THE WARRIORS ULTIMATE DIRECTOR'S CUT

1979, Rated R

A new DVD only "director's cut" of Walter Hill's colorful 1979 street-gang thriller adds comic book-style animation and a new scene to an already fast-paced and exciting urban adventure. Speaking in an introduction before the feature, Hill describes this version of The Warriors as closer to his pulpy intentions for the film. After attending a citywide gang rally, the Warriors are wrongly blamed for the death of a rival gang leader. Heading back to their home base of Coney Island, numerous gangs like the Baseball Furies, the Boppers, the Rogues and the Lizzies come after them. Four making-of documentary shorts describe the film's low-budget production with extra emphasis on cameraman Andrew Laszlo's artful creation of a graffiti-sprayed New York City and author Sol Yurick's original story. Hill -- best known for the existential drama The Driver and authentic westerns like Wild Bill, The Long Riders and Geronimo -- stays focused on straightforward action with The Warriors. Late-night subway rides and chases through eerie Manhattan streets match the comic book look Hill set as his goal. (Steve Ramos) Grade: B

SCTV: VOLUME 4

SCTV: VOLUME 4 (SHOUT! FACTORY)

1982-83, Not Rated

This set contains what many Canadians consider the finest hour (or hour and a half) of their nation's comedy heritage. It's a parody of the country's television programming featuring audience-free game shows, patriotic public service spots and news anchors who toil in the shadow of their counterparts to the south. There's also a parody of the seminal 1970 Canadian film, Goin' Down the Road. Even if you're not familiar with Canadian TV, the performances, particularly John Candy's in the film parody, are still a scream. The rest of the set (four discs in all) offers plenty of pan-North American yuks, including recurring favorites Bob & Doug, Farm Film Report, the polka-playing Happy Wanderers, the soap opera parody The Days of the Week and the first appearance of Martin Short's popular Ed Grimley character. As in previous releases, you get lots of extras. This time there are SCTV trading cards, featuring some of the show's best-remembered characters. You'll also find home movies made by the cast, interviews with Short and Joe Flaherty and some of the original programs spoofed in the CBC parody. Anyone who enjoys sketch comedy needs to have this. (P.F. Wilson) Grade: A

ANIMAL

ANIMAL (FIRST LOOK PICTUREs)

2005, Rated R

The good intentions of Ving Rhames are on display throughout director David J. Burke's Animal. Rhames is credited with the story as an executive producer and stars as James "Animal" Allen, an infamous street player who ends up serving a long prison term away from his young son (played as an adult by Terrence Howard). Animal becomes a man under the tutelage of a revolutionary (Jim Brown) and emerges from prison intent on saving his son from the same destructive path. Although it covers similar ground, Animal lacks the startling intensity of American History X. There was a primal energy in that film, especially in Edward Norton's performance, which overpowered the preachy moral platitudes. Rhames and Howard aren't given enough room to create complex characters beyond the intended lesson. Appearances by genre heavyweights like Chazz Palminteri, Wes Studi, Faizon Love and Taraji P. Henson hint at wasted potential, but the cast interviews and the Blues-based score by Chris Thomas King point to inspiration in the project's conception. (tt clinkscales) Grade: C

SCHULTZE GETS THE BLUES

SCHULTZE GETS THE BLUES (PARAMOUNT)

2003, Rated PG

The devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina bring additional poignancy to writer/director Michael Schorr's quiet coming-to-America comedy Schultze Gets the Blues. Salt mine retiree and accordion player Schultze (German actor Horst Krause) travels from the small German town of Saxon-Anhalt to Louisiana in search of his newfound loves, Zydeco and Cajun music. Schorr and cameraman Axel Schneppat rely on Krause's round face and rounder belly to bring a warm feeling to their fish-out-of-water story. Bonus commentary by Schorr allows him to describe the allure of Louisiana in his own words. The backwoods setting looks stunning, another reason to lament the recent hurricane devastation. But Schorr misses his chance to equal another German culture-clash film, Percy Adlon's 1987 comedy Baghdad Café. With his friendly smile, worn felt hat and broken English, Krause has the look of an outsider in love with his new American home. What's missing is a well-drawn character equal to his infectious spirit. (SR) Grade: C-