When the DVD version of "Zodiac" was released on 2007, I wrote, "’Zodiac’ begins with the disclaimer that the film is ‘based on actual case files.’ And this statement is as true as it can get, because director David Fincher has meticulously put all the information available about the never-forgotten Zodiac murders, and has generated one of the best movies about crime, and the people that investigate them, of all time." I still feel this way, so it is great news that Paramount has released the director’s cut of this fascinating and well-crafted film. This new two-disc version is just superb, and loaded with extras.

The film opens with the murder that took place on July 4, 1969, in Vallejo, California. The assassin sent a letter to the San Francisco Chronicle, informing them about his existence. The letter contained codes that are eventually deciphered and would identify the killer as the Zodiac. From then on, Zodiac kept submitting letters and other paraphernalia about his crimes to the media, causing panic, curiosity and terror in the community.

It is at this stage that journalist Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) gets involved on behalf of the San Francisco Chronicle. It is also at this point that a recently hired cartoonist at the same newspaper, named Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal), becomes interested in the case, and assists Avery in his research. In addition, two cops are assigned to investigate the murders: Inspectors David Toschi (Mark Ruffalo) and William Armstrong (Anthony Edwards).

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When it comes to early cinema’s comedies, the name Charlie Chaplin easily comes to mind. The impact of his movies and the image of the "tramp" are very difficult to forget. However, along with Chaplin, there were other equally talented masters of the funny, such as Harold Lloyd, Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, Buster Keaton, and others. Unfortunately, their work has not received the attention that it deserves, and luckily, once in a while, somebody, somehow, rescues their films and brings them back to life. That’s precisely the case with the superb and delightful DVD collection "The Art of Buster Keaton," where Kino Video carefully selected the best of Keaton’s early movies, and presents them with the best quality available.

Joseph Francis Keaton Jr., nicknamed "Buster" by the famous magician Harry Houdini, was Arbuckle’s disciple early in his career. However, he became a star of his own, making some of his best films as an independent. Known for his extraordinary ability in physical comedy, as well as for his sad eyes, he was referred to as "Great Stone Face." Some say that he was more ingenious than Chaplin in the use of gadgets, which he devised on his own. He also was great in the use of the camera and how he could make it more efficient. It is said, with good reason, that Keaton’s best movies were the ones that he filmed during the 20s. "The Art of Buster Keaton" includes these films, which he did preceding his terrible tenure with MGM, when his father in law, Joe Schenck, sold his contract to that studio. MGM controlled Keaton’s creativity, thus slowly destroying his career.

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When I first saw and read some of the critical reviews of "Rush Hour 3," I nearly believed them. They were brutal and negative, and I thought that this successful franchise came to an end. However, now that I finally saw the DVD, I must say that this criticism was unfair and uncalled for. "Rush Hour 3" is a very funny and entertaining movie. It didn’t disappoint me at all. I can truly say that I enjoyed and laughed watching it.

Jackie Chan returns as Chief Inspector Lee, and Chris Tucker as Detective James Carter. This time, Carter is a traffic cop and Lee is a bodyguard, working for Chinese Ambassador. It happens that just when the Ambassador was about to address the World Criminal Court in regards to his fight against the notoriously infamous Triads, he is shot. Lee sees the hit man and furiously chases him. Although he does not succeed in catching him, he is able to identify him, and, to his surprise, it happens to be a voice from the past. Chasing this hit man takes both Lee and Carter to France, where the Triads apparently have a stronghold. 

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The Disney Studios are busy. They are consistently releasing their valuable and spectacular catalog. They have done this, for example, with their commercial and critical successes, like "Beauty and the Beast," "Toy Story," "Tarzan," "The Lion King," "The Jungle Book," and many others. They also accomplish this by releasing the so-called Walt Disney Treasures, which include the most historical and valuable collection of archived material ever produced by the studio, the ones that slowly built the reputation and powerful library that the Disney empire has achieved through times. This is the real Disney, the real deal, the one that every serious collector and fan should have. The latest release of this very important collection is Wave VII, which includes three formidable sets of DVDs, all enclosed in tin containers, and individually numbered, with authenticity certificates and exclusive lithographs.

Each Wave VII title contains a two-disc set DVD. We have "The Chronological Donald: Volume Three, 1947-1950," in which we continue examining the prolific career of our very popular and feathered friend. It includes more shorts of his solo career, and, for first time, Donald’s CinemaScope cartoons in their original widescreen format. Some of the treasures featured here are the shorts "Chip An’ Dale," "Tea for Two Hundred," and "Toy Thinkers," which were nominated for Academy Awards®. It also includes "The Many faces of Donald Duck," which examines Donald’s career, and much, much, more.

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Danny Ocean’s gang returns to great form in the third installment of the Ocean’s franchise. With "Ocean’s Thirteen," gifted director Steven Soderbergh has again generated a clever, stylish, colorful and enjoyable film that will surely keep him busy for future sequels.

On this occasion, Reuben Tishkoof (Elliot Gould) is going into a joint venture of building a state-of the-art hotel in Las Vegas with Billie Bank (Al Pacino), a well-known and powerful hotel magnate. However, Bank is not a man of honor, and double-crosses Reuben. In doing so, Reuben tells Bank: "We both shook Sinatra’s hand. And there is a code amongst guys that shook Sinatra’s hand," to which Bank answers, "Screw Sinatra’s hands!" The impact on Reuben is so blunt that he suffers a heart condition and is hospitalized. Enter Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and friends, who will make sure that they avenge Reuben’s humiliation by ensuring that they get Bank where it hurts. In the process, they recruit Terry Benedict (Andy García), their own old nemesis, for help.

While "Ocean’s Twelve" (2004) was at times confusing, "Ocean’s Thirteen" is clear-cut and easy to follow. With a formidable returning cast that includes Brat Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, and newcomer Ellen Barkin, this is one truly fun movie. The also DVD contains additional scenes, the feature "Vegas: an Opulent Illusion," a conversation with producer Jerry Weintraub and more. (USA, 2007, color, 2007, 122 min. plus additional material)

Tags: dvd, dvd reviews, Ocean’s Thirteen, George Clooney, Elliot Gould, Al Pacino, Andy García, Brat Pitt, Matt Damon,

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