Charlize Theron makes her bid for action star in Aeon Flux, the feature version of the futuristic, cutting-edge animation series that ran for two seasons on MTV back in the mid-'90s. The film ( which opens this weekend ) wasn't screened for the critics ( never a good sign ) and bloggers are already calling this Theron's Catwoman, comparing it to the Halle Berry campfest. But the trailer looks cool, Frances McDormand has a part in it and so does hunk Marton Csokas ( who played crazy and romanced Natasha Richardson earlier this year in Asylum ) , and I'm a sucker for these sci-fi action flicks ( I have the distinction, I think, of being the only film critic who liked Alien vs. Predator ) . It will also be nice to see Theron in full-tilt glamazon drag after the drudgery of the earnest but distinctly unglamorous North Country ( and her award-winning turn in Monster ) . There's another reason to see the screen version: to compare it to the original version that I have a mad crush on. It's the first of a few more of my DVD gift recommendations for the holidays, broken down as follows:
FOR ACTION FIGURES:
After sampling Paramount Home Video's new release, Aeon Flux—The Complete Animated Collection ( 1995 ) , my appetite has indeed been whetted. I fell for Aeon, the super foxy, mostly silent secret agent when she first appeared as part of MTV's cutting-edge animation series, 'Liquid Television' back in the early '90s. This 3-disc set contains a few of those few short segments and all the episodes from the half-hour series in which Aeon's always out to topple her nemesis, the evil ruler Trevor Goodchild. How can you not love a heroine so tough she traps unsuspecting flies between her eye lashes? Lots of great extras on the set as well.
Batman Begins ( 2005 ) , Warner's terrific prequel to the Batman series, stars mega-hunk Christian Bale ( who played bi-curious in Velvet Goldmine ) in the title role. This guy doesn't even need the fake rubber six-pack—though he wears a version of it. The movie comes in either a two-disc edition with the usual assortment of behind-the-scenes featurettes or a movie-only disc. It's a good start on a future boxed set, and it makes a great 'appetizer' for that Batman Anthology boxed set I recently recommended.
FOR SHOWTUNE QUEENS:
Not only was it Julie Andrews day recently in Chicago, but it's Julie Andrews Special Edition time for many of her movies. Up first, of course, is The Sound of Music ( 1965 ) in a two-disc edition of the Rogers & Hammerstein classic that celebrates the 40th year of the film. Can it really be that long since Julie, Christopher Plummer and all those kids, dressed in clothes she made out of the curtains, harmonized so sweetly? Aside from a gorgeous re-master of the film ( it's never looked better ) , there's tons of Julie ( she introduces the film, reunites with Plummer, participates in a new documentary and offers commentary, etc. ) and a cute featurette on the Sing-a-Long sensation that's oh so gay ( rightly so ) . To cap things off, this version adds subtitles to the musical numbers so you can have your own sing-a-long.
Paramount has also released a special edition of Darling Lili ( 1970 ) , the big flop Mata Hari-type spy musical ( and inspiration for S.O.B. ) that paired Julie with Rock Hudson. The film's harsh reputation is undeserved—it's got some beautiful songs by Henry Mancini ( 'Whistling in the Dark' was Oscar nominated ) , gorgeous Rock in manly mode, and though a mite long ( OK—much too long ) , has an offbeat charm. This disc contains a whopping hour of deleted scenes.
Rogers & Hammerstein have two more classics in special anniversary releases in two-disc versions: Oklahoma ( 1955 ) and State Fair ( 1945 AND 1962 ) . Both these are must haves for any serious fan of the musical genre. I can't say enough about the sublime casting of Oklahoma—from R&H discovery Shirley Jones as Laurie, Gordon MacRae as perhaps the perfect Curly, Charlotte Greenwood as Aunt Eller and Gloria Grahame sweetly sexy as the minx Ado Annie, the girl who just 'kent say no.' Simultaneous versions were shot in Cinemascope ( which I prefer ) and Todd-AO and both are included ( along with the sing-a-long subtitles ) in this 50th anniversary edition. I wish a new 'making-of documentary' had been added, however—though that's a minor complaint. I still think this is the greatest of the R&H shows ( and best movie ) —with every song and dance ( by the glorious Agnes DeMille ) proof of that. I like the film's deliberate, easy-going pace. The 60th anniversary edition of State Fair gives us both the Jeanne Crain-Dana Andrews ( with that beautiful 1940s era Technicolor ) and its 1962 remake ( with the unbelievably sexy Pat Boone—yes, Pat Boone, hellcat hussy deluxe Ann Margret and Bobby Darin ) . Both films have their charms ( Crain's dubbed version of 'It Might As Well Be Spring' is very sweet in the earlier while Margret rips the roof off in her solo numbers in the latter ) , and this one has a great making-of documentary that covers both films ( and an earlier, non-musical version ) .
GAY AND GAY-RELATED CINEMA:
I think über queer filmmaker Gregg Araki's Mysterious Skin, recently released by TLA, has the most heartbreaking final scene of the year. The beautifully shot and dreamily scored movie that precedes it is tough going in its horrific look at child abuse, and its long-term affects on its victims, are made all the more painful by a great cast headed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. For those looking for something intense and serious, this is the thought-provoking film for you. There's a nice assortment of extras on the disc as well.
The multitude of characters that are featured, Robert Altman-style, in Happy Endings find anything but that. This trippy little black comedy-drama from out writer-director Don Roos follows a loosely interconnected group ( including both a gay and lesbian couple ) and has a cast headed by Lisa Kudrow ( who turns in an excellent performance ) , Jesse Bradford, Maggie Gyllenhaal and, in a surprise twist, Tom Arnold. Fans of Roos' film The Opposite of Sex ( I'm a big one ) will appreciate this complex character study. Deleted scenes, director's commentary, etc. are added to the disc, out now from Lions Gate.
Finally, though Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from Warner home video isn't exactly gay ( suggestions that Johnny Depp's performance in the leading role was Michael Jackson inspired aside ) . But though Depp's work here gives one a bit of a toothache, this sugar rush of a movie is Tim Burton's most satisfying work since Edward Scissorhands. I recommend the two-disc version as it includes interesting behind-the-scenes docs on the eye-popping scenic design of the movie and a nice feature on the book's writer, the mad literary genius Roald Dahl. And collectors will love those one-of-a-kind trading cards.
