LAYER CAKE

2004, Rated R

More restrained than his ADD-driven collaborations as a producer with buddy Guy Ritchie (Snatch), first-time director Matthew Vaughn's taut adaptation of J.J. Connolly's British crime novel digs deeper than you'd expect. Mr. X (Daniel Craig) is a drug dealer looking to get out of the game when he's asked to pull one last score. Unfortunately, it proves troublesome, setting off a chain of plot points that ultimately lead to a tanned, highly effective Michael Gambon as a suave yet brutal underworld kingpin. His brief scenes bring an air of regality to a film that largely delivers on its title -- each layer of London's crime world is intertwined in near seamless fashion. Credit goes to Vaughn, who has a nice feel for composition and color, not to mention a gift for sustaining a unified tone, which he deftly discusses in the his audio commentary track with Connolly. But it's Craig who leaves the lasting impression. His understated intensity, piercing blue eyes and underlying intelligence make for a unique protagonist in a genre known for its lack of subtlety. (Jason Gargano) Grade: A-

WINTER SOLSTICE

WINTER SOLSTICE (PARAMOUNT)

2004, Rated R

The creative outlet film offers to TV regulars Anthony LaPaglia (Without a Trace) and Allison Janney (The West Wing) is a chance to break out from their familiar character types and show some diversity. In writer/director Josh Sternfeld's compelling family-in-crisis drama Winter Solstice, LaPaglia plays Jim Winters, a landscape gardener trying to remain connected with his sons (Aaron Sanford and Mark Webber). Janney is Molly Ripken, the new neighbor who brings a spark to his life. Sternfeld creates heartache and drama from everyday issues of teenage rebellion and middle-age loneliness. The perfect vehicle for all the sadness is LaPaglia, who brings his character's sorrow alive with few spoken words and subtle gestures. Scene after scene, LaPaglia proves himself to be one of the best actors working today. Winter Solstice, shot by Sternfeld in 2003 and briefly released in art house theaters earlier this year, is the showcase LaPaglia deserves. (Steve Ramos) Grade: B+

TWIN SISTERS

TWIN SISTERS (BUENA VISTA)

2003, Rated R

Buena Vista Home Video wastes little time or effort on the DVD release of the 2003 Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language Film. Although, to be fair, the acclaim Twin Sisters received is based on its ability to present the standard European melodramatic cues in a tasteful package. The titular sisters, Lotte and Anna, are separated after their parents' deaths. Their young adult lives find them on opposite sides of the conflict in World War II Germany, where they are briefly reunited. Personal and class-based ideologies drive a wedge between the sisters far deeper than the unfortunate events that ripped them apart when they were children. The less than fluid movement between their stories and the soft focus on the impact of the war robs the film of a chance to illustrate the true horrors the sisters endured. In addition, the single disc set offers no special features, which is a shame since the story is inspired by true events depicted in a book by Tessa De Loo. Reference to the book through cast and crew interviews might have offered a more complete picture. (tt clinkscales) Grade: C

CRIME STORY: SEASON ONE (REISSUE) AND SEASON TWO

CRIME STORY: SEASON ONE (REISSUE) AND SEASON TWO (ANCHOR BAY)

1986-87, Not Rated

Toward the end of season one, Lt. Mike Torello (Dennis Farina) and his crew left Chicago, re-assigned to Las Vegas as part of a federal strike force. Once in Nevada, the critically acclaimed series' plot loosely mirrored the exploits of real-life organized crime figure Tony "The Ant" Spilorto, who would later be immortalized in the movie Casino as Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci). In Crime Story, it was Ray Luca (Anthony Dennison) who took control of casino after casino, staying one step ahead of Torello. The show took a detour to South America for a few episodes in season two, but remained based in Vegas. Filmed in the late '80s before the era of the mega-resort, many of the old casinos were still standing and provided a wonderfully nostalgic backdrop. The new location didn't change the show's style, though -- it intensified it. There were some great guest stars as well, including Kevin Spacey, David Soul, David Hyde Pierce and Michael J. Pollard. The reissued first season matches the packaging of the new set, and both include informative four-page booklets with show background and cast profiles. (P.F. Wilson) Grade: A