Popeye the Sailor: 1938-40 (1938-40)

Warner delivers the goods again, this time serving up two discs of classic Fleischer Popeye 'toons, along with the usual passel of commentaries, short documentaries, and other goodies. A must for the animation collector.

Release Date: June 17, 2008
Warner Home Video

Otis (2007)

Otis seems to tread on morally dangerous ground, a satire about a serial killer who targets pretty blonde teenage girls. But it does so exceptionally well. Clearly intended as a dark comedy, the mixture of black humor and traditional suspense will find you laughing at things that you know you shouldn't.

With that said, Otis is continually exciting, clever, and violent, and newcomer Bostin Christopher even allows a sliver of compassion to shine through as the brutally dangerous title character.

Highly recommended.

Release Date: June 10, 2008
Warner Home Video

The Lovers (1958)

Louis Malle’s The Lovers was not only a lightning rod for controversy upon its release, but it was also a crossroads for sexuality in French cinema. Powered by an amazing performance by Jeanne Moreau, Malle’s film is a riveting character story 50 years later. The Criterion Collection works their magic again with this stellar release, complete with excellent audio and video transfers and some great extras as well.

Release Date: May 13, 2008
The Criterion Collection

The Extra Girl (1923)

Mabel Normand is at her best in this sparkling romantic comedy that has no dull moments. The bonus short is insubstantial in its own right, but it's certainly interesting to see the crude roots that Normand had to work with.

Release Date: June 03, 2008
Kino on Video

Genesis: When In Rome (2007)

Note: When In Rome is an exclusive to Wal-Mart and Sam's Club.

I'll admit I'm not really a Genesis freak, but I'm honest enough to confess that I still found this concert enjoyably slick and well-produced, the performances tight, bolstered by a loud, clean DTS mix. The short behind-the-scenes clips sprinkled across discs one and two give a little insight into the whole creative process, but the nearly two-hour Come Rain Or Shine tour documentary on Disc 3 really tips the scales on this set.

Highly recommended.

Release Date: June 10, 2008
Rhino

King Corn (2007)

An engrossing, revealing look at the economics and politics that help shape the food we put into our bodies every day, King Corn is a surprisingly sharp entry in the genre of socially conscious documentaries popularized by Michael Moore and Morgan Spurlock. Yes, it's one-sided, no, it doesn't delve into all the issues, but it raises questions that you've probably never thought about. Like, why is 50-percent of your hair made of corn?

Release Date: April 29, 2008
Docurama

Bomb It (2007)

Consider this Docurama release a tour of the underground art world. Filmmakers Jon Reiss and Tracy Wares traverse the globe to capture examples of some explosive and colorful art that is considered criminal or beautiful, depending on your bent. The interviews with the bombers reveal a mixture of anger and expression, but their work is often nothing short of remarkable.

Highly recommended.

Release Date: May 27, 2008
Docurama

The Stan Laurel Collection Volume 2 (1918-1926)

A fun overview of Stan's solo career, in variable but generally excellent restorations. It's packed with laughs and much of the comedy still holds up very well indeed today.

Release Date: June 03, 2008
Kino on Video

Rescue Me: The Complete Fourth Season (2007)

Fans of Denis Leary who haven’t seen what he’s doing these days simply owe it to themselves to pick up Rescue Me: The Complete Fourth Season on DVD. All 13 episodes are presented in their original audio and video, and these presentations are excellent. Plus, there’s a great extras collection that is much better than most TV on DVD efforts these days.

Release Date: June 03, 2008
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

The Enforcer (Deluxe Edition) (1976)

We're traveling an oft-traversed road with The Enforcer, there's no denying it. But Clint Eastwood keeps things lively with another lively performance and the supporting players give it some distinction amongst the other films in the series. Those looking for a little rough and tumble action flick will find much to savor with this one. Thirty-two years later and this one has held up remarkably well.

Release Date: June 03, 2008
Warner Home Video

The Red Violin (1998)

While not for everyone, The Red Violin speaks to anyone conversant in or has a love of the language of music. Passionate and complex, it's endlessly fascinating and this remastered edition presents a cleaner edition with some intriguing extras.

Release Date: June 03, 2008
Lions Gate

Dirty Harry: Two-Disc Special Edition (1971)

Consider this one of the veritable classics that reinvented the cop genre in 1971. It is also so much more than just that famous line, and all the daring political incorrectness of a hero like Harry Callahan is still exciting and refreshing 35 years later.

This new two-disc special edition may not be wholly necessary if you already own the 2001 release, unless you're hankering for a couple of additional Eastwood bonus features and an insightful historical commentary from Richard Schickel. The transfer remains quite striking for a film of this age, and the thrill of seeing Eastwood-as-Callahan casually strolling towards that wounded perp with his .44 drawn and ready to utter the "feel lucky" rap never gets old.

Highly recommended.

Release Date: June 03, 2008
Warner Home Video

The Wild Bunch HD-DVD (1969)

The Wild Bunch (The Original Director's Cut) is a stupendous achievement. Film buffs can appreciate the film's glory thanks to a marvelous, new anamorphic transfer, spiffy sound mix, and excellent special features. Words cannot fully describe the importance of Sam Peckinpah's glorious masterpiece, so simply rejoice in this wonderful HD DVD courtesy of Warner Home Video.

Release Date: September 25, 2007
Warner Home Video

Antonio Gaudi (1984)

Antonio Gaudi continues to fascinate me long after my original viewing ended. Hiroshi Teshigahara crafts a completely original documentary that should interest both experts and novices. The Criterion Collection scores again with this exceptional two-disc release, which is highly recommended.

Release Date: March 18, 2008
The Criterion Collection

The Stendhal Syndrome: 2-Disc Special Edition (1996)

Perhaps something of a minor work in the director's catalog, there is absolutely nothing minor about the way Blue Underground has gussied up this 2-disc release. The uncut/uncensored transfer is a beaut—besting previous releases by a light years—and the array of audio choices (including DTS-ES 6.1) is equally impressive.

Less horror than psychological thriller, The Stendhal Syndrome easily carries some of Argento's most haunting and nightmarish visuals, and the added presence of Asia Argento as a troubled detective on the trail of a murdering rapist (or is it the other way around?) just gives this one an added kick.

Highly recommended.

Release Date: September 25, 2007
Blue Underground