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The movie tackles the American capitulation to legal arguments head on and condemns immoral media practices without preaching.
"Beyond the Movie":
The primary focus of the "infinifilm" format is a "pop-up" feature that occurs while you watch the film. When you choose to play "15 Minutes" in "infinifilm" mode, the subtitle stream displays two options periodically on your viewing monitor. These options, a truly interactive experience, takes you to other parts of the DVD, including documentary footage, actors' rehearsal footage, and text pages. After you're done with the special features, the DVD takes you back to where you left off the film. Obviously, it is recommended that you watch the film first before attempting the "infinifilm" mode.
Much like the way some DVDs use indices and chapter listings for ease of access with audio commentaries, I found that the "infinifilm" pop-ups usually occurred at the start of each chapter mark. Hitting the "skip" button on my remote took me to the next place in the film with an "infinifilm" pop-up.
There are two documentaries on the DVD created specifically for the release of this media-focused project. While the documentaries are an interesting look at media types such as Jerry Springer and Sally Jesse Raphael, they also reveal one of the drawbacks of the "infinifilm" feature--every so often, the documentaries fade in and fade out in order to provide the "infinifilm" mode with clean, easy access to various video clips. However, admittedly, both mini-documentaries reveal a lot of truths about the media--the participants candidly discuss their personal views about their work and each other.
"15 Minutes of True Tabloid Stars"--Various media types such as Maury Povich, Jerry Springer, Sally Jesse Raphael, Deborah Norville, and others talk about their experiences in the media circus. Some of them talk about the film, and some talk about the sensationalizing of criminal activities. One of the producers of "A Current Affair" makes an appearance here, too. He says that someone once told him that "Ethics is a county outside of London." Court TV's Michael Ayala talks about how ours has become a video culture obsessed with celebrity. This featurette also discusses the history of tabloid journalism from its roots in newspapers and magazines to the TV.
This mini-documentary briefly touches upon subjects turned into made-for-TV movies directed by John Herzfeld (the Robert Chambers trial, Amy Fisher, etc.).
Sally Jesse Raphael and the others try to distance themselves from Jerry Springer, but they admit to the temptation of turning their shows into something like his in order to get the ratings. Of all things, Springer becomes the defender of the First Amendment. And, yes, "15 Minutes of True Tabloid Stars" runs for fifteen minutes. :-)
"Does Crime Pay?"--A panel discussion involving attorney/radio & TV host Gloria Allred, former detective/author Mark Fuhrman (of the OJ Simpson case fame), author Aphrodite Jones, film & TV writer/director Ted Haimes, and Stan Goldman of Loyola Law School. This featurette covers the legal aspects of criminality and the selling of a crime for entertainment value. Again, here's a worthwhile extra that's a testament to New Line's commitment to going "beyond the movie." Be careful, though--the panelists refer directly to specific moments in the film, so you may want to put off watching "Does Crime Pay?" until after you've seen the whole movie.
"Fact Track"--Basically, the "Fact Track" operates as a sporadic subtitle track. When activated, the "Fact Track" displays some random trivia on your viewing monitor every once in a while.
If you want to get really fancy, you can watch "15 Minutes" in "infinifilm" mode with the "Fact Track" and the director's audio commentary.
"All-Access Pass":
The primary "All-Accss Pass" feature is the audio commentary by John Herzfeld. Mr. Herzfeld has a lot of information to share, speaking almost non-stop for the whole two-hour film. As he seems to be well-prepared, you'll probably want to have seen the film already before listening to his commentary in order to catch everything that he has to offer.
Next up are six deleted scenes viewable with or without commentary by John Herzfeld. While the scenes were cut from the film or edited in order to improve the pacing of the final product, they are very effective in conveying more information about the characters. Also, there is a night-time chase sequence involving Jordy and Oleg that is as thrilling as the one that takes place in broad daylight in the final cut of the film.
In the section titled "Oleg's Videos," you can watch two scenes of extended video footage taken by actor Oleg Taktarov seen only in bits and pieces in the film. The first is footage that the actor took during a scene where a hooker visits Emil and Oleg, and the other is a scene involving the film's shocking "twist," something that almost looks like a snuff film. Both are very unsettling and hard to watch due to their content.
There is also a music video, "Fame," by the band God Lives Underwater. The video features a couple of scenes from the movie, and it is of very high video quality (unlike a lot of other poorly transferred music videos that appear on other DVDs).
As expected with a New Line DVD, there is a theatrical trailer as well as filmography listings for the primary cast and John Herzfeld.
(Note: All the supplements are encoded in anamorphic widescreen and DD 2.0 stereo with the following exceptions: 1) the trailer has DD 5.1 sound; 2) the music video is in 1.33:1 full-screen; 3) the DVD's menus have DD 5.1 sound.)
For viewers with DVD-ROM access, you may watch the film with the "Script-to-Screen" feature, play around with the film's website, and access links to online features related to New Line, "infinifilm," and "15 Minutes."
--Miscellaneous--
A gatefold glossy insert provides a mini-essay by John Herzfeld, chapter listings, brief explanations of "infinifilm" features, and brief explanations of the DVD's DVD-ROM features.
Entertainment Value:
"15 Minutes" comes a couple of minutes late for it to be socially topical at this point in time. Nevertheless, John Herzfeld has made a furiously tense film that manages to push all the hot-wired buttons of cinematic impulses. With the "infinifilm" line of DVDs, New Line hopes to make the DVD medium easier to understand than ever before, but I have the feeling that DVD-philes will be the ones who'll best appreciate "infinifilm." "15 Minutes" should be a mandatory addition to your DVD library.
The primary focus of the "infinifilm" format is a "pop-up" feature that occurs while you watch the film. When you choose to play "15 Minutes" in "infinifilm" mode, the subtitle stream displays two options periodically on your viewing monitor. These options, a truly interactive experience, takes you to other parts of the DVD, including documentary footage, actors' rehearsal footage, and text pages. After you're done with the special features, the DVD takes you back to where you left off the film. Obviously, it is recommended that you watch the film first before attempting the "infinifilm" mode.
Much like the way some DVDs use indices and chapter listings for ease of access with audio commentaries, I found that the "infinifilm" pop-ups usually occurred at the start of each chapter mark. Hitting the "skip" button on my remote took me to the next place in the film with an "infinifilm" pop-up.
There are two documentaries on the DVD created specifically for the release of this media-focused project. While the documentaries are an interesting look at media types such as Jerry Springer and Sally Jesse Raphael, they also reveal one of the drawbacks of the "infinifilm" feature--every so often, the documentaries fade in and fade out in order to provide the "infinifilm" mode with clean, easy access to various video clips. However, admittedly, both mini-documentaries reveal a lot of truths about the media--the participants candidly discuss their personal views about their work and each other.
"15 Minutes of True Tabloid Stars"--Various media types such as Maury Povich, Jerry Springer, Sally Jesse Raphael, Deborah Norville, and others talk about their experiences in the media circus. Some of them talk about the film, and some talk about the sensationalizing of criminal activities. One of the producers of "A Current Affair" makes an appearance here, too. He says that someone once told him that "Ethics is a county outside of London." Court TV's Michael Ayala talks about how ours has become a video culture obsessed with celebrity. This featurette also discusses the history of tabloid journalism from its roots in newspapers and magazines to the TV.
This mini-documentary briefly touches upon subjects turned into made-for-TV movies directed by John Herzfeld (the Robert Chambers trial, Amy Fisher, etc.).
Sally Jesse Raphael and the others try to distance themselves from Jerry Springer, but they admit to the temptation of turning their shows into something like his in order to get the ratings. Of all things, Springer becomes the defender of the First Amendment. And, yes, "15 Minutes of True Tabloid Stars" runs for fifteen minutes. :-)
"Does Crime Pay?"--A panel discussion involving attorney/radio & TV host Gloria Allred, former detective/author Mark Fuhrman (of the OJ Simpson case fame), author Aphrodite Jones, film & TV writer/director Ted Haimes, and Stan Goldman of Loyola Law School. This featurette covers the legal aspects of criminality and the selling of a crime for entertainment value. Again, here's a worthwhile extra that's a testament to New Line's commitment to going "beyond the movie." Be careful, though--the panelists refer directly to specific moments in the film, so you may want to put off watching "Does Crime Pay?" until after you've seen the whole movie.
"Fact Track"--Basically, the "Fact Track" operates as a sporadic subtitle track. When activated, the "Fact Track" displays some random trivia on your viewing monitor every once in a while.
If you want to get really fancy, you can watch "15 Minutes" in "infinifilm" mode with the "Fact Track" and the director's audio commentary.
"All-Access Pass":
The primary "All-Accss Pass" feature is the audio commentary by John Herzfeld. Mr. Herzfeld has a lot of information to share, speaking almost non-stop for the whole two-hour film. As he seems to be well-prepared, you'll probably want to have seen the film already before listening to his commentary in order to catch everything that he has to offer.
Next up are six deleted scenes viewable with or without commentary by John Herzfeld. While the scenes were cut from the film or edited in order to improve the pacing of the final product, they are very effective in conveying more information about the characters. Also, there is a night-time chase sequence involving Jordy and Oleg that is as thrilling as the one that takes place in broad daylight in the final cut of the film.
In the section titled "Oleg's Videos," you can watch two scenes of extended video footage taken by actor Oleg Taktarov seen only in bits and pieces in the film. The first is footage that the actor took during a scene where a hooker visits Emil and Oleg, and the other is a scene involving the film's shocking "twist," something that almost looks like a snuff film. Both are very unsettling and hard to watch due to their content.
There is also a music video, "Fame," by the band God Lives Underwater. The video features a couple of scenes from the movie, and it is of very high video quality (unlike a lot of other poorly transferred music videos that appear on other DVDs).
As expected with a New Line DVD, there is a theatrical trailer as well as filmography listings for the primary cast and John Herzfeld.
(Note: All the supplements are encoded in anamorphic widescreen and DD 2.0 stereo with the following exceptions: 1) the trailer has DD 5.1 sound; 2) the music video is in 1.33:1 full-screen; 3) the DVD's menus have DD 5.1 sound.)
For viewers with DVD-ROM access, you may watch the film with the "Script-to-Screen" feature, play around with the film's website, and access links to online features related to New Line, "infinifilm," and "15 Minutes."
--Miscellaneous--
A gatefold glossy insert provides a mini-essay by John Herzfeld, chapter listings, brief explanations of "infinifilm" features, and brief explanations of the DVD's DVD-ROM features.
Entertainment Value:
"15 Minutes" comes a couple of minutes late for it to be socially topical at this point in time. Nevertheless, John Herzfeld has made a furiously tense film that manages to push all the hot-wired buttons of cinematic impulses. With the "infinifilm" line of DVDs, New Line hopes to make the DVD medium easier to understand than ever before, but I have the feeling that DVD-philes will be the ones who'll best appreciate "infinifilm." "15 Minutes" should be a mandatory addition to your DVD library.
Average user rating (1-5):
[release]7831[/release]