THIS WEEK’S TWIN PEEKS:
DESCENT
2007; DVD $26.95, R/NC-17
NOT the recent chick-flick horror-caving adventure! Beautiful Rosario Dawson has another sort of spelunking in mind in this twisted tale of sex, violence, sex, throbbing music, sex and more sex. After a chaste courtship turns ugly, she becomes detached and mentally unbalanced, fascinated by the same college nightclub scene that lead to her victimization. There she meets a street-hardened DJ (Marcus Patrick). Is he her salvation or the ultimate curse? The NC-17 version contains a vicious violation scene that is essential to the plot.
THE BRAVE ONE
2007; DVD $28.95-$35.95, R
Jodie Foster picks up Charles Bronson’s fallen banner and kicks bad-guy heinie in this chick-flick revenge film that is far better than it has to be — largely because of Foster. She is a successful NYC radio host who yabbers on about forgiveness, tenderness and love until she and her fiancé are attacked. He dies; she gets a gun; street scum body count rises. Her anonymous actions make her a public hero, while a determined cop/friend hones in on her savage alter-ego. But are they really trying to stop her?
2 DAYS IN PARIS
2007; DVD $27.95, R
Julie Delpy wrote, produced, edited, scored and directed this adult comedy co-starring Adam Goldberg about a dysfunctional couple trying to rekindle their romance on a trip through Europe to visit her parents — and way too many of her overly-friendly ex-boyfriends. The gag about French condoms being too small is a killer.
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
2007; DVD $28.95-$38.95, PG-13
A genre-busting rock musical that revisits — and re-writes — the ’60s via the music of The Beatles. Londoner Jim Sturgess heads for America where he finds social upheaval and Evan Rachel Wood (no bad thing there) amid Greenwich Village’s anti-war movement. But the real star is the music; as alive and vibrant as any character on the screen. We guarantee you’ll watch it twice in a row.
ALL IN
2006; DVD $24.95, R
Dominique Swain and Michael Madsen — which should tell you all you need to know — join with Louis Gossett Jr. and James Russo in this fun “Ocean’s 11”-inspired caper set at the World Series of Poker.
DANGEROUS WORRY DOLLS
2007; DVD $19.95, UR
Silly gore-hounds take note: The latest puppet-based murder-and-mayhem offering from the always aromatic Charles Band and Full Moon Pictures.
ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE
2007; DVD $29.95-$39.95, PG-13
Cate Blanchett once again plays Elizabeth I, same dame as in her 1998 powerhouse “Elizabeth,” this one with Geoffrey Rush and Clive Owen. Both are good movies, we just thought it was too soon.
EVIL TOONS 15TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
2008; DVD $14.95, R
A welcome re-issue of this damned-silly and highly entertaining Fred Olen Ray titty-spooker. David Carradine, Arte Johnson, Michelle Bauer and the incomparable Dick Miller (who watches himself in “A Bucket of Blood” on the TV!) co-star behind four comely lasses — including Monique Gabrielle — hired to clean an old house … in their nighties! Then a cartoony wolf-demon possesses one of the girls and sets out to kill the rest. Fun, fun, fun!
GREAT WORLD OF SOUND
2007; DVD $26.95, R
You’re never sure if you are watching a doc, a movie or actual events in this clever and savage look at … well, you tell us. A young man answers an ad to become a record producer, no experience necessary. But it all seems to be a scam, asking him to pay for his training. When he protests, they hire him to “recruit” others — to his profit — and the line between truth and marketing becomes comfortably blurred. But are they all scammers, victims or entrepreneurs? A lot of fun.
IMITATION OF LIFE
2007; DVD $26.95, UR
First filmed in 1934 with Claudette Colbert, and then again as a true cinema masterpiece in 1959 with Lana Turner, this is the provocative and moving story of a black woman whose light-skinned daughter “passes” for white to the horror of her family. This special edition contains both films; part of the Universal Legacy Series.
ROCKET SCIENCE
2007; DVD $27.95, R
A wonderfully adult look at life — though some have discarded it as an overgrown after-school special about stuttering — starring Reece Thompson as an unhappy, yet quietly brilliant, high-schooler who pines for fresh-faced bundle of boobs Anna Kendrick. She heads the debate team and surprises everyone by suggesting stutterer Thompson join the team.
ROMEO & JULIET: A MONKEY’S TALE
2007; DVD $14.95, UR
From the Animal Planet. How can this not be great fun?
THE APARTMENT
1960; DVD $19.95, UR
Billy Wilder’s savage, multi-Oscar-winning comedy, finally available on DVD in a clean, crisp Collector’s Edition. Nebbishy Jack Lemmon climbs the corporate ladder by lending his door-key to philandering co-workers for their extramarital trysts. But he becomes too involved after returning home to find boss Fred MacMurray’s mistress, Shirley MacLaine. One of the best comedies ever made, hands down.
THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD
2007; DVD $27.95-$35.95, R
A Brad Pitt “Oscar film”: something the studios don’t consider marketable to the general public, so they make it at a loss in a bid to win awards. Their faith in us is underwhelming. Pitt plays James; Casey Affleck plays the 19-year-old gang-member who shoots him. With Sam Shepard, Mary-Louise Parker, Jeremy Renner, Paul Schneider, Sam Rockwell and Zooey Deschanel.
THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB
2007; DVD $26.95-$38.95, PG-13
Kathy Baker, Maria Bello, Emily Blunt, Amy Brenneman and Maggie Grace lust after Jimmy Smits, Kevin Zegers, Marc Blucas from “Buffy,” etc., in this romantic chick-comedy that, if you reversed the sexes, would be considered sleazy. But aren’t they just cute as kittens?
TUROK: SON OF STONE
2007; DVD $19.95, UR
Animated version of a childhood comic book fave. Native Americans Turok and brother Andar become trapped in a valley populated by “honkers” (dinosaurs), where they have savage pulp-novel adventures.
WEIRDSVILLE
2007; DVD $26.95, R
Wonderfully wacky tale that lives up to its name about a slacker whose girlfriend accidentally ODs on stolen drugs, but while trying to hide her body he’s discovered by a cult of would-be Satan worshippers who need it for a ritual. When the owner of the drugs crashes the party, they‘re all rescued by a group of medieval knight-midgets. It gets weird from there. May be hard to find but worth the effort.
OTHER DVDS OF INTEREST
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: THE THIRD SEASON
1987; DVD $50.95, UR
DIRTY JOBS: COLLECTION 2
2006; DVD $19.95, UR
LEGION OF SUPERHEROES: VOLUME 2
2006; DVD $14.95, UR
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL: THE COMPLETE SERIES
2007; DVD $29.95, UR
TOOTSIE 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
1982; DVD $19.95, PG/R
A more complete listing and free vids at www.videotapeworm.com!