Oliver Stone's newest film, "U Turn" has received an excellent transfer in both laserdisc and dvd.  The image is outstanding on both, however, the dvd transfer has a slight edge in definition.  Stone uses various film stock and exposure techniques throughout the film, and all of it holds its brilliance here.  The Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is extremely active, stocked with directional effects, and emphasizing a wonderful film score.  The Dolby Digital 5.1 has a slight edge in the laserdisc format, although the difference is only slightly noticeable.

Sean Penn, Jennifer Lopez and Nick Nolte star in Stone's violent homage to film-noir.   What makes this homage unusual is its bright colors and rapid editing.  In spite pushing every element of film-making to the limit, this highly stylized film leaves the viewer with a sense of familiarity invoking memories of classics like "Postman Always Rings Twice", only on acid!

COLUMBIA TRISTAR is doing a wonderful job at exploring its vault of quality titles for the dvd market.  Hugh Wilson's "Guarding Tess"  isn't a "big" film, but it sure is entertaining.  Nicolas Cage gives one of his more restrained performances as a secret agent charged with guarding a feisty, argumentative former first lady played by Shirley MacLaine.  While there are plenty of  comedic moments, the film's sentimental moments work in an unpredictable, satisfying way. 

The transfer is excellent.  While there aren't stunning compositions to speak of, the majority of scenes have a nice feel to them and their image is sharp.  The Dolby Digital soundtrack isn't extremely active, serving mainly to boost the film's score.

"Multiplicity" looks many times better on DVD than on laserdisc.  The various visual effects so necessary to this comedy of a man and his clones, are much sharper and bright.  The fleshtones are flawless.  In addition, the soundtrack has been encoded in Dolby Digital(5.1) greatly enhancing the directional effects as well as complimenting the wonderful score by George Fenton.

"The Fifth Element" has its share of problems plot-wise, but it looks and sounds sensational on laserdisc, and its DVD presentation is even further enhanced.   Director Luc Besson uses every bit of space effectively within his 2.35:1 framing.   For those still not sold on the obvious benefits of  letterboxing, the cropped version is offered on the alternate side to this release.  The high quality transfer is flawless from its opening moments, involving mattes and other effects.  The Dolby Digital soundtrack is on par with the exquisite laserdisc version.

P.J. Hogan's newest film is surprisingly effective as both a comedy and romantic drama.   Roberts plays a beautiful food critic out to thwart the pending marriage the man she loves is about to take part in.  Camaron Diaz is also wonderful and though her part seems cartoon-like at first, she takes on more depth as the film carries on.   The DVD transfer is wonderful and in some ways an improvement over the already sharp laserdisc release.  The colors have a little more depth to them, but the biggest difference lies in the soundtrack.  The DVD features Dolby Digital(5.1) whereas the laserdisc doesn't.  There isn't an abundance of  sound effects, but Director Hogan carefuly manipulates the musical numbers to great affect throughout the film.  The enhanced dimensions to these musical interludes provide much more impact in the DVD version.

Already available on laserdisc, the director's cut of "Das Boot" is now on DVD, with one further improvement.  Again, the laserdisc version doesn't feature the Dolby Digital(5.1) soundtrack offered on DVD. To give credit it's due, the laserdisc looks wonderful, with great contrast and color quality, even in the darker scenes.  Its standard dolby surround track is also filled with stirring effects.  However, the impact delivered with the Dolby Digital soundtrack is to noticeable not to recommend it over the non Dolby Digital version.  About an hour of  footage involving character development has been added by the films director, Wolfgang Petersen.  It's still a lot shorter than the German t.v. mini-series it was originally aired as, but it feels just right length as its story unfolds.  The same audio commentary from the laserdisc is featured as an option here.  The insert includes extensive production notes.

Milos Forman's "The People Vs. Larry Flynt" is an important film for many reasons.  Everyone should be concerned with its relevance to free speech, but Forman's apt hand also makes a strong case for the need of humanity in all situations.   The film follows Hustler magazine founder Larry Flynt's court battles relating to his publication as well as a brief  lawsuit with Jerry Falwell, but it's best when it follows his personal relationships with his wife Althea and his friends.  The Dolby Digital soundtrack offers a huge benefit over the standard dolby surround track on the laserdisc version.  The wonderful musical score adds great depth to certain scenes between Flynt and Althea, which are never fully realized in the laserdisc soundtrack.   The DVD transfer is stunning.  The well composed production design comes to life here, and every frame has depth of image complimenting the depth of character achieved in this landmark film.