Five great DVDs to go
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by MICHAEL CITROME
American Pimp (MGM Home Entertainment)
The Hughes Brothers jive-talkin' opus, American Pimp looks great on video because so much of it was shot on video. Fascinating and enhanced with a great soundtrack, this DVD is affordably priced and suited to many viewings. A half-hour interview with the Hughes Brothers from the Alternative Arts channel is also included.
Shaft (Warner Brothers Home Video)
Director Gordon Parks' 1971 crime story was a hit upon release, and the black private dick who's a sex machine to all the chicks has become a pop-culture icon. The DVD release pays homage to the film with a vivid widescreen transfer light years beyond the VHS version, and the Oscar-winning Isaac Hayes soundtrack sounds great remastered in Dolby Digital mono. Priced at around $16, this disc also includes Soul In Cinema, a fascinating documentary with interviews with Gordon Parks and Isaac Hayes, and rare footage of the now-famous soundtrack recording sessions.
Fight Club (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment)
This two-disc set features some of the best-designed packaging ever in home video, but there's more to this than the cover. Disc one is the film presented in a perfect widescreen transfer with separate commentary from Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter and director David Fincher. Disc two is a collection of behind-the-scenes footage, outtakes, and deleted scenes from this controversial film. Great use of multi-angle and incredible commentaries make this a must-own.
The Killer/Hard Boiled double pack (Winstar Video)
Two legendary Hong Kong crime thrillers directed by John Woo in a bargain-priced double pack. Fifty bucks buys excellent widescreen transfers, English and Cantonese soundtracks, subtitles and commentary by the director. Essential.
The Beastie Boys Video Anthology (The Criterion Collection)
From the acclaimed Criterion Collection comes this double-disc of 18 of the Beastie Boys' music videos. This set is jam-packed with extras, including extensive multi-angle scenes, exclusive remixes, director and band commentary, storyboards and the world premiere of the Intergalactic sequel The Robot vs. The Octopus Monster Saga.
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