By Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com

‘Newlyweds’

Directed by Ed Burns

Rated R, 95 minutes

“Newlyweds,” the newest low budget, do-it-yourself project from writer/director/actor Ed Burns, is a smart, funny, dramatic and insightful dramedy dealing with the burden of in-laws. Buzzy (Burns) and Katie (Caitlin Fitzgerald) are newlyweds (each for the second time) and enjoying their blissful relationship, that is until Buzzy’s half-sister Linda (Kerry Bishe) shows up and throws an emotional wrench in the new couple’s relationship. Once again Burns has succeeded with an independent spirit. (He made the film for $9,000 and shot it in 12 days.) Much like his terrific last film, “Nice Guy Johnny,” Burns skipped putting “Newlyweds” into theaters and released the film through iTunes and video-on-demand. His success will hopefully lead other filmmakers to make movies on their own terms, which is what the talented Burns has been doing for years. For that reason alone, “Newlyweds” is triumphant. CV

‘Sidewalks of New York’

Directed by Ed Burns

2001, Rated R, 107 minutes

Other than Martin Scorsese and Woody Allen, nobody tells a New York City story better than Ed Burns. Burns’ fourth film, “Sidewalks of New York,” focuses on a number of storylines dealing with love and life in the Big Apple. Burns plays Tommy, who along with his Casanova father Carpo (Dennis Farina), are enjoying their time as free men. Tommy meets Maria (Rosario Dawson), and the two keep each other company much to the chagrin of her ex-husband Ben (David Krumholtz). Ben soon forgets his hatred for Tommy after he falls head over heels for Ashley (Brittany Murphy), a waitress who is having an affair with Griffin (Stanley Tucci), who is married to Annie (Heather Graham), a real estate agent who eventually catches Tommy’s attention. Confused? Don’t worry. “Sidewalks of New York” does a tremendous job of juggling numerous storylines while creating heartfelt moments for each of its interesting characters. CV