Hannibal the Cannibal sinks his teeth in yet again
Red Dragon
Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton
Universal, $20 for one-disc DVD; $28 for two-disc Director’s Edition
This prequel to Thomas Harris’ “The Silence of the Lambs” and “Hannibal” is certainly more appetizing than “Hannibal” but not the feast of “Silence.” Still, in “Red Dragon,” previously filmed in 1986 by Michael Mann as “Manhunter,” it’s a kick to watch Hopkins sink his teeth into the role of Hannibal the Cannibal one more time. And a terrific supporting cast including Norton, Ralph Fiennes, Emily Watson and Philip Seymour Hoffman surrounds him.
The two-disc DVD serves up an amusing interview with Hopkins about playing Hannibal (he reads a script 250 times), an informative interview with FBI profiler John Douglas, deleted scenes with commentary from Ratner, writer Ted Tally and editor Mark Helfrich, and a wry commentary track with the exuberant Ratner and the low-key Tally. Among the features on the second disc are a “Director’s Journey,” which offers a profile of Ratner from pre-production to the film’s premiere, a look at the makeup applications and the burning wheelchair sequences, and storyboard-to-screen comparisons.
*
Far From Heaven
Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid
Universal, $27
Although Todd Haynes’ tribute to the Douglas Sirk melodramas of the 1950s had a few detractors, most critics admired this touching, innovative drama starring Julianne Moore in her Oscar-nominated turn as a “perfect” ’50s housewife and mother who discovers her husband (Dennis Quaid) is gay and finds herself turning for comfort to the family’s gentle gardener (Dennis Haysbert). The handsome DVD includes a passable behind-the-scenes “making of” documentary, a brief Q&A; with Moore and Haynes, a detailed look at the creation of the important cocktail party scene in the film, and multilayered commentary from Haynes.
*
Secretary
Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Spader
Lions Gate, $25
Although it’s rather kinky, “Secretary,” thanks to winning performances, incisive direction and a fun script, is actually a sweet love story between two misfits: an emotionally immature secretary named Lee (Gyllenhaal) and her boss, Mr. Grey (Spader). She’s a self-mutilator recently released from a mental institution; he’s an anxious attorney who discovers that Lee enjoys humiliation and various physical punishments whenever she does something wrong. Jeremy Davies also stars.
The DVD includes a “making of” documentary and interesting commentary from director Steven Shainberg and screenwriter Erin Cressida Wilson.
*
The Truth About Charlie
Mark Wahlberg, Thandie Newton
Universal, $27
The truth about “Charlie” is that it isn’t very good, despite the fact that it’s nice to see director Jonathan Demme (“The Silence of the Lambs”) return to the more lighthearted films he made earlier in his career before he became a serious Oscar-winning filmmaker. This glitzy remake of the 1963 romantic thriller “Charade” just doesn’t have the charm of the original. Although Newton displays gamin charm in the Audrey Hepburn role, Wahlberg is no match for suave Cary Grant.
The digital edition features deleted scenes, a by-the-book “making of” featurette and delightful commentary from Demme, who discusses his lifelong love of French movies and how “Charlie” is his homage to the Gallic films that inspired him. Truth be told, the best extra on the disc is the inclusion of the original “Charade.”
*
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Also this week
A 12-year-old girl takes on poachers on Africa’s Serengeti plain in the animated “Wild Thornberrys Movie” (Paramount: $29.99); look into the exciting and tumultuous world of alternative-rock band Wilco in the rockumentary “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart” (Ryko:$29.95); “The Other Side of Heaven” (Walt Disney: $29.99) is the tale of a young missionary on the South Sea island of Tonga.
Top VHS rentals
1. “8 Mile”
2. “The Ring”
3. “I Spy”
4. “Swimfan”
5. “Road to Perdition”
Top DVD rentals
1. “8 Mile”
2. “The Ring”
3. “I Spy”
4. “Swimfan”
5. “Road to Perdition”
What’s coming
Tuesday: “Paid in Full” and “Waking Up in Reno.”
April 11: “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.”
