New DVDs this week include the film for which Natalie Portman allowed her head to be shaved.
"V for Vendetta" (Warner, 2005; R for violence, language, brief nudity; $28.98, two discs). This allegory, based on a series of comic books, is part suspense thriller, part fantasy and part political tract, with obvious influences ranging from "1984" to "The Phantom of the Opera."
We are pulled through the story with a TV intern (Natalie Portman), who is attacked on the streets but is rescued by "V," a mysterious masked man (Hugo Weaving) — whose mask purposely resembles 17th-century English revolutionary Guy Fawkes.
The line between social reformer and vigilante becomes blurred quite quickly, however, when V commits an act of terrorism to protest the totalitarian society of this futuristic England by blowing up the Old Bailey. And then he threatens to do the same to Parliament in one year. So it's up to an intrepid Scotland Yard inspector (Stephen Rea) to stop him. (John Hurt, who was also in the 1984 version of "1984," co-stars.)
The film's narrative line falters here and there, but the film is generally exciting and thoughtful, and the cast is great. It's also quite visually arresting.
Extras: Widescreen, featurettes, trailer, language options (English, French), subtitle options (English, French, Spanish), chapters. (Also available in single disc editions, either widescreen or full-frame.)
"Second Chorus" (Image, 1941, not rated, b/w, $19.99). The plot is slight, but the terrific cast keeps this bubbly musical afloat. Trumpeters Fred Astaire (in his 40s) and Burgess Meredith (in his 30s) keep flunking college courses so they can continue to play in the university band.
They also are rivals for the affection of secretary Paulette Godard, who eventually goes to work for Artie Shaw. Naturally, they'd like to play in Shaw's band, but it is, to say the least, a circuitous route.
Godard keeps up with Astaire pretty well on the dance floor, but the highlight is Astaire's climactic solo.
Extras: Full frame, chapters.
"The Amazing Mr. X" (a k a "The Spiritualist," Image, 1948, not rated, b/w, $14.99). Lynn Bari misses her dead husband so much she can't commit to marrying Richard Carlson. And things only get worse when Turhan Bey shows up as a spiritualist who claims he can reconnect her with her husband's spirit.
Bey is a charlatan, of course, but there's more to this mystery than initially meets the eye. Good, solid B-movie thriller with a very capable cast, including charming Cathy O'Donnell as Bari's sister. (Unfortunately, the print used for this transfer is surprisingly shabby for an Image release.)
Extras: Full frame, chapters.
E-mail: hicks@desnews.com