College is the perfect opportunity to try out new things – especially when it comes to movies.  Among a recent survey conducted by "Business Week," DVDs are currently the most opted method for spending extra income among college campuses.  In fact, these select years are probably the last time you'll be as open minded when it comes to film fare.  So resist the conventions of your age, don't rent the latest high-adrenaline fiasco, and give yourself the chance to try something befitting your adventurous label as I guide you through this month's DVD offerings.

American Splendor (Released 02/03/04)

Probably one of the most unwatched movie miracles of the year, "American Splendor" makes the ordinary existential and the mundane meaningful.  As someone who will inevitably find themselves amongst the wilderness of meandering middle-age, you owe it to yourself to see this one.

Special Features:

Audio Commentary (Actors, Director)

Anatomy of a Scene (Sundance Special)

Isolated Score

Comic Insert

DVD-Rom Features

Review

Movie:                       A+

Special Features:       B+

Overall:                     A

Planet of the Apes: 30th Anniversary Edition (Released 02/03/04)

Okay, the sequels are terrible.  The original acting's not all that hot.  But monkeys ruling a future Earth?  C'mon, you can't do better than that.  The classic tale of man's enslavement to his former self is back and looking better than ever.  20th Century Fox didn't pull out all of the stops, though.  The sound is no better than stereo and most of the original blips in audio grain remain.  Damn, dirty studio executives.

Special Features:

Collector's Case

Audio Commentaries (Actors, Crew)

Isolated Score

Two-hour Documentary

Screen Tests

Assorted Featurettes

Trailers

Review

Movie:                         B+

Special Features:         A-

Overall:                       B+

 Open Range (Released 01/20/2004)

Kevin Costner has had a pretty horrible track record of late, but "Open Range" looks to be the beginning of "non-crap" fare for the once revered actor/director.  A throwback to a more archaic style in shooting Westerns, "Open Range" pits players from the old West against a new breed of immigrants destined to inherit the land.  While most twenty-somethings may scoff at the idea of sitting through a two-and-a-half hour cowboy flick, I assure you that there's more substance here than one might think.  Maybe not worth the price of a ticket, but definitely worth the rental.

Special Features: 

Audio Commentaries (Actors and Director)

One Hour Behind-the-Scenes Special

Documentary on the "Real West"

Deleted Scenes

Storyboards

Music Video

Review:

Movie:                  B

Special Features:  B+

Overall:                B

Alex's Pick of the Month

Lost in Translation (Released 02/03/04)

  I don't know what you've heard, but everything positive is absolutely true and everything negative is someone's misguided attempt at being a jerk.  But really, we need more movies like "Lost in Translation."  Movies that are excited about being movies.  Bill Murray and Charlotte Johansson play professionals standing at a critical crossroads.  The picture they constructed for their lives has been…well…sort of lost in translation.  Oh, really now, you saw that coming.  It's the nuances that make this movie, not the summaries.  So go, see this movie.  Let the loving begin.

 Special Features:

Hand-held Documentary

Actor Featurettes

Extended Scenes

Actor Interviews

DVD-Rom Features

Review

Movie:                        A+

Special Features:        C

Overall:                      B+

You're Too Broke To Touch It

a.k.a.

Avoid It at All Costs Award

Cabin Fever (Released 01/20/04)

I wish I could have talked with the director before he decided to make this film.  Oh, and by film I mean a loose conglomeration of crap technically warranting the title.  I wish I could have talked about his career choices; convinced him to be a stock-broker or a salesmen of some kind.  He's obviously talented at duping others into thinking that he won't rip them off.  Oh, but he will.  And this abysmal attempt at a slasher flick (which already has low standards) will undoubtedly steal your money as well if you let it.  Please, let me help you help yourself.

Special Features:

Five Commentary Tracks (All Including Director Eli Roth)

"Family Version" of Choice Scenes

Pancakes Video (Pancakes performing martial arts for ten minutes)

30 Minute Documentary

Eli Roth's Early Films

Review

Movie:                         F

Special Features:         C

Overall:                       D

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