Top 10 DVD Releases for the week of January 13, 2003
Here are the best Independent and World Films on DVD for the week of January 13, 2003. Top 10 DVD Releases for the week of January 5, 2003
It's a good week for blizzards and DVDs: three new Criterion discs, dark comedies with Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz, and Renee Zellweger, and classics from Mexico, Germany, and the darkest Fifties. Top 10 Best Films of 2002
I loved the smaller of the small movies this year. No epic stories, no big budget productions, just compelling characters, beautiful faces, well-told stories, and for the most part, happy endings. Top 10 DVD Releases for the week of December 16, 2002
Truth be told, this is an odd week for new movies. Instead of a big batch of good Christmas cheer, the new releases are a scattershot bunch of the forgotten, the slightly strange, and the plain out weird. Consider this: Marissa Tomei in a time travel/alien romance "Happy Accidents," Sean Connery in one of the most bizarre sci-fi films ever, and a family of animatronics Disney bears. Top 10 DVD Releases for the week of December 9, 2002
Let them keep their "Goldenmembers" and "Widowmakers"-- we've got Brigitte Bardot and Parker Posey. Once again, I've dug out the ten best world and independent film releases that you might overlook at the store, where the shelves are cluttered with blockbusters. Top 10 DVD Releases for the week of December 2, 2002
There are few better things than curling up in front of a fantasy movie that will sweep you up. This week's DVD picks, including films by Hayao Miyazaki, Mel Brooks, and Lotte Reiniger, are poised to take your mind off the real world for hours at a time. Top 10 DVD Releases for the week of November 25, 2002
It's turkey week, and for those who'd rather read subtitles than listen to the jabber of football commentators, here are some heavy-hitting world film classics released this week, no doubt to go along with the heavy food. Top 10 DVD Releases for the week of November 18, 2002
It's a great week for ensemble casts. Whether down South with John Sayles or up in New York with John Tuturro, in Mamet's real estate office or onboard the animated spaceship "Bebop," ensembles rule. Only bad girl Margaret Cho is bucking the trend with her one-woman show, but I suppose that was to be expected of the notorious C.H.O. Top 10 DVD Releases for the week of November 18, 2002
It's a great week for ensemble casts. Whether down South with John Sayles or up in New York with John Tuturro, in Mamet's real estate office or onboard the animated spaceship "Bebop," ensembles rule. Only bad girl Margaret Cho is bucking the trend with her one-woman show, but I suppose that was to be expected of the notorious C.H.O. Top 7 Art House Musicals
Sometimes, people feel compelled to break out into song and dance. Here are the top films that demonstrate the best blend between terrific music and narrative. And no, "The Sound of Music" is not on this list. Top 10 Jürgen's World Film Essentials
OK, here they are, and without apologies: my favorites. I proudly present and heartily recommend the world films you can't afford to miss. Top 10 Hong Kong Action Flicks
Since "The Matrix" introduced Western audiences to wire-fu, it seems we can't get enough of the flying, leaping, gravity-defying antics of the Hong Kong action heroes. Top 10 British Comedies
British humor isn't exactly everybody's cup of tea, but those who enjoy it would have it no other way. Here's a list of essential English entertainment that could make the queen lose her wig. For my money, it's some of the funniest stuff ever committed to celluloid. We are amused, indeed! Top 8 French Comedies
French film has a bad rep for being talky and ponderous, and Americans' idea of the Gallic sense of humor usually involves misguided notions about Jerry Lewis. All the more reason to check out some geniunely side-splitting exports rather than the half-assed American remakes. Très rigolo! Top 10 Indie Film Soundtracks
No independent film can be truly hip and achieve cult status without a happening soundtrack. Where would Jim Jarmusch be without Screaming Jay Hawkins and John Lurie? With this list of top ten indie soundtracks, you, too, can be too cool for school. The ultimate mix is waiting for you. Top 6 DVD Releases for the week of November 10, 2002
With "Fellowship of the Ring" and "Attack of the Clones" released this week, the blockbusters are likely to steal the thunder from some of the much smaller and equally worthy art house films. Still, the extended version of Peter Jackson's Tolkien spectacle tops my list for the week. Top 6 Films by Peter Jackson
Before he shot to international notoriety with "The Lord of the Rings", New Zealand director Peter Jackson was known to world film aficionados as the auteur of such twisted, odd, and varied projects as "Heavenly Creatures," "Meet the Feebles," and "Bad Taste." Here are the can't-miss movies by the man who directs Frodo, Gandalf and Sauron. Top 10 Anti-War Movies
With the world once again poised at the brink of war, films can help to remind us of the pain, horror and waste of war. The best war movies rarely focus on the carnage and courage of the battlefield and instead tell stories about the people behind the front lines, regardless of their nationality. By emphasizing our common humanity, they make us reexamine what is worth fighting for--and what isn't. Top 10 New DVDs April 2002
Here is a very subjective round-up of the latest world and independent film releases, carefully gleaned from the stacks of review discs piling up by my door. These films have been subjected to rigorous late-night repeat watching and are recommended viewing for anybody for isn't holding their breath for their "Lord of the Rings" pre-order to come in. Top 5 New DVD Releases for the week of September 23, 2003
This week on DVD: John Malkovich's directorial debut and Alison Anders' indie classic "Gas Food Lodging." Also, folk music spoofs, murderous maids, and some Dogme. Top 10 Cult Films on DVD
Small budgets and a private vision often produce the hippest and edgiest stuff in filmmaking. For independent filmmakers like Jim Jarmusch and John Waters, every film is an instant cult favorite. If you can handle the violence, dark humor, soundtracks, freaks, and of course, all the love, here are the ten cult films you can't live without. Top 5 New DVD Releases for the week of September 16, 2003
It's a good week for John Sayles fans, marking the release of three early films by the American auteur. Also: Early Altman and Dustin Hoffman and Rachel Weisz in last year's underrated "Confidence." Top 5 New DVD Releases for the week of September 9, 2003
DVD enthusiasts: this is a great week for epic films. The David Lean Collection will keep you sated for countless hours. New releases also include an early Pedro Almodovar gem and the first film ever to be shot in one uninterrupted take. Top 5 New DVD Releases for the week of September 2, 2003
Struggling Maoris, doomed explorers, hot phone sex, sacred sperm, and Joe Stalin's illegitimate love child: this week's new DVDs cover a wildly eclectic range of subjects. Enjoy. Top 5 New DVD Releases for the week of August 25, 2003
From Frodo to Victor: this week's top DVD picks range from Peter Jackson's lavish production "The Lord of the Ring: The Two Towers" to Peter Sollett's small but lovely directorial debut "Raising Victor Vargas." | 