Who doesn't love DVD's? Who doesn't wants lots and lots of DVD's this year? A few recommendations from someone's who's getting and giving lots and lots of just those. Note: some of these DVDs won't be released until Dec. 12-14.
FOR THE 'CINENEASTE' ( Those SERIOUS About Their Movies ) :
When it comes to the DVD format, no one does it better or takes it more seriously than The Criterion Collection, and they've done it again with their absolutely spectacular Fanny and Alexander Special Edition 5 Disc-Set. This is the 1983 final feature from legendary Swedish director Ingmar Bergman that won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film and this lively, magical masterwork is the culmination of his marvelous career. It follows the upper-class theatrical Ekdahl family at the turn of the 19th century through the eyes of 10-year-old Alexander. This set includes the three-hour theatrical version ( which can be viewed dubbed in English—perfect for my partner Jim who hates subtitles ) and the five-hour version that Bergman preferred ( it was originally shown on Swedish television ) . As much as I've loved the three-hour release ( and I saw it five times in 1983 ) , I've waited 20 years to see this longer version and it elevates this masterpiece to new heights.
The exquisitely shot and appointed film finally being released would be enough of a Christmas present, but the inclusion of multiple extras—including a brand-new update with cast members and a never-seen 1984 Swedish TV interview with the director—are extra gifts. A separate, full-length, very creative 'Making of' documentary ( directed by Bergman ) is also included. This for me is the DVD release of the year.
Criterion has also done a spectacular job on improv-impressario director Robert Altman's justly praised Short Cuts. This 1993 backhanded homage to Los Angeles, culled from the short stories of Raymond Carver ( smartly included with this set ) , reaffirmed Altman's return to brilliant filmmaking and gives his masterwork, Nashville, a run for its money. The huge cast includes Lily Tomlin, Robert Downey, Jr., Julianne Moore ( yes the infamous shot of her naked below the waist is here—and a funny story from Altman about it ) and Jack Lemmon. In addition to the book, there are hours of extras including a full-length 'Making of' documentary, a PBS bio on Raymond Carver and original music demos by Dr. John. Happily, the glorious songs ( 'To Hell With Love' among them ) sung by jazz mistress Annie Ross, can be heard on a separate track. This is nicely paired with another Altman/Criterion release from earlier in the year. 1977's 3 Women includes one of Sissy Spacek's greatest performances and she is more than matched by goofball Shelley Duvall. The film, which has a subtle—and then overt—feminist undertone, is at times comic, dark, and then head-scratchingly bizarre. It was a financial failure and never got released on video and though the disc only includes an Altman commentary, it's quite insightful and the movie looks great with a typical perfectionist Criterion transfer.
Kino, which specializes in silent movies, has released a trio of fascinating gay-themed movies from Germany that should satisfy the pickiest of cinema snobs: Different From The Others, Michael and Sex In Chains are amazing early proof of The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name and I want to go to the next party of the person who puts them on their Christmas list.
FOR THE CLASSIC MOVIE QUEEN:
Gone With The Wind at last gets the spectacular treatment that it deserves with this exhaustive, 4-disc special edition that includes a recreation of the Atlanta premiere booklet that is a hilarious example of producer David Selznick's typical hyperbole. The feisty but sweet ( a great personality combination ) Olivia deHavilland, Melanie in the film, is on hand to Have Her Say in a newly produced reminiscence as well.
The Fox Classic Series from 20th Century Fox is one of my favorites. Each of the releases is meticulously restored and features insightful supporting material. The latest in the series, the peppy How To Steal A Million from 1966 is decidedly less than the original collaboration between star Audrey Hepburn and director William Wyler, Roman Holiday. But this art theft caper comedy with co-star Peter O'Toole isn't half bad, has a delightful, early score by 'Johnny' Williams and the disc includes the full-length Biography channel documentary on Hepburn and an interesting commentary by Wyler's daughter, and co-star Eli Wallach. Many of the films in the series can now be bought in double-feature gift packs at budget prices. I'm buying my partner the set with two of his favorite big-time weepers: the Barbara Stanwyck-Clifton Webb Titanic and An Affair to Remember with Cary Grant-Deborah Kerr, but he never reads my column so he won't know about it until he opens his presents.
TV SHOW JUNKIES:
Ladies—Showtime has released Season One of The L Word in a deluxe, 5-disc set with more extras than you can shake your moneymaker at—including a puppet show ( ! ) by the cast.
For those who like their gay men of a certain girth and unabashedly, insistently naked, Fox brings us the return of Richard Hatch and his other instant millionaires in the 4-disc Survivor All Stars. I actually found this boxed set—which has oodles of reality stuff—a lot more fun than I'd imagined.
Speaking of sagging flesh, Season One of the glorious Golden Girls is finally here. The only extra is a 'fashion commentary' by Melissa Rivers ( huh? ) that is perhaps more annoying than some of those below-the-belt cracks from Estelle Getty at Bea Arthur's expense. Now that Lifetime has messed with their schedule, it's nice to have Rose, Dorothy, Blanche, and Sophia whenever we want them.
SHOW TUNES GALORE:
The recent PBS 3-part documentary Broadway: The America Musical is a must-have for not just the theatrically inclined, but those who love American history. Lots of fabulous extras—including more glimpses of Chicago-bound, Broadway favorite Wicked, and a fascinating rehearsal from Sondheim's Pacific Overtures that is priceless.
This is sensibly paired with the single disc, but packed to the gills Broadway: The Golden Age, the spectacular one-man documentary from filmmaker Rick McKay. The more than 100 Broadway legends who were there are indeed here—and the DVD includes a whole new crop of legends in the making and a 40-minute peek at the sequel, Broadway: The Next Generation.
Julie Andrews, busy narrating the PBS documentary, wasn't able to participate in McKay's film, but hearing that lovely voice via the Camelot and My Fair Lady footage made me nostalgic for her Oscar-winning performance in Mary Poppins. In honor of the film's 40th anniversary, Disney has released a beautifully packaged 2-disc set that's great for fans of the film and those that have been yearning ( as I have ) for a Julie and Dick Van Dyke reunion ( there's a nice bit with them at the piano with music composer Richard Sherman ) .
That's Entertainment! The Complete Collection is a must-have for any lover of MGM movie musicals and this 4-disc collection includes a whopping five hours of bonus material. Three words: Judy, Judy, Judy.
COMEDY FOR QUEERS ( OKAY, STRAIGHTS, TOO ) :
Second City Television—SCTV for those not in the know—was the funniest TV show ever ( 'sez me ) —and it was unfairly overshadowed by the early seasons of SNL. How can you not love a cast that includes Catherine O'Hara, Andrea Martin, Eugene Levy, Martin Short, and Rick Moranis? Never released on video due to music licensing problems, Lola Heatherton, Edith Prickley, Bobby Bittman, Count Floyd, and the rest are finally, joyously here. Volumes 1 and 2 ( each has 9 discs! ) will be joined by Volume 3 in the Spring. Copious comedic extras.
Now that Dame Edna is SRO on Broadway again, isn't it time that you showed Aunt Vivian what all the fuss is about? Give her the Dame Edna Experience ( a collection of her TV specials ) or the Dame Edna Experience ( the Christmas collection ) . Not unlike Mary Poppins, Dave Edna is Practically Perfect in Every Way, Possums!
FOR FRIGHT NIGHT FAGOLA FANS ( OR ENOUGH WITH THE ILLITERATION ALREADY ) :
Often unfairly compared with The Twilight Zone, Rod Serling's Night Gallery ( Season 1 ) is a must for fans of the creepy and uncomfortable—and includes the renowned Steven Spielberg-directed Joan Crawford segment from the show's pilot, 'Eyes.'
Certain of Stephen King's miniseries for ABC—The Stand, Storm of the Century, and Rose Red—often play much better on DVD than they do without the constant commercial interruptions and waits for Part 17 which is on 'two weeks from tonight.' The 4-disc Kingdom Hospital is perhaps the best example of that and this is a great series to watch with the lights off—curled up with someone who loves to scare you to death. Nice little extras too.
Here is yet another plug for the creepy, sexy, fabulous Catherine Denevue-David Bowie-Susan Sarandon new-wave vampire flick The Hunger finally on DVD. The disc has no extras but is a must until the Special Edition arrives for any red-blooded lesbian—or female voyeur. Gia, the bio of the late supermodel-druggie-lesbian which introduced us to Ms. Jolie and those lips, isn't a bad add to that pile either, and arrives in a new Unrated Edition with extra shots of … Ms. Jolie.
ACTION FIGURES:
The Star Wars Trilogy is finally on DVD, so do some good this holiday and force the force on someone, OK? No matter how much tinkering George Lucas has done, these are still the boilerplate for action flicks and are lots of fun. And at last … the arrival of the Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Special Edition with the bonus 50-minutes of footage. We'll finally get to see Ian McKellen as Gandalf kick Saruman ( perhaps literally ) off his pedestal. And did I mention Viggo Mortensen? I didn't? Viggo Mortensen. Viggo Mortensen. Viggo Mortensen.
MOVIE RELATED:
I love pretty much anything that Chronicle Books puts out. They're the San Francisco-based publishers of all those clever 'Worst Survival' handbooks and those cool, retro-looking tomes you find at places like Zee Gallery and Restoration Hardware. Now they've released The Queer Movie Poster Book by queer film historian Jenni Olson that has over 150 shots of poster art from 40 years of gay movies. The book has a feast of male and female beauties like Mariel Hemingway in Personal Best and is artfully designed—in typical Chronicle fashion.
TLA also has a hunky 2005 Movie Calendar out with still shots from many of their hot-and-bothered gay releases, among them Latter Days, The Fluffer and The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me. The calendar also features important dates of queer interest—like Marlene Dietrich's birthday ( Dec. 27 ) !
