August
Assault
Edition Catalog Favorites in High Definition Plus:
BREAKFAST
CLUB,
VACATION & More
Although I'm a fan of John Carpenter's early work, I can’t say I’ve
ever been a big admirer of ESCAPE FROM NEW
YORK. This 1981 sci-fi thriller does, however, have a large
contingent of fans, and Snake Plissken buffs everywhere are certain to
be satisfied by MGM's Blu-Ray edition (**½,
99
mins., 1981, R), which sports a terrific AVC encoded 1080p
presentation that blows away an inferior Blu-Ray that popped up in
Europe a year ago.
Kurt Russell's Clint Eastwood-esque performance as Carpenter's
quintessential anti-hero anchors the movie, which does, admittedly,
deliver a lot of visual bang for what was a quite economical budget
back in the early '80s. The auteur's last movie for Avco Embassy
Pictures boasted production design by Joe Alves (with work by a young
James Cameron) in its telling of a futuristic Manhattan that's been
turned into a full-scale prison. Into its motley assortment of
criminals, scum and general villainy comes the President of the United
States himself (Donald Plesance), who crashes inside, leading the
authorities to recruit Snake in a last-ditch attempt at saving his life.
"Escape From New York" is one of those movies that certainly sounds
like it can't miss: Russell's performance and the picture's concept
seem tailor-made for '80s action fun, yet ever since I first watched
the movie in grade school (in a late-night, syndicated TV airing I
recorded on VHS), I've been constantly let down by the film every time
I've viewed it. Carpenter's lethargic pacing and often humor-less
script (written with Nick Castle) plays at odds with what ought to be a
crackling suspense thriller, and despite a strong cast (Lee Van Cleef,
Ernest Borgnine, Isaac Hayes, Harry Dean Stanton and Adrienne Barbeau
among them), the movie pokes along when it ought to be racing ahead.
That said, the movie has generated a huge cult following over the
years, even in spite of Carpenter's hideous 1996 sequel "Escape From
L.A." And for Carpenter fans, MGM’s Blu-Ray disc is unparalleled in
terms of its presentation: crisp detail permeates through the low-light
cinematography in a way that gives new depth to Dean Cundey’s
cinematography. By comparison, a Blu-Ray that was produced by Studio
Canal (and sold in the UK, France and other territories) looks like a
standard-definition upconvert compared to this superior package. DTS
Master Audio sound is also on-hand along with a standard DVD edition,
but regrettably, none of the extras are carried over from MGM’s 2003
Special Edition release (which sported two commentaries, the deleted
opening heist sequence, trailers and featuettes).
MGM has also rolled out several other, affordable Blu-Ray/DVD combo
packs (though a planned release of “Blood Simple” was delayed at the
last minute), including Dominic Sena’s 1993 serial killer road trip KALIFORNIA
(**½, 118 mins., Unrated; presented in a superb AVC
encoded transfer with DTS Master Audio sound) and Ron Shelton’s BULL DURHAM
(***½, 108 mins., 1988, R; MGM).
Shelton's 1988 hit drew upon his own experience as a minor league
ballplayer, represented in the film by semi-veteran Kevin Costner and
aspiring Tim Robbins. Susan Sarandon memorably portrays the team
groupie who "tutors" (sexually and otherwise) one member of the Durham
Bulls each season -- and predicaments naturally arise once Costner
grows jealous of Sarandon's exploits with Robbins.
Filled with not only some kinky sex scenes but a genuine understanding
of minor league baseball, “Bull Durham” has long been regarded as one
of the top sports movies of all-time. Certainly Costner counted this as
one of his many hits of the late '80s, a salty comic contrast to the
genteel, fantasy baseball world that “Field of Dreams” would offer just
a year later. The performances are all excellent, with Sarandon's Annie
Savoy representing one of the actresses' most memorable roles, while
Bobby Byrne's cinematography captures the essence of the game.
MGM's Blu-Ray disc is, on the whole, a noticeable upgrade from the DVD,
even though its MPEG-2 status leads one to believe it was mastered some
time ago. As with “Escape From New York,” no special features are
included, though at least the corresponding DVD originates from its
Special Edition release, offering numerous extras including two
commentaries: one featuring Costner and Robbins, the other with
writer-director Shelton (a track which I believe was recorded way back
when for the Special Edition laserdisc). Both are engaging, and you'll
also find recent interviews in the Making Of documentary, with
trailers, photo galleries, and assorted profiles rounding out the disc. New From Warner Home
Video
NATIONAL
LAMPOON’S VACATION Blu-Ray (***, 98 mins., 1983, R; Warner) NATIONAL
LAMPOON'S EUROPEAN VACATION Blu-Ray (**, 94 mins., 1985, PG-13; Warner) WHAT’S UP, DOC?
Blu-Ray (***½, 94 mins., 1972, G; Warner)
The first two adventures of the Griswold clan arrive on Blu-Ray this
month, each in their own separate packages with DTS Master Audio mono
audio, crisp VC-1 encoded 1080p transfers, and extras from their prior
DVD editions (as well as ugly, reconfigured package artwork).
As penned by John Hughes, the original
NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION offers an abundance of laughs as it
chronicles Chevy Chase’s futile attempts to provide a perfectly
engineered cross-country trip for his wife (Beverly D’Angelo) and kids
(Anthony Michael Hall and Dana Barron). Hughes’ mixture of mirth and
sentiment, Harold Ramis’ direction and an abundance of memorable
sequences make the first “Vacation” the second-best of the series
(Hughes’ “Christmas Vacation” improved just a bit on this picture’s
formula), while supporting turns from Randy Quaid, Imogene Coca and
Christie Brinkley add further fun to the shenanigans.
The PG-13 rated 1985 follow-up EUROPEAN
VACATION finds the Griswolds heading overseas after winning a
trip on a game show -- predictable wackiness ensues, including run-ins
with Victor Lanoux and Eric Idle among others. Unfortunately, aside
from Chase and D’Angelo and one hilarious sight gag, most of this
“Vacation” feels like an in-name-only ripoff, with particularly grating
performances from Dana Hill and Jason Lively as the Griswold kids, and
more leering sexual innuendo than its R-rated predecessor as well.
Amy
Heckerling ("Fast Times At Ridgemont High") stepped into the
director's chair here and began her career-long pattern of following a
big hit with a misfire (or two). Robert Klane ("Weekend At Bernie's")
is credited with co-writing the script with Hughes, which seems
apparent as “European Vacation” is crasser and far less amusing than
any of the other "Vacation" installments, leading one to believe that
Heckerling and Klane ultimately dictated the tone of the picture.
Fortunately, Warner Bros. wisely gave Hughes full control over
“Christmas Vacation,” with the late filmmaker not only writing the 1989
yuletide favorite but also producing it -- thereby creating a classic
comedy a few years later.
Both “Vacation” movies are appreciable upgrades on their prior DVD
editions: Warner has been on a roll of late with their Blu-Ray catalog
releases (something that ought to be great news for next month’s bevy
of genre releases including “The Exorcist,” “THX-1138" and “Mars
Attacks!” among others), and each film appears colorful and crisp,
offering heightened detail over their prior DVDs with a welcome lack of
excessive noise-reduction (that said, the original “Vacation” is
stronger on balance than “European”). Both releases also include a few
extras from those DVD editions, including a “Griswold family
commentary” on “Vacation” and a dry, tedious talk from Chase on
“European Vacation.”
Also new from Warner is a high-def edition of Peter Bogdanovich’s
thoroughly engaging, screwball comedy throwback WHAT’S UP, DOC?, with Barbra
Streisand, Ryan O’Neal, Michael Murphy, Madeline Kahn, Kenneth Mars,
Austin Pendleton, John Hillerman and Randy Quaid (among others) getting
into this delicious confection about mixed up suitcases, a stuffy
doctor (O’Neal) and the free-spirited woman (Streisand) who wins him
from his obnoxious fiancee (Kahn, who’s just terrific in her feature
debut).
Bogdanovich produced and directed “What’s Up, Doc?,” working from a
story he authored and script that was ultimately written by Buck Henry,
David Newman and Robert Benton. This is an infectious movie, a massive
success at the time of its release, and Warner’s Blu-Ray pays tribute
to the picture with a satisfying VC-1 encoded transfer, DTS Master mono
sound, and extras including commentary from Bogdanovich, a
scene-specific commentary from Streisand, and both the amusing trailer
and a vintage promo featurette. New From Universal
THE BREAKFAST
CLUB: 25th Anniversary Edition Blu-Ray (***½, 97 mins., 1985, R;
Universal): John Hughes’ seminal high school genre classic
arrives on Blu-Ray in a superb package from Universal. The AVC encoded
1080p transfer is on-par with their earlier HD-DVD version, but the
addition of DTS Master Audio as well as a number of extras gives the BD
package the edge in terms of overall value.
Though the late Hughes wrote a number of scripts and produced even more
films throughout the 1980s, his finest work as a director came with
this 1985 tale of a group of divergent high schoolers who ultimately
form a bond during a Saturday detention session. Hughes’ incisive
script is one of his best, and he receives memorable work from an
ensemble cast of “brat packers” (Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald,
Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy) who bring the
picture to life.
For special features, Universal’s Blu-Ray reprieves the extras of the
2008 DVD release, which was highlighted by a lengthy documentary on the
film’s production and cult status, offering comments from stars Sheedy,
Nelson and Hall, plus filmmakers like Amy Heckerling, “Heathers”’
Michael Lehmann and “Juno” writer Diablo Cody. This extended doc pays
proper respect to the film and Hughes’ legacy, while commentary from
Nelson and Hall makes for an entertaining listen on its own. Another
extra touches upon the “Brat Pack” phenomenon, and while all of it is
nice enough, the absence of Hughes himself along with Molly Ringwald is
baffling.
Otherwise, this is a top-notch BD release recommended for all fans of
the picture.
HEROES Season 4
Blu-Ray (aprx. 14 hours, 2009-2010; Universal): Though most fans
bailed some time ago on Tim Kring’s modern “super-hero” series, the
fourth and final season of NBC’s “Heroes” actually offers the program’s
most satisfying collection of episodes since its superior first year.
Eschewing the use of seemingly dozens of characters from previous
seasons, “Heroes” Season 4 whittles down its story lines to just a few
of the series’ most popular characters (Sylar, Claire, Peter, Noah,
etc.) while offering fleeting supporting appearances from other series
regulars. Although some fans carped about this “stripped down,”
budget-conscious approach, it actually results in a more cohesive
viewing experience, as the core cast eventually intersects to stop a
powerful, charismatic circus ringleader named Samuel Sullivan (the
terrific Robert Knepper). Knepper’s portrayal of Samuel is spot on,
being alternately sympathetic and villainous, and his character
conjures more of a dramatic, interesting menace than most previous
“Heroes” bad guys.
Alas, the show was still canceled despite modest (albeit declining)
viewership, so “Heroes” fans will have to make due with Universal’s
excellent Blu-Ray package of the show’s final season. Marvelously
detailed AVC encoded transfers and DTS Master Audio soundtracks adorn
all of the 18 episodes, while excellent extras offer numerous HD
featurettes, plus deleted and extended scenes and additional
picture-in-picture goodies. New From Criterion
The glorious music of Antonio Carlos Jobim and Luiz Bonfa, and the
spectacular cinematography of Rio circa the late ‘50s, provide the
colorful sights and sounds of BLACK ORPHEUS (107
mins., 1959), an international smash hit and Foreign Film
Oscar-winner that’s long been a part of the Criterion Collection.
This month Criterion brings French director Marcel Camus’ film -- which
almost single-handedly launched the “art house” niche – to Blu-Ray in a
beautifully realized, remastered transfer, presented in the movie’s
intended 1.33 aspect ratio. The new image is so vivid that there are
details in the cinematography, especially in its long shots of Rio,
that those of us who have only seen the film on the small-screen
previously could never have witnessed -- and for a movie that’s all
about aesthetics, whether it’s the colors or the music, the HD
enhancement is staggering.
The movie itself, a fanciful retelling of the legend of Orpheus and
Eurydice with a “Bossa Nova” soundtrack that sits in your head for
hours afterwards (I’d compliment it with a playing of Vince Guaraldi’s
classic “Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus” interpretation album), is
one of those one-of-a-kind movies that’s tough to describe but
thoroughly satisfying, even on multiple viewing.
Criterion’s Blu-Ray disc, in addition to its transfer and uncompressed
mono sound, also incorporates a number of marvelous extras, including
archival interviews with Camus and star Marpessa Dawn, along with video
interviews with jazz historians and Brazilian cinema scholars, who
chronicle the film’s production and the rise of Bossna Nova genre. A
French documentary also profiles the movie’s impact, while a trailer,
optional English dubbed soundtrack and Michael Atkinson’s insightful
essay round out a highly recommended disc.
Also new from Criterion this month are a pair of DVDs.
UNDERWORLD, THE
LAST COMMAND and THE DOCKS OF NETWORK are three silent film
classics made by the great Josef von Sternberg. Culled from the
Paramount vaults, these three vividly shot offerings memorably portray
the struggle of working-class life (“Docks”), the Russian Revolution
(“The Last Command”) and the life of a gangster (“Underworld”), each
with matching musical scores by either Robert Israel (on all three
films) or Alloy Orchestra (“Underworld” and “Last Command”) and Donald
Sosin and Joanna Seaton (“Docks of New York”).
Remastered, high-def derived transfers and extras including a 1968
Swedish TV interview with von Sternberg, a pair of visual essays, and
an extensive, almost 100-page booklet make this a must-have for silent
film enthusiasts.
French director Maurice Pailat’s L’ENFANCE NUE (83
mins., 1968) also joins the Criterion Collection this month.
Pailat’s emotionally wrenching tale of a foster child shuttled between
homes in late ‘60s Paris is moving and eloquently stated, with
Criterion’s DVD again offering a superbly restored, new widescreen
(1.66) transfer with extras including a 50-minute documentary about the
film; a 1960 Pailat short about life on the outskirts of Paris; a 1973
French TV interview with the director; a visual essay from Kent Jones
about the picture; and a video interview with Pailat collaborators
Arlette Langmann and Patrick Grandparent. Also New on Blu-Ray
ROAD TO
PERDITION Blu-Ray (***, 117 mins., 2002, R; Paramount): Tom
Hanks essays a mob enforcer, working for crime boss Paul Newman, who
seeks retribution for the death of his wife and son in this atmospheric
adaptation of the Max Allan Collins-Richard Piers Rayner period graphic
novel, deftly adapted by writer David Self (“Mad Men”) and director Sam
Mendes for the screen.
Their 2002 filming of “Road to Perdition” is a bit slow-moving but rich
in its visual details. Full credit for the latter goes to
cinematographer Conrad Hall, whose Oscar-winning images adorn this tale
of revenge and redemption, as viewed through the eyes of Hanks’
surviving elder son (Tyler Hoechlin). Newman,
Jude Law and Daniel Craig are
uniformly fine in the picture, as is Hanks, though his casting still
seems like more of a concession to sell tickets than a case of finding
the proper fit for the role.
Paramount’s Blu-Ray edition of “Road to Perdition” looks superb; the
1080p widescreen transfer and DTS Master Audio soundtrack are both
exceptional, while top-notch extras include an introduction from Mendes
(who talks about how the Blu-Ray format enhances the already brilliant
visuals of the film), plus commentary from the director, a tribute to
Hall (in HD), a Making Of doc, deleted scenes, the trailer, and a
“further exploration of the world of ‘Road to
Perdition’.”
DIARY OF A
WIMPY KID Blu-Ray (**½, 92 mins., 2010, PG; Fox): Superior
kid-fare,
an amusing adaptation of Jeff Kinney’s popular book, finds
young Zachary Gordon essaying Kinney’s protagonist: a pint-sized kid
named Greg Heffley who finds himself trying to navigate his way through
the first year of middle school.
Thor Freudenthal, who previously directed the surprisingly decent
“Hotel For Dogs,” seems to have a knack for making children’s pictures
that manage to be legitimately funny in addition to wholesome, as
“Wimpy Kid” offers some big laughs for kids and adults alike. While
this isn’t a classic film for its genre, and at times it moves a bit
too frenetically through its 90-minutes for its own good, the movie
manages to work for the most part, with amusing supporting turns from
Steve Zahn and Rachael Harris as Gordon’s lost parents, and a bouncy
soundtrack filled with tunes and Theodore Shapiro’s satisfying
underscoring.
Fox’s Blu-Ray package serves up a bullseye, with a flawless AVC encoded
1080p transfer, DTS Master Audio soundtrack, BD extras including
deleted scenes and featurettes aimed at the little ones, plus a DVD and
digital copy disc included for good measure.
THE LAST SONG
Blu-Ray (**, 107 mins., 2010, PG; Touchstone): I can’t say I’ve
been a huge admirer of the cinematic adaptations produced so far from
author Nicholas Sparks’ bestsellers, since the lot of them have come
across as slightly more maudlin and adult versions of melodramatic
“Hallmark Hall of Fame” TV fare.
This Disney version of Sparks’ “The Last Song” was produced as a
vehicle for studio darling Miley Cyrus, and performed well enough with
her legion of young fans that the picture did alright at the spring
box-office. As a movie, though, it’s a creaky old melodrama with Cyrus’
free-spirited teen reconnecting with her ailing father (Greg Kinnear)
during one fateful summer.
Sparks himself and Jeff Van Wie are credited with authoring the script,
which gives Cyrus a chance to croon some tunes, but it’s all formula
stuff through and through, right down to its contrived plot
developments.
Disney’s Blu-Ray edition of “The Last Song” does contain a lovely AVC
encoded transfer, enhancing the lush cinematography of John Lindley,
while DTS Master Audio sound, deleted scenes, an alternate opening, a
Cyrus music video, commentary, and a copy of the standard-def DVD
complete the package.
FURRY VENGEANCE
Blu-Ray (**, 92 mins., PG, 2010; Summit): So this is what it’s
come to for Brendan Fraser -- anytime you’ve got a wacky special
effects picture he’s the first on the “On Call” list?
Roger Kumble’s career never went very far after making a big splash
with the Sarah Michelle Gellar-Reese Witherspoon teen fave “Cruel
Intentions,” and he’s been saddled here with helming Fraser in the
instantly forgettable “Furry Vengeance.” Fraser tries to put a tired
script about woodland critters trying to stop a new housing development
over the top, but the movie is essentially just an inoffensive comedy
for kids without much interest for adults (only Ken Jeong mines a few
laughs for anyone over the age of 10).
A co-production with an Abu Dhabi investment group, “Furry Vengeance”
failed to muster much in the way of box-office last spring, making its
fast arrival on Blu-Ray unsurprising. Summit’s Blu-Ray/DVD combo disc
offers both good-looking HD (1080p, DTS Master Audio) and standard def
(16:9 widescreen, 5.1 Dolby Digital) presentations with numerous extras
including commentary with Kumble and the cast, deleted scenes, a gag
reel and behind-the-scenes featurettes.
THE JONESES
Blu-Ray (**½, 96 mins., 2009, R; Fox): Uneven but
well-performed comic-drama with Demi Moore and David Duchovny as
salespeople who move into a suburban neighborhood, posing as a married
couple (complete with fake kids!), in order to sell consumer goods.
It’s a fascinating premise on the part of writer-director Derrick
Borte, and Moore and Duchovny are both terrific here, along with Gary
Cole and Glenne Headly, who add solid support; unfortunately the film’s
funny first half turns sour when it becomes more serious and preachy in
its concluding frames. Still, “The Joneses” is worth a view in spite of
its shortcomings, and Fox’s Blu-Ray disc includes a fine AVC-encoded
1080p transfer and DTS Master Audio soundtrack on its single-layer 25gb
platter; lone extras are several deleted scenes.
DATE NIGHT
Blu-Ray (**½, 88 mins., 2010, PG-13; Fox): Watchable
studio concoction works amiably enough as a vehicle for TV comedy stars
Steve Carell and Tina Fey, who are put through the “Jr. After Hours”
paces of Josh Lausner’s script by producer-director Shawn Levy. Carell
and Fey play a married couple looking for a rare night on the town when
they get themselves into mischief, mobsters and Mark Wahlberg; it’s
pretty much standard-issue fare that gets by, barely, on the chemistry
between the two leads and functions well enough to recommend as a
rental. Fox’s Blu-Ray disc boasts loads of special features including
deleted scenes, an extended unrated version of the film, commentary by
Levy, numerous featurettes and camera tests, a gag reel, and a digital
copy for portable media players. Dean Semler’s cinematography,
meanwhile, comes across quite well in the AVC-encoded 1080p transfer
while DTS Master Audio sound rounds out the package.
THE BACK-UP
PLAN Blu-Ray (**½, 104 mins., 2010, PG-13; Sony):
Not-completely-bad romantic comedy gives Jennifer Lopez one of her
better vehicles as a single New Yorker whose primary goal is to meet
the man of her dreams. After striking out on that front, J-Lo decides
to go with Option #2: being artificially inseminated so she can have a
baby...something that causes predictable complications when she
actually meets the right guy (Alex O’Loughlin).
Not nearly as horrific as it sounds, “The Back-Up Plan” did moderate
business at the box-office last spring, and likely will find a larger
audience on video. Lopez and O’Loughlin have some solid chemistry
together, and while Kate Angelo’s script offers scant surprises, Alan
Poul keeps the film moving at a steady pace. There’s nothing here you
haven’t seen before, but at least it’s well executed on the whole.
Sony’s Blu-Ray edition of “The Back-Up Plan” arrives next week,
offering a superior AVC encoded transfer with DTS Master Audio sound
and extras including deleted scenes and a Making Of featurette.
$5 A DAY
Blu-Ray (**½, 98 mins., 2008, PG-13; Image):
Entertaining, if predictable, road trip movie with ailing con man
Christopher Walken hooking up with his estranged son Alessandro Nivola
on a journey to get Walken emergency medical treatment. However, their
travels are reliant on Walken’s insistence that the duo make the trip
happen for just $5 a day (not even Rachael Ray could do that!). Nigel
Cole’s movie offers some pleasant moments and relaxed performances from
Walken, Nivola, Amanda Peet, Sharon Stone and Peter Coyote, along with
a decent Alex Wurman score. Image’s Blu-Ray disc of this 2008
independent production includes cast/crew interviews along with the
trailer and still galleries, plus a 1080p transfer and 5.1 DTS Master
Audio soundtrack. SKELLIG: THE
OWL MAN Blu-Ray (***, 104 mins., 2009, PG; Image): Surprisingly
good British TV movie, an adaptation of a popular novel by David
Almond, finds Tim Roth as a mysterious “owl man” with special powers
who helps a young boy overcome a variety of fears.
With its “Harry Potter” styled cover art, it’s clear Image is hoping to
lure in the same type of young viewers for this well-crafted fantasy,
and I wouldn’t at all be shocked if those audiences enjoyed “Skellig”
as well. Annabelle Jankel does a solid job helming this heartwarming
film, getting a nice assist from composer Stephen Warbeck and amiable
performances from the cast -- it’s nothing extraordinary but the
picture’s balance of fantasy with more realistic elements make for a
recommended view.
Image’s Blu-Ray disc sports a fine 1080p transfer with DTS Master Audio
sound.
ABANDONED
Blu-Ray (*½, 93 mins., 2010, PG-13; Anchor Bay): Like a
lot of “last movies” for fallen stars, “Abandoned” is a depressing
picture on a number of levels, not the least of which is that it stars
a sickly-looking Brittany Murphy in her final role.
Murphy plays a woman who brings her boyfriend (a puffy Dean Cain) to
the hospital for surgery, only to have him disappear and the
authorities (including an insanely bad performance from Peter
Bogdanovich of all people) question her sanity.
It’s a typical “is it real or not?” type of thriller given a routine
treatment by writer Peter Sullivan and director Michael Feifer – one of
those movies nobody would give a second glance to had Murphy not
tragically died after the picture’s completion.
For curious viewers “Abandoned” hits Blu-Ray shortly from Anchor Bay in
a barebones presentation, backed by a decent 1080p transfer and
standard 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack.
CITY ISLAND Blu-Ray
(***, 104 mins., 2009, PG-13; Anchor Bay): Breezy, entertaining
ensemble comedy stars Andy Garcia as a family man and Bronx corrections
officer who aspires to be an actor, but wants to hide it from his
domineering wife (Julianna Marguiles)...so much that he’d rather have
Marguiles believe he’s having an affair than taking acting lessons!
Raymond de Felitta’s family drama also offers equally odd predicaments
for their kids (one’s moonlighting as a stripper; the other is addicted
to watching big women eat on the internet), but somehow it all comes
together to form a zesty brew with terrific support turned in from Alan
Arkin and Emily Mortimer as well. Anchor Bay’s Blu-Ray disc sports a
vivid 1080p transfer with a digital copy, uncompressed PCM audio, and
extras including deleted scenes, a featurette, and commentary from De
Felitta and Garcia. A legitimate sleeper “City Island” comes strongly
recommended!
MACHINE GUN
McCAIN Blu-Ray (**½, 96 mins., 1969, Not Rated; Blue
Underground): Seldom-screened Italian gangster vehicle receives
a spiffy high-def treatment from Blue Underground, who have uncovered a
genuine curio for movie buffs with “Machine Gun McCain.”
John Cassavetes stars as the title character -- a West Coast mobster
newly released from prison, who finds himself wrapped up in a fellow
mafioso’s (Peter Falk) plan to run a Vegas casino – only to have a
high-level don (Gabriele Ferzetti) crack down on both of them in a
typical Italian stew of cliches, dubbed dialogue and a fairly
forgettable Ennio Morricone score.
What saves “McCain” from the bevy of other B-grade genre films of its
era is the casting: not only do we have Cassavetes and Falk but also
Britt Ekland and a brief appearance from Gena Rowlands, all of which
adds a bit of interest to the action. And, speaking of action, there’s
not a whole lot of it on-hand in Guilano Montaldo’s 1969 film (which
Columbia released theatrically), but on the plus side, vintage Vegas
location shooting and the cast make it watchable for genre enthusiasts.
Blue Underground’s Blu-Ray presentation is a winner: the AVC encoded
1080p transfer is excellent, while DTS HD mono sound, an interview with
Montaldo, and both the English and Italian trailers round out one of
the label’s strongest Blu-Ray releases of late. New TV on DVD
GOSSIP GIRL:
Season 3 DVD (930 mins., 2009-10; Warner): Season three of the
popular CW network series “Gossip Girl” finds most of its characters
having graduated from high school and headed for college, which means
an influx of both new faces (Hilary Duff appears as a movie star coed)
and returning cast members (Michelle Trachtenburg’s Georgina) are
on-tap while Gossip Girl (heard only in Kristen Bell’s narration)
herself continues to expose all kinds of scandals among young people on
Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Warner’s five-disc DVD edition of “Gossip Girl”’s third season, which
offers guest star stints from Tyra Banks, Gina Torres and Laura
Harring, boasts the amusingly titled episodes “Reversals of Fortune,”
“The Freshmen,” “The Lost Boy,” “Dan de Fluerette,” “Rufus Getting
Married,” “Enough About Eve,” “How to Succeed in Brashness,” “The
Grandfather Part II,” “They Shoot Humphreys Don’t They,” “The Last Days
of Disco Stick,” “The Treasure of Serena Madre,” “The Debarted,” “The
Hurt Locket,” “The Sixteen Year Old Virgin,” “The Empire Strikes Jack,”
“Inglorious Bassterds,” “The Unblairable Lightness of Being,” “Dr.
Estrangeloved,” “It’s a Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad World,” “Ex-Husbands and
Wives,” and “Last Tango, Then Paris.”
All 22 episodes are presented in excellent-looking 16:9 transfers with
5.1 soundtracks and extras including unaired scenes, a gag reel, music
videos, a featurette and an “interactive viewing experience” on “The
Empire Strikes Jack.”
UGLY BETTY:
Season 4 DVD (860 mins., 2009-2010; Buena Vista): Few series
have fallen harder and faster than ABC’s “Ugly Betty.” The show was
heralded as a breath of fresh air by critics and viewers upon its debut
several years ago, but contrived writing and a general lack of
direction doomed the series’ longevity. By the time “Ugly Betty”
finished its fourth season last year, it went out with barely a
whimper, banished to the dead zone on the network’s prime-time
schedule.
Regardless, die-hard series fans may want to complete their DVD
collections of the show with this final box-set from Buena Vista,
offering the last 20 episodes of “Ugly Betty” in 16:9 transfers with
5.1 soundtracks. Extras include deleted scenes, commentary, bloopers,
webisodes, and a Bahamas location shoot featurette.
COUGAR TOWN: Season 1 DVD (520 mins., 2009-2010; Buena
Vista): Not-bad ABC comedy follows Courteney Cox as a divorcee
and single mom who jumps back into the dating game.
Kevin Biegel and Bill Lawrence’s series manages to be less frenetic
than Lawrence’s “Scrubs,” with an appealing turn from Cox as the show’s
heroine and solid support added by Busy Philipps and Christa Miller.
The series got off to a bit of a rocky start but found its footing
midway through (according to most series fans) so it’s one of those
cases where some patience may be needed to fully get into it.
Offering its complete first season in 16:9 (1.78) transfers and 5.1
soundtracks, “Cougar Town”’s DVD package also sports bloopers, deleted
scenes, and a number of featurettes.
HAWAII FIVE-0:
The Ninth Season DVD (aprx. 20 hours, 1976-77; CBS/Paramount): Even
though
die-hard fans will tell you that the immortal CBS
action-adventure series “Hawaii Five-0" had played out most of its best
episodes by the time it entered its ninth (1976-77) season, the
majority of viewers seem to regard Season 9 as the last generally
“good” year of the program, making its new arrival on DVD that much
more exciting for the series’ admirers.
CBS’ six-disc box-set of “Hawaii Five-0"’s ninth season offers all 23
episodes in remastered, crisp full-screen transfers. These include
“Nine Dragons” (parts 1 and 2), “Assault on the Palace,” “Oldest
Profession, Latest Price,” “Man on Fire,” “Tour de Force, Killer
Aboard,” “The Last of the Great Paperhangers,” “Heads You’re Dead,”
“Let Death Do Us Part,” “Double Exposure,” “Yes, My Deadly Daughter,”
“Target: A Cop,” “The Bells Toll at Noon,” “Man in a Steel Frame,”
“Ready...Aim,” “Elegy in a Rain Forest,” “Dealer's Choice --
Blackmail,” “A Capitol Crime,” “To Die in Paradise,” “Blood Money Is
Hard to Wash,” “To Kill a Mind,” “Requiem for a Saddle Bronc Rider,”
“See How She Runs,” and “Practical Jokes Can Kill You.”
Fans should note CBS has a box-set planned of the series’ first nine
years due out later this month as well, in preparation for the new
prime-time remake’s arrival this September.
DEXTER - Season
4 DVD (aprx. 11 hours, 2009; CBS/Paramount): Michael C. Hall
returns as the serial killer turned husband and father in Season 4 of
“Dexter,” Showtime’s eccentric crime thriller, which boasts an
excellent turn from John Lithgow as the “Trinity Killer.” CBS’
four-disc edition of “Dexter”’s fourth season includes interviews with
Hall, Lithgow, co-stars Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter and Cylde
Phillips, plus a number of bonus episodes from other Showtime series.
The 16:9 transfers and 5.1 soundtracks are all top-notch.
BEING HUMAN
Season 1 Blu-Ray (343 mins., 2009; BBC): Fitfully engaging BBC
series about a pair of English hospital workers (Russell Tovey and
Aidan Turner) who are, respectively, a werewolf and vampire, and their
relationship with a female ghost (Lenora Crichlow) who haunts their new
home has met with positive reaction from American viewers via its
airings on BBC America.
For those who might’ve missed the series or don’t have the channel on
their cable or dish systems, “Being Human” arrives on Blu-Ray this
month in a terrific high-def package from BBC Home Video. 1080i HD
transfers and Dolby Digital stereo soundtracks comprise the two-disc
set (making it a good deal more satisfying visually than the
poorly-compressed standard-def broadcasts we Directv customers have had
to deal with), along with a fair selection of extras – deleted scenes,
behind the scenes featurettes, video diaries, an interview with creator
Toby Whithouse and more among them.
SUPER FRIENDS Season
1, Volume 2 DVD (360 mins., Warner): More vintage Hanna-Barbera
Saturday morning goodness is on-tap in a new double-disc anthology of
classic “Super Friends” episodes. This latest Warner DVD release
includes “The Balloon People,” “The Fantastic FREPs,” “The Ultra Beam,”
“The Menace of the White Dwarf,” “The Mysterious Moles,” “Gulliver’s
Gigantic Goof,” “The Planet-Splitter” and “The Watermen,” along with a
trivia game.
FLIGHT OF THE
CONCHORDS - Complete Collection DVD (690 mins., HBO): Amiable
HBO series about a pair of New Zealand folk singers struggling to make
it in New York City lands a bona-fide Special Edition anthology
box-set, offering the series’ complete run as well as the debut of
“Flight of the Conchords: One Night Stand,” a 2005 concert premiere
with stars Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie performing in front of a
live audience. Extras include a full documentary feature, commercials,
deleted scenes and outtakes, plus a 16:9 transfer on the series itself
and 2.0/5.1 audio.
TEMPLE GRANDIN
DVD (109 mins., 2010; HBO): Claire Dances shines in this true
story about a woman diagnosed with Autism and her struggles to
communicate at a time when little was known about the disease.
Excellent performances from Danes, Catherine O’Hara, Julia Ormond and
David Strathairn make this HBO original movie well worth viewing; HBO’s
DVD edition offers a strong 16:9 transfer with 5.1 audio, commentary
and a Making Of featurette.
SORORITY WARS
DVD (89 mins., 2009; Vivendi): Good-natured Lifetime original
movie about a perky freshman (the fetching Lucy Hale) who decides to
turn against her mom’s sorority by pledging at their rag-tag rival.
“Sorority Wars” isn’t as clever or appealing as ABC Family’s “Greek”
but it’s pretty entertaining as far as made-for-TV fluff like this
goes; Vivendi’s DVD boasts a 16:9 transfer with 5.1 audio. New From History/A&E
THE UNIVERSE:
OUR SOLAR SYSTEM Blu-Ray (aprx. 8 hours, 2007; A&E/New Video): Anthology
release
of the “best” episodes from the popular A&E series, which
mixes science with a bit of speculation and a lot of special effects.
Episodes in this two-disc, 1080i HD package include “Secrets of the
Sun,” “Mars: The Red Planet,” “The End of the Earth: Deep Space Threads
To Our Planet,” “Jupiter: The Giant Planet,” “The Moon,” “Spaceship
Earth,” “The Inner Planets: Mercury and Venus,” “Saturn: Lord of the
Rings,” “Alien Galaxies” and “Life and Death of a Star.” Excellent
transfers are an appreciable upgrade from this release’s prior DVD
edition.
PAWN STARS
Season 2 DVD (aprx. 12 hours, 2009-10; A&E/New Video):
Box-set release from the successful A&E series sports 32
second-season “Pawn Stars” episodes on four discs, once again following
the Harrison family as they navigate through collectibles of all kinds
in order to uncover the truly worthwhile. Additional footage,
widescreen transfers and stereo soundtracks adorn this Season 2
package.
GANGLAND Season
5 DVD (aprx. 9 hours, 2009; History/New Video): Gang life in
America is the subject of this History Channel series, which profiles
both rural and metropolitan gangs with interviews, revealing footage
and historian interviews all included. History’s three-disc set follows
11 modern-day gangs with widescreen transfers and stereo soundtracks
comprising the technical end of things.
AX-MEN: Season
3 DVD (aprx. 10 hours, 2010; A&E/New Video): Six crews of
hard-working ax-men, profiled from Florida to Louisiana and the Pacific
Northwest, tackle some of the world’s most dangerous jobs in this
high-rated A&E reality series. Season three of “Ax-Men” comes to
DVD later this month from A&E in a four-disc release offering a
number of extra features (extra footage and featurettes), widescreen
transfers and stereo soundtracks. Timber! New on DVD
THE CITY OF
YOUR FINAL DESTINATION DVD (***, 118 mins., 2009, PG-13; Screen Media):
James Ivory’s latest film is a typically stately, leisurely told
and beautifully rendered adaptation of Peter Cameron’s novel about a
young man (Omar Metwally) who travels to South America in the hopes of
writing an biography of a famous author; upon arriving in scenic
Uruguay he meets with the author’s brother (Anthony Hopkins), widow
(Laura Linney) and mistress (Charlotte Gainsbourg) and becomes
intoxicated not just with them but the surroundings of scenic Uruguay
itself.
Jeavier Aguirresarobe’s lush cinematography and the performances make
this a special treat, with Screen Media’s DVD boasting a 16:9
widescreen transfer and extras including comments from Ivory and a
Making Of featurette.
DEATH AT A
FUNERAL DVD (**, 92 mins., 2010, R; Sony): Labored American
remake of Frank Oz’s 2007 British comedy offers a standard-issue
recycling of its predecessor (both versions are credited to writer Dean
Craig), wherein a group of family members gather to mourn the death of
their matriarch. The predominantly African-American cast here is
terrific (Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, Tracy Morgan, Danny Glover), but
outside of a few laughs the energy level in this “Death” is a lot lower
than the original, with director Neil Labute – helming his second film
since the disastrous remake of “The Wicker Man” – failing to match Oz’s
comic timing. Sony’s DVD edition includes a capable 16:9 (2.40)
transfer, 5.1 Dolby Digital sound, and extras including commentary,
deleted scenes, a gag reel and several featurettes.
CEMETERY
JUNCTION DVD (**, 95 mins., 2010, R; Sony): The original
“Office” duo, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, reteamed to write and
direct this “slice of life” dramedy about a young man (Christian Cooke)
in early ‘70s England who has to navigate between hanging with his pals
(Tom Hughes, Jack Doolan) and courting the daughter (Felicity Jones) of
his boss (Ralph Fiennes). Released theatrically in England, Sony opted
to send “Cemetery Junction” to DVD in the U.S., where it comes across
as a fairly hackneyed, predictable sort of nostalgia trip with small
roles for Emily Watson, Matthew Goode and Gervais himself thrown into
the mix. Sony’s DVD offers a large array of supplements, from
commentaries to deleted scenes, bloopers, interviews with Gervais and
Merchant and more. The 16:9 (2.40) widescreen transfer and 5.1 Dolby
Digital soundtrack are both top-notch.
UNDER THE
MOUNTAIN DVD (91 mins., 2010, PG-13; Lionsgate): New
Zealand-produced fantasy about teens who find shape-shifting creatures
lurking beneath Auckland’s extinct volcanoes hits DVD from Lionsgate.
WETA Digital provided the special effects for this hum-drum B-effort
co-starring Sam Neill and a cast of unknowns (at least on this side of
the pond), with Lionsgate’s DVD offering a 16:9 transfer, 5.1 Dolby
Digital sound and a number of extras, including commentaries and a
featurette.
CASH DVD (108
mins., 2010, R; Lionsgate): Sean Bean and Chris Hemsworth (the
man who will be “Thor”) star in this Chicago-based crime thriller
co-starring vets Mike Starr and Glenn Plummer. Lionsgate’s DVD includes
a commentary with director Stephen Milburn Anderson, a Making Of,
deleted/extended scenes, and a 16:9 (1.78) transfer with 5.1 Dolby
Digital sound.
BURNING BRIGHT
DVD (86 mins., 2009, PG-13; Lionsgate): A hurricane and a
hungry tiger are a few of the things Briana Evigan has to contend with
in this direct-to-video schlocker from director Carlos Brooks.
Lionsgate’s DVD sports a 16:9 (1.78) transfer, 5.1 Dolby Digital
soundtrack, introduction from Evigan and a special effects featurette.
WOLVERINE AND
THE X-MEN: Final Crisis Trilogy DVD (66 mins., 2008; Lionsgate):
Sixth volume of episodes from the animated series “Wolverine and the
X-Men” offers the first season’s finale – three episodes that form the
“Final Crisis Trilogy.” Widescreen (16:9, 1.78) transfers and 5.1
stereo soundtracks adorn the release, which also features a commentary
from series producers Craig Kyle, Greg Johnson and Chris Yost. No word
on whether or not a full-episode Season 1 DVD set will follow.
THE BAD
MOTHER’S HANDBOOK DVD (70 mins., 2007, PG-13; Lionsgate): TV
movie with “Twilight”’s Robert Pattinson as a young man helping his
pregnant girlfriend receives a DVD release on this side of the pond
from Lionsgate. Both a 16:9 (1.78) transfer and 5.1 audio comprise the
barebones disc’s technical presentation.
MY NAME IS KHAN
DVD (161 mins., 2010, PG-13; Fox): Indian-U.S. co-production
brings two of Bollywood’s biggest draws together in a story of an
Indian man (Shah Rukh Khan) who comes to the U.S., meets a single
mother (Kajol), and settles down only to encounter racial prejudice
following 9/11. Massively overlong and melodramatic, this Bollywood
production was a massive hit in its native country, with Fox paying a
near-record for its distribution rights. The studio’s Region 1 DVD
boasts a 16:9 (2.35) transfer, 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack, and extras
including several featurettes.
SQUEAL DVD (80
mins., 2008, R; E1): Crazed horror outing from director Tony
Swansey and co-writer Dennis Doornbos chronicles what happens when a
rock group runs afoul of mutant pig/human hybrid killers on a small
farm. “Squeal” is standard hack ‘n slash fare but it earns some points
for its overall insanity – particularly its post-end credits bit which
is impossible to describe. E1's DVD contains a 16:9 transfer with 5.1
Dolby Digital sound.
ADDICTED TO HER
LOVE DVD (98 mins., 2006, R; E1): Veteran screenwriter Wesley
Strick co-wrote this well-executed indie film (originally titled “Love
is the Drug”) with Lizzy Caplan as gorgeous high school grad who
fancies John Patrick Amedori’s outsider. E1's DVD of “Addicted to Her
Love” boasts a 16:9 transfer, 5.1 sound, commentary with Amedori and
director Elliott Lester, a Making Of featurette, and a photo gallery.
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