full-throttle and maintains that speed throughout, as though fast cuts and swooping camera moves will cover up the fact that there is very little present in the way of plot, story or character. The original had all three, in spades, and was still a scary gorefest with plenty of hot babes in various states of undress. Carrie Fisher (we hope you got PAID, sister!) is the only bright spot in the film, playing the girls’ cynical house mother. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurettes; Deleted scenes and outtakes. BD bonuses: PIP video commentary with director and cast. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.
MOTHERHOOD (NEM) Fun, smart satire on the joys, and labors, of parenting. Uma Thurman gives one of her best turns in years who must pull out all the stops to throw her daughter’s sixth birthday party as one disaster after another befalls her during a 24-hour period. Great blend of slapstick humor and pathos, with fine support from Minnie Driver and Anthony Edwards. Bonuses: Interviews with cast and crew; Commentary with director Katherine Dieckmann and producer Rachel Cohen. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
THE INFORMANT! (Warner Bros.) Terrific satire from the fertile cinematic brain of Steven Soderbergh. Matt Damon, in one of his best turns, stars in the true story of the nation’s highest-ranking corporate whistleblower. Deft, smart screenplay by Scott Z. Burns just adds more fuel to this terrific fire. Fine support from Scott Bakula, Joel McHale and Melanie Lynskey. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Additional scenes. BD bonus: Commentary by Soderbergh. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
EVERYBODY’S FINE (Miramax) Robert DeNiro stars as a recent widower who travels cross-country to reconnect with his estranged children after they cancel a planned family reunion, finding that his expectations of their living happy, satisfied lives comes up something short. Fine cast also features Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell, but film never escapes the feeling that it’s a Lifetime Network production with an A-list cast. As was said in an earlier review, we hope y’all got PAID! Bonuses: Making-of featurette on Paul McCartney’s song “(I Want to) Come Home”; Deleted and extended scenes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
WRONG SIDE OF TOWN (Lionsgate) A former Navy SEAL finds he has a bounty on his head after savagely beating a crooked nightclub owner who foolishly attacked his wife. When he enlists the aid of an old friend to help defend himself and his family, old tensions arise amid the carnage. A movie about meatheads made for meatheads. If you’re a meathead, you’ll surely love this ass-kicking, bone-crunching, blood-spurting exercise in meatheadedness. All those who have normal motor functions above the neck, step away! Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurettes; Interviews with cast and crew; Trailer gallery; Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.
THE PLEASURE OF BEING ROBBED (IFC Films) Interesting piece of neorealism about a young woman (Eleonore Hendricks) who is both a charming sociopath and raging kleptomaniac. Living life in the moment, day-to-day, she spends her days going where the tide takes her, usually into, or out of, trouble of one kind or another. Terrific slice of life harkens back to the work of the Italian and French New Wave. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
ALEXANDER THE LAST (IFC Films) Fine drama about sexual politics between a married stage actress (Jesse Weixler), her husband (Justin Rice), her on-stage lover (Barlow Jacobs) and her slightly-unhinged sister (Amy Seimetz). Nary a false moment in this fine examination of young adult relationships, when we realize for the first time that perhaps not all love is meant to be permanent, or should be. Fine support from Jane Adams and Josh Hamilton. Bonuses: Commentary from cast and crew; Trailer; Deleted scenes. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo.
DEAD SNOW (IFC Films) A group of horny (and suspiciously attractive) Scandinavian med students travel to a remote cabin, only to be warned by its elderly caretaker that a group of vicious Nazis were rumored to have frozen to death nearby during the war. Just when you thought all the zombie movie clichés had been used…you got it: Nazi zombies! Lots of tongue-in-cheek humor (including a film buff in the group who keeps referencing horror movies for fighting the undead hoard) and impressive splatter effects raise this goofy genre hybrid slightly above the norm, but not by much. Bonuses: Featurettes; Trailer and teaser; Outtakes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
FROM MEXICO WITH LOVE (Lionsgate) A Mexican migrant worker (Kuno Becker) gets too good with his fists and, according to his racist ranch-owning boss, too big for his britches when he objects to the way he, his mother and his fellow workers are being treated. When he beats up the boss’ henchmen in self defense, the young man must hide out, and convince an old-school boxing trainer to get him in shape for a final battle royale against the rancher’s boxer son. Some well-staged fights and a terrific supporting cast of vet character actors (Stephen Lang, Steven Bauer and Bruce McGill) helps raise this sappy, wannabe Rocky up a notch. Helmed by legendary fight coordinator Jimmy Nickerson, in his directing debut. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
IMPORT/EXPORT (Palisades Tartan) Parallel stories of a Ukrainian nurse who travels West in search of a better life and an Austrian security guard who heads East for the same reason. Fascinating, ironic, gripping study of how fate and chance shapes all our lives. Bonuses: Interviews with director Ulrich Seidl, cinematographer Ed Lachman. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
HOUSE OF THE DEVIL (Magnet/MPI) Scary and effective throwback to the gritty horror films of the ‘70s that emphasized psychological shocks and suspense over buckets of gore, writer/director Ti West’s story follows a college student (Jocelin Donahue) who takes a babysitting job in a creepy, isolated mansion, where (what else?) unspeakable terror awaits. Nice support from vets Tom Noonan, Dee Wallace and Mary Woronov. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Commentary by West and Donahue, producers and crew; Featurettes; Deleted scenes. Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
I HOPE THEY SERVE BEER IN HELL (20th Century Fox) Based on Tucker Max’s best-selling memoir of misogyny, this IQ-drainer follows the film version of Max (Matt Czuchry) and his buddies on a non-stop spree of debauchery and offensive behavior. Guaranteed to offend the intelligence of even the horniest of 13 year-olds, this waste of celluloid, adapted from a waste of paper, is coming to a clearance bin near you. Bonuses: R-rated and unrated versions; Outtakes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
AIR BUD: GOLDEN RECEIVER SPECIAL EDITION (Disney) Family fluff showcases the return of everyone’s favorite athletic Golden Retriever, Buddy, this time replacing the basketball court with action on the gridiron. Full of cute dogs, cute kids and general cuteness. Bonuses: Featurette. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
THE SONG OF THE SPARROWS (E1 Entertainment) Powerful drama set in contemporary Iran follows a young boy who travels from his rural hometown into Tehran, where he finds work as a motorcycle taxi driver. Gritty, realistic coming-of-age film, shot neo-realist style on location. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
YOU THE LIVING (Palisades Tartan) Bizarre, hilarious and utterly unique comedy sketch film is made up of 50 comic vignettes that attempt to illustrate varying degrees of human existence. Writer/director Roy Anderson presents it all through his very unique lens, with the underlying message that we should all treasure the life we’ve been given. A true gem. Bonuses: Commentary by Anderson; Featurettes; Excerpts from earlier films by Anderson. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround.



BLU-RAY RELEASES Blue Underground releases George A. Romero’s cult favorite THE CRAZIES, a tightly-wound thriller about a small Pennsylvania town that is accidentally exposed to an experimental government virus that causes its victims to become violently psychotic. When the military locks down the area, and starts killing everyone in sight (both infected and uninfected), it’s up to two uninfected survivors to escape and seek help. Tough stuff, particularly for 1973, with a cynical outlook that befits the time in which it was made. Highly-influential film, particularly with later “virus” films such as 28 Days Later, and the like, not to mention The Crazies remake which is hitting theaters Friday the 19th of February. Bonuses: Commentary by Romero; Interview with star Lynn Lowry; Trailers and TV spots. Widescreen. DTS-HD mono. Troma releases the campy horror flick POULTRYGEIST NIGHT OF THE CHICKEN DEAD, a quite funny horror satire from Troma founder Lloyd Kaufman about a fast food chicken joint that was foolishly built atop an Indian burial ground, turning all the consumers of said fried birds into ravenous zombies! Embraces its silliness with a glee that can only be labeled as utterly charming. Bonuses: Commentary by Kaufman, cast members; Featurettes; Alternate ending; Music videos; Deleted scenes; Trailers. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. 20th Century Fox/MGM releases William Friedkin’s testament to 1980s nihilism, TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A., about a Secret Service agent (William L. Petersen, in his starring debut) obsessed with tracking down the psychotic counterfeiter (Willem Dafoe) who murdered his partner. Awash in moral ambiguity, jarring violence and one of the best car chases committed to celluloid (Friedkin nearly tops his own work from The French Connection), film was excoriated by critics and largely ignored by audiences upon its 1985 release, but has justifiably grown into a classic in retrospect, and one of the key films of the Reagan era. Great supporting cast includes John Turturro, John Pankow, Dean Stockwell, Darlanne Fluegel, and the late Steve James. Not to be missed. Bonuses: Commentary by Friedkin; Deleted scene and alternate ending; Documentary on film’s production; Photo gallery. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround. ONG-BAK THE THAI WARRIOR is an adrenaline-fueled martial arts epic that made a worldwide star of Tony Jaa, here portraying Ting, a devoutly religious young warrior who swears an oath of peace that he must violate when the head of Ong-Bak, his village’s sacred statue, is stolen by the Thai mafia. Ting must journey to Bangkok, and retrieve the sacred stone by any means necessary, emphasis on ANY. Outrageous fight scenes and stunts punctuate this entertaining action ride. Bonuses: Featurettes. Widescreen. DTS 5.1 surround. THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND stars Forest Whitaker in his Oscar-winning turn as 1970s Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, in a riveting piece of historical fiction about a young Scottish doctor (James McAvoy) who travels to the impoverished African nation with the highest of ideals, soon becoming Amin’s personal physician, and witnessing the paranoid strongman’s Jekyll-Hyde personality (and crimes against humanity) first-hand. Superb drama packs a punch, featuring fine support from Kerry Washington and Gillian Anderson. Bonuses: Commentary by director Kevin MacDonald; Featurettes; Documentary. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround. WALK THE LINE is another recent biopic, purporting to tell the true story of legendary singer/songwriter Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) and his relationship with loyal wife June Carter (Reese Witherspoon, who won an Oscar). What should have been a tough, powerful story of addiction, obsession and redemption has been watered down to PG-13 safety, in spite of terrific performances by the entire cast, the two leads in particular. Both Phoenix and Witherspoon do their own vocal work, and quite masterfully, too. Bonuses: Commentary by co-writer/director James Mangold; 10 deleted scenes; Extended musical sequences; Featurettes; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround.

DON’T TOUCH THAT DIAL! Paramount/CBS release DYNASTY: THE FOURTH SEASON, VOLUME TWO, featuring more 1980s excess from the Carrington clan, who find themselves knocked off their axis by a sexy, mysterious newcomer (Diahann Carroll). Fun, campy and really nasty at times! Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. JAG: THE FINAL SEASON 10, is a five disc set featuring all 22 of the hit series’ final episodes, which finds the relationship between Harm (David James Elliott) and Mac (Catherine Bell) heating up. Bonuses: Featurette on the series’ conclusion. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. VEGAS: THE FIRST SEASON, VOLUME 2, offers more late ‘70s action from private eye Dan Tanna (Robert Urich) in 12 episodes from the 1978-79 season. Nice support from vets Greg Morris, Judy Landers and the legendary Tony Curtis. Bonuses: Episodic promos. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. Mill Creek Entertainment releases HUNTER: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON, starring former NFL star Fred Dryer as TV’s answer to Dirty Harry: a take-no-prisoners cop who often shoots first, and asks questions later. Stepfanie Kramer offers nice support (and eye candy) as Hunter’s equally-tough lady partner. Obviously influenced by the third Dirty Harry film, The Enforcer. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. RENEGADE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON, stars action icon Lorenzo Lamas as a former cop who, after testifying against corrupt colleagues, is forced to live a life on the run, dispensing his own form of justice wherever the road takes him. Biker version of The Fugitive is great fun, and boasts some terrific guest stars in its first 22 episodes, including Jackie Earle Haley, Ed Lauter, John Vernon, and more. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. 21 JUMP STREET: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON, was a 1980s take on The Mod Squad, with a team of youthful police officers infiltrating schools and other teen hangouts to catch young offenders and those who prey on them. Series made a star of lead actor Johnny Depp and tackled, for its time, some tough issues, such as AIDS, hate crime, and racism. Dated, to be sure, but still great fun. Features all 13 season one episodes, plus the two-part pilot. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. Sony releases two titles from its Bible series: JESUS stars Jeremy Sisto as Jesus of Nazareth, in a gritty, neo-realist look at Jesus’ rise from humble carpenter to His destiny as the son of God. Terrific supporting cast includes Debra Messing, Jacqueline Bisset, Armin Mueller-Stahl and Gary Oldman. ESTHER stars Louise Lombard as the Jewish girl who becomes the savior of her people after becoming wife to the King of Persia. F. Murray Abraham and Thomas Kretschmann co-star in this fine historical drama. Both are full screen, Dolby 2.0 stereo. MANEATER is a frothy comedy about a Hollywood “it” girl who decides that it’s time to marry, and begins planning her wedding of the century in spite of the fact that she lacks a groom. Sarah Chalke is fun in the lead, with nice support from Judy Greer and Maria Conchita Alonso. Based on Gigi Levangie Grazer’s novel. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Acorn Media releases more fine television from across the Pond. WISH ME LUCK SERIES ONE, follows a group of female intelligence operatives during WW II, based on the true stories of women recruited by Britain’s Special Operations Executive. Kate Buffery and Suzanna Hamilton star as the gallant women risking their lives behind enemy lines. Top-notch drama, full of suspense. Bonuses: Background on the real operation; Photo gallery. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. ARMCHAIR THRILLER SET 2 features more episodes from the haunting anthology series, this set offering four new mysteries, as well as one feature-length film version of The Chelsea Murders. 4-disc set. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. THE RUTH RENDELL MYSTERIES COLLECTION offers all 17 feature-length mysteries in a mammoth, 11-disc set, containing all seven years of the series run (1993-2000). Great turns by a who’s-who of British talent: Colin Firth, James Callis, Amanda Redman, James D’Arcy, and George Baker, to name but a few. Bonuses: Documentary on the series; Ruth Rendell biography; Filmographies. Full and widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. THE LORD PETER WIMSEY MYSTERIES SET ONE stars Ian Carmichael in the original BBC adaptations of Dorothy L. Sayers’ 1920s crime thrillers, originally broadcast in 1972-73. 3 disc set. Bonuses: Interview with Carmichael; Production notes; Biography of Sayers. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. THE BEIDERBECKE CONNECTION offers a zany throwback to the “banter” comedies of the ‘40s, about a married couple in Leeds who suddenly find themselves up to their necks in criminals when they harbor a young refugee named Ivan. Conclusion to playwright Alan Plater’s Beiderbecke trilogy. 4 episodes. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. POLDARK SERIES 1 was hailed as a British Gone With the Wind during its premiere in 1975, a sweeping miniseries following the exploits of Captain Ross Poldark (Robin Ellis) who returns home to Cornwall after the American Revolution to find his life, and country, in a shambles. Thrilling, epic drama features 16 episodes on 4 discs. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. THE ROAD FROM COORAIN tells the story of a young girl growing up on a remote Australian sheep farm in the late 1930s. Based on the memoirs of Jill Ker Conway. Juliet Stevenson is excellent as Jill’s mother. Bonuses: Bios of Conway and Stevenson. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. E1 Entertainment releases ORSON WELLES’ KING LEAR: THE HISTORIC OMNIBUS PRODUCTION, a beautifully-restored Kinescope of director Peter Brook’s legendary 1953 production of Lear, with Orson Welles as the doomed king, torn between the wills of his three daughters. Bonuses: Over 90 minutes of bonus Omnibus performances. Full screen. Dolby 1.0 mono. HBO releases THE LIFE AND TIMES OF TIM THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON, the hit animated series conceived, written, directed, produced and performed by Steve Didarian which follows the eponymous title character, who just can’t seem to get a break in life. Hilarious, dead-pan humor, social commentary and heartbreaking pathos combine to create a truly unique series. Bonuses: Awkward Moments: A collection of 10 animated shorts. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. 20th Century Fox releases THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW THE COMPLETE SIXTH SEASON, a 3-disc set featuring all 24 episodes of the 1975-76 season, following the continuing adventures of Minneapolis newswoman Mary Richards, and her zany group of friends from the WJM-TV newsroom. Features the legendary episode “Chuckles Bites the Dust.” Full screen. Dolby 1.0 mono. STARGATE SGU 1.0 features the entire spin-off series on two discs, following the crew of the starship Destiny who, along with a group of soldiers, scientists and civilians, must make their home on the ancient starship, billions of miles from Earth after fleeing an enemy attack. Robert Carlyle, Ming Na and Lou Diamond Phillips star. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Extended version of pilot episode; Featurettes; Commentary by cast and crew. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Lionsgate/Showtime presents NURSE JACKIE SEASON ONE, starring Edie Falco as a hard-working, conscientious ER nurse who struggles to balance her stressful work environment, her husband and daughters, her lover, and a growing addiction to prescription meds that her hospital allows easy access to. Fine, smart adult drama featuring a terrific ensemble cast. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Cast and crew commentary; Featurettes; Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 and DTS-HD 7.1 surround.


DOCUMENTARY DAYS Sony releases MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT, a behind-the-scenes look at Jackson’s final days, preparing for his sold-out concerts in London’s O2 Arena. Lots of great footage of the very healthy-looking Jackson rehearsing, interacting with his band and dancers, and seemingly happy with the new direction of his life. Director Kenny Ortega certainly seemed to have unlimited access to Jackson and his camp, although the timing of the doc’s release, just after Jackson’s unexpected demise, felt more than slightly exploitative, and that air or exploitation hangs over the entire proceedings, in spite of the film’s many strong points. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: 2 making-of documentaries; 3 featurettes. BD bonuses: Two vignettes, Thriller and Smooth Criminal in 5.1 surround sound; Featurette; BD Live features. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround. Indiepix releases WELCOME TO NOLLYWOOD, a fascinating look at the neophyte Nigerian film industry, following some of its most passionate performers and auteurs. Great exploration of how passionate artists can make a lot happen with little resources, putting Hollywood’s inflated budgets, and egos, to shame. Bonuses: Commentary with writer/director Jamie Meltzer. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono. NO SWEAT is a scathing look at the modern garment industry as defined by the so-called “sweat shop,” where undocumented, illegal workers are forced to perform under slave-like conditions for substandard wages. When two grassroots entrepreneurs, Dov Charney and Ben Cohen (of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream), open up downtown L.A. t-shirt factories to try and do it differently. But when you take the sweat out of the shop, can you compete on a level ground with those who cut corners, along with their fabric? Fast-paced, excellent documentary. Bonuses: Interview with filmmakers; Deleted scenes; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono. E1 Entertainment releases ELEVEN MINUTES tells the true story of Jay McCarroll, the first winner of Project Runway and his year-long journey from neophyte designer to taking the fashion world by storm. Raw, humorous and suspenseful, McCarroll is a charming and erudite subject who is fascinating to watch during his climb. Bonuses: Deleted scenes; Bonus interviews. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. A&E releases THE PEOPLE SPEAK a moving look at the late Howard Zinn’s life and work, particularly his groundbreaking 1980 publication “A People’s History of the United States,” a revisionist look at American history, and his later “Voices of a People’s History of the United States.” Featuring readings of Zinn’s work and musical performances by Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Danny Glover, David Strathairn, Josh Brolin, Kathleen Chalfant and many more, and narrated by Zinn himself. Produced by Matt Damon, Josh Brolin and Chris Moore. Bonuses: Featurette; Bonus interviews. Full screen. Dolby 5.1 surround. THE UNIVERSE THE COMPLETE SEASON FOUR features all 12 episodes of the History Channel series that looks at everything from pulsars and quasars, to extreme energy, to 10 ways to destroy the Earth. Fascinating, exciting and educational. Bonuses: Featurettes. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. Athena releases THE STORY OF MATH, an intriguing look at how numbers can explain our universe and reveal unseen worlds, taught by the men and women whose mathematical breakthroughs have explored the farthest reaches of abstract thought and theory, narrated and hosted by Oxford professor Marcus du Sautoy. Bonuses: Documentary, The Music of the Primes; 20-page viewers’ guide; Biographies of influential mathematicians. 4 episodes on 3 discs. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. LEGACY THE ORIGINS OF CIVILIZATION, is a six-episode series, originally broadcast on PBS, hosted by historian Michael Wood that looks at the origins of six great civilizations and how their triumphs and tragedies can inform our lives today. Journey with Wood to Iraq, India, China, Egypt, Central America, and Western Europe. Bonuses: Profiles of great thinkers of the Axial age; 20-page viewers’ guide. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo.

ANIMATION NATION E1 Entertainment releases $9.99, an eye-popping stop-motion animated film that follows an unemployed 28 year-old with no goals or aspirations until he finds an ad for a book that promises to reveal the meaning of life for only $9.99. During his quest, he encounters other lost souls who share their own thoughts about life’s riddles and their searches for redemption. Existentialist, very funny journey is somewhat reminiscent of Richard Linklater’s Waking Life, and just as rewarding. Voiced by Anthony LaPaglia and Geoffrey Rush, among others. Bonuses: Short films from the filmmakers. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. A&E/Scholastic releases SO YOU WANT TO BE PRESIDENT?, four animated tales for the kiddies about some of the United States’ most famous commanders in chief, as well as fictional fables about aspiring to the nation’s highest office. Bonuses: Interview with author Lane Smith; Interview with Sen. Edward Kennedy; Read-along; Presidential timeline; Discussion questions. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. Disney releases MINNIE’S BOW-TIQUE, a brand new animated adventure starring Mickey’s best gal Minnie and her trials and tribulations after opening her first boutique, specializing in bows for the ladies and bow ties for the gents. Great fun for the little people in your house, loaded with slapstick humor, sight gags and great animation. Bonuses: Interactive mode; 3 additional episodes. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 surround. Lionsgate/Marvel release WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN FATE OF THE FUTURE, volume four of the animated adventure has the Marvel heroes race through time to regain control of their destiny and prevent a perilous future in five exciting episodes that are sure to thrill grade-schoolers and pre-teens with its high-octane action and eye-popping visuals. Bonuses: Commentary with animators; Trailer gallery. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Warner Bros. releases HOT WHEELS BATTLE FORCE 5 SEASON ONE VOLUME ONE, an anime-inspired series that follows Battle Force 5, an elite squad of high-tech commandoes whose cars transform themselves into armored battle machines, speeding through a futuristic landscape to conquer the forces of evil. Six episodes from the first season are featured. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Sony/Marvel present THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN VOLUMES SIX AND SEVEN, features six episodes from the hit TV series that has New York City’s favorite web-slinger doing battle with an assortment of mutated baddies: Venom, Sandman, Hammerhead, Doc Oc, and Silvermane. Great fun for all ages. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.