‘Lady Bird’ sneaks up on you
Anyone who came of age in suburbia will identify with Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Saoirse Ronan), a Sacramento high-schooler who, when she’s not pursuing relationships with two boys (Timothee Chalamet, Lucas Hedges), spends every waking minute plotting her escape to New York.
The heart of “Lady Bird” (2017, Lionsgate, R, $25) is the title character’s tempestuous relationship with her mother (Laurie Metcalfe), a hard-working woman aptly described as both “warm” and “scary.”
Written and directed by Greta Gerwig, “Lady Bird” is the kind of modest gem that sneaks up on you. It’s hilarious but it also yields an enormous emotional payoff. Extras: featurette and Gerwig commentary.
Also New to DVD
The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017, Universal, PG, $28): Based on a true story, this affable yuletide charmer focuses on author Charles Dickens (Dan Stevens) after he’s had three flops in a row and is in dire need of cash. A chance encounter with a miser (Christopher Plummer) inspires Dickens to write “A Christmas Carol” which, in turn, prompts the writer to probe his own relationship with his impoverished father (Jonathan Pryce). It’s a delightful bit of holiday cheer that’s capable of warming your heart any time of the year. Extras: featurette. Aida’s Secrets (2017, Music Box, unrated, $20): In this gripping documentary, two brothers who grew up on opposites sides of the world set out to solve the mystery of their childhood separation. Plenty of tearful family reunions are captured on camera but the core of the movie is what the brothers discover about their mother Aida, a mysterious figure who barely survived the Holocaust. “Aida’s Secret” is the rare documentary that plays out like a thriller, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the final frame. Extras: featurettes and commentary. Frank Serpico (2017, IFC, unrated, $25): Did you ever wonder what happened to the world’s most famous whistleblower after the release of “Serpico” in 1973? This documentary provides former police officer Frank Serpico, now in his 80s, with the opportunity to tell his story, which stretches from his childhood in Brooklyn to his
decision to expose the culture of bribery and corruption within the NYPD. The most fascinating segment finds Serpico describing in detail the drug bust – and possible set-up by the cops - which ended with him being shot in the face. Extras: featurette and deleted scenes. The Thomas Crown Affair (1968, Kino, R, $30): For those who like their romances with plenty of tension and trust issues, check out this thriller about a millionaire bank robber (Steve McQueen) who’s gotten away with the perfect heist until he meets the brainy insurance investigator (Faye Dunaway) hired to crack the case. They fall in love but the dynamics of the relationship keep shifting. McQueen and Dunaway have such explosive chemistry that they make a game of chess feel sexier than most love scenes. Extras: commentaries and feautrettes. The Silence of the Lambs (1991, Criterion, R, $30): Yes, there’s been countless versions of this movie out on Blu-ray but this Criterion edition is the crème of the crop. Tautly directed by Jonathan Demme, “Silence” is a ferocious feminist fable about FBI agent Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) who, on her journey to becoming a hero, must stare down pure
evil in the form of Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). It is Lecter who, in a twisted game of cat-and-mouse, assists her in capturing a serial killer who has proven elusive to the FBI. Far less gruesome and operatic than subsequent films in the franchise, “Silence” is disturbing enough to gnaw at your insides. Extras: deleted scenes, featurettes and commentaries. Chances (1931, Warner Archive, unrated, $20): Two brothers (Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Anthony Bushell) are off to World War I when a young woman (Rose Hobart) comes between them. Yes, you’ve seen it all before but, in the hands of director Alan Dwan, the familiar elements are fashioned into a surprisingly fluid tale of love and betrayal. The performances are patchy but Fairbanks Jr. demonstrates why his star continued to shine throughout Hollywood’s Golden Age. Extras: none. Eye of the Cat (1969, Shout Factory, unrated, $20): Written by “Psycho” scribe Joseph Stefano, this underrated thriller finds a manicurist (Gayle Hunnicutt) and a cat-fearing hippie (Michael Sarrazan) hatching a scheme to get their hands on the hefty inheritance of Sarrazan’s rich aunt (Eleanor Parker). But first the dastardly pair must clear Parker’s house of felines, which turns out to be easier said than done. Stylishly shot and chock full of twists, “Eye of the Cat”
boasts plenty of nail-biting scenes including one in which the wheelchair-bound Parker teeters at the top of one of San Francisco’s steepest hills. Extras: an alternate cut made for TV broadcast. The Dark Crystal - Anniversary Edition (1982, Sony, PG, $30): Newly restored for its 4K debut, this Jim Henson/Frank Oz fantasy remains an intoxicating saga about the battle between good and evil. As the convergence of the three suns approaches, the Crystal must be healed, or darkness will reign in the land. It’s up to Jen (Stephen Garlick) to return the missing shard to the Crystal and destroy the bad guys’ evil Empire. Heavily influenced by “The Lord of the Rings,” this visual feast is a real dazzler. Extras: featurettes, commentaries and deleted scenes. The Good Figh - Season One (2017, Paramount, unrated, $40): The “Good Wife” spin-off starring Christine Baranski is as terrific as the show which spawned it. Set a year after Diane Lockhart is forced out of her firm, she becomes a junior partner at an outfit overseen by the alwaysinteresting Delroy Lindo. Not only are the cases fascinating but Lockhart’s loss of her money in an investment scam is sure to resonate with anyone who has seen their best laid plans upended by circumstance. Extras: none.