By DNA Smith
PICKS OF THE WEEK
“Back to the Future: 25th Anniversary Trilogy” (PG) — Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd star as Marty McFly and Doc Brown in the classic madcap time-travel trilogy. All three films on six discs — three of which are packed to the rafters with special features, including a brand-new six-part retrospective featuring the cast and crew. If you don’t already own the series, this release is the definitive collection for your DVD library.
“Paths of Glory” (The Criterion Collection) (Unrated) — Directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Kirk Douglas, “Paths of Glory” is an epic film set in World War I and was the film that put Stanley Kubrick on the map as a director of note. Douglas stars as a French colonel who orders a squad to capture a German patrol. The men fail, and the colonel’s commanding generals order him to arbitrarily choose three men to be tried for cowardice. “Paths of Glory” is not only a brilliant depiction of the hell of trench warfare, it is also a gripping indictment of war’s folly and the ambitions of those in power whose pride leads to the senseless slaughter of good men.
“You Don’t Know Jack” (Unrated) — After spending more than a decade phoning it in, Al Pacino finally delivers a tour-de-force performance as the controversial doctor Jack Kevorkian in this HBO docudrama. Directed by Barry Levinson and featuring a stellar supporting cast (Susan Sarandon, James Urbaniak, Brenda Vaccaro, John Goodman), “You Don’t Know Jack” is not only a humanizing glimpse into the life of a misunderstood man, but a film that addresses the fundamental question: “Whose life is it, anyway?” Does an individual have the right to choose to die? And if so, if they ask for assistance, is the person helping them committing murder or mercy?
“Tonight: 4 Decades of The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson” (Unrated) — This is a massive 15-disc collection of some of the best episodes of Carson’s reign as host of “The Tonight Show.” Unlike all the other “Tonight Show” releases, this is not a compilation of clips. Instead, you’re treated to 56 complete episodes from the opening monologue to the end credits. Some of the guests featured are Bob Hope, Woody Allen, Joan Embery (and her zoo animals), Bill Clinton, Eddie Murphy, George Carlin, The Muppets, Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld, Steve Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.
TV SERIES
“Sex & the City” Complete Collection (Deluxe Edition)
“Man V Food” Season 2
“CSI: NY” The Sixth Season
“Star Wars The Clone Wars” The Complete Season Two
“The Venture Bros” Season 4, Vol. 1
“Law & Order UK” Season One
“War of the Worlds” The Final Season
“Poldark” Series 2
“How the Earth Was Made” Complete Season 1
“Dog the Bounty Hunter” Wild Ride Megaset
© 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.