Hey folks, Harry here with this week’s DVD column – and comfortably back home in Austin! There’s some very cool titles this week, and a few warnings as well. As it has been for the last five years, the pics and titles are linked to AMAZON where you can learn more on the release in question – or you can purchase it right then and there. Doing so would be giving a bit back to this column which is greatly appreciated. Now – let’s hop into the week’s releases…
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010
WALKABOUT (Criterion Blu)
I first saw this film in a Film Appreciation class taught by Dick Cutler, a heavy influence on me, and while I was already a huge Nicolas Roeg geek – having seen DON’T LOOK NOW, THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH and of course THE WITCHES - I’d even seen PERFORMANCE already. But there is something absolutely transcendental about WALKABOUT. There’s a beauty to Roeg’s cinematography here that just makes your eyes drink in the imagery. Then there’s the fact that you’re getting a look at fanboy love crush Jenny Agutter circa 1971… and wow. As if you thought you couldn’t love her enough from LOGAN’S RUN and AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON… yeah. But the real beauty of this film lies in the look of Australia – which has never ever been more beautiful – no matter how hard Baz tried, Roeg stomped him. Criterion has done a breathtaking job translating that photography to 1080p. Stunning master. Now this isn’t as loaded with extras as most Criterions – but you get a wonderful essay from Roger Ebert and a commentary by Nicolas Roeg and Jenny Agutter. But seriously – you want to see her nude swimming scene. Right? Right.
OUTLANDER (Blu Ray)
I hope that the Weinsteins – in getting MIRAMAX back – that when they get films like OUTLANDER – they’ll actually get behind them, release them and give us the awesome that they’ve acquired theatrically. For most of you – this will be the first time you’ll have a chance to see this film looking as good as it looked on film – and it is absolutely worth it. OUTLANDER is a tremendous film. Jim Caviezel and Ron Perlman rock – and the creature is particularly awesome. I love this movie. It really hits my happy spot. It will likely tickle yours as well.
INVICTUS
I really really like this film. I love both Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon in it. For one, Eastwood was able to get really tremendous performances out of them that required a lot more than what is usually required from these two. It isn’t often that you see Morgan disappear into a role. The most amazing accomplishment of the film though - it made me kinda finally understand Rugby. I’ve had an Academy Screener forever, but it was very nice to have a nice crystal clear print. Of the special features – my fave is the Mandela Meets Morgan one. For all the obvious reasons. It’s pretty killer.
THE MESSENGER
An incredibly powerful film starring three actors that I love. First, Samantha Morton… She’s simply beautiful and absolutely convincing as the grieving widow. And Woody Harrelson had his very best year of his career in 2010 delivering 3 really wonderful performances in three really damn fine films. This is the most emotional of the 3. And Ben Foster. Here’s an actor that is just getting better with every single role. You can feel the momentum growing with him. Sure – this is hella depressing material – heavy subject – but ya know – sometimes we should all just slow down, put down the video games and take out the sci fi / horror and watch a film that makes us feel. Makes us stop with the Rah Rah – and consider the costs, the fact that for every person lost, there’s collateral human costs here with us. This isn’t an overt anti-War film – there’s nothing heavy handed about it. Instead, this is the sort of film that makes you want to avoid putting anyone in danger’s way. And to care about those affected by this war and any war. This is a film that reminds us to simply care.
VALENTINE’S DAY
Ok – I can’t help it – I’m a goofy lovedumb sucker for stuff like this. I know, I know – it is cheap, smaltzy dribble… Yes, it is funny, filled with stars, and pretty much every situation just screams three scoops of bullshit, but ya know what. I love Valentine’s Day. And there isn’t a single thing about Valentine’s Day that isn’t all of that too! But ya know what? Underneath all that fakery, there is love simply in the word LOVE, when felt with sincerity. And even though this film lacks that conviction that we imbue our gifts and our signed Hallmark cards. Well, I give this film the conviction it lacks – and goofiness reminds me of my own retarded lovestruck demonstrations of said emotions. And I think that’s what Garry Marshall was going for. Feel free to label me as you will. Like I said upfront, I’m a goofy lovedumb sucker – and so are a few of you.
EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES
Well… he’ll kickass in COWBOYS & ALIENS…. Right? Right!
THE SPY NEXT DOOR
Hey! SHINJUKU INCIDENT is coming out shortly. That’s what you really want to see. But – if you have a kid or nephew around – they will dig this, though probably not as much as THE KARATE KID remake. Just saying, I’m not a huge fan of this.
THE NEW DAUGHTER
I wanted to like this film. It really wants to be a great supernatural suspense film… it just isn’t, because it is way too preoccupied with just being the most average thing you’ve seen in a very long time. You see that box art. It is as bad. It certainly looks like it could have been a whole lot better. The main culprit – the script and the director. They do everything they can to make each scene fall with a resounding thud. Shame too. Costner is just waiting for a strong director and we all know what Ivana Baquero was capable of when Guillermo Del Toro directed her. Here… there is really nothing.
CARLITO’S WAY (Blu Ray)
Don’t you just love this movie? I love paranoid Al Pacino. Nobody does the freak out, looking over both shoulders and a sprint, quite like Pacino. And fucking Sean Penn in this – you kidding me? When you think of Sean Penn’s career – how many times has he done this? Just play a character so far off from who he is - but make him LIVE AND BREATHE AND BE AWESOMELY INSANE IN THAT CHARACTER’S OWN UNIQUE WAY! I love this film. This is just one small example of why I hitch my wagon to DePalma’s Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic that I like to imagine him in. I had this in my hands for all of about 2 minutes before it was loaded up and playing on my screen at home. I like buying into Pacino’s mindset in this film. The hippest cat making one last play and bailing for the nearest cushy pasture with all the right amenities… the dough, the broad and the safety. There are movies you can watch that if you let them, they can make you feel like the coolest person on the planet – even only for a running time. This is one of those. One the reasons you can never not love Pacino – and a reason why, no matter how bugnuts he can fucking get, DePalma is and always will be the MAN!
AND THEN CAME LOLA
Sue me. I eat this shit up, because yes – chicks and chicks tricks my dick. But here. Jesus. This time – they’re not just hot, they’re real characters. Real people. That happen to have a camera catching them just being absolutely fascinating for the entire fucking running time. “Wonderfully fun lesbian romp!” Mhm… Absolutely.
GREATEST AMERICAN HERO: THE COMPLETE SERIES
I absolutely positively believe it or not! I watched a half dozen of these when I got the set. The weight of Culp’s recent passing gave a nostalgic buzz that just killed. Not in a sad way, but a joyful one. I was celebrating The Culp! He’s just fucking delightful as all hell in this. And that’s the actual tone of this show. It is swell awesome happy times, all the time and I love that fun. It isn’t snarky, it is just one vibe, everytime. And it never fails to make me feel just fine. Now, about committing for a EVERY EPISODE PURCHASE COMMITMENT and what that means about who you are. It means, you’re comfortable about being judged by those who can just fuck the right off. I sing the fucking theme song… EVERY TIME. That’s who I am. Fist in the air. Back to shadows.
GAMERA: THE GIANT MONSTER
Fuck Yes! This kicks all the ass all the time. Now, I’m not one of those that talks shit about Godzilla, while fluffing the Turtle if you know what I mean. But GAMERA THE GIANT MONSTER is certainly the brilliant work of cinema that it is. I have a basic desire to be in a giant costume destroying model cities. Flying over models. Crashing into models while sparkler fire happens all over the place. This sounds like a reasonably awesome time to me. Yes, sweat and misery, but to say – I was GAMERA, THE GIANT MONSTER – that would simply be awesome. This was the original. It is fantastic. MAN IN SUIT at the absolute level as my other favorite MAN IN SUIT. Sure, it has creaks – but when it goes nuts, happy times. Plus, ya know… it comments on history and shit. No, really. This is a very historic film for a character that just has continued to get better. But GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS is way better. Yes, I will fight you on this if you’re crazy enough.
COMING TO AMERICA & TRADING PLACES (Blu Ray)
There’s nothing new, but in this packaging, you save 50 cents. But it is a great pair of two of Eddie Murphy’s best. Each has its own disc. A it is the same content. So if you don’t have both titles, pick it up. They’re great. There was a point where none of us looked at each other a little funny when we verbalized, “I love Eddie Murphy!” That isn’t a given any more. That’s just a reality. But in these two films, Eddie was exactly what I loved when I loved him every time I went to the theater. That said. TRADING PLACES is the better of the two.
BLACK SHEEP & TOMMY BOY (Blu Ray)
I like Farley, but I love Belushi. Both of these guys kinda had a similar kind of vibe, there was just something primal about John. But TOMMY BOY is a movie that I just love. Neither of these films are anything but entertaining as hell. But TOMMY BOY has some real emotion working in there – along with some genuine sweetness. Spade and Farley were at their best. I wonder if they would have ever been on par with my feelings for Akyroyd and Belushi. I don’t think so. But ya never know. Wish we had a chance to find out.
DEFENDERS OF THE EARTH – The Complete 65 Episode Series
The literal fan in me wants straight separate series done impeccably by the very best writers and animators in the business that are coming from a place of absolute love for those characters. Here – there’s plenty of love for these characters – and they are essentially perfect characters to do that JUSTICE LEAGUE, AVENGERS thing with – but it is only odd because the publishers were syndicated via newspapers that didn’t always carry all the others. Another is that these were always very Artist possessed creations each with a very particular universe. Somehow, the folks behind DEFENDERS OF THE EARTH made them work as a team. This is just great. It is a very fun way to introduce your kids to these great characters. If they like em, and they’re sure to, discovering the real work of Lee Falk and Alex Raymond will do them good. Those two artists are just fantastic storytellers and my passion for these characters comes from their work. I just found I dug this show. I rewatched a few episodes recently and I like them. I wouldn’t have gone out to buy this set. I like it, I just don’t know if I’d drop BATMAN: ANIMATED SERIES money on it. Of course, BATMAN: ANIMATED SERIES is $174 and this is about $22.49. Ya know, it is totally worth $22.49. That’s the exact right price.
Film Noir Collector’s Edition
I know that last one was a very slight recommendation. Well, forget that. If you’ve not seen: D.O.A. with Edmond O’Brien in one of his greatest films. Or DETOUR (1945) – a film that Richard Linklater loved so much, he named his production company after it. THE STRANGER in which Orson Welles plays a Nazi fugitive living undercover trying to establish a new life whilst being hunted by Nazi hunting Edward G Robinson? Oh Yeah! Sticking with Eddie, we have SCARLET STREET – again very strong. Then there’s THE STRANGE LOVE OF MARTHA IVERS, one of the great Barbara Stanwyck Noirs. SUDDENLY – which existed prior to the assassination of JFK… pits Sinatra as the assassin. He’s exactly the assassin that you’d imagine Sinatra would play – and I love that. Last we have one of the key Lizabeth Scott Noirs, KILLER BAIT – Lizabeth is one of the yummiest of the Nori babes and she is femme fataling her way all through this movie. But the extras? They fill a disc all of their own. 38 fantastic film noir trailers, tons of posters, a doc on what a Noir is and a pretty good doc on Femme Fatales. If you’ve had a taste of Noir and liked it, this is a very exceptional package to pick up. Every film is worth the watch and a few rewatches as well. There really isn’t a single dud. Great deal.
TROPIC THUNDER & WE WERE SOLDIERS (Blu Ray)
This could very well be the single most brilliant studio packaged double feature of all time. It just cracks me up. Classic. Now – individually – these are really good movies. WE WERE SOLDIERS still has one of the most horrifyingly graphic horrors of war ever depicted on screen. The napalm chicken leg scene in WE WERE SOLDIERS is still just jaw-dropping. Like the previous two double feature blurays, this is a savings of 50 cents. You’ll be getting the exact same product as what is on the individual BluRays – only… ya know what? With this particular double feature. Whenever you have your movie friends over and you pull this up as a double feature – you’ll get a genuine laugh. WE WERE SOLDIERS is a wonderful Vietnam flick. It’ll satisfy most folks’ action war movie entertainment needs, but when followed up with the hilarity and absurdity of war in TROPIC THUNDER. It just cracks me up. For a WAR MOVIE NIGHT – this won’t exhaust you and it is sure to be a fun night. If you do that sort of thing. I do.
Exploitation Cinema: WACKY TAXI / SUPERAGRO
WACKY TAXI was only fun for John Astin. The material is weak, direction is worse and mostly it just doesn’t work. Then there’s SUPERAGRO. I love its other name, SUPERARGO AND THE FACELESS GIANTS, you see – this was an Italian Superhero Wrestler series. It rules appropriately. I’ve seen a ton of Mexican masked wrestler movies, this was not my first Italian, nor will it be my last. In particular I love that the faceless giants are various short to tall men wearing stockings on their faces – and they have ROBOTS. Funky awesome robots. And how can you not love a hero that has tights that are utterly invincible to bullets. I mean. That’s fantastic. If you dig this sort of thing, just realize, you’re buying this pretty much for SUPERARGO only. Don’t bother with WACKY TAXI.
Exploitation Cinema: LONELY WIVES / SORRY WRONG BEDROOM
Known internationally as VIRGIN WIVES, this was a German Lesbian exploitation film. If pretty yummy German seventies babes playing with each other is your thing – Well, LONELY WIVES is nowhere near the worst German softcore there was. And frankly there’s some hotties here. SORRY WRONG BEDROOM is a German Firefighting Sex Comedy – and it is miserable. There’s a very hot couple of gals – but really, it just didn’t do it for me. SO consider this one a warning.
JACK LEMMON Triple Feature (SOME LIKE IT HOT, AVANTI! And THE APARTMENT)
Each of these films are as great as a movie gets. Seriously – each is just bleeding perfect. That’s why you should not see them this way. All three films are on the same disc. The quality is shabby and the films and you deserve better. Much better. Seek the films out individually and you’ll be better off.
THE NAVY VS. THE NIGHT MONSTERS
People tend to call this “a great bad movie”. Nuts to that. I love this crazy movie. First, it stars the voluptuous ex-Austinite and Hollywood tragedy. But she’s so… so so so so so much. Then you have acid spewing tree monsters – and a Navy fighting them at a base – and really? It just doesn’t get more cheesy fun. The acting is universally giggly. But this was a genre exploitation cheapie that just works for me. I feel it was done with a fun spirit by people of limited abilities, but it is fun. And I like the film. And we can always use more Acid Spitting Tree Monsters!
THE MONSTER AND THE APE
This isn’t an A-serial, nor is it really a B-serial, but a C-grade one. That means it is watchable – and there are fun aspects – but it isn’t a two fisted breathless piece of entertainment like SPY SMASHER, nor is it as smart as THE MYSTERIOUS DR SATAN. No this is a few grades below the GREAT serials – but with Robots and Ape Costumes – it certainly plays to the right fetishes for me. I own that one sheet on the cover of the DVD. Not because it is crazy expensive and a sure thing investment, but because I love that imagery. And I’m the same way with the serial. I like the robot and the ape. But I’m a serial junkie. When I was first going to conventions – all the shows featured screenings of these old serials and I got a very real appreciation for them. This is a fun serial. If you want great ones – check out the other two I mention in this block.
Well that wraps up this week. Next we’ll talk about the 2nd Season of the hot as all hell TRUE BLOOD, we’ll look at the brilliant THE ROAD, the beautiful SPARTACUS on BluRay, John Wayne’s breakout performance in John Ford’s STAGECOACH, DR HORRIBLE’S SING-ALONG BLOG Blu Ray!, SEVEN SWORDS Blu, By Brakhage: An Anthology Vol 1 & 2 (Criterion Blu), Fulci’s classic CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD on Blu Ray as well as DJANGO on Blu, SAMURAI PRINCESS, Bing Crosby Television Specials, CLASS OF NUKE ‘EM HIGH (Blu), NO ORCHIDS FOR MISS BLANDISH, SUPERSONIC MAN, WAR OF THE ROBOTS, TROMEO AND JULIET (Blu), THE GLORY BOYS, THE CONTRACT, THE WORLD OF BUCKMINSTER FULLER, SILVER LOAD, SANDOK, ROCKET ROBIN HOOD and of course LOVE GAMES. See you next Tuesday!
