DVDs: ‘The Fall’ takes viewers along on a worldwide epic
Independent films used to look like they were made on a shoestring budget with low-budget production and grainy photography. Not today.
“The Fall” ($24.96, Sony, available Tuesday) was financed by one-named director Tarsem, an award-winning music video director who put his own money on the line after years of frustration in trying to get this imaginative movie made. The result is stunning.
The movie demands much of its two main stars: Lee Pace (“Pushing Daisies”) and 6-year-old Romanian actress Catinca Untaru. Their performances, like the movie, are remarkable. (Fans of Pace who only know him from his quirky role on the ABC series may be surprised to see the depths of despair the actor sinks into for this role.)
Pace stars as Hollywood stuntman Roy Walker, circa 1915, who is a broken man: His heart has been broken by his girlfriend and his back broken after a stunt goes wrong. Convalescing in a Los Angles hospital, he meets an adorable girl (Untaru) who broke her collarbone from a fall. Roy spins an epic story for Alexandria about the evil Governor Odious and the five heroes who set out to destroy him. The colorful tale soon overlaps into real life with dangerous consequences for the suicidal Roy.
It’s a mesmerizing story and the cinematography is spectacular. The movie was filmed in 18 countries over four years. Exotic locations, like the Blue City and Labyrinth of No Escape, are real — not computer-generated.
The DVD has commentaries, deleted scenes and two behind-the-scenes features that take viewers on the set and locations to see Tarsem work with his cast and crew.
• Actor, writer and director Edward Burns has quietly made some very interesting films over the years since his 1995 indie feature “The Brothers McMullen.” His latest under-the-radar film is “Purple Violets” ($19. 9 7 , Genius, available now), a romantic comedy/drama about four college friends whose lives intersect after 10 years. Burns stars along with Patrick Wilson, Debra Messing and Selma Blair.
The movie is wordy, to be sure, but in a way that strong character studies need to be. The script by Burns puts you right into the lives of these characters, warts and all, as they struggle with emotional wounds from the past and try to move forward with their lives.
For the kids
• Get in the Halloween spirit with “My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Hundred Acre Wood Haunt” ($24.99, Disney, available now). There are four holidaythemed Pooh episodes as well as a Halloween Disney Handy Manny episode.
• Join Mickey and his pals in “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Storybook Surprises” ($19.99,Disney, available now) as they retell some classic fairytales including “Minnie Red Riding Hood” and “Donald the Frog Prince.”
• “Clifford the Big Red Dog: A Big Help” ($14.98, Lionsgate, available Tuesday) has five new episodes, plus the 24-page book, “Clifford’s Good Deeds.”
• “Thomas & Friends: The Great Discovery” ($19.98, Lionsgate/HIT Entertainment; available Tuesday), is the first feature-length “Thomas” DVD release. A behind-the-scenes featurette narrated by Pierce Brosnan; a music video; and three “Learn With Thomas” featurettes are included.
• “The Best of Barney” ($19.98, Lionsgate/HIT, available Tuesday) celebrates 20 years of the purple dinosaur. More than 20 songs are included, plus “Barney’s Favorite Memories”; Barney’s “I Love You” song from around the world; and sing-alongs.
• Thomas and Barney join Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina and others for “HIT Favorites: Halloween Spooktacular” ($14.98, Lionsgate/HIT; available Tuesday).
• “The Wonder Pets!: Save the Bengal Tiger” ($16.99, Paramount Home Entertainment. Available Tuesday) is a new double-length Bollywood adventure that finds the pets heading to India.
Coming Tuesday
“An American in Paris” (MGM/Fox),“88 Minutes” (Sony), “The Love Guru” (Paramount), “Made of Honor” (Sony) and “Speed Racer” (Warner).•
DVD Extra
CHILD’S PLAY: CHUCKY’S 20TH BIRTHDAY EDITION: That little devil doll returns with new special features, including select scene commentary with Chucky himself as well as interviews, a documentary and vintage featurettes. ($14.98, MGM. Available Tuesday.)
