DVD week less than ‘Revolutionary’

Hollywood offers up some of its more respectful films on DVD this week, though they are hardly the most interesting rentals out there. Here is cross section of what the week is boasting for home viewing:

“Defiance”: Edward Zwick takes a Hollywood look at the true story of the struggle that a bunch of Belorussian Jews and, let’s face it, petty criminals went through to survive World War II. Daniel “James Bond” Craig plays the elder Bielski brother, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell his brothers who together saved more than a thousand Jews in the Belorussian forests. Zwick knows how to make a movie, but he tends always to go for the BIG moment – such as a last-second rescue, creating friction between the brothers that didn’t exist – that, frankly, feels melodramatic.

“Revolutionary Road”: Kate Winslet won her 2009 Best Actress Oscar for “The Reader,” but her performance in this adaptation of Richard Yates’ novel had to have helped her chances. This is hard going, a classic look at a 1950s-era marriage (between Winslet’s character and a WWII veteran played by Leonardo DiCaprio) that has one steady progression: down. The acting is good, the direction of Sam Mendes (Winslet’s husband) serviceable. Strangely enough, one problem is Winslet – who simply is too beautiful and stylish for the part.

“He’s Just Not That Into You”: This ensemble-cast look at modern romance suffers from characters who, for the most part, aren’t likable. Plus for the most part they’re clueless. So even though the movie overall wants to ask questions about contemporary attitudes toward love, I wasn’t much interested in the answers.

Here are some other interesting views:

“The Bielski Brothers”: Made in 1993, this documentary tells the real story of the “Defiance” characters.

“Eddie Murphy Delirious Special 25th Anniversary Edition”: Way back when, Eddie Murphy was a comedic genius – and I say that knowing that the word genius is overused. But he was. This recording of Murphy’s standup routine is more profane than actually funny, but compared to the G-rated crap that he makes these days it feels like comedy for the ages.

“Playing Shakespeare”: This 1982 documentary follows some of the biggest stage stars in Britain as they explain their craft. There has to be something worth listening to when the likes of Ben Kingsley, Ian McKellan, Judi Dench and David Suchet disclose their thespian secrets.

“Spring Breakdown”: We just saw the first 30 minutes of this film at the Seattle International Film Festival and it’s already coming out on video? No wonder we left early.

“Une Femme Mariee”: Manny Farber once called Jean-Luc Goddard “the Matisse of Modern Film.” Maybe he was, and maybe this re-release of Goddard’s 1964 film will prove it. But sorry Prof. Farber, I’m not going to be running to the store to rent it.

Below: The trailer for “Revolutionary Road.”