Originally released in 2010, “The Town” marks Ben Affleck’s first time working behind and in front of the camera simultaneously as actor/director. Paying homage to Affleck’s hometown of Boston, Massachusetts. Part gritty crime thriller, part mature drama, the movie is an impressive balance of both. With the Ultimate Collector’s Edition — this masterful story and its direction is on even greater display.

Based on the book “Prince of Thieves,” by Chuck Hogan, the story follows the pillaging and plundering of Charlestown native Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck), as he carries out expertly designed heists in the midst of his beloved city. Joined by best friend Jem (Jeremy Renner), and a few other townies, the gang is seemingly untouchable by the law.  But when MacRay chooses to befriend the manager of the bank from which they stole, (Rebecca Hall), he begins to come to the realization that love and liberty from a lifestyle of decadence is the ultimate take for him. But in his plight to escape the town that bred the criminal in him, he must avoid the obsessive FBI director (Jon Hamm) and those he owes his life to.

What initially makes this Blu-ray/DVD update of “The Town” even worth existing is the extended & alternate cut of the movie that Affleck has crafted together. In the accompanying material he states, “…I truly believe if a longer cut works, it often feels shorter.” Affleck is right, as the extended scenes are obvious, intriguing, and eye-opening. Rather than elongate the story, they feed into an entirely different mood of a movie entirely. Whereas the theatrical release is sharp, jolting, and emotionally manipulative — this film plays out like a slow burn, with a biting conclusion that exudes a higher sense of reality.

Listening to the various director featurettes, Affleck is very extremely affluent, able to explain his process and perspective as writer, director, and finally actor. It is obvious that he viewed the original cut of “The Town” very studio censored while his extended version is reminiscent of the style and emotional significance he displayed in his debut directing feature, “Gone Baby Gone.”

The Blu-ray offers two unique portions of extras. On disk one, along with the extended cut is the featurette, “The Town: A Directors Journey.” Here you will find Ben Affleck speaking to the various new scenes and his thought process behind what he originally chose to remove, and why he added it back for the Collector’s Edition. On disk two are a series of segments that can be seen live with the film or separate, called “Ben’s Boston.” Each of these guide the viewer through the pinnacle moments and accomplishments of the film, with interviews from supporting cast such as Jon Hamm, Blake Lively, Slaine,  and Titus Welliver. Some of the most interesting insight comes from the screenwriters and FBI consultants.

The Ultimate Collectors Edition would not be complete without the physical materials that are found within the darkly themed box. At the top is a personal letter from Affleck thanking the reader for taking the time to view the extended cut and its personal significance to him as director. This is followed by small hardbound booklet highlighting each of cast members and elements that compose the film. The booklet is nicely designed with a multitude of production photos. Next comes a folder that contains handcrafted documents — a stack of FBI cards that each feature a different robbery with details and photos. Some are from the film, others are not, but still connected to the storyline. We also get profile cards of each of the suspects from the film. Most interesting is the small folder that contains Desmond Elden’s (Owen Burke) employee record from Vericom. As the technical expert of the gang, Desmond’s record is very finely crafted to integrate into the happenings of the film. To finish off the materials, the package contains replicas of the tattoo Jeremy Renner’s character Jem, sports on the back of his neck, and a large map poster that pinpoints the events of the movie that take place across Charlestown.

“The Town” was already a display of superior direction and writing from Affleck, melding action with finely-tuned drama. The release of the Ultimate Collector’s Edition is anything but superfluous, and only helps to complete the grand picture. You can sense the passionate work that was dedicated to the project from all involved, especially due to the connection many of the cast and crew shared as natives of Boston. For lovers of the film, or even those that appreciate the multi-talented work of Affleck, this collection is an absolute must have.

When it comes to an American figure so renowned as J. Edgar Hoover, there are a hundred different movies that could be made to attempt to sum up the man’s life. On the DVD/Blu-ray “J. Edgar,” Clint Eastwood has chosen a more indirect path, one that looks over the shoulder of the director of the FBI and observes the cloudy history of Hoover’s personal life. It’s a methodical, dark and damp styling of a film that speaks as openly to the man’s greatest accomplishments as well as his deepest inner demons.

This vision of Hoover is uniquely screenwriter Dustin Lance Black’s, interpreted through the keen eye of director Clint Eastwood. The thread that flows constantly through the film is Hoover’s desire for glory — his belief that success is never unattainable, and that credit for those successes belongs to him, the sole victor.  The task to capture J. Edgar’s worldview is placed squarely on the shoulders of Leonardo DiCaprio, and the results are spectacular.

DiCaprio has two very different and yet the same tasks to accomplish in realizing the character of Hoover. Eastwood has chosen to give us the story through the eyes of the senior J. Edgar looking back through the eyes of a younger version of himself.  To play the character in two drastically different ages of life, DiCaprio dons heavy makeup for the aged Hoover, somehow retaining a high level of realism.  As the film begins, a tired, worn down Hoover states, “It’s time this generation learn my side of the story.” It’s a story that takes us from a young Hoover fighting communism and chasing modern day outlaws, to an older J. Edgar being loathed by the likes of JFK and Nixon. 

In highlighting such a well-known historical figure, one expects a film that exaggerates and creates a larger-than-life interpretation of the events that comprised J. Edgar’s existence. But the movie is much more concerned with the constant loneliness and cold shoulder Hoover gave time and time again to meaningful relationship. The only people that he kept close enough were his mother (Judi Dench), his lifelong secretary Helen Gandy (Naomi Watts), and his right-hand man Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer).  The four make up one of the most compelling ensembles in movies from 2011, though widely overlooked for the emotional pull that each one of them lends to film.

As DiCaprio murmurs a reflective monologue throughout the film, there are many tidbits of knowledge to be gleaned. At one point he exclaims, “What determines a man’s legacy is what oft isn’t seen.” This couldn’t be any truer for a man than J. Edgar, as the film attempts to delicately explore the most secretive parts of his life, specifically his sexual orientation. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Hoover as a man who never fully comes to terms with his grand trust   and affection towards men, specifically his friend Tolson. There is a deep melancholy to this unresolved struggle many believe Hoover dealt with, but as with many areas of his life, most of it is pure speculation. This may be a part of his legacy, but the secrets that he went with him to his grave may be much more troubling in regards to American history than we could ever imagine.

The DVD/Blu-ray that releases this week from Warner Brothers is light on additional material. In addition to the film, the disk features an extended look at the man in, “J. Edgar: The Most Powerful Man in the World.” The short film explores the character with interviews from director Clint Eastwood, writer Dustin Lance Black, and members of the cast. The perspective is primarily historical, while each of them give their opinion on the man and his philosophies. The Blu-ray itself perfectly reflects the definitive style of Eastwood’s film, bringing clarity to the darkly processed shots, and the wonderfully moody cinematography.

With J. Edgar, Clint Eastwood has imagined a stark portrait of a man that was boisterous in his greatness and entirely silent in the things and people that motivated and inspired his personality.  The movie for some may be hard to watch, as Hoover is not a man of much warmth or redeeming qualities. But the film version is a significant one, taking a long, hard look through the eyes of a brilliant human being. Just as it took a while for people to recognize Hoover’s mark on history, it may take some time for the film to find its place in people’s minds as a triumph in profiling an elusive character. It’s as J. Edgar Hoover says in the film, “Innovators aren’t often celebrated, at least not at first.”

Synopsis: A classic love story unfolds in the best Disney tradition as a lovely young pedigreed cocker spaniel named Lady, who lives a pampered life, finds herself falling romantically for Tramp, an amorous street-smart pooch without prospects. Although they have fun together on several dates, including a sentimental spaghetti dinner by moonlight at Tony’s restaurant, their relationship is strained not only by Lady’s loyalty to her human family and their newborn baby, but by Tramp’s devil-may-care attitude that eventuallygets Lady in trouble and tossed into the dog pound. However, good-hearted Tramp redeems himself by saving the baby from potential harm and thus wins Lady’s love and the affection of her human family.

You wouldn’t think that a love story from the point of view of two dogs could be as beautiful as it is in Lady and the Tramp.  At best, you would expect a cute but gimmicky story without any real substance.  At least, that’s what you’d expect if it came from anyone but Disney.  And yet, Disney took this basic idea and created something miraculous.

Everyone knows the story.  Lady is a cocker spaniel from a proper family.  Newly minted with her very own dog license, she finds herself on the streets after a misunderstanding involving her family’s new baby.  There, she meets up with Tramp, an independent mutt who shows her the ways of the world and the ways of love.

It really is a simple story, but within the framework of the plot lies something real.  The characters may be dogs, but the emotions are earned.  In this film, the love story is never forced on the audience, but comes naturally, as it should.  Through a combination of charmingly romantic music, wonderfully realized characters (both comic and serious), and stunningly gorgeous animation, Disney crafted another timeless masterpiece.

Having just been released in the two-disc Diamond Edition, this is the perfect time to re-experience the film.  This is the first Disney animated feature released in CinemaScope, and it is absolutely stunning.  It really allows you to marvel at the detail the animators put into the film.  Being a dog owner, I am very familiar with all the little movements that dogs do, and the animators captured this perfectly.  Every stretch, wag of a tail and lick of a hand was perfectly rendered.  And yet, even with this animal detail, these dogs still felt like realistic characters.

The extras on this Diamond Edition provide a great look at the film from the perspective of those who made it.  Featuring something called “Disney Second Screen, you can sync the film up with your IPad or laptop, and watch the movie while simultaneously getting extra content pertaining to that particular moment.  When watching with this feature, you can animate along with the film, and listen to recreations of story meetings taken from the actual transcripts.  It’s fascinating to hear that insight play with the film, giving that extra perspective to what you’re watching.

The Blu-Ray itself also includes a fascinating look at the apartment over the firehouse at Disneyland.  As most people reading this probably know, Walt frequently stayed in this apartment, overlooking the park below.  Including some terrific candid shots of Walt enjoying Disneyland before the park opened, this is a fascinating feature for any Disney historian.

Disneyland was being built while he was working on Lady and the Tramp, and it’s fascinating to think that Walt would start his days working on the film, and then go to Disneyland to oversee construction of the park.  As part of Disney Second Screen, you can even take a virtual tour of the apartment. Other features include three deleted scenes, a deleted song, and several bonus features carried over the previously released DVD.

Those features from the DVD are terrific as well.  There are clips from the Disneyland TV show, making of features, a look at the storyboards, the music, and on and on.  This is a truly remarkable film, and this release does it justice in evey way.  Whether you want to pour through the history of the production, or just marvel at the beautiful story, Disney has outdone themselves once again.

Filmmaker Spike Lee, actor Denzel Washington and other top talents vividly portray the life and times of Malcolm X. ?Here?s a man who rose up from the dregs of society, spent time in jail, reeducated himself and, through spiritual enlightenment, rose to the top,? Lee says. For his extraordinary work in the title role, two-time Academy Award winner* Washington was an Oscar nominee and the New York, Boston and Chicago Film Critics choice as 1992?s Best Actor.

Regardless of your thoughts on Malcolm X, the man, there is no denying the incredible filmmaking at work in Malcolm X, the film.  Director Spike Lee has taken the life story of one of the most polarizing figures in the racial movement and crafted a meticulously detailed biopic that never plays safe.  Running close to three and a half hours, Lee gives us Malcolm’s entire story, for better and worse.

Most biopics tend to give just enough details of their subjects backstory to get to the interesting part of their life and the moments that people are familiar with.  Malcolm’s life was always shifting, and every moment was significant.  This was a criminal who rose from the depths of prison to become the mouthpiece for the Nation of Islam and a figurehead for the black movement of the time.  His approach in this role was extreme, and some would say, racist.  In fact, he was so extreme, the very group he was representing ended up disassociating themselves from him.  This was a move that would eventually lead to his assassination.

With a film like this, you need to have an actor capable of incredible range.  Denzel Washington more than lives up to the task and gives one of the best performances of his career, bringing Malcolm to life in a way that goes far beyond simple impersonation.  While he does manage to capture every physical nuance of the real Malcolm X, he also conveys the intensity in everything Malcolm did.  It’s a powerful role, expertly performed.

In watching the extras on the newly released Blu-Ray from Warner Bros., it becomes even more apparent just how brilliant his performance was.  Featuring a documentary on Malcolm X, it’s impossible not to be blown away at how eerily Washington was able to embody everything the man.  It’s a truly fascinating documentary, made even more so when viewed side by side to Lee’s film.

Other extras include a commentary track featuring Lee, along with his editor, costume designer and director of photography.  There’s also the original theatrical trailer, and nine deleted scenes.  Honestly, the film is long enough as is, and these additional moments weren’t needed.  There’s also a fascinating documentary called “By Any Means Necessary,” and this really focuses on the difficulties that went into getting this film made.  It’s a fascinating look at the controversy behind the scenes.

Warner Bros. has also included a 40-page booklet which is a welcome addition to the set.  It contains an essay on the difficulties associated with the film, including the controversies of the real Malcolm X.  There are also several biographies of the various actors, and some terrific photos.  Overall, Warner Bros. did a terrific job with this set.  Love him or hate him, this film won’t change your mind, but it will provide insight into this complicated and fascinating historical figure.