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Recent DVDs ReviewsTuesday, October 27 2009
Cinema Different: Different Cinema Volume 3Nine selections from the 10th annual Festival des Cinemas Differents de Paris show a broad range of styles and approaches by contemporary film and video artists. Monday, October 26 2009Lie to MeThat this is not another procedural show is in large part due to actor Tim Roth, who injects life and mystery into a part that on paper reads like a watered down version of Dr. Gregory House. 
The Elephant KingA familiar story about two naive, young Westerners that head to the Far East in search of adventure and inner-peace. Latent Orientalism interferes with the visual delights. Sunday, October 25 2009The Chieftains - Live at Montreux 1997This DVD enthusiastically shows a collaborative collective at the peak of its prowess, melding many musical traditions with swift, deft fingers into its own interwoven representation of Irish culture. Friday, October 23 2009
The National Parks: America’s Best IdeaLike an exquisitely rendered paint-by-numbers, Ken Burns' National Parks has been designed for passive appreciation: it is gorgeous, but empty. Thursday, October 22 2009Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - Diamond EditionFor Walt Disney, it was the realization of a dream, nearly a decade of wondering if his already successful short film style could actually be expanded to feature film length. 
The Least of TheseFor the three years of it’s operation, the T. Don Hutto detention center put a face of family togetherness on the harsh immigration policies of the Bush administration. Wednesday, October 21 2009Gigantor - The Collection, Volume 2 (1964 - 68)Unlike Disney who sweated every detail, the Asian aesthetic was one of punch and power. Getting to the meat of a situation was far more important than languishing over a beautifully painted backdrop. 
The Tales of HoffmannThis is perhaps the only filmed opera that one could view with the sound turned off and the viewer would still come away mesmerized. Tuesday, October 20 2009How the Grinch Stole ChristmasWhat did Dr. Seuss ever do to Hollywood? How did the genial children's author, responsible for many of the most memorable kid lit classics of all time turn into such a cinematic pariah? 
Dusan Makavejev: Free RadicalThis brilliant and controversial director is the most successful and important figure in Serbian cinema. As with most Eastern European filmmakers, this equates to him being practically unknown in the West. Monday, October 19 2009Tales From the Darkside Season 2George Romero's second anthology horror series gives us a creepy opening montage, social commentary... and George Costanza's dad! 
Gogol Bordello: Live from Axis MundiGogol Bordello's live DVD/CD might not win new converts, but it's wild enough to be one hell of a show. Sunday, October 18 2009Ringo Starr and the Roundheads: LiveRingo Starr knows how to give his audience what they want, even when he's not giving them everything. This 2005 performance is a perfect example of showmanship, even if it's all too brief. Friday, October 16 2009
Throne of BloodIn Throne of Blood, Ambition appears as something outside of the human character that preys upon pride and contributes to the demise of the prideful. Thursday, October 15 2009The Girlfriend ExperienceThe camera continually zeroes on Sasha Grey's face: pretty, unknowable, sometimes out of focus. 
Foyle’s War: Sets 1-5 - From Dunkirk to V-E DayOne feels compelled to keep up, to try to untangle the right strands, to disregard the red herrings, to remark on the occasional Chekovian gun. It’s utterly thrilling to be treated like an adult. Wednesday, October 14 2009The Guild: Seasons 1 & 2Only a keen understanding of the gaming culture could generate such a dedicated, enthusiastic audience. 
Not Your Typical Bigfoot MovieIf you are on the search for Sasquatch, look elsewhere. Jay Delaney's film is about friendship on the economic margins of American society. Tuesday, October 13 2009Wuthering HeightsMoody, dark Yorkshire moors and overwrought hysterical performances are delivered in this adaptation of Emily Bronte's beloved classic. 
Heroes: Season 3With its embarrassment of riches in the extras department, and its episodes' more unified storytelling, the Heroes: Season 3 DVD set is well worth watching, no matter how you may have felt about previous seasons. Monday, October 12 2009
Homicide: The Criterion CollectionIn Homicide's electric pop of language, Mamet provides a grand kind of stage for the ugly catalyst of jealousy and racial hatred that curdles in just about every character’s mind Sunday, October 11 2009Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"Snow White proved that realism and heart had a place in the genre ... It would become the blueprint for every animated feature to come." Friday, October 9 2009
The Hills: Season FiveAt the end of the day it's all about the bodies, the cars and the clothes, as well as the incredible things that occasionally come out of the cast-members' mouths. Thursday, October 8 2009Murphy’s Law: Series OneMurphy’s Law stands as a somewhat average crime drama, while its greatest strength lies in its casting of James Nesbitt and Claudia Harrison. 
Nip/Tuck: Season Five, Part TwoThe plastic surgery drama comes to DVD again, in a season that sees Christian get cancer and Sean get a little wild. Wednesday, October 7 2009Neil Hamburger: Western Music and Variety with Neil HamburgerNeil Hamburger wants to annoy you; it works a little too well. If we laugh, it's out of relief – bad as we might feel, at least we’re not him. |
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