‘Revolutions’ has extras but no answers
The Matrix Revolutions
Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne
Warner Home Video, $30
Perhaps the biggest cinematic disappointments of last year were the two much anticipated sequels to the blockbuster 1999 action-thriller, “The Matrix.” “Reloaded” and “Revolutions” were mired in confusion and self-importance. Though directors Larry and Andy Wachowski broke new ground in the original, they seem to be stuck in repeat mode with the sequels.
If you thought “Revolutions” was an extravagant bit of hooey, you probably won’t want to check out the extras on the two-disc DVD. The extras certainly don’t give any insight into the convoluted plot line. There’s a “making of” documentary on the movie, another one on the special effects, a featurette on the final showdown between Double Agent Smith and Neo, a “Matrix” timeline, a photo gallery and a preview of a new multiplayer video game.
*
Cheaper by the Dozen
Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt
Fox, $30
This formulaic, insipid family comedy about a football coach, his writer wife and their 12 children wastes the talents of the wild and crazy Steve Martin. During his stand-up days, Martin used to say that comedy’s not pretty. In the case of “Cheaper by the Dozen,” it’s outright ugly.
Thankfully, Fox has also recently released on DVD the enchanting 1950 version of “Cheaper by the Dozen” as well as the 1952 sequel, “Belles on Their Toes” ($15 each). Based on the bestselling books of the same name, the original films followed the exploits of a rambunctious tightknit family at the turn of the century. The 1950 cast, including Myrna Loy, Clifton Webb and Jeanne Crain, was near perfect.
Extras on the digital edition of the 2003 version feature an interview with director Shawn Levy, deleted scenes, commentary with Levy and boisterous commentary with several of the child actors.
*
Passionada
Jason Isaacs, Sofia Milos
Columbia TriStar, $25
In this watchable romantic comedy in the “Moonstruck” vein, Sofia Milos plays a widow living in a Portuguese fishing community in New England. She finds herself falling in love with a charming down-on-his-luck gambler (Jason Isaacs). Directed by Dan Ireland, “Passionada” benefits immensely from the chemistry between the stars.
*
The Grapes of Wrath
Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell
Fox, $15
John Ford’s 1940 masterpiece has been beautifully restored for its DVD debut. Adapted from John Steinbeck’s landmark novel by screenwriter Nunnally Johnson, the drama tells the story of the poor but noble Joad family, who join the exodus of farmers to California, battered by the Depression and the Dust Bowl.
Henry Fonda is superb as Tom Joad, the son who returns home after a four-year prison stint to find the family in ruins; Jane Darwell won a supporting actress Oscar as the resilient Ma Joad. Ford also won his second best director Oscar for the sentimental drama.
The DVD features several extras, including the British prologue to the film and commentary from film historian Joseph McBride and Steinbeck scholar Susan Shillinglaw. McBride, though, makes a mistake in his commentary: He states that Clark Gable won the Oscar for best actor for “Gone With the Wind”; it was Robert Donat who won for “Goodbye Mr. Chips.”
