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Noteworthy DVDs released 4/28/09
PICK OF THE WEEK
“The Hit” (Criterion): This early outing by Stephen Frears (“Dangerous Liaisons,” “The Queen”) is a prickly, tight little crime drama giving a fine central role to Terence Stamp, who deserved more of them in his career, and offering viewers a peek of Tim Roth before he made his name Stateside.
OTHER TOP PICKS
Two by Oshima: The Criterion Collection resurrects two button-pushers by Japanese filmmaker Nagisa Oshima, “Empire of Passion” and “In the Realm of the Senses.” The latter (also being made available on Blu-ray) courted controversy in the ’70s by presenting unsimulated sexual activity in a film meant to be shown in mainstream theaters.
“JCVD” (Peace Arch): It isn’t as mind-blowing as your fanboy friends may have told you, but this odd, possibly tongue-in-cheek drama featuring has-been action star Jean-Claude Van Damme does contain one captivating monologue worth the price of admission.
“Nothing But the Truth” (Sony): Another Rod Lurie film playing off contemporary politics, this one starring Kate Beckinsale as a journalist who, like Judith Miller, exposes a C.I.A. agent and is jailed for refusing to name her source.
“What Doesn’t Kill You” (Sony): Mark Ruffalo and Ethan Hawke play low-rent gangsters in South Boston.
NEW ON BLU-RAY
“The Da Vinci Code” (Extended Cut) (Blu-Ray); “The Reader” (Weinstein Co.); “Star Trek” Season 1 (Paramount)
FRESH FROM THE MULTIPLEX
“Bride Wars” (Fox); “Hotel for Dogs,” “The Uninvited” (Paramount)
ARTHOUSE/FOREIGN
“Alain Resnais: A Decade in Film” (Kino); “Big Story in a Small City” (Passion River); Tarkovsky Resurrected: “The Steamroller and the Violin” / “Voyage in Time” (Facets)
DOCUMENTARIES
“The Price of Sugar” (New Yorker)
BEST OF TV
“Dalton Trumbo’s Johnny Got His Gun” (Shout! Factory); “Little Dorrit” (2008) (BBC); “Mission: Impossible” Season 6 (Paramount); “Pulling” Season 1 (MPI); “The Waltons” Season 9 (Warner Bros.)
STRAIGHT(ISH) TO VIDEO
“Beethoven’s 5th” (Universal); “Legally Blondes” (MGM); “While She Was Out” (Anchor Bay)
KIDS’ STUFF
“Jetsons: The Movie” (Universal)
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