DVDBeaver Newsletter
for the Week of March 15th, 2021
http://www.dvdbeaver.com
RELEASED THIS WEEK,
we have a Rivette masterpiece given the Criterion treatment, iconic 60's
Russian horror as part of The Masters of Cinema series, Edward Dmytryk
essential Noir, Japanese Invisible Man double feature taking on the Human
Fly, speaking of double features - a 70's horror-combo with commentaries
from Eureka Classics, Network does Ealing comedy (with Alec Guinness),
Synapse Neo-Noir, Scorpion Releasing Hammer-esque 70's Brit-Horror, There's
Blaxploitation, 60's Agatha Christie adaptation... and more.
REVIEWS THIS PAST
WEEK include Bela Tarr perfection, impressive
Blue Underground 4K UHD, Walken abducted by aliens, more Teruo Ishii
torture from Arrow, Boulting crime thriller with Cushing, Albert Brooks gets
Criterion'ed, 60's Kaiju, and Santo matches wits with Dracula...
We see the vaccination-light
at the end of the tunnel - stay strong,
Gary
RELEASES the WEEK of
March 15th, 2021 (Recommended titles have "**")
________________
**The 10th Kingdom**
[Blu-ray] (David Carson, 2000) RB UK
COMMENTS: Released for the
first time in the UK on Blu-Ray. Join an all-star cast as they find fantasy,
action, romance and adventure in the Emmy winning The 10th Kingdom! Beyond
the mortal world lies Nine Kingdoms where the fantastic land of fairy tales
and magic are brought to life and reinvented. The themes and ideas of
folklore and mythology perform fully as the classic characters enter a
vortex at the edge of the mortal world which leads them to The 10th
KingdomCentral Park!
________________
The Beguiled
[Blu-ray] (Sofia Coppola, 2017) Universal
COMMENTS: From acclaimed
writer director Sofia Coppola of Lost in Translation, comes an atmospheric
thriller that unfolds at a secluded girls boarding school in Civil War era
Virginia. When a wounded Union soldier, Corporal McBurney, played by Colin
Farrell, is found near the school, he is taken in by its headmistress, Miss
Martha, played by Nicole Kidman. As the young women provide refuge and tend
to his wounds, the house is taken over with sexual tension and dangerous
rivalries when McBurney seduces several of the girls. Taboos are broken and
events take an unexpected turn in this gripping and haunting thriller also
starring Kirsten Dunst and Elle Fanning.
________________
Blitzkrieg: Escape
From Stalag 69 & The Bloody Ape (Double
Feature) [Blu-ray] - Dark Side Releasing
COMMENTS: THE BLOODY APE is
the most outrageous, drive-in movie take on Poe's Murders in the Rue Morgue
ever committed to film. A carnival barker foolishly releases his 400 pound
gorilla, who then literally goes bananas on a rampage of raw rape and boffo
butchery - leaving the low rent population of Long Island either sexually
violated, slaughtered - or both! From maverick indie filmmaker Keith J.
Crocker, THE BLOODY APE is a gore-soaked love letter to the sex and violence
of the grind house movie era - much as Crocker's BLITZKRIEG: ESCAPE FROM
STALAG 69 is a giddy, in-your-face throwback to the perverse and
blood-soaked Euro-Trash Naziploitation sub-genre of the 1970s! A true
EXTREME Double Feature! Bonus features include: Audio Commentaries, Bonus
Short Film, Making-of Documentary, Deleted Scenes, Bloopers Reel
________________
**Celine and Julie
Go Boating** [Blu-ray] (Jacques Rivette,1974)
Criterion
OUR COMPARISON:
COMMENTS: Many cinephiles
see Céline and Julie Go Boating, and much of Rivette's oevure, as part of
cinema's holy grail - a magical surrealist adventure - and with the
essential Martin commentary, improved 1080P appearance and full second
Blu-ray of extras make this the definitive package. It has our absolute
highest recommendation!
________________
**Crossfire**
[Blu-ray] (Edward Dmytryk, 1947) Warner Archive
COMMENTS: Years of police
work have taught Detective Finlay that where theres crime, theres motive.
But he finds no usual motive when investigating a mans death by beating. The
man was killed because he was a Jew. Hate, Finlay says, is like a gun.
Robert Young portrays Finlay, Robert Mitchum is a laconic army sergeant
assisting in the investigation of G.I. suspects, and Robert Ryan plays a
vicious bigot in a landmark film noir nominated for five Academy Awards®,
including Best Picture. Edward Dmytryk (Murder, My Sweet) directs, draping
the genres stylistic backdrops and flourishes around a topic rarely before
explored in films: anti-Semitism in the U.S. Here, Hollywood takes aim at
injustice...and catches bigotry in a Crossfire.
________________
Cry Freedom
[Blu-ray] (Richard Attenborough, 1987) RB UK Fabulous Films
COMMENTS: The unforgettable
friendship of two unforgettable men on Blu-Ray for the very first time. The
tension and the terror that was a recent South Africa is powerfully
portrayed in director Richard Attenborough's sweeping store of black
activist Stephen Biko (Denzel Washington - Malcom X), head of the 'Black
Conciousness' movement and a liberal white newspaper editor who risks his
own life to bring Biko's message to the world. After learning of apartheid's
true horrors through Biko's eyes, editor Donald Woods (Kevin Kline - Wild
Wild West) discovers that his friend has been silenced by the police.
Detemined not to let Biko's message go unheard, Woods undertakes a perilous
quest to escape South Africa and bring Biko's tale of courage to the world.
This riveting, true story offers a stirring account of a man at his most
evil and most heroic.
________________
Damn Yankees
[Blu-ray] (George Abbott, Stanley Donen, 1958) Warner Archive
COMMENTS: Step up to the
plate for Damn Yankees, the rousing movie of the 1,019 performance Broadway
grand slam that imports nearly all the original New York lineup, including
Tony Award® winning stars Gwen Verdon as luscious vamp Lola and Ray Walston
as her slyly Satanic boss Applegate. Hollywoods Tab Hunter suits up as
potential lost soul and Washington Senators slugger Joe Hardy, revealing a
freewheeling fun side unseen in previous roles. The Pajama Game duo of
Richard Adler and Jerry Ross serve up an out of the park home run score,
including Whatever Lola Wants and Heart. Choreographer Bob Fosse provides
all the right moves, and he joins Verdon on screen in performing Who's Got
the Pain? No pain here, just pure pleasure.
________________
Flower and Snake
[Blu-ray] (Masaru Konuma, 1974) Impulse Pictures
COMMENTS: Based on Oniroku
Dan's famous Japanese novel, FLOWER AND SNAKE is the first Nikkatsu erotic
film to deal with the subject of sadomasochism. Makoto (Yasuhiko Ishizu) is
a sexually suppressed man living with his mother Miyo (Hiroko Fuji) who owns
an adult toy store. When he was a child, Makoto remembers shooting a soldier
whom he found having sex with his mother. The elderly man who owns the
company Makoto works for has an interest in BDSM and wants Makoto to kidnap
and train his wife (Naomi Tani) to submit to him. With Makoto battling the
demons of his past and unsure of the consequences of his own sexual
awakening, what transpires is one of the most shocking, perverse and
jaw-dropping Nikkatsu films ever made. Remastered by Nikkatsu Studios in
high-definition, FLOWER AND SNAKE is one of Impulse Pictures' most-requested
titles to be released in our continuing Nikkatsu adult film collection.
________________
Humanoids From The
Deep [Blu-ray] (Barbara Peeters, 1980) RB UK
88 Films
ALT-BEAVER REVIEW:
COMMENTS: Noyo's a sleepy
little place, where nothing much happens. So why are people being attacked
and killed by THINGS that come out of the water? The answer involves
pollution and mutated sea life that's developed a taste for death. As the
'orrible humanoids lay siege to Noyo, it's up to the great Doug McClure (The
Land That Time Forgot; Warlords of Atlantis), to put a stop to their
murderous rampages. Notorious for all the sex 'n' violence that producer
Roger Corman insisted on adding against the director's wishes, Humanoids of
the Deep is a monster movie for the Video Nasty age. A cheesy, sleazy
classic, lovingly presented by your pals at 88 Films.
________________
**The Invisible Man
Appears / The Invisible Man vs The Human Fly**
[Blu-ray] - Arrow
OUR REVIEW:
COMMENTS: While The
Invisible Man Appears is the more polished film, I really enjoyed The
Invisible Man vs. The Human Fly. with its inventive and alluring title -
crossing over the two sci-fi characters. It's wonderfully bizarre with some
unintentionally funny dialogue and absurd plot situations meshing with the
unique cultural hybrid differences from the vintage Universal series they
are emulating. Really innocent and fun in a boyhood sense - akin to Japanese
versions of Drive-In enticement. Both titles fit snugly in our 50s-60's
science-fiction / fantasy listing. The Arrow Blu-ray is one I will covet in
my collection and revisit. Surely this is something that can't be
successfully duplicated today in terms of camp value. Recommended to the
wide-eyed child in you.
________________
Journey Into Fear
[Blu-ray] (Daniel Mann, 1975) Dark Force
COMMENTS: U.S geologist
Graham (Sam Waterston) discovers a rich oil deposit in the mountains of
Turkey that creates a dangerous conflict between Turks and Arabs interests.
His life suddenly in peril, Graham tries to escape aboard a boat with the
assistance of a Mr. Kupelkin (Zero Mostel) of the Turkish embassy. The
passengers he encounters include a singer, Josette (Yvette Mimieux), who may
also be a prostitute; and a bickering couple, Mr. and Mrs. Mathews (Shelly
Winters & Stanley Holloway), all the while Graham aware that someone aboard
is determined to kill him.
________________
The Last Remake of
Beau Geste [Blu-ray] (Marty Feldman, 1977)
Kino
COMMENTS: It’s a spoof to
end all spoofs as comedy legend Marty Feldman (Young Frankenstein) shatters
the Gary Cooper/French Foreign Legion classic in The Last Remake of Beau
Geste. Set in England and Morocco in 1906, Feldman’s “remake” mocks all the
do-or-die extravaganzas we’ve known and loved as he portrays Digby,
identical twin brother to Michael York’s (The Island of Dr. Moreau) stalwart
Beau Geste. Joining in the desert lunacy are a vast array of stars including
Peter Ustinov (Death on the Nile), Terry-Thomas (Those Daring Young Men in
Their Jaunty Jalopies), Ann-Margret (52 Pick-Up) as the boys’ seductive
stepmother and James Earl Jones (Star Wars) as Sheik Abdul the Disgusting.
Feldman co-wrote, stars and makes his outrageous directorial debut with this
zany comedy which, as the title suggests, threatens to end the whole
romance-adventure genre once and for all. The hilarious cast also includes
Trevor Howard (Kidnapped), Henry Gibson (The Long Goodbye), Roy Kinnear (How
I Won the War), Spike Milligan (The Bed Sitting Room), Avery Schreiber
(Scavenger Hunt) and Hugh Griffith (Kind Hearts and Coronets).
________________
Lialeh
[Blu-ray] (Barron Bercovichy, 1974) Dark Force
COMMENTS: Smooth operator
Arlo (Lawrence Pertillar) is setting up an erotic musical in New York.
Free-spirited Lialeh (Jennifer Leigh), a woman with many talents who longs
for a singing career will do whatever it takes to join the show. Look for
Funk legend Bernard Purdie (2013 Modern Drummer Hall of Fame inductee) and
his band appear in this erotic 70's cult classic as Arlo's band.
________________
**Nightwing & Shadow
of the Hawk** [Blu-ray] - RB UK Eureka
Classics
OUR REVIEW:
COMMENTS: Personally, I
enjoyed Nightwing more than Shadow of the Hawk. The vampire-bat saga had
more dollars put into it with plenty of recognizable faces; Nick Mancuso,
David Warner, Kathryn Harrold, Strother Martin etc. and it had a plot I
could sink my teeth into (pun intended.) Shadow of the Hawk attempted to
garner a shaman-mysticism aura with Chief Dan George, but I had trouble
engaging although I thought Jan-Michael Vincent and Marilyn Hassett were
quite good as far as the script could allow them. Both have variable cheesy
qualities and 70's nostalgia appeal. I would watch Nightwing again, in the
right mood. The Eureka Classics Blu-ray has plenty to offer beyond the
films, with commentaries, audio essay and booklet. You must also supply the
popcorn.
________________
Positive I.D.
[Blu-ray] (Andy Anderson, 1986) Kino
COMMENTS: Positive I.D. is a
chilling, offbeat thriller that takes a dark and macabre look into the mind
of an obsessed woman. A year after she was raped, housewife Julie Kenner
(Stephanie Rascoe) still can’t shake the horror of the attack. Her
deteriorating mental state only worsens when she learns her attacker will
soon be free on parole. Determined to get her revenge, the former model
mother devises a unique and fascinating scheme. Using legal loopholes, she
methodically creates a totally new identity: sultry barfly Bobbie King, who
will be the perfect bait for her attacker. She soon discovers, however, that
the thin line which separates her real life from her fantasy personality is
slowly being erased. The result is a striking, unforgettable journey into
the world of the strange and bizarre that reveals the shocking truth about
one victim’s quest for revenge. Written and directed by Andy Anderson
(Detention) and co-starring John S. Davies (RoboCop) and Lauren Lane (C.C.
Babcock of TV’s The Nanny).
________________
Rad
[Blu-ray] (Hal Needham, 1986) Mill Creek
COMMENTS: With the help of
his girlfriend Christian, biker Cru Jones overcomes all the odds to
participate in the big race with a chance to take home the gold.
________________
**A Run for Your
Money** [Blu-ray] (Charles Frend, 1949) RB UK
Network
OUR REVIEW:
COMMENTS: I had never seen A
Run For Your Money and am a big Ealing Studio fan. The plot of naive
strangers with telltale accents venturing to the big city reminded me of the
1970 Canadian film Goin' Down the Road - where a pair of Newfoundlanders
head to Toronto - and go on 'stranger in a strange land' adventures.
Although a completely different film they carry similar themes. Here though,
the proud Welsh brothers look forward to heading back home. Donald Houston,
Moira Lister, Alec Guinness head up a solid cast and it's another fun,
feel-good film from the Studio - plenty of amusement. Another of Network's
Blu-rays with high British film value that fans, like myself, enjoy
indulging.
________________
**Running Time**
[Blu-ray] (Josh Becker, 1997) Synapse Films
OUR REVIEW:
COMMENTS: If you are in the
mood for a short neo-noir heist film then Josh Becker's Running Time can be
very satisfying. Yes, it has the aura of a student film - but a competent
one. I enjoyed the heck out of this neat little gem that evokes many other
films from the tunnel-imbalance sequence of De Palma's Body Double, to Chris
Nolans' Following. The Synapse Films Blu-ray adds value with the commentary
- great for budding filmmakers - interview and Q+A. We recommend!
________________
Taffin
[Blu-ray] (Francis Megahy, 1988) Kino
COMMENTS: They Needed a
Hero… They Got a One-Man Army! Screen great Pierce Brosnan (The World Is Not
Enough) is dashing and deadly in this powerhouse of passion, revenge and
nonstop action. When a small Irish town is terrorized by a corrupt business
syndicate, a lone hero wages an all-out war. Mark Taffin (Brosnan) is a
tough-as-nails debt collector who’s as quick with his wits as he is with his
lightning-fast martial arts moves. So, when powerful Sprawley Enterprises
resorts to brutal tactics to silence townspeople who oppose the company’s
hazardous chemical plant, Taffin leaps to the citizens’ aid. Battling savage
assassins and ruthless executives, he takes on the enemy in one blistering
confrontation after another. But as he prepares for the final showdown,
Taffin uncovers a terrifying plot—a deadly conspiracy that may reach the
highest echelons of political power. Co-starring the stunningly beautiful
Alison Doody (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) with Patrick Bergin
(Patriot Games), Gerald McSorley (Veronica Guerin), Jeremy Child (A Fish
Call Wanda) and Ronan Wilmot (Rawhead Rex). Directed by Francis Megahy
(Freelance).
________________
**Ten Little
Indians** [Blu-ray] (George Pollock, 1965) RB
UK Network
COMMENTS: An all-star cast
feature in this stylish adaptation of Agatha Christie's quintessential
murder mystery, produced and co-written by legendary B-movie mogul Harry
Alan Towers. Directed by George Pollock (who had previously won great
acclaim with the Miss Marple films starring Margaret Rutherford) and
sporting the ultimate gimmick of a 60-second "Whodunnit Break" prior to the
final reveal, Ten Little Indians is featured here as a High Definition
remaster from original film elements in its original theatrical aspect
ratio. Ten strangers arrive at a snowbound mansion invited by their host,
the shadowy Mr U.N. Owen. During dinner, an audio tape of Owen's voice is
played, revealing that each guest has a scandalous secret a secret that each
would be willing to kill to protect. It's not long before the first guest is
murdered. It won't be the last.
________________
Thundarr the
Barbarian: The Complete Series [Blu-ray] -
Warner Archive
COMMENTS: Civilization is
cast into ruin when a runaway planet speeds between the Earth and the Moon,
unleashing cosmic destruction. Two thousand years later, Earth is reborn
from the ashes with a savage landscape, strange creatures and a primitive
sense of justice. But, one man fights to spread peace throughout the land:
He is Thundarr the Barbarian, and you can own all 21 exciting adventures
starring Thundarr and his companions Ookla the Mok and sorceress Princess
Ariel. Using their strength, courage and wits, plus Thundarrs magical
Sunsword, they journey from village to village, liberating slaves and
battling all kinds of beasts, mutants, wizards, thieves and robots. The
future of Earth may be shrouded in darkness, but Thundarr the Barbarian
bursts into action as a shining symbol of hope for humanity.
________________
**Tower of Evil**
[Blu-ray] (Jim O'Connolly, 1972) Scorpion Releasing
OUR COMPARISON:
COMMENTS: I've always
appreciated the 70's milieu, fashion and art direction of Tower of Evil. Who
doesn't like the plot?; 'a group of experienced archeologists are searching
for an old and mystic Phoenician treasure when they are surprised by a
series of mysterious murders'. Very appealing with Hammer-esque overtones
modeled by the British studio atmosphere. I found the wonky effects
(Lighthouse model, head rolling down the stairs, quick cuts of gore etc.)
kind of nostalgic. The kitsch-level is quite evident but I am sold via the
plot, genre and era appeal. The Scorpion 2021 Blu-ray is the way to go for
this flawed, but desirable horror gem. Recommended!
________________
**VIY**
[Blu-ray] (Konstantin Ershov, Georgiy Kropachyov, 1967) RB UK Masters of
Cinema
COMMENTS: Well, I never
thought the Severin package would be exceeded - big thanks to them for
bringing 'VIY' to Blu-ray in the first place. But this UK edition adds much
more with the wonderful and revealing Brooke commentary, audio essay,
limited edition book, slipcase and Sveto Mesto aka "A Holy Place" second
Blu-ray inclusion. It gets our highest recommendation!
________________
The War Wagon
[Blu-ray] (Burt Kennedy, 1967) Universal
COMMENTS: Two cinematic
legends, John Wayne and Kirk Douglas, team up to seize a small fortune in
gold in this action packed western classic. Wayne plays Taw Jackson, a
range-hardened rancher who is hell bent on capturing the infamous War Wagon,
an ironclad stagecoach protected by a small army of men and owned by a
thieving cattle baron who robbed Taw of his gold and good name years before.
To get even, Jackson recruits Lomax, played by Douglas, a brash gunslinger,
and a raucous crew of misfits and readies them to pull off one of the most
impossible heists of all time.
________________
What's Up, Doc?
[Blu-ray] (Peter Bogdanovich, 1972) Warner Archive
COMMENTS: Whats Up, Doc?
joyously recaptures the bubbly style of 1930s screwball comedies and firmly
establishes Barbra Streisand and Ryan ONeal as a romantic duo uniquely
endearing in screen history. Included are a daffy luggage mix up plot, dippy
dialogue exchanges, a marvelous example of the art of hotel room demolition
and one of the funniest chase sequences ever, all over San Francisco.
Dexterously written with a surefooted sense of the ridiculous by Buck Henry,
David Newman and Robert Benton; directed by Peter Bogdanovich with giddy
affection; and cast with awesomely hilarious players (including film
debuting Madeline Kahn), Whats Up, Doc? is no idle question. Among comedy
movies, it is the top. SPECIAL FEATURES: Scene Specific Commentary by Barbra
Streisand; Full Movie Commentary by Director Peter Bogdanovich; Vintage
Featurette Screwball Comedies...Remember Them?; Theatrical Trailer
________________________________________________
NOTABLE NEW CALENDAR
UPDATES:
April 12th, 2021
**Fando and Lis**
(Alejandro Jodorowsky, 1968) Abkco
The Frightened City (John
Lemont, 1961) RB UK Studiocanal
________________
April 19th, 2021
Bong Joon Ho
Collection - Barking Dogs Never Bite (2000),
Memories of Murder (2003), The Host (2006), Mother (2009), Snowpiercer
(2013), Parasite (2020) and Parasite B&W (2020) RB UK Curzon Artificial Eye
April 26th, 2021
________________
**World on a Wire**
(Rainer Werner Fassbinder, 1973) RB UK Second Sight Films
________________
May 3rd, 2021
F.T.A.
(Francine Parker, 1972) Kino
**Wages of Sin**
(Aleksander Ford, 1966) Kino
________________
May 10th, 2021
**The Douglas Sirk
Collection** - To New Shores/La Habanera -
Kino
________________
May 17th
**It Happened
Tomorrow** (René Clair, 1944) Cohen Media
Last Action Hero 4K
UHD (John McTiernan, 1993) Sony Pictures
National Lampoon's
Animal House 4K UHD (John Landis, 1978)
Universal Studios
**The Sting 4K UHD**
(George Roy Hill, 1973) Universal Studios
________________
May 24th, 2021
**The Birds 4K UHD**
(Alfred Hitchcock, 1963) Universal
**The Eurocrypt Of
Christopher Lee Collection** - The Castle of
the Living Dead (1964), Challenge the Devil aka Katarsis (1963), Crypt of
the Vampire (1964), Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace (1962), Theatre
Macabre (1971-1972), The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism (1967) - Severin
**Fat City**
(John Huston, 1972) Indicator US
**Psycho 4K UHD**
(Alfred Hitchcock, 1960) Universal
Weird Wisconsin: The
Bill Rebane Collection - Monster A Go-Go
(1965), Invasion from Inner Earth (1974), The Alpha Incident (1978), The
Demons Of Ludlow (1983), The Game (1984), Twisters Revenge (1988) - Arrow UK
________________
June 14th, 2021
The Awakening
(Mike Newell, 1980) Shout! Factory
________________
June 28th, 2021
**Mandabi**
(Ousmane Sembene, 1968) RB UK Studiocanal
________________________________________________
Photo Archives" for
Patrons:
Gloria Grahame:
________________
Monica Vitti:
________________
Paul Newman:
________________
Susan George:
________________
Jacqueline Bisset:
________________
Suzanne Pleshette:
________________________________________________
THIS WEEK'S REVIEWS:
Santo in the
Treasure of Dracula BD
OUR REVIEW:
COMMENTS: Santo in the
Treasure of Dracula is a pure camp classic. I picture Santo in his basement
fixing a toaster in full hood and cape costume. The plot isn't really
fleshed out very completely but the central idea is there. The Dracula
scenes have many of the vampiric conventions that we love with... a few
ad-hoc additions that may make you smile. I learned a couple of things
watching this; 1) that Santo is pretty intelligent (not just a pretty hooded
face) being able to build a time-machine - that looks suspiciously like a
very pared-down version of The Time Tunnel - and that, 2) Dracula had a
secret 'treasure' at all. I would have much rather seen the black and white
version of Santo in the Treasure of Dracula sans shameless, often
distasteful, nudity (crotches are covered by flesh-colored bandages.) Being
advertised as the "Sexy Vampire Version' is, well, very subjective. Aside
from the kitsch value of the film the VCI Blu-ray is a disaster. Ideally
we'd like original Spanish audio, from a, hopefully, restored negative, both
versions of the film and how about a fun commentary? The VCI is
underwhelming but you do get to see the film for those that are curious and
less patient.
________________
Atragon
BD
OUR REVIEW:
COMMENTS: Ishirô Honda's
Atragon, as a film in this genre, is delightful. A ton of supplementary
performers for some scenes, less effective monster and modest effects
(exaggerated by the posters) but easily a boyhood favorite with great
nostalgia. Despite the CFV Blu-ray probably being superior to DVD - let's
hold off on this the and hope for a 'real' release on the horizon.
________________
**Daughters of
Darkness 4K UHD**
OUR COMPARISON:
COMMENTS: Forgive me if my
effusive praise seems at all hyperbolic. This 4K UHD (with an added Blu-ray
and CD Soundtrack) release is pure perfection. From the pristine transfer
full of vivid nightmarish imagery to Kat Ellinger's phenomenal commentary
track (and how bout that Atmos track), other companies take note; this is
how you do it. Can't recommend this enough. - Colin Zavitz
________________
Shogun's Joy of
Torture BD
OUR REVIEW:
COMMENTS: Teruo Ishii's
Shogun's Joy of Torture is.... very harsh. I had to turn it off three times.
It seemed like there was a straight hour of torture, leering evil men, and a
vengeful damaged woman, bondage, moans, screams, violations etc.. None of it
seemed erotic and it would certainly be considered tasteless. There is also
a fair amount of blood (see nudity and gore samples below,) a prominent male
decapitation, inventive restraints, crucifixions, drowning and buckets of
water thrown on poor gals in various stockades after they pass out - to
awaken them for another round. The tattooing is artistic but Shogun's Joy of
Torture is an uncomfortable viewing, to say the least. The Arrow Blu-ray
offers the film in a competent technical transfer, the Mes commentary and
other revealing extras. The historical value of this genre's mere existence
is the fascinating edge to this depraved niche of films. Shogun's Joy of
Torture is obviously not to everyone's tastes, but the thick-skinned who are
curious are welcome to indulge in another of Arrow's complete Blu-ray
packages of this lesser-examined, exploitation, genre.
________________
**A Run For Your
Money** BD
OUR REVIEW:
COMMENTS: I had never seen A
Run For Your Money and am a big Ealing Studio fan. The plot of naive
strangers with telltale accents venturing to the big city reminded me of the
1970 Canadian film Goin' Down the Road - where a pair of Newfoundlanders
head to Toronto - and go on 'stranger in a strange land' adventures.
Although a completely different film they carry similar themes. Here though,
the proud Welsh brothers look forward to heading back home. Donald Houston,
Moira Lister, Alec Guinness head up a solid cast and it's another fun,
feel-good film from the Studio - plenty of amusement. Another of Network's
Blu-rays with high British film value that fans, like myself, enjoy
indulging.
________________
**Suspect**
BD
OUR REVIEW:
COMMENTS: The Boulting
Brother's Suspect has cold-war, morality and political themes plus it's a
good crime-drama-thriller. It's a solid British cast with recognizable
support from Peter Cushing, Donald Pleasence, Ian Bannen - leads Tony
Britton and Virginia Maskell and you can even see Spike Milligan in a minor
role. They can carry the film very well. I thought it was shot effectively
and an enjoyable director-brother effort from 1960 (not at the level of John
Boulting's Bright Rock but adept and entertaining.) The Network Blu-ray is
their typical pragmatic bare-bones offering but worthwhile to see the film.
Those keen on Cushing and British Noir-leaning thrillers of the era should
investigate.
________________
**VIY**
BD
OUR COMPARISON:
COMMENTS: Well, I never
thought the Severin package would be exceeded - big thanks to them for
bringing 'VIY' to Blu-ray in the first place. But this UK edition adds much
more with the wonderful and revealing Brooke commentary, audio essay,
limited edition book, slipcase and Sveto Mesto aka "A Holy Place" second
Blu-ray inclusion. It gets our highest recommendation!
________________
**The Invisible Man
Appears / The Invisible Man vs. The Human Fly**
BD
OUR REVIEW:
COMMENTS: While The
Invisible Man Appears is the more polished film, I really enjoyed The
Invisible Man vs. The Human Fly. with its inventive and alluring title -
crossing over the two sci-fi characters. It's wonderfully bizarre with some
unintentionally funny dialogue and absurd plot situations meshing with the
unique cultural hybrid differences from the vintage Universal series they
are emulating. Really innocent and fun in a boyhood sense - akin to Japanese
versions of Drive-In enticement. Both titles fit snugly in our 50s-60's
science-fiction / fantasy listing. The Arrow Blu-ray is one I will covet in
my collection and revisit. Surely this is something that can't be
successfully duplicated today in terms of camp value. Recommended to the
wide-eyed child in you.
________________
**Sátántangó**
BD
OUR COMPARISON:
COMMENTS: Sátántangó is #36
on the Sight & Sound / British Film Institute's Critic's Poll of the 100
Greatest Films Ever Made. I can't say much more than the Arbelos
description: "One of the greatest achievements in recent art house cinema
and a seminal work of "slow cinema," Sátántangó, based on the novel by
László Krasznahorkai, follows the members of a humble agricultural community
living in a bleak and punishing backwater after the fall of Communism...
Shot in stunning black-and-white by Gábor Medvigy and filled with
exquisitely composed long takes, Sátántangó unfolds in twelve distinct
movements, alternating forwards and backwards in time, echoing the structure
of a tango dance. Béla Tarr's vision, aided by long-time partner and
collaborator Ágnes Hranitzky, is enthralling and his portrayal of rural
Hungary beset by drunken revelry, treachery, and near-perpetual rainfall is
both transfixing and uncompromising. Sátántangó has been justly lauded by
critics and audiences as a masterpiece..." Arbelos' '25th anniversary 4K
Blu-ray restoration of Béla Tarr's masterpiece' is a welcome addition to any
cinephile's digital library... in fact, we consider it essential. Don't
hesitate to pick this up, immediately.
________________
**Céline and Julie
Go Boating** BD
OUR COMPARISON:
COMMENTS: Many cinephiles
see Céline and Julie Go Boating, and much of Rivette's oevure, as part of
cinema's holy grail - a magical surrealist adventure - and with the
essential Martin commentary, improved 1080P appearance and full second
Blu-ray of extras make this the definitive package. It has our absolute
highest recommendation!
________________
**Defending Your
Life** BD
"There was one person you
were really cheap with. Over and over again. I wish you'd been more generous
with him."
"Who?"
"You."
The idea of Judgment City is
such a comforting fantasy - it's kind of like a 5-star Vegas hotel, always
pristinely clean, but you can gorge yourself on the most amazing food
without gaining weight or having it effect your health. We won't have to
'defend our life' if we live it properly now - be less afraid, less selfish
etc.
Overall, this is more of
Brooks' intelligent, reflective, humor, very much worth seeing and
re-assessing after 30-years. The 'Director-Approved' Criterion Special
Edition Blu-ray offers a wonderful home theatre presentation with over an
hour's worth of interesting extras. Strongly recommended!
________________
**Communion**
BD
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film9/blu-ray_review_135/communion_blu-ray.htmCOMMENTS:
Communion draws comparisons to Fire in the Sky as another alien abduction
film attempting to adapt a true-life story. Communion is based on the
Whitley Strieber book, whose story is a real-life account of his own
encounter with "visitors". It's fascinating stuff done with an arty edge
blending in hallucinations and Walken's receptive performance. I am also a
huge fan of Lindsay Crouse (House of Games, The Verdict.) This was a very
enjoyable film experience in many respects. The Cult Media Blu-ray is
bare-bones with lossy audio but allowed me to enjoy the film in 1080P. At
the right price - this is, presently, recommended (until - if ever -
anything better comes along.)
________________
DVDBeaver Newsletter for the
Week of March 15th, 2021
http://www.dvdbeaver.com