Hey folks, Harry here with the first DVD column of JUNE 2010! There’s some great titles on this week’s column. Especially within the manly man flicks. Like that manliest of men, Anthony Edwards in GOTCHA! Seriously! Oh, and that Eastwood guy too! As always, the pics and titles will link you to AMAZON, where you can learn more on a given title as well has have an opportunity to purchase the given item, which will give a little back which will currently go towards getting a frickin’ PLAYSTATION 3 to replace my latest Blu-Ray Player nightmare. Argh! Well, enough of that – here’s this week’s releases!
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
THE MAN WITH NO NAME Trilogy (Blu-Ray)
Personally, this release should fill MGM’s coffers to such a degree that by Friday, the studio should no longer need to be sold, thus giving HOBBIT an instant Greenlight, which would probably bring Guillermo back to the project. ALAS – every man, woman and child in the world will not purchase this release. Though they should.
There are few trilogies as great as this. Leone’s FISTFUL OF DOLLARS, FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE and THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY – well, they’re films that every father must show every son. Every boy should watch these with every living male relative on the planet. And honestly, if the girl you’re dating, the woman you’re married to… well, if she doesn’t like them, to hell with her. This is the correct answer to what is good in life.
I found out earlier this year that originally, Leone wanted Eastwood for the Charles Bronson role in ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST – which would have made this a 4 film ‘thematic’ quadrilogy – alas… Eastwood passed. (so the story goes) and it became something entirely different. But these original 3 films. AWESOME.
Which is my fave? I can’t play that with these. I love sitting down to watch all three. There’s days where I just feel like watching the first two back to back. And there’s some days where I just want the buffet that is the third.
SO – how are the transfers?
Sadly, the FISTFUL OF DOLLARS release is still cropped like the DVD that came out a few years ago. That said – I’m not real sure when MGM’s HOME VIDEO will do anything about that. These seem to be the same transfers that I saw on HD-NET MOVIES a year or two back. It’ll do, but it could have been treated better.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
From the menus, through the ton of extras, this is a very nice Blu-Ray release. I find it amazing how well this did globally, given the divide that critics had over the film. That said, I enjoyed the film for what it was – an Elseworlds telling of Alice In Wonderland. THAT SAID… There’s a part of me that would LOVE to see Tim Burton shoot the prequel, which would be all about young Alice’s original journey to Wonderland – and you have to wonder how Disney could not throw gigantic gobs at all involved – because… ya know, it did make a BILLION worldwide. I really can’t wait to see this at home in 3D, once that tech is released. I couldn’t help but feel it all felt a bit flat and less wondrous in 2D. That would be the only reason to hold off, but really – how many of you are going to upgrade to a 3D system at home in the next 5 years? Right?
LIFE
Ok – there’s a release of this coming out today, that is narrated by Oprah Winfrey. It is fine, it will be the one you see in stores everywhere. But really, the version you want of BBC EARTH’s LIFE, is the one narrated by DAVID ATTENBOROUGH – because David, no offense to Oprah addicts, is simply the best at this. Back when I first got HD-DVD and a 1080p Projector – I bought PLANET EARTH… WHOA. For a better part of a week, I explored it. The same is true with this. The imagery is simply awe-inspiring and you’ll find yourself wondering in awe at how they went about even getting most of these amazing moments. Seriously… they’re just amazing. But support the real version.
THE WOLFMAN
I was one of those that liked THE WOLFMAN, despite it’s truncated and abbreviated style of story-telling. Here… there is a longer cut. Just about 17 more minutes, but it is almost 90% character building while telling much needed story. Suddenly characters have weight, the romance begins to work – and the gore has a bit more oomph. Superior in EVERY WAY to the Theatrical cut. The quality shift isn’t quite Theatrical ABYSS to Director’s Cut of ABYSS… but it isn’t too far off. 10 more minutes of character work and atmosphere might have made it perfectly keyed to what I wanted. I mean. Seriously. You’ll love Max Von Sydow! He’s in it now!
THE THREE STOOGES Collection, Vol. 8: 1955-1959
This completes the collection. With this, you will now own ALL of the Columbia 3 Stooge shorts. Now, I’m not the biggest fan of this era of the boys… but there is something I enjoy about watching them. But then. I loved THE ROBO STOOGES as a kid. But watch those early volumes next to these – and the difference is enormous to me. The golden era is simply mind-bending. This is merely fun. But as a collector, I now have a complete Stooge collection. WOO-HOO!!!
WAR OF THE WORLDS (Blu-Ray)
OK… Now this isn’t really the WAR OF THE WORLDS I wanted first on Blu Ray. Yes, George Pal’s original is just aesthetically more in tune with my monkey brain. BUT I FUCKING LOVE THIS MOVIE!!! There seems to be a lot of folks that required one more death in this film. But that’s such a crock to me. I’m sorry, I wasn’t numb to the constant stream of blood that this film soaks the earth with. The horror of this film was monumental. The kinda of horror that we never see in film. Horror as bleak as it gets. I mean. I can’t believe Spielberg had the sack to do the Red Weeds part of the story. This is Spielberg’s very best film in AGES! This is a film that just absolutely revitalized my desire to follow him to every genre that he dares to attempt. I still want a musical.
I hadn’t seen this in a while. Watching it the other night, removed from the real anti-Tom Cruise mood in the country at that time. It played soooooo well. Dakota Fanning really knocks this out of the park. But I love how FANBOY – Spielberg is with this film. Even having the original leads in the end shots… All the different horrifying realities from Wells’ original novel… The fact he went with Tripods…. Then, he ratchets up the reality, the visceral horror at a scale that is hard for many viewers to truly process… but is such a geek, that he keeps essentially that SAP that I love in Powell’s original – and as Spielberg is known for… he out sapped the sapster himself!
I find too often in the world, people find a need to wallow in the dark corners of the frame. They need every pound of flesh served raw. I love the ending of this movie in the same exact way that I love the taste of pancakes with the right amount of butter and maple syrup. Like perfect pancakes. Light & Tasty… and somehow fun. It was a 50’s throw-back ending. And it was vintage Spielberg, but with all the maturity he gained through the Nineties. This is Spielberg evolved and firing on all cylinders. I really loved the extras too.
KELLY’S HEROES / WHERE EAGLES DARE (Blu Ray)
What a perfect Double Feature. I recommend watching KELLY’S HEROES first, then WHERE EAGLES DARE. There’s just very few films that can follow WHERE EAGLES DARE’s score. It is one of those perfect films. And make no mistake, so is KELLY’S HEROES, it just isn’t. Well, ya know. WHERE EAGLES DARE can totally open for GUNS OF NAVARONE… and it can even follow GUNS OF NAVARONE, it just isn’t quite that feint worthy in deliriously awesome fits. I think it is a real shame that either of these films are relegated to a double feature release. Each film has a huge following… right? I mean, you guys do know these two films, right? I mean… Again, I can’t imagine a boy older than about 9 that shouldn’t have seen these two flicks. These are instrumental MALE PROGRAMMING. Men’s men shit. The vintage WHERE EAGLES DARE featurette, I’ve seen before – and I love seeing it again. This is a must pick up.
DISNEY PARKS: THE SECRETS, STORIES and MAGIC BEHIND THE SCENES
A must for Disney-maniacs. Thus, I LOVVVVVE THIS! I have only ever been to DISNEYLAND. I have been about 13 times in my life. I have DISNEYLAND memorabilia upon my wall, desk and statuary display to my left. SO… yeah, this is AWESOME. Plus – it did create a very strong desire to visit the rest of the Disney empire. That said… these are not the exhaustive multi-blu-ray discs of our dreams. Hell, I’d buy a fully loaded Blu-Ray dedicated to each LAND in DISNEYLAND – with Feature length docs on the making and creation of every ride. That isn’t this. This is a good deal of silly and some insightful. Personally, I really enjoyed this. But just a tease of what’s to come.
BAD BOYS (Blu-Ray)
This and its sequel may very well be Michael Bay’s best films. Certainly, the sequel is sublime genius. This is still pretty spectacular. This looks real good on Blu-Ray. I still feel THE ROCK is Bay’s best film. This really holds up as one of Will & Martin’s best performances. Everyone was in high form! Very fun. I long for the grim closing act of this trilogy. The Butch & Sundance conclusion… with an El Cid legend to follow… Bad Boys Forever. And in glorious 2-D!!! UNRATED! Unleash Bay!
THE RED BARON
My dad raised me reading EC’s ACES HIGH. I grew up reading about Snoopy & the Red Baron. I ate Red Baron Pizza. And yes, I do like the hell out of this film. But ultimately, I do prefer the glory of THE BLUE MAX and John Phillip Law’s VON RICHTHOFEN AND BROWN. But the Red Baron has never flown more CG-ily spectacular… but I preferred the swooping grace of THE BLUE MAX. But Til Schweiger really impresses in the film. I still feel the best film is yet to be made of this material. But this film succeeds mostly. It is visually spectacular.
HEARTBREAK RIDGE (Blu Ray)
This is some cheesy shit that I love. Not one of the more serious films of Eastwood’s run, and man, it has gotten real hard to like Mario in a while, but here. He just makes me laugh. Eastwood’s grizzled badass rules. It is a light weight, but a fun one. It never fails to entertain.
THE THREE MUSKETEERS / THE FOUR MUSKETEERS
I LOVE THESE FILMS. I’M ACTIVELY LOVING THE FOUR MUSKETEERS right now. I remember recording these off HBO back when I was a kid – and I watched them often as I grew up. They’re a lusty pair of films, but the tone is oh so perfect. Adventure, thrills, sadness and joy! Now that my hair is short, there’s a part of me that wants to rededicate myself at the gym, strict diet – drop 90-120 pounds by Halloween, grow my hair into York’s wondrous hair in this! Seriously – how crazy is that hair? I love it though. It is D’Artagnan hair! And I don’t believe a soul can rock it like Michael York did. The widescreen presentation on both discs upres’ quite nicely. But seriously. How much fun are these two films? Oliver Reed is brilliant as the brooding Athos!
CHANGE OF HABIT
This is one of those really kind of embarrassing Elvis flicks. He just doesn’t look real happy to be doing this. Maybe it is just that I’ve never been able to stand Mary Tyler Moore. This is like if Sam Jackson had to make a movie with Miley Cyrus as his really bizarre sexual tension oddball musical comedy. It’d be cheesily fascinating – and a train wreck we could all stare at in disbelief… and that’s kinda what it is good for – to me. The bizarre takes of the 60’s hot button youth issues are like that that was in the socially relevant TEEN TITANS comics from the same era. Comic book politics only.
UNDISPUTED III: REDEMPTION
You’ve heard me rave about Marko Zaror on here before. He’s a three-time FANTASTIC FEST audience beloved actor. However, this is the first time where you can see him in a live-action slightly bigger budget affair. The reality is… this is an immensely entertaining B-movie. Like in Van Damme’s hey-day. Scott Adkins is pretty great. Mykel Jenkins is tolerable, but it really is Marko Zaror that keeps the audience thoroughly entertained. His bad guy is kinda unique – for what the character type is usually played. Zaror managed to surf a crazy take on the BIG BAD VILLAIN role in a tournament style mixed martial arts epic. And we’ve seen these types of films a lot. His play on the character… ever so slightly Valentino. And a tad of Glam. I would say he’s a fabulous villain. And it kills. The physicality in this film is amazing, as nearly everyone in it is basically what they’re playing. A martial artist. Watching the various styles collide is fun, and director Isaac Florentine lets you actually see these talented athletes and martial artist to do what they do. And it is very impressive. This isn’t a giant film, but it feels like it is shot in the Eastern Bloc, where this thing is happening weekly, right? Right. LOVE THE LAST SHOT!
THE SUN
Aleksandr Sokurov commanded my attention on the Jury of the Sitges when I was a Juror – and I’ve been fascinated ever since. I’m dying to see his upcoming FAUST, but since RUSSIAN ARK, THE SUN is my favorite film of Sokurov’s. This is the third film in a tetrology of films concerning totalitarianism. It is fascinating and very compelling. Give it a shot.
GOTCHA!
Back when PG-13 had TITS!!! A decade before Linda Fiorentino started an assault on mainstream fame and appearing on “Sexiest Lists” she was in Anthony Edwards’ improbable spy adventure romance… GOTCHA! – about a truly great paintball fighter come SPY! Basically mix Paintball with NORTH BY NORTHWEST and you have the film. And ya know what. Linda Fiorentino had the cutest Russian spy girl accent. Serious crush. I love this film. Not like Cary Grant worship, but just one of those films I saw my freshman year of High School that just seemed like an absolute serious take on probable reality to me. Heh. I kinda have that hair now.
CHARLEY VARRICK
This is a big deal. CHARLEY VARRICK is a fucking great movie. The director of DIRTY HARRY – making a film about Walter Matthau stealing from the Mob?!?!? And it is all that and so much more. Walter Matthaw is easily worth all $200 million dollars of effects and filters that were in PRINCE OF PERSIA, but even though he was worth all that – he managed to be fucking awesome, whereas that $200 million just went to flop in the water like a dying seal. Matthau is amazing in this. I kinda hated that box art for a bit, but it is this film. This is Matthau’s face! You’re gonna watch it and be amazed. It is a strange awesome kind of film. Best watched between shots number 3 and 7.
OUTLAW JOSEY WALES
This is my favorite Eastwood film. I remember going to the Village Theater in 1976 with my parents and Bob Magnusson to see THE OUTLAW JOSEY WALES. They admired the one sheets in the lobby. Back then, the VILLAGE was a Two Screener. Huge screens. A few years later it became a 4 screener. Then decades later an ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE palace. But in 1976, it was a new Eastwood western legend. This was a big deal in my family. My mother and father each loved Clint – and the movie drilled into my young skull. Eastwood was never this cool. This badass. This kind of awesome. Those guns in his hands on the cover of this unremarkable repackaged for the 1000th time DVD. WHERE ON GOD’S GREEN EARTH IS A BLU RAY?!?!?! Seriously… HEARTBREAK RIDGE, but not THE OUTLAW JOSEY WALES? C’mon! For those interested, you can pick this disc up for $7. You need to see Chief Dan George and Eastwood’s Josey Wales. It is cinematic greatness!
MADIGAN
Here’s another great Don Siegel flick. Madigan starring Richard Widmark as the titular ‘anti-hero cop’ and Henry Fonda as his flummoxed Police Chief that can’t handle the wild Widmark. It pre-dates DIRTY HARRY, FRENCH CONNECTION and the tide of gritty seventies cop dramas. It didn’t become iconic film history, but it is a damn fine detective flick. Widmark is great, Paul Thomas Anderson’s MAGNOLIA does a call out to Madigan via John C Reilly’s character! Wonderful film!
TONY MANERO
There’s this scary fucker that changed his name to Tony Manero, yeah – Travolta in SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, and he thinks he’s Travolta’s character. That suit, those dance moves and he’s an evil fucking psychotic thug. This is another great little Chilean film. It’s just so disturbing – not at the quality of TAXI DRIVER, but that kinda story. That… There’s creepy fuckers out there… kinda movie. This is a very good movie, but kinda makes you afraid to go to those retro-nights at clubs. Kinda reminds me of a less campy THE FAN. Very neat surprise.
TWO-MINUTE WARNING
One of those crazy paranoia thrillers from the seventies. There’s a sharpshooter in the scoreboard shooting and killing people at a football game. This isn’t a great film, but it is fascinating. There’s a great film in here, just one that isn’t quite this ham-fisted. But man, I could watch Heston and Cassavetes in anything forever! Long in coming to DVD!
I’m gonna try to pound out next week’s column before I take off for Aruba for about a week to cover the 1st Annual ARUBA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. Hey? Why not? Right? Anyway – on the docket for next week is SHUTTER ISLAND, FROM PARIS WITH LOVE, A TCM SPOTLIGHT on CHARLIE CHAN collection, A new SHAUN THE SHEEP from AARDMAN, CADDYSHACK (Blu Ray), Bob Hope: THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES Collection, The Complete A-TEAM Van Collection, THE ILLUSIONIST (Blu), HAPPY TOGETHER (Blu), ANIMATION EXPRESS, SHINJUKU INCIDENT, POWER KIDS, The Infernal Comedy: CONFESSIONS OF A SERIAL KILLER and that’s about it. So like I said, I’ll try to get that to y’all before I leave. Plus I’ll be doing the Best Sellers for May!
