Jameson Kowalczyk

In director Karen Moncrieff’s sophomore feature film The Dead Girl, Giovanni Ribisi (Lost in Translation, The Virgin Suicides, Heaven) looks nearly unrecognizable as Rudy, a rough-looking grocery store employee (and walking encyclopedia of serial killer trivia), who sets his sights on Arden (Toni Collette), an introvert dealing with an abusive, invalid mother and unwanted localized celebrity after discovering the horribly mutilated body of a young woman. Fans of the actor will do a double take – Ribisi is buried under a tattoos (fake) and a lot of extra muscle (real – a demonstration of Ribisi’s dedication to even a small role, and his confidence in the film).

Probably most recognizable to audiences as Harry Osborn, son of Norman Osborn (AKA The Green Goblin) in Sam Rami’s blockbuster Spiderman franchise, James Franco (Sonny, The Great Raid, Annapolis) launched his career with his portrayal of James Dean in TNT’s biopic based on the movie icon’s short but legendary life (Franco’s performance earned him a Golden Globe award, as well as Emmy and Screen Actor’s Guild nominations). The breakthrough role also caught the interest of Robert De Niro, who asked Franco a play his son in City By the Sea. A talented filmmaker in his own right, Franco has also written and directed three films: Fool’s Gold, The Ape, and the upcoming Good Time Max.

Available as of yesterday on DVD is Norwegian filmmaker Bent Hamer’s adaptation of Charles Bukowski’s 1975 novel, Factotum. Factotum follows Bukowski’s literary alter ego, Henry Chinaski, as he drifts from one short term employment to the next (pickle factory worker, ice delivery truck driver, janitor, professional gambler), all the while drinking heavily and writing constantly. Lili Taylor (The Notorious Bettie Page, I Shot Andy Warhol, next year’s Quebec) stars as Jan, a fellow alcoholic who becomes the closest thing to true love Henry finds along the way.

Charles Bukowski once wrote a story titled “My Beerdrunk Soul is Sadder than all the Dead Christmas Trees in the World,” so it is somewhat appropriate that Factotum, director Bent Hamer’s adaptation of Bukowski’s 1975 novel of the same name, is arriving on DVD just after Christmas.

The majority of U.S. audiences probably know Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro for his films Hellboy (an adaptation of a Dark Horse series comic...