| In the real Canadian winter, some of us stay in and play house. Others stay in and play cinématheque. If you’re one of the latter, here are some new DVD titles to consider for your next program:
· Anatomy of Hell (2004, Catherine Breillat, Pacific Media): Women gazing at men gazing at women – it’s all very creepy and obvious, but, hey, I guess some people like to feel icky about voyeurism.
· The Fiend (1971, Robert Hartford-Davis, Image): Sex and death and Patrick Magee as a sinister minister. Horrific, indeed.
· La Commare Secca (1962, Bernardo Bertolucci, Criterion Collection): Bertolucci’s debut, based on a story by Pier Paolo Pasolini, reveals a vital young director long before he ever compromised his ideals.
· The Life of Emile Zola (1937, William Dieterle, Warner Brothers): Paul Muni plays the controversial French novelist in this classic biopic.
· Night and the City (1950, Jules Dassin, Criterion Collection): Richard Widmark sweats his way through the London underground in this arresting film noir – released simultaneously with Thieves’ Highway (1949), yet another of director Dassin’s worthwhile contributions to the genre.
· Raging Bull Collector’s Edition (1980, Martin Scorsese, MGM/UA): Among other special features, this two-disc set includes a shot-by-shot comparison of Robert De Niro and real-life pug Jake La Motta.
· Since Otar Left (2003, Julie Bertucelli, Zeitgeist): In the country of Georgia, three generations of women are united through letters from the family’s prodigal son in Paris.
· Warner Gangsters Collection (Various directors, Warner Brothers): This tough-talking six-disc set includes Angels With Dirty Faces (1938), Little Caesar (1931), Petrified Forest (1936), The Public Enemy (1931), The Roaring Twenties (1939) and White Heat (1949), not to mention almost every great character actor who ever worked for the studio.
· Zelary (2003, Ondrej Trojan, Columbia/TriStar): This pic love story set against a backdrop of the Czech resistance in the Second World War was nominated last year for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. |
Copyright ©2005 FFWD. All rights reserved.