DVD Articles: February 2008

The rather complex ideological issues and unique sense of aesthetics that Frankenheimer infused in his films can be fully appreciated in this collection.

Even though Hong Kong cinema of the era expresses traditional, conservative values, its concepts of parenthood, the past and the future, are often vexed, subversive, or tragic.

The television airings paled in comparison with the remastered originals, here, and it is pleasant to see the cartoons in full-length, as many were cut to fit between commercial interludes.

Come for the Brash Young Ad Exec getting his come-uppance from Mysterious Sinister Stranger, but stay for the extras.

Well at least these two characters have one thing in common: they’re both grateful the other’s an elitist, New York hipster.

Dr. Tony Hill – as much cop as psychiatrist -- reveals how profiling criminals can oftentimes be a messy business.

To quote some diehard fans, this collection is feckin’ brilliant!

Who is the one that's really trapped in this situation? Is Lexi locked out of the house, or is Brad locked in it?

A war fought on the open rolling plains (soccer fields), deep in the mysterious woods (state parks), within the walls of a great castle (school gymnasiums).

This documentary is filled with revealing moments, both big and small, that show just how much – and how little – things have changed.

At last, as in the final scene taken by a camera fixed to the exterior of a train as it clickety-clacks forward, the countryside speeding by, the rails extending into the distance, we can see that Wes Anderson is back on track.

Much of the power of Strindberg’s staging comes from the juxtaposition between a celebration of life, sexuality, and freedom without, and the claustrophobic horrorshow within.

A surrealist satire of thematically complicated scenes that mix political intrigues, sexual humiliation, religion, and fanaticism.

A disappointingly short glimpse of a once important band.

If Steve Wiebe vs. Billy Mitchell is Good vs. Evil, Steve's relationship with his family touches on the price that good must pay to vanquish that evil.

Former Monty Python member Terry Jones takes a new look at history.

This DVD is a lovingly-crafted reminder of just how essential Pelican are as a live band.

A film on "the poster child for rabies" that left me wanting to understand this man.

Set aside those old VHS tapes for good, Maiden fans. This visceral spine-tingling, example of classic metal at its very finest has finally arrived on DVD.

Turturro has filled the screen with plenty of song, dance, and sex talk, but this is not your typical love story.

Punk’s most passionate, politically-engaged band plays a show in New York on the three-year anniversary of 9/11 and in the midst of the Republican National Convention.

What a ‘Croc': Two Sci-Fi Channel films give slithery villains a bad name.

An intriguing drama that creates a complex world of scandal so atmospheric that you hardly realize how truly discomfiting and bizarre the imagery is until you've emerged from it.

Offering little insight, no narration, no explanations whatever about the context to these pseudo-interviews, we are left to watch as random fanatics ramble about their beliefs.

A cautionary tale about business, fidelity and ethics that is skillfully wrapped under the guise of light entertainment.

May the world discover Balki, Larry, and their shared adventures anew, leading to a comeback hopefully not unlike the late '80s Monkees resurgence.

As this documentary about women who choose to be single mothers asserts, the promises and perils of the biological clock are resonating more loudly than ever with some in today's society.

While the film underscores the sharp division between Red- and Blue-State (of mind) ideologies, it only begs the question of why there can be no middle ground.

In keeping with his emphasis on conversational pauses and microscopic moments, Katz shows off a hushed, near-solitary side of New York.

This first season is addictive and almost uniformly excellent; the production values are high, the visual sense often delicious, and the murders consistently startling.

This is like watching Gus Van Sant’s Psycho screened on Mystery Science Theater 3000 -- confusing and annoying.

Franco's moral distance leaves us in freefall, and each turn in the descent feels increasingly queasy and claustrophobic.

I strained to find a seed of brilliance beneath the schlock, then quickly disabused myself of this foolishness, and got back to clutching my head in disbelief/anguish.

Though his seemingly directionless flight appears futile, Wilde runs with purpose; he is striding toward triumph through survival, and as such, a validation of himself.

As a genre piece, Mangold’s remake satisfies the requisite clichés (sweeping desert vistas, corseted women, ample gunplay), but not much else.

Though Blitz hasn't the crossover clout of some of his contemporaries, he does process a marked talent for dialogue and quirky scenarios.

Reminiscent of Scorsese’s Raging Bull in its dissection of the primal need of man to hit and be hit, and its brutish character's struggle with misogyny.

With precision and humor, Virzi casts a critical eye on the highly stratified cliques established in youth and mirrored in the self-serving interests of the cultural and political elite.