Hey folks, Harry here... I can not apologize enough for not having this out to y'all sooner. I will endeavor to do better beside y'all. I finished the first 3 weeks of OCTOBER - this is a big month of releases. Tonight I see DOOM, after I finish that review, I'll finish out the final week and begin work on NOVEMBER. Things have simply been crazy with everything here. Here ya go, great month...
Tuesday - October 4th, 2005
CINDERELLA
CINDERELLA might have been the beginning of the end of the classic era of DISNEY. It’s the mice, you see… These mice were so cute, that they kept doing films with cute mice, stuff like THE RESCUERS and GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE – and while I like those films – they have never felt nearly as timeless as the classic Disney fairy tales. But what I love about this film is how beautifully told this fairy tale is told. A gorgeous graphic style. I love these special collector’s sets. From the book you get to the reproductions of pencils done for the film, to the presentation case. The old school Disney films ask to be treated this way. I love the endless hours of Extras that Disney loads on these discs… From songs that were never used to Radio programs to the corresponding episode of the Mickey Mouse Club, to the deleted scenes and a pristine transfer of the film. Wonderful film done right by DVD.
DEMON SEED
This is a Julie Christie exploitation flick about being alone with your computer for a bit of time. And learning to love your computer, giving it a name, having your computer’s child inside of you growing and waiting to be unleashed upon the world. This is… well this is a special fucked up film for lovers of special fucked up films. And it stars JULIE CHRISTIE… Trust me, you want to experience this at least once in your life.
EMMET OTTER’S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS
Not a new new release, but it is being re-released – and folks, if you’ve never seen this and you’re a fan of the Muppets… then you just can not imagine how cool this is! I mean, you know nothing about the possibilities of music and motion till you absorb the awesomeness that is the RIVERBOTTOM NIGHTMARE BAND!!! I want an entire album of their work. They were GENIUS!
THE FLY – COLLECTOR’S EDITION
One of the greatest geek DVDs ever. The documentary on the making of this film should absolutely be the mold from which all other DVD docs should be cast. Here they begin the story of the film with the producer who secured the rights from FOX to remake it through the hiring of screenwriters, directors (not just Cronenberg) on through the filmmaking, test screening and release of the film. 2 hours and 47 minutes of it. Not all of it happy glowing faces either. You begin to get an idea of just what a miracle it is that a film ends up out there. Add to that the endless exploration of gore and trauma… and you simply must see baboon-cat and butterfly-baby. I’m not kidding. Fucking amazing. GREAT DVD!
THE FLY II (SPECIAL EDITION)
I’m actually a fan of this film, in much the same way that I’m a fan of Peter Hyams 2010. They’re both movies that I think the audience didn’t want or expect to see get made. But in the end, I really quite enjoyed both! Eric Stoltz is just fun as hell to watch and I think Chris Walas did a heck of a job. And the DVD? It’s nearly as great as the one they made for the Cronenberg classic. Great gobs of extras and another great FLY doc. Just outstanding! You won’t believe the amount of effort their team went through for this DVD. I love it!
THE FOG
The different between this DVD and the one that came out 2 years ago is the cover is tinted blue instead of green - Because no expense was spared in cashing in on re-releasing this with the Remake of THE FOG. Having said that, this disc has all the same excellent extras as the last disc… cuz it is the last disc. Now, if you don’t own this film – here’s your chance. Stay home, don’t give your money to the new film, buy this and watch it every October in preparation for Halloween. While the other version will add to the growing glut of landfill.
KOLCHAK – THE NIGHT STALKER
Ok – this is TV – Fantastique at its best! KOLCHAK released. All 20 episodes. This month has been incredibly hectic so far and I haven’t picked it up yet, but I definitely will. If you love the X-FILES – then consider this the 20 prequel episodes. Just wish there were extras… making of the series… Interviews with Chris Carter. That sort of thing! No matter, I will own it.
NIGHT OF THE LEPUS
Greatest Cult Easter Film Of All Time! A double feature of this and WALLACE AND GROMIT: CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT… and ah hell, throw in MONTY PYTHON AND THE SEARCH FOR THE HOLY GRAIL for good measures. Watching Stuart Whitman, Janet Leigh and Dr McCoy battling gigantic man-eating rabbits… Well, where’s Glenn Close when ya need her? A great B-monster bit of fun!
NURSIE
A movie, I’m betting a good many of you have never heard of, but ya know what… this is a fucked up scary little movie. Sure it has C. Thomas Howell being tortured by a sadistic nurse.. and frankly that should get you to check it out right there. The film is out-standing… really!
PEANUTS CLASSIC HOLIDAY COLLECTION ( IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN / A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING / A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS )
In addition to the above listed titles – on this you get YOU’RE NOT ELECTED, CHARLIE BROWN, IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME AGAIN CHARLIE BROWN and lastly – THE MAYFLOWER VOYAGES. Now no family or in my opinion, home, is complete without the Peanuts’ Holiday specials. And sure they’ve been out before, but maybe you’ve been putting them off… or just became a family. Time to be a cool family!
STAR TREK – THE MOTION PICTURES DVD COLLECTION (Special Edition)
All 10 of the STAR TREK feature films in their 2-disc Special Edition versions. Personally, I already have all of these, but there’s some Trek fans that insist on having everything – and well… This is the box that all of the DVD cases fit in, so that’s your value. So there ya go, it’d been nice if they had a specially produced something or another to add value to this set, but well, can’t get everything, I suppose.
A STRANGER IS WATCHING
Don’t fuck with Rip Torn, ever. I’m telling you, he’ll fuck your shit up! I have always had a fond spot for this psycho/kidnapper tale. For one, I just like the idea of people trapped under Grand Central Station. And Kate Mulgrew is pretty damn hot in this. Good film to check out this season!
TORTURE GARDEN
4 great Robert Bloch stories gathered into this anthology. My fave is Burgess Meredith as a fucking psychotic Carnie operator that runs the titular TORTURE GARDEN. You’ll never look at Mickey the same way again. Also look for Jack Palance and Peter Cushing. A really really good horror anthology!
The Val Lewton Horror Collection ( CAT PEOPLE / THE CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE / I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE / THE BODY SNATCHER / ISLE OF THE DEAD / BEDLAM / THE LEOPARD MAN / THE GHOST SHIP / THE SEVENTH VICTIM / SHADOWS IN THE DARK )
I love you Warner Home Video! You know… This is just a great time for being a classic horror super freak. That Lugosi and Hammer set last month, this this month. Soon Kong. Sigh. Great. Listening to Billy Friedkin talk about THE LEOPARD MAN is just bliss. These movies are some of the greatest most atmospheric films of all time! And then there’s that damn documentary on Val Lewton that’s absolutely fantastic. THE LEOPARD MAN was the film that scared the shit out of my father and pushed him over into being a FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND geek. And ya know what? It is scary. All of these are great. Disc one has the timeless beauty of Simone Simon… pant pant pant… Just amazing. Another fantastic job. Can’t wait to watch GHOST SHIP and SEVENTH VICTIM – haven’t gotten to them yet, but their next.
THE WARRIORS – THE ULTIMATE DIRECTOR’S CUT
STAY AWAY! Walter Hill lost his mind on this. Only get if you’re a WARRIORS superfreak and want the extras. Not as bad as the NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD Russo edition – but it wanted to head in that direction.
Tuesday – October 11th, 2005
HONDO
Filled with extras, behind the scenes, interviews and Leonard Maltin goodness… My only complaint is I want 3D glasses and a pristing recalibrated red/blue print on an extra disc to watch in 3D! No matter, HONDO is a damn fine Wayne western and I love ‘dog’. Of course, when you’re basing a Western on a Louis L’Amour novel, that’s half the battle right there. Really solid western!
IZO
Couldn’t find an image of this online, and I don’t have a scanner here – but the IZO dvd is great. This is one of those Miike films that at one level seems to make utterly no sense at all, but frankly I find it to be a beautiful tone poem on violence – that at the end will really kinda blow your mind. This is the sort of film that just knocks people for a loop. Got some unsuspecting friends… unleash IZO on em.
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
I really wish this was the MUCH LONGER version that I’ve heard so much about. I know we’ll eventually get that version, but everyone that I’ve spoken to that has seen it, really really loved it. I like the theatrical film quite a bit, and think Ridley did a great thing by showing there were zealots and level heads on either side. I also really liked Orlando in the film, but just felt there were some leaps in the story that were asking to be filled in, and we won’t get that till the next “Director’s Cut” – The Extras on this are absolutely worth every penny though. Really well done.
MCLINTOCK
Some people hate funny Wayne Westerns – but I’ve always loved them. The idea that the West had to be some melancholy exploration of death by six-gun – well admittedly that’s cool… But I love comedies about the West, and Wayne had a great sense of fun about himself and his image. You can see it here. This has been on DVD for a while, but this edition and heads and tails better than anything we’ve seen on this title. From the commentaries to the documentaries… this is worth it.
ME AND YOU AND EVERYONE WE KNOW
One of the best films of 2005, and I bet you haven’t seen it yet! Won best first film at Cannes and with good reason. I’ve been a John Hawkes fan since his performance in SCARY MOVIE, a little Austin indie a million years ago – Now tons of you love him from that HBO western series he is on. This is a nuanced film that the less you know about it before hand the better. It goes places you won’t expect. Look around, don’t read the reviews thought – just put it in your list of films to catch before 05 ends.
UNDEAD
I really loved this film – and a good many folks I know did too. I also know grumps like Moriarty that didn’t. But ya know what, this film was made on dimes and nickels by a pair of brothers that pushed every cent as far as it could go. I kinda hate that this film finally was released as late as it was. I mean, folks – I saw this thing almost seven months prior to the DAWN OF THE DEAD remake… but it only just came out about 3 months ago domestically. Now since I saw it, we’ve had a fucking Rennaisance of Zombie films come out, but this was the cheapest made of the group and technically the least of the group, but I dare say it was the most imaginative with what it wanted to be. I really really look forward to seeing what the Spierig Brothers do next. And I still love this movie!
UNLEASHED
I still hold that this is the best acting that Jet Li has yet done in his career. NOT the best Martial Arts, though perhaps it is the most BRUTAL fighting that he’s done in a film. Definitely not balletic. I love everyone in this film. From Bob Hoskins to Morgan Freeman and I’m totally in love with Kerry Condon in the film. The movie is formulaic, but damn it, it’s a great formula. I love it!
Z CHANNEL – A MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION
I think… this might have worked its way to becoming my favorite film of 2004. I saw the film at the AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL last year, and I absolutely loved it, but… for some reason when I was making my top ten of 2004 list – it appeared nowhere in my thoughts. I’ve seen and shown this film to friends and folks I know habitually. If you are like me, and you have an unquenchable thirst for film discovery. If lists like this one of DVDs cause you to explore and seek past my lists… Well, this is the film for you. Want to know where the whole “director’s cut” thing became popular? This is the dream of what Cable TV could be, if only. The closest thing to Z CHANNEL today is the Alamo Drafthouse. I’m totally serious. Watch it and see.
Tuesday – October 18th, 2005
ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN – THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON
Oh come on! First 26 episodes plus SUPERMAN AND THE MOLE MEN? Have you ever seen the pilot for this show? I have it in 16mm and it blew me away, cuz it is full on the comic book origin. Jor-El looking like the comic book Jor-El and everything. I frickin’ loved it. Young Clark… everything. This will be so cool to have on DVD. Actually surprised this is out now, and not in time with Bryan’s film next year. Oh well, cool… we get em now!
BATMAN – THE COMPLETE 1943 MOVIE SERIAL COLLECTION
See all the uncut evil yellow Peril of this WWII era BATMAN serial! This is the first time it has been released with all the moral atrocities intact. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of this serial. I much prefer KING OF THE ROCKETMEN, CAPTAIN MARVEL and SPYSMASHER and the Kirk Alyn SUPERMAN serials. But maybe that’s just me!
BATMAN – THE MOTION PICTURE ANTHOLOGY 1989-1997
Yeah, including BATMAN FOREVER and BATMAN & ROBIN. Relive the pain and anguish. Want to feel the pain and remember what we have to always watch out for? When you need a focus for Anger – this set will give your fury an outlet. Consider it cheap therapy with a pair of pretty good ones to boot. Besides there’s TONS OF EXTRAS! I mean that… TONS!
BATMAN BEGINS (DELUXE EDITION)
This is totally the way to go on this absolutely fantastic BATMAN movie! Extras forever. Plus a 72 page comic with the source material reprints that inspired the film. Including DETECTIVE 27, BATMAN: THE MAN WHO FALLS and a section of BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN! Add to that the film and all the extras and the SUPERMAN Trailer… just kidding, goddamn it though, why isn’t that on here. Wouldn’t that just be fucking the bomb! So unfair. Heh. Ok ok, I can live without it, I know we get it on HARRY POTTER, but dammit, I want it now!
THE BIG LEBOWSKI Achiever’s Edition
Gotta get this simply cuz it ties the room together man! And a Lebowski Bowling Towel, Dude! And like, it’s the greatest movie of all time and shit, man. Now, you’re gonna sit there and tell me it isn’t? Well, fuck that man, you need to beg the duderino for forgiveness man, cuz this sort of thing will not stand man. My brothers didn’t die in Vietnam so you could be so fucking lackadaisical about acknowledging this DVD’s worth to the general good of mankind, man. So hop to it and lay out.
GATCHAMAN VOL 5 & 6
Because I haven’t completed my collection yet, and this is amongst my favorite thing ever. I just can’t believe that the world is cool enough to treat my Gatchaman habit with the respect it deserves. Amen it deserves Alex Ross paintings! And perfect image! This has been a treat as these things have hit.
George A Romero’s LAND OF THE DEAD – Unrated Director’s Cut
I know – Romero came out and said that Director’s cuts are marketing ploys, but ya know what… I like all the gore in my Romero films, and I love hardcore unrated extras. And I fucking love this film. I’ve had this DVD for a month now and when I want to get a jolt of cool, I watch “SCENES OF CARNAGE” – and it makes me smile like you just won’t believe. It’s my briar patch. Might be my happiest film of 2005, just because I’m so fucking happy it exists and that it rocks!
LIFEBOAT (Special Edition)
This is one of those Hitchcock films, that I’m always surprised by how many people have either never seen or think it sucks. They’re incredibly wrong. For Henry Hull, William Bendix and Walter Slezak… they make this film kickass. Well, I’m sure John Steinbeck and Alfred Hitchcock had something to do with it too, but the charisma of these three are fantastic. This is one of my favorite Hitchcocks. Give it a chance, it’ll surprise you.
THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM (50th Anniversary Edition)
Ah, finally the royal treatment on this film! This is one of my favorite Frank Sinatra films. Don’t think he can act? Think that MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE was a fluke? Hell man, he’s way better here than in that. In fact, this is my second favorite Sinatra dramatic role behind SUDDENLY – which is my fave Frank film period! Here they have an interview with Sinatra, commentary by Ken Barnes, interview with Elmer Bernstein and more. This is a heavy film. Really great.
THE MARK OF ZORRO (SPECIAL EDITION)
This is in the original beautiful black & white… and for you monkeys that want color – it has that too, but it should be noted that this was shot in BLACK & WHITE on purpose, not because the process didn’t exist or that they couldn’t afford it. Now, I love Technicolor, but that’s not what we’re getting in the colorization process, we’re getting a far better version of the half assed version of this process years ago… but it isn’t what I want, but ya know what, it is what some of you want, so whatever, just so long as the BLACK & WHITE is treated with the respect it deserves. This film is magnificent. On top of being the best ZORRO film ever. You have one of the top 3 best swordfights in history between Tyrone Power and Basil Rathbone. And you have Linda Darnell looking incredibly yummy!
