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LITTLE ROCK — Recent DVD releases:

The Answer Man (R, 97 minutes) An implausible, inadequate romantic comedy gets a boost from Jeff Daniels’ performance as an author who becomes a reclusive misanthrope after writing a bestseller that redefines spirituality, until he meets two troubled people (Lauren Graham and Lou Taylor Pucci) who bring a surprisingly fresh perspective to his life. The DVD includes three featurettes plus commentary from writer/director John Hindman. Grade: 77

Bela Fleck: Throw Down Your Heart (not rated, 97 minutes) A hit-the-road documentary - with a terrific soundtrack - in which stellar banjo player Bela Fleck treks to Africa in search of his instrument’s musical heritage. The DVD includes audio commentary with Fleck and director Sascha Paladino, bonus scenes and musical performances. Grade: 80

Columbia Pictures Film Noir Classics Vol. 1: The Sniper (not rated, 87 minutes, 1952), The Big Heat (not rated, 90 minutes, 1953), 5 Against the House (not rated, 84 minutes, 1955), Murder by Contract (not rated, 81 minutes, 1958), and The Lineup (not rated, 86 minutes, 1958). The hard-boiled genre of film noir - dark, brutal, fatalistic, erotic and morally ambiguous - gets wrapped up in a stylish package with this collection of classics. With stars like Glenn Ford, Lee Marvin, Kim Novak, Vince Edwards and Eli Wallach, viewers might like what they see on the dark side. Bonus materials include introductions by Martin Scorsese, Michael Mann and Christopher Nolan; author James Ellroy and Film Noir Foundation founder Eddie Muller also provide commentaries. Grade: 85

Dark Mirror (not rated, 86 minutes) Illogical yet tense, Dark Mirror is the startling story of a photographer (Lisa Vidal) who, after moving her family into a strange housefilled with cut-glass windows and beveled mirrors, finds that those she photographs die - or do they? The DVD includes behind-the-scenes footage and deleted scenes. Grade: 80

The Dead (PG, 83 minutes) The DVD premiere of John Huston’s subdued 1987 adaptation of James Joyce’s The Dubliners stars his daughter Anjelica and features a screenplay written by his son Tony. It takes place at a festive party in 1904 Dublin where Greta (Angelica Huston), in a moment of reverie, confesses a long-ago affair to her husband, which has consequences for both of them. Grade: 80

Food, Inc. (PG, 91 minutes)Robert Keener’s compelling documentary focuses on corporate food monopolies (most of which declined to be interviewed) that are portrayed as putting profit ahead of all other considerations. The DVD and Blu-ray versions include deleted scenes and several featurettes. Grade: 87

Kabul 24 (unrated, 89minutes) This documentary, directed by Ben Pearson and narrated by James Caviezel, tells how eight Shelter Now International aid workers were captured by the Taliban during the summer of 2001 and confined for 105 days in a harsh Afghan prison during the bombing of Kabul. The DVD includes extended scenes. Grade: 80

Lemon Tree (not rated, 106 minutes) A strong, simple fable in which Salma (Hiam Abbass), a Palestinian widow on the West Bank who makes a living tending the family lemon grove, runs into problems when the new Israeli defense minister moves into a big house on the other side of the grove and his secret service wants to tear it out to keep the minister safe from attack. Grade: 81

The Narrows (R, 106 minutes) A serviceable indie drama from director Francois A.Velle, The Narrows is about a tough street kid (Kevin Zegers) who gets a partial scholarship to study photography at New York University. To pay for the rest of the tuition, he takes a job with the local mob boss (Titus Welliver) where he learns the true meaning of loyalty from a very unlikely source. Grade: 80

Something Unknown Is Doing We Don’t Know What ...(not rated, 105 minutes) Dutch filmmaker Renee Schelterra takes a look at the science behind psychic phenomena - in particular telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, psychokinesis, and psychic healing - in this quirky documentary that’s become popular at film festivals. Grade: 80

Unmistaken Child (notrated, 102 minutes) A fascinating, intelligent and visually captivating glimpse into a unique culture is provided in Nati Baratz’s documentary that follows a young Buddhist monk’s search for his Tibetan master’s reincarnation. The DVD includes eight additional scenes. Grade: 85

Who is KK Downey? (not rated, 90 minutes) A sharply observed, hilarious look at media hype and hipster ideology from Canada’s Kidnapper comedy troupe that’s inspired by recent literary hoaxes played on U.S. audiences. The DVD includes deleted scenes, outtakes, and audio commentary. Grade: 88

MovieStyle, Pages 44 on 11/06/2009

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