While the multiplex is clogged with mindless summer film stock, you can find substance at home with some reissued classics and undiscovered docs.
Dark City: Director’s Cut (1998, dir. Alex Proyas, New Line): Proyas revamps his spectacular-looking future noir with new footage. When Rufus Sewell wakes up with no memory and no interest in getting framed for murder, he goes looking for answers.
Delicatessen (1991, dir. Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro, Lionsgate): Horror meets jet-black comedy when former comic book artists Jeunet and Caro tell the post-apocalyptic story of a future where food is scarce and an apartment complex solves the problem with unexpected vacancies.
For the Love of Dolly (2006, dir. Tai Uhlmann, Wolfe): One year, one star and five unforgettable fans. Dolly Parton’s oddest fans go under the microscope in this hit-and-miss doc.
The Future is Unwritten (2007, dir. Julian Temple, Sony) Another music legend, this time Joe Strummer from the Clash, gets a posthumous documentary celebrating his role as a music pioneer. Includes interviews with Bono, Johnny Depp, Steve Buscemi and many others.
High and Low (1963, dir. Akira Kurosawa, Criterion): Japanese master Kurosawa turns the American crime drama on its ear in this methodical and epic film. This version includes a new transfer, new documentaries and a re-mastered audio track.
Inglorious Bastards (1981, dir. Enzo Castellari, Severin): The inspiration for Quentin Tarantino’s long-rumoured pending war picture, this is the exploitation version of The Dirty Dozen.
Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985, dir. Paul Schrader, Criterion): Taxi Driver scribe Schrader uses a non-linear narrative to tell the story of controversial author Yuko Mishima.
Mad Men: Season One (2007, American Movie Classics): If you missed Mad Men when it aired on AMC last summer, here is the perfect chance to get caught up. Created by Sopranos writer Matthew Weiner, this beautifully art-directed drama explores urban disenchantment through the lens of the advertising world of Madison Avenue circa 1960.
My Blueberry Nights (2007, dir. Wong Kar-Wai, Weinstein): Norah Jones makes her acting debut in a heartbreaking road trip opposite Jude Law in Wong’s first English language outing.
The Ruins (2008, dir. Carter Smith, Dreamworks): Based on the bestselling horror novel of the same name, this is a surprisingly thrilling (and gory) chiller about a carnivorous plant and the American tourists who unexpectedly stumble into its kill zone.
Shine A Light (2007, dir. Martin Scorsese, Paramount): Scorsese’s concert flick for the Rolling Stones may be two decades too late, but it’s beautifully photographed by Robert Richardson and features some fantastic archival interviews.
Sleepwalking (2008, dir. William Maher, Anchor Bay): Charlize Theron produces and stars in this timid indie flick about a deadbeat mom (Theron) who abandons her daughter (AnnaSophia Robb) and forces her brother (Nick Stahl) to fill in. Well acted but a bit snoozy.
Smart People (2008, dir. Norm Murro, Miramax): In this less hurtful version of The Squid and the Whale, Dennis Quaid stars as an academic with his head up his ass. He comes to terms with his life and family with the help of a supporting cast that includes Ellen Page, Thomas Haden Church and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Vampyr (1932, dir. Carl Theodor Dreyer, Criterion): Dreyer uses then-cutting-edge effects to create a nightmarish horror flick. The double disc edition is loaded with bonuses.
Vantage Point (2008, dir. Pete Travis, Sony): It’s Rashomon meets In The Line of Fire in this surprisingly fun story about presidential assassination and international conspiracy. It falls apart at the end, but, man, what a car chase.
Wargames (1983, dir. John Badham, MGM): In this Cold War international thriller for the brat pack generation, Matthew Broderick nearly starts World War III with his computer. Dated as hell now, this movie was fantastic 25 years ago.
