The week’s DVDs begin on the Cote D’Azur:

DVDs for March 19 by Boo Allen

This week we begin on the Côte D’Azur:

Rust and Bone (***1/2)
This intense, much praised, character study stars Marion Cotillard as Stephanie, a whale trainer who loses her legs in an accident only to fall into deep depression. Matthias Schoenaerts plays Ali, the rough-hewn immigrant Stephanie meets after her accident. While he survives as a street fighter and she withdraws further into herself, the two somehow find reviving strength in the other. Noted French director Jacques Audiard creates a contentious situation for the two strong-willed personalities to play off each other, which they do with constant screen electricity.
Rated R, 120 minutes. The DVD includes commentary, an hour long “making of” featurette, six deleted scenes with commentary of around seven minutes, and a brief analysis of the film’s special effects. Plus: a three minute glimpse at the film’s debut at the Toronto Film Festival.

The Falcon—Mystery Movie Collection Volume Two
The Falcon Out West, The Falcon in Mexico, The Falcon in Hollywood, The Falcon in San Francisco, The Falcon’s Alibi, The Falcon’s Adventure.
Warner Archives releases the second batch of the entertaining B-movie series featuring The Falcon, with six unrated titles arriving on two discs. Tom Conway stars as Tom Lawrence, an amateur sleuth also known as The Falcon and who also always seems to be around right after a murder. The role originated with Conway’s brother George Sanders before the series’ odd sibling hand-off. These six, all made between 1944 and 1946, marked the end of the franchise, one that saw Tom Lawrence leaving Manhattan for western adventures. The slick detective witnesses one murder in a nightclub before heading to a ranch to uncover the murderer in The Falcon Out West. Lawrence travels south of the border and is accused of murder in In Mexico. He becomes embroiled in a murder at a movie studio in In Hollywood (look for bother George in a very brief cameo). The Falcon in San Francisco is the best of the lot because of the fast pacing and skewed camera angles by Joseph Lewis,director of the seminal Gun Crazy. All films run between 62 and 70 minutes.

The Other Son (***)
Character involvement builds in this Israeli film despite its premise resting on a whopper of a contrivance. Two eighteen year-old boys and their parents discover the two lads had been switched at birth in a Tel Aviv hospital. One who thought he was Jewish learns he is Arab, and the other finds out he is Jewish. Identities, parentage and prejudices come under analysis and attack as the two boys go on to form an unsteady bond with each other.
Rated PG-13, 105 minutes. The DVD includes a 31 minute “making of” featurette, nine minutes of deleted scenes, and a three minute blooper reel.

This Must Be the Place (**1/2)
This extremely odd film from last year never caught on despite an impressive cast featuring Frances McDormand, Judd Hirsh and David Byrne. But it’s Sean Penn as Cheyenne, a faded rock star who is mesmerizing, talking in a slow gravelly voice and moving like a glacier. He leaves his massive home in Ireland to come to the U.S. when his father dies, leaving him the burden of seeking revenge against an ex-Nazi living in the country. Cheyenne’s wandering odyssey provides much of the bulk of the movie that slowly gains momentum. Those who stick around long enough might find the pay-off rewarding, however delayed.
Rated R, 111 minutes.

Curandero: Dawn of the Demon (**1/2)
Robert Rodriguez wrote this thriller directed by Eduardo Rodriguez. A federal Mexican agent, Magdalena (Gizeht Galatea) asks the local curandero (Carlos Gallardo), a sort of exorcist-sorcerer, to cleanse the nearby police station. They discover they have more than they bargained for, including uninvited guests of the horror variety.
Rated R, 92 minutes. The DVD comes in both Spanish and dubbed English versions and offers commentary.

Border Run (**1/2)
Sharon Stone turns in a credible performance as Sofie, an Arizona TV reporter with rigid views on immigration who travels to Mexico when her brother Aaron (Billy Zane) disappears. Sometimes director Gabriela Tagliavini shows a heavy hand, but she also creates several harrowing scenes depicting the dangerous life led by the “coyotes” who bring people in as well as the perils encountered by those who do enter.
Rated R, 96 minutes.

In Their Skin (**1/2)
This nerve-wracking film delivers an unpleasant experience when a couple, the Hughes (Josh Close, Selma Blair), and their young son go to their secluded home in the woods for solace. There, they eventually are joined by the reluctantly invited new neighbors the Sakowskis (Rachel Minor, James D’Arcy) and their young son. The newbies make the Hughes feel increasingly awkward and before long it’s an unsettling, situation vaguely similar to Michael Haneke’s Funny Games. It’s entertainment by discomfort.
Not rated, 96 minutes.

Super Bowl XLVII Champions
Anyone who missed the recent Super Bowl can now catch the Baltimore Ravens 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. In addition to the exciting game, the DVD includes the post game ceremonies, a John Harbaugh interview, an interview with Jack and Jackie Harbaugh, the parents of both of the team’s head coaches, and more.
Not rated, 120 minutes.

Twenty-four Hour Love (**1/2)
The revolving cast constantly changes in this look at a day in the lives of seven inter-connected people, all destined for love before the day concludes. Starring Darius McCrary, Malinda Williams, Tatyana Ali, Keith Robinson, Lynn Whitfield and directed by Fred Thomas Jr.
Not rated, 98 minutes. The DVD contains deleted scenes and a photo gallery.

And now, something for young ones:

Two movie collections:
Hunchback of Notre Dame and Hunchback of Notre Dame 2
Mulan–15th anniversary edition and Mulan 2
Brother Bear and Brother Bear 2
Walt Disney studios has packaged several of their past classics along with their sequels in these high definition re-issues available in Blu-ray and various combo packs. Supplements vary, but most versions offer commentary, a “making of” featurette, and copious deleted scenes. The original Hunchback debuted in 1996, has a score by Alan Menken, and features the voices of Jason Alexander, Demi Moore, Kevin Kline, and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Mulan first appeared in 1998 with a voice cast including Eddie Murphy,. Miguel Ferrer, Harvey Fierstein, Donny Osmand and Ming-Na Wen as Mulan. Recent Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix voiced Kenai in 2003’s Brother Bear, sharing voice time with Rick Moranis, Patrick Dempsey, Mandy Moore, Michael Clarke Duncan. All six movies are rated G.

And finally, from this week’s TV fare:

Ghost Hunters: Season Eight: part one
The first twelve episodes featuring the paranormal investigating team TAPS arrive on four discs. Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson examine haunted roller coasters, bed and breakfast outlets and even an entire family. And more.
Not rated, 528 minutes.

Also on DVD: Bachelorette, The Great Magician, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Zero Dark Thirty.