‘The Darjeeling Limited’
Three American brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrian Brody, and Jason Schwartzman) who have not spoken to each other in a year set off on a train voyage across India with a plan to find themselves and rekindle their lost bond. This spiritual quest, however, veers rapidly off-course at which point a new journey begins. The picture was directed by Wes Anderson (”The Royal Tenenbaums,” “Rushmore,” “Bottle Rocket”). (Fox) ‘This Sporting Life’
This stark, realistic drama is one of the finest films to ever come out of British cinema. Richard Harris explodes in a fury, an ape of a man, prone to expression primarily on a physical level as a miner-turned-rugby player locked in a losing romantic pursuit of a widow (Rachel Roberts) who is emotionally unreachable. Both were nominated for Academy Awards. Supplements abound in this two-disc presentation including assorted features profiling acclaimed director Lindsay Anderson who made his feature film debut here. (Image/Criterion) ‘Beowulf’ Director’s Cut Director Robert Zemeckis (”Back to the Future” trilogy, “Cast Away”) presents a digitally-enhanced live-action world of fierce battlegrounds in ancient times. Former amateur boxer and Emmy-winner, Roy Winstone stars as Beowulf, a warrior who must fight and defeat a terrorizing monster and its revengeful mother. Co-stars include Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich, and Robin Wright Penn. Extra materials include a look at the film’s character design, artwork, and deleted scenes (Paramount) ‘In the Heat of the Night’ 40th Anniversary Edition Winner of five Academy Awards including Best Picture, this is an intense examination of race relations. When Philadelphia homicide detective (Sidney Poitier) visits his mother in the rural south, he is mistakenly arrested for the murder of a white man simply because of the color of his skin. Bonus materials include a look at movie-making in the ‘60s, film music with Quincy Jones, and assorted cast and crew commentary. (MGM) The Cary Grant Collection The Hollywood icon is joined by a bevy of stars in this four picture comedy presentation from the late ‘50s and early ‘50s through Republic Pictures. Co-starring with Cary Grant are Ingrid Bergman in “Indiscreet,” Tony Curtis and Dina Merrill in the WWII laugher “Operation Petticoat,” “That Touch of Mink” (nominated for three Oscars) with Doris Day, and “The Grass is Greener” with Deborah Kerr, Jean Simmons, and Robert Mitchum. (Lionsgate) ‘America at War’
From the first musket shots at Lexington and Concord to the precision-guided munitions in modern day Baghdad, over 30 hours of documentaries on 14 discs explore in depth our nation’s involvement in war for over two centuries. Noted historians, military authorities, engineers, scholars, and war correspondents with the support of a treasure trove of footage convey the personal side of conflict. Presented chronologically the American Revolution, the Alamo, the Civil War, WWI, WWII, as well as the Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War and Iraq War are detailed in this megaset. (A&E) ‘Soul Food’ The Third Season All 20 episodes on this five-set collection revolves around the lives of the Joseph sisters. Storylines include relatable issues such as rocky relationships, stressful jobs, kids in peril, and assorted family crisis. Based on the 1997 film, overall this is a well-written series providing a more realistic look at the give-and-take of personal relationships. (Paramount) The All New Super Friends’ Season One Vol. 1 Batman, Robin, Superman, Wonder Woman and Aquaman save our imperiled world throughout 28 cartoon adventures. This volume includes the debut of Wonder Twins Zan and Jayna who are joined by their mischievous blue space monkey, Gleek. Each episode features magic tricks and decoder games. A retrospective feature and the origins of the guest stars are also part of the two-disc package. (Warner Bros) RANDY WILLIAMS
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 22, 2008. Read the original PDF.