The FILMGAZETTE

HOME | REVIEWS | FEATURES | LINKS | ABOUT US | CONTACT

SPECIAL FEATURE
DVD & VIDEO REVIEWS
by Veronica Mixon June 20, 2003
	Deliver Us From Eva Universal Home Video - Imagine one woman standing in the way of what you want. Three guys face this problem and hire Ray (LL Cool J), a blue-collar meat delivery man to romance the tough-as nails restaurant inspector, Eva (Gabrielle Union). What seems simple -- she falls in love and stop meddling into her sisters' lives -- turns out to be a problem. Ray ends up in love and dead! This raucous comedy starring some of the hottest up-and-coming actors in the movies will tickle your funny bone. Gabrielle Union ("Bring It On") and LL Cool J ("Deep Blue") are hip, sexy and charming. The disc includes director commentary, a behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes and music videos of LL Cool J and K-Ci & JoJo.
	Giant Warner Brothers Home Video - An epic movie of enormous beauty and cinematic historical value. Texas is as much a star as Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean. Taylor stars as out-spoken young socialite from a fancy Eastern family who falls in love with a wealthy landowner. When she marries him and moves to Texas, she has difficulty adjusting to the Western male-dominated lifestyle and the harsh racist politics. The love basic story between Taylor and Hudson is fine but upon viewing this film, it proves somewhat less enthralling than you imagined. I think the film could have been edited and tightened. Today's young audience may lose patience with the film but everyone should note that this is still an incredible achievement. Director George Stevens boldly introduces an independent woman and deals with the crushing racism that was so pervasive in the United States. There is also a marvelous secondary plot involving the clash between cattle barons and the newly oil rich. Hudson's sister leaves Dean a small parcel and he becomes one of the wealthiest men in Texas. Also, while Taylor, Hudson and Dean are marvelous as they struggle with their character's obsessions, it is especially heart-warming to see Hudson gradually change with the times when he's forced to defend his Mexican grandson. Other classic 1950s stars appearing in the film are Sal Mineo, Jane Withers, Carroll Baker, Chill Wills, Mercedes McCambridge and Dennis Hopper. The two discs include a documentary "George Stevens: Filmmakers Who Knew Him," audio commentary by film critic Stephen Farber & George Stevens Jr.; footage of the NY premiere, project newsreel, "Behind the Cameras" segments, trailers and much, much more. You will not be disappointed because this DVD is not only entertaining but educational.
	Swimming Sundance Channel Home Entertainment - One of the best coming-of-age movies that you'll ever experience. Lauren Ambrose, the star of HBO's "Six Feet Under," stars as a young woman who is out-of-step with her easy-going, funny, loving beach community where she grew up. She is ripe for experience of any kind -- love, betrayal, jaw-dropping and two drifters provide that for her. Slowly, she realizes her value and her self-worth blossoms. Lauren Ambrose is wonderful and you'll find this quiet slice of life film a charmer! The disc includes a commentary by the director, deleted scenes and "snapshot dairy" from the Sundance Film Festival.

	Old School Dreamworks Home Entertainment - An instant comic classic! When Mitch's (Luke Wilson) relationship ends and he moves next to a college campus, his two pals (Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn) convince him that starting a frat house will help to forget his troubles. Soon they are an out-of-control frat that everyone wants to join and the college wants to tank. Laugh out loud funny, this film will either remind you of your college days! While Wilson and Vaughn are good, it's "Saturday Night Live" star Will Ferrell who steals the show. He's awesome as a poor slob who wants to re-live his youth. The DVD has loads of extras including hilarious bloopers & outtakes, hysterical deleted scenes, commentary from the stars and director, and outrageous featurettes. This is funny, funny stuff!
	Just Married Paramount Pictures - An You almost feel guilty watching this funny tale of battling newlyweds since the two stars feel in love during the making of the movie and the press chronicled their entire romance. While the newlyweds managed to live with their differences, Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy unfortunately, did not. However, the movie is a little treat. You'll laugh out loud as they stumble through every honeymoon cliche. Very, very cute!
	Biker Boyz Universal Home Entertainment - Clearly meant to capitalize on the popularity of "The Fast and the Furious," this boyz biker flick is super hip and super thin in plot. Laurence Fishburne, Orlando Jones and newcomer Derek Luke star in this tale about urban bikers who challenger each other on the weekend. Of course youngster Luke intends to challenge grand champion Fishburne. Unfortunately, despite a wonderfully large cast, there is little character development. However, fans of fast cars might love this movie that also stars shiny, fast Kawasaki & Suzuki bikes. The disc includes a behind the scenes documentary hosted by Jones, deleted scenes and trailer.
	Animatrix Warner Brothers Home Entertainment - A dark, violent visionary world of CG-animation and Japanese anime from the most revered anime directors including Andy Jones, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Shinichiro Watanabe and Mahiro Maeda. This is a prequel to The Matrix and fans will learn about the war with the machines and mankind's ultimate downfall. This DVD will feed your hunger for answers and information about this fascinating world. The quality of the work is good but the effectiveness of this created world may vary. "The Kid" where a youngster begins to question 'reality' and "World Record" about a track star whose talent disrupts the Matrix are especially good. The DVD includes a making of documentary for each film, the history and culture of amine, directors commentaries and biographical information. You won't be disappointed!
	It's My Party MGM Home Entertainment - The poignant tale of love and community. Eric Roberts stars in this sensitive, bitingly funny story of a terminally ill gay man who refuses to suffer. He's decided to face death his way and his family, friends and lover (Gregory Harrison) have gathered to say goodbye. This stellar cast give some of the best performances of their careers especially Roberts, Margaret Cho, Bronson Pinchot, Olivia Newton-John and Lee Grant. The DVD includes audio commentary by the director, deleted scenes, a behind the scenes featurette and much more.
	Edited by Veronica Mixon images courtesy of Dreamworks, MGM, Paramount Collection, Sundance Channel, Universal and Warner Brothers to TOP