Dylan biopic not the same old song

"I'm Not There" (two-disc collector's edition) -- Filmmaker Todd Haynes smashes all the conventions of the Hollywood biopic with his surreal, fascinating and uneven look at the life of Bob Dylan. Realizing that it's impossible to "solve" the enigmatic Dylan at this point, Haynes casts six different actors to play him, including a woman and a young black boy. Each portrays one of the many personas that Dylan has assumed over the years: rural folk troubadour, rock 'n' roll hipster, born-again preacher. Haynes shuffles among these different characters seemingly at random, often changing his color scheme and film stock as he does so. The fractured narrative that results is disorienting and occasionally frustrating. But -- and this is important -- it's never boring. "I'm Not There" crackles with energy, because in large part of the welcome presence of Dylan's music. The cast is terrific, particularly Cate Blanchett (who earned an Oscar nomination for her performance) and the late Heath Ledger. And it's so refreshing to watch a biopic that doesn't follow the same dreary "Behind the Music" narrative formula.

In the end, does the film say anything new about Dylan or his music? I'm not sure. It seems to me that, as the title of the film suggests, the "real" Dylan isn't here, any more than he's been in countless other biographies over the years. But "I'm Not There" doesn't try to answer questions about Dylan the man. Instead, it's a celebration of the mystery behind Dylan's creative process, and all great art for that matter. The two-disc DVD is a fantastic package, offering a Haynes commentary, an excellent interview with Haynes and a collection of articles that explore the creation of the film and its many Dylan allusions. (R; Genius Products, $28.95)

"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" -- Alternately heart-breaking and inspiring, "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" is a cinematic treasure. Director Julian Schnabel (a best director nominee) displays dazzling visual invention as he tells the true story of French magazine editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, who suffers a stroke that leaves him with "locked-in syndrome" -- his mind is perfectly healthy, but his body is paralyzed from head to toe. Only his left eye retains movement. Refusing to give in to despair, Bauby learns to communicate by blinking his eye, eventually composing a memoir about his stroke that becomes a bestseller. Schnabel doesn't shy away from the horrific aspects of Bauby's stroke; the opening scenes, which put us behind Bauby's one functioning eye, will chill your blood. But Schnabel captures moments of real triumph in the story. When the movie ended, I was left thrilled and awestruck by the power of the human mind. Don't cheat yourself, folks. See "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." The DVD includes a commentary, Charlie Rose interviews with Schnabel and a making-of featurette. (R; Disney Home Entertainment, $29.99)

"Delirious" -- Tom DiCillo's fable about a low-level celebrity photographer is an underrated gem. Steve Buscemi, a criminally unsung actor, plays Les, a paparazzo living on the Hollywood fringe. Les befriends Toby, a friendly homeless kid, and eventually makes Toby his assistant. But when Toby meets a beautiful starlet backstage at an awards show, his life starts to take off, forcing him to leave a bitter and jealous Les behind. The dynamic and often touching relationship between these two men, which culminates in a beautiful final shot, lifts "Delirious" above its obvious satire of the paparazzi world. The DVD includes a DiCillo commentary and a nice in-depth filmed conversation about the film with DiCillo and Buscemi. (NR; Genius Products, $19.95)

"Teeth" -- Guys, prepare to wince. "Teeth" is a satirical horror film about a young girl who discovers that she actually has the mythical condition known as vagina dentata -- teeth in her sex organs. Dawn, a high school student in a small town next to a nuclear power plant, first learns of her condition when a classmate forces himself on her. His bloody demise leaves Dawn horrified, guilty and confused. Eventually, though, she embraces the power that her condition gives her over the relentlessly sleazy men in her town, including her disgusting stepbrother. "Teeth" wants to be a dark teen comedy in the mold of "Heathers" (with a lot more gore, of course), but the utilitarian dialogue and slow pace keep it from reaching those heights. The DVD includes a commentary, deleted scenes and a making-of featurette. (R; Genius Products, $29.95)