The latest releases of two icons of American independent film make it to DVD this week, and they couldn't be more different: QT's "Kill Bill, Vol. 1" tells a bloody, stylized tale of revenge while John Sayles' "Casa de los Babys" is a careful snapshot of the international adoption business. Also: the anime "Tokyo Godfathers," Ulrich Seidl's shocking "Dog Days" and "Eating Raoul."
1. Kill Bill: Volume 1
It's more than a movie. It's practically an event. Timed to arrive on DVD just days before Volume 2 hits the theaters, Quentin Tarantino's fourth film "Kill Bill Vol." is ready to spurt cranberry blood red images straight into your living room. Uma Thurman plays the leading role with fierce intensity. Chiaki Kuriyama will charm your socks off with her weapons mastery. Special features inclue a featurette "The Making of Kill Bill Vol. 1," and bonus musical performances.
2. Casa de los Babys
Indie auteur John Sayles explores the globalization of the adoption business. His impeccable ensemble cast of expectant mothers includes Maggie Gyllenhaal, Marcia Gay Harden, Lili Taylor, Mary Steenburgen, and Daryl Hannah.
3. Tokyo Godfathers
From anime master Satoshi Kon (Millenium Actress), comes this unusual work of Japanese animation. In modern-day Tokyo, three homeless people's lives are changed forever when they discover a baby girl at a garbage dump on Christmas Eve.4. Dog Days (Uncut Edition)
What is it about Austrians? When they're not pumping iron or running for governor overseas, apparently they abuse each other in their neatly-kept suburbs--and make highly disturbing movies. Images from Ulrich Seidl's will stay with you.