New on DVD: July 2

Gangs of New
York

Set in
New York in the 1860s, the film tells the story of Amsterdam
Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio), a young Irish American living
in a neighborhood known as the Five Points. Hell-bent
on avenging his father’s death after watching him be brutally
murdered in a bloody gang battle between Irish immigrants
and British descendents, Amsterdam searches out the man
responsible–William "Bill the Butcher" Cutting
(Daniel Day-Lewis). Things get complicated when Amsterdam
is haplessly drawn into Bill’s world, becoming the man’s
confidante and surrogate son while keeping his identity–and
true purpose for being there–a secret. In time, however,
all is revealed, and just when Amsterdam and Bill are
about to make what could be their last stand against each
other, the city erupts into violence and chaos over the
Civil War drafts. Directed by Martin Scorsese, it also
stars Cameron Diaz.

What’s
Cool:

Commentary by director Martin Scorsese
The sets and costume design
“History of the Five Points” featurette
“Uncovering the Real Gangs of New York” Documentary
U2’s “The Hands that Built America” music video

How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days

Andie Anderson (Kate
Hudson), the how-to columnist for Composure magazine, agrees
to write a firsthand account of all the things women do to drive away
men. She has to find a guy, make him fall in love with her, then get
dumped–all in 10 days. Little does she know her target, ad agency
hottie Benjamin Barry (Matthew McConaughey), has just made a high-stakes
bet with his boss that he can make any girl fall in love with him
in 10 days. So, while she’s trying to lose him, he’s doing whatever
it takes to keep her.

What’s Cool:

Commentary with director Donald Petrie
“Mapping Out the Perfect Movie and Perfect Location” featurette
5 Deleted scenes with director commentary

The Real Cancun

Designed to be the
first true reality feature film, six camera crews followed a cast
of 16 American college students and filmed their exploits in Cancun,
Mexico, during the time-honored tradition of Spring Break. The movie
was shot on location and reveals the students’ revelry through interviews
and group activities, as well as through their own spontaneous adventures.

What’s
Cool

Deleted scenes
Cast insights–candid talk about one another & their experiences
Cast reacting to the movie premiere

Still Hot…

The
Hours

The film spans across
various time periods in the 20th century and revolves around three
very different women: two who have been profoundly affected by Virginia
Woolf’s novel Mrs. Dalloway and the third, Woolf herself.
All three are battling with issues of freedom, responsibility and
identity. It stars Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore and Nicole Kidman,
who won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as
Virginia Woolf.

What’s Cool:

Commentary by stars Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore and Nicole
Kidman
Commentary by director Stephen Daldry and novelist Michael Cunningham
“Three Women” featurette
“The Mind and Times of Virginia Woolf” featurette
The music of The Hours
“The Lives of Mrs. Dalloway” featurette

Punch-Drunk
Love

This dark comedy centers
on Barry Egan (Adam Sandler), the socially impaired owner of a small
business that distributes novelty toilet plungers. When Barry gets
involved in an extortion racket, he becomes desperate, until a new
door opens in his life. He meets the lovely young English woman, Lena
(Emily Watson)–who has rather quirky qualities herself. His emotions
go haywire, fluctuating between lust, self-doubt and uncontrollable
rage, but he’s about to have a shot at true love.

What’s Cool:

Superbit audio quality
“Blossoms & Blood”–12-minute feature which includes alternate
takes, Jeremy Blake artwork and Jon Brion’s “Here We Go” Music
Video.
Deleted scenes
“Mattress Man”–faux commercial from the film.

See
last week’s top 5 DVD’s

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