STATE FAIR: 60TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

2004, Not Rated

A true blue oddity is writer/director Dan Mirvish's musical comedy Open House, a film that's two steps to the right of John Waters and a strange hybrid of an off-Broadway and community theater production. The better comparison is Stephen Bochco's short-lived 1990 TV series Cop Rock, a chancy blend of police dramas and musical numbers. Like the Bochco series, Open House fails to meet camp expectations, but it stands apart from other recent independent films. "Fantabulous" is the catchphrase of eager-to-sell real estate agent Barry (Anthony Rapp) as he greets the diverse visitors to his weekend open house. True to its shoestring production, Open House has a digital video feel with matter-of-fact camerawork. But its bonus features match the DVD releases of Hollywood blockbusters with deleted and alternate scenes, making-of documentaries and sing-a-long lyrics. All credit for the film, both good and trashy, belongs to Mirvish. He's something of a guru to independent filmmakers thanks to his co-founding of the Slamdance Film Festival. With Open House, he backs up his eccentric tastes with a movie. (Steve Ramos) Grade: C

OPEN HOUSE

APRÈS VOUS (PARAMOUNT)

2003, Rated R

U.S. audiences know veteran French actor Daniel Auteuil for searing dramas like Girl on the Bridge and the upcoming Michael Haneke film, Caché. But Auteuil is also skilled at comedy, possessing an expressive face and wide eyes beneficial for clowning. In director Pierre Salvadori's (Wild Target) love triangle comedy Après Vous, Antoine (Auteuil) saves a stranger, Louis (José Garcia), from killing himself. He also secures Louis a job at the restaurant where he works and promises to help the sad sack patch things up with his ex-girlfriend Blanche (Sandrine Kiberlain). The laughs and additional heartbreak occur when Antoine falls for Blanche before realizing she's the woman responsible for Louis' heartbreak. Kiberlain claims the looks and personality capable of winning and breaking hearts. Spanish actor Garcia has a childlike spirit that makes heartbreak amusing. But the best laughs belong to Auteuil, whose gangly-bodied comical reactions qualify him as a standout funnyman. (SR) Grade: B

APRÈS VOUS

MIRACLE'S BOYS (PARAMOUNT)

2005, Not Rated

Based on Jacqueline Woodson's novel, Miracle's Boys is the episodic presentation of the struggles of the Bailey brothers, Ty'ree (Pooch Hall), Charlie (Sean Nelson) and Lafayette (Julito McCullum), as they attempt to remain together after the death of their mother. As the eldest, Ty'ree, drops out of college and returns to NYC to take care of young Lafayette and Charlie, who has recently been released from juvenile detention. The project, which aired on cable, attracted a who's who of New York film directors (Spike Lee, Ernest Dickerson, Neema Barnette, Bill Duke and LeVar Burton) who each discuss their involvement in special feature interviews along with the cast. Despite an overly earnest approach, Miracle's Boys succeeds through its honest portrayals of the boys' lives and their vibrant, dynamic culture. While the material could have easily devolved into a toothless after-school special, the creative team instilled enough edge without tipping into gangsta reality. Miracle's Boys expresses faith in its story and its maturing audience. (tt clinkscales) Grade: B

MIRACLE'S BOYS

STATE FAIR: 60TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION (FOX)

1945; 1962, Not Rated

There's something off-putting about a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical opening with a red sports car zipping through the Texan countryside. So begins the 1962 version of State Fair, recently released in special edition DVD format as part of a Rodgers and Hammerstein series of anniversary releases. Contrast the zippy 1962 opening with the 1945 movie version, which begins with an old man in a beat-up jalopy poking along an Iowan farm, singing his heart out, and you see how different the two takes are. Both versions are digitally restored and on impressive view on this new DVD edition. While both are based fairly religiously on the eponymous novel, it's the chance to view the two film versions side-by-side that makes this package most worthwhile. Whom do you like more: Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrews and Vivian Blain or Pat Boone, Bobby Darin and Ann-Margret? The package also includes audio commentaries, a karaoke sing-a-long option, featurettes, photo galleries, a stage version excerpt and the rarely seen pilot for the television pilot of the musical. In other words, State Fair is available in every conceivable format in this double-disc set. (Rodger Pille) Grade: A