Cool News
Harry's DVD Picks & Peeks - 4th week of Sept DVDs: Godfather, Sex, Lumet, Aldrich, Cocaine, Cops & more!!!
Hey folks, Harry here with last week’s column almost a week late. And don’t worry, I’m staying up tonight to get this week’s out by tomorrow! Fantastic Fest has a lot of duties for me. And I didn’t have nearly enough time to look at enough of these titles to do the column justice and for the past 4 days I’ve been non-stop DVD watching to catch up. As always, the titles and box art are clickable to AMAZON where you can learn more on the title in question – or if so moved, you may purchase it – and a small percentage will go to support this column’s continued existence. Hope you enjoy…
Tuesday September 23, 2008
SEX AND THE CITY – THE MOVIE
WTF? Ok – So there I was in the midst of FANTASTIC FEST and I came back one night at 2am, wired by the lovelust for film that fest gives me and I decide… WTF… I’m putting in the BluRay of SEX AND THE CITY – THE MOVIE that I got sent. And I didn’t hate it. In fact I completely get the appeal. It’s very much a gal flick, but the part that drives me nuts is this. They’re all the exact sort of woman that I feel all men should avoid – except the gal with the adopted child… she’s sensible, kinda. They over-react to EVERYTHING. Decide to be spiteful in a heart beat. And the MEN characters – who the fuck are these men? What sort of clusterfuck leaves his bride at an Altar. What sort of Bride doesn’t get that he was heading back to the wedding to marry her – and instead goes Harpie-She-Bitch on his ass. It’s a lovely production – but these women I sure as hell are being used to LAUGH at and not associate with, because they’re the furthest thing from being sane.
THE GODFATHER – THE COPPOLA RESTORATION GIFTSET – BluRay
The BluRays of THE GODFATHER & THE GODFATHER PART II... are simply the very best image quality that I’ve seen yet projected here at home. The restoration of the first two chapters of this epic crime saga are unbelievably brilliant. The color and contrast – the quality of the blacks… SO RICH. Needless to say, the first two films are simply as great a film as has ever been made – and while I watched these two films, I seriously felt as though I hadn’t seen a better film since I last saw these two films. Not only that, the greatness of this film is in how through it’s crime tale it tells you all the rules of life, family and how to handle crisis with honor and exquisite planning. Everything about being a man and being honorable with your family and friends can be found in THE GODFATHER. Then there’s GODFATHER part 3. And yeah… it’s GODFATHER 3 – the oddest part is that the film hasn’t been cared for as well as the first two chapters. So it’s just not quite as radiant, but is that really a job of restoration… or a reality of lessor craftsmanship? I’ll let you judge.
L.A. CONFIDENTIAL (BluRay)
Wow… It’s been a while since I’ve watched L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, but I put it on earlier tonight and what a great film. L.A. CONFIDENTIAL was part of that first big summer where AICN was being noticed by the various powers at be. We screamed at Warners for the half assed initial release and terrible trailers – and helped to start a movement to get the film re-released that Fall and push for that ACADEMY campaign. At the time, Warners was far more concerned with the gargantuan turd bomb that was BATMAN & ROBIN, that they barely pushed this truly great film. Watching it now – it is so filled with talent, so filled with gorgeous production design and a script that just snaps. It’s a shame that we haven’t seen much of anything like it since. I’m still hoping we’ll see Curtis make something with its feel again. Damn I love this film. The BluRay comes packaged with some music for ya. Pretty nifty surprise when I opened it up.
LEATHERHEADS
A Screwball Comedy about the very beginnings of Professional Football… before it had hard rules and standardized officials. George Clooney made one heck of a fun flick, every since I was a kid and read in a History class about Red Grange, The Gallopin’ Ghost – I’ve been fascinated about the birth of Football and the world around it. Now sure, this film doesn’t seriously show me that world, but it shows me enough to make me anxious to see a serious film about someone like Red Grange. But then, I’d love a great Babe Ruth film too.
SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK: THE ELECTION COLLECTION
This is a pretty keen collection that gathers all the election and political parts of SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK into a single collection, that comes packaged with the above election map and red and blue stickers to mark the states as they are declared on election night. And if you’re a friend of Sarah Palin… give her one of these, it’ll teach her a lot about the Federal Government… seems she needs pointers.
PEANUTS HOLIDAY COLLECTION (IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN / A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING / A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS ) Deluxe Edtion
Now I know that you’re thinking you already have these… but this time they have been seriously remastered. The colors are so vibrant and rich – completely worth it, although I wish they just went ahead and did the Blu Rays of these classics! And make no mistake about it, they are absolute classics.
MADAGASCAR (BluRay)
My wife hates it, yet I love this goofy fucking movie. In particular – the penguins rule… and then the Ben Stiller/Lon Chaney Jr take on a Lion learning to be savage – and the personification of bloodlust. It’s kinda classic. That said, a whole lot of the film is forgettable. I still enjoy it though and it looks really great on Blu Ray.
RUN, FATBOY, RUN
Directed by David Schwimmer and starring our mutual hero… SIMON PEGG. Having said that. Simon Pegg is not a FATBOY. And calling him a fatboy is a grotesque use of the term. In my first film role in BALLAD OF THE SAD CAFÉ, I played a character named Fatboy – and let me tell you… I filled the role. Simon should have put on at least 60lbs for this role. This is a nice little Romantic Comedy – and is just further evidence that Simon Pegg is a god.
BLOW (Blu Ray)
If you love Cocaine, You’ll love BLOW! And even if you believe Cocaine just creates fucking assholes that you can’t stand… you’ll probably love it. This was the last film from director Ted Demme, about two months prior to release (if memory serves) I was in Los Angeles and Ted asked me to check out the just finished film. It blew me away. I was lucky enough to know Ted, we had even done an episode of Politically Incorrect together and it is a downright tragedy that he was taken from us just as he’d made his very best film – as he had so much more to give us and his family. BLOW is filled with great performances – in particular Johnny and Penelope. Finally we can see the film as beautifully as Ted mastered it. He was extremely proud of the look and feel of this movie – and you can see the care and beauty he took with this BluRay.
THE ANDERSON TAPES
Here’s a wonderful Sidney Lumet film that I feel is too often forgotten in Sean Connery’s career. First off, it is a very early film of the Techno Thriller sub-genre. Then there’s the cast. In addition to the great Sean Connery, there’s Martin Balsam, Ralph Meeker, Alan King, an incredibly young Christopher Walken, and the impossibly aged Margaret Hamilton…. Yes, the wicked witch of the west! But if you love movies like THE BANK JOB and THE ITALIAN CONNECTION – then you’ll really enjoy this. It’s just a really great film from an outstanding group of talented folks. Also look for an amazing score from Quincy Jones!
THE NEW CENTURIONS
First off – the film is directed by the great Richard Fleischer and starring the hardass of hardasses… George C Scott. Then there’s Stacy Keach, not to mention… Erik Estrada – and believe it or not – for many people in the profession of being a police officer… well they feel this is the very best film to ever cover the subject matter. It’s basically your new recruit (Stacy Keach) on the beat with an elder officer (George C Scott) and the film goes into their lives, as well as the work of their careers. Fantastic film, finally available on DVD!
SAVAGE STREETS – SPECIAL EDITION
This is a ridiculously awesome exploitation flick which isn’t a hair on the bush that was SWITCHBLADE SISTERS, but this flick is still heaping loads of funky fun. Basically the whole film builds up to Linda Blair looking like that for the last act. Assholes do assholey things – and she dons a hot outfit and breaks out the crossbow to kick ass and take names. I like to dream of Miley Cyrus remaking this.
$DOLLARS
Another Quincy Jones scored flick – this time being directed by Richard Brooks and starring Goldie Hawn and Warren Beatty when they were crazy young.. the year I was born. This is basically just a crazy heist comedy yarn where Goldie is Goldie with a heart of a hooker – and then there’s Beatty’s criminal mastermind. This is truly a thrilling and funny flick – again – finally coming to DVD and by the way, it’s directed by the great Richard Brooks! This is worth all the Dollars they’re asking for it!
AFFAIR IN TRINIDAD
You either love Rita Hayworth, or you’ve never seen a film with her. Films like MS SADIE THOMPSON, GILDA, COVER GIRL and this are the reasons why. Rita was an incredibly lovely, gorgeous and desirable woman – who on camera glowed and radiated like few we’ve ever seen. This is a kind of Mata Hari type of story – very much the type of film you’d expect from a director like Hitchcock . And man, if you ever had a beautiful spy trying to cozy out some info from ya, you’d want it to be Rita Hayworth! That’s for damn tootin’!
AKI KAURISMAKI’S PROLETARIAT TRILOGY (SHADOWS IN PARADISE / ARIEL / THE MATCH FACTORY GIRL)
The great thing about this Eclipse line from Criterion is that they’re giving you a complete heavy duty dose of a great filmmaker, whom most of you would never have heard of, if Criterion didn’t release these sets. This time out it is the great Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki – a master of slow burn deadpan humor. And this set has what are generally regarded as his three best films. You should definitely give this a look!
THE GARMENT JUNGLE
Directed by Robert Aldrich and starring Sinbad (Kerwin Mathews) and Lee J Cobb – well you’ve got one hell of a film. This is one of those UNION INTRIGUE films – Where strong arm Union dealing results in dire situations. It’s played as something of a Film Noir type of thing. This whole Martini Movie collection that came out is pretty damn solid stuff – glad I have them all!
![]()
LAST HOUSE ON THE BEACH
Not a great piece of exploitation horror – but still quite a bit of fun. If you like messed up – what the fuck – horror – you’ll dig this. Severin always finds quality depravity.
MY BLUEBERRY NIGHTS (Blu Ray)
Ok – yes, I get it – you all prefer Wong Kar Wai’s asian films – and the idea of him making English language tales of longing and aching… well, it just isn’t what you want. But goddamn it… I adore this film. It’s stunningly beautiful. Wong Kar Wai could make a two hour film starring SHIT and it’d be beautiful and compelling. And here – he has some of the most beautiful people we have today in Jude Law, Rachel Weisz and Natalie Portman. The cinematography by Darius Khondji is hypnotic and that I didn’t miss Wai’s usual DP was nice. I also am a huge fan of Ry Cooder scores – and he just doesn’t get to do nearly enough of them anymore. One of those films to show off HD with!
THE DEADLY BEES
This movie was on heavy rotation in the late seventies. It was made in the late sixties, but the fear-mania about how KILLER BEES were coming to destroy the United States… well, it was the big scary thing before Al Qaeda. The film is fun, but in reality – the film is quite good – give that to Robert Bloch, the brilliant genre writer! This film comes from the Amicus Films group which gave HAMMER a bit of a run for their money as the cool place to be in British film at the time. It’s great to finally have this on DVD!
SEX EDUCATION DOUBLE FEATURE: SEXUAL FREEDOM IN DENMARK / SEXUAL LIBERTY NOW!
This year at Fantastic Fest we had an onslaught of fantastic Danish cinema, but nothing like SEXUAL FREEDOM IN DENMARK and SEXUAL LIBERTY NOW! Two “documentary” films from 1970 and 1971 that pulled back the sheets upon the sexual deviancy of those awesome Danes. Dealing with what happens to a society that sexually… lets it all hang out. This is kinda awesome in a time trip kinda way.
BLOOD SUCKING CINEMA
Then there’s this documentary – which interviewed John Carpenter, John Landis, Joel Schumacher, Len Wiseman, Leonard Maltin and some fucking hack named Harry Knowles to chat and talk about the evolution of Vampire cinema. I think this doc was shot a bit early, as we’re about to have a new renaissance of blood sucking cinema, what with TWILIGHT, that HBO series TRUE BLOOD, the Danish Masterpiece LET THE RIGHT ONE IN and the upcoming Spierig Brothers film, DAYBREAKERS which should be hitting next year! And that’s just off the top of my head. That said, it’s a nice little doc – and besides you can make fun of how fat I was at the time I shot my part in this.
This is where I’d usually tell you about next week’s column, but since I’ll be writing it all night tonight – you can wait till the morning! Again, sorry my Fantastic Fest duties took me away from the column.
-
+ Expand All
-
damn it...
just do it Harry -
" like to dream of Miley Cyrus remaking this."
She's not even 16 yet you creep! This would explain why you married such a young girl compared to your age. -
You dooche...
-
"WAAHHHH!!! I can't afford a blu-ray player and don't wanna know anything about how good the look!" Or: "I'm a blind fuck in need of glasses! Why do I care about high definition?" Welcome to the 21st century, bitches.
-
Damn, that's a pretty impressive collection.
-
Keep it up, big guy.
-
....since she'll be the new veep come November! She's going to be President McCain's adorable human shield!
-
Hah, totally agree. The Kubrick blu-rays are worth the price of a player alone.
-
...but APES will run things and it will have all happened many times before...
-
Not knowing FDR wasn't the president in 1929 and there was no TV in the same year is just the tip of the iceberg with this "dem" wit. Harry, your "dem" bulb in about to burn out.
-
Needless to say, the first two films are simply as great a film as has ever been made – and while I watched these two films, I seriously felt as though I hadn’t seen a better film since I last saw these two films. Not only that, the greatness of this film is in how through it’s crime tale it tells you all the rules of life, family and how to handle crisis with honor and exquisite planning."
Six uses of the word film in two sentences. Six! Five occur in one sentence. Are we supposed to take from the first sentence that Harry hasn't seen a better film since The Godfather I and II were released, or since he watched them on Blu-Ray today? If it's the latter, that's pretty faint praise. -
3rd best movie of the 1990s behind GoodFellas and Pulp Fiction, imho. Having read Ellroy's novel I am eternally in awe of Hanson and Helgeland's sublime adaptation. As complex as the movie is, the book's got twice the characters, half a dozen more subplots and sprawls across a decade or so. "Labyrinthine" doesn't even begin to do it justice. That Hanson and Helgeland were able to boil it down to into a taut 2 hrs and 15 mins is nothing short of masterful.
-
all but ignored in this collection. In fact, I find that its aged fairly well. Is it as good as the first two? Not by a long shot. Is it a solid overall film? Most definately.
-
the arty types of films.
-
I don't care for it.
It insists on itself. -
...because it didn't do to Godfather II what Godfather II did to I. It's fine. It's GOOD. Not great, but good. Enjoyable. I'd watch it again if I wanted to have a Godfather trilogy night. Which I will have as soon as I get my hands on that wonderful-looking restoration.
-
Nice to see they've finally properly restored them.
-
...did not get the respect I felt it deserved. Sharp dialogue, good cast, fun Randy Newman score (also loved his cameo).
-
That poor lady is retarded.
-
...a weird cross between Wallace of Wallace and Gromit and the skeksis from Dark Crystal??
-
i really couldn't get into a movie where EVERYTHING BAD happens to Depp and he keeps getting fucked over and over and over...it wanted so bad to be "the drug GOODFELLAS". Way off mark
-
And its really not bad. In fact I'd say its pretty damn good. It has the misfortune of being a sequel to two of the greatest films ever made, and for that it gets a lot of shit.
-
Sep 29, 2008 10:00:15 PM CDT
That looks like the Goldfinger chick on the Anderson Tapes cover
by nasty in the pasty
She's even TINTED GOLD!
-
But they didn't make Let the Right One In, it's swedish, and I am sure as hell proud to be a swede because of it. Danes make better movies than us swedes nowadays but don't mistake "Låt den rätte komma in" for a danish movie dude...
-
Emperor Palpatine - not that there is anything wrong with that. The Sith Lord has my vote and he whupped Mace Windu.
-
Sep 29, 2008 10:17:33 PM CDT
Hey Harry you could use some pointers about how to lay off Twink
by charlie_allnut
So here I am perusing this site as an escape clusterfuck nightmare that is the real world right now, and Harry has to bring his ignorant retarded politics into a DVD column (that I normally love BTW). Thanks you fat fuck!
-
One of my very favorite films of the modern era, should have won best picture hands down. All around brilliant film.
-
I got it from Amazon only a few weeks ago. Started to watch it the other day, and then got distracted just when things were starting to get weird... gotta get back to it. Right after Godfather, Speed Racer, Hulk, The Proposition, Nightmare before Xmas, Cool Hand Luke, Persepolis and Mad Men. It's Blu-ray craziness around here!
-
...waited foreverfor the godfather collection to drop in price. finally bought it and fuck they redo it and go to blue ray. And i would argue that La Confidential is much better than the way, way overrated Pulp Fiction. Good movie but c'mon.
-
'til Poltergeist in High-def goodness. And only a few days 'til BD The Thing. Wah yeah!
-
who didn't seem to realise that books and comics play with non-linear storytelling all the time. Stoops.
-
Sep 29, 2008 10:51:22 PM CDT
wait, people are offended because people are calling Palin dumb?
by wash
Really?
REALLY?!? -
Sep 29, 2008 10:51:24 PM CDT
Harry, what about The Babe?
by film_fanatic_in_the_original_black_and_w
John Goodman's take on Babe Ruth? Probably a bit too angry for what most people described him as a big teddy, or just a nice man in general. Been long a long time since I've seen this flick, so don't hold it against me too much.
-
fuck off. that chick is fucking inbred submental stupid a pathological liar (no trade missions in her time in office with russia, watch her blink as she lies) and she has a 20% chance of having the nuclear launch button. I have always had respect and admiration for John McCain. Until he pulled that stunt which even Steve-O wouldn't do, and then he turned into a flaming drama queen last week.
-
no fucking wonder its 45 bucks at amazon, wait for the us release.
-
It's on tommorow morning at 3am under "Starz Inside". I couldn't find it on Netflix, so if you're interested in watching, this is going to be the only way for a while.
-
Harry,
Leave politics alone. You have a brain for movies. Not for politics. It shows by your unintelligent remarks. Obama could use some pointers as well.
-
I meant Sunday morning, wasn't paying attention to the days.
My bad. -
Palin is a Moron just watch this..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8__aXxXPVc -
I need help. I'm in a documentary short of mood and was wondering if anyone knows of any good docs that are about the horror film genre. Thanks.
-
...and being honorable with your family and friends can be found in THE GODFATHER." --- Hahaha. Oh man, where to begin. If Godfather is about anything, it is how a man who is already somewhat distanced from his family finds himself thrust into taking charge of it, and in doing so loses his humanity completely. By that final shot of Godfather II, there is no family, friends or honor. It's business and Michael sits alone.
-
...try memorizing how to spell "douche" before you flame around Talkback insulting people with it.You douche.
-
and called it blueberry.
-
of the big, bad media. And was it only 2 weeks ago she was comparing herself to a pit bull? Do pit bulls do beauty contests and hide from the media???
-
All that money and it didn't look that great.
Will rent one day, these. -
ghey
-
Probably not mentioned cuz there's an extended cut coming out later....
-
Harry said on the top of the page that these were last weeks dvd picks. He'll get us this weeks tomorrow.
-
Read this site? And to think i though it was all about the pictures......
-
Thankyou for pointing that out to the fuckheads. You were way more eloquent about it than I would have been.
-
I have to say I really liked Leatherheads, even if I thought it was not going to be my cup of tea. It was funny, charming and very well made. Well done Clooney.
-
He's average-at-best. Plus, he's what I call "Gimmick Casting."
-
Simon Pegg in Run Fatboy Run was such a fucking gimmick. The movie was a straight up mindless paint by numbers chick flick. I went into it expecting something like Shaun or Hot Fuzz and was so disappointed.
-
my 20 something aunt loves that movie (yes I have a 20 something aunt)
-
I lol'd at the term "a hair on the bush"
-
Harry just does not seem to care that hearing about his sexual proclivities repulses everyone, least of all when it involves a 15 year old. You'd think he could show his new bride some respect if not the rest of us.
-
Get a motherfucking grip! I for one am saving up money to fund Miley Cyrus's remake of Irreversible. So DoubleH55 and Cagliostro why don't you just set yourself on fire? Because the movie will be fucking awesomeee! besides the music. So other AICN talkbackers Miley! Would you? Oh Yes That's What I Thought.
-
I just talked to a friend (associate) of mine who is into trash cinema(nothing geeky, just no taste) He says that he just watched Punisher Warzone. A friend of his(who lives in LA) sent it to him. Could this be possible or is he talking Shit? He also says he is getting the Friday the 13th remake next week. Help me call Bullshit.
-
Sep 30, 2008 6:52:41 AM CDT
Harry Is Ripping On Sarah Palin Because Joe Biden Is So Perfect
by red dawn don
Harry Is Ripping On Sarah Palin Because Joe Biden Is So Perfect. A Perfect A$$-hole that is. LET'S elect a DEMO so our government and taxes will expand. Harry is just following the HOLLYWOOD liberals he adores. Yet he loves REPUBLICAN type action movies. 'nuff said. On to the films. I loves me some LINDA BLAIR. The perfect girl-next-door type. Sweet personality too.
-
I haven't been able to rent a movie for the past six months without seeing the trailer for this! I understood the trailer showing up on stuff like JUNO or SAVAGES, but when it started showing before martial arts and horror movies I became convinced it was stalking me.
-
as bad as the movie was, linda blair looked damn freakin hot at 16 in exorcist 2. as for miley, she's cute and all but i'll wait til she's 21-23, her career over and she resorts to nudity on film. of course with the number of cell phone photos she keeps releasing "by accident", i'm sure something bad is bound to come.
-
Not a great movie by any means. Seems like they threw it together just to cast John Goodman but he is GREAT in that movie! If someone tried to make a great Babe Ruth movie today, who would they cast?
-
The Fall a great review. What a waste of $30... Yeah, should have rented it first, but "it is without reservation a breath-taking work of art" made me think, Hey! This is a breath-taking work of art! It has to be good. Thanks, you fat fuck.
-
It's a shame they never made a crossover 'Savage Streets of Fire'.
-
I love your colum.. But I wish you wouldn't give certain people a free pass just because they are friends of the site. I love Simon Pegg too, but Run Fatboy Run is a steaming pile of shit, and I think you know it.. Simon Pegg works hard to sell an unsellable script..
-
I kind of felt the same about the SON OF RAMBOW trailer. Almost every film I saw for the first few months of the year had this trailer in front of it.
However, it *didn't* play before BE KIND REWIND. Go fuckin' figure. -
Yeah - real genius there - referring to Roosevelt's fireside speeches on television in the days after the Market Crash of 1929. Right... Anyhoo, New Centurions has one of my fave moments ever. On patrol for those evil gay prowlers in the park, the Captain explains they need to have the queer approach them. He says something along the lines of "They gotta make a move for you. You don't have to let him give you a honk, but if you see him reaching, arrest him!" Fucking priceless.
-
What's wrong with you Harry?
Also, RE: new vampires in cinema, I say "Screw it!" if all anyone has to offer is True Blood and Twilight. Please, the material in those were done decades ago in a much better fashion by Anne Rice. If only Warner Bros. would greenlight the whole 12 chapter Vampire Chronicles to be shot back-to-back with the same calibre of detail they gave Neil Jordan back in 1993 when making Interview. -
My Blueberry Nights is a huge piece of shit. If countless slo mo shots and boring dialogue is your thing then go for it.
http://tinyurl.com/pv8do -
I know there was one about bees and it was a pretty good episode, terrible movie, of course.And can we drop the political bullshit on this site? I see it literally everywhere else, I don't need it on a movie website. But since it's already started, making a gaffe about when the TV was invented is a bit different from not knowing what the Bush doctrine is, not being able to name one supreme court case and that 7 minute run on sentence of an answer Palin gave to a softball question. You can be a McCain supporter and not be such a ridiculously silly apologist for every aspect of the ticket.Enough of that shit. Sith Witch had a good idea about Anne Rice's vampire series making a good premium cable TV series. It's criminal how they dropped the ball after Interview. Yes, her vampires are the faggy, Eurotrash vamps that appeal to middle aged women but there were also some good stories in there.
-
Foot Fist Way is available from Best Buy as of last Tuesday. I saw it unexpectedly at the rental place yesterday(Family Video). Not sure if Blockbuster or Netflix has it yet. Anyway, FYI.
-
Why are these collection of fine '70s movies labeled Martini Movies? Cocaine Classics too over-the-top? Last time I saw Centurions was in the theater. Was this the one where James Woods was being cast as the geeky nerd loser, before casting directors saw he could actually act?
-
Yup, Blockbuster has Foot Fist Way AND Mother Of Tears on their exclusives shelf. And both came out last week, AND both flew under Harry's radar for some inknown reason.
-
does Stuart Townsend go on about sucking the blood of Charlize Theron??...lucky.....goddamn.....bastard...
-
I say toMAHto, you say dumb shit.
-
aghhhhhhhhhhhhghghhhhhhhhhhhhhh
-
For a while there around the time of his operation Harry presented some pretty scathing reviews which were a nice change from his Hyperbolic gushings over EVERYTHING filmed EVER!Sex and The City, Madagaskar and especially Run thin boy run are DOGSHIT!
-
Perhaps by "breath-taking work of art," Harry was merely referring to the film’s cinematography. If nothing else, you have to agree the film was gorgeously shot, esp. if you were fortunate enough to view it on Blu-Ray - at $30, I hope you did. I could've watched the opening b/w sequence over and over again, for instance. Otherwise, I agree with you, the acting was uninspiring, working from a weak premise and even weaker script. In essence, the film’s narrative seemed to serve the cinematography and production design, not the other way around, as it should be.
-
Even though I loathed The Cell and Tarsem rips off images wholesale, I thought I'd give it a chance. Got it yesterday on BD, but haven't watched it yet. You guys are making me nervous I made a mistake...
-
Harry is an attention addict, and it makes him feel powerful whenever something he writes elicits passionate response. Nothing's going to do that like political jabs in an election year. Enjoy the attention Harry.
-
I'm with you Cadillac. Certainly worth watching on Blu-Ray for the opening sequence. I'm glad I only rented it though. BTW, if you buy something before watching it you only have yourself to blame. If Tarsem can find a nice middle ground between this and The Cell he will have success.
-
for the Fall was nothing special. But the little girl was simply amazing in that film. It seemed so natural and genuine. And plus it had the guy from Pushing Daisies, Lee Pace, who was pretty great, as well. As beautiful (visually) as the fairy tale stuff was, I really enjoyed everything in the hospital.
-
what speCIAL?
-
Gosh Harry the more I read your reviews and ideas the bigger a fool I think you are becoming. Listen to what you wrote about the GODFATHER:
"Not only that, the greatness of this film is in how through it’s crime tale it tells you all the rules of life, family and how to handle crisis with honor and exquisite planning. Everything about being a man and being honorable with your family and friends can be found in THE GODFATHER."
Obviously you have missed the entire point of the films with a statement like that. So perhaps killing your own brother is a way to maintain being honorable with your family and friends? How about lying to your wife? Not to mention the zillion other crimes both Don Corleone and his son, Michael commit in the Godfather films. No you smug elitist film lunatic! The point of those movies is to show you how NOT TO ACT with family and friends! It's a grand IRONY that Coppolla has brilliantly created how honorable and respectable these characters THINK they are when in fact they are nothing closer than the very worst humanity has to offer. I am an 2nd generation Italian-American and believe me, there is no honor in what these characters do in THE GODFATHER movies. Protecting your family is one thing, but creating an organized crime syndicate to steal, cheat and kill is not honor nor it never was. You are SORELY missing the point of these movies as Coppolla has deftly pointed out in both his commentaries and several making-of docs, including articles, interviews and books. Michael is in Hell at the end of the Godfather Part II and its all because of the choices he has made. In GODFATHER III he even goes to a priest and confesses his entire horrible sins in agony over what he is done. For honor he has done these things? No, to keep himself alive in a world of crime. When killing your own family member (no matter what they have done to you) becomes an excuse for living an honorable life existence, perhaps you have missed the point of life altogether.
It's absolutely amazing how confident you are with your observations Harry and then how 180 degrees off you are. I can't imagine why people keep reading your columns. The only reason I do is to see how much bigger and ridiculous your own cinema logic has become to the point of out-right lunacy. To quote Sgt. Al Powell from "DIE HARD", - "Why don't you wake up and smell what you're shovelling?!"
-
Really cool album covers from the '70s - '80s come to life is a movie? Only when the 'shrooms kick in...Re:Buying before renting...didn't see Iron Man when it came out (silly me), and I plan on buying (standard for 14 bucks) instead of renting. Good choice, right?
-
Shaun of the Dead is great, Hot Fuzz is hot shit, and i gotta say...i enjoyed Run Fatboy Run and found it to be funny and charming at the same time...its a little chick-flicky at times but the scenes with Simon Pegg and his buddy are priceless and Hank Azaria is the perfect douche. Picking up Iron Man on Blu today...will look sick no doubt and while im watching that ill dream of owning the The Godfather Trilogy on Blu...which is like $85, which im sure is totally worth it...but ill wait till Christmas when deals are a plenty.
-
The Godfather blu-ray transfers are not good at all. Watched 1 and 2 the other day after renting them netflix and I was incredibly disappointed with not only the quality of the print but how Coppola/Paramount color corrected and lightened certain shots to the point that things looked just plain wrong. I strongly urge people who not to buy this collection until they put together a better transfer of these classic films in the future (if that is even possible.)
Don't believe me?
Rent it first and you'll see what I'm talking about, people. I was very bummed out but glad I didn't buy it. Bought L.A Confidential early a week ago on Blu-Ray. Can't wait to watch it!!! What a terrific film! Best of the 90's in my opinion. -
i like how you watched Sex in the City and took it as a "Self Help: Bitches to Avoid" video.
-
O.k., so her acting was pretty good, but as an ensemble? Also, for those of you that occasionally get burned buying films sight unseen, you should try my approach. I call it "see it twice, then buying will suffice." See it once to get an overall impression. Then, see it again to make sure said first impression wasn’t merely a result of being overly or less receptive during the initial viewing. Indeed, this approach even works in reverse. For example, think about all those films you hated the first go ‘round (for me, The Royal Tenenbaums comes to mind) but were able to appreciate so much more with subsequent viewings. With the film’s narrative direction already developed in your mind, a second and third viewing allows you to digest its’ nuances and subtleties. Of course, by this rationale, now I have to see “The Fall” again.
-
Sep 30, 2008 10:49:01 AM CDT
I can't express my love enough for L.A. Confidential.
by iamjack'suserid
It was not only a blind buy for me, but one of the first DVDs I bought back in '99 when I first bought my player (which was a $400 OPEN ITEM Pana player w/ Karaoke...still have it and it still works!). The world they create in that movie is so alive and exciting and dangerous and amazing. The wonderfully evocative Goldsmith score coupled with the meticulous direction. I just couldn't believe this movie. And the DVD was Warners so it had a bunch of stuff on it already, and that just added to the new "magic" of DVD. I love the part where Exley and Basinger whore towards the end are standing there, and they both have scars from Bud. Good times, friends.
-
Another reason to love that film. Its not Chinatown-great, but great just the same.
-
Given that Coppola and cinematographer Gordon Willis both supervised the transfers, I don't see how I could possible take the Blu-Ray releases as less than anything but the final word.
-
from what ive heard of it, given the age of the films...this is the best they've ever looked, im sure GF1 and 2 are heavy on the grain and a bit drab on the colors in comparison to the newer GF3...but if you want a more in depth review of the Godfather films on Blu go to blu-ray.com and read the review, they go in to more detail as to what makes these versions stand out more than the standard def version.
-
And a riotous amount of extras with it. I hope for Golden Globe love for the movie and cast, along with director Nick Stoller...
-
I was wondering if the post Harry says he's going to be up all night writing was an October Halloween special.
-
that Garrett Morris (soon to be one of the original "not ready for prime-time" players) is also in "The Anderson Tapes." I know this because he's in my favorite scene from the movie. He's leader of a group of SWAT officers, and a superior officer tells them that all he needs them to do is rappel down outside the building. The look on Morris' face is priceless.
-
It's been a while, but I swear that movie had way too many montages.
-
talk about a up and down up and down up and down movie...it actually pissed me off in the end. its one step forward two steps back for George Jung through-out the entire damn movie until his back is against the wall and he is just fucked fucked fucked, and im sure that was the point...but damn...talk about sailing into a shit-storm. its a movie where you WANT to see the "bad guy" succeed...he wants the right things, but given the circumstances hes scum.
-
Sep 30, 2008 1:12:08 PM CDT
Didn't the director of Blow die as a result of using too much bl
by elgordo
-
Didn't the director of Blow die as a result of using too much blow?
-
At the end up of Blow, where his two "friends" sell him out...THAT particular scene gets under my skin every time i see it. watching him chilling with em both only to see the guilty "we're about to dick you over" look on their faces...he just slumps back in his chair with that "wow they just dicked me over" look on HIS face, cops bust in and it proceeds to rain shit all over his life for the LAST time. if i were him...i would have beat the shit out of those two guys before the cops busted in.
-
Well, you're taking a big risk then if you buy it because I'm telling you its a terrible transfer.
-
There was a small amount of cocaine in his bloodstream at time of death, but he was only 38 when he died of a heart attack.
-
...damn, did Blu-Ray rape your mother, kill your dog, fuck your sister and spread it around school, give you crabs, make your dick smaller, empty your bank account, give you hairy palms, shit in your corn flakes, tea-bag you while your were sleeping, AND fuck your wife and daughter at the same time???...sorry, you just seem....BITTER
-
Because that implies you know how the original filmed elements or the master telecine looked. When I'll lay a bet you're basing your opinion on the last commercial video version you owned. Which according to Willis and Coppola is NOT accurate at all. I would trust FFC, Gordon Willis (the cinematographer) and Robert Harris (who did the restoration) before your subjective view on something they have said was WRONG.
Saying the look of this release is terrible according to your own taste or that you preferred and are used to the (INACCURATE) previous releases would be fair enough. Saying it's a terrible transfer implies you know what the original/master looks like. -
God damn no one has the blu of The Thing in the god damn store?!?! WTF?! Have to mail order?!!?! FUCK! Sorry to rant but apparently BB and CC have it only as "mail order"? GRRR! Gonna try a few others but god damn! How does that fucking happen? I know the format isn't near to overtaking standard format but god damn...have to mail order 'The Thing'? But not blu with those bumbling fat and skinny ambiguously gay nerds skit/extra/whatever from Get Smart doing their "Fatty and Skinny dorks in trouble" bullshit!?!!? UGH!Assholes.
-
It's cheaper on amazon.com and shipping is always free.
-
oh oh there is one ive been waiting for...i watched it on DVD the other day, the make-up effects are still nauseating...i can just imagine how bad they look with the resolution bump. ill wait though...i plan on selling my DVD version to a friend for $5 and pick up the Blu-Ray for $15 to $20 once a deal for it comes up.
-
is $20 on amazon and $25 at best buy. not only free shipping but no taxes.
-
I just saw it and thought it was a pretty decent film. Would like to know others thoughts on it?
-
ive tried mentioning before that they are WAY cheaper if you look around and shop wisely...but NO NO NO...all they see are the (and ill admit they ARE for some movies) outrageous prices at retail outlets.
-
Best Buy had a 2 for $30 deal on certain Blu-Ray movies...i walked away with The Assassination of Jesse James and 3:10 to Yuma...not a bad deal if you ask me.
-
im done now
-
the fall kinda blew, it was boring, the cool imagery was mostly shown in the trailers and didnt really serve the story very well. No one I went with really enjoyed it and we were all looking forward to it big time based on the awesome trailer. Iron Man is a great blind buy if you like things that are awesome, things that rock, good movies and things that are awesome (god I love that movie and cant wait to watch it for a fourth time) and fun fact, Brian Helgeland who wrote (cowrote?) la confidential went to my university and spoke to my class after we screened mystic river (which he also wrote)
-
was not boring. I guess the story the guy told wasn't very interesting but I felt Lee Pace and the little girl were more than interesting. I loved their characters. The imagery was great but it was the little girl that made me love it.
-
...but that's not remotely the point! Heheh..I want it NOW! GIMME IT, IT'S MINE!!!
-
I never have the patience so I rather go to a best buy. It's silly if you think about it. It's hard to wait but better in the end. You always regret not waiting and having that regret is much worse than having to wait.
-
Honestly, criticize me all you want...But watch the blu-ray first before you attack me. It looks bad. And I know I'm not the only who feels this way:
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1613/godfathercollection.html
-
The reviewer liked the blu-ray more than I did but this will give you an idea of what I'm talking about that is very problematic throughout:
"Coppola's approach to brightening his films (particularly 'The Godfather' and 'The Godfather Part II') will undoubtedly be controversial. Contrast is intensified on these transfers, which does improve image clarity but also adds a hotness (particularly to outdoor scenes) that may shock those used to the previous, much more muted video editions. The use of soft filters (again, more on the first two films) is further exacerbated here, with many scenes now looking quite misty and soft. This does add a very vintage look to the transfers which is elegant, but if you're looking for razor-sharp presentation, this is not it. Colors are likewise dulled, which brings out an orange-brown cast throughout and very few instances of vivid primaries (blood, however, does have a wonderfully rich, deep crimson hue)." -
And the fact is Coppola himself said that they were surprised to see how bad the condition of the original print was in and quite frankly it shows.
-
...is ugly.
-
That last post of yours especially, what a joke man. The "orange brown cast" (and in other areas "yellowish tone" and "brassy" colouring to quote him in interviews) is EXACTLY what Willis wanted. He also SHOT the thing with SOFT lenses. The reviewer you quote is also embarrassing. Last time around Coppola was criticised for DARKENING his stuff (BD release of Dracula), this time it's lightening things and better contrast... Did it occur to anyone that the previous dvds were NOT pulled from the neg or even interpositive, therefore they came from a master with generational (and contrast) loss already built-in. This idiot also states it will 'shock' those "USED TO THE PREVIOUS much more muted video editions", and completely neglects that this is a GOOD thing because those were not representative of the original state of the film or the intent of the filmmakers!
The "razor-sharp" comment is redundant and moronic. It's not MEANT to be sharp. If you're looking for that it has nothing to do with a film called "The Godfather". And the funny thing is, it's STILL much more detailed and sharper than the previous DVD version.
As for your idiotic post about "quite frankly it shows", Coppola was referencing the state of the film BEFORE the restoration. You don't know about restoration and original intent do you? Anything about how a cinematographer gets back to what he did decades earlier? Nope. Didn't think so. Therefore to put it politely you should defer.
The whole point here is that those who are saying it looks crap are saying it despite it actually being closer to what it SHOULD look like than ever before. Not to mention preferring the bastardisation over the filmmakers' preferred and accurate version.
Do you want the ACTUAL Godfather film, or one based on said shitty bastardisation? Because it sounds like you and the reviewer want the latter.
I'm not just criticising you. I'm criticising all the idiots that follow this bizarre inverted logic. Maybe you yourself are not, but these other types (and yes there are some moron 'professional' reviewers out there) are the same sort that mark movies down for not being "HD" enough and are the reason why the studios are using edge enhancement and digital noise reduction to make FILMS look like VIDEO. The whole advantage of digital mastering and both standard def and HD media is that films can be as CLOSE and FAITHFUL/ACCURATE to their original presentation as possible. Just because others agree with you doesn't mean they're right!
If it's a digitally-originated feature like a Pixar flick or a Star Wars movie, that can mean super sharp, and no grain (apart from intentional grain as an aesthetic choice). If it originated on chemical film, the detail is inseparable from the grain and must be PRESERVED, not scrubbed away or artificially sharpened. You can't get back high-frequency stuff because it's part of the stock itself. If it was shot grainy and soft, it should BE grainy and soft. Anything else is dumbing it down for the lowest common denominator. This is why we got Pan-and Scan all those years ago. Moronic.
Finally, I apologise for the caps. I'm not shouting at you, there's just no italics option on this stupid format. -
" Needless to say, the first two FILMS are simply as great a FILM as has ever been made – and while I watched these two FILMS, I seriously felt as though I hadn’t seen a better FILM since I last saw these two FILMS. Not only that, the greatness of this FILM..."
That's the point I'd probably start referring to it as a movie. :) -
Yeah, Blu-Ray, and yes, some of the story-world was gorgeous... But not even all of it was. It was a remake of The Princess Bride, only the grandpa was a suicidal douche who couldn't tell a story properly (which we the viewers suffer for the most), and Fred Savage was a portly little immigrant girl who can't speaka the English. Yeah, she was good in the role, but I had to keep the subs on for most of her lines ;). Honestly though, not worth it, and the story as a whole was crap. 10 minutes worth of nice visuals does not make a good movie. Jeez, Harry.
-
The director should just be a DP somewhere, not directing movies.
-
I nearly never buy stuff blind, but sometimes it's nice to let something be a bit of a surprise and to loosen up. Besides, it's cheaper than taking my wife to the movies and seeing a film that disappoints there. I should have considered Harry might be on one of his hyperbole-laden sugar-rushes (like this thread), but the other part of it was that both Spike Jonez and David Fincher stuck their names on it. Surely you can't blame me too much for THAT!
Ironically it was that or Leathernecks. Maybe I zigged when I shoulda zagged... -
I think subtitles are great. i heard that in other countries they show films in their own language with the subtitles on because they believe it enhances the experience. Pretty much everything I watch I put subtitles on and it just makes for a better overall experience. Not one single line of dialogue is missed and that's what's most important to me.
-
I'm told that most if not all of the Paramount movies that got licensed to Legend FIlms like Deadly Bees are "officially unavailable". True enough, I can't find them anywhere. Bummer that you actually have great titles and people willing to buy them but no discs to deliver.
-
I spell douche like dooche.
You dooche. -
on the iron man blu ray, love it
-
I just watched the GF on Blu-Ray last night, and the restoration is the best reason to buy a Blu-Ray player and Hi Def television. The films have been discussed plenty, so I'll stick to the transfer. This is likely the best the film ever looked, including during its original theatrical run. This isn't a major visual overhaul, like the Apocalypse Now Redux, and the improvements are subtle but important to the way the film plays. Gone is the overly golden hue that seemed to dominate earlier releases. What we see now is a striking difference between the dark sequences and the the light. This is particularly evident during the wedding, in which the outside shots are intentionally overexposed. This is exactly how my visual memory remembers these sorts of outdoor events, in my mind they are overexposed to precisely the extent they are in this transfer. More than ever, you will also notice the amount of soft-focus that the film utilizes throughout. It makes the crystal clear shots that pepper the film that much more striking. When the film moves to Sicily, it is like an explosion or beauty on the screen. The Sicily sequences are breathtaking in a way that I never experienced before, with an astounding depth of focus. It is impossible to overstate how brilliantly this film has been restored, and even though I've seen it more times than I can count, the emotion impact of the film on Blu-Ray was overwhelming.
-
Look maybe I'm being stupid here (I'm a filmmaker professionally by the way) but all I can say is if the blu-ray is what Willis and Coppola intended then I am very sad to hear that because many of the scenes in the film are too hot lighting wise (and not in a cool way like say Richardson's photography in many Stone films). And there is weird artifacting that happens in many of the dark scenes that really takes a way from the viewing experience. The adjustments to many scenes do not feel consistent. Its as though they had certain shots that didn't come out right and they made changes and others weren't as bad so they left them alone leaving the majority of the two blu-rays looking all over the place. Have you watched the blu-rays yet for one and two? Thats what I would like to know.
-
Ack sorry, thought I hit send a day ago.
I understand what you mean but like I say I think you have to mentally reset your perceptions (or preconceptions as is the case here) and try to start again (of course that's hard if you love it as it was on video) because the version you love the look of was "wrong". I get your shock - and understand about you thinking "hot" rather than "warm". You're going to think it's even more extreme because you're still comparing - sorry if that sounds like putting words in your mouth, I'm not sure how else to say it. And I bet the diner scene is a shock. I would say that the EARLIER look of it would have been a shock to Willis, considering his notes. The most important thing is not what you or I think is "right", it's whether it preserves the intent of Willis (who had a definite and accurate process and used a combination of exposure in-camera and grading in degrees). That's it. The fact is that everyone who are upset wouldn't be that way if they hadn't seen the incorrect version first. I just don't understand the logic of basing assertions of good, bad, right or wrong on an INACCURATE version. That's the tail wagging the dog.
I have seen comparison grabs from the last version of 2 to this one though and you can definitely see where the colour is inaccurate and damaged/thin compared to the restoration. As in just shots that aren't as stylised and provide clues on what was lost. Actually I felt like some shots 1 were STILL thin but took that as a sign the restoration didn't go beyond what Willis originally wanted.
Looking forward to the extras too. Oh and yeah I'm in the biz too.
I remember reading (maybe it was a Biskind book so who knows how true it is) that one of the reason the suits freaked about the look was that they were worried about it being "bright enough for drive-ins"!!! Talk about lowest common denominator! Of course they couldn't push the prints too far because aside from the grading (adding lots of yellow and some red), they WERE shot that dark.
The thing I DON'T get though is how everyone falls over themselves calling the look "original". No disrespect to Willis but it's a film about Italians that uses Chiaroscuro! Which the Italians INVENTED hundreds of years ago! An it looks like warmed-up soft sepia photos. The aesthetic is pretty watertight and appropriate, even if Willis did shock everyone by pushing it so much further than had been seen on film. The look had certainly been seen though. -
...Harry's segments on that vampire doc? Jeez what a creepy mother he is. Fey as hell with the red beard, long stringy hair... And they can only film him from the neck up because he's so obese...
Someday aliens are gonna look at late 20th century/early 21st century pop culture, see people like Harry, Kevin Smith, Simon Peg, Jack Black et al and scratch their heads... -
sexist much? the fact that u expect a woman who was stood up at the altar to be thankful when her "man" comes back tells me u don't know shit about women.
-
Don't feed the troll. He's posting the same thing in other TBs too. It's not as much about Harry in a doco as stirring up shit. Be advised.
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012 -- 171 total posts 169 posts
- AVENGERS enemy revealed as pink boardgame pieces... You might suffer some form of elation... SPOILERS!!! -- 157 total posts 111 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 138 total posts 75 posts
- Here's The Red Band Trailer For Drafthouse Films' THE FP! -- 67 total posts 67 posts
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 479 total posts 62 posts
- New JUDGE DREDD post production footage pops up -- 59 total posts 59 posts
- Does ‘SNL’ Rhyme With ‘Deschanel’?? Learn Which SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Vet Hosts After Sexy Zooey!! -- 62 total posts 59 posts
- HANNA's Saoirse Ronan to boss around seven little people -- 48 total posts 45 posts
- Friday Brings SWEEPS DAY NINE!! Gab Here About Tonight’s FRINGE!! Plus Einstein on TIM, Wiig On PORTLANDIA, MAHER, CLONE, GIFTED, GRIMM, SPARTACUS, SUPERNATURAL, GOLD RUSH And More!! -- 116 total posts 32 posts
- SPACE 2099!! -- 181 total posts 30 posts