You’ll find an Acadamey Award-winner, a classic legal thriller and a little Navy justice among this week’s DVD reviews by Earl Dittman.
But first up (just after the jump): Transporter 3 star and car enthusiast Jason Statham talks about his love for all things—even small things—automotive.
You must be like a kid in a candy shop when you make the Transporter films, since you are a car lover. When did that passion for autos start?
“I’ve always liked cars, ever since I was a kid. It’s not like I have posters on the wall or miniatures strung around the house, you know. I just liked cars, but I’m not a fanatic—like a stamp collector, only with cars.”
What are some of your dream cars?
“I like the old Aston Martins, the BB5’s. I’m a big fan of those and the early Jags, the XK120’s, E Types, just to mention a few British cars. I also like a lot of the muscle cars. I mean the Shelby Cobra. My friend’s got a really beautiful version and he won’t let me drive it. I don’t know why.”
Do you have your own fleet?
“No. But I’m working on it!”
Personally, what do you drive?
“I drive a GT2 Porsche, the new one. And I’ve got an Audi that I kick around in as well, as they say. I’m a big fan of the Audis.”
Why do you enjoy go-cart racing so much?
“Actually, because go-cart racing is really exciting. There’s a great go-cart track close to my home in the UK and when we made Snatch, we took Brad (Pitt) and Benicio (del Toro) and the whole cast go-carting. We had a great time. Obviously, I won.”
[Incidentally, we wanted to know what, aside from the cars, the English-born star of the Transporter franchise (as well as Crank, Death Race and The Italian Job) had to say about Transporter 3, out recently on DVD.]
What were you trying to do with the third Transporter film?
“I wanted to make it better than the first two. I always thought the first one was the best one, for me. I thought we could do better with the second one… We just need more time and more money, and that’s hard to get… I think the third one is probably the best out of the three.”
And now, onto this week’s reviews:
Milk
Considering Sean Penn’s Academy Award-winning performance, it’s easy to understand why so many industry insiders felt that Milk should have taken 
home the Best Picture Oscar (over Slumdog Millionaire). In a dynamic and compelling portrayal as Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to a major public office in the US, Penn completely transforms himself—both emotionally and physically—into the rebellious, hopeful, and visionary politician. Also starring Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, Diego Luna and James Franco. The Milk DVD and Blu-ray are packed with informative original documentaries, interviews and featurettes tracing the assassinated politician’s personal and political lives.
Primal Fear: Hard Evidence Special Edition
A classic courtroom/legal thriller, the underrated Primal Fear is finally getting the DVD (and Blu-Ray) treatment it’s long been due. Although 
Richard Gere (playing Martin Vail, a famed, ambitious defense lawyer) received star-billing upon its original 1996 theatrical release, Primal Fear really belongs to then newcomer Edward Norton (as Aaron Stampler, a former altar boy charged with the murder of a Chicago archbishop). Rightfully scoring a Best Supporting Actor nod for this big screen debut performance, Norton was even sensational a dozen years ago as he weaved a web of lies, corruption and betrayal. The extras include several filmmaker commentaries and brand new featurettes, including a fascinating profile on Norton.
J.A.G.–The Eighth Season
With fans able to enjoy daily doses of J.A.G.’s successful mix of mystery, legal grappling and military hardware on cable specialty channels, one might wonder what appeal this five-disc box set of J.A.G.’s Season Eight could hold. The answer is that this set contains the rarely seen and almost never rebroadcast “Ice Queen”/”Meltdown” two-part episode that set the stage for the J.A.G. spinoff N.C.I.S. These episodes feature a life-or-death legal showdown between J.A.G.’s Harm (David James Eilliot) and N.C.I.S.’s Gibbs (Mark Harmon), which make them a kind of Holy Grail for fans of the two series.
I disagree that you think Milk should have one the main Oscar. I think Slumdog Millionaire won Best Picture because it was the best. It deserved it. Sure, Milk waa good, but it was a downer. Slumdog was a movie that made you feel good. That’s a move I really want the Blu-ray for.
I am a real JAG and NCIS fan, so I’m glad those episodes are finally available. Now, if box sets could only get a little cheaper, everythig would be honky dory.
OK, I haven’t seen the first two Transporter movies, but I did see the third (in a theatre! I paid good money!) with two friends who had enjoyed them, and we all agreed it was BAD. Cringe-worthily, painfully, beat-your-head-against-the-seat-in-front-of-you terrible. The rest of the audience seemed to agree. Now, frankly, I’m a little concerned for Jason Statham’s sanity.