Conceiving Ada

"Conceiving Ada works as much as a charming character study as it does as a study of feminism and revisionist history. Winstar's DVD release is an excellent presentation of the movie. The real-life and computer photography is stunning and stylish, as the DVD translates the movie's bold colors and artsy set pieces with considerable flair in a 1.33:1 widescreen aspect ratio. The DVD flatters director Lynn Hershman Leeson's quirky sensibilities to a tee; when both Karen Black and Timothy Leary appear in a movie, there's a good chance it's outside the mainstream. Still, the audio quality matches that of Hollywood blockbuster DVD releases, as the dialogue is free of distortion and the Residents' Tangerine Dream-like score is crystal clear. Supplemental features are lacking, even though the movie's historical subject matter cries out for background information. The DVD supplies only a ""Scene Selection"" menu -- it's the main menu as well -- giving instant access to the DVD's eight chapters via chapter titles and still frames."