Best winter DVDs

Sigourney Weaver as Ripley in <i>Alien</i>. Photo / Supplied

Uninspired by the blockbuster movies at your local cinema, and unable to get to see that highly praised foreign film now booked out at the International Film Festival? Never fear - we have come up with our own, highly subjective list of DVD movies for you to watch this long, grey winter.

Documentary

Man on Wire (2008)

Described as the "artistic crime of the century", Philippe Petit's 1974 wire walk between New York's Twin Towers was a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. Any sane person would have dismissed the plan as impossible but, through sheer, single-minded determination, Petit and his band of merry pranksters strung a wire between the two skyscrapers, allowing him to dance with death 400m above the streets of Manhattan. James Marsh's film, told through interviews, re-enactments and the handful of photos of the event, deservedly won last year's Best Documentary Oscar. It not only captures an era of lost innocence, before terrorism and stifling security rendered such dreams unthinkable, but there is the added poignancy that the ephemeral stage on which Petit performed, the space between the towers, no longer exists. It's an inspirational story. Highly recommended: When We Were Kings; The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.

Action

Black Hawk Down (2001)

Ridley Scott's version of the disastrous 1993 battle between US forces and Somali fighters on the mean streets of Mogadishu is one of the most impressive war films ever made. It vividly portrays the kinetic violence and confusion of conflict, as well as the human cost. The bonds between soldiers are highlighted with fresh-faced actors such as Josh Hartnett and Orlando Bloom appearing alongside hard nuts Tom Sizemore and Sam Shepard. The helicopter attack sequences over the sea and city are reminiscent of Apocalypse Now, while the desperate stand-offs deep in the rabbit-warren of the ancient city are simply terrifying. Scott was criticised by some for portraying the events from an American viewpoint, and even accused of racism (19 US soldiers died as opposed to hundreds of Somalis). But the film is more even-handed than some critics would admit, and a stunning cinematic achievement. Highly recommended: Heat; The Thin Red Line.

Period drama

The English Patient (1996)

Michael Ondaatje's brilliant book was deemed unfilmable, but that didn't stop British director and screen-writer Anthony Minghella from trying. The result is one of the most romantic and tragic epics ever brought to the screen, recognised with nine Oscars. Ralph Fiennes' performance as the enigmatic desert explorer who falls obsessively in love with Kristin Scott-Thomas, and the same man burned beyond recognition, reminiscing on his death bed, amazingly didn't reap one of those gongs. But everything about this film is memorable, harking back to a golden era of film-making when directors such as David Lean made their grand cinematic masterpieces. The music, the cinematography, the 30s costumes, the superb individual performances, and those dramatic desert scenes will transport any viewer from the coldest, greyest Kiwi winter afternoon, to a more exciting time and place. Highly recommended: Brideshead Revisited (TV series); Elizabeth.

Drama/Noir

The Usual Suspects (1995)

Writer Christopher McQuarrie won an Oscar for his devilishly clever screenplay with this modern underworld noir tale. With one of the best final scenes in the movies, the film plays deliciously with your head, even on repeat viewing. Taking its title from a famous line delivered by Claude Rains in Casablanca, the film boasts a great ensemble cast, including Oscar-winner Kevin Spacey, Benicio del Toro, Pete Postlethwaite and Chazz Palminteri. When a boat explodes in the Port of Los Angeles, leaving a trail of dead bodies, the cops drag in the usual suspects for questioning, including the crippled Roger "Verbal" Kint (Spacey). In exchange for immunity, Kint weaves a fantastic tale about a terrifying Turkish gang leader called Keyser Soze. Trying to second-guess this intricate web of deception is both baffling and wildly entertaining and will keep you thinking long after the credits have rolled. Highly recommended: The Godfather II; Memento.

Sci-Fi

Alien (1979)

Celebrate the 30th anniversary this winter of a true sci-fi classic. Director Ridley Scott couldn't have guessed the impact his Alien would have when he released her onto the world in 1979. There have been innumerable sequels and spin-offs since, but the original is still the best. It may be 30, but it still looks fantastic. It was one of the first films to depart from the pristine image of space travel and, with some sets - and the alien herself - designed by Swiss surrealist artist H.R. Giger, the film looks timeless. No Hollywood eye candy here, just a superb cast including Sigourney Weaver, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt and Ian Holm in a claustrophobic interior world, hunted by one of the most disturbing cinematic creatures ever created. This is sci-fi without CGI, relying instead on committed performances, ratcheting tension and the seemingly obvious tenet, sadly ignored by many horror directors, that less is more. Highly recommended: 2001: A Space Odyssey; Planet Of The Apes.

Spoof

This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

Has there ever been a spoof so pitch perfect as This Is Spinal Tap? A fictional documentary chronicling the exploits of a hilariously pathetic heavy metal band, it starts out as a clear riff on Martin Scorsese's rock doco The Last Waltz. It evolves into a series of gut-busting comedic set-pieces, elevated by some of funniest ego-deflating character comedy ever put on screen. It's had such an impact, its stars still perform concerts in character, and have been touring new material around America this year. Christopher Guest (who plays guitarist Nigel Tufnel) has gone on to make numerous films in this style (Best In Show, Waiting for Guffman) but none lives up to this unbeatable classic which only gets funnier with repeated viewings. Highly recommended: Top Secret!, Airplane.

Family

The Incredibles (2004)

Hitmakers Pixar (Toy Story, Wall-E) have rarely put a foot wrong, but they presented their most fully formed story with 2004's The Incredibles, a film epic in scope, but intimate in emotion. It's about a couple of former heroes who've settled down to raise a family, now that superheroics have been outlawed. But they are forced back into action, along with the kids, when a former nemesis resurfaces. The Incredibles manages to make some remarkably clear-eyed points about the nuclear family dynamic, while celebrating it in terms people of all ages can relate to. And it features some of the coolest superhero action ever set against a variety of eye-popping locations. Rich enough in detail for multiple viewings, it could liven up the greyest winter afternoon. Highly recommended: The Goonies; The Sandlot Kids.

Horror

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

The 1956 classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers has been remade several times to generally unimpressive effect, so it would be understandable to overlook this effort from 1978, but it stands as one of the scariest studio films ever made. Moving the action from small town America to San Francisco, it plays with the idea of urban alienation to create a genuinely terrifying tale of conformity and alien assimilation. Donald Sutherland (never better) plays a health inspector who cottons on to a plan to replace humans with alien counterparts. Notable supporting turns from Leonard Nimoy and a very young Jeff Goldblum add to the experience, as do some very impressive practical special effects. San Francisco has never seemed more ominous on screen. Highly recommended: Don't Look Now; Misery.

Comedy

Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)

With the dust having hopefully settled on Pee-Wee Herman's minor personal scandals, the time is right to revisit this colourful, manic, fever dream of a comedy from 1985, note-for-note one of the funniest films ever made. The plot has the doll-like man-child of the title (a character Paul Reubens first established in an improv troupe) travelling across America, searching for his beloved bicycle after it is stolen. Along the way he encounters many strange characters and situations - but none more so than he. Director Tim Burton established his heavy emphasis on production design here - every scene pops with bountiful visual splendour, which ably supports Reuben's utterly unique sense of humour. Much more influential than it is given credit for, it's the perfect comedy to sink into while it's raining outside. Highly recommended: Ferris Bueller's Day Off; Flirting With Disaster.

Thriller

The Parallax View (1974)

Warren Beatty is at his snarky best in this devastating conspiracy thriller which enhances a compellingly pulpy plot with the unique creative freedom studio films were afforded in the 70s. Beatty plays a hipster journalist investigating a group that may or may not be recruiting unstable whackos to be political assassins. The further he digs, the wider the implications. There are some cracking set-pieces here, buoyed by a collection of some great Hollywood character actors (Hume Cronyn, Kenneth Mars). Director Alan J. Pakula (Klute) stages it all in broad daylight, which ratchets up the uneasy tension to almost unbearable levels. What this story understands, and what so few conspiracy thrillers fail to acknowledge, is that one man would probably have quite a tough time bringing down such a wide-reaching plot. It also features one of the best endings in Hollywood history. Highly recommended: The Game; Basic Instinct.

HOT NEW TITLES

July
• Hunger (out now): Critically acclaimed drama based on IRA prisoner Bobby Sands 1981 hunger strike in the Maze prison for political status.
• Valkyrie (out now): Tom Cruise in his "comeback" role as the German officer who masterminded a coup to assassinate Hitler.
• Doubt (out now): An acting tour-de-force, with Meryl Streep as a grim Catholic nun convinced the popular local priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is a child molester.
• The Tale of Despereaux (out now): Computer-animated tale about a heroic mouse. Featuring the voices of Dustin Hoffman and Emma Watson.
• Vicky Cristina Barcelona (out Tuesday): Woody Allen's menage-a-trois drama earned Penelope Cruz a Best Supporting Actress Oscar.
• The Unborn (out Wednesday): Horror about a young woman (Odette Yustman) has nightmares about a terrifying young child.
• The Unauthorised History Of New Zealand (out Thursday): A sarcastic Jeremy Wells reviews our nation's past.
• Mystery Science Theatre 3000: 20th Anniversary Edition (out Thursday): The most popular episodes of the acclaimed cult TV series.
• Duplicity (out July 20): Closer stars Julia Roberts and Clive Owen re-team for this caper as rival ex-spies and lovers.
• Bride Wars (out July 23): Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway play bride-to-be pals turned into bitter rivals.
• Stargate Atlantis: Season 5 (out July 28): The fifth and final season.