David Lynch’s Inland Empire has just been released on DVD, a bonus for viewers who might feel that three hours is too long to spend in a theatre, or who’d like to take the time and effort necessary to even begin to understand Lynch’s latest opus. Extreme, even by his standards, it’s his most experimental work since Eraserhead and to make things even more challenging, it’s shot on consumer-level digital video. All that aside, if you give Lynch the benefit of the doubt and go along with his vision, it’s a mind-bending experience with an amazing performance by Laura Dern and some unforgettably nightmarish images. The disc includes several bonus features including a 20-minute segment of Lynch preparing his favourite quinoa and broccoli dish.

On a wholly different (though arguably no less surreal) note, The Muppet Show has released its complete second season. Steve Martin, Peter Sellers and Elton John are among the bevy of guests on the lovable seventies relic. The disc also includes the rarely seen Muppets Valentine Special from 1974.

Jesse Peretz’s comedy The Ex came and went without much fanfare earlier this year, and while it’s no masterpiece, it’s got some good solid laughs and a great cast including the back-from-retirement Charles Grodin, Jason Bateman, Mia Farrow and… Zach Braff, all pitching in on some Farrelly-esque politically incorrect antics

by MALCOLM FRASER