Silly Thinking

STHT


For new and used DVD picks, you’ve come to the right place, here at Home Theatre.

1. One I saw recently is a true one of kind and one you may find interesting. “Spectres of The Spectrum” by Craig Baldwin. Using found footage from dumpsters of TV stations and schools plus anything else he could find, “Director” Baldwin glues the clips together into a kind of “Story” filled with left wing fringe politics and spiritual mumbojumbo. The result, particularly early on, is amateurish and grating but once you adjust to the pace and style and begin to look under the rhetoric narration the footage of educational TV programs and commercials and God knows what is interesting.

2. “The Station Agent” from last year is a little to self consciously trying to be a “quirky independent film” but the comedy- drama of a dwarf relocating to New Jersey and starting a new life amid a collection of rather sad people does communicate to our souls about judgment and acceptance. Peter Dinklage and Patricia Clarkson are in top form in complex and not very likable lead roles.

3. Visconti’s “The Leopard” is now available from Criterion. This masterwork has very rarely been seen in this country in the “director’s cut” version. Of course the entire 187 minute version in Italian is now here on DVD. It is a must see: One of Burt Lancaster’s greatest performances, the Homosexual “leanings” and particularly the Communist politics have always been cut out this country’s dubbed shorter versions. The climax of the film consists of a 45 minute ballroom scene which Visconti never topped. I highly (and happily) recommend this films to lovers of cinema and politics.

4. “50 First Dates” light comedy fluff with Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler is just alright. The Hawaiian scenery is beautiful and watch for Sean Astin to steal the film’s best comedy moments. I don’t know why the filmmakers decided to turn towards the more somber elements of the script and focus on the (mostly serious) side of the story for the last half hour. A comedy with no laughs for a third of it’s running time is not that great of a comedy by any measure. But it’s well meaning (I guess) and harmless.

5. “The A Team” Season One. For all the mouth breathers out there it’s finally here!

6. “Day Of The Locusts” is finally available on DVD. Exploring the darkest dark side of Hollywood as an analogy of America in the 30’s. John Schlesinger’s film is ruthless and rough. Stand out performances from Burgess Meredith and Donald Sutherland, plus the frightening sequence on the soundstage of a costume epic are riveting. Conrad Hall’s exquisite cinematography was nominated for an Oscar.

7. “Monk” Season One. The quirky “Columbo”- ish detective series starring the brilliant Tony Shaloub is here. Wash your hands before handling the DVD.

8. A new 15th Anniversary two disc set version “Field Of Dreams” is now available. Kevin Costner cements his “every man” Gary Cooper like screen persona here. I guess this DVD package proves that if you build it (every 5 years or so) they will come, again and again.

9. “Just Shoot Me” Seasons one and two. Now at 11 and a half hours you can enjoy? this NBC sit com starring David Spade and George Segal over and over again. Gee. That’s great?

10. “Paycheck”. The latest butchering of a sci-fi story by Phillip K. Dick is now out on DVD. This vapid, lifeless piece of shit stars Ben Affleck (or it might have been a large tree) and a largely orange colored Uma Thurman.

Well there you go. Remember, STWATCHES!