DVD Picks & Pans: Spring Potpourri

Military.com - Tom Miller

May 05, 2008

Spring has sprung even here in Hog Heaven where Old Man Winter overstayed his welcome again.  Warmer days and more daylight hours mean more time outdoors, but for the inevitable rainy afternoons and late evenings, you'll still want to have a few new DVDs on hand.  Here are some you might consider.
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"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," DVD-2008 ($29.99, Buena Vista Home Entertainment/Miramax)

This extraordinary movie is not for everyone, but if you don't require non-stop action, if you don't mind reading subtitles, and if you're up for a challenge, you might find it compelling, provocative, and perhaps even inspiring.

The movie is based on the best-selling memoir of Jean-Dominique Bauby, the editor of fashion magazine Elle, who suffered a massive stroke that left him paralyzed except for the ability to blink his left eye.  Refusing to give up, Bauby painstakingly dictated his memoir to a speech therapist by blinking his eye as she recited the alphabet. 

Director Julian Schnabel (Before Night Falls) substitutes his camera for Bauby's left eye in order to tell the story from Bauby's unique perspective.  Initially claustrophobic, the technique proves subtly subversive as it pushes against the boundaries of memory and imagination. 

While the film focuses on Bauby's short life after his stroke, there are frequent flashbacks to his earlier life and relationships.  These interludes provide valuable insight into Bauby's character as well as a break from the intensity of the post-stroke scenes. 

Unlike the typical theatrical confection that has all the substance of cotton candy, "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" is a cinematic feast.  Besides Schnabel's inspired direction, the cinematography (by two-time Oscar winner Janusz Kaminski) is arresting.   The cast is uniformly excellent, especially Mathieu Amalric as Bauby, Marie-Josee Croze as speech therapist Henriette, and Max von Sydow as Bauby's father. 

Military.com Rating: ***

(DVD extras include audio commentary with director Julian Schnabel, a "Charlie Rose" interview with Schnabel, and two featurettes: "Submerged: A Look Inside The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," and "A Cinematic Vision.")
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"Crossing Jordan: Season One," DVD-2008 ($59.98, Universal Studios Home Entertainment)

Now that NBC has cancelled this excellent crime drama after six seasons—reruns still air on cable channel A&E—Universal is finally making it available on DVD.   Fans can begin their "Crossing Jordan" collection with this 5-disc set that includes all 23 Season One episodes including the pilot.

The series, of course, follows the exploits of forensic pathologist Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh (Jill Hennessy) who uses her position in the Boston medical examiner's office to solve homicides.  Scarred by her own mother's murder when she was a child, Jordan is smart, compulsive, and unconventional—traits that drive her professional and personal behavior and insure a level of tension that makes for fine drama. 

The show is more character-driven than similar programs and employs an excellent ensemble cast that includes Miguel Ferrer as Dr. Garret Macy, Jordan's boss who has his own personal demons (including alcoholism) to contend with; Ken Howard as Jordan's father Max, a former cop who helps Jordan with her cases; and Jerry O'Connell as Detective Woody Hoyt who often works with Jordan and is romantically attracted to her.  Jordan, of course, has commitment issues that insure that Det. Hoyt won't get far. 

Military.com Rating: ***

(Bonus features include deleted scenes, audio commentaries, and conversations with creator Tim Kring, produced/director Allan Arkush, producer Dennis Hammer, and star Jill Hennessy, among others.)
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"Saturday Night Live: The Complete Third Season—Limited Edition Boxed Set," DVD-2008 ($69.98, Universal Studios Home Entertainment)

The complete third season—all twenty episodes in their original 90-minute format—of one of television's landmark programs is available for the first time on DVD.  The 7-disc set also includes Limited Edition packaging and four collectible character cards. 

"Saturday Night Live" premiered on October 11, 1975, and though originally conceived as a ninety-minute variety show evolved over the course of its first season into a sketch comedy format featuring a cast of relatively unknown young comics.  The diverse group of comics included John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, and Dan Aykroyd. 

Following a breakout second season, Chase left the show for Hollywood—the first of many cast members to do so.  Meanwhile Bill Murray signed on for Season 2. 

The cast remained intact for an inventive third season in 1977-78, and was joined by an eclectic collection of guest hosts that included funny-man Steve Martin, original cast member Chase, playboy Hugh Hefner, actress Madeline Kahn, and footballer turned actor O.J. Simpson.  Musical guests included Billy Joel, Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Meat Loaf, and The Blues Brothers. 

For "Saturday Night Live" fans—especially those who want to relive the original incarnation of characters like the Coneheads (Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtin) and the Samurai Warrior (John Belushi)—"Saturday Night Live: The Complete Third Season" is a genuine treat. 

Military.com Rating: ***

(Bonus features include a Wardrobe Test with John Belushi and Howard Shore and a featurette, "Things We Did Last Summer.")

Military.com Picks & Pans Rating Scale

* Pan—Save your money & time
** Borderline Pick—Okay but only as a last resort
*** Pick—Worthwhile & enjoyable
****Enthusiastic Pick—Excellent, not to be missed

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Copyright 2008 by Tom Miller