Video Reviews: 'Black Hawk Down,' 'Monster's Ball'

'Black Hawk Down' (R) Having our troops engaged in war can't help but give "Black Hawk Down" even more impact -- as painful as it is to watch, it's an important, if not absolutely necessary film for the times.

Based on Mark Bowden's book, "Black Hawk Down" chronicles the United States' military mission in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Oct. 3, 1993, to capture two top lieutenants of Mohamed Farrah Aidid -- a warlord who intercepted food intended for the Somalia people. But what ensued was a bloody, 17-hour battle that pitted hundreds of military personnel against thousands of armed Somalis -- which ultimately cost 18 soldiers and more than 1,000 Somalis their lives.

The greatest strength of "Black Hawk Down" is the talent of director Ridley Scott, who infuses the brutal realities of war with scenes comparative to Steven Spielberg's incredible opening of "Saving Private Ryan."

The battle scenes come fast, bloody and furious, but the camera work is not overly stylistic: It simply reflects the chaos the soldiers must have felt in a mission gone terribly awry. But while the scenes are brilliantly orchestrated, the balance is shaky between action and story. As a result, such leading men as Josh Hartnett ("Pearl Harbor") and Ewan McGregor ("Star Wars") come off like secondary players, and the story becomes confused at times.

Still, it's a forgivable shortcoming in an otherwise compelling film. No matter where you stand on the actions of our military, this film is sure to make you stand at attention. Respect the uniform or not, at least you'll come away with a greater appreciation for the men and women who don them. (Columbia Tristar Home Video)

DVD Features: Among the disc's few bonus materials are behind-the-scenes featurettes and production notes.

'Monster's Ball' (R) Halle Berry proves her Oscar worthiness with a heartbreaking performance opposite Billy Bob Thornton in "Monster's Ball," a racially charged romantic drama about redemption that defies convention with some fresh plot turns.

Thornton stars as Hank, a bitter, death-row prison guard who stumbles into a romance with Leticia (Berry), the widow of a death-row inmate (Sean Combs) he helped execute. Complicating matters is that Leticia does not know her new lover's past, and the feelings of guilt and loss both of them feel in the aftermath of recent tragedies.

Director Marc Forster paints an intimate portrait with "Monster's Ball" with some subtle direction, making it difficult not to embrace Hank and Leticia despite their flaws. Both Hank and Leticia have an edge, but they also show their vulnerabilities, too. They both exhibit a great amount of real emotion, and it's completely believable. The same goes for a superb supporting cast, with pivotal turns by Combs, Heath Ledger and Peter Boyle as Hank's family members, and Coronji Calhoun as Leticia's son.

The major fault with "Monster's Ball," however, is its ending. It aimlessly trails off into an uncertain conclusion, but this misgiving is not nearly enough to wreck an otherwise powerful film.

DVD Features: Thornton makes light of a heavy film with some uproarious behind-the-scenes banter in the DVD's bonus section, which includes a reprise of his "Sling Blade" character in an outtake with Ledger. Also included on the disc are deleted scenes, a section on the film's subtle score, and commentary tracks by Forster and cinematographer Roberto Schaefer, and Berry and Thornton. (Lions Gate Home Entertainment)

'Kate & Leopold' (PG-13) Meg Ryan recalls the days of her romantic-comedy glory in "Kate & Leopold," a feel-good movie that was one of 2001's most under-appreciated theatrical offerings. It's a perfect date movie.

Ryan stars as Kate, a lovelorn modern-day focus-group executive who meets the Duke of Albany (Hugh Jackman), an ideal gentleman from the late 1800s who's suddenly thrust into 21st-century New York through a time-traveling portal. But the duke's time in the present day has "Back to the Future" implications -- if he continues to exist, he may inadvertently alter the course of history.

While "Kate & Leopold" doesn't scream originality, co-writer-director James Mangold's wonderfully fresh plot twists keep this fish-out-of-water romance from sinking to rock bottom.

Mangold's storytelling prowess is fully realized by Ryan, whose performance has the same sort of sparkle that made "When Harry Met Sally" and "Sleepless in Seattle" so enjoyable; and "X-Men" veteran Jackman, who turns in an disarming performance that should catapult him into the movie stratosphere: He's a terrific leading man. Breckin Meyer ("Road Trip"), Liev Schreiber ("The Sum of All Fears"), and Bradley Whitford (television's "The West Wing") also shine in well-developed supporting roles.

DVD Features: In addition to the theatrical version, a director's cut of the film included on the disc adds five minutes to the film -- including a scene that further establishes the lead characters' cross-century ties. Also included are seven deleted scenes, commentary by Mangold, and a music video of "Until," Sting's Oscar-nominated song from the film. (Miramax Home Video)

Also New: 'Victor/Victoria,' Other Blake Edwards Comedies On DVD

For casual fans of Julie Andrews, if you ever wondered why she's turned up in some of director Blake Edwards' movies, well, it's because she's married to him. They've been married since 1969, and without question, are also committed to making great movies together.

Andrews' best movie union with her husband (if not one of her best movies, period), "Victor/Victoria" is new on DVD, and it's a joyous occasion because it presents a rare opportunity as the couple is featured on the audio commentary together.

Easily their memories of the film is best feature on any of the four new Edwards films released on DVD for the first time -- which includes "The Great Race," starring Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, Natalie Wood and Tony Curtis; "S.O.B," the film where Edwards playfully thumbs his nose at Hollywood, starring William Holden, Shelly Winters and Larry Hagman; and "Skin Deep" starring John Ritter.

For those who haven't experienced the joy of "Victor/Victoria" yet, it's Andrews' wondrous gender-bending role as a starving singer who becomes the talk of the Paris Cabaret in 1934 by playing a female impersonator.

The commentary is rare is because Edwards admits that he won't allow himself to watch most of his movies because he's so critical of them. This film is different, obviously, and it even gets to point where Edwards is so engrossed in the movie that he stops talking.

The pair let out some fun secrets during the commentary, including Andrews admitting her extreme fear of cockroaches (which are tantamount to the success of two scenes), and how the crew awarded her with a golden cockroach at the end of the production.

The conversation ventures into more serious issues also, addressing the homosexuality of Robert Preston's Toddy -- the performer who mentors Victoria in her cross-dressing ways. Edwards believes that the film made the subject matter of homosexuality more palatable, and made even the most prejudiced of viewers enjoy the film despite their views.

The duo also talks about the limitations of adapting the movie to the Broadway stage, although the comparisons are few. Hearing Andrews commentary alongside her musical performance are saddening in a way, knowing how throat surgery cut short her singing career in 1998.

The couple also pays tribute to Henry Mancini, who scored several of Edwards' films. "If you got a good tailor or dentist, why change?" Edwards asks. (Warner Bros. Home Video)

Also New: "Buffy, The Vampire Slayer: Season 2" (CBS/Fox Home Video) is a six-disc set that features all of the season's 22 episodes, commentary tracks featuring creator Joss Whedon and other filmmakers, and interviews with Whedon.

The 'Rambo' Trilogy" (Artisan Home Entertainment) appears on DVD in a special box set (or "First Blood," "Rambo: First Blood Part II" and "Rambo III" can be purchased individually); each disc includes new documentaries and filmmaker commentary tracks, and a fourth disc, available in the box set only, features seven featurettes, three documentaries and a trivia game.

The director's cut of the Sci-Fi Channel's version of Frank Herbet's "Dune" (Artisan Home Entertainment) also is new on DVD, with over 30 minutes of new footage, filmmaker commentary, six production featurettes, a photo gallery, and more.