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Taking a look at the week's DVD releases is always dicey for your wallet. Nearly every week, there's a disc that would fit nicely into any size collection. When it comes time to decide what to buy, there are really two determining factors: how much you love the content and the quality of the extra features on the disc. The unreleased studio (film and television) back-catalogue means that every week there's likely something for you.

If it walks like a lump of crap and talks like a lump of crap...: Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (The Little Black Book Edition) (1999)

Perhaps the overriding question of the day is who, specifically, asked for any form of special edition of this film? Was there an Internet petition that I somehow missed? Is there a community of Rob Schneider fans somewhere that has been demanding better treatment for Deuce Bigalow on DVD? I doubt it. And from the looks of the DVD, it's a good thing, because they'd be disappointed. This studio money-grab of a special edition "features" a making-of featurette; a video diary and seven deleted scenes.

For anyone shopping for the How To Sleep Your Way To Movie Stardom starter kit: Basic Instinct (Director's Cut) (1992)

Attention whore Sharon Stone has yet to do anything truly notable in her career that didn't involve being naked, so it's no surprise that there's a special edition DVD for Basic Instinct coming out just as the "long awaited" sequel is due to be released in theaters. Stone's involvement is also no surprise, as her career is certainly dependent on how many people want to see a 48-year-old woman get naked and have sex on film in the sequel. Twelve years ago, people were interested enough in her crotch shot to make her a star, but, now...who knows? Included on this DVD are an audio commentary with director Paul Verhoeven and director of photography Jan de Bont; an introduction by Stone; an interview Stone; a making-of documentary; storyboards; screen tests; and a featurette.

Do you ever wonder if Viggo Mortensen is so method he actually could kill you with a giant sword? I do.: A History of Violence (2005)

Adapted from a graphic novel of the same name, A History of Violence is further proof that Viggo Mortensen does quiet yet menacing better than most. It's also an outstanding film. Mortensen's performance is particularly impressive. He's able to convey an air of honesty and simplicity while still knowing more than he lets on so subtly that it's only after watching the movie you realize it was there the whole time. It's a terrific film made better by the outstanding, patient directing of David Cronenberg and the acting of Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ed Harris, and William Hurt. Equally terrific is the DVD. Included on the disc are an audio commentary with Cronenberg (though I don't understand why Mortensen is not included); a deleted scene; a documentary; featurettes and more. It's a great disc and a great film.

If there ever were to be required viewing for journalists...: Good Night, and Good Luck (2005)

George Clooney is an easy guy to hate. Rich, charming, famous, good-looking...the list goes on. Yet inexplicably, he rises above that to be extremely likeable and down to earth. Or so it seems. There's nobody in Hollywood who seems like they'd be more fun to have a beer with than Clooney. Unless, of course, you're Bill O'Reilly. Personally, I find nothing about Clooney's politics objectionable. Even if you do, I would argue there's something about Clooney's willingness to make political films that should be applauded. While nobody will argue that Good Night, and Good Luck is more controversial than the vastly inferior Brokeback Mountain, an argument can be made that the film is actually far more stridently political and far more important, message-wise, than Brokeback Mountain.

While the Republican Party and the radical right continue their assault on homosexuality and gay rights, the best that can be said about that travesty is that it's happening out in the open. They're honest about their agenda. The war on journalism and freedom of speech, however, is happening in front of our eyes, but nobody is noticing. When it comes down to it, Brokeback Mountain is a love story that happens to involve two men. What's most revolutionary about it is not the subject matter, it's the matter-of-fact way that it's handled. Brokeback Mountain is not an in-your-face exploration of homosexuality, but Good Night, and Good Luck is every bit an assault on the lack of journalistic ethics and the unbelievable neutering of the press during the Bush administration.

Beautifully shot in black and white, the film follows Edward R. Murrow (David Straithairn) and the CBS News division as they examine and debunk the claims of Senator Joseph McCarthy during his witch-hunt for supposed Communists within the US Government in the 1950s. Strathairn is outstanding as Murrow, as is Clooney himself as producer Fred Friendly and Frank Langella as William Paley, the head of CBS News. It's an outstanding ensemble piece that is both timely and timeless. Clooney's direction is confident and relatively subtle and the script, while largely including real-life dialogue re-enacted, manages to deftly weave that dialogue into the larger fabric of the film without the viewer feeling the change. The main extra feature on the DVD is an audio commentary with George Clooney (who also co-wrote the film) and producer/co-writer Grant Heslov. There's also a documentary included, but ultimately, it's a disappointingly minimal DVD. The film's the thing here, and that's all you need.

March 14, 2006

Anastasia (Family Fun Edition) (1997)
Au Revoir Les Enfants (Criterion Collection) (1987)
Basic Instinct (Director's Cut) (1992)
Be Here to Love Me: A Film About Townes Van Zandt (2005)
Chasing Ghosts (2005)
Columbo: The Complete Fourth Season (3-DVD Set) (1974)
The Cutter (2005)
David and Bathsheba (1951)
Dear Wendy (2004)
Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (The Little Black Book Edition) (1999)
Good Night, and Good Luck (2005)
The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)
A History of Violence (2005)
How to Lose Your Lover (2004)
Illigal Business (2006)
Irish Jam (2006)
Lacombe Lucien (Criterion Collection) (1974)
MacGyver: The Complete Fifth Season (6-DVD Set) (1989)
Marebito (2004)
Microwave Massacre (1983)
The Neighbor No. 13 (2005)
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005)
Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus (2003)
Stormy Weather (2003)
Ten Little Indians (1989)
The Thief Lord (2006)
Three of Hearts: A Post-Modern Family (2005)
Through the Fire (2006)
VIP: The Complete First Season (5-DVD Set) (1998)
The Year of the Yao (2004)