Hey folks, Harry here with today’s DVD & Blu Ray column. There’s some pretty great stuff on the list today, so I hope you dig it. As usual, the pics and links will take you to Amazon where you’ll learn more on the individual titles – and have the option of purchasing the title in question. If you do, a small portion of the purchase price goes to continue to support the efforts of this column. Thanks and let’s get into it…
Tuesday, May 10th, 2011
Hands down my favorite animated film of 2010. Not for kids – but not because of anything wrong that it has… and if you’ve raised your kids to be perceptive little buggers… they’ll love it. But this is a story without hardly any dialogue. Told through body language and the context of scenes. You perceive the story, rather than you’re being handed the story. The film feels like it has the essence of Chaplin to it, but that’s really because of all around French genius comedian, actor, director writer Jacques Tati… whose screenplay was transformed by Sylvain Chomet. Never mind that Tati has been dead for ages. Sylvain Chomet’s film of THE ILLUSIONIST is one of the most hauntingly hilarious poignant tales of life that isn’t entirely tragic, so much as it feels REAL. I think I can smell the places animated, the scent in the wind that is blowing. Just an amazing grown up animated film that a child may get an entirely different message from, than you. And both lessons would be poignant. LOVE THE MOVIE – and on Blu… jesus it looks so damn good!!!
JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER Blu Ray
Hi, my name is Harry Knowles. I run AintItCool.com – and I gave my copy of Justin Bieber’s NEVER SAY NEVER away because… it was too good and I was scared of what repeated viewings may do to me. You see, I don’t have a teenage girl in the house, not anymore, but I was completely unexposed beyond well the inescapable coif. Upon watching what is essentially the life story of Justin Bieber… I have to say… I don’t think one can really hate him. He’s so crazy scary talented, and he came about in a way that well, I completely associate with – his music and dancing… sure it’s juvenile and so completely pop – but I find myself wondering what Justin Bieber will be in 15 years. Once he begins to develop a better sense of life and experience. Once his music is more than bubblegum nutritious. Right now though, it just isn’t my thing, but I totally get why he’s huge. He’s amazing on stage & off. It’d be nice to see this turn into something amazing. And not one of those sad VH1 whatever happened to… ya know? Anyway, I gave my screener to a dear friend whose son is a 1 year old that beat boxes and plays drums like no tomorrow. That and she’s always had a thing for every boy band ever. This will make her feel awkward. And she’ll giggle a lot. Plus I’ll be able to make fun of her for having a copy that I bet she sleeps with.
Being in a no strings attached relationship with Natalie Portman – it’s kind of like the dream. To be a beeper away from bopping that – seriously, she’s amazing. She’s smart, gorgeous and is totally gonna end up causing a thunder clap or two in her new series. But NO STRINGS ATTACHED also stars Ashton Kutcher… and try as much as I can… I can’t hate him. He’s a goofy guy that’s making the movie about guiltless sex with Natalie Portman and he looks pleased as punch to be in this situation. Tony Curtis made movies like this. They were constantly films starring the latest hot thing, then sometimes someone amazing like Janet Leigh. Natalie Portman is like Janet Leigh to me. They both had figures that were so delicate, but each absolutely projected sex. That said, I think Natalie is a stronger actress – her range goes from something completely vapid like this, to Aronofsky’s BLACK SWAN – and then something amingly fun and pop like THOR. Of course Janet would make TOUCH OF EVIL, THE VIKINGS, PSYCHO… actually the more I think about this, the more it falls apart. Janet Leigh was the bomb – and I don’t think Ashton has the class of Tony Curtis – because Tony could play much more than a rascal and a dick. The film is fun, but I’d personally wait to catch it on Netflix or cable. It isn’t sexy enough to be a keeper.
I think the film is spectacularly well performed, but I really have no desire to watch it again. I’ve no doubt that there’s an honest realism about the story of these two characters – but I simply didn’t like the kind of people they were. I didn’t like their fights, but moreso – I didn’t like them when they were happy. The film is just mean. And that’s life, life can be mean, but I just don’t get off to it. These are two characters that should never have wound up together and as the movie shows us the pain of that, it just frustrates me – because I recognize those characteristics in friends of mine, ex-girlfriends – and this isn’t a pleasant viewing experience. It is a gut punch that keeps punching you. I just will not watch it again. I’ve too many other things that bring me melancholic musings, that at least fascinate me. This… this just kind of pisses me off.
I reviewed this rather wonderful film from the Aruba International Film Festival last year. It is OUTSTANDING. This is essentially a Men On A Mission flick, set during the era of the Black Plague – where the church sends out a group of badasses and one romantic priest that knows the area they’re going into. But the best part… Carice van Houten. She’s just amazing. Oh – and did I mention how awesome David Warner was in his small role? Well he is. This is kind of horror, but also just pure action, adventure and even mystery. If you love movies that look like this, this is one you’re going to love for a very long time. It’s outstanding.
If you’re a male – you must pick this up, because this is the movie about cross-dressing and flirting with Marilyn Monroe – and we all kinda need those pointers when going after our own Monroe. When I was writing about Tony Curtis earlier – I mentioned that Ashton Kutcher played roles, not unlike some that Tony played – the biggest difference being… those films that Tony was in were simply way better. Case in point – there’s no doubt that sex is all over this film. He’s very nearly a PORKY’S character – both Curtis and Lemmon. But there’s something kinda perfect about the film. If you have the film on DVD – you have all the same extras – all of which are in standard def. That said – you do get an Audio Commentary and nearly 2 hours of extras… but this film deserves a first class treatment on Blu Ray – The film itself has never looked better. An absolute must for all classic cinema fans. I love me some Joe E Brown!
Sometimes – having responsibilities at FANTASTIC FEST means I miss films that I’m dying to see. Last year in September I was introducing and hosting a special screening opposite I SAW THE DEVIL. The film I saw was fantastic, like nearly everything at Fantastic Fest – but having watched I SAW THE DEVIL last night on Blu Ray – holy shit. I loved this film so much. First – the evil son of a bitch in the film is Choi Min-Sik, who all us geeks will know eternally as OLDBOY – and his tormented serial killer is one of the best roles I’ve seen on screen in years. He kills the wrong lady, and her fiancé…. Well, her father was the chief of police and that fiancé… my god, do not fuck with him. This is a revenge film, much like OLDBOY – and like that film, this film has hammer swings and twists and turns that are just a delight to watch. Director Kim Jee-Woon is a name to follow. Another great South Korean thriller. The United States just doesn’t make them anywhere near this good!
A full on John Ford directed, John Wayne as a Union Badass – undergoing a secret behind enemy lines mission to disrupt the railroad supply lines to Vicksburg, so the Union could whip Southern ass… And if John Wayne was fighting for the Union, is there really no doubt as to why the North won? I mean… we did have Clint Eastwood’s Josey Wales, but man – as much as I love Clint, a backhand from Wayne would destroy him. Dontcha think? I’m picking this Blu up sometime this week, so I can’t attest to how good a Blu it is – but it is part of the same group of releases as that SOME LIKE IT HOT disc, so I’m expecting that any extras will be standard def – and I’m not expecting it to be full anamorphic, because these releases while looking good are not the dream for each release.
If you didn’t buy that big ALIEN blu ray set that came out last year – it was probably because you wanted to hunt and pick on the releases. Well, today FOX releases the individual titles as stand-alones. Now – the better deal is to get the box set, but if you just want ALIEN or just ALIEN & ALIENS – I totally would understand picking these up. The ALIEN blu ray is just phenomenal. So stunning. As great a transfer as I’ve seen, until I saw the next one…
This is a tremendous transfer. This particular disc went through a very expensive and kind of jaw-dropping grain removal process that has rendered ALIENS’ blu ray one of the most phenomenal transfers I’ve ever seen. I love this movie, and had I been put to the point of the sword before seeing this release, I would have testified that I loved the grain of ALIENS… but wow. Watching this film without that emulsion noise… it’s just amazing. I don’t really fully understand the tech behind what they did, but my God the results speak for themselves. A stunning release.
Jonathan Demme’s SOMETHING WILD is just a tremendous delight. Melanie Griffith of the 80s was just adorably hot. Between SOMETHING WILD and BODY DOUBLE – I established a life long crush upon her. You absolutely believe that Jeff Daniels would fall hook, line and sinker for the crazy, sexual and unpredictable LuLu… Ray Liotta plays her husband, who had gone to prison, but was released unknowingly to her… and well, Ray is Ray – even in this very early film for him. This is the film that gets straight laced business men in trouble. The notion that all you need is a wild crazy woman to get you involved in numerous criminal activities, but will fuck you handcuffed to the bedrails… well… Honestly, I can’t argue with it. I’d totally be down with this distraction. I miss this kind of fun from Demme. Criterion gives us the following:
New, restored digital transfer, supervised by director of photography Tak Fujimoto and approved by director Jonathan Demme, with DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition
New video interviews with Demme and writer E. Max Frye
Original theatrical trailer
PLUS: A booklet featuring a new essay by film critic David Thompson
Really anxious to pick this up. MISFITS is a great John Huston directed film – from the Arthur Miller screenplay… starring 3 tragic stars that were taken too soon from our screens. This was Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe’s last film… and Montgomery Clift didn’t hang around much longer. But in addition to them – it features Eli Wallach and the wonderful Thelma Ritter – an actress that if you find every performance of hers – you’ll be a better person. God I love Thelma Ritter. This is the only film by John Huston that I can honestly say feels like one of Woody Allen’s best. MISFITS is a film I’ve always enjoyed, but found hard to watch – simply because of the knowledge I have surrounding the film. You can see the impending sadness throughout. Great film though.
BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID Blu Ray Book
This is a rerelease of the Blu Ray for this amazing title. No extras from the previous Blu Ray, but it is a Blu Ray Book release, and frankly, I’m a big fan of those. I just got my CLOCKWORK ORANGE Book release and it really is lovely. If you support this format of release and haven’t already picked up this brilliant film. Seriously, if you haven’t seen Paul Newman and Robert Redford in this… I don’t want to chat with ya until you have. The movie is just as blissful a film as they get.
George C Scott is one of those actors that I just don’t want to see other actors playing his roles. I don’t need remakes of any of his titles. Why? Because George C Scott was the kind of man that’s charisma and power on screen was unlike any others. Take PATTON for example, a blu ray that has been released, and this is a Blu Ray Book release, like the above title. PATTON is George C Scott in my mind. Anybody else would be an actor. George C Scott was the man. At least in my brain. I love this movie and love George C Scott dearly for his awesomely arrogant portrayal. Let us all agree that George C Scott was the MAN!
I wish Dolly Parton was a radio personality like she plays in STRAIGHT TALK, I’d listen. Co-starring Griffin Dunne as her boss and James Woods as a reporter… This film is just a light frothy delight. Plus… you get to watch and listen to Dolly Parton, the closest thing the modern age ever had to a Mae West. This isn’t my favorite of her movies, that’d be BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, which I attended the world premiere of at the Paramount theater in Austin, and thus developed a life long boob fetish. Dolly Parton rules!
Piece of shit!
I’m a big fan of Alan Pakula’s career as a director. This isn’t his best film, but it is one helluva good suspense flick. Also – do you remember when everything seemed to star Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and you ran out of breath saying her full name? I do, and I loved watching Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio on screen. Try not to find anything out about the film if you want to see it, there’s a nice curvy path to discover if you’re adventurous enough to check this out. Really nice to see again!
Not a faux-documentary meant to scare you. Rather, this is a real documentary that will scare you. I’m betting you don’t know much about the “Cropsey” case – and you can Wiki it if ya like, but the real fun is letting this expertly created Doc just wrap you up with the story they have investigated and told. Really great little film.
This is the first horror film ever shot on tape. And funny enough – over at MONDO TEES you can buy this film as their first ever release upon their VHS Label. Yes, you read that right, Mondo now has a label for releasing VHS titles on VHS. Ya know, “God’s format.” Right? Well, if you need to see this film and all you have is an antiquated Blu Ray or DVD playing machine, I’ve got your hook up here. SLEDGEHAMMER is a pretty damn good slasher film, even if you have to watch it on this vastly inferior to VHS format… where you’re bothered with extras like Commentary and a featurette showing off the awesome that is Zack Carlson. Definitely give this one a look!
There’s just a couple things you need to know about this film. The most important of which is that Preston Sturges directed it. Now – what that means is dialogue sharp enough to shave diamonds. Then you have the star, Dick Powell… famed for his Busby Berkeley musical parts – along with his tough guy roles in the the forties & early 50’s. This was Sturges second directed film, and it’s fantastic. The movie is all about greed & the community, and it is absolutely hilarious. For those of you discovering Sturges for the first time… you have so many treasures ahead of you, I’m truly envious.
BRAVESTARR – THE COMPLETE SERIES 65 Episodes
I don’t think I know anyone that ever watched BRAVESTARR – the Filmation futuristic fantasy sci-fi western with magic. I loved the notion of it all… the idea of a planet called NEW TEXAS, but the series never felt right. Relaunching this series and hiring someone like Paul Dini to bring it to life – well that I could get behind. NOW – if you happen to have loved BRAVESTARR as is, for less than $13, you can get all 65 episodes, that’s pretty damn good price.
This is being released by TROMA. It is called BLOOD JUNKIE – and I can’t even imagine how funky it probably is, but ya know. I’m the kind of guy that just needs to know what a movie called BLOOD JUNKIE is like. How about you?
Next week we’ll be looking at… THE MECHANIC, THE OTHER WOMAN, BIONIC WOMAN Season 2, THOR: TALES OF ASGARD, THE RITE, DEEP RED Blu, BEVERLY HILLS COP Blu, DIABOLIQUE Criterion Blu, THE COMANCHEROS Blu, TWILIGHT ZONE Season 4, THE HUSTLER Blu Book, VANISHING ON 7TH STREET, PALE FLOWER Criterion Blu, GARGOYLES, THE FIVE DEADLY VENOMS Blu, JAGGED EDGE Blu, HURRY SUNDOWN, DAYDREAM NATION, MONEY TRAIN Blu, MARRIAGE ITALIAN STYLE Blu, YESTERDAY TODAY & TOMORROW Blu, DESTINATION INNER SPACE, RED WHITE & BLUE, JU-ON Blu, SUNFLOWER Blu, WE DIVE AT DAWN, REVENGE, ADUA & HER FRIENDS and perhaps a few more…
