Icy-cold concert pianists, hard-as-rock drug dealers, and intellectual crossword puzzlers are the subjects of our three favorite DVD releases of the week. Koch Lorber has restored French romance Un Couer en Hiver; the dark Dutch crime trilogy Pusher is out in a three disc box set. For lighter fare, try the charming crossword documentary Wordplay.
1. Un Coeur En Hiver
In Claude Sautet's newly restored romantic drama Un Coeur En Hiver, Daniel Auteil and Andre Dussolier vie for Emmanuelle Beart's affection. The talky love triangle about a concert pianist and two violin restorers draws you in slowly and keeps you in its grasp. And if all the talk loses you from time to time -- you'll be spellbound by Beart's transcendent beauty.
2. Pusher Trilogy
This dark, edgy crime trilogy out of Denmark should not be missed. If ever you had any abiding interest in the Eastern European underworld of drug dealers and crime lords, Nicolas Winding Refn's films will open your eyes. The box set includes Pusher (1996), Pusher II: With Blood on My Hands (2004) and Pusher III: I'm the Angel of Death. (2005)
3. Wordplay
Director Patrick Creadon has capitalized on the crossword puzzle phenomenon with the film Wordplay, a genial documentary based around longstanding New York Times puzzle contributor Will Shortz and his devoted followers. Celebrity puzzlers include Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, Jon Stewart, Ken Burns, Mike Mussina and the Indigo Girls. The DVD is loaded with special features including The 5 Unforgettable Puzzles Ever and Wordplay Goes to Sundance Featurettes.