DVD Review Round-Up

Valentine's Day is over but, no worries.. we've still got some hot DVDs to cuddle up to! We cover romances, one a musical, love of a dad for his adopted son, the adventures of a gurl-powered Queen and go with a hot star into the bush to save a species! It's all here.... (BTW, we are reviewing standard DVDs since all of us don't have a Blu-Ray player yet!)

From Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Across the Universe: 2-Disc Deluxe Edition

This musical romance tells the story of Liverpool native Jude (Jim Sturgess) and American girl Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood) a young couple in New York living during the tumultuous 1960's. They are protesting the Vietnam war and trying to survive along with Lucy's just-drafted brother Max (Joe Anderson) and friends Prudence (T.V. Carpio) and bandmates Sadie (Dana Fuchs) and JoJo (Martin Luther)...all set to memorable Beatles tunes!

Video/Audio: The widescreen transfer here is pretty perfect.. lots of bright colors come through including more subtle details, with no damage, scratches etc. Awesome! Sound is super important in a musical film and the Dolby digital 5.1 audio does not disappoint. Every iconic Beatles tune makes full use of all your speakers and just well... rocks! You'll want to listen again and again! Great job!

Special Features: You get a movie-wide audio Commentary by director Julie Taymor and music producer/composer Elliot Goldenthal. Lots of insider info, very lively track with no really boring spots. Well worth a listen.

You also have extended songs on Disc One. I liked Martin Luther singing "And I Love Her." It's great if kinda short. You get a Photo Gallery in three sections: "On the Set," "Behind the Scenes" and "Design" and art created by the "Jude" character... as in "Hey, Jude". Really interesting.

On Disc Two there are five very good featurettes. "Creating the Universe," is a making-of with lots of behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and crew. This is refreshingly more like a "you are there" on set with the group actually shooting the film and goofing off etc. Enjoyable!

"Stars of Tomorrow" focuses upon the lead actors with profiles on them as they create their roles. Again, interesting. The songs get more coverage in "All About the Music," featuring the classic and newly-interpreted Beatles tunes. Loved it. You get info on the dance moves in the film in "Moving Across the Universe," which uses rehearsal and on-set footage of the unusual choreography. Great. "FX on the Universe," explores the many visuals in the film's unique look. Included are interviews with Taymor and the Special Effects crew. Could have used even more of this.

You get eight Extended Musical Performances that are just wonderful. Just sit back and it's groovy, baby!

Wrapping Up: This film, much like the 1960's, is full of love, hope and rebellion. The visuals will get you close to the feeling of the "Psychadelic", color-bleeding mind-trips of the era and, hey, it's great music, well-performed and good storytelling. The film is beautifully presented on this DVD set! Definitely buy it!!

Tootsie: 25th Anniversary Edition

If you've ever wanted to be someone you're not; someone more popular and successful, then Tootsie is your gal! This classic comedy from the '80's, stars Dustin Hoffman in an amazing performance as... a woman! He's brilliant and desperate out of work actor Michael Dorsey who is at his wit's end. His argumentative nature means rejections and he can't even get a start on producing a play written by roomie Jeff (Bill Murray). When coaching his actress gal pal Sandy (Teri Garr) for her soap opera audition, it dawns on the actor that, hey, he could play the part...better! Undergoing an amazing make-up and wardrobe transformation, he becomes Southern actress Dorothy Michaels and lands the role! Now he'll have to keep up the ruse when all America falls for her. This includes denying his growing feelings for a fellow "actress" played by Jessica Lange.

Video/Audio: For an older film, this presentation is great; bright colors, no damage, sharp and great flesh tones...even Dustin's make-up! Dolby Digital 5.0 Audio makes both the really great dialogue and fun music come in balanced and crisp. No complaints here.

Special Features: These are quite cool. "A Better Man: The Making of Tootsie" is a 3-part doc on the origin and production of the film with clips, modern interviews with the cast and also interviews and behind-the-scenes stuff from when the film was made. Really enjoyable! You see how the filmmakers and actors' own experiences went into the story. Hoffman was really anxious about making his "woman" believable. "Deleted Scenes" are pretty funny and provide more back-story. You get a real time relic with Dustin Hoffman's screen test. Really fun.

Wrapping Up: As far as "guy as gal" movies, Tootsie is right up there with the classic Some Like it Hot and Mrs. Doubtfire. This film is both hilarious and very warm and emotional; it's also a bizarre and sweet love story. The film is a beautifully-made and acted classic that you should have in your collection and this DVD is the best version of it you can get.

From Genius Entertainment/Animal Planet

Gorillas on the Brink

Actress Natalie Portman and animal rights activist Jack Hanna co-host this documentary Saving a Species: Gorillas on the Brink which was shown on TV's "Animal Planet". Lovely Natalie (sans any make-up... like she needs it.. ha!) treks to the Central African jungles to visit mountain gorillas in preserves and national parks where they are still endangered by poachers who kill entire families to capture infants they sell privately on the black market. We learn along with Natalie as she narrates her adventure tale, visiting gorilla activist Dian Fosse's grave (Dian was killed by poachers in the '80's because of her defense of the mountain gorillas), taking her mom along to see gorilla families in the wild, then visiting a veterinarian center where orphans are cared for by a human family while they are rehabilitated. Natalie and Jack talk to conservationists and tour guide/trackers who hunt down poachers.

The country of Rwanda, recovering from horrible civil wars and genocide, is at the forefront of protecting the gorillas because Eco-tourists have come to see them and bring needed funds to the country. Natalie freaks upon seeing a traumatized mom gorilla carrying around her long-dead infant but the actress is also delighted at seeing a healthy six-day-old baby and joyous scenes of gorilla infants at play and content families. We learn that there are fewer than 700 of these powerful yet fragile and gentle beings left in the wild but conservationists and the public are helping build their numbers.

Video/Audio: The lush green of the jungles and dark fur of the gorillas all come through vividly as do accurate flesh tones. Audio is very clear for jungle noises as well as narration and dialogue. Good job.

Special Features: In addition to the TV program you get some short extras, no doubt cut from the broadcast, all featuring Natalie: "A Gorilla Naming Ceremony" has the actress actually naming a baby gorilla at a festival in its honor, "Chameleons" shows Jack and Natalie helping local youngsters get friendly with the colorful little lizards, "Remembering Rwanda's Past" is Natalie's touching visit to one of the country's many memorial sites where genocide victims are buried in the thousands in mass graves; their names carved on a memorial wall; sad but a good fact to understand, "Gorilla Translations" is a silly but cute look at Natalie making gorilla grunt noises and claiming that they mean different things...when they all sound exactly alike, "Did You Know", has Natalie listing various gorilla facts like how they smell (like really bad b.o.), what they eat, where they sleep and how we can all do things to help them.

Wrapping Up: Polar bears aren't the only seriously-endangered species and these wonderful, human-like animals deserve a break! One look in their big brown eyes and you'll see that they are at least our first cousins. Natalie makes a very winsome guide on this adventure. Take the time to rent if not buy this wonderful DVD that will make you want to do what you can to preserve these beautiful, honorable beings.

From New Line Home Entertainment

The Martian Child

In this film, science fiction writer David (John Cusack) is a widower who wants to adopt a child. At an agency he meets Dennis (Bobby Coleman) a little boy who hides inside a cardboard box and thinks he is from Mars. David is impressed by the kid's imagination and creativity and decides to give adoption a try. It's a rocky road as Dennis's tough shell is hard to crack. With help from David's friend (Amanda Peet) and his sister (John's real sis Joan Cusack), David and Dennis make it through some tough and sometimes funny adventures to form a family.

Video/Audio: This almost new film looks great in widescreen with plenty of detail, bright colors and no flaws. The 5.1 Dolby Digital mix comes through with some surround sounds that support little Dennis's alien "powers". You can hear dialogue and music just fine.

Special Features: You get a feature-length audio Commentary with the producers as well as writers Seth E. Bass and Jonathan Tolins. Oddly no director (Menno Meyjes) track but we learn that a lot of the film was re-shot by Jerry Zucker anyway. You get details and production info. Some of these folks seem to think that John Cusack was a little too "hands on". Interesting if not a sparkling good time.

Deleted/Alternate Scenes actually develop the characters more.. You get something about David's own childhood problems and more on Dennis's problems fitting into a new home, David on a date, etc. All a nice addition to the film story. Very watchable.

"Handle with Care: Working with the Martian Child" focuses on young actor Bobby Coleman who plays Dennis. We see him from auditions to final shooting. You see what life on a film might be like for a kid. Interesting. We learn that John Cusack wasn't always that friendly in order to make the tough relationship between the two characters, at least at the beginning, work.

In "The Real Martian Child" you get an interview with author David Gerrold, who wrote the prize-winning story upon which the film is based. David, who is a friend of this reviewer, actually lived a lot of what you see in the film. He adopted Dennis who then changed his name to Sean in later years. The duo is seen talking about their experiences; the true life struggles and joys of adoption and how much of the film is really true. Interesting and heartwarming.

Wrapping Up: The performance of little Bobby Coleman is amazing. You'll be both frustrated with and attracted to this odd child and root for David and Dennis to work it out and stay together. The film teaches that, just because a person is odd or eccentric, doesn't mean they can't love and be loved. The ending of the film is a bit odd for my taste but this warm story is definitely worth at least a rent.

From The Weinstein Company Home Entertainment

Dedication

Story goes...Author Henry (Billy Crudup) is a cranky children's book author with OCD who has lost his partner Rudy (Tom Wilkinson). Without his writing buddy, Henry can't finish his next book so the publisher sends out illustrator Lucy (Mandy Moore) in the hope that she can inspire or kick some butt to get the book done! Of course the two mix like oil and water but Henry finally realizes that Lucy might be his muse and his new love.

Video/Audio: Widescreen is fine.. colors are a bit cool or muted and, on my TV at least, skin tones looked a little on the bright or pink side but no biggie. Dolby Digital brings out the indie music soundtrack just fine and you can hear dialogue well.

There aren't any special features on the disc.

Wrapping Up: The characters in this romance are a little different and, at times irritating, but Mandy and Billy bring off a believable story of the unlikely attraction of opposites. Mandy is very winning and this is worth a rent.

From Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Elizabeth The Golden Age

As the first Elizabeth film looked at the famous Brit Queen's rise to the throne, this second installment in the saga focuses upon her struggles with both political and personal chaos. England is out of money and King Phillip II of Spain is about to war with the Brits over England's renunciation of Catholicism. Mary Stuart Queen of Scots (Samantha Morton) joins forces with Spain and extremist Jesuits against the Protestant Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett). The Queen's personal life includes pressure to marry and produce an heir and her growing feelings for hot and adventurous Sir Walter Raleigh (a gorgeous Clive Owen) who is falling for "Liz's" lady in waiting Beth (Abbie Cornish). The poor Queen can only live vicariously through observing their growing romance.

Video/Audio: Good transfer from this recent film. Colors in costumes, sets and flesh tones are rich and great to look at. All is clear and crisp here. Really nice, balanced mix on the sound as well. No complaints.

Special Features: There is a full "Commentary" by director Shekhar Kapur with lots of production info and how he researched history and bent it a bit for dramatic storytelling. "Deleted Scenes", eight of them, extend other scenes. You get a little more of the Mary Stuart doings and political maneuvering. There is also more of Raleigh and Elizabeth taking a long horseback ride.

In "The Reign Continues: Making Elizabeth: The Golden Age" you get the usual cast and crew interviews and we hear about why it was thought a good idea to return to tell more of the story. Nothing that new but okay. "Inside Elizabeth's World" focuses on the production design, with location visits and set construction. The story includes the famous England Vs. the Spanish Armada and in "Commanding the Winds: Creating the Armada" we get a look at the special effects work on the ship models and how they were made to look huge and fill an ocean. Kinda interesting. "Towers, Courts and Cathedrals" talks about filming the movie in real, historical locales. All these are interesting if not amazing.

Wrapping Up: The first Queen Elizabeth is quite a great example of early gurl power! This woman was a true leader in a very difficult position and Cate Blanchett's portrayal of her is an inspiration! This continuation of the Queen's saga shows us at what personal cost came her great achievements. Hey, and Clive Owen is hot enough by himself to merit a buy. This is a great DVD for your collection.

From Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Becoming Jane

This lush romantic film provides a possible, if not probable, glimpse into the early life of famous author Jane Austen. Late-teen or early 20-something, country mouse Jane falls for dashing city playboy Irish lawyer Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy). Back in the bad old days, young women from less fortunate families had to marry well and rarely for love. A wealthy nobleman wants Jane's hand but the very independent young woman wants to follow her heart and also become a novelist. This is fine with Lefroy who, bucking his rich uncle's push toward a more suitable match, chooses Jane. The two make plans to escape their unsavory romantic fates but, of course good sense and sacrifice gets in the way.

Video/Audio: A nice enhanced widescreen picture looks great. The colors of the theatrical release are a bit muted and they look the same here. Costumes, sets, locale and flesh tones all come out beautifully. The sound gives you a crisp version of the all-important dialogue and, the ambient noise of the bucolic countryside makes you just wanna go grab a copy of "Pride and Prejudice" and sit by a pond! Great.

Special Features: It's always fun to see the actors in period films in costume cavorting around with the filmmakers dressed in modern-day garb on set. You get some of this in "Discovering the Real Jane Austen" and Anne Hathaway speaks a lot about her life-long love of Austen's novels. She even did a college thesis paper on the author. I really enjoyed this featurette.

"Deleted Scenes" offers thirteen extended or omitted scenes. Nothing really new but a little more elaboration. Nice to watch. The "Commentary" with director, writer and producer is the usual production info stuff. This isn't exactly lively and might be a bit boring. Better if Anne or cute James McAvoy had commented! You can watch "Pop-Up Facts & Footnotes" that display more Austen facts in a little box with text. After you see the film once, turn this on for more Austen tidbits. Really nice feature.

Wrapping Up: This film is both a rich romance and a glimpse into the life of a famous author as well as a commentary on the period in which a woman was told to hold back her intelligence and marry well. Watching Anne as Jane totally bucking this tradition is really empowering entertainment. The DVD is great. I suggest a buy.

***

Lynn Barker is a Hollywood-based entertainment journalist and produced screenwriter.