Hey folks, Harry here working away. Around this time of the year, it’s crazy – the amount of time is taken up working. Watching endless Awards screeners hoping to make it in your mind as one of the best. Then there’s the minutae of BUTT-NUMB-A-THON. The closing days approaching the most intensely planned thing I do all year… well, that and getting sick yesterday made me feel awful. Hope you enjoy this column, I like doing it.

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE

A pretty disturbing turn in the series. It is strange, Yoko and I recently rewatched the whole series – and it really is amazing how the tone has so radically shifted. As the series gets darker, the wonder begins to retreat. The smiles are gone. That said. I like it. And I’m told I’ll like where this is all headed. Can’t wait. Now, this is a pretty great HARRY POTTER Blu-ray. Right up there with the very best of what we’ve had up until this week, but the crazy folks at Warner Home Video have begun releasing the extraordinary ULTIMATE EDITIONS which frankly… if you’re going to own the film, that’s the way to get it.

HARRY POTTER Hogwarts Castle Blu-Ray – All 6 Harry Potter Movies!!

This is pretty much the most pimpest of packaging for the most hardcore of Potter-maniacs! The drawer in the base holds all 6 films, and get this… there’s room for two more. AWWWWW, they’re thinking about the future! How sweet! The ultimate HARRY POTTER movie gift set. Right?

JULIE & JULIA

Meryl Streep is kind of amazing in this. Just note perfect, but in a way we haven’t been conditioned to think of Julia Childs. She’s the woman, not the character. If you get what I’m saying there. And Amy Adams continues to just dial my number everytime out. She’s sweet, and she convinces me she loves the food. And is really into the experience of recreating all the dishes. It is a sparse disc though. Expected some cooking extras.

LOST: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON

Ok – this version of the 5th Season of LOST, which fucking rocked my world… is the DHARMA INITIATIVE ORIENTATION KIT – which has DHARMA patches, a Video Tape that teaches you everything you need to know to be a team member. There’s pamphlets, maps, a 3 ringed BINDER filled with Dharma propaganda and things that could result in you knowing the secret of it all. LOL. Right. Anyway – I have one of the DHARMA INITIATIVE ORIENTATION KIT’s with the full 5th Season of LOST – that I’ll be giving away sometime early Sunday Morning at BNAT1138. Of course, only BNAT attendees that have read this column will know that to win – you have to win the PAJAMAS contest that we’ll have where one winner will get this set! Which is pretty damn cool!

PUBLIC ENEMIES

I was a bit luke warm on PUBLIC ENEMIES earlier this year when I saw it theatrically. It looks better at home than it did in theaters, but it still stinks of ‘video’ in places where the color just seems to wash out. I love Marion Cotillard, who is very nearly the best thing of NINE as well. I just feel this version of the Dillinger tale just didn’t come close to the ones that have come before. Also felt the Extras didn’t really do much for me.

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE (ULTIMATE EDITION) Blu Ray

The extra footage in the expanded edition wasn’t that awesome, but this set isn’t about an extra 7 minutes of the movie, it’s about the rather remarkable and captivating behind the scenes documentary that was filmed as they were making this original film, but then put together now with the cast and crew commenting back upon it all. I watched the first hour of this documentary, and stopped it because Yoko was going to bed and we were both very caught up in it, and I promised to finish it with her. This is the version of these films to get. They are truly Ultimate Editions.

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS (ULTIMATE EDITION) Blu Ray

I didn’t get sent this one, so it looks like I’ll need to pick it up. But like SORCERER’S STONE – it looks fantastic:

Theatrical version including In-Movie Experience with director Chris Columbus
Extended version with 13 minutes of footage not shown in theatres
Picture-in-picture, storyboard comparisons, stills galleries
Exclusive features via BD-Live

Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 2: Characters
Explore how the cast and creative team of directors and designers take the character's descriptions on the page to the actor's performances on film.
Screen Tests of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Revealed - 2002 HBO First Look special
Trailers and TV Spots
Deleted Scenes
Lockhart's Classroom
Photo Gallery: Certificates - Have a look at Gilderoy Lockhart's many achievements; Required Reading - Find out what text books you’ll need for Lockhart's Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
Extra Credit
Behind Hogwarts
A Conversation with J.K. Rowling and Steve Kloves - The author and screenwriter detail how the books are brought to life, and the changes that happen in the process.
Dumbledore's Office
Build a Scene - Building a scene as magnificent as Professor Dumbledore's office takes more than wood, plaster, nails and paint. It takes imagination.
Tour Dumbledore's Office - Welcome to the self-guided tour of Professor Dumbledore's office, one of the most fascinating rooms at Hogwarts.
Interviews with Students, Professors and More
Gallery of Production Sketches
Activities
Spellcaster Knowledge Challenge [Game]
EA Game Preview
Collectibles include:
48-page photo book with rare images from years 1-7
Two in a series of character cards

THE COVE

An incredible documentary about the horrifying slaughter of Bottle-Nosed Dolphins and the Japanese Government’s cover-up. Really wish this was a Blu-Ray, as it is a stunningly beautiful doc about something not at all beautiful. It is amazing to me that we’re still killing dolphins. Really? This is being pushed as one of the documentaries that could be in the running for Oscar gold. Once you’ve seen it, you’ll absolutely understand why.

WORLD’S GREATEST DAD

Bobcat Goldthwait directs Robin Williams in this story about a father that is… pretty amazing. The less you know heading into this, the better. It isn’t a film for the whole family, it is R-rated. It is very adult. Calling this a straight out comedy is a disservice, there’s wonderful dramatic work going on here by Robin Williams. And it makes me eager to see everything that Bobcat writes and directs, because this is a wonderful film that was surprising on multiple fronts. Excellent film!

AK 100: 25 FILMS OF AKIRA KUROSAWA (Criterion Collection)

It is hard to discuss this set. Why? Well, it is complicated, everything on the set, with the exception of Akira Kurosawa’s first four features has been released already. On titles like STRAY DOG, RASHOMON, IKIRU, SEVEN SAMURAI, THRONE OF BLOOD, THE HIDDEN FORTRESS, YOJIMBO, SANJURO, HIGH AND LOW, RED BEARD and KAGEMUSHA… they have not only been released, but they’ve been released with extras, which do not really exist in this set. The book included in this set… well even that has been released before. So at a strict value set, I’m not so sure how well one can recommend this set to experienced Criterion Collectors. You have nearly everything on this set, except for SANSHIRO SUGATA, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, SANSHIRO SUGATA PART TWO and THE MEN WHO TREAD ON THE TIGER’S TAIL. Now… I love having these 4 films on DVD. These are the first features that Kurosawa ever made, and they were made during World War II. Word has it that SANSHIRO SUGATA Part II used forced Prisoner of War labor – and that story alone would have made for a stunning extra feature to explore what resources Kurosawa had, what censorship, etc… Instead we get these 4 incredibly important Kurosawa films with no context, other than… they’re the first 4 Kurosawa films. Of course, like most of us that have picked up books on Kurosawa – we know some of that history, but it would be nice to have it with the titles.

That said, those first 4 titles of his career are allegedly being released in 2010 as separate or as a group. Details are not available on that, but if you have been loyally acquiring the various KUROSAWA titles from Criterion over the years… you’re in good shape. THAT said, honestly… if you know someone that is passionate about cinema, but that hasn’t yet discovered KUROSAWA. Perhaps they’re a young aspiring filmmaker, a wannabe film critic, etc… This will be an atomic bomb of awesome in their life’s addiction.

The linen box set is exquisite as a presentation. The films are in order of release inside. Each title is mastered as beautifully as DVD will allow, and up-rez is quite nice. So, which 25 KUROSAWA fils are in this mammoth box?

SANSHIRO SUGATA (1943)

It is exciting everytime you go to put in a new Akira Kurosawa film, that said, this time I was nervous and curious. Thinking not only is this Kurosawa’s first feature as director, but that he was having to make it in a Japan that all about the war effort… would it look less than what I expect from a Kurosawa film. LOL. As if. Akira hit the ground running. This is a film about the rivalry of Judo and Jujitsu. It is compelling and engrossing throughout – and Kurosawa’s eye is present and wonderful.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL (1944)

Begins with AN INFORMATION BUREAU “MOVIE OF THE PEOPLE” – that’s right – a complete propaganda film made by Akira Kurosawa for the War Effort. I love propaganda movies – no matter where they are made or what they espouse, mainly because they are cinema with a clear agenda, film meant to motivate the masses. This is a stunning work and arguably the best cinematic propaganda effort. It takes place in a factory that is making LENSES for the war effort. Lenses for sites, binoculars, etc. It is mainly a female workforce and it is about those ladies increasing their productivity to serve the war effort. The Imperialistic rhetoric is intense – the women’s suffering is tough. But at the same time, its less entertaining than the efforts of Capra or Ford… but this is far more artfully shot – and kinda amazing to see at last.

SANSHIRO SUGATA, PART TWO (1945)

Not the biggest fan of this. It just feels like Kurosawa’s soul is missing. It just didn’t really excite me. It felt as though it was someone else’s idea, a tool for the state, not of the master. This has a strong anti-American slant.

THE MEN WHO TREAD ON THE TIGER’S TAIL (1945)

Kurosawa’s first foray into the period we love Kurosawa working in. Set in the latter part of the 12th century – and while it deals with Samurai, I couldn’t shake that it was Kurosawa’s attempt as an artist to comment on Japan’s existing situation in 1945… which wasn’t looking too hot. That said, the metaphors or subtle. In my opinion, this is the first great Kurosawa film. I just love it!

NO REGRETS FOR OUR YOUTH (1946)

A wonderful Kurosawa melodrama and due to the lack of censors and government controls, Akira gets to get real. The message isn’t uplifting, but buried in tears and seems to foretell the latter themes and brilliance of the Italian Neorealist films. Very strong film.

ONE WONDERFUL SUNDAY (1947)

Did Kurosawa channel Capra a bit? This is a date movie between two lovely Japanese youths. They have just 35 yen to spend on this date and it doesn’t all go well, but ultimately it is a wonderful Sunday. Here you see Kurosawa working to intensify his ability to convey and develop character relationships on screen. It is entirely successful and another wonderful film.

DRUNKEN ANGEL (1948)

A kickass drama pairing up Kurosawa with the man-god Toshiro Mifune, who plays a man refusing to deal with his TB, while his Drunken Angel of a doctor… well. How can you not want to see Kurosawa’s first teaming with Mifune?

STRAY DOG (1949)

That said, it was Kurosawa and Mifune’s third pairing that proved to be the real charmer! This is a brilliant Film Noir featuring Mifune as the Detective Murakami. Love everything about this thriller, especially the music!

SCANDAL (1950)

Here we have a film very much of our times. Read the stories of Tiger Woods – and then put in Kurosawa’s SCANDAL. Sure, they’re different, but they’re the same too. I really really dug this film about a paparazzi photo that creates a bit of a titular Scandal. Very enjoyable.

RASHOMON (1950)

One of the greatest films ever made. Examining a crime from three very different point of views is MASTERFULLY told. If you’ve never seen it, see it – and let the film affect the way you examine the world. The ability to see problems, views and issues through others’ eyes is incredibly important. I’ve seen this film my entire life. My parents loved it – as do all that see it.

THE IDIOT (1951)

Based on Dostoevsky’s novel, THE IDIOT is possibly the weirdest and most disturbing of Kurosawa’s work – and that’s a good thing. In fact it is a truly great thing. This isn’t the film or even the type of film that Kurosawa is best known for, but if I had written a large tome to Kurosawa, I’d move THE IDIOT front and center. Mainly because nearly everyone that knows KUROSAWA’s name thinks first and foremost about films like SEVEN SAMURAI, THE HIDDEN FORTRESS and RASHOMON, but I would hold that it is his work on the weirder films where his greatest work is found. This movie is amazing. Everytime I’ve seen it I see and pick up on different aspects. Do yourself a favor and find this title.

IKIRU (1952)

When you find out you have months left to live, how will you spend it. What will you leave behind, how will you spend those final months? This film is all about a politician that comes down with Cancer and decides to get something done, something that should be simple – a park for kids to play in. This is that story. It isn’t cheap emotional manipulation, it is sincere, heartfelt and utterly brilliant.

SEVEN SAMURAI (1954)

Generally considered by the mainstream to be Kurosawa’s best work. IMDB has it ranked as the 15th highest ranked film in film history. But at the same time, I’ve never found a film geek that would rank SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION or PULP FICTION or SCHINDLER’S LIST or DARK KNIGHT or EMPIRE STRIKES BACK or even GOODFELLAS over SEVEN SAMURAI – so I think it probably would rank higher in most serious film writers’ list… but frankly I prefer THRONE OF BLOOD and RASHOMON from Kurosawa’s Samurai epics… and then there’s THE IDIOT which is just an entirely different experience. If anything, the imitation of films like MAGNIFICENT SEVEN and A BUG’S LIFE or BATTLE AMONG THE STARS have resulted in me not being so gonzo for SEVEN SAMURAI. I love it. It is great, but frankly I’m more obsessive compulsive about Kurosawa’s lesser known films.

I LIVE IN FEAR (1955)

What if King Lear feared an Atom Bomb? Heh. That’s a very cheap way of putting it, but in a way – that’s kinda what is happening here. This is a film concerned with greed and fear, and so much more. This is another of those Kurosawa films that gets overlooked in place of those with swords. Brilliant work.

THRONE OF BLOOD (1957)

My favorite Kurosawa film. I know. But Toshiro Mifune in MacBeth as directed by Kurosawa? If you’ve ever seen this in a theater, you know the awe I speak of when I discuss the trees moving. Fuck the Ents, this is scary, because it is frightening. The stylized look is breathtaking. Everything about the film is just amazing. It is also my favorite Shakespearean adaptation – precisely because it is outside of its Scottish roots – and everything is cooler with Samurai and Mifune. That’s just one of those basic rules. The entire Spider/Web motif of the film is just stunning. But it really comes down to MacBeth being my favorite Shakespearean work, and Kurosawa did wonders with the material. Brilliant from beginning to end. My fave.

THE LOWER DEPTHS (1957)

You should check out Jean Renoir’s version from 1936, also available via Criterion, as this is one of those rare cases where you can see if Kurosawa, arguably the greatest filmmaker to ever live, did a good job of remaking Jean Renoir’s original take on Maxim Gorky’s turn of the 20th Century Russian play. The result is another wonderful work from Kurosawa. I personally prefer THE IDIOT to this, but this film has its praise singers that testify to the brilliance of the work. I like it, I love how this is a much darker version of Gorky’s play than what Renoir did with it. Though honestly, I love the design of Renoir’s a bit more.

THE HIDDEN FORTRESS (1958)

The inspiration for STAR WARS, and while I can certainly see that aspect of things… If I try watching HIDDEN FORTRESS thinking STAR WARS, it just gives me a headache, whereas – if I just watch it as a Kurosawa Samurai adventure, I’m sitting with a dopey grin on my face just entranced by it all. Make no bones about it, this is one of Kurosawa’s masterpieces. Even if most geeks get introduced to Kurosawa through George Lucas telling them that he based STAR WARS on this. Watch it as a Samurai Adventure, you’ll have a far better experience.

THE BAD SLEEP WELL (1960)

Often described as a Thriller, this film is more deliberately told than your traditional thrillers. That said, for patient viewers you’ll find a deeply engrossing oh so subtle HAMLET adaptation – but not an overt one. Ultimately this is about Japanese corporate corruption – and that’s a seemingly dry subject matter, but it is a very vital subject matter when handled as Kurosawa does here. Not the film to start with.

YOJIMBO (1961)

Basis for Leone’s FISTFUL OF DOLLARS, and while I love me some Yojimbo, I have to admit – I saw FISTFUL OF DOLLARS on high rotation as a child, so by the time I saw YOJIMBO, my monkey brain saw it as a samurai remake of THE MAN WITH NO NAME series. YES, I know that was the reverse, but I can’t help it… it’s how I was introduced to it. That said… Mifune is awesome as Sanjuro. This is a brilliant film and frankly a great one to start with!

SANJURO (1962)

Of the two sequels that Kurosawa made, this is far and away the better sequel. It isn’t really a direct sequel. This is also not the basis for FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE. What you will find is a vastly satisfying film. Mifune is in fine form and Kurosawa is just having a blast with the film. It isn’t as dark and grueling as the original, but damn if it isn’t just fucking fun! A great night at home involves YOJIMBO and SANJURO.

HIGH AND LOW (1963)

One of the great things about Kurosawa – and there are many – is how he influenced Western Pop Culture, even as he was influenced by it. Here he adapts Ed McBain’s KING’S RANSOM into a brilliant Japanese crime thriller, my favorite of his forays into this realm. This is a brilliant crime film about a kidnapping – but so much more. One of the great Kurosawa films!

RED BEARD (1965)

For nearly twenty years – the pairing of Kurosawa with Mifune marked possibly the greatest teamwork between Actor & Director in film history. This was the last time they were to work together. This was also his last black & white film – and while I know people that feel KAGEMUSHA is his best film (and yes, I keep a wide berth while chatting with these lunatics) – I love black & white KUROSAWA. There’s something that’s just so vibrant. So vital and crisp about it. Easily one of the greats – I love how it has an optimism about the quality of man, and I don’t know how anyone could not love it.

DODES’KA-DEN (1970)

For a long 5 years the master was silent, and when he came back – he brought us this film set in the slums of Japan. I haven’t seen this yet, its actually the only one in the set that I have yet to watch. Maybe that’s what I’ll do tonight.

KAGEMUSHA (1980)

When I watch this, it’ll be my Blu Ray. And it is stunning. KAGEMUSHA is just a huge, stunning, beautiful work – that just doesn’t quite capture me like his earlier b&w samurai epics. It could be that I miss Mifune, and found Nakadai a little light by comparison. I love it, it just isn’t as great as the master’s previous work. But his use of color – there’s just never been anyone to match it. Beautiful.

MADADAYO (1993)

The last film to carry Directed by Akira Kurosawa is an old man’s film. A film about observing life to gain greater meaning. It is a beautiful film, and every time I’ve revisited it, I find more to discover, understand and that’s really one of the greatest things about Kurosawa. Be it the beginning of his career, or here at the end of it, he made films that were never instantly understood. They’re films riddled with insight, metaphors and great subtle moments that later feel as though they mean everything.

This is a remarkable collection, the best being offered this holiday season – and this isn’t so much for any of you perhaps, but it is for someone you know. To push them into the glorious realm of great cinema. It is a great gift. I know I cherish mine, even with the fact I have all but a few of these titles already. Sometimes its nice to just have a box of wonder. That’s what this is… a box full of Kurosawa wonders!

JACK BROOKS: MONSTER SLAYER (Blu Ray)

It ain’t Kurosawa! But that’s the greatest thing about movies and cinema… it takes all types, and this silly film does it for me. It isn’t great, it isn’t poignant, but it is fun goofy rubber horror! Which is all the more fun to laugh at in 1080p! It really is a ton of fun.

BEHIND THE MASK: THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON (Blu Ray)

A real good time! I think this was the post-modernist take on the slasher film that I wanted SCREAM to be when I read about the film before having seen it. For those few of you that saw this film theatrically – here’s the home version of that experience. Definitely a film to share with friends!

THE SKEPTIC

An altogether engrossing film that just doesn’t fucking go anywhere. I put this on, knowing that Tom Arnold means STAY AWAY, but since I’ve recently fallen for Zoe Saldana and I’ve always liked Tim Daly so… what the fuck, let’s put it on. BUT then I found for about 3/4s of the film, a pretty damn good film, that suddenly ends leaving so many loose ends that it completely unravels for me. But it is one of those… almost movies. I find these interesting, because sometimes the next film from this Tennyson Bardwell… maybe he’ll complete the promise that I saw in this film. I certainly hope so.

THE BRIGITTE BARDOT CLASSIC COLLECTION (THE NIGHT HEAVEN FELL, PLUCKING THE DAISY and DON JUAN)

I’ve only watched DON JUAN in this set, but it is a wonderful erotic addition to my experience under the sheets with Roger Vadim’s work as a director. Vadim makes movies that you want to watch naked in bed with your significant other. Films to share with the warmth of flesh. DON JUAN is interesting as Brigitte is playing the tit-ular character. I love the sex flip, it is quite wonderful. I look forward to watching the other two soon.

Sherlock Holmes Double Feature: THE SPIDER WOMAN / SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE VOICE OF TERROR

Ok – you know how much you think I’m dying to see AVATAR, well that’s also Exactly how I feel about SHERLOCK HOLMES. Before STAR WARS or STAR TREK or the works of Tolkein had found me, Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce’s portrayal of Arthur Conan Doyle’s brilliant characters of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. I love this series. It’s in my DNA more than any other series. And yes, I know they’ve been released repeatedly in various formats since the beginning of home video. These prints are exquisite. The key thing about THE SPIDER WOMAN is the absolutely hot hot hot Gale Sondergaard, but here she got to be very very femme fatale-y and my oh my does it suit her like her birthday suit! Speaking of hot, in THE VOICE OF TERROR, the hottie is Evelyn Ankers, you may remember her as the Wolfman’s main squeeze. I always loved the hotties in these classic Sherlock Holmes films.

Sherlock Holmes Double Feature: THE HOUSE OF FEAR / THE PEARL OF DEATH

THE HOUSE OF FEAR made me think that Agathie Christie must have ripped off Arthur Conan Doyle… until my monkey brain realized that Universal’s SHERLOCK HOLMES series was an invention unto itself. Borrowing what it wanted from Doyle’s writings, but then applying to whatever they wanted . As a kid, I knew the British were always going to kick the Nazis, because we had Sherlock Holmes. There’s something cool about that. As for PEARL OF DEATH – sure it has Evelyn Ankers back… but more to the point it has the brilliantly awesome character actor… RONDO HATTON!!! The man with the most awesomely gifted face for the Universal screens. The Creeper, the guy Dave Stevens loved so much, he attached his iconography to Betty Page’s in his ROCKETEER series. But discover your first Rondo Hatton film… and you’ll never be the same!

DOG EAT DOG

Discovered this movie last Movie night here. I’d heard nothing but wonderful word upon this film out of Colombia, but this is truly one of my favorite films I’ve seen this year. It is a classic thriller. It is about a low rung muscle for a small time mob group headed by El Orejon. On a mission to collect some serious dough for their master, this low level muscle flexes to think… perhaps he should pocket the cash and noone would be the wiser. Then there’s that other guy, and he’s been cursed – and it is a curse that is working and all kinds of fucked up. This is a gritty small time organized crime with a latino black magic thing to spice it all just so. Truly tremendous film. Colombia’s official entry for the Oscars. I’d love to see this in there!

RUN BITCH RUN

Saw that this was getting a release. Thought it’d be funny to run it after DOG EAT DOG. RUN BITCH RUN is being sold as a hard nosed seventies-ish exploitation in look and style. And certainly I’ll give it a looksee in the eternal hope that it is actually what it wants us to think it is. One day, it will. This wants to be I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE or THEY CALL HER ONE EYE. I’m betting it comes up way short, but I’ll give it a look.

Next week we’ll be looking at THE HANGOVER, INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (great blu ray!), G-FORCE, STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES Season 3 Blu Ray!!!!, ROBOT CHICKEN: SEASON FOUR, TAKING WOODSTOCK, THE PAPER CHASE: SEASON TWO, The Hammer SHERLOCK HOLMES COLLECTION, THE MEL BROOKS COLLECTION Blu Ray, MURDER BY DECREE, THE SHERLOCK HOLMES COLLECTION and Presenting Roger Corman’s Best of the B*s Collection 1. See you next week!