‘Lilo’ with few extras
“Lilo & Stitch”
Animated
Disney, $25 for VHS; $30 for DVD
One of Disney’s best and most beautifully animated films in years is fashioned in the watercolor style of early Disney animated features. This imaginative, sweet family film revolves around the friendship between a lonely little Hawaiian girl named Lilo who loves Elvis Presley and a mischievous alien, Stitch, whom she adopts as a pet.
The digital edition, however, isn’t up to the usual Disney standards. The DVD doesn’t offer any commentary from directors Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, who also supplies the voice of Stitch. Perhaps a special edition is in the offing? The DVD, though, does feature an “On Location With the Directors” behind-the-scenes documentary; a how-to-hula lesson; “Inter-Stich-als” that seamlessly put the irrepressible Stitch into such Disney films as “The Lion King”; several deleted scenes with intros from the directors and a look at the various Hawaiian islands.
*
“Austin Powers in Goldmember”
Mike Myers, Michael Caine
New Line; $23 for VHS; $27 for DVD
Yeah, baby, yeah. The third entry in the shagadelic “Austin Powers” comedies is as uneven as the first two, but there are still plenty of laughs, especially in the star-studded opening sequence. This time around, Myers plays not only Austin, Dr. Evil and Fat Bastard, he appears as the gold-challenged Dutchman Goldmember.
The digital edition is packed with extras including commentary from director Jay Roach and a lackluster Myers, several deleted scenes with Roach commentary, amusing outtakes, 12 behind-the-scenes featurettes, a look at the special effects, a glimpse at the world of British secret agents, and four music videos. The DVD-ROM also allows you to record your own voice for certain scenes.
*
“The Producers”
Zero Mostel, Gene Wilder
MGM, $25
Mel Brooks won an Oscar for his very original screenplay for this ribald 1968 comedy about a Broadway producer on his last legs who teams up with his timid accountant to produce what they think will be the world’s worst Broadway flop, “Springtime for Hitler.” Brooks, who made his directorial debut with the film, transformed this movie into the biggest Broadway musical in years.
The digital edition includes a comprehensive new hourlong documentary, “The Making of the Producers,” which features interviews with Brooks, Wilder, co-stars Kenneth Mars and Lee Meredith, and production designer Charles Rosen; a sketch gallery; and a photo gallery.
*
“The Duelists”
Harvey Keitel; Keith Carradine
Paramount, $25
After establishing himself as a successful commercials director, Ridley Scott made his feature film debut with this gorgeously shot 1977 drama based on a Joseph Conrad short story that the author took from a real-life incident.
Keitel and Carradine star as two feuding officers in Napoleon’s army. Albert Finney, Edward Fox and Tom Conti also star. Frank Tidy supplied the haunting visuals.
The handsome digital edition includes the wide-screen version, a featurette with director Kevin Reynolds and Scott talking about the technical aspects of the production, Scott’s first short film, “Boy and Bicycle,” commentary and isolated score by Howard Blake, and compelling commentary from Scott, who made this sumptuous film for just $900,000.
-- Susan King
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