Page 18 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II, III & IV • February 9, 2011 Elia Kazan’s most personal film comes to small screen by Dennis Seuling “America America” (Warner Home Video) is not one of director Elia Kazan’s most famous films. Far more popular with critics and audiences are the Kazan classics “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “Gentleman’s Agreement,” and “On the Waterfront.” But “America America” is perhaps Kazan’s most personal film. Based on his own bestselling novel about his uncle’s life, the film portrays the American immigrant experience. Young Stavros (Stathis Giallelis) leaves his war-torn Turkish homeland to begin a new life. Fortified with his family’s small fortune and his father’s blessing, Stavros encounters both allies and adversaries. He eventually achieves his dream through perseverance and will, earning the nickname “America America.” There are no stars in this movie, which is part of the reason it has not attracted large audiences. But there is a raw reality about the movie precisely because the actors are not familiar faces. They are believable as the characters they are portraying. “America America” received Oscar nominations for best picture, director, and screenplay, and won an Oscar for art direction. Giallelis is excellent as the central character. He conveys Stavros’ determination and spirit while also showing the young man’s innocence when removed from his parochial life. At two hours and 48 minutes, the movie is overly long. Kazan lingers on scenes that could have been shortened or eliminated. Real cinematic poetry is achieved when the ship Stavros shares with hundreds of other immigrants approaches Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty comes into view. Kazan shows reactions to that moment in close-ups as Manos Hadjidakis’ score dramatically highlights the emotions of the newcomers to America. The only bonus feature on this DVD release is commentary by film historian Foster Hirsch. “You Again” (Walt Disney Home Entertainment) is a romantic comedy released just in time for Valentine’s Day. Available in a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack and standard DVD, the movie focuses on Marni (Kristen Bell), for whom high school was the worst time of her life. Her brother’s wedding comes a close second, since Marni’s former archrival from high school comes back to torment her as the bride. While the two young women bare their claws, Marni’s mom (Jamie Lee Curtis) reunites with her own high school nemesis (Sigourney Weaver). The film is strictly recycled sitcom, with familiar gags and scenes telegraphed well before they play out on screen. What saves the movie are the performances of Curtis, Weaver, and the always delightful Betty White -- a welcome oasis in this “been there, seen that” flick. Elena Karam and Stathis Giallelis in Elia Kazan’s ‘America America.’ Extras include the featurette “On Set with the Director,” a behind-the-scenes interview spoof, deleted scenes, and “Ask the Cast,” in which cast members answer questions from fans asking for advice. White’s responses are frequently a lot funnier than the movie. “Year of the Fish” (Passion River) is a modern-day adaptation of a ninth-century Chinese Cinderella story, the oldest known record of the tale, written 800 years before the European versions. A lovely young girl named Ye Xian (An Nguyen) travels alone to New York City to try to earn money for her sick father back home in China. She is employed by Mrs. Su (Tsai Chin), who runs a massage parlor in the heart of Chinatown. Ye Xian is made into a lowly servant who must do all the laundry, cleaning, shopping, and cooking. Her only comforts are an enchanted fish given to her by the mysterious hunchback Auntie Yaga (Randall Duk Kim) and her fleeting encounters with the handsome Johnny (Ken Leung), a struggling jazz musician. The film was shot entirely in New York City’s Chinatown. A digital painting technique transforms the live action into a striking, evocative animated movie. The effect is a painting come to life and adds to the fairy-tale feel of the story. Bonus features include audio commentaries with the director and cast members, a behind-the-scenes look at the rotoscoping process, early rotoscoping techniques, and before-and-after rotoscoping images. “I Spit on Your Grave” (Anchor Bay), originally released in 1978, achieved cult status on video. Jennifer Hills (Camille Keaton) leaves her Manhattan apartment and heads for a cabin in Connecticut where she hopes to write a novel. The peace of the countryside is shattered by a quartet of young men who assault her. Surviving the horrible ordeal, she becomes a merciless avenger who singlehandedly metes out deadly punishments to each of her attackers. This is a gruesome movie with disturbingly graphic images, but it is most unsettling because of its stark reality. Director Meir Zarchi, despite the lurid subject (continued on Crossword page) Take your Valentine to one of the fine restaurants advertised in Make Reservations Now!