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.”
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.