May 15 Releases
From the Big Screen:
"The Grey," "One for the Money," "Chronicle," "Albert Nobbs" and "Rampart." For more releases this week, see the "Weekly Guide to Home Video Releases."

DVD Collectibles:

Have you ever wanted to be someone else? Or, more specifically, have you ever wanted to crawl through a portal hidden in an anonymous office building and thereby enter the cerebral cortex of John Malkovich for 15 minutes before being spat out on the side of the New Jersey Turnpike?

Then director Spike Jonze, writer Charlie Kaufman and The Criterion Collection have the movie for you: "Being John Malkovich" (1999), featuring melancholy marionettes, office drudgery, a frizzy-haired Cameron Diaz, surrealism, possession, John Cusack, a domesticated primate, Freud, Catherine Keener, non sequiturs, and absolutely no romance! But wait: get "Being John Malkovich" now and they'll throw in emasculation, slapstick, Abelard and Heloise, and extra Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich. This is definitely the highlight of the week. In a new high-definition digital restoration, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition.

More Collectibles:

For Buford Pusser/"Walking Tall" fans who have despaired lo these many years, looking for remastered versions of their favs, the Shout! Factory has come to your rescue: This week the company will release "Walking Tall Trilogy Collectors Edition" on DVD and Blu-ray; the three-disc set includes all three "Walking Tall" films, remastered and with new bonus features, including "Walking Tall: The Buford Pusser Story" documentary with new interviews. $24.97 DVD and $39.97 Blu-ray. The titles: "Walking Tall" (1973) starring Joe Don Baker, Noah Berry Jr., Elizabeth Hartman and Felton Perry; "Walking Tall Part 2" (1975), starring Bo Svenson, Richard Jaeckel, Noah Berry Jr.; "Final Chapter: Walking Tall" (1977), starring Bo Svenson,Margaret Blye, Forrest Tucker, Morgan Woodward. Get it before you get hit with a baseball bat.

Poker on the Big Screen
If you polled 100 poker fans on what their favorite poker movie is, the odds are great that the easy winner would be "Rounders," which many people claim played a large part in launching the poker boom. "Rounders" has big stars (including Matt Damon, Ed Norton and John Malkovich) and big hands, with tons of great poker scenes that will leave you wanting to play poker games yourself.
Provided by PokerListings -- all the poker sites online in one place.

From TV to Video:

"Flashpoint: The Fourth Season" (2011) is a three-disc set with 18 episodes, $42.99 CBS/Paramount ... "Hell on Wheels: The Complete First Season" (2011-12) is a three-disc set with 10 episodes the critically acclaimed post-Civil War Western series, on DVD and Blu-ray $39.98/$44.98). Extras include "Recreating the Past: The Making of Hell on Wheels," "Crashing a Train: From Concept to Camera," seven making-of featurettes, 10 "Inside the Episode" featurettes, seven character featurettes and behind-the-scenes footage. From Entertainment One.

Buzzin' the 'B's:

In an unknown future, the Earth has been destroyed by man and the air is polluted with a mysterious virus that turns humans into zombies, and only a few children are immune to the disease. Camille, a 9-year-old girl, wanders through these desolate wastelands, protecting herself from zombie and armed military forces that roam the land killing anyone in sight. As she makes her escape to the ocean, she will do whatever it takes to survive and be among other

"Descendents" (2008 -- Chile), starring Karina Pizarro, Cristobal Barra, Patricio Lynch, Sergio Allard. From Lionsgate ... A woman becomes involved in a series of unauthorized exorcisms during her mission to discover what happened to her mother, who allegedly murdered three people during her own exorcism in "The Devil Inside" (2012), starring Fernanda Andrade, Simon Quarterman, Evan Helmuth, Ionut Grama and Suzan Crowley, from Paramount ... "Michael" (2011 -- Austria) focuses on five months in the life of a pedophile -- Michael, a seemingly meek insurance agent -- who keeps a 10-year-old boy locked in his basement. An official selection at the Cannes and Toronto film festivals. Stars Michael Fuith and David Rauchenberger, from Strand Releasing ... A criminal gang that kidnaps women and sells them to wealthy clients meets its match when they abduct the wife of an Army Ranger in "Chained: Code 207" (2011), starring Tino Struckmann, Jill Headrick, Jack Dimich, Tiffany Anne Hughes, Chase Stevens and Tommy Mercer, from MTI Home Video ... "The Bling Ring" (2011), starring Austin Butler, Yin Chang and Jennifer Grey, is the true story of the group of average, middle-class teens from a quiet suburb who broke into celebrities homes -- including Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan -- and robed them of millions of dollars in clothes and jewelry. From A&E ... "Freak Dance" (2012) is a musical send-up from the inventive minds at the Upright Citizens Brigade, from Image Entertainment.

Special Interest:

"Dragonslayer" (2011) documents the transgressions of Josh "Skreech" Sandoval, a local skate legend from the stagnant suburbs of Fullerton, California, in the aftermath of America's economic collapse. Taking the viewer through a golden SoCal haze of

broken homes, abandoned swimming pools and stray glimpses of unusual beauty, the film captures the life and times of Sandoval -- new father -- as his endless summer finally collides with the future. From First Run Features ... "Time Team: Unearthing the Roman Invasion" -- the popular British science-reality series presented by "Blackadder's" Tony Robinson -- makes its U.S. debut. Go along as archaeologists dig up the past in this long-running U.K. hit. Accompanied by an eclectic band of historians and experts, Robinson travels across Britain to unearth secrets from the era of the Roman occupation. Includes 12 collected episodes about Britain's Roman past from Series 2-18 (1995-2011), plus a 16-page viewer’s guide. From Acorn Media ... "The Universe: The Complete Season Six" (2011) is a four-disc set from A&E ... "Treasure Houses of Britain" (2012) is a new documentary that offers intimate tours of England's most magnificent homes. From Acorn Media.

DVD Reviews
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Recommended Video and Film Books:
Best home video and film reference books.
This Week's Releases:
Print out a list for Tuesday, May 15 -- Monday, May 21
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May 8 Releases
From the Big Screen:
"Underworld: Awakening," "Tim & Eric's Billion Dollar Movie" and "The Vow." For more releases this week, see the "Weekly Guide to Home Video Releases."

Blu-ray Collectibles: (5/8)

Mathieu Kassovitz ("The Crimson Rivers," one of our favorite creepy horror-thrillers) took the film world by storm with 1999's "La haine (Hate)," a gritty, unsettling, and visually explosive look at racial and cultural volatility in modern-day France, specifically the low-income banlieues on Paris's outskirts. Aimlessly passing their days in the concrete environs of their dead-end suburbia, Vinz (Vincent Cassel), Hubert (Hubert Kounde) and Said (Said lahaine cover

Taghmaoui), white, black, and Arabgive human faces to France's immigrant and otherwise marginalized populations, seethe with resentment at their situation until they reach the boiling point. A work of tough beauty, "La haine" is a landmark of contemporary French cinema and a gripping reflection of its country's ongoing identity crisis. Restored high-definition digital transfer, supervised by director Mathieu Kassovitz, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack. Bonus features include an introduction by actor Jodie Foster; "Ten Years of La haine," an 80-minute documentary that brings together cast and crew a decade after the film's landmark release; a featurette on the film's banlieue setting, including interviews with sociologists Sophie Body-Gendrot, Jeffrey Fagan, and William Kornblum; deleted and extended scenes; more. From The Criterion Collection.

From TV to Video: (5/8)

"The Big C: The Complete Second Season" (2011) is a three-disc set with 13 episodes, $45.99. from Sony ... "Chuck: The Complete Fifth and Final Season" (2011) is a five-disc set with 13 episodes, from Warner ... "Cold War: The Complete Series" (2011) is a six-disc set with 24 episodes of the CNN documentary series that outlines the events that shaped the course of the Cold War and the United States' relationship with the

Soviet Union. Released in time to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis. $68.92. From Warner ... BBC Worldwide Americas has three Doctor Who releases this week: "Doctor Who: Nightmare Of Eden," "Doctor Who: Dragonfire" and "Doctor Who: The Happiness Patrol" ... Inspired by a true story, "Girl Fight" (2011) is the harrowing tale of a school girl who runs afoul of some friends on social media, is beaten by them, and further humiliated when the girls post the beating video on the Internet. Stars Anne Heche and James Tupper. From A&E ... "Fantasy Island: The Complete Second Season" (1978-79) is a six-disc set with 25 episodes, $39.97 from Shout! Factory ... "Love's Everlasting Courage" (2011) Takes place in the early West and follows a young husband's trials in raising his child after his wife's unexpected death, and stars Wes Brown, Cheryl Ladd, Bruce Boxleitner and Julie Mond. It's another film based on the "Love Comes Softly" series by Janette Oke. From Fox ... " The Twilight Zone: More Fan Favorites" (1959 - 1964) is a five-disc set with 20 episodes from the legendary series, $29.98 from Image Entertainment ... "Vega$: The Third Season, Volume One" (1980-81) is a three-disc set with 12 episodes, $39.99 from CBS/Paramount.

Buzzin' the 'B's: (5/8)

The sadistic members of a villainous family -- headed up by their mother -- return to their childhood home to terrorize the new home owners and their guests in "Mother's Day" (2010), a remake of the Troma cult film, starring Rebecca De Mornay, Jaime King, Patrick John Flueger, Warren Kole and Deborah Ann Woll. From Anchor Bay ... In "From Reykjavik to Rotterdam" (2010 -- Iceland), an ex-con working as a security guard is sucked back into the smuggling business; remade in a U.S. version as "Contraband." Stars Baltasar Kormakur, Ingvar Eggert Sigurosson, Lilja Nott Porarinsdottir. From Entertainment One ... "Playback" (2011), starring Christian Slater, Johnny Pacar, Toby Hemingway and Amber Childers, follows a group of high school students who begin to dig into their town's infamous

past and unwittingly unlock a dark secret that has been kept hidden for years: an evil spirit is awakened and will stop at nothing to get what it wants. From Magnolia Home Entertainment ... "Shock Labyrinth 3D" (2009), starring Yagira Yuya, Maeda Ai, Renbutsu Misako and Katsuji Ryo, is Japan's first full-length, live-action digital 3D feature, directed by Takashi Shimizu ("The Grudge"). The horror-thriller follows a group of teenagers dealing with the sudden return of a friend who went missing a decade ago. When the friend falls ill they take her to a hospital, but end up trapped in a horrific labyrinth. The film was inspired by Fuji-Q High Land's famous "Labyrinth of Horrors" haunted house ride, and the film was shot at night in the amusement park. From Well Go USA ... "Elvira's Movie Macabre: Wild Women" is a two-disc set with four 'B' films: "Untamed Women" (1952), about a tribe of beautiful, primitive cave-women discovered by a stranded American bomber pilot during WWII; "Hercules and the Captive Women" (1961), in which the mighty and heroic Hercules battles the seductive powers of the wicked Queen of Atlantis; "Wild Women of Wongo," from iconic director Roger Corman, starring Adrienne Barbeau as one of the Wild Women tasked with fending off a tribe of evil ape men; "The Wasp Woman" (1959), Susan Cabot's ("Machine-Gun Kelly") final film, in which she turns into a lusting Queen Wasp after administering a serum developed to stop the aging process. From Entertainment One.

Special Interest: (5/8)

Norman Mailer was an American iconoclast who lived by his own rules. "Norman Mailer: The American" (2012) goes beyond the Mailer of the bookshelves and The New York Times best sellers list to the social critic, family man, filmmaker and lover, taking a look into the life of a complex, intellectual, working class hero. The documentary includes footage and interview from wives and lovers, enemies and admirers, his children and the man himself. From

Cinema Libre Studio ... In the desperate hours and days after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the fate of thousands of Japanese citizens fell into the hands of a small corps of engineers, firemen and soldiers who risked their lives to prevent the Daiichi nuclear complex from complete meltdown. Now, one year later, "Frontline: Inside Japan's Nuclear Meltdown" (2012) presents their story, with rare footage from inside the plant and eyewitness testimony. From PBS Distribution ... An international team of experts explore the Great White Shark's anatomy to find out how it has evolved into one of the most feared predators in the ocean in "Inside Nature's Giants: Great White Shark" (2012), $19.99 from PBS Dis a two-disc set that explains menopause to the 40+ million women in North America who are experiencing it or are about to experience it. The clear and concise user-friendly program also helps family and friends understand and get involved. Includes a 48-page guidebook, "Symptoms and Solutions," that addresses hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, sexual interest, weight gain, mood changes, cognitive issues and more. $24.98 from True Mind.

'Avengers' Take Massive Bow
at Box Office

(May 7) From Ray Subers at Boxoffice Mojo: "It's been clear for a while that 'The Avengers' would be a box office success, though few people could have foreseen this opening. The superhero team-up got off to an unprecedented $207.4 million start this weekend, which obliterates the previous all-time weekend record set by 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2' last Summer ($169.2 million). While it fell short of setting a new opening day record (that still belongs to 'Potter'), 'The Avengers' was responsible for new high marks in most other major categories. It was the fastest movie ever to reach $100 million, $150 million, and $200 million, and it set new records for Saturday ($69.6 million) and Sunday ($57.1 million) grosses. It also had the highest per-theater average ever for a nationwide release with $47,698." Throw in overseas ticket sales, and 'The Avengers' has earned $654.8 million.

May 1 Releases
From the Big Screen:
"Haywire," "New Year's Eve," "W.E." and "Joyful Noise." For more releases this week, see the "Weekly Guide to Home Video Releases."

DVD Collectibles: (5/1)

Warner Home Video has pulled out the Blu-ray disc of "Casablanca" from their recent "Casablanca 70th Anniversary Limited Collector's Edition" and packaged it as a stand-alone product for those wishing to own just the movie (and not the commemorative book and memorabilia packed in the elaborate box set). This single-disc version of the film still has

more than five hours of bonus content including over 45 minutes of two new documentaries ... Paramount has on hand the Blu-ray debut of "Clueless" (1995), director Amy Heckerling's take on West Coast teen lifesyles, starring Alicia Silverstone, Paul Rudd, Brittany Murphy, Stacey Dash, Donald Faison, Jeremy Sisto and Breckin Meyer. Bonus features include a new "Clue or False Trivia Game," featurettes: "The Class of '95," "Creative Writing," "Fashion 101," "Language Arts," "Suck 'N Blow -- A Tutorial," "Driver's Ed," "We're History" ... And, lastly, Universal has added "Pillow Talk" to its 100th Anniversary Collector's Series celebrating the studio's centennial. The 1959 film, starring Doris Day, Rock Hudson, Thelma Ritter and Tony Randall, took its lumps as a prime example of the tame, sexless, airheaded romantic comedies of the era, but in hindsight, the film has more to say about mid-century mores and culture than was given credit at the time. Bonus features include "Back in Bed With Pillow Talk," "Chemistry 101: The Film Duo of Doris Day and Rock Hudson," commentary with film historians Jeff Bond, Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman. The film is available in a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack with an illustrated booklet.

From TV to Video: (5/1)

"Covert Affairs: Season Two" (2011) is a four-disc set with 16 episodes, $39.98 from Universal ... "The Dick Van Dyke Show: Carl Reiner's Favorites" (2011) features 20 classic episodes personally handpicked by comedy genius and creator-producer Carl Reiner, $24.98 Image Entertainment ... "Dirty Sexy Money: Season One" (2007) is a three-disc set with 10 episodes, $19.98 from Lionsgate ... "Dirty Sexy Money: Season Two" (2008) is a three-disc set with 13 episodes, $19.98 from Lionsgate ... "Felicity: Season One" (1998-99) is a three-disc set with 22 episodes, $19.98 from Lionsgate ... "Felicity: Season Two" (1999-2000) is a three-disc set with 23 episodes, $19.98 from Lionsgate ... On June 8, 1870, Charles Dickens concluded a full-day's work on his latest novel and set down his pen. He died the next day, leaving "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" a mystery indeed. In "Masterpiece Classic: The Mystery of Edwin Drood" (2012), starring Matthew Rhys and Tamzin Merchant, Masterpiece Classic uses clues left by the author himself, together with inspired guesswork, to solve this famous literary puzzle. From PBS Distribution ... "Samantha Who?: Season One" (2007-08) is a three-disc set with 15 episodes, $19.98 from Lionsgate ... "Samantha Who?: Season Two" (2008-09) is a two-disc set with 20 episodes, $19.98 from Lionsgate ... "Snow White: A Tale of Terror" (1997) stars Sigourney Weaver, Sam Neill and Monica Keena in a more accurate -- and gruesome -- take on the Grimm Brothers' story, from Universal ... "Suits: Season One"

(2011) is a three-disc set with 12 episodes, from Universal ... "Who Do You Think You Are? Season 2" (2012) is the second season of NBC and Lisa Kudrow's celebrity family history series features Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim McGraw, Vanessa Williams, Rosie O'Donnell, Kim Cattrall, Steve Buscemi, Lionel Richie and Ashley Judd. Working alongside genealogists, researchers and historians, the stars excavates stories from their families' past. The fascinating series paints an intimate portrait of how a journey through history can change everything -- including one's idea of self. From Acorn Media ... "A Woman of Substance Trilogy" is a new edition of the star-studded miniseries, with casts that included Liam Neeson, Deborah Kerr, Jenny Seagrove and Anthony Hopkins. The trilogy brings to life two of Barbara Taylor Bradford's most unforgettable heroines from her bestselling trilogy; includes the three complete miniseries: "A Woman of Substance," "Hold the Dream" and "To Be the Best," plus bonus interviews with Bradford. From Acorn Media.

Foreign: (5/1)

There's two interesting foreign films hitting the shelves this week: "The Front Line" (2011 -- South Korea), starring Ha-kyun Shin, Soo Go, Seung-su Ryu and Je-hoon Lee, centers on the Korean War's final battle to determine the border between North and South Korea; this was South Korea's submission to the Academy Awards

for Best Foreign Film. From Well Go USA ... In "Cirkus Columbia" (2010 -- Bosnia) Divko Buntic (Miki Manojlovic) returns to his former home after a 20-year exile in Germany following the fall of the communist regime in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1991. Returning with an attractive young girlfriend, a flashy new Mercedes, a pocketful of cash, and a lucky black cat, things are looking good for Divko. When his cat goes missing things begin to fall apart: trouble with his girlfriend and the fledgling relationship with his estranged son are strained as the entire town scrambles to find the cat and collect a cash reward. Divko's personal tumult mirrors the country's situation at large, with signs appearing that the Bosnian War is coming. As the war looms, tensions run high and Divko must decide whether to stay in his newly reestablished home or retreat. Directed by Danis Tanovie ("No Man's Land"). From Strand Releasing.

Special Interest: (5/1)

"Art21: Art in the Twenty-First Century: Season 6" (2012) is the Peabody Award-winning documentary series that offers viewers a unique look into the thoughts, processes, and lives of today's most accomplished artists, $29.99 from PBS Distribution ...

With the help of new spacecraft and Earth-based telescopes, scientists are seeing the sun as they never have before and are even re-creating what happens at the very center of the sun in labs here on Earth. Their work -- chronicled here in "Nova: Secrets of the Sun" (2012) will help us understand aspects of the sun that have puzzled scientists for decades -- and may even help us predict and track solar storms that have the power to zap our power grid, shut down telecommunications, and ground global air travel for days, weeks, or even longer. From PBS Distribution ... Jesse Owens was the most famous athlete of his time, whose stunning triumph at the 1936 Olympic Games captivated the world, even as it infuriated the Nazis. Despite the racial slurs he endured, his grace and athleticism rallied crowds around the world. Yet when the four-time Olympic gold medalist returned home, he couldn't even ride in the front of a bus. "American Experience: Jesse Owens" (2012) follows his life and career. From PBS Distribution.

This following release is not politically correct, so if you're easily offended by the sexist trappings of a time gone bye, you can stop reading right now. Image Entertainment takes you back to the gorgeous, glamorous, girl-esque of the 1950's with "Strip Strip Hooray," a six-movie compilation featuring the best of burlesque exploitation films: "Midnight Frolics" (1949, B/W, 68 mins.): Direct from L.A.'s Belasco Theatre comes a galaxy of gorgeous girls including Sunny Knight (The Golden Girl of the Golden West), Mickey "Ginger" Jones, Aleene, Boo LaVon, Shirley Heart, Annette Warren and "Sonney's Sunkist Beauties"; "Everybody's Girl" (1950, B/W, 83 mins.): Gay Dawn heads a "Whirly-Girly cast of 40" including Mary Andes, Sylvia, Levalon, Leonora, Alberta, Charmaine, and Diana (The Glamour Girl of Burlesque). If you don’t have high blood pressure already, you will after ogling this humdinger; "French Follies" (1951, B/W, 77 mins.): The Strip Parade continues with Mary Andes, Jennie Lee (The Sexiest Girl in Burlesque), Joanne Bridges (The Platinum Dream Girl), Ruby Lee, headliner Val de Val (The H Bomb of Burlesque), and the classic "Crazy House" comedy routine; "'B' Girl Rhapsody" (1952, B/W, 77 mins.): To be or double-D is the question, and here to answer it is Amber Dawn, Frenchy La Von, Ruby Lee (The Wham-Wham Girl), Nona Carver (The Blonde Venus), smoking (literally) Joan Bridges, red hot Chili Pepper (The South American Cyclone) and headliner Lily; "The A-B-C's of Love" (1953, B/W, 74 mins.): Get ready for more wiggles, jiggles, and giggles featuring Blaza Glory, Mae Blondell (The Blonde Temptress), Bebe Hughes, Helen Lewis, and headliner Gilda (The Golden Girl) who’s actually former Little Rascals child-star Shirley Jean Rickert turned Striptease Queen; "A Night in Hollywood "(1953, B/W & Color, 62 mins.): Misty Ayers, Jeanne Saunders, Rea Walker, and Mae Blondell set the stage on fire before the tempestuous Tempest Storm, The Girl with the Fabulous Front, turns this black-and-white film into gorgeous color for a dazzling bra-busting climax. $19.98.

Warner Bros. Launches 'Inside the
Script' E-Book Publishing Initiative

(April 30) Warner Bros. Digital Distribution announced today the launch of "Inside the Script," a digital publishing initiative that gives movie fans an innovative new way to go deep inside their favorite films. Available now for iBookstore, Kindle and NOOK by Barnes & Noble, "Inside the Script" is a series of highly illustrated eBooks that contain the film’s actual shooting script, rare materials from the Warner Bros. Corporate Archive and much more. The first series of "Inside the Script" titles are based on timeless, cinematic treasures including "Casablanca," "Ben-Hur," "An American in Paris" and "North by Northwest" -- and sell for $9.99 each. Read more here.

April 24 Releases
From the Big Screen:
"Contraband." For more releases this week, see the "Weekly Guide to Home Video Releases."

DVD Collectibles: (4/24)

Of all the cinematic New Waves that broke over the world in the 1960s, the one in Czechoslovakia was among the most fruitful, fascinating, and radical. With a wicked sense of humor and a healthy streak of surrealism, a group of fearless directors -- including eventual Oscar winners Milos Forman and Jan Kadar -- began to use film to speak out about the hypocrisy and absurdity of the Communist state. A defining work was the 1966 omnibus five-part anthology film "Pearls of the Deep," which introduced five of the movement's greatest voices: Vera Chytilova, Jaromil Jires, Jiri Menzel, Jan Nemec and Evald Schorm. Criterion's "Eclipse Series 32: Pearls of the Czech New Wave" presents that title, along with five other crucial works that followed close on its heels, one from each of those filmmakers: Chytilova's "Daisies" (1966), Jires' "The Joke," (1969), (Menzel's "Capricious Summer" (1968), (Nemec's "A Report on the Party and Guests" (1966), (Schorm's "Return of the Prodigal Son" (1967) -- some dazzlingly experimental, some arrestingly realistic, all singular expressions from a remarkable time and place.

There's two other classics this week:
A restored version of "The Red House," (1947), directed by Delmer Daves and starring Edward G. Robinson, Lon McCallister, Judith Anderson, Rory Calhoun, Allene Roberts and Julie London. Based on the popular 1943 novel serialized in the Saturday Evening Post. Disabled farmer Pete (Robinson) and his sister Ellen (Anderson) have raised young Meg (Roberts) from infancy on their reclusive homestead. Now a teen, Meg persuades her friend Nath (McCallister) to come by each day to help with her chores. When Nath insists on using a backwoods shortcut home one day, Pete cautions him against doing so, speaking of ominous screams in the night and terrors that lie within a mysterious, abandoned red house on the outskirts of his property. Curious, Nath and Meg -- who has growing feelings for Nath much to the chagrin of his girlfriend, Tibby (London) -- ignore Pete's warning and explore the dark secret of the red house. Features an eerie original score by Miklo Rozsa. From Film Chest/HD Cinema Classics label ... Criterion also offers "The Organizer" (1963): In turn-of-the-20th-century Turin, an accident in a textile factory incites workers to stage a walkout. But it's not until they receive unexpected aid from a traveling professor (Marcello Mastroianni) that they find a voice, unite, and stand up for themselves. This historical drama by Mario Monicelli ("Big Deal on Madonna Street") is a beautiful and moving ode to the power of the people, brimming with humor and honesty. "The Organizer (I compagni)" features engaging, naturalistic performances; cinematography by the great Giuseppe Rotunno; and a multilayered, Oscar-nominated screenplay, by Monicelli, Agenore Incrocci ("The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly)", and Furio Scarpelli ("Il postino"). In a new high-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition.

"Stony Island" (1977), starring Richie Davis, Edward "Stoney" Robinson and Gene "Daddy G" Barge, was director Andrew ("The Fugitive," "Under Siege") Davis' first film. Shot on the gritty streets of Chicago's south side, the film tells the story of Richie Bloom, the only white kid on the block, as he forms an R&B band with his best friend, Kevin. With the help of their mentor, aging sax legend Percy, they pull together a funky supergroup, stealing practice time at night in the local funeral home. Despite few resources and heavy losses, the resilient group of dedicated musicians -- armed only with wit, sleight of hand and outrageous Chicago bravado -- come together to finally make their smash debut. A tribute to Chicago's South Side with: saxophone legend Gene Barge, George Englund, Ronnie Barron, Rae Dawn Chong, Oscar Brown Jr. and many more of Chicago's finest musicians and actors. Original score by David Matthews featuring David Sanborn. From Cinema Libre Studio.

From TV to Video: (4/24)

"Billy the Exterminator: The Complete Season Four" (2011) is a two-disc set with 12 episodes, $19.95 from A&E ... "Cinema Verite" (2011), starring Diane Lane, Tim Robbins and James Gandolfini, is the compelling behind-the-scenes story of the revolutionary 1973 PBS documentary series "An American Family," which

catapulted an ordinary family to notoriety and captivated audiences with the launch of a new television genre - reality TV. Believing that the lives of an everyday family would be relatable to Americans in a way that existing TV shows were not, filmmakers set out to chronicle the life of the Louds, a seemingly "perfect family." Once filming began though, the strain in the Loud's marriage, the ups and downs of raising five children, as well as the criticism Pat Loud received for asking for a divorce and openly supporting her gay son, came sharply into focus. A complete departure from television shows of the time, "An American Family" gripped the nation, making the Louds a television sensation while leaving them unprepared for the consequences. From HBO ... In "Masterpiece Classic: Birdsong" (2011), Eddie Redmayne and Clemence Poesy star as two lovers whose fiery affair precedes World War I in this adaptation by screenwriter Abi Morgan of Sebastian Faulks' impassioned novel. Dreamlike, the film weaves together the stories of the past and present -- each tempestuous in its own way and fated to intersect. From PBS Distribution.

Buzzin' the 'B's: (4/24)

In "11-11-11: The Prophecy" (2011), starring Timothy Gibbs, Michael Landes and Wendy Glenn, American author Joseph Crone travels from the United States to Barcelona, Spain, to reunite with his estranged brother, and dying father, but fate has a different plan for Joseph as his life becomes plagued with strange happenings and the constant sightings of the number 11 -- a that number holds a horrific meaning not only to himself but

possibly to all of religion. From Big Air Studios ... "The Wicker Tree" (2011), starring Graham McTavish, Brittania Nicol and Henry Garrett, is a sequel of sorts to 1973's "The Wicker Man," directed by Robin Hardy, who also helmed this outing (And the original's Christopher Lee makes a cameo appearance). Charmed by the residents of Tressock, Scotland, two young born-again Christian missionaries accept the invitation to participate in a local festival, fully unaware of the consequences of their decision. From Anchor Bay ... In "Dark Tide" (2012), starring Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez, a professional diver -- nine years after a near fatal encounter with a shark -- confronts her fears when she takes a thrill-seeking millionaire on a journey to the dangerous South African waters known as Shark Alley. From Lionsgate ... There's six stories of ancient evil, love, obsession, addiction, gluttony, sexual nightmares, pain, brutality and of course, death in "The Theatre Bizarre" (2012). A young woman enters a seedy theater in which an odd marionette-like man introduces her to six tales of the bizarre. From Image Entertainment ... In "The Fields" (2011), starring Cloris Leachman, Tara Reid, Joshua Ormond and Faust Checho, a young boy -- fascinated with the notorious Manson Family and their gruesome killing spree -- discovers a terrifying secret lurking in the fields outside his Pennsylvania countryside home. From Fabrication Films ...

In "Let the Bullets Fly" (2010 -- China), starring Chow Yun-Fan, Ge You and Jiang Wen, notorious bandit chief Zhang (Jiang Wen) descends on a remote 1920s town in China, posing as its new mayor, an identity that he hijacked. Hell-bent on making a fast buck, he soon meets his match, the tyrannical crazy local Huang (Chow Yun-Fat) as a deadly battle of wit and brutality ensues. From Well Go USA ... In "Death and Cremation" (2011), starring Brad Dourif, Jeremy Sumpter, Scott Elrod and Debbon Ayer, a 59-year-old recluse who offers cremation services from the basement of his funeral home is in fact a deranged sociopath who eliminates anyone he perceives to be a bully. When he takes a fatherless, 17-year-old high school outcast under his wing, thee pair develop a demented relationship. From Green Apple Entertainment ... A Brooklyn teenager juggles conflicting identities and risks friendship, heartbreak, and family in a desperate search for sexual expression in "Pariah" (2011), starring Kim Wayans, Adepero Oduye, Aasha Davis and Charles Parnell. From Universal ... During the final days at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, two employees determined to reveal the hotel's haunted past begin to experience disturbing events as old guests check in for a "last" stay in "The Innkeepers" (2011), starring Sara Paxton and Pat Healy. From Dark Sky Films/MPI Media Group ... On a long-postponed trip back home, a young woman's family is visited by a terrifying creature in "Night Wolf" (2012), starring Isabella Calthorp, Tom Felton, Joshua Bowman and Gemma Atkinson. From Lionsgate.

On the Indie Front: (4/24)

"Chasing Happiness" (2011), starring Elisa Donovan, Claude Duhamel, Kashmera Shah and Cerina Vincent, follows the decidedly deceptive lives of four young people trying desperately to make a living in Southern California -- all revolving around sex -- including a skilled sex surrogate, a sultry dancer who's making a living in disguise as a no-nonsense guru/yoga instructor and a poker hustler whose beauty can only take her so far, depending on how the cards are played. From Stonelock Media Group/Tripod Entertainment ... "Some Days Are Better Than Others" (2010) Carrie Brownstein, James Mercer, Renee Roman Nose. A sad valentine to the forgotten discards of a throwaway society, set in rainy Portland, Oregon, following several people as they deal with despair: Katrina is a twentysomething reality TV enthusiast, video diarist and animal shelter worker whose world falls apart when she finds that those important to her are often not what she hopes they

would be. Eli is a mid-30s slacker trying to get over a recent heartbreak. And Camille is a socially handicapped thrift store attendant. From Palisades Tartan ... "A Mother's Love" (2011), starring Rolonda Watts and Vanessa A. Williams, is an inspirational drama about a strong, independent woman whose taste for the good life doesn't necessarily include her husband or her daughter, until "a mother's love" prays her down to earth. From Magnolia Home Entertainment ... When a bartender and a party girl, a group of girlfriends out on the town, and four buddies all end up at the same nightclub, their interwoven stories unfold, setting them on a collision course that changes their relationships forever in "Contradictions of the Heart" (2011), starring Vanessa Williams, Wendy Raquel Robinson, LisaRaye, Michael DeLorenzo and Cedric the Entertainer. From Entertainment One ... A devout young woman learns about faith, living, and love from a surprising source when she takes a job at the local health food store and her beliefs collide with her more bohemian co-workers' views in "Paradise Recovered" (2010), starring Heather Wallis, Dane Seth Hurlburt and Oliver Luke. From Monarch Home Entertainment ... In "Albatross" (2011), starring Jessica Brown Findlay, Felicity Jones, Julia Ormond and Sebastian Koch, Emelia Conan-Doyle, the 17-year-old heir to the legacy of Arthur Conan Doyle, pursues a writing career while working at a stuffy seaside hotel run by blocked novelist Jonathan, his bitter wife and their daughter. Emilia first befriends the bookish daughter and then begins an affair with her father, pulling the family apart. From IFC ... "Young Goethe In Love" (2010 -- Germany), starring Alexander Fehling, Miriam Stein, Moritz Bleibtreu, Volker Bruch, Burghart Klaussner, Henry Hubchen, is a beautifully innocent yet achingly insightful romantic drama about the 23-year-old Johann Goethe, his summer of self-discovery and unrequited love, and the birth of the first-ever literary superstar. From Music Box Films.

For the Family (4/24):

With the May 4 theatrical release of Joss Whedon's "The Avengers" (from Disney) fast approaching, Lionsgate is preparing fans with two DVD sets of animated Marvel heroes: "Ultimate Avengers Movie Collection 3-Movie Set" is a three-disc set with "Ultimate Avengers: The Movie," "Ultimate Avengers 2" and "Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow"; and "Marvel Animated Features 3-Movie Collection" is a three-disc set that includes "Planet Hulk," "The Invincible Iron Man" and "Doctor Strange"; $19.99 each ... In "Spot and His Grandparents Go to the Carnival" (2012), Spot, the star of Eric Hill's beloved children’s books, joins his grandparents on a trip to the carnival; $9.97 from BBC Home Entertainment.

Special Interest (4/24):

"Crime After Crime" (2011), the award-winning documentary that has inspired an upcoming feature-length film adaptation, chronicles the dramatic legal battle to free Debbie Peagler, a woman sentenced to life behind bars for her connection to the murder of her abuser. The inspiring film received critical acclaim nationwide, and more importantly, sparked global attention to the broken legal system between domestic violence and criminal justice. With a special introduction by Oprah Winfrey and Rosie O'Donnell, extended scenes, "Crime After Crime in Context" featurette, Q&A at the Sundance Film Festival, film crew bios, musician bios, Debbie's Campaign, OWN Doc Club "Sizzle reel." From Virgil Films & Entertainment.

April 17 Releases
From the Big Screen:
"Mission Impossible -- Ghost Protocol," "Shame" and "Born to Be Wild." For more releases this week, see the "Weekly Guide to Home Video Releases."

DVD Collectibles: (4/17)

Comedy comes to the fore this week with "Ernie Kovacs: The ABC Specials," a single-disc DVD featuring most of the prime time ABC Specials that helped cement Ernie Kovacs' legacy as a comic artist who broke the rules of television before they were made.

"The ABC Specials" is broken out from the critically acclaimed six-DVD box set "Ernie Kovacs Collection," released by Shout! Factory in 2011. This new DVD is designed to appeal to a broader audience not already familiar with Kovacs’ work. Before his untimely death at the age of 42, television pioneer Kovacs left us with a sublime body of comedy work whose influence can be seen on everything from Monty Python to SNL and David Letterman. He made eight TV specials for ABC in 1961, the final year of his life, and these show Kovacs at the peak of his creative experimentation with the medium, featuring many of his comic masterpieces and iconic set pieces. Five of these programs are presented here in complete uncut form, along with many of his celebrated — and delightfully offbeat — commercials for Dutch Masters cigars.

Comedy legends Bud Abbott and Lou Costello cemented their place in film history with the hilarious wartime comedy classic "Buck Privates" (1941). After spending years on stage in burlesque and on radio perfecting classic routines such as "Who's on First?," the duo transitioned to motion pictures at Universal in 1940. In their first leading roles, Bud and Lou play con artists who accidentally enlist in the U.S. Army to avoid going to jail. Making matters worse, their no-nonsense drill sergeant turns out to be the cop who tried to arrest them. Featuring classic routines such as "Drill," "Dice Game" and "You’re Forty, She's Ten," the film also starred the popular singing group The Andrews Sisters performing the Academy Award-nominated song "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." Following the success of "Buck Privates," Bud and Lou made an astounding 26 more movies at Universal. This Blu-ray/DVD Combo is part of Universal 100th Anniversary Collector's Series.

One of the most powerful of the family portraits by Yasujiro Ozu ("Tokyo Story"), "Late Spring" (1949) tells the story of a widowed father who feels compelled to marry off his beloved only daughter. Eminent Ozu players Chishu Ryu and Setsuko Hara command this poignant tale of love and loss in postwar Japan, which remains as potent today as ever -- and as strong a justification for its maker's inclusion in the pantheon of cinema's greatest directors. The Criterion Collection releases the film in Blu-ray this week, in a high-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack.

From TV to Video: (4/17)

"American Dad Volume 7 " (2010-11) is a three-disc set with 19 uncensored episodes, from Fox ... "Bob's Burgers Season One" (2011) is a two-disc set with 13 episodes, $19.99 from Fox ... "Eight Is Enough: The Complete First Season" (1980-81) is a two-disc set with nine episodes, $24.98 from Warner ... "Top Shot: The Gauntlet: The Complete Season Three" (2011) is a four-disc set with 12 episodes, $29.95 from A&E ... "Treme: The Complete Second Season" (2011) is a four-disc set with 11 episode, from HBO ... "Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns: Season 5" (2011) is a three-disc set with 20 episodes, $29.98 from Lionsgate.

Buzzin' the 'B's: (4/17)

There's plenty of horror retreads hitting the shelves this week, beginning with "Hell's Labyrinth (aka Carnivorous)" (2007), in which a group of 20 captives find themselves in a hellish chamber, hunted by demonic creatures; from MTI Home Video ... followed by "The Divide" (2011), where a sudden nuclear attack

forces nine strangers into a small, decrepit apartment building basement for shelter, where the group begins to descend into madness. Stars Lauren German, Michael Biehn, Milo Ventimiglia, Courtney B. Vance, Ivan Gonzalez, Michael Eklund, Ashton Holmes and Rosanna Arquette; from Anchor Bay ... The unveiling of a state-of-the-art city called New Town, fully serviced by robots fulfilling all of the functions previously held by humans, turns deadly when the robots revolt and attack the humans in "Robotropolis" (2011), starring Zoe Naylor and Graham Sibley, from Image Entertainment ... In "7 Below" (2011), starring Ving Rhames, Luke Goss, Rebecca Da Costa, Bonnie Somerville, Matt Barr, Val Kilmer, a group of people, stranded in nowhere when their tour bus breaks down, find themselves trapped in the same home where murders occurred 100 years before; from ARC Entertainment ... Lastly, there's "Suspicion" (2011), starring Brad Blaisdell, Suzanne May and Aidan Bristow, in which a retired member of the Mafia, dying of lung cancer, roams the city, frequenting his favorite cafe, where he meets a waitress/college girl and unwittingly puts her life in jeopardy; from Osiris Entertainment.

On the Indie Front: (4/17)

In "The Last Rites of Joe May" (2011), short-money hustler Joe May (Dennis Farina) returns from the hospital after a long battle with pneumonia to confront the harsh reality of his legacy: Everyone he knew had assumed he was dead, and life had gone on around him without missing a beat. Returning to his old Chicago neighborhood, he finds his car gone, all his worldly possessions pawned by his landlord, and the apartment he’s lived in his entire adult life rented out to a single mother named Jenny and her 8-year-old daughter. From TriBeca Film/New Video ... "The Man on the Train" (2011) stars Donald Sutherland and Larry Mullen Jr. in the English-language remake of Patrice Leconte's acclaimed French drama about a quiet professor who wants to trade places with the bank thief who has arrived in his small town; also from TriBeca Film/New Video

For the Family (4/17):

"Mo Willems' Pigeon and Pals: Complete Cartoon Collection, Vol. 1 & 2" (2012) is a two-disc set with six animated stories by Emmy Award-winner and Sesame Street veteran Mo Willems, who authored the family favorites "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!" and "The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!" included here. The set also includes "Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale" (in both English and Spanish) and "Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity," "Leonardo the Terrible Monster" and "Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed." From Scholastic Storybook Treasures ... "Conan the Adventurer: Season Two: Part 2" (1992) is a two-disc set with 13 episodes, $19.93 from Shout! Factory ... "Yo Gabba Gabba: Super Spies" (2012) contains four new episodes, and includes "Super Spies" guest-starring Jason Bateman, $16.99 from Nickelodeon/Paramount.

Special Interest (4/17):

There's a flood of interesting documentaries due this week; in alphabetical order:

"Bill Moyers: Capitol Crimes" (2012) Hard-hitting examination of the Abramoff lobbying scandal, as seen on PBS. Features more than three hours of bonus materials including 83-minute "Buying the War" bonus. A tale of politics, greed, and the buying and selling of influence at the highest levels of power. Moyers explores how "super lobbyist" Jack Abramoff rode a wave of corruption to enrich himself and promote his causes -- from Indian casinos in Louisiana to the Moscow offices of Russia's new oligarchs -- taking down other Washington heavyweights in the process. From Acorn Media.

"The Flaw" (2011) Today, a question haunts America: what exactly caused the world's greatest economy to crash and burn in 2008? And why is it so slow to recover? From award-winning documentarian David Sington, this documentary tells the story of the credit bubble that caused the financial crash through interviews with some of the world's leading economists, including housing expert Robert Shiller, Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, and economic historian Louis Hyman, as well as Wall Street insiders and victims of the crash. More topical than ever, the film presents an original and compelling account of the toxic combination of forces that nearly destroyed the world economy, demonstrating how excessive income inequality leads to economic instability. From Docurama.
"From the Other Side" (2002) This critically acclaimed documentary from legendary Belgian filmmaker Chantal Akerman -- referred to by J. Hoberman in the Village Voice as "Comparable in force and originality to Godard or Fassbinder, Chantal Akerman is arguably the most important European director of her generation" -- examines the risks taken by undocumented immigrants from Mexico crossing over to Arizona. Exploring Agua Prieta, Mexico, Douglas, Arizona, and the desert in between, she mixes beautiful and evocative landscapes with interviews with the families of immigrants, American sheriffs, fearful locals, and advocates. A bonus disc will include another film by Chantal Akerman, "South" (1999) a documentary that was originally planned as a meditation on the American south, inspired by Akerman's love of William Faulkner and James Baldwin; the focus of the film was dramatically altered following a brutal murder that took place during its development. In Jasper, Texas, James Byrd Jr., a black man, was severely beaten by three white men, then chained to their truck and dragged three miles through the county. Akerman situates this hate crime within the context of the surrounding community and landscape, exploring the reactions of the citizens in Jasper and allowing the story to unfold on its own in a pensive and respectful fashion. Two-disc set from Icarus Films Home Video.
"Frozen Planet" (2012) Astonishing and breathtaking seven-part series narrated by David Attenborough. A BBC/Discovery Channel co-production four years in the making," Frozen Planet" is ambitious and epic in scale and provides the ultimate portrait of our Earth's Polar Regions, capturing the power of natural elements and the fragile, jaw-dropping beauty of scenery unlike anywhere else in the world. This landmark high definition series brings to the screen the frozen wilderness of the polar region for what could be the last time before they change forever. Featuring the incredible wildlife cinematography that made "Planet Earth" a worldwide success, viewers encounter spectacles that few of us will ever witness first hand. Go deep under the sea-ice into a magical world of giants, plunge into the heart of an erupting polar volcano and fly to the South Pole across the Antarctic icecap -- the largest concentration of ice on earth -- retracing the steps of the great Polar explorers. Get closer than ever before to the lives of polar bears, penguins, wolves and orcas, and witness the most extraordinary examples of survival against the odds that can be found anywhere on the planet. Three-disc set from BBC Worldwide Americas.
"Garbo: The Spy" (2009) The Allies called him Garbo. The Nazis dubbed him Alaric. Both sides in World War II were sure Juan Pujol Garcia was their man. In reality, Pujol was a double agent -- and his final allegiance was to the Allies. From the comfort of Lisbon, Garbo fed false information to the Nazis and fabricated a network of phantom agents across Europe. Although he never fired a single shot, Garbo helped to save thousands of lives, most notably by misinforming the Germans about the timing and location of D-Day. In his inexhaustible imagination he even went so far as to secure death benefits from the Nazis for an imaginary agent's nonexistent widow. Documentary in English, Spanish & German w/English subtitles. Formats: DVD. Extras: Interview with intelligence & espionage expert Nigel West, "Sonic Deception" WWII Training Film. From First Run Features.
"The Hitler Chronicles" Four documentaries in a four-disc box set: "The Architecture of Doom," "Dear Uncle Adolf," "Hitler: A Career" and "The Top Secret Trial of the Third Reich." In English & German w/English subtitles. From First Run Features.

"The Man Nobody Knew: In Search of My Father, CIA Spymaster William Colby" (2011) As powerful and riveting as a John Le Carre thriller, "The Man Nobody Knew" uncovers the hidden life of legendary CIA spymaster William Colby. The consummate American soldier-spy, Colby took on the government's dirtiest assignments without question -- until the day he defied presidential orders and revealed to Congress the CIA's "family jewels" -- their darkest, deepest secrets. Told by his son Carl Colby and featuring a who's who of the intelligence community as well as top journalists and writers, Colby's story unmasks the lies, myths, truths, sacrifices and casualties of a covert spy. From First Run Features.
"Planet Egypt" (2011) Fascinating, four-hour HISTORY miniseries explores the technology, culture, religion, wars and peace that unified Egypt for 3,000 years. Two-disc set from A&E.
"The Presidents" (2005) As the election year heats up, this best-selling series -- the most comprehensive ever filmed about the presidency -- provides a rare, inside look at the lives and legacies of every POTUS in a beautifully repackaged set including a bonus DVD. Four-disc set from A&E.
"Secret War" (2012) From the producers of "Churchill's Bodyguard" and "Hitler's Bodyguard," this riveting 13-part series tells the story of the spies who went behind enemy lines to conduct intelligence-gathering, sabotage, and assassination during World War II. The series premiered on Discovery's Military Channel in January 2012. "Secret War" includes a 20-page viewer’s guide with a chronology of World War II, articles on Winston Churchill, Fortress Europe, resistance movements, the SAS, and MI6. From Acorn Media.

Fight for 35mm

(April 15) Are the days of 35mm film numbered? Recent moves by the major Hollywood (and foreign) studios don't augur well for the format. While it takes thousands of dollars to duplicate a 35mm print and disseminate several thousand copies to movie theaters around the U.S., a digital copy of that 35mm print can be made for about $200 and then shipped on a hard drive (or, soon, by satellite or cable) to theaters, saving the studios millions of dollars every year. That's great for the studios' bottom lines, and they're pretty much forcing America's

theater-owners to convert to digital projectors by threatening the elimination of film and by offering monetary incentives to defray the cost of conversion. The problem is that digital "prints" are great for DVD and home entertainment, but should never be used for big-screen, theatrical presentations. There is a warmth, fluidity and depth to 35mm film that digital can never replicate. (See Jerry Mander's "Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television," which details the physical and psychological differences between watching a continuous image on film and an image broken up into dots and bits on digital). Worse, the change to digital will lock-out the few remaining small theater-owners and art-houses, who won't be able to get 35mm prints of classic films -- and, even if they wanted to, they couldn't afford the digital changeover. What to do? Check out the following sites (Fight for 35mm, Row Three, Movieline) that discuss the issue, then sign the "Fight for 35mm" Petition. Please. Now.

April 10 Releases)
From the Big Screen:
"Iron Lady" and "The Darkest Hour." For more releases this week, see the "Weekly Guide to Home Video Releases."

DVD Collectibles: (4/10)

The Blu-ray highlight this week is "A Streetcar Named Desire: The Original Restored Version" (1951), directed by Elia Kazan and starring Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter and Karl Malden. This is Tennessee Williams' masterpiece, depicting a culture clash between Blanche DuBois (Leigh), a fading relic of the Old South (whose

pretensions to virtue and culture only thinly mask her nymphomania and alcoholism), and Stanley Kowalski (Brando), a member of the industrial, inner-city immigrant class. When Blanche shows up at the house of her sister Stella Kowalski (Hunter), her arrival upsets the balance of Stella's relationship with her husband Stanley, a primal, rough-hewn, brutish and sensual force of nature. Stanley dominates Stella in every way, and she tolerates his offensive crudeness largely because of her sexual need for him. Stanley's friend and Blanche's would-be suitor Mitch (Malden) is similarly trampled along Blanche and Stanley's collision course; their final, inevitable confrontation results in Blanche's mental annihilation. "Streetcar" was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won four, including three for acting. This edition of the film is the motion picture moviegoers would have seen had not censorship by the Legion of Decency occurred at the last minute; it features three minutes of footage thought to be lost until its rediscovery in the early 1990s. The new footage underscores, among other things, the sexual tension between Blanche and Stanley, and Stella's passion for her husband. The Blu-ray Book contains 40-pages filled of photos, film history trivia and more; the Blu-ray includes five documentaries and a commentary. From Warner.

Also due this week is the Blu-ray debut of "Conversation Piece" (1974 -- Italy), Luchino Visconti's penultimate film, starring Burt Lancaster, Helmut Berger, Silvana Mangano, Claudia Marsani and Stefano Patrizi. The award-winning film examines the solitary life of a retired American professor (Lancaster) who lives alone in a luxurious palazzo in Rome and what happens when he's confronted by a vulgar Italian marchesa and her companions -- her lover, her daughter and daughter's boyfriend. From RaroVideo ... And, lastly, Warner is debuting "Don Juan DeMarco" (1994), starring Johnny Depp, Marlon Brando and Faye Dunaway.

From TV to Video: (4/10)

"Car 54, Where Are You? The Complete Second Season" (1962-63) is a four-disc set with 30 episodes, $39.98 from Shanachie Entertainment ... "Doctor Who: Carnival of Monsters Special Edition" is a two-disc set that follows the third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and Jo (Katy Manning) on a test flight in the TARDIS, landing aboard the SS Bernice, a cargo ship that appears to be crossing the Indian Ocean in 1926. As events take a dangerous and unexpected twist, it seems that their fate lies in the hands of a traveling showman named Vorg and his assistant Shirna, who have just arrived on the distant planet of Inter Minor with an amazing intergalactic peepshow called the Miniscope. From BBC Home Entertainment ... "Doctor Who: The Daemons" is another two-disc set. In the peaceful village of Devil's End something very strange is happening. A professor is preparing to open a nearby burial mound, and a local white witch foresees death and disaster. Meanwhile, the new vicar looks suspiciously like the Master, and he is using black magic to conjure up an ancient Demon. Can the third Doctor (Jon Pertwee), Jo (Katy Manning) and UNIT stop their old enemy before he succeeds? From BBC Home Entertainment ...

"Ice Road Truckers: Season Five" (2011) is a four-disc set with 16 episodes, $29.95 from A&E ... "Logan's Run: The Complete Series" (1977-78) is a three-disc set with 14 episodes, from Warner ... "Night Gallery: Season Three" (1972-73) is a two-disc set with 17 episodes, $29.98 from Universal ... "One Tree Hill: The Complete Ninth and Final Season" (2012) is a four-disc set with 13 episodes, $39.98 from Warner ... "The Witches of Oz" (2011), starring Paulie Rojas, Billy Boyd, Sean Astin, Lance Henriksen, Christopher Lloyd, Jeffrey Combs, Ethan Embry and Mia Sara, is kind of a sequel to "The Wizard of Oz": a modern Dorothy Gale discovers that her best selling novels are actually based on suppressed childhood memories of her time in Oz, and that she may be in danger of experiencing it all over again. From Image Entertainment.

Buzzin' the 'B's: (4/10)

"The Hidden" (2011) is an Italian thriller, starring Sean Clement, Simonetta Solder, Jordan Hayes and Jason Blicker, about a young man who inherits from his mother "The Sanctuary," a spooky building that served as a home to her controversial experimental addiction treatment center. But during a tour of the decrepit building, he soon realizes that something sinister lies beneath the surface; something so evil it is better left concealed. From Entertainment One ... "Sleeping Beauty" (2011), starring Emily Browning and Rachael Blake, is a haunting portrait of a young university student drawn into a mysterious hidden world of unspoken desires. From IFC.

For the Family: (4/10)

In the original Marvel animated comic book feature "Astonishing X-Men: Dangerous" (2012), the tragic death of a student at the Xavier Institute reveals that a powerful enemy is working from inside the mansion to destroy the X-Men. From Shout! Factory ... "Dougie in Disguise" (2012) is the first title in a series of animated stories from Spain designed to encourage imaginative play: Dougie is a curious kid who loves to play with sticker albums and who loves to dress up in disguise and have various adventures; children help Dougie choose stickers that help him in his travels. Volume 1 includes 13 adventures, such as Dougie "as a cloud," "as a glassmaker," "as Peter Pan"; Volume 2 includes 14 episodes, such as "as a blacksmith," "as a film director," "as a toadstool." For ages 2 to 5; $19.95 each. From Organa Kids.)

Special Interest: (4/10)

Taking as his starting point an exploration of a triple homicide case in Conroe, Texas, master filmmaker Werner Herzog probes the human psyche to explore why people kill -- and why the state kills in return -- in "Into the Abyss" (2011). Through intimate conversations with those involved, including 28-year-old Death Row

inmate Michael Perry, Herzog achieves what he describes as "a gaze into the abyss of the human soul." Herzog's inquiries also extend to the families of the victims and perpetrators as well as a state executioner and pastor who've been with Death Row prisoners as they've taken their final breaths. From IFC ... With the approach of the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic (April 15, 1912), National Geographic pairs a new special, "Save the Titanic With Bob Ballard," which premiered Monday, April 9, on the National Geographic Channel, with the classic film "Secrets of the Titanic" in "Secrets of the Titanic Anniversary Collection" (2011), selling for $19.97 ... The documentary "Surviving Hitler: A Love Story" (2011) is a shocking true-life love story in the midst of humankind's darkest horror, a harrowing tale of war, resistance, and survival. As a teenager in Nazi Germany, Jutta is shocked to discover she is Jewish. She joins the German resistance and meets Helmuth, an injured soldier. The two become sweethearts and soon co-conspirators in the daring final plot to assassinate Hitler. At the center of the documentary is a love story for the ages, with riveting narration by Jutta herself, original 8mm footage (shot by Helmuth) and, miraculously, a happy ending. From

Osiris Entertainment ... "The Conquest" (2011 -- France), starring Denis Podalydes, Florence Pernel and Bernard Le Coq, is a dramatized look at French president Nicolas Sarkozy's rise to power. The film examines the private life behind the public headlines, as it follows the thrilling journey of an ambitious political leader who discovers what happens when you get everything you ever wanted. From Music Box Films ... During construction at a Colorado ski resort, a bulldozer dug up something strange: a tooth so huge it had to be held in two hands. Racing to the scene, scientists from the local Denver museum could scarcely believe what they found: a vast trove of fossils from the depths of the Ice Age 100,000 years ago, when North America teemed with incredible beasts: massive mastodons, saber tooth cats and camels, giant bison with six-foot horns, and ground sloths as big as elephants with huge claws. "Nova: Ice Age Death Trap" (2012), $24.99 from PBS Distribution, documents the find.

'The Artist' Due June 26

(April 9) The Weinstein Co. and Sony have announced a June 26 release date for the Academy Award-winning Best Picture "The Artist." The film is a heartfelt valentine to classic American cinema. Set during the twilight of Hollywood's silent era and shot on location in Los Angeles, the film tells the story of a charismatic movie star unhappily confronting the new world of talking pictures. Mixing comedy, romance and melodrama, the film is an example of the form it celebrates: a black-and-white silent film that relies on actors, images and music to weave its spell. Read more here.

'The Hunger Games': It all began with the Romans ...

(April 7) The recent release of "The Hunger Games" movie has brought in $155 million during its box-office opening, making it the third highest opening-weekend earner ever (and grossing domestically $302 million to date). So what is it about this movie that has got people queuing up en masse to see it? Well, it's got something that quite a few other successful and not-so-successful movies have: A story line that has people hooked. It's one that centers around a dystopian future, where people are forced to set upon each other in violent and fatal battles for entertainment value. There was a time, of course, when this type of thing was actually part of a nation's culture: some 2000 years ago in the era of the Roman Gladiators and the infamous battles to the death in the amphitheaters spread across the Empire. Read more here.

April 3 Releases (April 3)
From the Big Screen:
"War Horse" and "We Bought a Zoo." For more releases this week, see the "Weekly Guide to Home Video Releases."

DVD Collectibles: (4/03)

The highlight this week is the Blu-ray debut of Roman Polanski's "Chinatown" (1974), starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, John Hillerman and Diane Ladd, in a new high definition transfer. The DVD includes a collectible booklet. Named by the AFI as one of the top 25 American films ever made, "Chinatown" has fabulous performances by Nicholson, Dunaway and Huston, and has an atmosphere that truly captures

the era of 1930s Los Angeles. Private investigator Jake Gittes (Nicholson) unravels a mystery involving water rights that are critical to the development of Los Angeles after taking on what appears to be a simple adultery case. Along the way to the Chinatown denouement, Gittes uncovers corruption, murder, fraud, and unspeakable family secrets among the well-to-do ruling class in the city. There's always more than meets the eye in this thriller about people who aren't who they seem to be ("She's my daughter. She's my sister."). Extras include commentary by screenwriter Robert Towne and filmmaker David Fincher; five behind-the-scenes featurettes: "Water and Power," "The Aqueduct," "The Aftermath," "The River and Beyond" and "Chinatown: The Beginning and the End"; "Chinatown: An Appreciation," in which prominent filmmakers express their personal admiration for the film, including Steven Soderbergh, composer James Newton Howard, writer-director Kimberly Peirce and cinematographer Roger Deakins. From Paramount.

Lionsgate has released this week three film collections from three of Hollywood's most enchanting leading ladies, at a reasonable price of $19.98 each: "The Gwyneth Paltrow: 4-Film Collection" with "Shakespeare in Love," "View From the Top," "Bounce" and "Emma"; "The Nicole Kidman: 4-Film Collection" with "Cold Mountain," "Rabbit Hole," "The Others" and "Dogville"; and "The Renee Zellweger: 4-Film Collection" with "Cold Mountain," "Chicago," "Bridget Jones's Diary" and "New in Town."

From TV to Video: (4/03)

"The Commander, Set 2" (2007-08) is a compelling new mystery from the creator of" Prime Suspect." Amanda Burton stars as the ambitious and exacting Commander Clare Blake in these four feature-length crime dramas from Lynda La Plante. Supported by an outstanding ensemble cast, Burton delivers a powerhouse performance as the complex and driven Blake. From Acorn Media ... In "Goodnight for Justice: Measure of a Man" (2012), the sequel to "Goodnight for Justice," the highest rated original production on the Hallmark Movie Channel, Luke Perry returns to the lawless frontier to once again star as honorable Circuit Judge John Goodnight. In a two-disc set, $19.98, from Entertainment One ... "Masterpiece Classic: Great Expectations" (2011) stars Gillian Anderson, David Suchet, Ray Winstone and Douglas Booth in a ne adaptation of the Dickins' classic. $24.99 from PBS Distribution ... In "Torchwood: Miracle Day" (2011), the Torchwood team heads to the U.S. for 10 episodes via Starz in this four-disc set, $49.99 from Warner.

Buzzin' the 'B's: (4/03)

"Alien Opponent Uncut Edition" (2011) stars Jeremy London, Roddy Piper, Cuyle Carvin, Adrienne LaValley, Ashley Bates, Hilma Falkowski, Tasia Jones and Kevin Shea in a wild and wooly sci-fi thriller with an off-the-wall premise: What do you do when you've just killed your redneck husband but your plans of collecting his junkyard estate are thwarted by the arrival of a spacecraft that crash lands into the barn where his body lies? Well, blame his death on the spaceman and then offer $100,000 cash reward to whoever can kill the uninvited, space-suited alien guest. Soon the farm is overrun with every weirdo imaginable armed with every weapon imaginable, all intent on killing the alien and winning the prize. From Shout! Factory ... "Sleeping Beauty" (2011) stars Emily Browning and Rachael Blake in a haunting portrait of a young university student drawn into a mysterious hidden world of unspoken desires. From IFC films ... In "Enter Nowhere" (2011), three strangers arrive one by one at a mysterious cabin in the middle of nowhere only to learn they've been brought together for nefarious reasons. Stars Sara Paxton, Scott Eastwood and Shaun Sipos. From Lionsgate.

On the Indie Front: (4/03)

In "Angels Crest" (2011), starring Jeremy Piven, Mira Sorvino, Elizabeth McGovern and Thomas Dekker, the disappearance of a 3-year-old boy divides a tightly knit community and culls out its secrets. From Magnolia Home Entertainment ... In "Dysfunctional Friends" (2011), starring Meagan Good, Stacey Dash, Terrell Owens, Reagan Gomez-Preston and Jason Weaver, the death of a larger-than-life friend reunites a group of now-estranged college friends who soon learn that their eccentric acquaintance has left behind an unconventional will: Each of the remaining friends will receive a large sum of money, but only if they can remain -- together -- in his mansion for one week, without leaving. From Image Entertainment ... "Tyrannosaur" (2011) stars Peter Mullan, Olivia Colman and Eddie Marsan in the story of two lonely, damaged people who are brought together by circumstance: Joseph, an unemployed widower, drinker, and a man crippled by his own volatile temperament and furious anger; and Hannah, a Christian worker at a charity shop, a respectable married woman who appears wholesome and happy, but whose relationship with husband James is violent and abusive. As events spiral out of control, Joseph becomes her source of succor and comfort. From Strand Releasing.

Foreign: (4/03)

In the dark drama "The Double Hour" (2009 -- Italy), starring Kseniya Rappoport and Filippo Timi, a Slovenian immigrant chambermaid and an Italian ex-cop meet at a speed dating event in Turin and a romance develops. But during a romantic getaway things suddenly take a vicious turn as the pair's murky past comes to the surface. From Flatiron Films/New Video.

Special Interest: (4/03)

"Chasing Madoff" (2012) is the suspenseful true story of Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme and the financial executive who made it his mission to bring him down. Based on Boston-based securities analyst Harry Markopolos' New York Times best seller, "No One Would Listen," this is the compelling story of how Markopolos and his team of investigators pieced together a chain of white-collar predators and revealed some of the most frightening truths behind the infamous scandal. From Cohen Media Group ... Beloved by millions of children around the world, "Sesame Street's" Elmo is an international icon. However, few people know the soft-spoken man behind the furry red monster: Kevin Clash. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, "Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey" (2011) follows Clash's remarkable career, while also offering a behind-the-scenes look at "Sesame Street" and the Jim Henson Workshop. From Docurama.