After a few dry weeks, the DVD shelves should have far more options for the discerning viewer this week. In addition to the sterling collection of Criterions hitting shelves as part of the Arthouse Collections II we’ve talked about here that include the likes of “Ikiru” and “The 400 Blows,” older Alfred Hitchcock films will hit the format as well in “The Lodger,” “The Paradine Case” and “Sabotage.” The real find must be Roy Andersson’s “You, The Living.” The Swedish filmmaker made his name with the surrealist masterpiece “Songs From The Second Floor” and a release for “Living” has been long anticipated by cinephiles, even if it is Region 2. It’s said to be even more bewildering than his previous work, so there’s reason for excitement. Special features for this one only include TV commercials by Andersson himself and a trailer, but Andersson’s work speaks for itself.
If you’re looking for something a little newer, this week sees the release of Spike Lee’s unfairly maligned “Miracle At St. Anna” (no extras- c’mon, guys) and Oliver Stone’s similarly regarded “W.” Oscar nominee Melissa Leo gets her moment in the DVD sun with “Frozen River” hitting disc, while less discerning viewers can opt for the Richard Gere-Diane Lane weepie “Nights In Rodanthe” or Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac in “Soul Men.” Meanwhile, fans of tongue-in-cheek martial arts will be in heaven- in addition to the ridiculous-sounding “Extreme Edition” of Jean Claude Van Damme’s “Street Fighter” being released, there’s the muy-thai action hit “Chocolate” (or “Ong Bak: The Female Version”) or Danny McBride’s martial arts-themed film debut, “The Foot Fist Way.”
In Blu-Ray releases, David Cronenberg’s “A History Of Violence” hits the format, as does Martin Scorsese’s flawless “Raging Bull” and Oscar winner “Amadeus.” The extras seem to be ported over from recent DVD releases, so not something to jump up and down about, but “Raging Bull”‘s black and white photography is sure to stun in the format. Cult hit “Donnie Darko” also gets ported over, while less demanding people can finally enjoy the worst film ever made, “The Boondock Saints,” on Blu-Ray.