DVD Picks

Pick of the Week

Repo Men

Sci-fi thriller; rated R for strong bloody violence, grisly images and some sexuality/nudity; also available on Blu-ray

The Gist: In the future, monster corporations sell artificial body organs with usurious purchasing plans. If you fall behind on your payments, Jude Law and Forest Whitaker will repo your kidney, lungs, heart, whatever.

The Lowdown: Creepy, grisly and fun, "Repo Men" is an inconsistent but generally successful dark sci-fi satire that does what science fiction is supposed to - extrapolate current trends into the future and see what pops up. At first, the movie seems like a riff on medical ethics and the organ replacement industry. But stick around and it soon becomes clear the filmmakers have another target entirely - credit card companies and the lending industry in general.

Be forewarned - the DVD release of "Repo Men" includes an unrated director's cut, and it's the goriest thing I've seen on film in a long time, maybe ever. Extreme gore in horror movies is one thing. But the way it's presented here is almost clinical, which makes it much more disturbing.

The Extras: Commentary track with the director and writers; about 10 minutes of deleted scenes; a special effects mini-doc and fake commercials for the film's organ lending corporation

The Bottom Line: If you like your social allegory pitch-black and bloody - who doesn't? - "Repo Men" is a lot of fun. I'm serious about that gore, though - go with the theatrical cut if you're prone to queasiness.

Double Secret Bonus Tip: Watch for up-and-coming Brazilian actress Alice Braga - a major movie star in the making.

The Art of the Steal

Documentary; unrated

The Gist: It's Art vs. Commerce, heavyweight division, as tycoons, politicians and the city of Philadelphia tussle over rights to a $35 billion art collection. That's "billion" with a "b."

The Lowdown: Visionary art collector Dr. Albert C. Barnes amassed a huge art treasure-trove during his lifetime, scooping up hundreds of modern and post-impressionist works before anyone was hip to their worth. By all accounts a dedicated misanthrope, Barnes detested both the snooty art establishment and the unwashed masses, and reserved his collection for serious art students exclusively.

"The Art of the Steal" details the fate of the Barnes Collection after the good doctor's death in 1951, and it's a fascinating glimpse into the world of art, money and power. Despite very specific instructions in Barnes' will, the collection is targeted by rival tycoons, city officials and charitable trusts - one observer describes the proceedings as a series of nonprofit corporate takeovers.

Art lovers will be fascinated and maybe outraged, although frankly no one comes out of this fight looking too good. When $35 billion is up for grabs, ethics tend to go out the window and the law can get remarkably elastic.

The Extras: Just the film's original theatrical trailer

The Bottom Line: A surprisingly suspenseful documentary with plenty of villainy to go around.

Double Secret Bonus Tip: Barnes made his fortune on pharmaceuticals used to treat venereal disease.

Triple Secret Bonus Tip: For those keeping score at home, the Barnes Collection included 181 Renoirs, 69 Cezannes, 59 Matisses, 46 Picassos, 16 Modiglianis and seven van Goghs.

Life After People: The Complete Season Two

History channel series season set; unrated; also available on Blu-ray

The Gist: More engaging pop scholarship from the History channel as scientists and academics explore what would happen to the planet if we all just disappeared.

The Lowdown: End-of-the-world scenarios are endlessly fascinating to those of us prone to worrying about such things. "Life After People" uses advanced CGI to graphically depict the gradual decay of our man-made world when humans are removed from the picture.

Each episode considers a particular aspect of civilization - cities, airports, bridges - then jumps forward: One week after people, one year after people, one century after people. Along the way, you get a quick primer on various facets of history, culture, infrastructure and urban planning.

The Extras: None

The Bottom Line: Interesting and engaging in a spooky sort of way, "Life After People" provides a humbling glimpse into a possible future. Hint: Prepare for lots of fires, flooding and unleashed toxic chemicals.

Double Secret Bonus Tip: Forget cockroaches - experts predict the future will be ruled by prairie dogs and Asian carp. Really.