Hey folks, Harry here – you wouldn’t believe how awesome and eclectic this week’s column is. Lots of vintage jewels this week. Great titles – ancient titles… and so much more. I loved viewing most of these this week. As always – if you click on the box art or titles you’ll goto Amazon – where you can learn more on the title in question – and if you feel like it, you can buy it – thus supporting this column with a small percentage of the revenue helping this endless series. Well – there’s a lot to get to. Let’s get to it, shall we…
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008
CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR
One of last year’s BUTT-NUMB-A-THON films – and an utterly fantastic movie. Is it all true? Did it go down as it went down in the flick? Probably not, but God damn it is entertaining. Philip Seymour Hoffman’s amazing supporting performance stole assloads of limelight away from Tom Hanks’ best character work in years. And… rightfully so. Hoffman was on fucking fire in this movie – and let’s hear it for Mike Nichols – who cranked out a great film. UNIVERSAL doesn’t quite have their Blu-Ray operation going quite yet – but this week I did get a press release from them telling me what is coming up for the year. Later this year we’ll have: HEROES SEASON ONE & SEASON TWO, THE INCREDIBLE HULK, WANTED, HELLBOY II, MAMMA MIA!, THE MUMMY TRILOGY, THE SCORPION KING, AMERICAN GANGSTER, KNOCKED UP, THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN, MIAMI VICE, END OF DAYS, U-571 and LAND OF THE DEAD – all hitting in BLU RAY. Till then though – we’ve got to enjoy their product in Standard Def… bummer, huh?
CLOVERFIELD
I got the standard two disc release that you see above about three weeks ago. The DVD is out-fucking-standing. I’m dying for the Blu Ray, but Paramount has yet to announce their intentions for the High Def format since the collapse of HD DVD. That said – the sound on the DVD blew my mind here at the house. I really hope the sound designers get some love at the end of the year on this title. Amazing work here. Now – there’s a series of exclusives with certain retailers on this title – here’s what you get at different retailers:
**Suncoast & FYE - Limited edition swank steel book collectible packaging (pictured above).
**Best Buy - Bonus Disc entitled "TJ Miller's Video Diary," containing almost 30 minutes of exclusive behind-the-scenes footage with "Hud" (pictured below, top).
**Kmart & Sears - Get a free Cloverfield Ringtone.
**Target - Target Deluxe Edition includes "Rob's Goin' To Japan Party Mix" music CD (pictured below, bottom).
** The track list for the music CD includes:
* OK GO - "Here It Goes Again"
* Goldfrapp - "Ooh La La"
* Coconut Records - "West Coast"
* Scissors for Lefty - "Got Your Moments"
* The Vapors - "Turning Japanese"
* Parliament - "Give Up the Funk"
* Of Montreal - "Wraith Pinned to the Mist"
* The Blood Arm - "Do I Have Your Attention?"
• Bright Eyes - "Four Winds"
Now you know – and knowing is half the battle!
THE SAVAGES
So yeah… Phillip Seymour Hoffman is an acting God – and this was yet another of his outstanding films from last year. It’s a brutal and human story… remember those? No big effects, small budget, exquisite direction and writing? And performances from Laura Linney, Hoffman and Philip Bosco that just kill ya. If you love raw, powerful work – this film will grip you.
THE ORPHANAGE
A Genuinely Terrifying Film. It’s funny – I met the director of this, Juan Antonio Bayona – eons ago at Sitges when I was a juror. He was a young filmmaker with an astonishing short film SPONGE MAN – which felt and looked like a classic 80s film from Spielberg. I’m serious – remember his AMAZING STORIES episode – that sort of quality and magic. I had no idea that it was the same director – that directed that short film – who was behind THE ORPHANAGE. But it was. And he knocked this film clear out of the ballpark. Brilliantly handled ghost film. When the scientific team gets involved with Geraldine Chaplin… I nearly lost my shit from fright. In BLU RAY – this film is as I saw it at FANTASTIC FEST – all those months ago. Pristine and intimate. You could feel a cold wind emanating from the film… chilling you… as though each member of the audience was touched by something unnatural. Genuinely unnerving. Amongst the very best films of 2007.
MIDNIGHT
Never heard of this one? Frankly – film rarely gets this good. Many people consider 1939 – the best year of film ever. It truly was a magic year. All the more magic because of films like this one – It stars Claudette Colbert, Don Ameche and John Barrymore – who is too often overlooked for his brilliant comedic work. It was written by Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder!!! Oh – and it was directed by the also – often overlooked brilliant director, Mitchell Leisen. This is a film that dissects, roasts and serves the aristocracy in an exquisite film. Absolutely hilarious – with amazing performances by the three leads. Classic!
THE MAJOR AND THE MINOR
This is Billy Wilder’s first directorial effort – it’s not quite genius – but ya know what – it’s pretty damned hilarious. I’m a big Ray Milland and Ginger Rogers fan. And this film was a discovery as I watched it. I’d never heard of it – but the film is very funny. Very funny. It’s basically a story about a girl (Ginger Rogers) trying to get home. That said – to say she takes a few unexpected turns along the way… well, if you know Wilder, that’s no surprise. Another gem!
EASY LIVING
The key name you need to pay attention to here is PRESTON STURGES. If a movie has his name on it… anywhere… BUY IT! Instantly. He was a brilliant writer and a brilliant director. This was back in his pure writing days – but directed by the fantastic comedy director, Mitchel Leisen. And the film stars Ray Milland, Jean Arthur and Edward Arnold. Edward Arnold is one of my favorite actors… he didn’t stray far from his standard role – which was the Patron Saint of Evil Corporate Bastards! But here – while still a bit of a cad – he’s the unwitting saint that bestows a magic fur coat on Jean Arthur – and suddenly – a magical bit of hilarity gets unleashed. It’s pure screwball comedy at its best – written with all the wit that you’d expect from one of the greatest film writers and directors. Exquisite work!
MY BOY JACK
It’s a lot more than Harry Potter goes to Trench Warfare. Here you see Daniel Radcliffe turn in a superior performance to anything we’ve seen from him before. Here he plays the 17 year old son of Rudyard Kipling – who runs off to fight in World War I – Here you have a story of a patriotic Father – whose fervor for Queen and Country drives him to push his son to fight in a fight – that he never should have fought in. The film is absolutely compelling. Do not miss seeing this. Especially if you’re a fan of Radcliffe’s and you’re curious what else he’s capable of. You might be surprised.
SHE DONE HIM WRONG
Cary Grant usually had the screen under control… he had all eyes watching him. Well, in SHE DONE HIM WRONG – a young hussy of an actress hit the scene and she took every single eye with her. This was the first film of Mae West – the brilliant hip slinging, bust.. busty… buster of people’s jaws – by causing them to hit the floor. If you love Dolly Parton – wait’ll you get a load of Mae West. She broke down every stereotype for women as quiet demure fragile things – and birthed the Grand Dame onto the scene. She used Sex and Innuendo like Bush uses Incompetence… yup – you look up those words – Mae West is there… and so is Bush. This is the film where she birthed some of her most famous lines – and most don’t realize – the man she was dueling with… well, he was Cary Grant – who also happens to be fantastic.
MERRILL’S MARAUDERS
I’m not sure why the cover of the box doesn’t say… “SAM FULLER’S MERRILL’S MARAUDERS” – cuz if there was ever a director that demanded, earned and should have a possessory credit – it’s Sam Fuller! Sam Fuller is the same sort of director as Sam Peckinpah… Fuller was heard to say he liked to start with an explosion and build from there. This is a fantastic Fuller flick. If you thought Eastwood’s films on Iwo Jima were the best Pacific War films you’ve ever seen… Check this out – This isn’t only exciting, but it is also a brilliant character piece. Fuller knew war. He was there – not with Merrill’s Marauders – but he took his astute observations from his own experience in war – and layered that upon this story – and hot damn it kicks ass. Sam Fuller is one of the greatest directors of all time. If you love a great WAR film – this is exactly that! By the way – this is definitely my favorite Jeff Chandler role. Outstanding.
Shirley Temple – Americas Sweetheart Collection, Vol. 6 ( STOWAWAY / YOUNG PEOPLE / WEE WILLIE WINKIE )
When I was a little boy – I thought I was going to grow up to marry Shirley Temple. Unfortunately – that delusion ended abruptly in about 1978 – when I found out she was extremely old. I was heartbroken. My parents raised me on Shirley Temple films – and while YOUNG PEOPLE isn’t great – it’s basically a “Let’s throw a show” film minus Mickey and Judy – but the other two are wonderful. In particular – WEE WILLIE WINKIE is one of my favorite Shirley Temple films… It was directed by John Ford (yes, he directed John Wayne AND Shirley Temple… the mind boggles) This film is just one of my favorite all time films. First off – you have Cesar Romero as the evil Khoda Khan. Imagining him playing the JOKER with this kind of sly evil charm keeps me awake at night. But the amazing thing is… VICTOR MCLAGLEN. I fucking love VICTOR MCLAGEN. Be it in THE QUIET MAN (fighting John Wayne) – or my favorite McLagen role in John Ford’s THE INFORMER… Victor McLagen is amazing. He’s just one of the greatest character actors of all time – and beloved by John Ford – and here he has one of his most enduring film roles. When he’s onscreen with Shirley… it’s amazing. Just amazing. Discover this film, I beg you.
A DATE WITH JUDY
Jane Powell was an incredibly hot, cute and hot, cute – oogling-worthy young actress. Now her little sister was Elizabeth Taylor in this film. The movie was directed by Richard Thorpe. Who? Well you might be familiar with his films like TARZAN ESCAPES, TARZAN FINDS A SON, TARZAN’S NEW YORK ADVENTURES, IVANHOE, THE PRISONER OF ZENDA and KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE. Now – this isn’t at all like those films – it’s closer to that film that those girls in HEAVENLY CREATURES loved… THE GREAT CARUSO (With MARioooooooo) Yes, he did musicals – and they were pretty fun – and A DATE WITH JUDY isn’t a GREAT musical – but it has greatness sprinkled throughout. The cast was outstanding – Joining Powell and Taylor are Carmen Miranda and Robert Stack (extremely young)… Playing himself is Xavier Cugat… and yes, he’s awesome as always. But my fave is Daddy…. Who is played by Wallace Beery. Who like Victor McLagen… is one of my all time favorite lugs of an actor.
Eclipse Series 10 – SILENT OZU-THREE FAMILY COMEDIES ( TOKYO CHORUS, I WAS BORN BUT…, PASSING FANCY ) (Criterion Collection)
If you know OZU – you know how awesome it is that Criterion is unleashing these very early and rare works from his Silent era. Yasujiro Ozu is one of the single most important directors in the history of Japanese film – developing a lot of their cinematic language and style… even in these silent comedies. In particular – I loved I WAS BORN BUT… - Criterion has done another bang-up job.
DEATH OF A CYCLIST – Criterion Collection
Have you enjoyed Guillermo Del Toro’s explorations of Spain during Franco’s Fascist rule? Here’s a film that skewers life in Spain in that era. In many ways this is a serious play on the Sturges and Wilder comedies above. Where those films peppered the dire times with humor – here’s Bardem peels it apart like an onion… and yes, there will be tears. Again – Criterion does a great job presenting this film. Check it out.
CARTOON COMMERCIALS
Amongst my earliest collections – as a kid – I bought at conventions anything – that had ANIMATED footage. So I have a 45 minute reel of 50’s-70’s Animated esoterica – including a lot of commercials. This is like that reel, but on overload. If you love fun background material for parties – something to stir up conversation… these vintage animated commercials rule!
FLASH POINT
Another graduate of FANTASTIC FEST last year is FLASH POINT – and if you’re a Donnie Yen fan this is candy. If you’re not a Donnie Yen fan… BECOME ONE IMMEDIATELY! This is a Donnie Yen exploitation film – he’s doing incredible stuff… for basically the entire film. It’s not the best Hong Kong action film I’ve seen – but goddamn it kicks ass. Watch his fight with Collin Chou and try not say “FUCK” over and over and over again. I triple dog dare ya. Here’s another awesome film that you didn’t see in a theater in the U.S. – so you’ll be forced to check it out on DVD. It’s worth it!
HYPOCRITES (1915) / ELEANOR’S CATCH (1916)
I have a not so secret obsession with Silent Cinema – this should arrive tomorrow in the mail – HYPOCRITES is directed by the most important female director of the Silent Era – Lois Weber – and the film has a wonderful reputation – I’m very much looking forward to checking it out…. Especially due to the full nudity that it apparently contains… a bit shocking for 1915!
GUMBY: THE MOVIE
I love GUMBY – this dvd comes with a bendable Gumby toy. Bliss. The film isn’t for me – but if you have kids… unleash the madness that is Gumby upon them. Everybody should grow up with Gumby.
THE RED KIMONA (1925)
Here’s another risqué – cautionary tale about hard life for young women. In particular this is a story of girl led into prostitution, murder and true love… so essentially – it’s like a realistic version of PRETTY WOMAN. You’ll be shocked by how adult this film is… The silents pre-dated the Hollywood Code – and as a result they deal with subject matters that film had to place in subtext till the Sixties and Seventies. Thanks to KINO – they’re unveiling the great female directors of the silent era. This is another jewel of a long past era.
OCEAN WAIF (1916) / 49-17 (1917)
This is the third of KINO’s series on “First Ladies” I really don’t know much about these two films beyond what you’ll find on Amazon at the link above – but I do have it ordered. Silent Films are Time Machines opening a window on a different time. I find them enlightening and fascinating.
BEFORE THE NIKELODEON: THE EARLY CINEMA OF EDWIN S. PORTER
Edwin S Porter? He was Thomas Edison’s cameraman, according to this documentary by Charles Musser. I’ve even had a Edwin S Porter film parody animation in the corner… Me from THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY – which is 105 years old this year. I love that film – but in addition to that well-known classic – you’ll find 16 complete films – including his version of JACK AND THE BEANSTALK – long before Abbott & Costello. Heh. This is a real treat.
INTIMATE CONFESSIONS OF A CHINESE COURTESAN
THIS FUCKING RULES – TRUST ME!
THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES OF CUBBY BEAR
The Van Bueren Studio that created Cubby Bear was a fantastically bizarre, surreal and kinda creepy cartoon universe. Cubby Bear would be my Stay Puft Marshmallow Man that would seek to swallow my Soul. Look at those evil pacman eyes. He wants your soul. He wants all of our souls – and now Cubby Bear… the long neglected jewel of Van Bueren’s half-crazed attempt to ripoff Mickey Mouse is set to be unleashed upon mankind. The result? AWESOME. I love me some Cubby Bear. If you love early animation – you shouldn’t be able to resist.
Well – that’s it for this week. Next week we’ll be looking at 27 DRESSES, THE GOLDEN COMPASS, THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY, Criterion’s THE RED BALLOON, Volume 3 of the Young Indiana Jones, I SPY season 1, 2, 3 – Criterion’s WHITE MANE, THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, SALUDOS AMIGOS, THREE CABALLEROS, TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA, KING CORN, IN THE BLOOD, PADDLE TO THE SEA, PLASTIC ONO BAND, Sabrina the Teenage Witch – Animated, ANGELIQUE COLLECTION, OCEAN’S ELEVEN (Blu Ray), Unsuk Chin: ALICE IN WONDERLAND, FORGOTTEN NOIR, NIGHT OF THE FOX, THE BEAST IN SPACE, HEADLESS HORSEMAN, BOARDINGHOUSE, THE NEW YORK RIPPER and much more!!! See you next We… I mean Tuesday!
Now you know – and knowing is half the battle!
