The Last King of Scotland
4 STARS
(Fox, $29.99)
FOREST Whitaker’s take on Idi Amin is so resonant that you’ll feel empathy for the African strongman even as you mourn the sickening death spiral of his Uganda. No wonder he won the Oscar.
As Amin’s doctor, James McAvoy offers foils of both youth and Western perspective. He first delights in Amin’s charisma, only to realize it is the dictator’s most potent weapon.
An excellent making-of documentary stands out for its portrayal of modern-day Uganda. Even as they struggle under the burdens Amin created decades ago, young people in Uganda have almost no knowledge of his bloody reign.
Notes on a Scandal
3 ½ STARS
(Fox, $29.99)
With four Oscar nods, “Notes” is essentially a BBC-worthy version of “Single White Female.” Judi Dench is the emotional parasite sucking away at the marrow of Cate Blanchett’s brittle school teacher. The story is so great, the DVD doesn’t even need extras, which is good because the ones offered are dull.
Also out:
Not Just The Best of the Larry Sanders Show
(Sony, $49.99)
The classic HBO series, with a host of quirky but fascinating extras.
Spider-Man 2.1
(Sony, $19.94)
Inessential, but now you get to watch eight more minutes.
Larry King Live: The Greatest Interviews
(Warner, $34.98)
Brando, Nixon, Sinatra, Hepburn, Jolie, Winfrey, Seinfeld, Clooney, Pacino – plus Reagans, Clintons and Bushes.