AND JUSTICE FOR ALL-
This critic recalls being blown away by Pacino's performance in "AND JUSTICE FOR ALL" when he first viewed it in 1979.  An important note: The critic was only 15!  The film is cleverly written by the then famous writing team of Valerie Curtin and Barry Levinson, that's right the same Barry Levinson who's now a director.  As one could also imagine, the film is set in Levinson's hometown of Baltimore, Maryland.  Pacino portrays an idealistic lawyer, not unlike Atticus Finch, aspiring to use his legal expertise to "right" wrongs.  Unfortunately, he learns, as does the viewer that the legal system has less to do with justice than it does with the "appearance" of justice.  As the film opens, Pacino has just been jailed for taking on a horrible judge whom has refused to listen to evidence exonerating his innocent client.  This same judge, played brilliantly by John Forsythe, will later need Pacino's legal talents in defending him against a rape charge that may be true.  "AND JUSTICE FOR ALL" offers a provocative and honest look at the legal system, and more than its share of great courtroom drama.
While much of the film is intelligent, there are a few brief sequences, that
upon viewing a 2nd time, 'as an adult," appear extremely contrived and
melodramatic.  Still, overall "AND JUSTICE FOR ALL" serves well for repeated viewings and audiences get the opportunity to view Pacino recite some of the best dialogue of his long, distinguished career: "I'm out of order?  You're out of order!" 
Director Norman Jewison's direction is actually one of the film's
detriments.  To a fifteen year old viewing the film for the first time,
Pacino "made" the film!  To an adult viewing the film, Pacino still makes
the film, but in spite of, rather than because of Jewison's direction.
Jewison can make any scene sluggish, in spite of the action taking place
within it!  Try watching "ROLLERBALL!" 
The transfer from COLUMBIA TRISTAR, could be better.  Presented in its correct 1.85:1 aspect ratio with 16:9 enhancement, there is also a full screen version offered on the alternate side.  Fleshtones aren't
consistently natural as they typically are in COLUMBIA TRISTAR releases.  At times, they look too orange. The contrast is fine, but the actual source material for the transfer shows signs of aging, with scratches and wear throughout the film.
The monaural sound is fine, although some distortion is heard when turning up the volume for Pacino's great closing argument.
Jewison provides an audio commentary and offers insight into the film's
development, focusing on the script development and casting.  While Jewison isn't as engaging or inspiring as Stone or Fincher, he manages to keep the listener interested.  There are two trailers for Pacino films.  The
theatrical trailer for "AND JUSTICE FOR ALL" and DONNIE BRASCO."  Only "AND JUSTICE FOR ALL" is offered with 16:9 enhancement. 

LOSER-
It's amazing that writer/director Amy Heckerling's "CLUELESS" did so well at the boxoffice and with critics and "LOSER" bombed in both arenas.
"CLUELESS" had nothing original to it!  "LOSER" at least offers interesting characters, some that are even realistic!  Jason Biggs stars as a small town kid trying to stay true to his convictions and dealing with culture shock while attending college in New York.   Faced with non-stop criticism from his roommates due to his taking on college with seriousness, he's forced out of his dorm, finding refuge in the back of a veterinary hospital.  While there, he meets, helps, and falls in love with Mena Suvari, a young girl in a psychologically abusive relationship with an older man, a college professor.  Things end up becoming very predictable, but this doesn't take away from the acting, look, and general feel of the film.  Heckerling manages to creative an innovative atmosphere in "LOSER," much like she did with her earlier and "best" film, "FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGHT."  In "LOSER," the blending of music and imagery is inspiring and often seamless.
We may not like where the film takes us, but it's certainly a fun trip along
the way. 

COLUMBIA TRISTAR has given "LOSER" an outstanding transfer!  Presented in the proper 1.85:1 aspect ratio with 16:9 enhancement, the film looks sharp in every scene!  Color values are outstanding!  There are no artifacts.
There's great clarity and contrast is perfect.  Fleshtones appear natural
throughout the film, and even though colors are extremely vivid, there's no oversaturation.
The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix isn't as active as we'd hoped.  However, the
dialogue is well focused and there are some directional effects within the
front speakers.  Dialogue is always intelligible.  The rear speakers do
become aggressive during musical segments, and this is where the 5.1 is
aggressive!
There is a brief "making of" featurette with some behind-the-scenes footage, a music video and trailer.

TRIXIE
COLUMBIA TRISTAR has released a Special Edition of Alan Rudolph's latest film, "TRIXIE."  Emily Watson is an outstanding actress, as proven by her performances in "BREAKING THE WAVES," "THE BOXER," "ANGELA'S ASHES" and more!  In "TRIXIE," she's teamed with other great actors such as Nick Nolte and Nathan Lane, but even great actors can't save a film this bad!  Rudolph painfully attempts to make a crime-caper/comedy in the same style as the Coen brothers, and fails miserably!  Watson portrays a young woman named
"Trixie" with dreams of transcending the casino security job she has by
solving a real murder.
The outstanding supporting cast is used to make her character more
appealing, as they're all sleazy.  Rudolph mistakenly buys into the
possibility that just because the script calls for the characters running
into Trixie, to begin being taken with her, the viewers will.  He couldn't
be more wrong!   He also thinks that her dim-witted use of American phrases will become endearing, but they only grow more annoying as the film goes on, and on, and on, and on!!!   None of the characters in the film are likeable, and it's so aggravating to see an actor as incredible as Nick Nolte playing the horribly written part of a corrupt senator.
COLUMBIA TRISTAR has given this release an adequate transfer. 

The 1.85:1 aspect ratio is enhanced with 16:9 enhancement.  .  Rudolph has always shown a gift for strong visual compositions.  Unfortunately, none of them appear here!  So, "TRIXIE" isn't even enjoyable to look at!   Much of the film is dark looking. The fleshtones appear natural throughout the film.  Color values aren't extremely strong, but the actual production design appears pretty dull to begin with.   Contrast is fine with strong blacks and grays.

The soundtrack offers little in terms of directional effects, however the
musical atmosphere comes to life through the soundmix, allowing all the
speakers to assist in allowing it to surround the audience.  In fact, the
music is the "one" decent thing about the film.  It should've been offered
on an isolated track.  Instead, Rudolph offers commentary on an isolated
track.  It's extremely telling to hear a director talking about his film and
sounding like he wished he wasn't there!  Perhaps he empathizes with the
audience.  This is one of the least interesting commentaries we've ever
heard!   He shares production stories and discusses the film, but the
listener is left without any more understanding or appreciation of Rudolph's intent

Kikujiro- 05279
While "KIKUJIR" doesn't reach the same level of sheer brilliance as "CENTRAL STATION", with which its promotional info on the back cover of the dvd compares it, it's alternately moving and funny, and well worth seeing.  It's also the most beautiful film of Director Takeshi Kitano so far.  The central character of the film is a 9-year old boy named Masao.  Kitano certainly appears to have been influenced by Truffaut in his understanding of children.  Masao is a child whom doesn't look forward to summer!  He's a bored child without parents.  The grandmother he lives with has told him that his father died and his mother is away trying to make a living to help support him.  "This" summer Masao decides to find his mother, and in the process finds himself and a mature understanding of the human condition.  As he embarks on his quest, a concerned woman in his neighborhood insists her
husband will travel with him to keep him away from danger.  Her husband, Kikujiro, is a conman.  It's to Takeshi's credit that the character of Kikujiro is a pretty rough guy whom doesn't ever have a real epiphany.  He and the boy have a deeper understanding of eachother and life by the film's end, but it's not a cliché!  It looks and feels believable! 
COLUMBIA TRISTAR has presented the film in its proper 1.85:1 aspect ratio with 16:9 enhancement.  The image is typically sharp.  The opening credit sequence looks and sounds terrific, giving a fine example of the color values that lie ahead.  While the picture gets soft in spots, fleshtones are natural looking.  The contrast is fine, with well defined blacks and grays.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 soundmix is wonderful.  Although it's not extremely
aggressive, this is a dialogue driven film, and the mix is mainly focused
towards the center and front speakers.  The surrounds become active in
creating atmospheric effects, but are used mostly in boosting the wonderful film score.
There are two trailers featured, "CENTRAL STATION" and "JOHNNY MNEMONIC." Neither of them are correctly letterboxed.