thePULSESee Jim Carrey’s “In Living Color” and other new DVD releases
April 6
IN LIVING COLOR: SEASON ONE [NR]
One of Fox’s early successes, aside from “The Simpsons” and “Married…With Children” was this hit sketch show, which launched the careers of The Wayans Brothers and some guy named Jim Carrey.
THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS [R]
Whoa. Keanu Reeves stars in this Passion of the Cyber-Christ, the overblown final act in The Wachowski Brothers’ trilogy. Fans of the series will find more richly-realized mythos in the nifty collection of animated shorts, The Animatrix, which is also on DVD. Whoa.
PASSIONADA [PG-13]
In this romantic comedy set in Noo Beffa (New Bedford), shifty guy Jason Isaacs, who plays Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies, tries to go straight to win the love of longtime grieving widow and chanteuse Sofia Milos.
THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG [NR]
Jacques Demy’s beautiful 1964 musical drama launched the career of the still-lovely Catherine Deneuve, and is finally back in print since disappearing shortly after its original 1997 issue.
April 13
CASA DE LOS BABYS [R]
While not as solid and memorable as some of writer-director John Sayles’ previous films like Sunshine State, Limbo or Lone Star, this one, about six women who meet in an exotic South American resort while waiting for Mexican babies to adopt, still plays well, even we do feel like we are watching a stage play from time to time. With Mary Steenburgen, Marcia Gay Harden, Daryl Hannah, Lili Taylor, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Rita Moreno.
DOPAMINE [R]
Deliberate and moody, this indie dramedy is about a computer programmer (John Livingston) whose cuddly but flawed AI creation, “KoyKoy”, serves as a model for what ails his life.
KILL BILL: VOL. 1 [R]
Quentin Tarantino’s first film since 1997’s Jackie Brown is a bloody Samurai western that stars Uma Thurman, and its DVD release paves the way for the sequel, Kill Bill: Vol. 2 – Electric Boogaloo, which opens in theatres on April 16th.
TOKYO GODFATHERS [PG-13]
Three homeless people find an abandoned baby that changes their lives in Satoshi Kon’s wonderful anime feature.
April 20
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD [PG-13]
Nautical gladiator Russell Crowe is an early 19th-century British captain who, with a ship crippled in battle, must prevent the war with France from spilling over into the Pacific. Peter Weir’s riveting film was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, which, inexplicably, went to Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (which is out on DVD next month.)
WIN A DATE WITH TAD HAMILTON! [PG-13]
A regular gal, played by the super-cute Kate Bosworth (Blue Crush), wins a date with a Hollywood star whose image is in desperate need of rehab in this sweet comedy, which also stars Topher Grace from “That 70’s Show”.
April 27
BIG FISH [PG-13]
Rebounding from the disappointing Planet of the Apes, Tim Burton adapts Daniel Wallace’s novel about a writer (Billy Crudup) who returns home from his life abroad to find his father (Albert Finney) dying. The elder’s affinity for telling stories endears him to most, but endlessly frustrates his son, who feels that because of this, he has never really known his father. With Ewan McGregor, Alison Lohman, Jessica Lange and Helena Bonham Carter.
THE COOLER [R]
In Wayne Kramer’s darkly comic slow burn, William H. Macy plays the chronically unlucky Bernie, whose legendary misfortune is exploited by old-school casino operator Shelly (Oscar-nominated Alec Baldwin in his meatiest role in some time) to keep his patrons from winning too much.
LOVE ACTUALLY [R]
Brimming with the kind of genuine and thoughtful sentiment that makes us care about every character that espouses its many forms is this thoroughly charming romp from the makers of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones’s Diary. With Laura Linney, Bill Nighy and Colin Firth. See also the romantic comedy, Hope Springs, starring Colin Firth, Heather Graham and Minnie Driver, also released this month.
OSAMA [PG-13]
An Afghani girl and her mother lose their jobs at a local hospital when the Taliban closes it in this drama, the first film shot in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban.
REEFER MADNESS [NR]
This “Special Addiction” of the schlocky 1936 film warning against the evils of marijuana features black-and-white and color versions, as well as a commentary by “Mystery Science Theater 3000” host Mike Nelson.
TIMELINE [PG-13]
Jurassic Park author Michael Crichton’s latest, about a group of archaeology students who are “faxed” back to 1357 France, has a great opportunity to become the definitive time travel adventure, but Lethal Weapon franchise director Richard Donner misses out at every turn.
