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By KAREN MARTIN SPECIAL TO THE DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

LITTLE ROCK — Recent DVD releases:

Election Day (not rated, 82 minutes) Director Katy Chevigny presents an inconclusive but interesting documentary that employs 11 stories to chronicle the 2004 presidential election from the viewpoints of voters, campaign workers, activists and poll workers. The DVD includes an interview with the director and additional scenes. Grade: 79

Fears of the Dark (not rated, 80 minutes) This inspired Halloween-worthy anthology of animated horror shorts features the works of six of the world’s best-known graphic artists: Charles Burns, Marie Caillou, Pierre di Sciullo, Lorenzo Mattotti, Richard McGuire and Blutch (real name Christian Hincker). In French with English subtitles. Grade: 83

Il Divo (not rated, 110 minutes) A detailed, baffling, nervy and stylish filmby Paolo Sorrentino about Italy’s seven-time prime minister and all-around political powerhouse Giulio Andreotti, portrayed with formidable elegance by Toni Servillo. In Italian with English subtitles. Grade: 85

Lioness (not rated, 82 minutes) A somber documentary by Meg McLagan and Daria Sommers that follows four military women (including Mena native Shannon Morgan) who were among the first to be sent into direct ground combat. The DVD includes additional footage, an update on Team Lioness, filmmaker biographies and a featurette on the changing role of women in the military. The film headlined the Little Rock Film Festival in 2008. Grade: 82

Medicine for Melancholy (not rated, 88 minutes) Writer-director Barry Jenkins presents an intimate, densely layered look at how a onenight stand between two attractive black San Franciscans (Tracey Heggins and Wyatt Cenac) turns into an exploration of their identities as well as their places in a rapidly gentrifying city.Grade: 83

Nothing Like the Holidays (PG-13, 98 minutes) Luis Guzman, John Leguizamo, Debra Messing, Alfred Molina and Freddy Rodriguez star in this funny, rowdy, and heartwarming story of an unforgettable family Christmas in Chicago, where everyone shows up laden with emotional baggage. DVD and Blu-ray bonus features include audio commentary with actor Rodriguez, director Alfredo De Villa and producer Robert Teitel, bloopers and the theatrical trailer. Grade: 85

The Maiden Heist (PG-13, 90 minutes) An obvious but good-hearted and game crime comedy. The reliable talents of William H. Macy, Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken and Marcia Gay Harden are put to use in a story about three art museum security guards who, upon learning that their favorite paintings are being sent to another museum, scheme to snatch the originals and replace them with fakes. Bonus features include commentary by director Peter Hewitt, deleted scenes, a bloopers reel and making-offeaturette. Grade: 83

Sauna (not rated, 85 minutes) Set in 16th-century Finland, Sauna is a quietly tense and thoughtful story of redemption that involves two brothers - one a soldier (Ville Virtanen), the other a scholar (Tommi Eronen) - who must come to terms with their cruel actions atthe end of a 25-year war. In Finnish and Russian with English subtitles. Grade: 82

Soldiers of Conscience (not rated but contains graphic images of war and adult language, 86 minutes) This elegant, profound documentary profiles how eight American soldiers deal with the morality of killing in war - not as a philosophical problem but as soldiers experience it. The DVD includes 30 minutes of additional excerpts and the film’s theatrical trailer. Grade: 81

Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure (not rated, 80 minutes) Much-admired animated Disney character Tinker Bell takes on a great adventure in this kid-size charmer when she is summoned to create a magical autumn scepter that will restore the dwindling supply of pixie dust to her home in Pixie Hollow. Blu-ray and DVD versions have extra footage, aguide to Pixie Hollow, a music video and deleted scenes. Grade: 81

Virtual JFK: Vietnam if Kennedy Had Lived (not rated, 80 minutes) This documentary, powered by the expertise of James G. Blight, professor of international relations at Brown University in Providence, R.I., takes the position that nearly 60,000 U.S. armed forces members wouldn’t have died in Vietnam if John F. Kennedy had not been assassinated. It pretty much states the obvious, but there are some compelling archival scenes. DVD extras include former President Lyndon Johnson’s statements on Vietnam and the theatrical trailer. Grade: 80

Whatever Works (PG-13, 92 minutes) Director Woody Allen returns to the familiar turf of New York with this unremarkable yet funny folktale-style comedy aboutan ill-tempered misanthrope (Larry David) who forms an unlikely friendship with a naive young runaway (Evan Rachel Wood). Available on Blu-ray and DVD. Grade: 80

Where the Day Takes You (R, 103 minutes) This 1992 film, shot in a documentary style before everybody started doing it, gives a romanticized but well-performed look at teenage runaways (played by the likes of Will Smith, Alyssa Milano, Dermot Mulroney and Sean Astin) who spend their days abusing drugs, having sex, and engaging in crimes and violent activities. Grade: 88

MovieStyle, Pages 34 on 10/30/2009

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