Forrest Gump

An epic two-disc set for an epic film, Robert Zemeckis's Forrest Gump was the surprise hit of 1994 (it remains the sixth biggest box office hit of all time). More, it entered the pop culture lexicon ("life is like a box of chocolates"), and went on to earn Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Tom Hanks as the modern-day Candide who is witness to some of the most pivotal events of the last half of the 20th century. Groundbreaking special effects allow the simple-minded, good-hearted Forrest to interact with the likes of John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and John Lennon. The second disc reveals the secrets of "Gump's" Oscar-winning effects, with one fascinating segment deconstructing 11 sequences, including two (one with George Bush, Sr. and the other with Martin Luther King, Jr.) that were deleted from the film. Other features include a somewhat self-important "making of" documentary, segments on sound and production design, and screen tests with co-stars Haley Joel Osment and Robin Wright. A profoundly moving, singular artistic achievement, this is highly recommended. (K. Lee Benson)