Search - Dogtown on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Situations, Adult Language Movie Release: 1997 DVD Release: 01/22/2002 Format: DVD Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 39 mins Studio: Vanguard Cinema Members Wishing: 1 Genres: Drama, Romantic Drama, Melodrama

A failed actor discovers how little it takes to be a V.I.P. in a small town -- and what can happen when you abuse that small amount of fame -- in this independent drama. Philip Van Horn (Trevor St. John) left his tiny hometown of Cuba, Missouri, to move to Hollywood, with big dreams of making it as an actor. Thirteen years later, Philip has nothing but a handful of walk-ons and bit parts to show for his ambitions, and he returns to Cuba to visit his mother Rose (Karen Black) feeling like a failure. However, most of the locals treat him as if he's a big shot -- after all, he's been in movies with Jeff Bridges and Molly Ringwald, so he must be some sort of star, right? Philip knows better, but he doesn't let on, since he hopes his new reputation in town will attract the attention of Dorothy (Mary Stuart Masterson), his unrequited crush from high school who still lives in Cuba. However, the last 13 years have been much crueler to Dorothy than Philip; she's now a depressed, alcoholic hairdresser involved with Ezra (Jon Favreau), a racist thug who thinks that blacks are to blame for his inability to get out of town. Dorothy and Philip soon fall into a romance, which does not please Ezra, who already has a number of local drug dealers after him. Karen Black and writer/director George Hickenlooper both won awards for their work on this film at the 1998 Hermosa Beach Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Mary Stuart Masterson - Dorothy Sternen
Jon Favreau - Ezra Good
Karen Black - Rose Van Horn
Trevor St. John - Philip Van Horn

This edgy drama has been given a strong presentation for its release on DVD. Dogtown has been transferred to disc in the full-frame aspect ratio of 1.33:1, and the audio has been mastered in Dolby Digital Stereo. The dialogue is in English, with no multiple-language options included. Bonus material includes a commentary track from director George Hickenlooper, a selection of deleted scenes, a look at the making of the film, and its original theatrical trailer. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide