Two Great Films - February 15

Two really fantastic films are being re-issued on DVD on Feb. 15. The first is Gus Van Sant's My Own Private Idaho, featuring stellar performances from both River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves (no kidding). The DVD is being issued by the Criterion Collection, which creates the finest re-issue DVD's anywhere. It will be a two-disc set with a ton of extras, including a lengthy conversation with directors Gus Van Sant and Todd Haynes (one of my favorites).

Also being re-issued on Feb. 15 is Howards End, the Merchant-Ivory adaptation of the E.M. Forster classic. It has been out of print for a few years, and this edition is part of Criterion's ongoing partnership with Merchant-Ivory to issue most of their films on DVD. No word on extras, but expect the usual pristine transfer and a slew of extras (hopefully a commentary).