New Years Edition MOONLIGHT, allen, hepburn & more Plus: Powell's A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH
Happy New Year to one and all!
We kick off the new year with one of 2008's finest DVD releases: Universal’s outstanding compilation ABBOTT & COSTELLO: THE COMPLETE UNIVERSAL PICTURES COLLECTION.
Packaged in an oversized cardboard “suitcase,” this 15-disc
box-set supplants Universal’s prior four “Abbott &
Costello” Franchise Collection volumes (which are now out of
print) by offering all of the duo’s productions for the studio,
produced between 1940 and 1958, when A&C were ranked among the top
box-office performers in Hollywood. New digital transfers, a few new
supplements, and a terrific book compliment the package, which includes
the following 28 Abbott & Costello comedies:
“One Night in the Tropics” (1940), the duo’s massive
hit “Buck Privates” (1941), “In the Navy”
(1941), “Hold That Ghost” (1941), “Keep ‘Em
Flying” (1941), “Ride ‘Em Cowboy” (1942),
“Pardon My Sarong” (1942), “Who Done It?”
(1942), “Hit the Ice” (1943), “In Society”
(1944), “Here Come the Co-Eds” (1945), “The Naughty
Nineties” (1945), “Little Giant” (1946), “The
Time of Their Lives” (1946), “Buck Privates Come
Home” (1947), “The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap”
(1947), the classic “Abbott & Costello Meet
Frankenstein” (1948), “Mexican Heyride” (1948),
“Abbott & Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff”
(1949), “Abbott & Costello in the Foreign Legion”
(1950), “Abbott & Costello Meet the Invisible Man”
(1951), “Comin’ Round the Mountain” (1951),
“Lost in Alaska” (1952), “Abbott & Costello Go To
Mars” (1953), “Abbott & Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll &
Mr. Hyde” (1953), “Abbott & Costello Meet the Keystone
Kops” (1955), and “Abbott & Costello Meet the
Mummy” (1955).
While all of the above titles were previously available either
individually or in the four “Franchise Collection” sets,
the box-set includes one additional, never-before-released gem: the
duo’s 1943 feature “It Ain’t Hay.” Based on a
Damon Runyon story, this A&C outing finds Lou accidentally killing
an elderly horse and replacing it with famous racer “Tea
Biscuit.” It’s all standard fare with sporadic laughs, but
it’s noteworthy since Runyon’s estate held the film up from
release on home video for decades, making its long-awaited inclusion
here a happy surprise for A&C fans.
Extras include Sidney Miller’s 1965 documentary “The World
of Abbott & Costello,” the TV special “Abbott &
Costello Meet Jerry Seinfeld,” and the previously-released DVD
doc “Abbott & Costello Meet the Monsters.” Several
audio commentaries, a couple of them newly produced for this set, are
also on-hand, including Ron Palumbo and Bob Furmanek’s
“Buck Privates” chat; Jeff Miller discussing “Hold
That Ghost”; Frank Coniff on “Who Done It?”; Frank
Thompson on “The Time of Their Lives”; Gregory Mank on
“Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein” (from its
original DVD release; the “Franchise” re-release left it
out); and Tom Weaver and Richard Scrivani on “Abbott &
Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.” Production notes and
trailers round out the extras for nearly every film.
The set is capped by an outstanding booklet offering a film-by-film
synopsis with trivia and release information, along with historical
notes from author Ron Palumbo and introductions from Vickie Abbott
Wheeler, Chris Costello and Paddy Costello Humphreys.
If you’re an Abbott & Costello fan, and have a bit of surplus
holiday cash left over, this box-set comes highly recommended -- one of
the best “Golden Age” anthologies you’ll see on DVD,
and one of this past year’s finest disc releases altogether.
Also recently released by Universal is the Complete Fourth Season of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (aprx. 23 hours), which offers yet another blast of nostalgia and manic comedy for SNL fans.
This 1978-79 season offers another slate of eclectic guest hosts and
musical performers, including The Rolling Stones with Mayor Ed Koch
(10/7/78), Fred Willard and Devo (10/14/78), Frank Zappa (10/21/78),
Steve Martin and Van Morrison (11/4/78), Buck Henry and the Grateful
Dead (11/11/78), Carrie Fisher (11/18/78), Walter Matthau (12/2/78),
Eric Idle and Kate Bush (12/9/78), Elliott Gould with Bob & Ray and
Peter Tosh & Mick Jagger (12/16/78), Michael Palin and the Doobie
Brothers (1/27/79), Cicely Tyson and Talking Heads (2/10/79), Rick
Nelson and Judy Collins (2/17/79), Kate Jackson, Delbert McClinton and
Andy Kaufman (2/24/79), Gary Busey, Eubie Blake, and Gregory Hines
(3/10/79), Margot Kidder with The Chieftains (3/17/79), Richard
Benjamin with Rickie Lee Jones (4/7/79), Milton Berle with Ornette
Coleman (4/14/79), Michael Palin (again) with James Taylor (5/12/79),
Maureen Stapleton with Linda Ronstadt and Phoebe Snow (5/19/79), and
Buck Henry (again) with Bettle Midler (5/26/79).
Archival interview footage with the cast is on-hand in another
essential release for those of us who grew up watching the Original
“Not Ready for Primetime” players, or those who want to see
what SNL was like back when it was far more consistently funny than it
is now. Also New on DVD
THE FILMS OF MICHAEL POWELL (Sony):
Dynamite two-disc package includes remastered versions of two of the
great director’s works: the long-overdue US debut of the 1942
fantasy “A Matter of Life and Death” (aka “Stairway
to Heaven”), produced during the heyday of Michael Powell’s
collaboration with Emeric Pressburger, as well as “Age of
Consent,” Powell’s final film, produced virtually as an
independent picture in 1969.
“Stairway to Heaven” may be the better and more familiar
film of the duo -- a lavish, evocative tale of a WWII pilot (Niven) who
stands trial for his life in Heaven after surviving a would-be fatal
crash -- with its alternating B&W/bold Technicolor hues and
romantic, emotional impact, yet “Age of Consent” is quite
worthwhile on its own terms. This tale of a frustrated artist (James
Mason) who travels down near the Great Barrier Reef in order to gain
inspiration -- and finds it in the form of young Helen Mirren
(ravishing in her debut performance ) -- is a colorful tale with ample
doses of nudity, beautiful Hannes Staudinger
cinematography (shot on location) and terrific performances from both
Mason and Mirren.
“Age of Consent” is presented here in Powell’s
original director’s cut, meaning it includes several extra
scenes, more nudity, the original credits sequence (with an
artist’s rendering of a nude Mirren posing as the Columbia
Pictures lady!), and Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe’s
original music score. Sculthorpe’s music was excised from most
versions of the movie and replaced with a more “commercial”
score by Stanley Myers, much to Powell’s dismay, but it’s
been restored here to its original glory.
Extras are ample for both movies: “Age of Consent” includes
a fine retrospective documentary on the film’s production,
including comments from Powell’s son and Peter Sculthorpe, plus
an interview with Helen Mirren, an appreciation by Powell devotee
Martin Scorsese, comments from Ron and Valerie Taylor (who shot the
underwater sequences, a chore that they would later repeat on the first
two “Jaws” movies), and a somewhat dry commentary from
historian Kent Jones. “A Matter of Life and Death” includes
a superior commentary from Powell-Pressburger historian Ian Christie
and more comments from Scorsese, who counts the picture -- as many
movie buffs do -- as one of his favorites.
“A Matter of Life and Death” is presented in its original
4:3 aspect ratio and looks quite sharp throughout, while “Age of
Consent” receives a mostly satisfying 16:9 (1.85) transfer
that’s restricted only in the varied quality of some of its
elements. The mono sound is fine on both movies.
BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S: Centennial Edition (1961, 114 mins., Paramount) FUNNY FACE: Centennial Edition (1957, 103 mins., Paramount): A pair of new, double-disc “Centennial” edition DVDs from Paramount celebrate the legacy of star Audrey Hepburn.
Blake Edwards’ Oscar-winning 1961 “Breakfast at
Tiffany’s” remains one of the more enduring films of the
early ‘60s, with its classic Henry Mancini score and memorable
Hepburn performance. The “Centennial” edition follows
Paramount’s 2006 DVD edition and reprises the extras from that
release (producer Richard Shepherd’s commentary, a number of
short featurettes) while also adding some new material: “A Go
Glightly Gathering,” “Henry Mancini: More than Music”
(giving proper respect to the composer’s unforgettable
contribution to the movie), and “Mr. Yunioshi: An Asian
Perspective,” which attempts to put a modern explanation for
Mickey Rooney’s cartoonish, if not racist, portrayal of
Hepburn’s upstairs neighbor. The original trailer and what seems
to be the same 16:9 (1.85) transfer as the 2006 release round out the
package.
“Funny Face,” meanwhile, was last seen on DVD not that long
ago – in 2007, in fact, courtesy of a 50th Anniversary DVD.
Paramount’s new “Centennial” release of Stanley
Donen’s memorable 1957 teaming of Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire
sports what appears to be the same 16:9 (1.85, Vistavision) transfer as
its predecessor with 5.1 stereo and mono soundtracks, along with some
fresh supplemental material (a segment on Kay Thompson, a Vistavision
featurette) to compliment material from both prior DVD editions (a
“Paramount in the ‘50s” retrospective and the
trailer).
THE PLOT TO KILL HITLER (93 mins., 1990; Warner):
Timed to coincide with the release of the new Bryan Singer-Tom Cruise
WWII adventure “Valkyrie,” David L. Wolper’s 1990
network TV movie “The Plot to Kill Hitler” has been
released on DVD courtesy of Warner Home Video. Brad Davis and Madolyn
Smith lead a veteran cast in this solid, if somewhat slight, retelling
of the Operation Valkyrie affair, which offers the kind of excellent
production values (Freddie Francis cineamtography, score by Laurence
Rosenthal) that one would anticipate from a Wolper production.
Unfortunately, Steven Elkins’ script might have been better
served as a two-part TV mini-series since the 93-minute tele-film comes
across as an outline for a broader, more expansive production.
Warner’s DVD is no-frills and sports a fine full-screen transfer
with 2.0 Dolby Stereo sound.
HAMLET 2 (**½, 92 mins., 2008, R; Universal):
Occasionally funny, hit-or-miss comedy from director Andrew Fleming and
co-writer (and “South Park” collaborator) Pam Brady finds
Steve Coogan as a deluded high school teacher who produces a sequel to
“Hamlet” as a means of saving his school’s drama
department, which is about to be axed thanks to budget cuts. Amy
Poehler (as a foul-mouthed ALCU lawyer), Catherine Keener, and David
Arquette co-star in this silly affair, which does, at least, bring
Elisabeth Shue back to the silver screen at long last, playing -- no
coincidence here -- a retired actress. It’s not exactly an
endless array of comic genius but Coogan and the cast are amusing
enough to give “Hamlet 2" just barely a passing grade.
Universal’s DVD includes deleted scenes and Making Of
featurettes, plus a 16:9 (1.85) transfer with 5.1 Dolby Digital sound.
BEETHOVEN’S DOG-GONE BEST MOVIE PACK (Universal):
The lovable St. Bernard from Universal’s 1991 box-office hit --
and a number of sequels produced for theaters and video -- is back in a
surprisingly fun adventure, “Beethoven’s Big Break,”
starring Jonathan Silverman as a dog trainer whose latest assignment
has him handling a large St. Bernard about to appear in a major
Hollywood movie (sound familiar?).
This engaging affair gets a big boost both from a story that breaks
from its predecessors’ formula as well as the nutty performance
of Stephen Tobolowsky as the heavy. Rhea Pearlman, Joey Fatone,
Jennifer Finnigan and Eddie Griffin offer better-than-expected support
in a movie that ought to satisfy young viewers and dog lovers alike
(“The Dog Whisperer” himself, Cesar Millan, also pops up in
a cameo).
Universal’s three-disc “Dog-Gone Best Movie Pack”
also includes brand-new 16:9 transfers of all the prior entries in the
long-running series: the original theatrical “Beethoven”
(1991) and its 1993 sequel “Beethoven’s 2nd,” both
starring Charlies Grodin and Bonnie Hunt, plus the Judge Reinhold
direct-to-video efforts “Beethoven’s 3rd” and
“Beethoven’s 4th” from 2000-01. The somewhat lame
“Beethoven’s 5th” (2003) is also on-tap, offering
Dave Thomas, Faith Ford, John Larroquette and Katherine Helmond in a
tired retread of the preceding pictures.
The 16:9 transfers and 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtracks are all excellent
across the board, with a number of extras on-hand for
“Beethoven’s Big Break.”
ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE CHIPETTES (66 mins., 1983-86; Paramount): Six
episodes from the ‘80s NBC Saturday morning cartoon incarnation
of “Alvin and the Chipmunks” introduces the Chipettes:
Brittany, Jeanette and Eleanor. No word on whether or not the girls are
going to follow their male counterparts to the silver screen anytime
soon, but kids ought to enjoy the hour-plus of fun to be mined in this
latest DVD compilation from Paramount.
WITHOUT A PADDLE: NATURE’S CALLING: DVD & Blu-Ray (**, 90 mins., 2009, PG-13; Paramount): Direct-to-video
sequel to the moderately successful 2004 teen comedy “Without a
Paddle” is more of a remake than a continuation, with Oliver
James and Kristopher Turner as pals who head out into the wilderness to
find James’ old schoolboy crush. Former 49ers all-pro wide
receiver and Super Bowl champion Jerry Rice puts in the requisite cameo
appearance in Ellory Elkayem’s by-the-numbers, yet watchable and
at least energetically produced, small-screen comedy. Paramount’s
DVD includes deleted scenes, a gag reel, and several Making Of
featurettes, plus a colorful 16:9 (1.85) widescreen transfer and 5.1
Dolby Digital soundtrack. The Blu-Ray disc sports an even more
eye-popping, crisp 1080p transfer with Dolby TrueHD audio and the same
extras -- this time in high-definition -- plus a bonus digital copy of
the film for portable media players.
NATIONAL LAMPOON’S STONED AGE (88 mins., 2008, Unrated; Paramount):
Produced as “Homo Erectus,” then branded with the National
Lampoon franchise tag, this better-than-expected caveman comedy from
writer-director-star Adam Rifkin offers a couple of chuckles in its
oddball cast (Gary Busey as the “bad” caveman leader; Talia
Shire and David Carradine as Rifkin’s parents) plus Ali Larter
(“Heroes”) as a fetching cavewoman. It’s basically
low-brow stuff with occasional flashes of inspiration, suggesting
Rifkin might be better off collaborating with others on his next
project. Paramount’s DVD includes both unrated and R-rated
versions of the movie with deleted scenes, viral videos, Rifkin’s
commentary, bloopers, outtakes, interviews, featurettes, a comic book,
a 16:9 (1.85) transfer and 5.1 Dolby Digital sound rounding out the
disc.
RUSSELL PETERS: RED, WHITE AND BROWN (DVD/CD Combo, Paramount):
Comedian Russell Peters performs live at the WaMu Theater at Madison
Square Garden in this DVD/CD combo from Paramount. 20 minutes of
extended concert footage, deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes
featurettes, and commentary make this a superb package for Peters
aficionados.
MY BLOODY VALENTINE: Special Edition (**½, 90 mins., R and Unrated; Lionsgate):
Decent Canadian slasher about a killer miner with a mean, nasty axe,
has been remade as a 3-D feature that debuts in theaters everywhere
this week. To coincide with its debut, Lionsgate has licensed the
original 1981 “My Bloody Valentine” from Paramount and
re-issued it as a bona-fide Special Edition DVD, complete with a myriad
of gore cuts that the film’s fans have clamored to see for years.
The end result is a superb release for ‘80s horror buffs, with
the previously excised footage culled from the best surviving print and
available to view either separately or as part of the picture itself.
While the 16:9 (1.85) transfer is highly satisfying, the deleted
footage unsurprisingly stands out since it’s been wasting away
for decades after being trimmed for an “R” rating back in
1981. A fine, new retrospective documentary and comments from director
George Mihalka and other members of the production team (prior to the
deleted scenes) make this one of the better ‘80s horrors that
we’ve seen recently on DVD. New On Blu-Ray
DUMB & DUMBER (***, 113 mins., 1994, Unrated [previously PG-13]; New Line/Warner) THE MASK (***, 101 mins., 1994, PG-13; New Line/Warner): Two of Jim Carrey’s earlier and more successful comedies have been newly issued on Blu-Ray from Warner Home Video.
Much to my delight, both “Dumb & Dumber” --
Carrey’s first film with the Farrelly Brothers -- and the
F/X-laden “The Mask” have held up extremely well, and
remain two of the comedian-actor’s finest vehicles.
Director Chuck Russell’s 1994 adaptation of the Dark Horse comics character “The Mask”
is a movie rich with inventive visual effects and gags, parlaying
Carrey’s manic energy perfectly into its fantasy tale of a
mysterious mask that gives whoever wears it super-powers and a wild,
crazy personality to match. The ILM special effects were dazzling for
their time and the picture remains a blast to watch, mainly because the
movie deftly balances its technical elements with Carrey’s
energy, resulting in a splendid combination of comedy and comic book
adventure. The supporting cast, from Cameron Diaz’s debut
performance to Peter Riegert, Peter Greene, Amy Yasbeck and Richard
Jeni, adds to the fun, while Randy Edelman’s score is another
asset.
With its VC-1 encoded transfer and Dolby TrueHD soundtrack, “The
Mask” ranks as a solid catalog title on Blu-Ray. Numerous extras
culled from prior DVD editions include two different commentaries (one
with Russell, and another with Russell and members of the production
team), a retrospective documentary, extra scenes (including an
alternate opening), the trailer, and Cameron Diaz’s screen test.
After “The Mask” cleaned up at the summer box-office in 1994, “Dumb & Dumber”
took holiday multiplexes by storm several months later: the relatively
low-budget film, the first from Peter and Bobby Farrelly, ended up
grossing over $120 million domestically and marked Carrey as one of the
breakthrough stars of the decade.
The best part about “Dumb & Dumber” -- which finds
Rhode Island idiots Lloyd (Carrey) and Harry (Jeff Daniels) embarking
on a memorable road trip in order to give a briefcase back to its owner
(Lauren Holly) -- is in the terrific chemistry between Carrey and
Daniels, who’s every bit as funny as his counterpart in this
low-key, often hilarious outing, the most consistently amusing of all
of the Farrelly Brothers’ cinematic output.
Warner’s VC-1 encoded transfer of “Dumb & Dumber”
isn’t what some technophiles would deem as “reference
quality” but it’s a sizable upgrade on the standard DVD
edition, as is the Dolby TrueHD audio. A good amount of extras culled
from the movie’s prior Special Edition DVD include six minutes of
added footage, alternate endings and other deleted scenes, trailers and
a retrospective documentary.
WEDDING CRASHERS (***, 127 mins. [Unrated] and 119 mins [Theatrical Version], 2005, R; New Line/Warner): Palpable
chemistry between stars Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn, a good quotient
of laughs in the Steve Faber-Bob Fisher script, and a charming
performance from female lead Rachel McAdams helped make “Wedding
Crashers” a massive success at the box-office in 2005.
And
while David Dobkin’s film may not be a classic, the movie has an
endearing element numerous R-rated recent comedies have lacked, mainly
through the performances of the cast, from the leads down to
Christopher Walken, who’s a hoot as a Washington senator whose
daughter (McAdams) is about to wed a boorish yuppie. Fortunately for
her, and sister Isla Fisher, professional wedding crashers Wilson and
Vaughn are around to convince her otherwise.
Though the picture is a bit overlong “Wedding Crashers” is
loads of fun with only a few overly raunchy gags obscuring its inherent
good-naturedness. Thankfully Warner’s Blu-Ray edition of the film
enables viewers to choose between the original R-rated cut and an
extended Unrated “Uncorked” version, which tends to further
slow down the somewhat already drawn-out theatrical version.
Other extras include two commentaries, additional deleted scenes,
Making Of featurettes, trailers, music videos, a fine VC-1 encoded
transfer and potent Dolby TrueHD audio.
ZODIAC: Director's Cut Blu-Ray (***½, 162 mins., 2007, R; Paramount): David
Fincher's 2007 film is an absorbing, taut adaptation of Robert
Graysmith's book, a chronicle of his own pursuit into finding the
Zodiac killer who claimed the lives of several Bay Area victims in the
late '60s.
In Fincher's ensemble piece (adapted by James Vanderbilt from
Graysmith's tome), Jake Gyllenhaal plays Graysmith, a cartoonist at the
San Francisco Chronicle who becomes fascinated with the case as it
plays out around him. Graysmith is essentially the viewer's point of
reference into this period tale, as we watch the divorced single father
and editor Paul Avery (Robert Downey, Jr.) work with their peers when
the "Zodiac" instigates communications with the paper after the
killings pick up in frequency and visibility. Meanwhile, the criminal
investigation is headed by San Francisco detective David Toschi (Mark
Ruffalo), whose precinct becomes involved after the serial killer's
final slaying occurs within the city limits.
Opening
with the vintage Paramount logo, "Zodiac" is layered with the
atmosphere of the time, from rock standards on the soundtrack to
authentic production design by Donald Graham Burt and moody
cinematography by Harris Savides. The film lacks the overly-stylized
(some would say "pretentious") appearance of some of Fincher's early
works, but the benefit is a more mature and realistic work from its
auteur, who concentrates not so much on the killings or the motives or
even its psychological impact but rather the investigation -- both from
the police's angle and Graysmith's dogged, unflinching homework, which
comes into play during the film's second half.
The movie was criticized as not having an ending (since the
investigation itself never uncovered the killer), but it's a satisfying
ride back into a time when police departments didn't have fax machines
and when local -- and not national -- media could play such a prominent
role in an investigation such as they did here. The performances are
all on-target, from Gyllenhaal to Ruffalo, while excellent support is
turned in by Anthony Edwards as Ruffalo's partner and Brian Cox as Bay
Area attorney Melvin Belli.
"Zodiac" is a film that's hard to take your eyes off, and Paramount's
long-overdue, double-disc Blu-Ray release sports an excellent 1080p
transfer (similar, if not identical, to the HD-DVD edition) with Dolby
TrueHD audio, which the HD-DVD edition lacked.
Extras include commentary from Fincher, a group commentary with Jake
Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., Brad Fischer, James Vanderbilt and James
Ellroy; and a number of featurettes (in HD as well) including a
documentary from David Prior focusing on the actual investigation,
visual effects, and on-set look at the production.
In spite of its disappointing box-office returns, "Zodiac" is an
absorbing and compelling film that, if anything, only improves on
repeat viewing.
ELECTION (***½, 103 mins., 1999, R; Paramount):
Don't be put off by the MTV Films banner that headlines the advertising
of “Election,” since Alexander Payne’s 1999 satire is
one of the funniest and most insightful high school comedies of recent
years -- a keen and savvy film about the consequences that result from
tampering with the natural order of life.
In “Election,” that means the downward spiral experienced
by Nebraska high school teacher Matthew Broderick when he decides to
derail the chirpy and cheerful Tracy Flick's candidacy for School
President by hiring a noble but knuckle-headed football player to run
against her. The eager Flick, splendidly portrayed by Reese Witherspoon
with a manic energy that veers the character away from complete and
unbelievable dementia, wants to prove herself to the world; Broderick,
meanwhile, secretly hates her for having the courage to overachieve (a
theme that runs throughout the movie).
That sets in motion a series of events that are sometimes subtle and
often quietly humorous, as director/co- screenwriter Alexander Payne
comments on the immorality and dubious intentions of the various
characters while never judging them outright or bathing
“Election” in a completely pessimistic or bitingly
sarcastic tone. The movie feels real because the filmmaking enables the
performances to bring out a variety of colorful shades in the
characters; subsequently, there are no evil or completely hateful
people in the film, since the audience can identify with a predicament
or feeling that each one of the principal characters feels at a
particular point in the picture.
“Election” isn't as static as, say, Wes Anderson’s
“Rushmore,” and has the smarts that its high school
cinematic brethren of its era completely lacked (namely,
already-forgotten fare like “She’s All That” and
“Never Been Kissed”). The kind of movie that never settles
into a predictable formula, “Election” is smart and
insightful throughout and highly recommended.
Paramount’s Blu-Ray edition of “Election” marks the
movie’s debut in HD, and the 1080p transfer is top-notch, as is
the Dolby TrueHD audio. The sole extra is a commentary from Payne,
carried over from the original DVD edition, which is a bit of a
disappointment given that the movie’s alternate ending -- quite
different than that of the finished film -- has never been given an
official release.
DEXTER: Complete Season 1 (2006, 10 hours, Showtime/Paramount):
Michael C. Hall plays one of the most caring serial killers on
record in this disturbing, compulsively watchable Showtime
series, with Hall portraying the anti-hero of Jeff Lindsay’s
books: a homicidal youth raised by a cop who channels his psychotic
issues into knocking off individuals who generally deserve their fate.
It’s not always easy viewing but the performances and production
are top-notch, and the series has gained a big cult fanbase both
through its Showtime airings and occasional, edited-down CBS broadcasts.
Showtime’s Blu-Ray set offers all 12 first-season
“Dexter” episodes in excellent 1080p transfers with Dolby
TrueHD audio and BD-Live enhanced extras, including featurettes,
commentaries and more.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (***½, 2004, 118 mins, PG-13; Universal): The
best sports movies not only accurately capture the essence of the
competition at hand, but also replicate the time and place of the
events transpiring in them. “Friday Night Lights” is one of
those pictures: an authentic, almost documentary-like look at a small
Texas high school's season in 1988.
Based on H.G. Bissinger's acclaimed novel, former actor-turned-director
Peter Berg fashioned a marvelously compelling, multi-layered and
decidedly un-Hollywood-like film that's a must for not only sports fans
but film aficionados as well.
One
of the few name actors in the film, Billy Bob Thornton gives a strong
performance as the coach of the Odessa-Permian Panthers, who enter the
‘88 season as an overwhelming favorite to win the coveted state
championship. This being Texas, high school football is more than just
your typical small-town gathering: the Panthers play in a stadium some
colleges would envy, while Coach Thornton makes $50,000 a year --
substantial coin, especially for the era.
Despite having a talented roster of players, though, the team quickly
suffers a major loss when its fast-talking running back (Derek Luke) is
injured. The Panthers then fall into a tailspin that makes them less
than a sure thing to contend for the title, while off the gridiron, the
town is painted as a dead end avenue, a place where its glories are
often lived -- if not on the playing field -- then firmly in the past.
The constant sense of desperation leads each one of the Panthers to try
and make it out of Odessa and get into college. Unfortunately, the
opportunities are limited, and with the team's playoff prospects
growing dimmer by the moment, so are the futures of its core players,
including the quiet quarterback (Lucas Black) with a troubled mother
and a third-string running back (Garrett Hedlund) whose father (Tim
McGraw) is an abusive drunk living squarely through his own days on the
field.
Shot on location with bone-crunching field action, "Friday Night
Lights" is a superb film on many levels. Not only does Berg (who
co-wrote the script with David Aaron Cohen) capture the intensity and
passion of Texas high school football, but he creates a vivid portrait
of people trying to make it out of a place where those that don't (or
can't) will never leave.
The director gets sensational performances from its cast as well,
including McGraw's tormented father (a remarkable debut performance
from the country music star) and Luke's brash running back, who loses
it all in a devastating injury. Though we've seen the sequence before
in other films, the moment in which he confides to his uncle that he
doesn't know how to do anything other than play football is enormously
moving and real -- a testament to the performances and Berg's
no-nonsense direction.
"Friday Night Lights" is a great sports movie, but it's also more than
that: its realistic sense of time and place, atmospheric music, and
strong characterizations culminate in a film that's one of the best of
2004.
The AVC encoded transfer of Universal’s new Blu-Ray edition seems
identical to the HD-DVD’s encode, while a satisfying enough DTS
Master Audio sound is included on the audio side. Extras include an
outstanding featurette (produced by Jim Bacon) looking at the real 1988
Permian Panthers, utilizing interviews with actual players and game
footage; a featurette on McGraw's transition to the big screen;
director commentary with Berg; and "Player Cam," examining the training
of the cast members and production of the football game sequences. A
full compliment of deleted scenes (running nearly 20 minutes) is
included, several of which would have added to the final product, whose
only failing is that its pace is sometimes overly frenetic.
SUPERHERO MOVIE (*½, 82 mins., 2008, PG-13; Genius):
Blah spoof of super-hero movies is a bit more amusing than "Meet the
Spartans" or most of these recent "___ Movie" satires, but that's faint
praise indeed. At least writer-director Craig Mazin tried here to evoke
memories of this genre's better days by casting "Airplane!" stars
Robert Hays and Leslie Nielsen in supporting roles (producers David
Zucker and Robert K. Weiss are also veterans of that genre-defining
staple), but "Superhero Movie" still boasts a total of 10 minutes of
actual comedy along with an hour of filler, following Drake Bell as he
becomes a costumed crimefighter after being bitten by one of crazy
industrialist Christopher MacDonald's genetically-engineered
dragonflies. It's all forced and quickly wears you out, with gag after
gag piled upon the viewer, giving what little comedy there is no time
to breathe whatsoever. Genius' Blu-Ray disc includes both the PG-13
rated theatrical and Unrated extended versions, plus deleted scenes, an
alternate ending, commentary, the trailer, a fine VC-1 encoded transfer
and 5.1 Dolby TrueHD audio.
MY BEST FRIEND’S GIRL: DVD and Blu-Ray (**, 112 mins., 2008, R; Lionsgate): Overlong
and mostly scattershot comedy tries once again to launch Dane Cook as a
leading man, starring the obnoxious stand-up comic as an obnoxious jerk
who ends up hitting on the new squeeze of his best friend (Jason
Biggs). Would-be romantic sparks fail to ensue in this latest raunchy
sex comedy, which gets a couple of chuckles out of co-star Alec Baldwin
(as Cook’s father) but not a whole lot else, while Hudson seems
content to be blowing her once-promising career on pedestrian roles in
tripe like this. Lionsgate’s DVD and Blu-Ray editions both
include a wealth of extras, including commentary tracks (one by
director Howard Deutch, another from Biggs and writer Jordan Cahan),
Making Of featurettes, deleted/extended scenes, both R-rated and
Unrated versions, 16:9 (1.78) transfers (in AVC encoded 1080p on the
Blu-Ray side), 5.1 Dolby Digital sound on DVD and DTS Master Audio on
Blu-Ray.
SWING VOTE (**, 120 mins., 2008, PG-13; Buena Vista):
Kevin Costner’s latest “comeback” vehicle bombed at
the box-office, in spite of the non-stop political frenzy that besieged
our nation last summer. Adding insult to injury for Costner was that he
also produced and partially financed this tale of an Ordinary Joe
(Costner) who, quite improbably, ends up the deciding vote in the
presidential race between candidates Kelsey Grammer and Dennis Hopper.
The Jason Richman-Joshua Michael Stern script (Stern also directed)
tries hard for a Capra-esque tone, and the cast is game, but the movie
manages to just sit there for its two hours, with a premise
that’s too hard to believe and cookie-cutter characters who
aren’t very interesting to begin with. Buena Vista’s
Blu-Ray disc includes a fine AVC encoded transfer with DTS HD audio
(not DTS Master), deleted and extended scenes, one Making Of featurette
and commentary from Stern and Richman. The standard DVD offers a superb
16:9 (2.40) widescreen transfer with 5.1 Dolby Digital sound and the
same supplements.
VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA (***, 97 mins., 2008, PG-13; Genius/Weinstein): One
of Woody Allen’s superior efforts of late, “Vicky Cristina
Barcelona” finds American students Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca
Hall living in Barcelona when they come across a real-life Casanova in
the form of painter Javier Bardem. The duo fall for the brooding,
romantic Bardem, only to get involved with his ex-wife (Penelope Cruz),
who pops up after Bardem propositions both Johnansson and Hall for a
bleary-eyed weekend of carnal pleasures. Allen’s examination of
relationships and sex makes for an entertaining film with terrific
performances from all four stars; the sunny cinematography of Javier
Aguirresarobe and atmospheric soundtrack likewise contribute to the
movie’s charms, which should delight all Allen aficionados,
especially during the cold remaining weeks of winter. Genius’
Blu-Ray edition sports a gorgeous 1080p HD transfer with standard Dolby
Digital 5.1 sound. Recommended! New TV on DVD
CBS and Paramount have once again mined the vaults for a number of new TV-on-DVD box-sets this month.
Long-time Aisle Seat readers will be unsurprised that my favorite title in the batch is undoubtedly THE LOVE BOAT: SEASON 2, VOL. 1, which offers the first 13 episodes of the ABC series’ 1978-79 season.
Sporting guests as varied as Billy Crystal, Sonny Bono, Brett Somers,
Erik Estrada, Vincent Price, Janet Leigh, Orson Bean, Jamie Lee Curtis
and Richard Dawson (plus Jill Whelan, who makes her first appearance on
the series in the 11/4/78 episode), this is another sterling collection
of nostalgic shows from the endlessly entertaining series, which still
manages to satisfy whether through its guest stars or humor, both
intentional or unintentional.
Paramount’s four-disc DVD set boasts episode promos, excellent
full-screen transfers and mono soundtracks with a disclaimer about
possible edits from the original network broadcasts.
Mike Connors’ massively popular crime drama MANNIX
also returns to DVD this month in a six-disc set compiling the
show’s entire second season (1968-69), offering nearly 21 hours
of entertainment for “Mannix” fans. This season introduces
Gail Fisher as Mannix’s secretary Peggy Fair, whose appearance
helped sell “Mannix” with African-American viewers, giving
it a ratings boost in the process.
Paramount’s DVD set includes all 25 episodes of the second season
in strong full-screen transfers, though there are disclaimers both for
network edits and music alterations.
MY THREE SONS,
meanwhile, completes its first season on DVD in a three-disc set
sporting the final 18 episodes from the long-running comedy’s
first season (1961, aprx. 8 hours). The black-and-white transfers are
in remarkably good condition considering their vintage and also how
seldom these shows from the early run of the series have been aired
over the years; the mono soundtracks are also fine, though music
alteration and network edit disclaimers adorn the packaging.
More recent TV fare is on-hand in the complete second season of MATLOCK (1987-88, aprx. 19 hours),
Andy Griffith’s long-running NBC series which in Year Two
introduced Nancy Stafford as Matlock’s new junior partner
Michelle Thomas (Stafford would stay on for the duration of the
series’ run).
Paramount’s
DVD set includes the entire second season, all 23 episodes, of
“Matlock” on six discs, including the two-hour premiere
“The Billionaire,” which took Ben Matlock and Co. to
London. Alternate endings on the episode “The Hucksters”
complete the package, which include a disclaimer for edits on both
music and network broadcast versions. Full-screen transfers and stereo
soundtracks are just fine across the board.
Last but not least is the complete sixth season of Chuck Norris’ kung-fu kicking WALKER TEXAS RANGER (1998-99, aprx. 17 hours).
This latest assembly from The Chuck’s long-running CBS series
offers all 23 episodes of the show’s 1998-99 campaign in fine
full-screen transfers and 2.0 Dolby Surround soundtracks, with only a
disclaimer about possible edits from the series’ original network
broadcasts getting in the way of the fun.
MOONLIGHT: The Complete Series (2007-08, 692 mins., Warner):
With teen vampires all the rage thanks to “Twilight” you
might’ve thought that CBS would have given their 2007 series
“Moonlight” a second season to find its audience.
Alas, despite decent ratings and a loyal fanbase, the network axed this
tale of Los Angeles P.I. Mick St. John (Alex O’Loughlin) -- a
vampire who watches out for bad guys both living and undead -- likely
before its time. This Joel Silver produced series offers engaging story
lines and solid casting, plus chemistry between stars O’Loughlin
and Sophia Myles, playing a human woman whom St. John protects and, of
course, eventually falls for. “Veronica Mars” alum Jason
Dohring is also terrific as a vampire pal of St. John’s.
While many continue to lament the series’ premature passing, the
show’s fans have the opportunity to relive the series’ 16
episodes in Warner’s good-looking but features-deprived four-disc
DVD box set, which arrives this week. The 16:9 (1.78) transfers are all
excellent, as are the 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtracks, yet no extras are
on-hand. Also New on DVD
THE CHILDREN OF HUANG SHI (**½, 125 mins., 2008, R; Sony):
True-story about a British journalist who sets out to chronicle the
Japanese atrocities in China during WWII, is captured but rescued by a
Chinese resistance leader (Chow Yun Fat) and sent to live in a
children’s orphanage, forms the basis of veteran director Roger
Donaldson’s most recent film. “The Children of Huang
Shi” is certainly well-intentioned and offers a fine cast
(Jonathan Rhys Meyers as George Hogg; Michelle Yeoh and Radha Mitchell
in supporting parts), but the film is tedious and never quite reaches
the emotional heights one would anticipate from the central story. That
said this is a good-looking film which Sony has done a fine job
rendering on DVD, where the movie sports a fine 16:9 (2.35) transfer
with 5.1 Dolby Digital sound and one Making Of featurette.
THE BERENSTAIN BEARS: KINDNESS, CARING & SHARING (69 mins., Sony):
Five episodes from the ‘80s NBC Saturday morning animated cartoon
adaptation of Stan and Jan Berenstain’s children’s books
includes a 1982 primetime network special, “Comic
Valentine,” which older viewers may fondly recall from their
childhood. Full-screen transfers and stereo soundtracks are fine across
the board; viewers should note the Bears’ NBC Easter special will
be available as well in an upcoming DVD release in a few weeks.
HENRY POOLE IS HERE: DVD & Blu-Ray (**½, 99 mins., 2008, PG; Anchor Bay):
Filmmaker Mark Pellington’s first dramatic feature since helming
2002's outstanding “The Mothman Prophecies” is an odd
change of pace: a life-affirming story of a dying man (Luke Wilson) who
finds inspiration in the lives of those around him, including a
divorced single mom (Radha Mitchell) and her young daughter, a local
priest (George Lopez) and an older neighbor (Adriana Barraza) who
believes she’s seen the face of Jesus on a stain on
Wilson’s wall. Not as overtly in-your-face as other
“Christian” films, this is a well-made yet still fairly
by-the-numbers story with good performances that could’ve used a
little more spice in Albert Torres’ bland script. Anchor
Bay’s Blu-Ray disc includes a fine 1080p transfer with Dolby
TrueHD audio, while the DVD sports a 16:9 (2.35) transfer that’s
just fine on its own terms, along with 5.1 Dolby Digital sound. Extras
on both platforms include commentary with Pellington and
cinematographer Eric Schmidt, another commentary with Pellington and
Torres, deleted scenes, a music video, the original trailer, and a
Making Of featurette.
FIREPROOF (**½, 118 mins., 2008, PG; Sony):
“Faith based” film managed to gross some $30 million at the
box-office last fall, and it’s a well-made, if sometimes
heavy-handed, tale of a fireman (Kirk Cameron) who tries to patch up
his failing marriage with wife Erin Bethea while still doing his job to
the best of his abilities. A number of special features include deleted
scenes, commentary, featurettes, a 16:9 (1.85) widescreen transfer and
5.1 Dolby Digital sound.
BALLS OUT: GARY THE TENNIS COACH (*½, 87 mins., 2008, R; Sony):
Lame comedy from “Harold & Kumar Go to Whitecastle”
director Danny Leiner stars Seann William Scott as a loser high school
janitor who comes to terms with his once-promising tennis past after
the school’s resident instructor (Randy Quaid, second-billed for
10 minutes of screen time) drops dead; requisite raunchy sex gags
quickly ensue after Scott’s Gary Houseman takes over as his
school’s tennis coach. Scott might’ve had a big hit with
the recent (and hilarious) comedy “Role Models” but
“Balls Out” is tired and often painful in its
tastelessness, with very few gags scoring even moderately. Sony’s
DVD includes commentary with Leiner, deleted scenes, outtakes, Making
Of featurettes, a 16:9 (2.40) widescreen transfer and 5.1 Dolby Digital
sound. NEXT
TIME: Dennis Quaid and Rob Brown ride THE EXPRESS and Vin Diesel visits BABYLON A.D. Until
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