This week's top releases include Polish filmmaker Andrzej Wajda's "War Trilogy," Vittorio De Sica's comic romp "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," and Sean Penn in "The Assassination of Richard Nixon."
1. Andrzej Wajda War Trilogy
The Criterion Collection releases Wajda's three remarkable films about the Polish resistance and the aftermath of WWII - "A Generation," "Kanal" and "Ashes and Diamonds." The 3-disc set also includes Wajda's 1951 student short film "Ceramics from Ilza," several interview with Wadja, commentary tracks by film scholars, and more.
2. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Directed by acclaimed Italian filmaker Vittorio De Sica ("The Bicyle Thief") and costumed by Christian Dior, "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" features international film legends Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni. Winner of the Academy Award Best Foreign Language Film in 1964, this comic trilogy is not to be missed.
3. The Assassination of Richard Nixon
Sean Penn plays Sam Bicke, a man inspired by the real life Samuel Byck, a would-be revolutionary whose assassination plot against Richard Nixon was ended before it even got off the ground. Don Cheadle, Jack Thompson, Michael Wincott, Mykelti Williamson, and Naomi Watts co-star.4. Undertow
David Gordon Green's third film finds the critically acclaimed indie director ("All The Real Girls," "George Washington") trying his hand at a new genre. This time, Green ups the dramatic ante by thrusting his dreamy characters into the world of an action-packed thriller set in the Gothic South. Jamie Bell, Dermot Mulroney, Joshua Lucas, Devon Allen, and Shiri Appleby star.5. Noam Chomsky: Rebel Without A Pause
Will Pascoe's compelling documentary offers some key speeches from Noam Chomsky, most of which revolve around the themes of the post-9/11 world as well as some fascinating appraisals of his character from friends, his wife Carol, colleagues, and fans.