Hey folks, Harry here… This just got caught in the hell of this season. For one – many of the titles arrived late, then there’s all the Academy Screeners I’m going through (and needing to review) and lastly and most time consuming, the work on Butt-Numb-A-Thon X. Can’t promise next week’s will be on time either – but I’ll try. I hate it when these things come in late, but I’ve been doing this for 4 years now and sometimes, they just come in late. As always all the titles and boxes are clickable for checking out their corresponding AMAZON page where you can learn more on the title and/or purchase the item which goes to support the ongoing existence and exploration of this column. I hope you enjoy it, here ya go…

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN

Personally, I vastly preferred this film to the first venture into Narnia. I think Andrew Adamson’s skills as a director improved – and definitely the action was better choreographed and shot. Of course… some good old fashioned dwarf action helps… it’s always nice to see Mahler in action. The Blu-Ray is loaded with behind the scenes of every step of animating a badass sword-swinging rat! Not to mention any number of other bits of coolness. I still feel they haven’t quite captured the Narnia in my mind, but they’ve done a real good job of envisioning a pretty damn good one.

WANTED

Ok – now I love this crazy fucking film. Make no bones about it – it’s absurd, ludicrous and you’d have to be one demented Styrofoam nut sniffing monkey to believe ANYTHING in the film was plausible… not the least of which was God’s Womb sending down the names of folks to be assassinated by way of a Binary Weave Code aka (BWC). But ya know… I don’t always expect reality from movies – and this is so far removed from any likely scenario that I’ve seen before… like the crazed stoned ramblings of a shroomhead having seen THE MATRIX for the 15th straight time in his basement. But dammit, I don’t care about Millar’s writing process… I just love his absurd results. Now this special collector’s Blu-Ray set that I have listed above has the sort of fanboy junk that us geeks must have for our refrigerators and desks… like 4 astonishingly collectible Post cards – a lenticular scene in a finely crafted genuine Acrylic Frame – and little book and special packaging that shows… YOU GIVE A SHIT ABOUT SEEING MORGAN FREEMAN SAY MOTHERFUCKER!

STEP BROTHERS

This isn’t the funniest film of the year as the box quotes say, but it is funny. But what do you expect from Adam McKay – the man behind ANCHORMAN and TALLADEGA NIGHTS – but it is silly. That said it isn’t plain silly, it’s just funny and there’s a good deal of laughs. At least worth a rental.

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (Blu-Ray Book)

I wasn’t sent a review copy of this, but the reviews I’ve seen have been sterling. Now, I have a confession… This Is Not my favorite Darabont film. I know that isn’t a popular thing to say – and that isn’t a slap at this film. SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION is an exquisite work, but personally – I prefer both GREEN MILE and THE MIST. Which is odd – cuz I actually love the straight prison dramas from which King and Darabont drew in the creation of this story and film. And make no bones about it, I love SHAWSHANK – it is just… well, I love the story of THE GREEN MILE – I read it in serialized order as King wrote it – and Frank captured the story… perfectly. Well – of all of Frank’s films – this Blu-Ray is the single best presentation yet. I’d love a GREEN MILE with stuffed Mr Jingles – displayed in a cigar box… or a Sideshow Delacroix in the chair – that said – this edition – it would have been nice to have postcards of each of the posters upon Andy’s cell wall. But frankly – it’s all about the films and the presentation here is reportedly perfect. I look forward to checking it out shortly!

THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE

I just went out and bought this one – yes, I was disappointed. Yes, I feel Fox is treating X-FILES the way Paramount shat out Star Treks for years… Underfunded, underproduced and nowhere near realizing the potential of the franchise. That could be Christ Carter’s fault, but I doubt it. Rothman – and essentially Rupert Murdoch’s skinflint ways… well, I think the result in diminished film potential. This wasn’t what people were wanting from an X-FILES film, actually – in a way it was… a scaled back story – a stand alone that didn’t play directly to the over-riding mythology of the series – other than… there’s weird shit out there. This film felt like an OK episode of the series – the only reason that I liked it more than that was that I frickin miss these characters. Seriously. Fox and Dana – they’re old friends, I miss hanging out with them. I miss seeing their adventures. I just wish that if I had to wait so long to see them together, that we could see them at a more extraordinary adventure – rather than just a low-level one. Give this series a budget, let them leave the FBI behind, and go into the private sector investigating phenomena and recording it – publishing it – getting the truth out there. The FBI politics have gotten tired. Make them more Sherlock & Watson.

FROST/NIXON: THE ORIGINAL WATERGATE INTERVIEWS

This is utterly compelling. Honestly, as great as the ACTUAL interviews are… Ron Howard’s film dramatically is vastly superior. The back story of just how much was on the line personally for David Frost… along with Nixon. How this became an epic war for these guys… well, it’s just huge. HUGE. Watching these tapes AFTER the film, well, they’re even more powerful though. You can’t help but bring the performances into the reality – but the thing is… when I look at Nixon – I just don’t have a lot of sympathy for the actual man, Langella… sure he’s Skeletor and Dracula… but he just plays evil bastards, he isn’t one. If you go out to see FROST/NIXON – you have to check this out!

METALOCALYPSE – SEASON 2

This show will kick your ass all the way back to your great-grandmother’s womb. That’s right, it’s so badassly awesome that you’d have be Ryan Reynolds this week, to ignore it. But even then… even then, there’s a chance that Scarlett and Ryan are watching this between the nuptial nibblings. This show is hilarious consistently and gets me giggling for very long periods. Just greatness.

THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (Blu-Ray)

Fucking Bliss! Commentary by Robert Wise with Nicolas Meyer! Isolated Score! Historian Track. Then an entire second disc of extras – filled with extras – multiple documentaries… and then there’s just the awesome awesome film. I LOVE this movie. There’s also a look at the remake, if you care… but mainly – this is all about DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, the original film. One of the singular great films in Science Fiction Cinema history. And to have a great film like this – this nice, it’s just an absolute treat.

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE – 4th Season

Belushi Hulk vs Murray Superman… Aykroyd’s Fred Garvin? Martin & Aykroyd’s wild and crazy guyz? The Greatful Dead, Rolling Stones, Doobie Brothers, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Carrie Fisher and many many more. I remember watching each and every one of these live in 78-79… and these guys were all GODS! Absolute GODS!

AUSTIN POWERS COLLECTION: Shagadelic Edition Loaded With Extra Mojo (Blu-Ray)

I know recently I’ve rained a lot of shit down upon Mike Myers – but this is his gold. Austin Powers IS fucking funny. Although – I keep wishing that Mike had taken the series less in the direction of turning it into SitCom relationships – and more directly playing in the hilariously rich satiric material that embodies the Bond, Flint, Man From UNCLE. This set of all three Austin Powers films is pretty damn great – The commentary with Myers and Roach. The deleated scenes, music videos – “The Dr. Evil Story” – Trivia tracks – and much more. These are great editions of a very funny series.

CASABLANCA (Ultimate Collector’s Edition) Blu-Ray

Everytime I watch it, which is several times a year – I have the feeling that I’m watching the greatest movie of all time. And I have very few films that give me that feeling. This edition gives you the film, luggage and passport covers – leather – with Casablanca emblazoned across it. There’s postcards of various versions of the poster – like you’d see in a AMAD report from Quint, but I made sure Quint saw this film about 12 years ago. Probably the most awesome ADDITION to the film is the Jack Warner: The Last Mogul – a really great doc on the life of Jack Warner – a type of exec that just doesn’t exist anymore. Something I’d recommend every power player in Hollywood paying attention to. Seriously.

HOME ALONE (Blu-Ray)

This is actually a really great disc. HOME ALONE is one of those movies that I like to claim I hate, but that I actually really like more and more over the years. I remember when it came out – that holiday season where lots of kids’ parents were in the first Gulf War. It blew the roof off the box office. Amazing. The best thing about the film is John Williams’ amazing score – and some of the great designed Rube Goldberg sequences of THREE STOOGE style damage realized by Chris Columbus. The film is, of course, gorgeous on Blu-Ray. But the extras are kinda fascinating – like the commentary with Chris and Culkin, the behind the scenes with Culkin at the time is fascinating. My favorite though is the stunt behind the scenes. This is a very fun movie.

A COLBERT CHRISTMAS: The Greatest Gift Of All

My only regret is that this perfection isn’t upon Blu-Ray, but I understand why Colbert chose HD-DVD – it was the RED. But when BLU won, it signaled a wave of change that was sweeping this country. BLU was over-powering RED and well… Colbert doesn’t acknowledge that reality. My understanding is that he had a single HD-DVD of A COLBERT CHRISTMAS made for himself – his sole RED disc. His punishment to all of us BLU voters is to with hold this brilliant timeless title from us. He is going to single handedly bring back HD DVD. All that you know will change – the Colbert bump is irresistible and inevitable. Years from now, experts will look back to this release – this time and in that future, where Colbert is the singular leader of the enslaved free world. It was his Christmas message that united us all to his bidding.

LA FEMME NIKITA (Blu Ray)

This and RUN LOLA RUN and ALIENS and T2 need to be examined and analyzed repeatedly for how to make a great feminine action film that does not sacrifice the heroine sexuality in lieu of testosterone – rather it keeps its inherent femininity intact to the benefit of every possible layer of the story. It feels right. It feels great. Luc Besson and James Cameron are the best at that formula. LA FEMME NIKITA is tremendous. The film that really brought Besson into focus globally. And this Blu-Ray captures all of that. It is stunning.

MYTHBUSTERS: Big Blasts Collection

Ok – I believe if you’re a geek, you love MYTHBUSTERS – the adventures of Adam, Jamie, Robert, Kari and Salvatore… well – they just delight me to no end. Watching them prove and disprove various stories, myths, legends, ancient weaponry, etc… it just makes me giggle with delight. Like their recent “polishing a turd” adventure. Just amazing. Here you have 441 minutes of Mythbusters fun – featuring every big boom they’ve done and much much more. This is catnip for me. Maybe it is for you too.

THE MAN CALLED FLINTSTONE

Ok – so are you picking up the Austin Powers series? Well this is even better. Stone age gadgetry is geekriffic. This is Hanna-Barbera classic fun – you got Mel Blanc and June Foray and Harvey Korman doing their vocal best – and here we have the full theatrically restored FLINTSTONE feature to take home. I love this flick.

THE MESSENGER: THE STORY OF JOAN OF ARC

This is flat out – THE MOVIE. But for folks like me and Moriarty – who absolutely adore this film, that’s what we want. I get the bare-bones release on this film, the studio didn’t see much on the backend, but goddamn it – naysayers aside, this movie is stunning. Even if it is the third best JOAN OF ARC film – behind the brilliant Carl Theodor Dreyer’s LA PASSION DE JEANNE D’ARC and the Ingrid Bergman JOAN OF ARC – but both of those are GREAT films and this is also great, just not as beloved by me. The fact remains, this is Milla Jovovich’s single best performance and role. That everything about it works for me. And that it is gorgeous on Blu-Ray.

ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 (Blu Ray)

What a great great great release on Blu-Ray! I’ve never been able to see a great theatrical print of John Carpenter’s original ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13. I’ve seen a couple of 16mm prints, both of which were a bit red. But to have this – this sharp – this good. It’s the Rosetta Stone of John Carpenter films… from the ice cream shot through every other scene. It’s just absolutely methodical, classic, old-school filmmaking. In my imaginary fantasyland of my dreams – I dream of John Carpenter making a A-level budgeted ALAMO movie with this sort of grit and fatality. I love the remake, but this is the jewel – presented as such here!

HEY THERE, IT’S YOGI BEAR

I know it is amazing to think of a point in time where there was a YOGI BEAR movie in theaters, but in 1964 – YOGI was the shit! Those quaint Jelly Stone parks seemed like magic back then – and HEY HEY BOO BOO… oh man, crack. I’ve wanted to show a 35 mm print of this at the Kids Club for years, I just haven’t found one to show yet, cuz frankly this is actually the very best Hanna Barbera feature that was ever made. It’s just a blast – with great songs and great fun. Just put it on, sit down with the most sugary cereal you can find and the most goofy pajamas you own and your favorite regressive toy in your possession and journey to Jellystone!

12 MONKEYS (Blu-Ray)

I already have the HD-DVD on this title – and it makes me very happy. So I don’t feel the need to shell out the $41 for this great 12 MONKEYS import disc, but I’ve no clue when it is coming to a Stateside release, but this is a region 1 disc that will play in your domestic systems. It’s pricey – so basically you just have to ask yourself how much you love this movie. Personally, I love it, but not $41 worth.

DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS: A MODERN MUSKETEER (HIS PICTURE IN THE PAPERS, THE MYSTERY OF THE LEAPING FISH, FLIRTING WITH FATE, THE MATRIMANIAC, WILD AND WOOLLY, REACHING FOR THE MOON, A MODERN MUSKETEER, WHEN THE CLOUDS ROLL BY, THE MOLLY CODDLE, THE MARK OF ZORRO & THE NUT)

Ok – As an Errol Flynn freak – I naturally gravitated to the glory of Douglas Fairbanks. On this set – I’ve seen THE MARK OF ZORRO – but I’ve never seen any of the others. I love his post-this period work, without exception. His ROBIN HOOD, THREE MUSKETEERS, THIEF OF BAGDAD, DON Q SON OF ZORRO, THE BLACK PIRATE, etc. But this… this is a true treasure. Here you get to discover the building of the legend that was Douglas Fairbanks. This is one set that I’d love to see under my Christmas tree this year!

TALES OF THE UNEXPLAINED – From Behind The Veil

I love this series – it comes from the ancient world of early television. The first set had 4 episodes – which had different hosts hosting an exploration of the Supernatural, documentary style. BUT early Documentary style. Kinda hokey. But this set purports to have at least one featuring Boris Karloff hosting – and there are 10 episodes. It is currently out of stock at Amazon, but I’ve ordered mine, for whenever it comes in. I’m very eager to check it out!

MICHEL VAILANT

This Luc Besson produced film is loathed in France, but frankly – it kicks ass. Sure, I prefer SPEED RACER for insane fucking racing comic book action lunacy, but this was a lot of fun. I never read the original Michel Vaillant French comics, so I’m not too sure what is issing, but it feels like a comic book racing story. What is here is a very visceral film, one that’s thrilling and puts a helluva smile on your face. It is a bit silly, but it is also pretty awesome. The disc is region 1, but an import and pricey. But getting a great fun hard to see Import Blu-ray of a title you can’t see otherwise… it’s the risks you take to discover these things for yourself.

Next week – we kick it off with the biggest release of the year, THE DARK KNIGHT… and then we’ll be looking at LOST 4th Season, HORTON HEARS A WHO, THE WIRE: THE COMPLETE SERIES, MAN ON WIRE, DEADWOOD: THE COMPLETE SERIES, HAPPY DAYS 4th Season, SIN CITY Blu Ray, DUMB AND DUMBER Blu-Ray, PETER AND THE WOLF, THE MASK Blu Ray, Jet Li’s Fearless Blu Ray, EUROPA Criterion, THE MAN WHO CAME BACK, THE SHUTTERED ROOM, IT!, Murnau, Borzage and Fox Box Set, SUPER TROOPERS Blu, I AM LEGEND Blu-Ray Collector’s Edition, FROM DUSK TIL DAWN Blu, CHAMBER OF HORRORS, BRIDES OF FU MANCHU, IRMA VEP, SHELLEY DUVALL BEDTIME STORIES, RED CLIFF Blu-Ray, RIO Uncut, THE BLOODY APE, SWINGING IN THE 70’s GRINDHOUSE TRIPLE FEATURE and maybe more!