Two overlooked films find home on DVD

Noeh Nazareno

Take the most enjoyable elements of cinema’s sex farces, cross them with two stars of the most sensational musicals of the last two years (Renee Zellweger of “Chicago” and Ewan McGregor of “Moulin Rouge”) and the recipe is to die for! “Down with Love” is up on DVD.

Catcher Block (McGregor), ladies’ man of the 1960s and ace reporter of Know magazine (the magazine for men in the know), has had a twist of fate resulting with his better parts in a vice at the hands of overnight best-selling feminist author Barbara Novak (Zellweger). In a match of wits, Block passes himself off as senior spaceman Zip Martin to turn Novak’s reputation inside out while Novak’s got a few tricks up her sleeve to level the playing field.

The DVD sufficiently supports this modern masterpiece with a moderate director’s commentary, an HBO special, production vignettes and deleted scenes. But the gems of the disc are the golden gag reel and music video of “Here’s to Love,” shown in full screen and its entirety as a special feature.

Having been released opposite “The Matrix Reloaded” last May, “Down with Love” got buried at the box office. But with this DVD release, Renee, Ewan and the rest of the “Down with Love” gang should get their proper kudos now.

Last summer’s U.K. box office hit and this spring’s surprise sleeper “Bend it Like Beckham” has dribbled into video stores everywhere.

Jesminder Bhamra isn’t the average British teenager. She lives in a suburb of London, England, with a love of David Beckham and his sport of choice.

She’s pretty damn good. Unfortunately, she lives in a very traditional Indian family where sporting off isn’t “her place.”Enter Juliette Paxton, a fellow graduating high school senior who has similar skills but is already a member of the local girls team. Jules helps Jess get on the team. In spite of rebelling, friendships at odds, a love triangle and even some ugly duckling elements that would remind anyone of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” the genius of Mrs. Gurinder Chadha (writer, producer and director) produces something fresh and exciting that makes the “Greek Wedding” a distant memory.The extras included on the DVD are as awesome as the movie itself, matching it almost kick for kick. The commentary is informative and warm, the featurettes are concise but engaging, the film’s deleted scenes are above average and the music video and outtakes are like the swift sounds of a ball gracing the net in a well-placed shot.