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of new DVD releases you won't want to miss!
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1. Pan’s Labyrinth
Writer/director Guillermo del Toro delivers a richly imagined gothic fairy tale set against the postwar repression of Franco’s Spain. A tale of good and evil unfolds through the eyes of Ofelia, a little girl who is uprooted to a military outpost commanded by her stepfather. Powerless and lonely in a place of unfathomable cruelty, Ofelia lives out her own dark fable as she confronts monsters both otherworldly and human.2. The Queen
An intimate, revealing and sometimes humorous behind-the-scenes glimpse at the interaction between Her Majesty Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) and Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) following the death of Princess Diana. The two struggled to reach a compromise between what was a private tragedy for the Royal family and the public’s demand for an overt display of mourning. Directed by Stephen Frears.3. Old Joy
Two old friends reunite for a weekend camping trip in Oregon. For Mark, the outing offers respite from family pressures; for Kurt, it is a carefree adventure. When they arrive at their final destination—a hot spring in an old growth forest—the two seekers must either confront the divergent paths they have taken, or somehow transcend their growing tensions. Directed and co-written by Kelly Reichardt.4. Volver
In writer/director Pedro Almodóvar’s comedy starring Penélope Cruz, three generations of women survive wind, fire and even death, thanks to goodness, audacity and limitless vitality. Abuela (Carmen Maura) may have died in a house fire, but that doesn’t stop her from returning home to fix the problems she couldn’t resolve while she was alive. When the initial shock has worn off, her ghost becomes a comfort to her daughters and grandchild.5. Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple
On November 18, 1978, over 900 members of Peoples Temple died in the largest mass suicide/murder in history. What drew people across racial and class lines to the Peoples Temple? How could such a diverse group be convinced to commit suicide? Director Stanley Nelson tells the story of those who followed preacher Jim Jones in a misbegotten quest to build an ideal society and rid the world of injustice.6. The Aura
Taxidermist Esteban Espinoza secretly dreams of executing the perfect robbery. His dream becomes reality when he accidentally kills a criminal and inherits his scheme: the heist of an armored van carrying casino profits. Espinoza’s inexperience puts him in real danger—especially when he suffers epileptic seizures during which the past and future seem to blend together. Written and directed by Fabián Bielinsky (Nine Queens).7. Machuca
Gonzalo Infante lives a pampered life in a Santiago suburb, even as Chile drifts towards civil war. Through his friendships with two poor indigenous boys, Gonzalo discovers a new experience outside his own sheltered life. But just as the boys begin to learn from one another, escalating political tensions erupt, leaving them to suddenly face moral tests far beyond their young capacities. Directed by Andrés Wood.8. Little Children
Sarah (Kate Winslet) is a grad-school dropout and stay-at-home mom in a passionless marriage. Brad (Patrick Wilson) is an underachiever struggling to pass the bar exam who is married to a successful documentary producer (Jennifer Connelly). Sarah and Brad meet at their local playground and begin a torrid affair, causing them to shirk their normal duties and responsibilities. Written and directed by Todd Field (In the Bedroom).9. Shut Up & Sing
Travel with the Dixie Chicks from the peak of their popularity as the national anthem-singing darlings of country music through the now infamous anti-Bush comment made by the group’s lead singer in 2003. Filmmakers Barbara Kopple and Cecilia Peck follow the Dixie Chicks over a period of three years, during which they were under political attack and received death threats, while continuing to live their lives, have children, and of course make music.10. The Bridesmaid
It’s love at first sight when Philippe meets Senta, a bridesmaid at his sister’s wedding. But Senta’s life is shrouded in mystery, particularly since she tells him stories about herself that seem unbelievable. When Senta declares that as proof of their love to each other, each of them should kill a total stranger, Philippe must decide how far he is willing to go. Directed and co-written by Claude Chabrol.©2003-2007 Landmark Theatres