DVD PLAYHOUSE--AUGUST 2010

DVD PLAYHOUSE—AUGUST 2010
By
Allen Gardner

BLACK ORPHEUS (Criterion) Winner of the 1959 Best Foreign Film Oscar and that same year’s Palme d’Or at Cannes, Black Orpheus is a modern-day update of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice reset in 20th century Brazil during Carnival in Rio. Director Marcel Camus offers up a visual feast with some of the decade’s most ravishing color cinematography. A classic. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Archival interviews with Camus and actress Marpessa Dawn; Interviews with Brazilian cinema scholar Robert Stam, jazz historian Gary Giddins, and Brazilian author Ruy Castro; Documentary on the film; Trailer. Full screen. Dolby 1.0 mono.
THE LAST SONG (Touchstone) Sentimental adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ (by Sparks and Jeff Van Wie) sentimental novel about a father and daughter attempting to repair their damaged relationship. Greg Kinnear, as the dad in question, comes off best, while tween sensation Miley Cyrus proves that having a decent set of pipes doesn’t mean you can act, as well. There is are obligatory scenes where Cyrus sings that feel more like music video ads for her next CD than organic parts of the movie. Still, the film should please the demographic it’s aiming for. Others, beware! Available in a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack. Bonuses on BD: Alternate opening; Deleted scenes; Featurettes; Music videos; Commentary by cast and crew. On DVD: Featurettes; Music video; Commentary track. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.
ADDICTED TO HER LOVE (E1 Entertainment) A teen named Jonah(John Patrick Amedori), who craves popularity, falls into the “in” crowd, led by a manipulative sexpot (Lizzy Caplan), who lead the boy on when they discover he works in a local pharmacy. When he starts supplying them pharmaceutical grade drugs, Jonah’s life starts coming unwound. Better-than-average “Danger!” film avoids most of the Reefer Madness-style clichés and manages to feel quite realistic, due to confident filmmaking and a capable cast of young actors. Worth a look. Bonuses: Commentary by director Elliott Lester and Amedori; Featurette; Photo gallery. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
DOC WEST (Lionsgate) Good natured family western starring (and co-directed by) spaghetti western vet Terrence Hill as a frontier doctor who finds himself in hot water after his pursuit of the varmints who stole his poker winnings goes awry. Italian production features the great Paul Sorvino in a nice supporting role, and not-bad dubbing for the other alfresco actors present. Bonuses: Trailer gallery. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
CEMETARY JUNCTION (Sony) Raucous comedy written and directed by “The Office” and “Extras” co-creators and stars Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, set a dreary blue collar English town in the ‘70s. Christian Cooke stars as a young man whose life as a salesman is suddenly kicked into high gear when he gains the attention of his boss (Ralph Fiennes) and catches the eye of the boss’ comely daughter (Felicity Jones). Sort of a comedic take on Room at the Top, beautifully capturing a specific time and place. Stellar supporting cast includes Emily Watson, Tom Hughes, Jack Doolan, and Gervais. Bonuses: Interviews with Gervais and Merchant; Commentary by cast and crew; Deleted scenes; Bloopers and outtakes; Featurette. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
THE RUNAWAYS (Sony) True story of the late ‘70s quasi-punk sensations, an all-teen, all-girl group who pushed sexuality and the mores of the day to the very edge. Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning star as Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, the leaders of the short-lived chanteuses, whose iconic hit “Cherry Bomb” remains a punk mainstay that makes listeners’ toes curl and fists pump even today. Michael Shannon delivers another double-barreled turn as bizarre rock impresario Kim Fowley. Solid biopic, with an expectedly great soundtrack. Bonuses: Commentary by Jett, Stewart and Fanning; Featurette. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
DEATH AT A FUNERAL (Sony) When the patriarch of a dysfunctional family suddenly dies, his funeral becomes a comedy of errors that defies definition. Pointless remake of the British hit from a decade ago, reimagined as an “ethnic” comedy featuring a terrific African-American cast (Danny Glover, Martin Lawrence, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock) who do their best with the over-the-top material, to little avail. Peter Dinklage reprises his role from the original film. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker and playwright Neil LaBute, which begs the same question: ‘Why?’ Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Gag reel; Deleted scenes; Featurettes; Commentary by cast and crew. BD exclusive: MovieIQ+synch. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-MA 5.1 surround.
CLASH OF THE TITANS (Warner Bros.) A mortal (Sam Worthington), sired by a god and raised by humans, is the only line of defense against the evil Hades (Ralph Fiennes) from unseating the mighty Zeus (Liam Neeson) from power. Classic tale has can’t-miss written all over it, but is undone almost immediately by over-the-top, sensory blasting CGI effects that look as thought they’re two or three generations away from Saturday morning cartoons in the ‘70s. When Ray Harryhausen’s claymation effects in the 1981 original look realistic by comparison, you know you’re in deep trouble. A major disappointment. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses on BD: Maximum movie mode, with behind-the-scenes featurettes and interviews; Alternate ending; Deleted scenes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround.
ORLANDO: SPECIAL EDITION (Sony) Sally Potter’s 1992 adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s gender-bending comedy of manners stars Tilda Swinton as a woman who lives for 400 years (you read it right), first as a young English nobleman, and later as a very modern woman of the 20th century. Offbeat, to say the least, but also engaging, witty and very wise in its depiction of the politics between the sexes. Swinton deservedly became a star with her bravura turn. Bonuses: Over two hours of never-before-released footage; Featurettes; Deleted scenes; Interview with Potter; Selected scene commentary by Potter. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 surround.
THE DIPLOMAT (Vivendi) Dougray Scott stars as a British diplomat who comes under the scrutiny of Scotland Yard after being linked to the Russian mob. Retitled for the U.S. home video market, this made for Aussie TV movie was originally titled “False Witness,” and it’s on the tube where this solid, albeit unremarkable little thriller, will play best. Co-stars Scott’s real-life wife, Claire Forlani. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.
DATE NIGHT: EXTENDED EDITION (20th Century Fox) TV comedy darlings Steve Carell and Tina Fey star as a sweet, but square, married couple who find themselves victims of mistaken identity when an evening out on the town turns into a run for their lives. Fun, serviceable comedy is a humorous update of North by Northwest, although it runs out of steam with a good 30 minutes left to go. The two leads are charming, though, and make this worth a look. Extended edition features unrated and PG-13 versions of the film. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Commentary by director Shawn Levy; Deleted, alternate and extended scenes; Featurettes; Camera tests; Gag reel; BD-LIVE features. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.
TEMPLE GRANDIN (HBO Films) Winning true story about a young woman (Claire Danes) with autism in the 1950s, whose unique gifts lead her to overcome the obstacles of her handicap, to become one of the world’s foremost authorities on animal behavior. Terrific film works because it avoids all the sentimental pitfalls that usually sink films with similar subjects. Danes’ characterization is sometimes tough to watch, but necessarily so, and bravely executed. Fine support from Julia Ormond, David Strathairn, and Catherine O’Hara. Bonuses: Featurette; Commentary by Dr. Temple Grandin, director Mick Jackson, writer Christopher Monger. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
MADE FOR EACH OTHER (IFC Films) A newlywed (Christopher Masterson) can’t consummate his marriage with his uptight wife (Bijou Phillips) and finds himself having an affair with his insatiable boss (Lauren German). Now wracked with guilt, he conspires with his best friend (Samm Levine) to find his wife a lover to ease both their frustrations. Funny, raunchy comedy is refreshingly frank, and reminiscent of some of the ‘70s best films dealing with the battle of the sexes. Nice support from the venerable George Segal. Bonuses: Trailer; Featurettes; Extended and deleted scenes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
A QUIET LITTLE MARRIAGE (IFC Films) A young couple (Mary Elizabeth Ellis and Cy Carter) find their relationship tested by forces internal and external in this touching, sobering and all-too-real look at the realities of married life. Winner of the Audience Award at The Austin Film Festival and the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, the film is reminiscent of the best cinematic studies of marriage, from the likes of Bergman, Ozu and even Woody Allen. Bonuses: Featurette; Filmmaker and cast commentary; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
RED RIDING TRILOGY (IFC Films) Sprawling five-hour cinematic experience, originally made as a miniseries for British television, loosely based on the infamous “Yorkshire Ripper” case. Broken into three separate films: “1974,” “1980,” and “1983” and helmed by three different directors, each film carries the common thread of police and criminals in Northern England and how they’re affected by a child murder that seems to implicate most of the region’s denizens in one way or another. Beautifully made, with each film perfectly evoking its time and place, but undone by incorporating the fatal flaw of too much ambiguity in its narrative, which has no business in a “policier.” As a result, too many questions are left unanswered, and the films instead become an exercise in style, mood and atmosphere, all of which are spot-on. Fine cast of who’s-who in British cinema includes David Morrissey, Rebecca Hall, Sean Bean, Warren Clarke, Andrew Garfield, Paddy Considine, and Mark Addy. Experience the trilogy and judge for yourself. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurettes; TV spots; Deleted scenes; Trailers. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
L’ENFANCE NUE (Criterion) Maurice Pialat’s debut feature, from 1968, rocked the continent with its unflinching depiction of an abused, disturbed foster child (Michel Terrazoni), lost in an uncaring system. Refreshingly unsentimental and done in the seemingly-improvised style of cinema-verite, which makes it hold up all the more, and feel quite contemporary in its execution. One of Pialat’s finest films, and not to be missed. Bonuses: Short film by Pialat; Documentary on the film, from 1968; 1973 interview with Pialat; Interview with Pialat collaborators Arlette Langmann and Patrick Grandparent. Widescreen. Dolby 1.0 mono.
OSS 117 - LOST IN RIO (Music Box Films) Droll, tongue-in-cheek follow-up to the droll, tongue-in-cheek OSS 117 Cairo: Nest of Spies. Set in Bossa Nova Brazil of the early ‘60s, agent Hubert Bonisseur de la Bath (Jean Dujardin) teams up with a sexy Mossad agent, intent on capturing a Nazi war criminal in possession of a list of WW II French collaborators. Think of it as “Mad Men” with spies instead of ad execs, and you get the idea. Great fun, with terrific period score and production design. Bonuses: Featurette; Bloopers and deleted scenes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
FIERCE PEOPLE (After Dark Films/Lionsgate) Diane Lane stars as a massage therapist who is hired on by an eccentric billionaire (Donald Sutherland, terrific) to live in his mansion, along with her teenage son (Anton Yelchin). Once there, the pair falls under the spell of high society, particularly the son and the billionaire’s granddaughter (Kristen Stewart). Nicely helmed by actor/director Griffin Dunne, whose later father Dominic was one of the chief observers and recorders of bad behavior among the blue blood set. Bonuses: Commentary by Dunne; Deleted scenes; Featurette. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
$5 A DAY (Image) A con man (Christopher Walken) with a terminal illness tries to reconcile with his troubled son (Allesandro Nivola) by driving cross-country with the young man and pulling off one scheme after another to reach their destination on only $5 a day. Charming little comedy is buoyed by a fine supporting cast which includes Sharon Stone, Amanda Peet, Dean Cain and Peter Coyote. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Interviews with cast and crew; Trailer; Photo galleries. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.
BEATDOWN (Lionsgate) A respected street fighter (Randy Youngblood) is forced to flee the city after his brother is killed and the money owed to a local gangster is stolen. Once down south, the young man falls into a local underground cage fighting circuit, and conspires with its leader on a scheme to bring them both a massive payday. Much better than you would think, with some truly inspired fight scenes. Nice support from vet Danny Trejo. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Commentary by cast and crew; Featurettes; Trailer gallery. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.
DORIAN GRAY (E1 Entertainment) Young aristocrat Dorian Gray (Ben Barnes) arrives in London and quickly becomes involved in a life of decadence and debauchery, led by Sir Henry Wooton (Colin Firth). Enchanted by an exquisite portrait of himself, Dorian literally sells his soul in exchange for the eternal youth the picture portrays, turning his life into a living hell in the process. Terrific adaptation of the Oscar Wilde classic, well-helmed by Oliver Parker. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Commentary by Parker; Featurettes; Deleted scenes; Blooper reel; Photo gallery. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.
BURNING BRIGHT (Lionsgate) Pretty solid claustrophobic thriller about a teen who is trapped by a hurricane, along with her autistic brother, in a rambling old house that’s also being used as shelter by an escaped tiger that was housed at her stepfather’s wild animal park. Oh, did we mention that kitty was hungry…? Quite suspenseful with a few really terrifying scenes. Young actress Briana Evigan scores in the lead. Bonuses: Introduction by Evigan; Featurette. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
CA$H (Lionsgate) A mysterious stranger (Sean Bean) pulls an unsuspecting married couple (Victoria Profeta and Chris Hensworth) into a web of deception and violence as they cut a swath through Chicago’s mean streets. Lots of twists and turns in this nifty little thriller, with Bean delivering his signature menacing turn with panache and a terrific performance by newcomer Profeta upping the ante by several notches. Bonuses: Commentary by director/writer Stephen Milburn Anderson; Featurette; Deleted and extended scenes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
MY NAME IS KHAN (20th Century Fox) Two of Bollywood’s biggest stars, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, star as Khan and Mandira, Indian immigrants in San Francisco who meet and fall in love. When fate and tragedy drive them apart, Khan embarks on a cross-country odyssey to find Mandira, and win her back. Bollywood production is expectedly sentimental, but also quite powerful, particularly with its depiction of social and class politics in both the Indian and Pakistani communities. Quite controversial in both of the aforementioned countries when it was released, with an outright ban being imposed on it in Pakistan. Bonuses: Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE WEIRD (IFC Films) Rip-snortin’ fun from acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Kim Jee-woon has three disparate characters—a bounty hunter, an assassin, and a bumbling thief—chasing stolen treasure across 1930’s Manchuria. Neat blend of Kurosawa-style action/comedy and Sergio Leone cinematic pyrotechnics. A terrific ride across the board. Bonuses: Trailer: Featurettes; Interviews with cast and crew. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
HELEN (E1 Entertainment) Ashley Judd stars as a woman whose well-ordered life is undone by recurring mental illness. When she meets another woman (Laura Lee Smith) who is wrestling with bipolar disorder, the women find kindred spirits in each other and strength to move forward. Strong drama avoids sentimental movie-of-the-week pitfalls and deals with the subject of mental illness with straightforward sincerity. Entire cast is excellent, with fine support from Goran Visnjic and the underrated, eternally-sexy Alberta Watson. Bonuses: Interviews with Judd, Visnjic and other cast members. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
TRIAGE (E1 Entertainment) Colin Farrell stars as Mark Walsh, a battle-scarred photojournalist who returns home from Kurdistan without his best friend David (Jamie Sives) in tow, who’s gone missing. As his memory begins to return, Walsh finds the horrific truth about David’s fate coming back to him, as well. Powerful drama, with the gorgeous Paz Vega fine in support. Well-directed by Danis Tanovic (No Man’s Land). Bonuses: Interviews with cast and crew; Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
THE EXPERIMENT (Sony) Adrien Brody and Forest Whitaker star as two members of a group of volunteers who agree to participate in a prison simulation experiment, with one half being divided into “inmates” and the other into “guards.” What follows are some of the more unattractive behaviors that make up the human condition. Serviceable American remake of the German hit Das Experiment, but like most remakes (particularly American translations of European films), completely unnecessary. Fine supporting cast includes Maggie Grace, Clifton Collins, Jr. and Cam Gigadent. Brody and Whitaker sure deserve better than this with a Best Actor Oscar under each of their arms! Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
HARRY BROWN (Sony) Michael Caine stars as the eponymously-named character, a septuagenarian pensioner living out his remaining days in a bleak London housing project. When local drug dealers kill his best friend, and the cops refuse to act due to lack of evidence, Harry Brown calls upon his training as a Royal Marine in Korea to take care of the punks himself. Alternately hailed as a revisionist vigilante thrill-ride, and derided as an exploitation film dressed up in designer clothes. Both arguments are absolutely correct, but it’s the former that makes this visceral, dynamite drama worth seeing. Caine delivers one of his greatest turns in years, with fine support from Emily Mortimer, and a cast of virtual unknowns, largely local kids from South London, playing the gang members. The scene between Caine and the whacked-out gun dealer is one for the ages. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Cast and crew commentary; Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.
THE JONESES (20th Century Fox) Demi Moore and David Duchovny star as a seemingly ordinary upper middle class couple in suburbia who are, in fact, nothing like they actually appear to be. Smart, funny social satire which is unafraid of delving into some very dark areas. Great supporting cast includes Gary Cole, Glenne Headly, and Lauren Hutton. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonsues: Deleted scenes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.



BLU BAYOU MGM/Fox release Blu-ray editions of some classic films of the 1980s, starting with the beloved baseball comedy BULL DURHAM, writer/director (and former minor league ballplayer) Ron Shelton’s homage to the men of minor league baseball (Kevin Costner and Tim Robbins) and the women who love them, focusing on one particularly amorous damsel (Susan Sarandon, never sexier). Terrific blend of sexual politics and some of the sharpest writing of the decade. Costner’s speech about his “beliefs” is a classic. Bonuses: Commentary by Shelton, Costner, and Robbins; Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround. John Carpenter’s sci-fi thriller ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK is a nifty comic book-style adventure taking place in a dystopian future where New York City is now a maximum security prison, housing the nation’s most unredeemable scum. When Air Force One is highjacked by terrorists, and goes down in the Big Apple, hard guy Snake Plisken (Kurt Russell, in a brilliant self-parody) is recruited by black jumpsuit-wearing G-men (led by the late, great Lee Van Cleef) to go in and rescue him. Pulse-pounding film never stops moving. Such a shame Carpenter followed this up a decade later with Escape From L.A., one of the worst sequels ever! Bonuses: Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround. KALIFORNIA is a moody, unsettling thriller starring David Duchovny and Michelle Forbes as a couple of urban intellectuals who travel cross-country to research a book about serial killers, only to encounter one of the nation’s worst (Brad Pitt, chillingly cast against type) and his simple-minded girlfriend (Juliette Lewis). Tough stuff, but exceedingly well-made. Pitt proved he was more than a pretty face with his terrifying turn. Bonuses: Unrated and R-rated versions of the film. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround. Blue Underground releases MACHINE GUN MCCAIN, an Italian effort starring John Cassavetes as a recently-paroled career criminal who gets revenge on the mobsters who set him up by staging a high-stakes heist on their casino in Vegas. Sub-par even by Euro-exploitation standards, the film wastes the prodigious talents of its cast, which also includes the great Gena Rowlands, Peter Falk and Britt Ekland. This was one of many films Cassavetes and Rowlands did during the period to help finance Cassavetes’ own films, in this case the masterpiece Faces (1968). Watch that instead! Bonuses: Interview with director Giuliano Montaldo; English and Italian trailers. Widescreen. DTS-HD mono.



DON’T TOUCH THAT DIAL! MGM/Fox releases STARGATE SGU UNIVERSE 1.5, a three disc set containing the hit series starring Robert Carlyle as the commander of a spaceship stranded in deep space. Solid, imaginative and smart, with an able supporting cast that includes Lou Diamond Phillips, Michael Shanks, Richard Dean Anderson and Julia Benson. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurettes; Commentary by cast and crew; Video diaries. BD exclusive: SGU Survival Instinct game. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround. 20th Century Fox releases SONS OF ANARCHY SEASON 2, a four disc set containing all of the second season’s episodes, which picks up with the Sons still reeling after an ATF crackdown on their activities, not to mentioned the murder of one of their clan. Plus, Jax and Clay square off over questions of leadership and loyalty. Tough, offbeat drama grabs you by the throat, and never lets go. Hang on for one hell of a ride! Bonuses: Featurettes; Commentary from cast and crew on select episodes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Acorn Media releases more great titles from across the Pond, starting with THE QUEEN, a five-part miniseries dealing with the life of Queen Elizabeth II, portrayed by five different actresses (Emilia Fox, Samantha Bond, Barbara Flynn, Susan Jameson and Diana Quick) for a different decade of the monarch’s life. Very well-done drama goes into a depth unable to be reached in a feature film, and gives the viewer what (one would imagine) is a real glimpse into Elizabeth’s life and psyche. 5 episodes on 2 discs. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. TAGGART SET 3, gives us another season of the world’s longest continuously-running TV police drama, following four cops on the mean streets of Glasgow, Scotland. Known for its deadpan humor, the series nicely blends pathos, procedural detail and terrific writing and storytelling. Stars Blythe Duff, John Michie, Alex Norton, and Colin McCredie play off each other well. 8 episodes on 4 discs. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. MR. PALFREY OF WESTMINSTER COMPLETE COLLECTION contains the entire 1984-85 series starring Alec McCowen as a master spy in British intelligence. Smart, suspenseful and very funny, at times. 10 episodes on 3 discs. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. PIE IN THE SKY SERIES 3, stars Richard Griffiths as a part-time cop/part-time chef who has gently adjusted to retirement with his new restaurant, but invariably finds himself called back into duty when a tough case arises. Lighthearted fun, guaranteed to whet your appetite! 6 episodes on 2 discs. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. AGATHA CHRISTIE – MARPLE SERIES 5, stars Julia McKenzie in three classic Agatha Christie mysteries: “The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side,” “The Secret of Chimneys,” and “The Blue Geranium.” McKenzie is a hoot as the venerable Miss Marple, given fine support from vets like Joanna Lumley, Lindsay Duncan, Hugh Bonneville, Edward Fox, Caroline Quentin, and Toby Stephens. Bonuses: Bonus program, “Agatha Christie’s Garden,” about the author’s personal retreat; Text interviews with cast members; Featurettes; Filmographies. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. THE LORD PETER WIMSEY MYSTERIES – SET TWO stars Ian Carmichael in the original BBC adaptations of the Dorothy L. Carmichael crime thrillers, produced between 1973-75. Its success in the U.S. on “Masterpiece Theater” inspired the “Mystery” series spin-off. Terrific 1920s period detail enhances these beautifully-done mini-plays. 3 feature-length mysteries on 3 discs. Bonuses: Interviews with Carmichael; Production notes; Biographies. Full screen. Dolby 1.0 mono. MIDSOMER MURDERS SET 16 presents the “British, rural version of ‘Law & Order,’” as detectives Barnaby (John Nettles) and Jones (Jason Hughes) investigate sinister goings-on in the seemingly idyllic Midsomer Country. 4 episodes on 4 discs. Bonuses: Commentary by Nettles and Jane Wymark; Production notes. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. HBO releases FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION, featuring the complete first two seasons of the deadpan series following two “folk parody musicians” (Jermaine Clement and Bret McKenzie) from New Zealand as they try and break the big-time in the Big Apple. Hilarious, albeit not for every taste. Bonuses: “Flight of the Conchords: One Night Stand” concert special; Documentary feature; Featurettes; Deleted scenes and outtakes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.



DOCUMENTARY DAYS Athena Video releases three docs which examine some of the world’s greatest cultures. THE ROMAN INVASION OF BRITAIN, presented by Brittany Hughes, takes a look at how the Romans’ invasion of the region known then as Britania helped to shape the current Great Britain as we know it today. Interviews with historians, scholars and re-enactments of legendary battles all help round out this fascinating series. 3 episodes. Bonuses: Viewer’s guide; Extended interviews; Biographies. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. LOST KINGDOMS OF AFRICA, presented by Dr. Gus Casely-Hayford, takes a look at the continent’s “lost” civilizations, with visits to mysterious ruins in Zimbabwe, monuments of Nubia, and Ethiopian monasteries carved out of solid rock. Bonuses: Viewer’s guide; Biographies; Profiles of African countries and regions today. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. JOSEPH CAMPBELL – THE POWER OF MYTH is the seminal PBS series, hosted by Bill Moyers, which takes a look at world mythology through his now-legendary interviews with mythological scholar Joseph Campbell. 6 episodes. Bonuses: Bonus conversations; Interview with George Lucas; Viewer’s guide; Profiles of Campbell’s influences. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. History Channel/New Video releases INSTANT EXPERT: A QUICK GUIDE TO BEN FRANKLIN, a fascinating look at the complex life of one of our nation’s founding fathers. Concise, informative and fascinating. Bonuses: Interactive quiz; Study guide. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. INSTANT EXPERT: THE STORY OF OIL takes a look at where oil comes from, how it has played a role in history, and how it remains the planet’s driving force. Bonuses: Interactive quiz; Study guide. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. AX MEN: THE COMPLETE SEASON THREE returns for more drama amongst competing logging companies in the Pacific Northwest, to Florida, to Louisiana. Interesting look at a not often-explored subculture. Bonuses: Featurettes. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. GANGLAND: SEASON FIVE is a three disc set that explores life among inner city gangs in diverse cities such as New York, Chicago, Houston and Nashville. Exclusive interviews, rarely seen footage and unique access to the men and women who comprise the gangs make this a can’t-miss experience. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. PAWN STARS: SEASON TWO is a four disc set of the series that follows a family-owned and run pawn shop and the denizens who work and do business there. Fascinating, fly-on-the wall stuff. Bonuses: Additional footage. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. MVD presents CLIFF RICHARD: RARE AND UNSEEN, a collection of rare film clips, TV appearances and performances from one of the 1960’s most beloved performers. Follows Richard from his hard-partying early days in the UK to his later conversion to Christianity. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. A&E releases THE KANSAS CITY ROYALS 185 WORLD SERIES COLLECTOR’S EDITION, a 7 DVD set with over 17 hours of footage from the ’85 series. The seven game series became a benchmark in baseball history for its Cinderella story of the Royals bounce back from a middling first half a season, against the favored St. Louis Cardinals. Bonuses: Royals highlight film; Featurettes. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. Disinformation releases LAUGHOLOGY, a serious look at the subject of laughter, helmed by Albert Nerenberg who, after a family tragedy, decides to explore the healing power of the laugh, the history behind it, and the physiology of it. Fascinating stuff. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo.



FOR THE YOUNG ‘UNS Disney releases JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH SPECIAL EDITION, featuring a DVD and Blu-ray version of the beloved animated film about a boy who climbs inside a magically-sprouted peach and embarks on a wild adventure. Based on Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book, exec produced by Tim Burton, and directed by Henry Selick, the same team who brought life to A Nightmare Before Christmas. Bonuses: Interactive game; Featurettes; Music Video; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround. Paramount/Nickelodeon present TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: TURTLES FOREVER, an animated romp with everyone’s favorite martial arts-practicing reptiles. Here, the turtles meet their doubles from another dimension when a teleporting mishap occurs. Together, the two teams of turtles must find the Technodrome to remedy the problem. Sure to please the wee ones in your household. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. HAPPY HALLOWEEN features six All Hallow’s Eve-themed tales starring Nickelodeon favorites such as Dora the Explorer, Diego, Blue’s Clues, and more. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. ICARLY SPACE OUT features six "iCarly" episodes with sci-fi themes, sure to please the tween fantasy fan in you, or living among you. Bonuses: Space out trivia; Bonus episode. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. DIEGO’S ULTIMATE RESCUE LEAGUE features three Diego tales involving ecology, where Diego and his pals team up to save endangered animals around the world. Bonuses: Animal-themed featurettes; Spanish-language skills tutorial. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. DORA’S BIG BIRTHDAY ADVENTURE offers up three Dora episodes with birthday themes. All feature educational themes and are aimed at preschool aged kids. Bonuses: Spanish skills featurette; Math skills and new songs; Friends featurette. Fulls screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. Lionsgate releases WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN: FINAL CRISIS TRILOGY, the epic first season finale of the animated series, which has Wolverine and everyone’s favorite mutants teaming to stop the evil Inner Circle from world domination. Great fun, and terrific animation. Bonuses: Audio commentary with Craig Kyle, Greg Johnson and Chris Yost; Trailer gallery. Full screen. Dolby 5.1 surround. Warner Bros. releases SESAME STREET: P IS FOR PRINCESS, a preschool-themed DVD starring Paul Rudd as a misguided prince who mistakenly “rescues” a fairy-in-training who lives on Sesame Street. More stories include turns from celebs like Natalie Portman. Bonuses: Two episodes of “Abby’s Flying Fairy School.” Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo. SUPER FRIENDS! SEASON ONE – VOLUME TWO features 8 episodes of the beloved series on 2 discs, with the Justice League of America, comprised of Superman, Batman and Robin, and Wonder Woman battle evildoers bent on world domination. Great, timeless fun for the whole family. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. Scholastic/New Video releases THE ROSEMARY WELLS COLLECTION, featuring eight stories on two DVDs, based on Rosemary Wells’ original “Max and Ruby” stories, narrated by Maggie Gyllenhaal, among other notables: Max’s Chocolate Kitchen, Max’s Christmas, Morris’ Disappearing Bag, Otto Runs for President, Noisy Nora, Emily’s First 100 Days of School, Voyage to the Bunny Planet and Reading to Your Bunny. Bonuses: Spanish versions of the stories; Featurettes; Rosemary Wells interviews. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS JUMPING ON THE BED…AND MORE CHILDREN’S STORIES has three tales on one DVD, which teach vocabulary, comprehension, and fine motor skills. Bonuses: Sign language vocabulary; Comprehension quizzes; Alphabet fingerspelling; Read-along. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono. ADVENTURES AT SCHOOL features 14 stories on 3 DVDs, including such favorites as “The Teacher From the Black Lagoon,” “Miss Nelson Has a Field Day,” “Crazy Hair Day,” and more. Narrated by Zach Braff, Calista Flockhart, and others. Bonuses: Spanish versions of the stories; Featurettes; Read-along; Discussion questions. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono.