The DVD Files for February 5
by Tim Wick
Make no mistake, there are some interesting DVD's on the horizon. I can't
wait to see what cool extras are being cooked up for Harry Potter and
Fellowship of the Ring!
Chances are you missed this fantastic film starring Thora Birch. Those of
you who saw her in American Beauty knew she could act. Those of you who
saw her in Dungeons and Dragons wondered if it was a fluke. Ghost World
shows that it was no fluke. She carries the film on her young shoulders and
delivers one of the better performances of the year. Did I forget to
mention Steve Buscemi? He's in this movie as well and manages to keep Birch
from stealing the limelight entirely. Sadly, the DVD offers little in the
way of extras, but the film should be enough for anyone to at least make the
trip to a video store. I plan to buy it.
Beware of any film that features Nicholas Cage using an Italian accent.
Further, beware and love story set during WWII that the studio decides to
release in August. The movie had "We want an Oscar" written all over it's
previews, but an August release suggests that it didn't have a prayer of
getting one. Penelope Cruz didn't fare well with critics this year given
her other film - Vanilla Sky - was also panned. DVD features directors
commentary and a making of featurette.
A classic mystery/comedy starring two of the great actors in cinema - Sir
Lawrence Olivier and Michael Caine (who I think was also just made a knight
but I can't remember). I'm not sure if this film has been released on DVD
previously, but the stripped down widescreen version that is available for
just over $10 is worth a look if you don't have this film yet.
I didn't see this one in the theatre because it really didn't look that
interesting. Neither, I'm afraid, does the DVD.
Perhaps not one of the great Disney animated films, but I think this and
The Rescuers were my favorites growing up. Adulthood has diminished my
appreciation for The Rescuers but not for Peter Pan. The DVD features a
commentary track with recordings from Walt Disney and Disney animators.
This technique was used on the original Fantasia DVD and was quite
interesting. The release coincides with a planned theatrical release of
Return to Never Land. That film looks like one of the worst films Disney
has ever placed on the big screen (yes, I am including The Fox and the
Hound and The Black Cauldron). Go get the original and watch that.
A classic Ingmar Bergman film that is listed as a "must see" for any serious
film lover. I am a serious film lover and therefore, I must see this film.
The film is not in widescreen format (although that may well be because the
original aspect ratio will fit nicely on a Television screen) but it does
contain a commentary track by film scholar Peter Cowie. I think the 90
minute documentary on Ingmar Bergman looks to be the most interesting
feature on this disc. This is another in the list of great films that are
seeing the light of day in a whole new way on DVD. I, for one, plan on
taking advantage of the trend.
Um.....Ick. "Virginal" young woman dresses like a tramp, sings songs about
sex and does suggestive dance steps. Record label markets this to children
like the SEVEN YEAR OLD daughter of a friend of mine. Am I the only person
that thinks there is something wrong with this???? Good lord I hope not. I
just put this one on my list so you parents of young girls are forewarned.
And now the DVD of the (every other) week:
With Valentines day coming up it seems the right time to recommend a film
that made Meg Ryan's title as the queen of romantic comedies a foregone
conclusion. This was her first true romantic comedy role and still her
best. It doesn't hurt that Billy Crystal, Bruno Kirby and Carrie Fisher all
shine in this film that is both funny and really moving. In some ways, I
think this movie out Woody Allen's a Woody Allen film because the characters
are just a little bit less neurotic. This movie is probably the best modern
romantic comedy because it is both wonderfully funny and incredibly
romantic. Definitely a great date DVD. Also features deleted scenes and a
commentary by Rob Reiner.
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