New to DVD is the excellent A Perfect Candidate, the feature-length political documentary by R.J. Cutler (The War Room) and David Van Taylor (Dream Deceivers). The film profiles the rather nasty '94 congressional campaign between Iran-Contra Affair icon and Republican nutjob Oliver North and Democrat Chuck Robb. I'd like to say the best man won, but this turns out to be a lesser-of-two-evils choice, with the voters ultimately becoming the real losers. The film stands as an indictment of the media, while also featuring some incredible behind-the-scenes footage. A depressing glimpse into the decline and corruption of American democracy, this film deserves to be seen during the current election season. Among the best of its kind.

In somewhat sadder DVD news, The World's Funniest and Cleverest Commercials is marred beyond repair by the entirely unfunny commentary of an entirely unnecessary host. The folks behind this compilation should have taken their cues from the annual Cannes anthology of ads (currently playing at the Parc), where the commercials are allowed to speak for themselves.