Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
Now that I’m back in the swing of things, I’m planning to try to hit you with at least three DVD SHELF columns a week. They won’t all be gigantic phone books like the one I published on Sunday, but I hope I’ll be able to pack a lot of content into them.
One thing I want to get back to is pointing out specific new releases on the day they actually hit stores. It seems like there are one or two titles every week that are impossible to miss, but that means that a lot of other great stuff ends up flying under the radar. I don’t think I’ll ever try to be your comprehensive one-stop list of everything that’s coming out, but I’d hate to let some of these titles just vanish into the ether without at least trying to turn the spotlight on them for a few minutes.
THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON
Paramount’s putting out this series faster than I can watch them. This third season collection features the introduction of Jim Nabors as Gomer Pyle into Mayberry’s regular cast of eccentric characters, as well as 32 full episodes of the series.
THE ASTAIRE & ROGERS COLLECTION: VOLUME ONE
This looks outstanding, and I’m itching to get my hands on it. These films are pure pleasure, and once again, it looks like Warner Bros. has put together a collection that’s actually worth collecting. You’ll get TOP HAT, SWING TIME, FOLLOW THE FLEET, SHALL WE DANCE, and THE BARKLEYS OF BROADWAY here. Sounds good to me.
THE BALLAD OF JACK & ROSE
I didn’t see this in the theater, but Rebecca Miller’s proven herself to be a filmmaker with a strong individual voice. It doesn’t hurt that she’s working with her husband Daniel Day-Lewis this time out. Strong reviews for this one pretty much guaranteed it a spot on my list.
THE BROWN BUNNY (Superbit)
This film is infamous for many reasons, and the climax of the film (all puns intended) is just as extreme as you’ve heard. There’s something beautiful and sad about Vincent Gallo’s story of a man haunted by a lover he couldn’t save, but it would have worked better as a short film, and it’s certainly not for all tastes.
GET IT? TASTE!? CLIMAX!?
Oh, god, somebody stop me.
FRANK MILLER’S SIN CITY
As much as I love this film, I’m not sure why you should pick this DVD up. Sure, it looks and sounds amazing, with both a DTS 5.1 Surround mix and a Dolby Digital 5.1 track, either of which will give your speakers a great workout. But there’s no extra content here, and when I spoke to Rodriguez at the junket for the film, he told me about his plans to re-incorporate all the deleted scenes for each story, then set up the disc so you could watch each of the segments individually.
He also recorded the audience response during the Austin premiere, so he can actually put that in as a separate audio track you can play during the film. So when do we get to see this gigantic super-deluxe special edition? I’ve heard rumors of November. I guess for now, this edition will do, but don’t buy it if you hate double-dipping.
THE KRZYSTOF KIESLOWSKI COLLECTION
I’ve got the TRES COLORES trilogy and the complete DECALOGUE set, so this new collection of the work of Krzystof Kieslowski should round out my shelf nicely and actually allow me to see a few of the gems I’ve missed. Easily one of the great filmmakers of the past 20 years, Kieslowski’s work rewards repeat viewings where you can tease every bit of subtext out of dense marvels like A SHORT FILM ABOUT LOVE, BLIND CHANCE, CAMERA BUFF, NO END, THE SCAR, and A SHORT FILM ABOUT KILLING. Essential stuff for any cinema freak.
LITTLE BRITAIN: THE COMPLETE FIRST SERIES
Britain... Britain... Britain. I actually broke down and bought the UK PAL release of this title about six months ago, and I ended up complete addicted. David Walliams and Matt Lucas are complete freaks, gleefully dissecting each of the eccentric characters that they create. Whether it’s Daffyd, “the only gay in the Village,” or a deranged innkeeper or an abusive leader of a Weight Watchers-type group or the lovestruck assistant to the Prime Minister or the loathsome Vicky or, my favorites, Lou and his wheelchair-bound friend Andy, these are characters that remain funny no matter how many times we revisit them. If you like English comedy at all, pick this one up immediately. The 2-disc set is packed with extras.
MY LEFT FOOT: SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S EDITION
I haven’t had a chance to watch my copy of this one yet, but I’m a big fan of the film. It’s actually one that my esteem has grown for over time. Normally the Oscars just serve to piss me off, but it’s hard to argue with the decision to give Daniel Day-Lewis the Best Actor award in 1989. His portrayal of Christie Brown is fearless and remarkable, and I look forward to watching the piece on the disc about the real Christy Brown for the sake of comparison. There’s also a new piece about the making of the film, a still gallery, and a collection of reviews.
MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS
As I work on today’s column, I’m watching the BVHE release of MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS, another of their Studio Ghibli releases. I want to write a longer piece about this and POM POKO in the next column, but for now I’ll just say that this is a beautiful little film, and nothing like the other Ghibli releases we’ve seen so far. I’m deeply moved by the way the film reveres family while still being able to lampoon the familiar crises that we all face. This is a movie about the universal experiences that come from being a family, and it should speak to old and young audiences alike. Exceptional.
THE OFFICE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON
Although it’s nowhere near as inspired as the original BBC series, there are things to recommend about this American remake, not the last of which is the performance by Steve Carrel in the lead. The cast seems to be warming up with each episode, and the writing continues to get better. This may end up being a great series with an identity of its own down the line, and this is an interesting curio if nothing else.
POM POKO
This is Disney’s other Ghibli release for today. It’s interesting that neither one was directed by Miyazaki, although he had a hand in this one. POM POKO is, for lack of a better description, fucking crazy. It’s the story of a group of raccoons determined to stop a construction project from destroying their homes. They use magic powers, including transformation, to terrorize the workers, throw a bizarre demon parade you’ve got to see to believe, and to fly by stretching out their scrotal sacks like parasails. I’m impressed they’re releasing this one uncut, but I’m not sure parents will really know what they’re buying when they pick it up. It’s not quite the cuddly cutefest the cover implies.
THE SIMPSONS: THE COMPLETE SIXTH SEASON
Yeah, I’m confounded by the weird switch to the new packaging, too. But I still plan to buy each of these seasons as they become available. It’s THE SIMPSONS, for god’s sake. Even in their worst seasons, they’ve provided hours and hours of entertainment, and Season Six was right smack dab in the middle of their creative high point. Can’t wait to crack this one open and listen to the commentaries, some of the most entertaining done for any film or TV show.
STRINGS
Again... haven’t seen this one. But it looks completely unique, a marionette movie about an existential puppet crisis played out as a fantasy quest. I’m curious as hell, and Wellspring does good work with their titles. Should be fascinating.
UNDECLARED: THE COMPLETE SERIES
Big week for Judd Apatow fans. This follow-up to FREAKS & GEEKS never got a fair shake from Fox, and after seeing THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN, which I’ll review later this week, I’m in the mood for a whole lot of Seth Rogan. This was a very funny show, and the cast, although not as large as F&G, all did a nice job of making their absurd characters touchingly real.
I’ll be back before the end of the week with my third DVD SHELF, which should feature a hell of a lot more reviews as well as my CINE-EAST PICK OF THE WEEK. If this week goes well, then I’ll try to get a rhythm set up so that we can keep the column coming on a regular basis from now on. Until then...
"Moriarty" out.
