By Gregg Shapiro

Contributing writer

“300” (Warner Brothers)—Based on the popular Frank Miller graphic novel about the 480 B.C. Thermopylae battle between the Spartans, led by King Leonidis (Gerald Butler), and the Persians, under the leadership of Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), this big-screen adaptation is bursting with homoerotic imagery. The Spartan warriors, the heroes in this epic, have muscular torsos—rippling muscles, six- and eight-pack abs and armor-like pecs—which are exposed for all to see, with their lower halves swathed in what looks like leather Speedos (let’s hope they had some Trojans handy for those lonely nights).

Blood and gore are also the order of the day and “300” doesn’t compromise any of it, with the lengthy battle sequences overflowing with liberated limbs and other body parts all awash in bodily fluids. So, if you don’t mind your history lesson packed with brutal battle reenactments (decapitations, disembowelments and such) then you might actually find yourself entertained and educated. The double-disc special edition widescreen DVD features the full-length film on the first disc. The second one is as pumped up as the actors’ pecs with extras including additional scenes, segments on the realization of Frank Miller’s vision on film, the fact or fiction aspect of the Spartans, director commentary and much more.



“Inland Empire” (Rhino/Absurda/Studio Canal)—From the irrepressible imagination of David Lynch comes this Hollywood epic, populated with giant rabbit people, prostitutes and naturally, a damsel in distress. Actress Nikki (Laura Dern), the “woman in trouble” of the movie’s subtitle, is up for a new film role. Shortly before learning she has gotten the part, she’s visited by a mysterious woman (Grace Zabriskie), who’s a cross between Maria Ouspenskaya and lesbian comedian Elvira Kurt’s impression of her mother. The woman makes all sorts of cryptic remarks, upsetting the slightly unstable Nikki. Regardless, Nikki accepts the part in the movie, cast alongside actor Devin (Justin Theroux), who has a reputation as a ladies man, and under the direction of the eccentric Kingsley (Jeremy Irons).

The film they are making, “On High in Blue Tomorrows,” turns out to be a remake of a movie that was started but never completed. The mysterious circumstances under which the original production ceased might have something to do with the murder of the two leads and a Polish gypsy folk tale curse. Meanwhile Nikki is jealous and suspicious (and rightfully so) and warns Devin to keep his distance from his wife. As you might expect, Nikki begins losing her grip on reality. There is a recurring theme of the consequences of one’s actions and Lynch reaches into his bag of tricks and pulls out awkward silences, distorted lens and bizarre lighting and sound effects to illustrate Nikki’s descent. The double-disc DVD set requires a commitment, clocking in at far more than the original theatrical release’s nearly three hours. But all the extras are bound to make someone’s day brighter or darker, whatever the case may be.