this week's DVD armload

In no particular order:

- MPD Psycho, Episodes 1 & 2

[2001 / Japanese / dir: Takashi Miike] Made for television (and a clear signal that American TV, even at its most legitimately daring, is nowhere near the edge), this series follows a police detective on the trail of a devious killer: a personality that seems able to enter people's minds through telephone lines and internet connections, driving them to realize their most murderous urges. Assisting in the investigation is a younger detective who was previously engaged by the personality (one of three at that time), which puts his determination and initiative in question. There is also a slightly more benevolent agent, in the form of an anime schoolgirl, who moves in an equally ethereal fashion but whose motives are also equally murky. The program is filmed on digital video, and that method gives it an urgency and immediacy that is captivating despite the slow pace and confusing narrative. If you can find it, and you have a taste for morbid thrillers that seem as willing to explain themselves as David Lynch films, then give it a try.

- H

[2002 / Korean / dir: Lee Jong-Hyuk] Take films like Cure, Seven and Silence of The Lambs, and you pretty much have the templates for H, a well-made but very familiar cop thriller. It is a very watchable film. You'll just have to remind yourself every few scenes that you've seen it all before.

- Criminal

[2004 / U.S. / dir: Gregory Jacobs] An English-language version of the Argentinian scam-drama Nine Queens. Just check out that film instead, because even the reliable John C. Reilly can't muster enough excitement to make this one worth the trouble.

- This So-Called Disaster

[2003 / U.S. / dir: Michael Almereyda] Sam Shepard writes real downers for plays, but they are fascinating, personal works that make up some of the best American theater of a generation. The Late Henry Moss is a story whose title character would appear to be a fictional portrait of Shepard's father, but that's not the whole point of the work. Watching high-caliber actors like Nick Nolte, Sean Penn and James Gammon burn through Shepard's work in rehearsal after rehearsal is captivating, given it's static nature. We never see the full play, but that's not a problem; there is an ample amount of drama, surrounded by humorous moments that belie the actors' overly-serious reps. If you like behind-the-scenes documentaries and are a fan of actors and writers who excel at their craft, rent this one now.

- Malice @ Doll

[2000 / Japanese / dir: Keitarou Motonaga] Apparently its title is just Malice Doll, which makes more sense, but hey, who's griping about a title when there's so much else wrong with a movie? Nigh unwatchable, this display of computer graphics is as murky in its presentation as it is in its narrative ability. Really, really bad.

- Hotel Rwanda

[2004 / United Kingdom / dir: Terry George] Absolutely heart-breaking, but very good. Watch only if you have lots of kleenex or a hearty constitution.

...and in theaters: Mad Hot Ballroom

[2005 / U.S. / dir: Marylin Agrelo] A wonderful documentary about school children learning to ballroom dance for a city-wide competition, this is a real winner. Delightful in every way, you can't miss. Go now. I mean right now.

Next week: A Snake Of June and Red Lights. They're both subtitled, so get ready to read, Jojo.