| You say there’s nothing good on DVD. I say Asian horror, hip hop docs, monkey movies and a little animania.
· Amazing Stories: Season One (1985, dir. various, MCA) – This Steven Spielberg-produced TV series was the ’80s answer to The Twilight Zone. An entertaining but hit-and-miss affair, this four-DVD set includes 20 minutes of deleted scenes.
· Awesome, I Fuckin’ Shot That (2005, dir. Nathanial Hornblower, ThinkFilm) – A Beastie Boys concert video shot by 50 fans at a sold-out show in 2004. A love-it-or-hate-it jam depending on how much you love the Beasties.
· Blood-o-rama (dir. various, Image) – A future favourite for the Video Vulture. Four bloody B-movie "classics" on one disc. Includes Scream Bloody Murder (1973), Black Mamba (1974), Blood Demon (1969) and Movie House Massacre (1984).
· Cello (2005, dir. Lee Woo-chul, Tartan Asia Extreme) – A cellist survives a car crash, but because it’s an Asian psychological horror flick, you can bet that something creepy happens.
· Clean (2005, dir. Olivier Assayas, Palm) — This acclaimed drama pits the lovely Maggie Cheung against the haggard Nick Nolte in a story of addiction and loss.
· Forbidden Adventure/Forbidden Women (1948/1947, dir. Dwayne Epser/ Eduardo Decastro, Something Weird Video/Image) – How can you resist this forbidden combo? Topless natives and monkey-loving women. Vintage jungle exploitation comes complete with trailers, alternate versions, uncensored nudity and "three-and-a-half hours of grind house goona-goona!"
· The Golden Age of Swedish Silent Screen (dir. Mauritz Stiller, Kino) – Restored to full glory, this collection marks the American home video debut of the hard-to-find Sir Arne’s Treasure (1919), the scandalous Erotikon (1920) and the three-hour cut of The Saga of Gosta Berling (1924), the film that made Greta Garbo a star.
· Harry Knuckles and the Pearl Necklace (2005, dir. Lee Demarbe, Eclectic DVD) – Part kung-fu farce, part ’80s exploitation send-up, this follow-up from the director of Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter is as goofy as the title makes it sound.
· Halloween: 25 Years of Terror (2006, dir. Stefan Hutchinson, Anchor Bay) – This documentary explores the staying power of one of the most enduring franchises in horror movie history. Go back to the beginning and see rare behind the scenes interviews.
· Koko: A Talking Gorilla (1977, dir. Barbet Schroeder, Criterion) – Can a gorilla learn sign language? This doc explores the controversial ethical debate regarding animal rights and human interaction.
· Mee-Shee: The Water Giant (2006, dir. John Henderson, Screen Media Films) – Bruce Greenwood stars in this Canadian family flick that tells the magical story of an Ogopogo-like creature. (Really, I just like saying Ogopogo.)
· Pinky and the Brain Volume 1 (1995, Warner) – Four discs worth of manic and cerebral slapstick antics from two of the best latter-day Looney Toons. Watch as Pinky and the Brain try to take over the world. Watch them fail. Giggle. Repeat.
· Stupidity: Director’s Cut (2003, dir. Albert Nerenberg, Ryko) – Ever wonder why everyone around you acts so dumb? This is the tongue-in-cheek documentary that explains why that happens. It’s too long, but surprisingly insightful given that the director is the creative force behind fake trailer haven, Trailervision.
· Sybil: 30th Anniversary Edition (1976, dir. Daniel Petrie, Warner Home Video) – A pre-Oscar Sally Field immerses herself in this tale of multiple personality disorder. Loaded with features and documentaries.
· Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story (2005, dir. Michael Winterbottom, HBO) – Winterbottom films a legendary unfilmable novel, and with the help of Steve Coogan, blurs the lines between narrative and mock-doc, all the while crafting an uproariously dry comedy.
· Yi Yi (2000, dir. Edward Yang, Criterion) – Poignant, lyrical and heartbreaking, Yang’s simple camera work explores the beautiful simplicity and drama of everyday life. Elegant Taiwanese filmmaking of the highest order.
· Zizek (2005, dir. Astra Taylor, Zeitgeist) – Focusing on the renowned philosopher, this documentary tracks Slavoj Zizek on a worldwide speaking tour and delves into the mind of this "academic rock star" onstage and off. |
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