Heh, heh, ‘Beavis & Butt-Head’ in a box
“Ugetsu”
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A different kind of ghost story, this 1953 Kenji Mizoguchi film often is listed as one of the Top 10 films of all time. Based on a collection of short stories centering on two peasant couples struggling to survive 16th century civil war, “Ugetsu” is a commentary about real people caught in circumstances larger than us all. Criterion Collection DVD extras include enhanced digital transfer, a 150-minute-long documentary on Mizoguchi, three short making-of featurettes and a 72-page booklet. (1:37; not rated)
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”
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Tim Burton puts his touch on the Roald Dahl story (first done in 1971 as “Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory). Five children win precious golden tickets, which allow them to tour the candy factory owned by the mysterious Wonka (Johnny Depp). Burton updates the musical numbers, and the special effects he comes up with are clearly better. But while this version reflects Burton’s strangeness, and Depp is masterful at being … well, creepy, the two versions are probably about the same. Your enjoyment likely is going to depend on how well you like the lead actors – not to mention author Roald Dahl’s twisted vision of childhood. Two-disc deluxe DVD edition includes five making-of featurettes, including a look at author Dahl and how the Oompa-Loompa effects were achieved. (1:55; rated PG for quirky situations, action, mild language)
“The Devil’s Rejects”
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This sequel to Rob Zombie’s 2003 film “House of 1,000 Corpses” about a band of sadistic killers looks as if it were made on a $17 budget. And there’s the ugly, stupid cruelty of the title characters. That said, Zombie could give any number of mainstream filmmakers a lesson in how to make a movie. If nothing else, the “Bonnie and Clyde”-type finale – which is played out to the tune of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Freebird” – is brilliant. DVD extras include commentary by director Zombie and actor Sid Haig, deleted scenes, various making-of featurettes and a tribute to actor Matthew McGrory. (1:49; rated R for sadistic violence, strong sexual content, language, drug use)
“Christmas with the Kranks”
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From the stale “Home Alone” references to dressing Jamie Lee Curtis in an embarrassing bikini, from the smashing of a neighbor’s Christmas tree ornaments to having cast Dan Aykroyd, director Joe Roth (“Revenge of the Nerds II”) proves that, yes Santa, a Christmas-themed movie – even one based on a John Grisham novel – can be as tasteless as anything found on Comedy Central. No DVD extras. (1:38; rated PG for brief language, suggestive content)