The Movie: Ambitiously encompassing almost two decades' worth of the Manchester music scene, from the explosive dawn of punk and New Wave to the Dionysian decline of rave culture, director Michael Winterbottom's film is a witty, wondrous account of Factory Records, the artistically rich, financially depleted concern behind Joy Division, New Order, and the Happy Mondays. Narrated by Factory frontman and full-time journalist Tony Wilson (Steve Coogan, in a spot-on performance), the fictionalization takes a knowingly postmodern approach, giving equal attention to insider jokes and cameos as it does for Wilson to educate newcomers, speaking directly to the camera and practically outlining key players with a sportscaster's video marker. Sharp, touching, and inspiring enough to put “Love Will Tear Us Apart” on repeat, this is not a film to be missed.

The Disc: The 11 deleted scenes were cut for a reason, but two short featurettes on Manchester and Wilson squeeze out a bit more backstory. Some concert footage of the aforementioned bands would have made for a better historical document, but the disc compensates with a colorful commentary track by Wilson himself, who gives a second viewing of the film a satisfyingly smartass, pedagogical slant.

-A.H.