By DEBORAH NICOL & PAUL BRENNER

mu·si·cal (myỡ-zĭkęl) A motion picture typically depicting a sentimental or humorous narrative that consists of, or is interrupted by, musical numbers and often dancing

Gigantic: A Tale of Two Johns [Warner]

Neither porn nor an HBO documentary about prostitution kingpins, "Gigantic" tells the humble beginnings and evolution of cult band über geeks They Might Be Giants (a.k.a. Johns Flansburgh and Linnell). This rockumentary exposes the toothy underworld that has helped to create stream-of-consciousness mini-masterpieces and history lessons rivaling the educational importance of "School House Rock" (who knew so much about Belgium's famous painter, James Ensor, or the political career of U.S. President James K. Polk?). Linnell's quirky musical genius and creative stockpile is equaled only by Flansburgh's bouncy showmanship and over-the-top vocals. Interspersed between hard-hitting interviews are dramatic readings of the duo's lyrics by such acting greats as Andy Richter, Janeane Garofalo, and Michael McKean. A DVD to make any TMBG fan drool and cry then drool again, the extras includes live performances, TV appearances, extended interviews, radio interviews, deleted scenes, early music videos with introductions, videos created for the scientific program "Brave New World," and an audio commentary. So turn off the porn, Dial-a-Song, and brush up on your history. - DN

¤ buy it

The Last Waltz: Special Edition [MGM]

The death of musicologist Allan Lomax makes it official, but the day the music died -- when popular music became irrelevant -- can be traced back to The Band's (Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson and Richard Manuel) farewell concert of Thanksgiving 1976 at Bill Graham's Winterland in San Francisco. This celebration of "the beginning of the beginning of the end of the beginning" is captured in Martin Scorsese's fluid and graceful concert film of the event, on a special edition DVD from MGM. As if testifying for their souls at a joyful New Orleans wake, a collection of rock n' roll's greatest performers join The Band in a musical odyssey of the roots of rock: Ronnie Hawkins, Dr. John, Neil Young. The Staples, Neil Diamond, Paul Butterfield, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, and Ron Wood play as if their lives depended on it. Then, at the end, Bob Dylan comes out and delivers the benediction. Great numbers abound: Muddy Waters' raw-thundered "Mannish Boy," Eric Clapton's barn-burning "Further on up the Road," Van Morrison's blistering "Caravan," and Dylan's scorching "Baby, Let Me Follow You Down." The DVD is also loaded with extras. Robertson and Scorsese provide running commentary on one audio track, and a second audio track is devoted to a wide assortment of witnesses, participants and commentators of the event (including Jay Cocks, Griel Marcus, Jonathan Taplin, Steven Prince, Irwin Winkler, Levon Helm, John Simon, Ronnie Hawkins, Garth Hudson, Dr. John, Michael Chapman, Mavis Staples, and Mardik Martin). Also included are a 12-minute penultimate jam session, a 20-minute featurette, trailers, and a fascinating photo gallery. The audio is presented in either 2.0 stereo or 5.1 Surround. Remember this film should be played loud! Perhaps one of the two greatest concert films ever made (the other being Jonathan Demme's "Stop Making Sense"). - PB

¤ buy it

Stop Making Sense [Palm]

Why the big suit? Because it is David Byrne, and he wants you to take notice of one of the best concert films out there. Directed by Jonathan Demme ("Storefront Hitchcock", "Silence of the Lambs") and assembled from various live concerts filmed with one camera at a time so as not to disturb the performance, this 1984 Talking Heads flick is the perfect demonstration of the band's energy and enthusiasm. Byrnes designed the stage set-ups and helped choreograph sequences, and it is obvious the entire band is having a good time in what would be their last tour together. Between Talking Head sets are songs performed by most of the band in the form of The Tom Tom Club, headed by bassist Tina Weymouth. DVD extras include deleted songs, audio commentary by director and band members, storyboards, trailers, and a silly clip of Byrne interviewing himself. - DN

¤ buy it