Home Theater

Jose J. Santos

“A.I Artificial Intelligence,” released Tuesday on DVD, is a

long-overdue reminder of why Steven Spielberg is still one of the most

innovative filmmakers in Hollywood.

Spielberg’s collaboration with the late Stanley Kubrick is poignant,

challenging and takes the audience out of the predictable emotional

comfort zone that has become commonplace in Spielberg’s movies of the

last few years.

“A.I.” is a Pinocchio-like tale set in the austere world of the

future, a place where technology has become so advanced that cars have

three wheels and teddy bears can think for themselves.

Haley Joel Osment does an outstanding job playing David, the latest

development in artificial intelligence. David not only looks like a real

boy, but he can love like a real boy. The film follows David from his

failed integration into a human family to a long, heartbreaking journey

to find out who he really is.

The special edition, two-disc DVD features behind-the-scenes

featurettes on every aspect of making the film, conversations with

Spielberg and his cast and an in-depth documentary of how the project

came together.

“A.I” is a surprising mix of emotional performances and technological

achievement, a wonderful view into the creative minds of both Spielberg

and Kubrick.

“Sexy Beast” is not your typical gangster flick. There isn’t a lot of

gunplay and not a lot of explosions. In fact most of the movie, coming

out on DVD Tuesday, features a bunch of middle-aged people talking around

a swimming pool in Spain.

Despite this serene setting, director Jonathan Glazer manages to

create unnerving tension that centers around a retired criminal’s

decision whether or not to get back in the crime game.

The real centerpiece of the movie is Ben Kingsley’s performance as Don

Logan, a despicable thug sent to convince Gal (Ray Winstone) that he

should do one last job. Kingsley’s character is part pit bull, part

AK-47, a horrible man who’s sole purpose in life is to make sure other

people are miserable.

The DVD doesn’t include many extras, but the movie is well worth

checking out.

“Sexy Beast” is more Mamet than Tarantino, a film that’s happy to let

its character’s words speak louder than their actions. It’s a refreshing

take on a genre that has become somewhat stale since “Goodfellas.”