THE TWO TOWERS

“The Two Towers” comes in a 2-DVD set, promising not only a beautiful digital transfer of one of the most visually creative films ever made, but also a second disc packed full of special features for die-hard LOTR fans.

The film itself is gorgeous on this DVD – evident from “The Two Towers’” opening sequence of Gandalf’s fight with the dragon-like Balrog, both falling through midair, to the unforgettable battle of Helm’s Deep between thousands of soldiers fighting in a thunderstorm.

Unfortunately, accompanying this masterpiece is a second disc with incomplete and irrelevant special features. Consider this: Out of the 11 items on the disc, three are television and online specials made before the theatrical release, one is merely a promotion for “The Two Towers” extended DVD to be released in November, one is an ad for “The Two Towers” video game, and two are television spots and theatrical trailers that served to market the film.

Already, seven of the 11 items fail to bring anything new to the subject. In fact, the Starz, WB and lordoftherings.net specials on the DVD have likely already been seen by serious fans.

Of the four remaining features, two involve a short film directed by Sean Astin, who plays Sam, which are completed unrelated to the film. There is a “music video” of “Gollum’s Song” which, while an intriguing piece that blends in Howard Shore’s haunting score, is only a mixing of film footage and singer Emiliana Torrini on a soundstage.

While apparently all commentaries and truly interesting material will be saved for the extended DVD, the highlight for buyers will surely be a 10-minute, behind-the-scenes look at the trilogy’s final chapter, “The Return of the King.” Again, here, there is a surprising lack of material. Mostly brief snippets of interviews with actors plugging the third installment as the best, and describing the challenges of creating new special effects and locales, the limited new footage included here is shown in short bursts and most of it has been seen before in previews.
“ The Two Towers” may be the middle film in one of the greatest trilogies of all time, but this DVD reeks of style over substance – a pretty package with little inside.

RAISING VICTOR VARGAS

Unlike “The Two Towers,” “Raising Victor Vargas” is a movie that lets the art speak for itself. Save for three trailers for other independent films, “Vargas” is a DVD without a single special feature. Given its subject, that may be an appropriate decision.

This is a quiet film about Vargas, a teenager at that moment when we all decide what kind of person we will be. He and his family live in poverty on the Lower East Side of New York City, and his reputation has been scarred because he fooled around with the wrong kind of girl. To save his rep, he starts going out with Judy, who is also using him to get other, boorish guys off her back.

“ Vargas” tells the story of how these two, rather selfish youths break through their selfishness and start to trust the other, and also how Vargas confronts the problems and challenges facing his family.

This is a phenomenal and honest film. It is not a love story where people fall for each other only as they do in the movies, but rather one that is illogical and, sometimes, unexplainable – just as it is in real life. “Vargas” is also not a film that requires exaggerated melodrama to keeps things moving, but is observant enough to focus simply on family and love, the two most potent issues for a boy of Vargas’ age.

It may be one of the best movies ever made about teenage confusion and affection. Vargas wants his freedom, but he also wants to be there for his family. He wants to grow up, but also knows that he can’t leave his loved ones behind. And while he may talk big, this is a story not about that first love or sexual experience, but about that first trust – when we first looked into someone’s eyes not out of lust but out of vulnerability and affection.

Starring unprofessional actors and expanded from a short film also made by director Peter Sollett, I think this is truly one of the underrated treasures of this year. And, unlike most new DVD releases, it doesn’t require any additional selling points to lure its fans back for a second, third or fourth viewing.

LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS

Movie: DVD:

RAISING VICTOR VARAGS