Hey folks, Harry here with the latest DVD PICKS & PEEKS - being made up of last week and this week's. Last week, I was in the furor of SXSW trying to find as many films as possible - to recommend for all of you. Now I'm all caught up! Wheew - I've typed over 9,000 words tonight - at least 100 will make sense. As usual - the box art and the titles are clickable to Amazon, where you can learn more about the release and even purchase the title in question, which would send a tiny portion back to us so we can continue this wonderful column. Thanks so much - and here ya go...
Tuesday, March 17th, 2009
BOLT
This was a surprisingly strong effort from Disney’s non Pixar CG animated division, but then it is the film they’ve made since Lassiter took over Feature Animation – so we should no longer be surprised by how good Disney is likely to become. I love the “super-dog” sequences of the film, but what surprised me, was how much I enjoyed the rest of the film. The making of sequences in extras are quite informative and fun, but the best part is the new SUPER RHINO short which is very very funny. Not a great film, but a great big step in the right direction for Disney feature animation. At least I thought so!
THE PRINCESS BRIDE Blu-Ray
I don’t have this disc, yet, but I ordered it tonight – because this is movie lover crack. How many quotable lines? How many scenes can you act out? Andre The Giant in High Def? Yes, please! Getting this on Blu-Ray is one of the no-brainers. Can not wait to get this!
PUNISHER: WAR ZONE
The best of the Punisher films, sadly – that isn’t high praise. It’s barely faint praise. I like the director of this film, but there’s hardly anything I like about this film. Lexi talked a good game about making this film tough, real and hard… But frankly, I just saw a little film out of Australia called THE HORSEMAN that is tonally more about what I’ve wanted to see from a PUNISHER movie, than we’ve gotten in these 3 rather pathetic attempts. NOW – unlike the previous two versions – this can be enjoyed as a workable piece of high camp. I really wish this was a hard, real world film. Sadly, this – Marvel’s most real world character – has been translated repeatedly as its goofiest. Tis a shame.
QUO VADIS Blu Ray
The story of Nero’s Rome. I love Peter Ustinov in this film. I love the idea of a frustrated mad poet with absolute power… This is why Uwe Boll should never be given real power in this world. This is stunning large scale epic filmmaking – it isn’t as great as BEN HUR or TEN COMMANDMENTS, but it’s a wonderful religious and historical epic nevertheless. Beautiful transfer!
THE ROBE Blu Ray
The first Cinemascope movie. Few films can lay credit to changing the shape of film. This one can. For the first time, the curtain kept pulling back. Theaters had to be built to play it. New screens had to be bought – and when all was said and done, film was never the same. It has a great cast: Richard Burton, Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Michael Rennie, Dean Jagger, Richard Boone, Jeff Morrow, Ernest Thesiger… and… and… TORIN THATCHER! Ok, for you geeks that love 7th VOYAGE OF SINBAD and the crazed fucking magician – that’s Torin Thatcher – and I’ve made a life long pursuit of watching as many films as possible that he is in. And so should you. His role here isn’t huge. And this cast already has Klaatu, that scientist from THIS ISLAND EARTH and Dr Pretorius – so the geek cred is very high on this Biblical epic. I’ve always loved the cursed robe of Jesus story. Looks gorgeous on Blu Ray!
THREE STOOGES COLLECTION, Vol 5: 1946-1948
From Amazon is an excellent description of what’s on here – I’ll let you enjoy that:
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56 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Curly's Final 10 Shorts & Shemp's First 14 , January 5, 2009
By Joshua Downham (Muncie, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Finally a release date!! The 3 Stooges Collection 5: 1946-1948 will include the following 24 shorts, a few of which were later remade in the 1950s:
1946:
Beer Barrel Polecats (Curly's declining health forced the studio to use extensive stock footage from 'So Long, Mr. Chumps,' & 'In the Sweet Pie & Pie.'Below average.)
A Bird In The Head (This one still works despite Curly's ill health. Along with '3 Little Pirates,' 'A Bird In The Head' is another favorite Curly two-reeler from '46. Watch for the scene in which Curly finally gets to hit Moe back. Also, there is a rarely shown scene where the gorilla and Curly drink alcohol, which was censored out of the AMC broadcast airings. Curly's ears shoot out steam!).
Uncivil Warbirds (Sort of a follow-up to Uncivil Warriors, only not as funny. The last stooge short to feature another opening theme besides '3 Blind Mice.')
3 Troubledoers (Curly's last western, not as great as the previous ones but still okay)
Monkey Businessmen
3 Loan Wolves
G.I. Wanna Home
Rhythm & Weep (Curly is in a sad state in this, one of The 3 Stooges worst shorts.)
3 Little Pirates (Easily the best of Curly's last 10 two-reelers. He seems like his old self.)
1947:
Half-Wits Holiday(Sadly, Curly's last. Stooge foil Emil Sitka's first. A remake of 'Hoi Polloi' with a pie fight instead of a slap fight at the end. Curly is absent in the last 5 minutes or so of the film, having suffered a major stroke while sitting off camera waiting for his next scene).
Fright Night (The return of the original 3rd stooge, Shemp Howard. Remade as 'Fling in the Ring.')
Out West (Features a jail cell escape gag that was later reused in 'The 3 Stooges Meet Hercules.')
Hold That Lion!(The only Shemp film to feature a cameo by Curly-with a full head of hair. Filing cabinet scene was later reused in 'Tricky Dicks.' Shemp was so afraid of the lion that a glass plate had to be placed between the lion and the stooges in certain shots).
Brideless Groom (one of my favorites and later remade as 'Husbands Beware' in 1955 with a funny twist at the end)
Sing a Song of 6 Pants
All Gummed Up (another favorite and I like the remake 'Bubble Trouble')
1948:
I'm A Monkey's Uncle (remade as 'Stone Age Romeos')
Shivering Sherlocks
Pardon My Clutch
Squareheads of the Round Table
Fiddler's Three
Hot Scots
Heavenly Daze (Yet another classic that was later remade in 1955.'Bedlam In Paradise' is one of the few remakes that was actually funnier than the original.)
Mummy's Dummies
A Crime on Their Hands”
MURNAU ( Nosferatu / Faust / The Last Laugh / Tartuffe / The Haunted Castle / The Finances of the Grand Duke )
Included in this set is Kino’s new FAUST 2-disc collection, and excellent discs of the rest. KINO is right there with Criterion for doing the best work on great titles like these. The FAUST part of this collection is just amazing. Beautiful restoration and features. This is a must for anyone that loves and adores German Expressionism of this period!
DODES’KA-DEN – Criterion
The first color film work of Akira Kurosawa. By no means one of my favorite Kurosawa films – it is beautiful to watch at the very least. Especially watching the master play with color for the first time.
SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES:_New, restored high-definition digital transfer_Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create, a 36-minute documentary created as part of the Toho Masterworks series, about the making of Dodes'ka-den, including interviews with director Akira Kurosawa, script supervisor Teruyo Nogami, actor Yoshitaka Zushi (who played Rokkuchan), and other members of the cast and crew_Theatrical trailer _New and improved English subtitle translation_PLUS: A booklet featuring a new essay by film historian Stephen Prince and a new interview with Nogami _
THE MATADOR
Fantastic film – title is self-explanatory. Everything is more brutal on Blu-Ray!
THE COMPANY OF WOLVES Blu Ray
This was how I was first introduced to Neil Jordan – and I have never thought of Little Red Riding Hood in quite the same way since. The dream like vision that Neil brought to life is beautifully rendered on this disc. I love getting these type of titles on Blu Ray – they just make me feel lucky. Prints of this film that I’ve seen have been beat to hell. Seeing it like this is a treat.
LONG RIDE FROM HELL
My mother was obsessive compulsive regarding Steve Reeves. And she loved westerns. I’ve seen this film more than I ever should have. It’s a likable film, but it isn’t nearly as great as the trailer or the one-sheet. This disc does have an interview with Steve Reeves on it in his home that’s kinda cool.
RULES OF ATTRACTION Blu Ray
I love this immoral evil work of sick and twisted college life. And I love that this All-Region Blu Ray has this cover – which was not allowed in the U.S. because Stuffed Animal Sex is Wrong! What a fucking world! I love James Van Der Beek in this film. He’s a zombie going through life. Roger Avary did a fantastic job with this film – and I can’t wait for my copy to arrive!
LOST SOULS
This is a film that you most likely have never seen, but is absolutely riveting. This film has a lot going on and is very much about the brutality of China and the hope and promise of a free Hong Kong. But don’t let that high minded talk fool you – this is pure exploitation – and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Nice little gem here!
Special Release – March 20th, 2009
TWILIGHT (Ultimate Collector’s Set) Amazon Exclusive (Blu-Ray)
You probably hate TWILIGHT – it seems for many people, TWILIGHT, which is a romance first and a vampire flick last, well it just wasn’t the film that many of you would have liked. However, there’s a legion of people that adore it. Actually, far far far many more than a legion. What’s more rare is a geek like me that likes TWILIGHT. Personally, I think the film could have been a lot better, I feel the romance could have been deepened and explored further – but that wasn’t really the primary thing this director was setting out to do. I watched the film on Blu-Ray tonight – and a problem did develop for me. Once the game of Vampire bat & ball is over, the film seems to just leap from location to location at a pace that feels inconsistent with the rest of the film. Yes, I am asking that it be a bit longer. Yes, that would torture many of you. But the more time spent on these characters the better. Anyway – here’s the details on this Amazon exclusive:
Amazon.com Exclusive Collector's Set contains:
. Twilight (Special Edition) Blu-ray Disc
. Twilight Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD
. Jewelry Box: individually numbered
. Exclusive Watch
. Limited Edition Charm Bracelet
. 6 Glossy Photo Cards
. Bookmark
. Certificate of Authenticity
Blu-ray Disc features:
. Presented in widescreen format only
. Audio commentary by Catherine Hardwicke, Kristen Stewart, and Robert Pattinson
. Muse music video: "Super Massive Black Hole"
. Paramore music video: "Decode"
. Linkin Park music video: "Leave Out All the Rest"
. Five extended scenes with director introductions
. Five deleted scenes with director introductions
. Seven-part documentary: "The Adventure Begins: The Journey from Page to Screen"
. Comic-Con "fandom" piece
. Comic-Con NY sizzle reel
. Three trailers
. Penelope trailer
BD Live with "New Moon" teaser
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
WATCHMEN: TALES OF THE BLACK FREIGHTER / UNDER THE HOOD
I wrote up a much more detailed piece back on March 10th that was quite enthusiastic regarding this disc. That has only increased upon multiple viewings of TALES OF THE BLACK FREIGHTER – though UNDER THE HOOD won’t warrant nearly as many viewings. That said, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the “title track” of this Blu-ray. And I bet so will you. It’s very EC.
QUANTUM OF SOLACE
I LOVE THIS FILM! The second the disc arrived here at Geek HQ, I put it on the screen instantly, cranked up the sound and just let it fly. That opening car chase is fantastic. The panic in M’s reaction to her personal Body Guard being a part of the big bad “whatever” that Bond is pursuing. I love that Bond isn’t necessarily driven by a crazed sense of revenge for Vesper, but rather to protect M and the world at large. I love how he goes rogue to track down exactly what her Majesty’s Secret Service is up against! I love that Tosca meeting in the Opera house. I love how Bond fucks it up. I love oil in that fuck’s stomach. I love this series stepping up the sense of global endangerment by whoever these people were. One thing is certain, they’re powerful enough to manipulate the world’s governments! And that cannot stand, and that’s what drives Bond.
STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS – A GALAXY DIVIDED
This first set of the animated series isn’t quite good. These are still the early episodes where Lucas was highly involved. Later on in the run, the series is much much better. You’ll see. Skip this one.
NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN (Blu Ray)
Remember the summer of 1983? Two Bonds doing battle. One – a complete load of shit, the worst Bond in Roger Moore’s career. The other… directed by the guy that directed EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, starred the real James Bond, SEAN CONNERY, and had Kim “please please fuck me” Basinger at her hottest? Only problem was, this was a remake of a far far far better Bond film called THUNDERBALL. That said, it is pretty cool to watch. I especially like ol Klaus Maria Brandauer. He always gave me the heebie jeebies!
FAST AND THE FURIOUS Trilogy (Blu Ray)
This has extra extras and BD LIVE, but honestly – if you already have these on HD DVD, there’s no reason to rush out and get this. Me, I love this silly series. The 2nd film is one of the feyest films I’ve ever seen. And the 3rd is just plain silly as can be. However, they’ve all had a real solid sense of fun, even if the thrill and fear factor and character work never achieved the status of the first film in the series – we do have a new one to check out soon, and I have hopes for it.
LILO AND STITCH
Disney is the master of the slow burn release pattern. But man… I’m an impatient bastard. I want the Blu Ray now. Never mind that this is the best release we’ve had so far on this beloved modern classic. It has all been polluted by the shitty Straight to Video sequels and that craptacular TV show. Here’s the extras: *Deleted Scenes
*"Your 'Ohana" Music Video Featuring The Hawaiian Chorus
*The Story Room: An Interactive Behind-The-Scenes Look At The Making Of The Film
*Lilo & Stitch Island Adventure Games
*A Stitch In Time: Follow Stitch Through The Disney Years
*"I Can't Help Falling In Love With You" Music Video Performed By A-Teens
*DisneyPedia: Hawaii -- The Islands Of Aloha: Explore The Hawaiian Islands
*And Much, Much More!
MY FATHERS WIFE
Amazon has the wrong date on this release. It isn’t from 1986, but rather 1976. Carroll Baker is a gal that film geeks obsess over. Beginning back with GIANT, BABY DOLL and THE BIG COUNTRY – it was evident that she had a sexuality that was… only increasingly hot in films like HARLOW, THE SWEET BODY OF DEBORAH, PARANOIA, BABA YAGA, THE VIRGIN WIFE and a host of others. Here she is at 35 in this Italian sexual tryst about the love/sex triangle between a Husband, his son and a new wife! Oh yeah, this is trashy, wonderfully so.
FORBIDDEN HOLLYWOOD COLLECTION, VOL 3 ( OTHER MEN’S WOMEN / THE PURCHASE PRICE / FRISCO JENNY / MIDNIGHT MARY / HEROES FOR SALE / WILD BOYS OF THE ROAD )
You familiar with the work of William Wellman? He is one of the great directors of classic Hollywood, directing favorites of mine like VIVA VILLA!, TARZAN ESCAPES, A STAR IS BORN, BEAU GESTE, THE OX-BOW INCIDENT, THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER and the amazing STORY OF GI JOE! This is a seedier side of his work at Warners and one MGM flick.
There’s OTHER MEN’S WOMEN (1931) which features an early Cagney supporting performance in this film about coveting a best friend’s wife. Joan Blondell is her usual bit of awesome in her supporting role. This is very questionable morally speaking in terms of story telling, but that’s why it is here.
THE PURCHASE PRICE (1932) is a Mail-order Bride story, with Barbara Stanwyck as a torch singer/gangster dame that gives all that up to be sold off to a farmer in need of a wife. It’s classic!
FRISCO JENNY (1932) Stars the lovely Ruth Chatterton, who plays the titular character that was orphaned by the “big one” of 1906 in San Francisco – to become a Brothel Madame that oversees well… you know. Very risqué material for the day.
MIDNIGHT MARY (1933) – This time we have a woman on trial for murder – played by the lovely Loretta Young. The trial tells her story – which comes to life with a cast of characters like Ricardo Cortez, Franchot Tone, Andy Devine, Una Merkel and others. Really awesome film!
HEROES FOR SALE (1933) Here you have a soldier addicted to Morphine, played by the handsome Richard Barthelmess, and co-stars Loretta Young. This film has all manners of ills including… SUICIDE! Actually this is much tamer than the others.
WILD BOYS OF THE ROAD (1933) Recession gotcha down? Wanna real horror story of poverty and the Great Depression? Look no further than right here! This is a truly great forgotten film about where poverty and hopelessness can take the innocence of youth and the patience of old age… and just flush those ideals. Not so much exploitive as it is realistic. Very timely film.
VENTURE BROS: Season 3
Genius part 3 arrives today!
ARK OF THE SUN GOD
Our ol friend Anthony Dawson. I say that, having never met the man, but oh how I enjoy the hell out of his features! Films like MR SUPERINVISIBLE, LONG HAIR OF DEATH, CODE NAME: WILD GEESE and man – let’s go to masterpieces of schlock like YOR, THE HUNTER FROM THE FUTURE, CANNIBAL APOCALYPSE, KILLER FISH, PLANET ON THE PROWL, TOMBS OF TERROR and on and on and on. His real name was Antonio Margheriti – and he was a very fun director. His films didn’t have lavish budgets and great effects, but there’s a spirit to his films that are just so goddamn fun. That spirit is in this one too. It isn’t brilliant. It’s schlocky as fuck. And I wouldn’t have it any other way!
FRAZETTA: PAINTING WITH FIRE
This is a two disc special edition in a Tin – and man – I’ve said this before – on the prior single disc edition, but I’m very happy to have my name and quote on this cover – because folks… FRAZETTA is a god – and this documentary is a fantastic tribute to him! It details Frank’s amazing life – features interviews with a Who’s Who of cool people that his work has influenced – and there’s still movies yet to be made that will draw upon his amazing visions. There are many imitators – there is only one Frazetta!
LAST METRO (Blu Ray) Criterion
It’ll be interesting to watch this film after Tarantino’s INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS – as this film is about a theatre operating in occupied France during WWII. Although this is a live theatre and not a movie theater – it also has themes of hiding from Nazis and… danger – though Quentin’s film is far more violent and fun, and this was an extremely personal film for Truffaut – it is also a wonderful reflection upon his own 400 BLOWS – also released today by Criterion on Blu Ray.
BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES:
New, restored high-definition digital transfer, with an uncompressed monaural soundtrack
Two audio commentaries: one by cinema professor Brian Stonehill and another by François Truffaut s lifelong friend Robert Lachenay
Rare audition footage of Jean-Pierre Léaud, Patrick Auffay, and Richard Kanayan
Newsreel footage of Léaud in Cannes for the showing of The 400 Blows
Excerpt from a TV program in which Truffaut discusses his youth, his critical writings, and the origins of Antoine
TV interview with Truffaut about the global reception of The 400 Blows and his own critical impression of the film
Theatrical trailer
PLUS: An essay by film scholar Annette Insdorf
THE 400 BLOWS Blu Ray
Important. Brilliant. And a perfect first film by a tremendous film critic turned filmmaker. The most personal and powerful of all of Truffaut’s films. It is a cinematic reflection upon his own tough youth. Criterion has done a great job. Here’s what Criterion has done for us:
BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES:
New, restored high-definition digital transfer, with an uncompressed monaural soundtrack
Two audio commentaries: one by cinema professor Brian Stonehill and another by François Truffaut s lifelong friend Robert Lachenay
Rare audition footage of Jean-Pierre Léaud, Patrick Auffay, and Richard Kanayan
Newsreel footage of Léaud in Cannes for the showing of The 400 Blows
Excerpt from a TV program in which Truffaut discusses his youth, his critical writings, and the origins of Antoine
TV interview with Truffaut about the global reception of The 400 Blows and his own critical impression of the film
Theatrical trailer
PLUS: An essay by film scholar Annette Insdorf
That’s it for this week and last, next week we’ll be looking at: SEVEN POUNDS, MARLEY & ME, SEDUCTION OF DR. FUGAZZI, TIMECRIMES, TELL NO ONE, GHOSTS OF MARS Blu, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, Riddick Double Feature Blu Ray, SOUTH PACIFIC (Blu), HAPPY TOGETHER, AfterDark Horrorfest, EXPOSED, Schoolhouse Rock! Earth, HELL HOLE, CAT IN THE BRAIN, POULTRYGEIST, Bollywood Horror Collection Vol 2, DANTON Criterion, ICHI THE KILLER Blu, THE SINFUL DWARF (Mahler?), GENERALE DELLA ROVERE Criterion, TWO EVIL EYES (Blu) and many many more!
