New on DVD this week:
- Chinatown, the classic 1974 film starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway, is accessible to a new generation of film lovers, thanks to its high-definition re-release on Blu-ray. Roman Polanskis film noir homage stars Nicholson as private investigator Jake Gittes, who starts off tailing an unfaithful husband, and ends up mired in the corruption and back-door dealings of a wealthy water magnate (John Huston) and the beautiful Evelyn (Dunaway). Forget it, Jake, says his partner, its Chinatown. Great performances and a tight, savvy script consistently land Chinatown on the American Film Institutes Top 100 Films list.
An excellent array of special features, including commentary by screenwriter Robert Towne with David Fincher, and extra on the legacy of Chinatown, a making-of featurette, an extra on the films politics, an HD trailer, and more.
- Part animation, part live action, Hop is about a young bunny named E.B. (voiced Russell Brand) who wants to be a rock star instead of taking over Dads duties as the worlds official Easter Bunny. E.B. runs away from home (via high-tech bunny tunnel) and lands in California, where he bumps into human slacker Fred OHare (James Marsden, mugging like crazy) who reluctantly adopts him. Hare-raising mishaps ensue.
Not exactly original, but far less annoying than the Chipmunks movies, Hop is visually much more appealing, in a riot of Easter colours. But this is strictly kids-on-a-sugar-high fare, so adults beware. Loads of special features on the Blu-ray including commentary with child actor Cody Simpson, games, a dance featurette, exclusive mini-movie and a G-rated Russell Brand extra, among others.
