Savant's getting letters from readers who say that there are just too many good discs coming out too quickly, and Savant has to agree. Today we have two more attractive special editions, a Rock 'n Roll classic and an eclectic genre grabbag from France.

Miramax's A Hard Day's Night finally presents the Fab Four's premiere feature film with the transfer and the extras it deserves. The many interviews in this Special Edition provide a concentrated dose of Beatle insights.

Universal's Brotherhood of the Wolf is a serviceable disc of last year's most interesting import - a lavishly budgeted action thriller based on real events in France of the 1700's - that also mixes in monsters and modern Hong Kong martial arts choreography.

Savant can't keep up with those sites that review everything, but he's doing his best ... next stop, Hammer horror classics ... hopefully. Glenn Erickson

It's a nice weekend in Los Angeles. Keeping my nose in my mailbox has paid off with a bushel of discs to review. Today I have the latest Harryhausen, and another entry from U.K. correspondent Lee Broughton.

Columbia TriStar's Earth vs. the Flying Saucers is a sci-fi staple we take for granted, a thriller shot like a pulp serial, but graced with the gosh-wow special effects of Ray Harryhausen. The disc puts the movie in a nostalgic light with a breezy interview with Ray, hosted by Joe Dante.

Lee Broughton checks in with a Region 1 disc this time, Wild East's Day of Anger, which he says is the elusive spaghetti western of quality that isn't a Sergio Leone. Lee Van Cleef stars.

Several readers (well, exactly 4) asked me to report on the American Cinematheque 70mm screening of Lord Jim I attended last Thursday evening. I was prepared for the worst, having seen what Columbia called a 'restored' 70mm of Bridge on the River Kwai a few years back, which looked worse than terrible. But this new print was splendid, with excellent color and very little grain. Overall I felt as if I were seeing it anew. The story (very similar to Outcast of the Islands and Apocalypse Now) has a disgraced Peter O'Toole going upriver to help out with a revolt against evil warlord Eli Wallach. The movie is beautifully produced but a bit lumpy in the script and direction; Jack Hawkins narrates the first half and promptly exits like a good little exposition machine, and then after a nice buildup to a second-act victory, the movie bogs down in stiff introspective dialogue about heroism and cowardice, with everyone contributing reams of boring talk. James Mason shows up near the end, and it's as if a new movie is starting. Despite the philosophizing, Jim's character remains paper-thin, and we aren't at all convinced of the necessity of his sacrifice at the end. But boy, is this one good-looking film.

Columbia restoration exec Grover Crisp graciously introduced the screening. There was no hint of a DVD coming for the title, as the film restoration and home video units of movie studios can be compared to distinct conduits, rivers winding deep into separate hearts of different jungles .... excuse me. Next time! - Glenn Erickson

Most of Savant's upcoming review discs are still in the mail, but there's still some key material to cover today.

Warners' Unforgiven is a beautifully-directed film that won Clint Eastwood a fistful of deserved Oscars; this remastered special edition improves mightily on the transfer, and throws in enough extras to make any Eastwood fan happy.

Wellspring has done a great deed by remastering Akira Kurosawa's great saga Ran, thereby making the old, smeary Fox Lorber disc eminently disposable. Unfortunately, this new version is only available as part of a pricey boxed set, way out of reach for most pocketbooks.

There'll be more reviews on Saturday depending on what the Postman does or doesn't bring. Savant turned down a preview invite tonight to the new remake of The Ring, to instead go to the Cinematheque for a 70mm print of Richard Brooks' Lord Jim. Hope it looks good! Thanks, Glenn Erickson

DVD Savant has two classics tonight, a unique little English film from Home Vision, and a Hitchcock classic from Criterion.

The Rocking Horse Winner is an odd and disturbing little tale that manages to expand the original short story (often required high school reading) without diluting its simplicity and scares. This is the one where the kid rides a rocking-horse toy like a madman, waiting to be inspired with the latest winner at the racetrack. For if he isn't lucky, the family will fall apart. "There must be more money!" HVe has given the disc a number of useful extras, including a Pixelvision short version of the story, and opera excerpts.

Spellbound is the Hitchcock picture that Savant can't seem to take seriously, no matter how much other, wiser reviewers tout its supposed sophistication. Are they seeing the same silly picture I am? Criterion's excellent deluxe edition has extras fans have wanted for a long time, including a piece on the famous Dalí dream sequence.

Well, the first reviews of the new Hammer discs are out there, and disappointingly they report that the DVDs include no special extras (Savant's susceptible to rumors as well). Mine haven't arrived yet (? ....???) but I'm assured they're on their way. Next time ... Glenn Erickson

DVD Savant is a day late but one review over the limit today - two musicals and a very impressive Scottish art film.

Warner's Singin' in the Rain Special Edition will entice owners of earlier DVD releases - the transfer's better, and the extras are very good. A two-disc set.

Paramount's Grease Special Edition will please a lot of John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John fans; Savant loves the actors but has a real grudge against this one.

Criterion does it again with Lynne Ramsay's Ratcatcher, an extremely well-made story of one boy's stifling, brutal life in a spirit-crushing Glasgow slum. The sensitive direction is unburdened by earlier socially-conscious approaches to the subject.

Savant again won't quite cover all of next Tuesday's releases in time, but will do his best. Thanks for reading! Glenn Erickson

Well, I've only got one review today, and lots of good excuses for the other one that I won't bother you with.

Universal's Monsoon Wedding is similar to My Big Fat Greek Wedding, only less jokey and more affecting. With intoxicating color and terrific music, it's an entertaining comedy drama that's more than a little bit educational.

I had half a review written yesterday, but the expected disc didn't arrive in the mail as I thought it would. That's a lesson I should know by now, not to count your discs until they're in your hand. Maybe I could entice you to take a look at Savant's older articles? There're probably a few that should interest you ... Thanks , Glenn Erickson

Well, it's a Sunday for happy 60s Englishmen, with a docu about John Lennon that's a surprising bit of fun history, and one of the best English comedies of the period, from the under-celebrated Richard Lester.

MGM's The Knack ... and How to Get It is a delightful comedy with a totally new kind of storytelling style, that's been imitated ever since. Rita Tushingham is the pawn between alpha male Ray Brooks, and loveable, lovesick Michael Crawford. It's Swinging London's best movie, with an unforgettable score by John Barry.

Image's John & Yoko's Year of Peace is a docu from the Canadians about the newlyweds' stint in a Montreal hotel room, receiving reporters and notables in a performance-art stunt to entice the world to Give Peace a Chance. A wonderful document of another world and time (where Peace was, as it is now, a dirty word) that includes the notorious run-in with a cantankerous, insulting Al Capp.

I don't think I'll get to all of Tuesday's releases in time, but Savant is doing his best. Have a nice Sunday evening! Glenn Erickson

Well, we got through both 9/11 and Friday the 13th in one piece, and can look forward to a wonderful weekend ... and Savant has three superior discs to review.

MGM's Koyaanisqatsi and Powaqqatsi are titles fans have been dreaming about for some time - these two, along with Yellow Submarine, and the Moroder Metropolis were for years hotly pursued music-oriented collector's items. And the transfers and extras on these new discs are terrific - including wonderful interviews with New Age gurus Godfrey Reggio and Philip Glass. Top Savant recommendations.

MGM is also on the street with The Onion Field, a superior true crime story that happened in Hollywood and a fateful Bakersfield back road forty years ago. Forget cops with their own agendas and gunmen who only shoot when they have to - the ugliness and tragedy of murder, and the pain of the legal horrors that followed have never been better presented. With John Savage and a chilling James Woods.

Thanks for tuning in to DVD Savant, who Shall Return. Glenn Erickson

Well, it's been a year, and the day seems to have passed relatively peacefully ... let's hope it stays that way.

A horror favorite and an action-drama tonight. Near Dark is a slick, violent vampire yarn that hooks us with its intelligent thrills and doesn't let go. Lance Henriksen leads a gypsy-like group of night-prowling ghouls, and Adrian Pasdar is the convert who must learn a new kind of night life. With Jenette Goldstein and Bill Paxton.

Warner's The Gypsy Moths is a hot-blooded drama about 3 barnstorming skydivers who find romance during a short stay in a midwest town. Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr follow through on their affair in From Here to Eternity 16 years earlier, while Gene Hackman hooks up with Sheree North, and young Scott Wilson finds Bonnie Bedelia. The action is good, but the emotions a bit muted.

Thanks for the letters about the Outer Limits set and the current run of great horror movies! Glenn Erickson

We're playing catch-up a bit here at Savant, picking up the good titles I've skipped, with one eye on the upcoming previews.

Warner's Barfly is an amusing nosedive into skid row squalor, not recommended for the squeamish but very amusing on its own terms. Charles Bukowski adds to his literary recognition a full 15 minutes of cinema fame in this warmly directed Barbet Schroeder ode to flop houses, nosebleeds, and glamorized alcohol-induced creativity. With Mickey Rourke and Faye Dunaway.

Warners again, with the MGM Technicolor classic The Yearling, an eye-pleasing family film with qualities that seem even truer now than they did 58 years ago. This is the one about the boy and his pet fawn, and how his adolescent dreams clash with the harsh life in the Florida wild. Claude Jarman, Jr., Gregory Peck & Jane Wyman star.

More reviews, including the surprisingly good Near Dark, coming soon at DVD Savant. Glenn Erickson

Back on the Horror footpath again, Savant has two interesting titles from Image Entertainment to offer. One has been delayed for several months, to include a racy Continental version that was uncovered at the last minute ... good going, Image.

Devil Doll is a better-than-average chiller about hypnosis, ventriloquism, and the transmigration of souls, that manages some effective weirdness on a low London budget. It's also one of producer Richard Gordon's better efforts. William Sylvester and Bryant Haliday fight for possession of Yvonne Romain, while a wooden dummy makes comments from the sidelines. This 'double feature' contains both the standard and Continental version of the film. The export copy includes several nude inserts, but the original is pretty daring as well.

Also through Image comes Blue Underground's Shock Waves, a very good mini-budget movie that makes good use of top stars John Carradine and Peter Cushing. A handful of castaways try in vain to avoid a platoon of zombie S.S. soldiers who've been lying underwater for 33 years ... In the hands of director Ken Wiederhorn, it works. Also with a young Brooke Adams.

Savant moves into some classy September offerings, including the New Age Godfrey Reggio sociodocumentaries, very soon. And of course, we're still awaiting the crown jewels of Hammer films, Horror of Dracula and The Curse of Frankenstein, which I'm hoping to review early. Thanks for reading! Glenn Erickson

Well, Savant's big editorial push is subsiding at last, so he'll be back on the review trail a bit more consistently now .... and we start off with a weird compilation of music videos, and another MGM Midnite Movies double Feature.

Image Entertainment's Aria was neither the cinematic landmark nor the erotic fantasia the poster promised, but it is pretty interesting, especially Ken Russell's section. Ten visual directors take on a favorite Aria each, interpreting it in the style of a music video.

MGM's double-bill disc of Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? and What's the Matter with Helen? are a weird pair of psychodramas involving aging actresses in madness and murder. Except for Debbie Reynolds, who refuses to look old, or crazy either. Directed by the always-worthwhile Curtis Harrington.

Next up, two shockers from Image: Devil Doll and Shock Waves .... ! Glenn Erickson

A reasonably nice summer is almost behind us, but a fall packed with interesting DVD releases is in the offing. So far the party shows no sign of abating - Americans are buying DVDs like it's all that's on their minds. I remember getting strange looks from 'normal' people all through the 90s when I admitted I collected laserdiscs - why would anyone spend so much for a movie, and then watch this ribbon-picture across their television? Many never heard of the format. Now, those who haven't yet bought into the DVD craze (a choice I'm not knocking) are certainly aware of it, and most intend to jump aboard at some point.

Whatever your reason for being a DVD consumer, take Savant's advice and make sure you really enjoy what you buy, as opposed to buying just for collecting's sake. You'll be a lot happier in 2008 when SuperChromiumHDHolovision discs take over - I know too many collectors sitting on a ton of bulky Laserdiscs they don't watch, thinking about how much of their disposable income went into them!

... Right, we have a couple of reviews here ...
Universal's Cat People is a very nicely appointed disc of a horror film that appeals to voyeurs and Nastassja Kinski fans. Savant thinks otherwise, but applauds the docu and other extras on this special disc.

Miramax's Shiner is a welcome surprise - a smart, snappy Gangster yarn with Michael Caine and Martin Landau showing they're still plenty tough customers. It's said to be King Lear transformed into the tale of a corrupt London neo-thug boxing promoter.

There's still plenty of discs to make go 'round and 'round - even a few worthy titles from last month I'll double back and catch up with. Thanks for reading! Glenn Erickson