Historical epic comes home

Martin Scorsese is perpetually being robbed. After having directed such classics as "Mean Streets," "Taxi Driver," "Raging Bull" and "Goodfellas," it's mind-boggling to think the man's never won an Oscar. And so the story goes again with Scorsese's latest effort -- his dream project -- "Gangs of New York." Hailed by critics and abandoned by audiences, "Gangs" is a near-masterpiece that should have taken home a slew of golden boys, including Best Costumes, Best Set Design, Best Actor and Best Director, but alas, didn't.\n"Gangs" centers on Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio), an Irish immigrant vowing revenge on Bill the Butcher (an awe-inspiring Daniel Day-Lewis) for having murdered his father (Liam Neeson) when he was a boy. This personal vendetta is set against the backdrop of New York's Five Points during the Civil War era, which also hosted the oft forgotten Draft Riots. Entangled in this battle of wills is Jenny (a horribly miscast Cameron Diaz), a pickpocket and the woman loved by both men. \nThe DVD is chock-full of cool special features that enhance the viewing pleasure of the flick itself. Highlights include the Discovery Channel's short yet utterly informative documentary, "Uncovering the Real Gangs of New York," a passionate feature-length commentary by Scorsese and a 360 degree tour of the sets given by Scorsese and his ingenious production designer Dante Ferretti. Sound and picture are both top-notch. The only thing that would have helped the disc would be the inclusion of Scorsese's rumored four-hour director's cut, which, in all likelihood, will be released sometime down the line to bilk more money from consumers.\nFlaws and all, "Gangs of New York" is an amazing film, and will probably be seen as an unadulterated masterpiece within the next 20 years or so. Cinephiles need this disc in their collection. Casual film fans with strong stomachs (the flick spares no amount of ketchup) should at least rent and watch "Gangs," if for no other reason than to see Day-Lewis's tour de force performance. Either way, it's a bloody good time at home.