Troy
Warner Video

- Wolfgang Petersen's "Troy" is an incredibly exciting action spectacle! Based on Homer's "The Iliad," the film features outstanding battle scenes between the Greeks and the warriors of Troy. When Paris (Orlando Bloom) runs off with Helen (Diane Kruger), the wife of Agamemnon's brother, the warrior king finally has a reason to conquer the people of Troy. They have been unbeatable because of their strong defensive walls and King Priam (Peter O'Toole) stands behind Paris even though his older brother, Hector (Eric Bana) will lead the fight. Agamemnon (Brian Cox) is forced to rely on his greatest warrior, Achilles (Brad Pitt), a man who despises him and his ambitions. Achilles fights for glory and when he attacks the Trojans, he unexpectedly finds love. It is the lovely Sun maiden, Briseis (Rose Byrne) who gives Achilles insight into love.

"Troy" has breathtaking battles that are enormously entertaining in the tradition of "Gladiator" and "Braveheart." Brad Pitt is wonderful as the skilled fighter and swordsman. He and Eric Bana lead clashing armies and the action is almost non-stop and heart-pounding! Of course, the center piece is the legendary Trojan Horse, a clever symbol of deception and military skill.

The two disc set is stuffed with lots of bonus material. There are featurettes "In the Thick of Battle" which explores the filmmakers conceptions of battles, "From Ruins to Reality' about the history and mythology surrounding the events and "Gallery of the Gods". There are also documentaries about the huge production, the wonderful special effects and interviews with the cast. This is a marvelous film and you'll enjoy it over and over!

Catwoman
Warner Video

- This delightful, sexy rendition of the feminine heroine, Catwoman starring Oscar winner Halley Berry is a perfect fit for the ambitious actress. Berry plays mousy Patience Philips, a artist who works for a high profile cosmetic firm that is about to launch a new face cream that promises to keep women youthful for many, many years. After Patience accidentally overhears some disturbing news about the dangers of the product, her employer Laurel Hedare (Sharon Stone) wants her dead. Patience dies and then she's reborn as Catwoman -- an independent, kick-ass crime fighter who is out for justice. And, wouldn't you know it, Det. Tom Lone (Benjamin Bratt) falls for Patience but discovers that the sexy, daring young woman's life is filled with intrigue and secrets.

Critics seem to hate this film and Halley Berry's performance but the problem is the inexperienced director, Pitof, a French director who seems lost in the genre. He doesn't have a strong grasp of the material. Berry's updated new century look is a perfect evolution from Michelle Pfeiffer's and Eartha Kitt's earlier renditions. Catwoman isn't totally evil or good. She's playful and sensual as she battles Laurel and her husband (Lambert Wilson). Halley Berry looks sensational in the final incarnation as Catwoman and I believe that if she gets a better director, she could be better in this role. Meanwhile, this film isn't a total waste. There is loads of humor about beauty, lost love, loneliness, self-fulfillment and kick-ass attitude!

The disc is loaded with additional scenes, an exciting alternate ending and a Behind the Scenes featurette. What's truly remarkable is the documentary, "The Many Faces of Catwoman" which features interviews with Pfeiffer, Julie Newmar, Eartha Kitt and more. There is a history of Catwoman's development on television and in the movies. This is truly a treat for fans of the comic book character and the films based on the Marvel character.

Wicker Park
MGM Home Entertainment

- An intriguing but rather confusing thriller about a man searching for a missing girlfriend. Handsome Josh Hartnett ("Pearl Harbor") stars as Matthew, a guy about to marry his boss's sister and close an important deal in China when he spots a woman who looks like his former girlfriend (Diane Kruger). She simply disappeared from his life just as the relationship was getting serious a few years ago. So, instead of going to China, he begins chasing her shadow and any clues that may lead him to her. Matthew finds another woman played by Rose Byrne who seems to wear the same clothes and shoes of his former love but of course, is totally different. He's inexplicitly drawn to this new woman who seems to desire him. But, as Matthew's obsession grows so does the random consequences.

"Wicker Park" is about unrequited love, desperation and obsession among the young and hip urbanite set. Hartnett's best friend ( Matthew Lillard, best known for the "Scream" and "Scooby Doo") pretends he's a playboy but it turns out that while he humors Hartnett, he's carrying a serious torch of his own for someone who is in love with another. It's a strange story that unfolds in a random, mish-moshe way and it's very confusing and ultimately, not as compelling as it should be. For sure, Josh Hartnett is gorgeous and delightful to watch as love sick Matthew. But Rose Bryne, who was so alluring and compelling in "Troy" opposite Brad Pitt, is very dull here. Everyone seems to be neurotic and despite Hartnett's love for Kruger, his romantic entanglements prove to be senseless.

The disc has an updated music video of "Against All Odds," a photo gallery, original theatrical trailer deleted scenes, gag reel and an audio commentary by director Paul McGuigan and Josh Hartnett. "Wicker Park" may be a weak thriller but it's definitely a disc for Josh Hartnett fans!

Garden State
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

- This is a quirky film about an emotional distant son who comes home to a New Jersey suburb to attend his mother's funeral was written and directed by the TV star of "Scrubs," Zach Braff. Andrew Largeman (Braff) finds being home difficult because he really hasn't interacted with his parents in years and coming home means facing a lot of secrets from his past. It also means re-connecting with many of his old friends who are living ordinary lives of quiet desperation in the sleepy suburban town. Of course, once he meets quirky Sam (Natalie Portman "Closer"), Andrew's outlook slowly brightens up. Slowly, he can talk and deal with things left unsaid.

Despite the blossoming romance, "Garden State" seems to celebrate the slacker life of twentysomething, bored young people and the apparent joy that discovering love brings to everyone/anyone's life. Portman is sweet and wonderful as Sam in this unconventional role. There are also good performances by Peter Sarsgaard ("Shattered Glass"), Ian Holm and Method Man.

The disc has several features including audio commentaries by Braff, Natalie Portman and filmmakers. There are also outtakes and bloopers, deleted scenes and a "Making Of" documentary. For Braff, it's an interesting first film effort.

Paparazzi
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

- This is a slick revenge movie for celebrities! And, since Mel Gibson produced it and makes a showy appearance, you can bet he's venting like other movie stars have in the past. Robust, handsome Cole Hauser stars as newly minted action star, Bo Laramie whose instant fame comes from a movie that is a box office hit. Suddenly Bo becomes a target for a group of seedy photographers who stalk the actor's every move around his plush Malibu home where he lives with his pretty wife (Robin Tuney) and young son. Their privacy is invaded and when Bo tries to gentle negotiate with the shutterbugs lead by Rex Harper (Tom Sizemore), they decide to teach him a lesson. Being nice doesn't buy peace of mind. There is a horrific car chase scene that is reminiscent of the one that killed Princess Diana and the cold, calculating actions of the photographers are not overstated! When Bo decides to strike back, the LA detective (Dennis Farina) doesn't know whether to hunt the photographers or go after the movie star.

This film is a bit a guilty pleasure for me. I love movies about Hollywood and I am a big fan of Cole Hauser, who has turned in sexy, sensitive and scary performances in "White Oleander," "2 Fast 2 Furious," "Pitch Black" and "Tears of the Sun." The film maker gives us a brief look into the darker side of fame but he doesn't spend much time developing in-depth explanations. This is an escapist fantasy about "payback" and more importantly, getting away with it.

The disc has a director's commentary, deleted scenes with commentary and several documentaries including "The Stunts of Paparazzi" and a "Making OF" featurette.

The Ranch
MGM DVD

- Looking at this run-of-the-mill drama about a group of gals at a Reno, Nevada brothel begs the question -- what happen to Susan Seidelman? She first burst on the scene back in 1982 with a gritty Indie film about a desperate pseudo-punk New York chick trying to hook up with the right guy who would trek out to Hollywood with her. She dreamt of lounging by a pool while waiting to be discovered. Of course, it was a tough life because her heroine wasn't independent and resourceful enough. Her next film, "Desperately Seeking Susan" launched the film career of then pop singer, Madonna and has proven to be the best work in the singer's topsy-turvy film career. But, Seidelman who has always been rather daring in her exploration of women's lives could never building on the white hot beginning.

So, twenty years later, she's still working but "The Ranch" isn't innovative or terribly interesting despite the frank language and attitude. While one hooker goes off to marry a nice guy who doesn't have a clue to her profession, the manager (Amy Madigan TV's "Carnivale" and "Pollack") takes on a newcomer (Nicki Micheaux "Soul Food") who's being tracked by a violent pimp. The Ranch is a female oasis with very little trouble where several of the girls are saving their money and dreaming of escaping the apparent ugliness of their situation.

The most interesting character isn't the cutie who dresses as a school girl or the pretty blonde who followed her mother and grandmother into the business, but the hardworking divorced mom who still wants to be a good mother to her daughter. The problem with the film is that every character and situation has been done before in other films. Amy Madigan is good as the working-class manager who is coolly professional in a job that pays more than a regular office job and Samantha Ferris, as the divorced mom, delivers a wonderful performance.

The disc could have benefited from an audio commentary from Seidelman, who has always tried to create interesting films about the lives and choices of women. But, unfortunately, there is no commentary. The full screen edition comes in English and subtitles in English and Spanish.

Edited by Veronica Mixon
images courtesy of MGM, Twentieth Century Fox and Warner.

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