Articles Index
"Solaris" (1972) DVD Review
Even though there’s little action or impressive special effects, to my mind this movie is cerebral science fiction at its very best because of the humanistic and moral issues it explores. Read a DVD review and overview of "Solaris," the 1972 movie co-written and directed by Andrei Tarkovsky.
"Hiroshima mon amour" DVD Review
Alain Resnais's influential, innovative film is moving, compelling, and lyrical. I hadn’t seen it in years, and after watching it on DVD recently, I was amazed at its resonance and complexity. Read a short overview and DVD review of Hiroshima mon amour.
"City of God" DVD
City of God is disorienting because of its large number of characters with unfamiliar faces, nonlinear narrative, jittery camera movements, and jumpy editing, but I was amazed at how the screenplay pulls everything together by film's end. Read a review of the movie City of God on DVD
"Angel - Season Two" DVD Review
I had a lot of fun watching Angel - Season Two on DVD, and I suspect the show's fans will enjoy it even better than I did. Read a review of Angel Season two on DVD.
2001: A Space Odyssey DVD Review
2001: A Space Odyssey is one of my all-time favorites. It's one of the films that started me on a life-long love of the movies.
'World Trade Center' (2-Disc Commemorative Edition) DVD
Home Video/DVD Guide Ivana Redwine reviews the movie World Trade Center on DVD. The DVD special features are exceptional, but World Trade Center is worth renting on the strength of the feature film alone. Read a review of the movie World Trade Center on DVD.
"Roman Holiday" Special Collector's Edition DVD
I find "Roman Holiday" a bit on the wispy side, but I love its charismatic stars, elegant direction, and enchanting locations. Read Ivana Redwine's brief review and DVD overview of I "Roman Holiday."
'Zodiac' (2-Disc Director's Cut) DVD Review
Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo and Robert Downey Jr. give fine performances in Zodiac, an engrossing procedural dramatizing the investigation into a series of murders in northern California. The director's cut of the movie is five minutes longer than the version shown in theaters, and the two-disc DVD set provides an impressive array of extras.
'Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day' DVD Review
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day DVD review, including a review of Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day the movie, DVD details and bonus materials. Read Ivana Redwine's review of the Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day DVD.
'Shine a Light' DVD Review
Shine a Light DVD review, including a review of Shine a Light the movie, DVD details and bonus materials. Read Ivana Redwine's review of the Shine a Light DVD.
'Definitely, Maybe' DVD Review
Definitely, Maybe DVD review, including a review of Definitely, Maybe the movie, DVD details and bonus materials. Read Ivana Redwine's review of the Definitely, Maybe DVD.
'Diva' (Meridian Collection) DVD Review
Diva DVD review, including a review of Diva the movie, DVD details and bonus materials. Read Ivana Redwine's review of the Diva DVD.
"The Simpsons - Season Three" DVD Review
I've always been a fan of The Simpsons and having a chance to see the third season on DVD was a special treat.
"The Dancer Upstairs" DVD Review
This film is slow-moving and murky at times, but I found it thought-provoking, and I was intrigued by its main character as played by Javier Bardem. Read a short review and DVD overview of The Dancer Upstairs.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly DVD Review
DVD review of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, including a review of the movie and the DVD bonus materials. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is a moving and often cinematically dazzling adaptation of Jean-Dominique Bauby's memoir. Discover more in the The Diving Bell and the Butterfly DVD review.
"The Crime of Padre Amaro" DVD Review
DVD Guide Ivana Redwine reviews The Crime of Padre Amaro on DVD.
Atonement DVD Review
A faithful and sometimes dazzling adaptation of the best-selling novel by Ian McEwan, Atonement was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won the Oscar for Best Musical Score. The DVD provides an excellent audio commentary track by director Joe Wright. The DVD is worth watching for the artistic value of the feature film alone. But the commentary gave me a deeper understanding of the movie and filmmaking process, making the DVD worth buying.
The Illusionist DVD Review
I enjoyed this well-acted, well-crafted movie, although it never pulled me in emotionally.
Brokeback Mountain DVD
Brokeback Mountain is a melancholy drama about forbidden love that was nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture. The movie has one of the best screenplays ever, elegant direction, interesting locations and memorable performances. Lead actor Heath Ledger's naturalism reminded me of Marlon Brando at his best.
Thirteen DVD Review
I found myself mesmerized by this little indie drama, and I was particularly impressed by the expressive faces and naturalistic acting styles of Evan Rachel Wood and Nikki Reed. As much as I liked Thirteen, it's not perfect. It seems to me stronger on sociology than on poetry. Read a review of Thirteen on DVD.
Once DVD Review
Once is a charming, low-budget, low-keyed, intimate, unpretentious indie film set in contemporary Dublin. The film is poignant, and the ending is bittersweet. The DVD has a feature-length audio commentary by the filmmaker and the two lead actor-musicians.
We Were Soldiers DVD Review
Mel Gibson gives a winning performance in We Were Soldiers, an emotionally engaging military action movie that centers around a historic Vietnam War battle. The film is loaded with exciting combat footage, but what I like best about it is its portrayal of real-life career Army officer Hal Moore.
Down to the Bone DVD Review
Down to the Bone got only a limited theatrical release, and that's a shame because it's an outstanding movie.
"Tokyo Story" DVD Review
Universal in theme, humanistic, and accessible, this is one of the greatest masterpieces of world cinema. To my mind, this movie' incredible power comes from its seeming simplicity, which allows emotions to build slowly and subtly, much as they do in real life. It's a mark of Ozu's genius that by the time the film reaches its end, it moves me with a power that feels more like reality experienced than make-believe.
Reds DVD Review
This is a sweeping love story set against a historical backdrop of political turmoil.