Pedro Almodovar has always been lauded as one of the most innovative foreign directors since Fellini, but most of his films, while entertaining, have never been an ultimate success.  With "All About My Mother", that is no longer the case!  "All About My Mother" is not only Almodovar's best film, but one of the best films of the year as well.  The film is about a hard-working mother, whose life is forever altered after her teenage son is tragically killed.  Poignant, and humorous, it never rings false.  The acting is outstanding as well.

The dvd transfer from COLUMBIA TRISTAR offers an extremely sharp looking transfer, with vibrant colors.(Almodovar loves bright colors)  Not only has Columbia TRISTAR offered the film transfer with its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, anamorphically enhanced, but it's gone so far as to have the B side(typically the pan&scan side) matted!  That's how important COLUMBIA TRISTAR feels letterboxing is, and we praise them for this!

The dolby digital 5.1 soundtrack offers some atmospheric directional effects, but nothing sensational, as the sound effects are of much lesser importance than the dialogue.  There is also an isolated track featuring the wonderful score, and an interview with Almodovar wherein we learn a little about the director's motivations here and in general.

Dolph Lundgren stars in "Jill the Ripper", a better than average cable "style" film cenering around a former cop out to avenge his brother's brutal murder.  As the title suggests, there's a serial killer, and this time it's a she, allowing Lundgren to enter the steamy underworld of S&M.  Director Anthony Hickox is best associated with low budget films, but he's actually helped create an impressive production design for a film with an obvious "low budget".  His commentary is insightful, and a must for aspiring filmmakers. 

The 1.85:1 transfer is presented in 16:9, and the image is sharp and glossy, with excellent fleshtones and contrast.  The dolby digital 5.1 soundtrack offers a surprising number of directional effects throughout the film.

While not a great film by "any" standards, "Mackenna's Gold" is a lot of fun!  Perhaps best suited as a "guilty pleasure".  While it's obvious that director J. Lee Thompson sought to make a "big" western, the results are unintentionally funny at times, and we only wish that COLUMBIA TRISTAR included an audio commentary here as they have with so many of their releases.  The film stars Gregory Peck as a Marshal captured by outlaw Omar Sharif, seeking hidden Gold.  By the film's climax, everyone is filled with greed, making this a poor man's "Treasure of Sierra Madre".

The transfer is wonderful, offering 16:9 enhancement for the 2.35:1 aspect ratio.  The film does have many impressive images, damaged beyond comprehension in its television airings.(see side B for an example!)  There are no artifacts, and grain is minimal.  The dolby digital 5.0 soundtrack offers minimal directional effects, however the score from Quincy Jones sounds terrific here!

One of Otto Preminger's finest films, "Anatomy of a Murder" has just made its way to dvd, courtesy of COLUMBIA TRISTAR.  While there's minimal supplements, to call it a "no-frills" release, would be wrong, as everything about the film itself, is quite special indeed.  It features one of Jimmy Stewart's bravest performances, and as usual with Preminger, the film manages to be well ahead of its time, holding up nicely even in the year 2000.

The transfer is sharp, offered in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio.  There is little grain, and the image is always crisp.  The mono sound offers great clarity throughout the film's duration