Intermission: Spring, post-Oscar videos busting out all over

Late March/early April always brings pleasant tidings, not only in spring weather patterns but in post-Oscar ceremony video releases and films that finally make it to our little corner of the world.

"Pollock" is one of those movies. Critically touted and directed by respected actor Ed Harris (who also plays the title role) this film finally made it to Springfield and is worth a look as long as you know what you're getting into.

After the Oscar ceremony when Marcia Gay Harden won the best supporting actress prize for her role as Pollock's wife Lee Krasner the local newslady made reference to the film but pronounced the title as if it was a person of Polish descent rather than the modern artist Jackson Pollock.

Pollock is one of the most respected artists of the 20th century who came into his own around the time of the beat poets and jazz swing. It was a turbulent time for American arts and Pollock redefined modern expressionist painting. His "drip" technique was an entirely new concept and his obsessive style changed the way people thought about pictures and painting. He is one of the true innovative geniuses of the 20th century art world. Fifteen years in the making, the vision of the director has finally come to the screen.

Ed Harris does a great job in his directorial debut and even though Marcia Gay Harden surprised everyone with her Oscar nab, her performance is indeed worthy of notice. It's a somewhat disturbing film, not to the mainstream taste, but really worth seeing if you are interested in the artistic drive.

"Almost Famous" was just released on tape and DVD and won best screenplay honors for writer/director Cameron Crowe. It was one of my favorite films of last year and I was pretty surprised it did such little action at the box office. Outside of the fact it was written from the perspective of a rock and roll aficionado circa 1973, "Almost Famous" was a prime example of a "mainstream" film with a whole lot of heart.

It's a semi-autobiographical take on what happened as Crowe became the youngest writer to work for "Rolling Stone" magazine during its initial rise to prominence. Even if you're not a rock n' roll fan, the film is well-written enough to keep you engaged in its story. Goldie Hawn's daughter Kate Hudson as well as Frances McDormand were both nominated for best performance by an actress in a supporting role. It's a touching film. Hats off to Crowe for his screenplay award.

Dutch director Lars Van Trier has put out some of the most innovative films of the last decade, is critically acclaimed and this year had a few Oscar nominations for his latest effort, "Dancer in the Dark," which has just been released on video. Enigmatic pop singer Bjork stars in this bizarre musical (Van Trier wrote the movie with her in mind) and her incredible voice is no less stellar than her acting ability.

She's an engaging presence onscreen and the story is one that draws the viewer into a sad situation that the actress manages to turn into an uplifting experience. She really does an incredible job of drawing us into the world of her character, who is going blind, obsessed with sound and has an ultimate love for her son.

Another great job of acting, and one that received an Oscar nomination, was that of Joan Allen in "The Contender." Allen, who is one of the finest actresses working today, plays a senator who finds herself as the first potential female vice president of the USA. Her past comes back to haunt her and Gary Oldman, as her nemesis in the Senate, uncorks a vitriolic spirit that rings true in this age of political personal destruction. I missed this movie when it was in release but saw it last week on video and can say without hesitation it's one of the best films of 2000.

"Requiem for a Dream," scheduled for video release May 22, garnered a best actress nomination for Ellen Burstyn, and while the Academy gave the Oscar to the surefire box-office cash bet Julia Roberts for "Erin Brock-ovich," Burstyn's performance was far and away the best of the year. (Laura Linney in "You Can Count on Me" was a close second.) Director Darren Aronofsky, who made the equally disturbing "Pi" in 1998, got enough of a budget to bring about a major motion picture this time around and while it definitely to everyone's' taste, it's a film to with which to reckon.

Among it's many uncomfortable themes are drug abuse, addiction to television and the ultimate need to be accepted by society. It's a very serious, at times very scary, film but one that made me appreciate the art of movie making and social commentary. Much like "Trainspotting," "Requiem for a Dream" has caught a bit of flack for "glorifying" drug usage. All I can say is watch it for yourself. I think you'll probably agree: There's nothing glorious here, except the vision of a great writer/director.

(Jim Wunderle works at Associated Video Producers and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician.)