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DVDBeaver Newsletter for the Week of
September 5th, 2022
http://www.dvdbeaver.com
THIS WEEK's RELEASES include Brian De Palma 4K
Criterion-style! Campion 4K comes to UK. Jules Dassin - n'uff said.
Invisible Man TV with McCallum. French crime intensity, new 4 film
Noir set with Bogie, Stanwyck, Van Heflin, Lizabeth Scott, Edmond
O'Brien, Alexis Smith - can't wait. Demy reissue, Tobe Hooper 4K,
Boxer-drama with Stanwyck, Menjou and Holden, Stanley Kramer
apocalypse, Vincent Price, 3-D trifecta, Robert Wise Star Trek 4K,
Paul directs Joanne...
THIS WEEK's CALENDAR UPDATES: Same as last week with the
added Criterion's The
Infernal Affairs Trilogy. From last week: Wong Kar-Wai 4K UHD from
Criterion, 50's Black Vampire, Columbia Classics 4K Volume 3, much
anticipated massive Shawscope: Volume Two from Arrow, Campion's
Piano 4K comes to the UK from Studiocanal, Jacques Demy box reissue,
Paul actors direct; Paul Newman, John Mills, Peter Ustinov.
Antonioni, Basil Dearden, Mamoulian Barbara Stanwyck, Károly Makk,
Vera Chytilová, Andrew Niccol sci-fi masterwork get 4K UHD re-issue,
Connery James Bond Steelbook, Montgomery Clift, a large Gorilla,
Monty Python 4K in the UK, Double 50's Lancaster, more Campion and
Spike Lee 4K from Criterion, even 80's Cannibal Holocaust gets
upcoming 4K UHD...
THIS WEEK'S REVIEWS: Mexican Buñuel, delightful Lesbian pulp,
cop vigilante in France, more Wishman nudies, Dassin in Greece......
Enjoy,
Gary
RELEASES the WEEK of September 5th, 2022, (Recommended titles
have "**")
**Blow Out [4K UHD Blu-ray]** (Brian De
Palma, 1981) Criterion
US PURCHASE LINK
CANADIAN PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: In the enthralling Blow Out, brilliantly crafted by Brian
De Palma, John Travolta gives one of his greatest performances, as a
film sound-effects man who believes he has accidentally recorded a
political assassination. To uncover the truth, he enlists the help
of a possible eyewitness to the crime (Nancy Allen), who may be in
danger herself. With its jolting stylistic flourishes, intricate
plot, profoundly felt characterizations, and gritty evocation of
early-1980s Philadelphia, Blow Out is an American paranoia thriller
unlike any other, as well as a devilish reflection on moviemaking.
____________________________________
**Yves Boisset's "The Cop"** (Un condé) Blu-ray - Michel Bouquet @KinoLorber
US PURCHASE LINK
CANADIAN PURCHASE LINK
BONUS CAPTURES
OUR REVIEW
COMMENTS: Yves Boisset's The Cop tackles some harsh morality with a
committed police officer who has had enough after a colleague dies
and goes on a cold-blooded vengeful spree against the baddies.
Perhaps evoking Dirty Harry to a certain degree with the strong
indifference to criminal's rights. There are no redeeming characters
in The Cop and the French government wanted to ban it for the
portrayal of police corruption and the extensive violence. While the
French release had a few cuts, this Kino Blu-ray is the complete
version. It's a highly impacting crime-film appealing to the
vigilante cinema fans. It's very adeptly realized by Boisset. I am
very happy this gripping, intense, film is available in such
pleasing a/v with the addition of the excellent commentary.
Absolutely recommended!
____________________________________
Day of the Dead: Season 1 [Blu-ray] - RB UK Dazzler Media
UK PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: Inspired by George A. Romero’s 1985 masterpiece and one of
the most popular horror franchises of all time, Day of the Dead is
the intense story of six strangers trying to survive the first 24
hours of an undead invasion. Romero’s famous flesh-eaters reminds us
that sometimes all it takes to bring people together is a horde of
hungry zombies trying to rip them apart. But unlike most zombie
tales, Day of the Dead isn’t the story of a crisis bringing out the
worst in people. Instead, it’s an ass-kicking adventure about how
our differences become strengths and how we band together when the
world goes crazy around us.
____________________________________
**Essential Film Noir: Collection 3** [Blu-ray] (The Strange Love of
Martha Ivers (1946), No Man Of Her Own (1950), The Turning Point
(1952) & The Desperate Hours (1955) - Imprint
US PURCHASE LINK
UK PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: Essential Film Noir Collection 3 includes four more
acclaimed and much sought after classics including The Strange Love
of Martha Ivers (1946), No Man Of Her Own (1950), The Turning Point
(1952) & The Desperate Hours (1955). The Strange Love of Martha
Ivers (1946) In 1928, young heiress Martha Ivers fails to run off
with friend Sam Masterson, and is involved in fatal events. Years
later, Sam returns to find Martha the power behind Iverstown and
married to "good boy" Walter O'Neil, now district attorney. At
first, Sam is more interested in displaced blonde Toni Marachek than
in his boyhood friends; but they draw him into a convoluted web of
plotting and cross-purposes. This Film Noir classic is superbly
directed by Lewis Milestone with an outstanding performance by Kirk
Douglas in his film debut. No Man Of Her Own (1950) A woman is torn
between a comfortable lie and the painful truth in this classic Film
Noir. Screen legend Barbara Stanwyck assumes another woman's
identity after surviving a train accident in this haunting drama
based on a Cornell Woolrich (under the pseudonym, William Irish)
novel, I Married a Dead Man. Eventually her past catches up to her
when her crooked ex-lover (Lyle Bettger) arrives in town, demanding
money to keep her true identity a secret. Beautifully photographed
by legendary cinematography by Daniel L. Fapp (The Big Clock).
Directed by Mitchell Leisen (Midnight). The Turning Point (1952)
Prosecutor John Conroy (Edmond O'Brien) is determined to bring down
organized crime in his Midwestern town. He looks to his father, Matt
(Tom Tully), a police officer, for help, but Matt refuses. John's
childhood friend Jerry McKibbon (William Holden), an investigative
reporter, senses something fishy. The Desperate Hours (1955)
Director William Wyler's suspense classic marks the only time cinema
giants Humphrey Bogart and Fredric March worked together. And the
result is everything you'd expect: taut, terrifying and terrific.
Bogart plays an escaped con who has nothing to lose. March is a
suburban Everyman who has everything to lose, as his family is held
hostage by Bogart. As the desperate hours tick by, the two men
square off in a battle of wills and cunning that tightens into an
unforgettable, fear-drenched finale.
____________________________________
**The Essential Jacques Demy** [Blu-ray] (Lola / Bay of Angels /The
Umbrellas of Cherbourg / The Young Girls of Rochefort / Donkey Skin
/ Une chambre en ville - Criterion
US PURCHASE LINK
BEAVER REVIEW
COMMENTS: French director Jacques Demy didn’t just make movies—he
created an entire cinematic world. Demy launched his glorious
feature filmmaking career in the sixties, a decade of astonishing
invention in his national cinema. He stood out from the crowd of his
fellow New Wavers, however, by filtering his self-conscious
formalism through deeply emotional storytelling. Fate and
coincidence, doomed love, and storybook romance surface throughout
his films, many of which are further united by the intersecting
lives of characters who appear or are referenced across titles. The
works collected here—made from the sixties to the eighties and
ranging from musical to melodrama to fantasia—are triumphs of visual
and sound design, camera work, and music, and they are galvanized by
the great stars of French cinema at their centers, including Anouk
Aimée, Catherine Deneuve, and Jeanne Moreau.
____________________________________
The Funhouse [4K UHD Blu-ray] (Tobe Hooper, 1981) Shout! Factory'
US PURCHASE LINK
CANADIAN PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: On her first date with Buzz (Cooper Huckabee, True Blood),
Amy (Elizabeth Berridge, Amadeus) disobeys her father and goes to
the carnival with Richie (Miles Chapin, Hair) and Liz (Largo
Woodruff, The Ladies Club)…but their first date may end up as their
last. After witnessing a murder, the four terrified teens are
trapped in the maze of the Funhouse and stalked by a real monster: a
horribly deformed killer who lurks among the freakish exhibits to
butcher them one by one! Also starring Sylvia Miles (Midnight
Cowboy) and Kevin Conway (Invincible) in three roles, The Funhouse
features special makeup designs by the ingenious Rick Baker (An
American Werewolf in London, Ed Wood).
____________________________________
**Golden Boy** [Blu-ray] (Rouben Mamoulian, 1939) Imprint
US PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: Newcomer William Holden became an overnight sensation in
the role of a young violinist who turns to boxing and finds himself
torn between his two occupations - especially when seductive
Stanwyck slinks into his life. Based on the hit play by legendary
Clifford Odets and directed by innovative genius Rouben Mamoulian.
Golden Boy packs just as big a punch today as it did when it came
out in 1939, widely considered the greatest movie year ever.
Starring William Holden, Barbara Stanwyck, Adolphe Menjou & Lee J.
Cobb.
____________________________________
**Jules Dassin's "He Who Must Die"** Blu-ray - Jean Servais @KinoLorber
US PURCHASE LINK
CANADIAN PURCHASE LINK
BONUS CAPTURES
OUR REVIEW
COMMENTS: Jules Dassin's He Who Must Die is set shortly after World
War I. A Greek village is occupied by a hypocritical Turkish
governance - and the story plays out mirroring the Passion Play
allegorically, with villagers taking the roles of the Jesus - a
stuttering shepherd (Pierre Vaneck) - the apostles, a town widow
playing prostitute Mary Magdalene (Melina Mercouri), etc. They rebel
against the invaders. Although many assume he was French, Jules
Dassin was born in the USA, one of eight children of Russian-Jewish
immigrants. He was blacklisted, and moved to France to work, having
briefly belonged to the Communist Party. He Who Must Die was shot in
Crete, Greece with excellent cinematography by Jacques Natteau and
Gilbert Chain. It's a very intelligent film filled with relevant
parables - although quite a step away from the director's 'dark
cinema' gems; Brute Force, Thieves' Highway, The Naked City, Night
and the City etc. The Kino Blu-ray looks and sounds wonderful and
includes a valuable commentary by Daniel Kremer. This package is
very highly recommended.
____________________________________
**I Am the Law** [Blu-ray] (Alexander Hall, 1938) Imprint
US PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: Law professor Robinson is named special prosecutor,
assigned to put an end to gangster activity in the city. Civic
leader Beal, who got Robinson his job, is involved in the rackets
and wants to control Robinson's investigation. Everyone Robinson's
office persuades to testify turns up dead. First Blu-ray release
worldwide. Starring Edward G. Robinson, Barbara O'Neil & John Beal.
____________________________________
The Invisible Man: The Complete Series (1975-76) [Blu-ray] - RB
UK Fabulous Films
UK PURCHASE LINK
ALT-BEAVER REVIEW
COMMENTS: Dr. Daniel Westin (David McCallum; Colditz, The Great
Escape, The Man From U.N.C.L.E), working as a leading scientist at a
U.S think-tank, discovers that the government intends to use his
newly created invisibility formula for unspeakable deeds. With
determination and perhaps not enough foresight, he renders himself
invisible and destroys the only batch ever created and quite
possibly any hope of ever returning to human form. Aided by his wife
and a few remaining allies, Dr. Westin becomes a crime-fighting
agent bent on, not only protecting the world but finding a cure for
his curse of invisibility. Inspired by the H.G. Wells novel and
created by Harvey Bennett (Star Trek), this classic 1975 series
features famed writers Stephen Bochco (Hill Street Blues), Alan J.
Levi (Lois and Clark, NCIS) and James D. Parriott (The Six Million
Dollar Man, The Incredible Hulk).
____________________________________
The Oblong Box [Blu-ray] (Gordon Hessler, 1969) Kino
US PURCHASE LINK
BEAVER REVIEW
COMMENTS: Coffins, blood and live corpses! A gasping, gnawing,
heart-stopping evil lies buried in The Oblong Box. Do you dare
unearth its wrath? Vincent Price (The Raven, Twice Told Tales) and
Christopher Lee (The Crimson Cult, House of the Long Shadows) are at
their terrifying best as a plantation owner with a shocking family
secret...and a wealthy doctor desperate to continue his morbid
experiments on human flesh in Edgar Allan Poe’s (The Tomb of Ligeia)
classic tale of the living dead! Price returns to his English manor
from an African trip with his mad, mutilated brother and buries his
chained-up sibling alive. When the body is exhumed, the
madman—somehow still alive—begins a systematic search for vengeance.
Co-written, produced and directed by horror great Gordon Hessler
(Scream and Scream Again, Cry of the Banshee) with top-notch
cinematography by John Coquillon (Straw Dogs, The Wilby Conspiracy).
____________________________________
**On the Beach** [Blu-ray] (Stanley Kramer, 1959) Imprint
US PURCHASE LINK
CANADIAN PURCHASE LINK
ALT-BEAVER REVIEW
COMMENTS: The war is over. Nobody won. Only the inhabitants of
Australia and the men of the US submarine Sawfish have escaped the
nuclear destruction and radiation. Captain Dwight Towers (Gregory
Peck) takes the Sawfish on a mission to see if an approaching
radiation cloud has weakened, but returns with grim news: the cloud
is lethal. With the days and hours dwindling, each person confronts
the grim situation in his or her own way. The final chapter of human
history is coming to a close. From acclaimed director Stanley Kramer
(The Defiant Ones, Inherit the Wind) and screenwriter John Paxton
comes this spectacular movie landmark film masterpiece with a
message that will resonate as long as the world has the power to
self-destruct at it's own fingertips. Starring Gregory Peck, Ava
Gardner, Fred Astaire, Anthony Perkins & Donna Anderson.
____________________________________
Paradise Highway [Blu-ray] (Anna Gutto, 2022) Lionsgate
US PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: Oscar winners Juliette Binoche and Morgan Freeman star in
this riveting thriller about a truck driver and a detective trying
to save a girl from a human-trafficking operation.
____________________________________
**Paravision Dreams: The Golden Age 3-D Films of Pine and Thomas** - Sangaree (1953), Those Redheads from Seattle (1953), Jivaro (1954) -
Kino
US PURCHASE LINK
CANADIAN PURCHASE LINK
BEAVER REVIEW
BEAVER REVIEW
COMMENTS: This collection includes three classic 3-D films in
glorious Technicolor. SANGAREE (1953) – Fernando Lamas stars as Dr.
Carlos Morales, son of an indentured servant, who rises to power in
the state of Georgia shortly after the Revolutionary War. Romance,
political intrigue and a plague outbreak in Savannah highlight this
lush historical drama. Co-starring Arlene Dahl and Patricia Medina.
THOSE REDHEADS FROM SEATTLE (1953) – Four ruby-haired, golden-voiced
young women arrive in Alaskan Gold Rush territory to help their
father run his newspaper—only to find him murdered. The Klondike
gets all fired up as these redheads get work at a saloon and search
for the killer. Starring Rhonda Fleming, Gene Barry and Agnes
Moorehead. JIVARO (1954) – Fernando Lamas and Rhonda Fleming team up
for this romantic and thrilling adventure, also known as Lost
Treasure of the Amazon. Alice Parker (Fleming) arrives at the
Brazilian trading outpost of Rio Galdez (Lamas) in search of her
fiancé (Richard Denning), an alcoholic engineer who has ventured
into treacherous headhunter country on a quest for gold. Co-starring
Brian Keith, Rita Moreno and Lon Chaney Jr. 3-D Restorations by 3-D
Film Archive.
____________________________________
**The Piano [4K UHD Blu-ray]** (Jane Campion, 1993)
Studiocanal
UK PURCHASE LINK
Already out in
US PURCHASE LINK
CANADIAN PURCHASE LINK
ALT-BEAVER REVIEW
COMMENTS: With this sublimely stirring fable of desire and
creativity, Jane Campion became the first woman to win a Palme d’Or
at Cannes. Holly Hunter is achingly eloquent through silence in her
Academy Award–winning performance as Ada, an electively mute
Scottish woman who expresses her innermost feelings through her
beloved piano. When an arranged marriage brings Ada and her spirited
daughter (Anna Paquin, in her Oscar-winning debut) to the wilderness
of nineteenth-century New Zealand, she finds herself locked in a
battle of wills with both her ineffectual husband (Sam Neill) and a
rugged frontiersman (Harvey Keitel) to whom she develops a forbidden
attraction. With its sensuously moody cinematography, dramatic
coastal landscapes, and sweeping score, this uniquely timeless
evocation of a woman’s inner awakening is an intoxicating sensory
experience that burns with the twin fires of music and erotic
passion.
____________________________________
Pleasure [Blu-ray] (Ninja Thyberg, 2021) RB UK MUBI
UK PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: A raw, vital and groundbreaking exploration of the adult
film industry, Pleasure is the unflinching first feature from
writer-director Ninja Thyberg. Bella (newcomer Sofia Kappel) arrives
in Los Angeles from her hometown in Sweden, with dreams of becoming
the next porn superstar. However, as her ruthless ambition leads her
into increasingly dangerous territory, Bella struggles to reconcile
her dreams of empowerment with the realities of the darker side of
her industry. One of the most audacious breakouts of Sundance Film
Festival 2021, Thyberg’s captivating debut addresses powerful ideas
of consent and agency in sex work, through a fearless and
uncompromising lens.
____________________________________
**Rachel, Rachel** [Blu-ray] (Paul Newman, 1968) Warner Archive
US PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: Golden Globe-winner Joanne Woodward portrays of a
frustrated schoolteacher in this beautifully sensitive, mature film
about a lonely woman who tries to come out of her shell.
____________________________________
**Star Trek: The Motion Picture [4K UHD Blu-ray]** (Robert Wise, 1979)
Paramount
US PURCHASE LINK
CANADIAN PURCHASE LINK
UK PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: Director Robert Wise’s definitive vision, eagerly
anticipated by STAR TREK fans for over two decades, has been
meticulously restored and remastered for optimal picture and sound.
This must-have release features a bonus disc with hours of new and
legacy special features, including extensive behind the scenes
footage, deleted scenes, and more. The adventure begins when an
unidentified alien intruder destroys three powerful Klingon
cruisers. Captain James T. Kirk boldly returns to the helm of a
newly transformed U.S.S. Enterprise to take command. This bold
adventure launched one of the longest running movie franchises of
all time and features the cast of the original STAR TREK series,
including William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, George
Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, and James Doohan.
____________________________________
**They Who Dare** [Blu-ray] (Lewis Milestone, 1954) RB UK Studiocanal
UK PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: 1954 WWII film directed by Lewis Milestone and starring
Dirk Bogarde, Denholm Elliott and Akim Tamiroff. Based on Operation
Anglo in the Dodecanese islands, that took place at the height of
WWII. German planes are disrupting the lines of communication
between the Allies and their forces in Africa. Lieutenant Graham (Bogarde)
leads a raiding party on German-controlled airfields in Rhodes to
free the airwaves from enemy interference.
____________________________________
Twice-Told Tales [Blu-ray] (Sidney Salkow, 1963) Kino
US PURCHASE LINK
BEAVER REVIEW
COMMENTS: A Terrifying Trilogy of Passion, Poison and Possession!
It’s spine-tingling terror—in triplicate! Virtuoso of horror Vincent
Price (The Raven, The Tomb of Ligeia) dials up the depravity in this
spellbinding trilogy of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s (The Scarlet Letter)
chilling classics! Dripping with demented genius, poisonous plants,
oozing blood and a corpse in a wedding gown, Twice-Told Tales spins
three gripping, diabolical nightmares of madness, mayhem and murder
most foul. Price stars in all three stories, including “Dr.
Heidegger's Experiment,” about a scientist who finds the fountain of
youth...and lives to regret it; “Rappaccini's Daughter,” the twisted
tale of a demented father whose love for his daughter turns
poisonous; and “The House of the Seven Gables,” the ghostly legend
of an ancient cursed family who lived for power...and died for
greed. The stellar cast includes Sebastian Cabot (The Time Machine),
Brett Halsey (Return of the Fly), Beverly Garland (Chicago
Confidential) and Joyce Taylor (13 Frightened Girls!).
____________________________________
Vice Versa [Blu-ray] (Peter Ustinov, 1948) RB UK Network
UK PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: Roger Livesey and a very young Anthony Newley star as a
Victorian father and son who accidentally swap bodies after a
foolishly casual wish made in the presence of a magical Indian
artefact! Written and directed by filmmaker, wit and reconteur Peter
Ustinov, Vice Versa is featured here as a brand-new High Definition
remaster from original film elements in its original theatrical
aspect ratio. During a heart-to-heart with his son, pompous
businessman Paul Bultitude envies his schoolboy son Dick's youth,
while Dick wishes he were grown up. They both get what they wish for
when, magically, the son becomes the father (and vice versa) - a
situation that soon causes consternation and uproar!
____________________________________
Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men [Blu-ray] (2019) RB UK Dazzler Media
UK PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: The documentary was created by Sacha Jenkins and tells a
story of the New York-based hip-hop group Wu Tang Clan from their
earliest times to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the group.
During the three-hour documentary all nine living members of the
group are interviewed, as well as footage from 2004 featuring the
late Ol’ Dirty Bastard are shown. Numerous people connected with the
Wu-Tang Clan also contributed to it providing their own stories and
describing their relations with the members.
________________________________
LATEST CALENDAR UPDATES (CLICK TITLES FOR MORE INFORMATION):
September 12th, 2022
**Identification of a Woman** (Michelangelo Antonioni, 1982) RB
UK Cult Films
ALT-DVDBEAVER REVIEW
**Fatal Attraction** [4K UHD Blu-ray] (Adrian Lyne, 1987)
Paramount UK
**Life for Ruth** (Basil Dearden, 1962) RB UK Network
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life [4K UHD Blu-ray] (Terry
Jones / Terry Gilliam, 1983) Universal UK
**Sky West and Crooked** (John Mills, 1966) RB UK Network
___________________________
September 19th, 2022
**Ace High** (Giuseppe Colizzi, 1968) Kino
**Elvis 4K UHD** (Baz Luhrmann, 2022) Warner UK
**The Lost Boys 4K UHD** (Joel Schumacher, 1987) Warner US
**Szerelem (Love)** (Károly Makk, 1971) R0 UK Second Run
___________________________
September 26th, 2022
Blood of the Chupacabras (Jonathan Mumm, 2005) Visual
Vengeance
**Gattaca 4K UHD Steelbook** (Andrew Niccol, 1997) Sony
DVDBEAVER REVIEW
Indecent Proposal 4K UHD (Adrian Lyne, 1993) Kino
___________________________
October 3rd, 2022
**Dr. No Steelbook** (Terence Young, 1962) MGM UK
___________________________
October 10th, 2022
**The Score 4K UHD** (Frank Oz, 2001) Kino
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October 17th, 2022
A Candle For The Devil (Eugenio Martín, 1973) 88 Films
ALT-DVDBEAVER REVIEW
Island of the Blue Dolphins (James B. Clark, 1964) Kino
Lorber/Scorpion
___________________________
October 24th, 2022
**Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection Volume 3** (It
Happened One Night / From Here to Eternity / To Sir, With Love / The
Last Picture Show / Annie (1982) / As Good As It Gets) - Sony
**The Counterfeit Traitor** (George Seaton, 1962) Kino
**Lonelyhearts** (Vincent J. Donehue, 1958) Kino
**The Rainmaker** (Joseph Anthony, 1956) Kino
**The Usual Suspects 4K UHD** (Bryan Singer, 1995) Kino
___________________________
October 31st, 2022
**Come Back, Little Sheba** (Daniel Mann, 1952) Imprint
Daisies (Vera Chytilová, 1966) Criterion
ALT-DVDBEAVER REVIEW
**In the Mood for Love 4K UHD** (Kar-Wai Wong, 2000) Criterion
DVDBEAVER Blu-ray REVIEW
**Save the Tiger** (John G. Avildsen, 1973) Imprint
**Top Gun: Maverick 4K UHD** (Joseph Kosinski, 2022) Paramount
___________________________
November 7th, 2022
**The Power of the Dog** (Jane Campion, 2021) Criterion
**The Power of the Dog 4K UHD** (Jane Campion, 2021) Criterion
___________________________
November 14th, 2022
**El vampiro negro** (The Black Vampire) (Román Viñoly Barreto,
1953) Flicker Alley
**The Infernal Affairs Trilogy**
(Infernal Affairs/Infernal Affairs II/Infernal Affairs III) (Andrew
Lau / Alan Mak, 2002-2003) Criterion
___________________________
November 21st
**Malcolm X** (Spike Lee, 1992) Criterion
**Malcolm X 4K UHD** (Spike Lee, 1992) Criterion
**Shawscope: Volume Two** (The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Return to
the 36th Chamber, Disciples of the 36th Chamber, Mad Monkey Kung Fu,
Five Superfighters. Venom Mob, Invincible Shaolin, The Kid with the
Golden Arm, Magnificent Ruffians, Ten Tigers of Kwangtung, My Young
Auntie, Mercenaries from Hong Kong, The Boxer’s Omen, Martial Arts
of Shaolin, The Bare-Footed Kid) Arrow US
US PURCHASE LINK
UK PURCHASE LINK
___________________________
November 28th, 2022
Cannibal Holocaust 4K UHD (Ruggero Deodato, 1980) UK 88 Films
_____________________________________
REVIEWS / COMPARISONS:
"The Films Of Doris Wishman: The
Moonlight Years" Blu-ray - Sharon Kent
The Sex Perils of Paulette (1965), Bad Girls Go to Hell (1965), The
Hot Month of August (1966), Another Day, Another Man (1966), My
Brother's Wife (1966), A Taste of Flesh (1967), Indecent Desires
(1968), Too Much Too Often! (1968) and Passion Fever (1969) @VinegarSyndrome
US PURCHASE LINK
CANADIAN PURCHASE LINK
OUR REVIEW
COMMENTS: Doris Wishman's films here in this package have aspects of
BDSM, fetishism, assault, abuse, alcoholism, objectification, stolen
innocence etc. and we can see the same actors, same sets
(occasionally Doris Wishman's apartment), heavy eye-make-up and
bulky lingerie throughout. They are easily categorized as
sexploitation and soft-to-harder pornography of which Wishman is
considered to be a pioneer. Antiobscenity laws prohibited the
showing of many of her films for decades. So AGFA's The Films of
Doris Wishman: The Moonlight Years triple Blu-ray set is a
continuation of the first package; The Films of Doris Wishman: The
Twilight Years on Blu-ray although these are earlier films - where
she is often credit as "Louis Silverman". I imagine these being
popular at bachelor stags at some point and they retain historical
significance as a kind of genre time-capsule. They can engender a
kitschy-ness and the set is recommended to a minute niche - who,
like The Twilight Years set, probably already know who they are. I
can't imagine anyone doing a more complete set - and these do have
the commentaries as worthwhile supplements.
___________________________
**Luis Buñuel's "The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz"** Blu-ray -
Ernesto Alonso @vciclassicfilms
US PURCHASE LINK
CANADIAN PURCHASE LINK
BONUS CAPTURES
OUR REVIEW
COMMENTS: Luis Buñuel's The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz
is was made in the latter part of his “Mexican” period - dubbed by
some as a time that his films were more commercial… certainly true
in comparison to his later works in which he was granted significant
artistic freedoms. “The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz”
brought Buñuel international acclaim and it was in these 50's films
that he developed his style with trademark surreal, unpredictable
imagery with biting and often grim social observations. Buñuel
created sublime artistic cinema merely touching on dark perversions,
eroticism and criminal intent. Archibaldo feeling that his re-found
music box is compelling him to indulge in the practices of a serial
killer, finds his careful plotting and scheming continually falls
short of its intended target. The plot walks the fine line between
frustrated serial killer, bizarre fetishism and cynicism over
Buñuel’s usual foibles of the rich, macho men with sexual and
religious restraints. It's a film I am very happy to own looking as
good as it does on the restored VCI Blu-ray. The video essay has
some value and, despite the lossy audio, the package should be
appealing to the director's loyal fan-base.
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**"Forbidden Love: The Unashamed Stories of Lesbian Lives"** Blu-ray -
Ann Bannon @CIPictures @VinegarSyndrome
US PURCHASE LINK
CANADIAN PURCHASE LINK
UK PURCHASE LINK
BONUS CAPTURES
OUR REVIEW
COMMENTS: I really enjoyed Lynne Fernie + Aerlyn Weissman's
Forbidden Love: The Unashamed Stories of Lesbian Lives. Many friends
know of my penchant net for vintage Pulp' (mostly magazines) and I
have done a small webpage HERE. The wonderful ladies being
interviewed in Forbidden Love remain totally engaging. This is
fascinating and humorous as well as focusing a spotlight on a rarely
(if ever) discussed topic how these women would navigate their lives
around their discovery of their suppressed sexual desires - some
60-years ago in Canada! What a delightful joy this hybrid
drama-documentary is and huge thanks to Canadian International
Pictures (CIP) for transferring Forbidden Love: The Unashamed
Stories of Lesbian Lives to Blu-ray (I don't think it was ever on
DVD) with all the impressive extras. I certainly recommend this to
any who might be keen. Just great.
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**Yves Boisset's "The Cop"** (Un condé) Blu-ray - Michel Bouquet @KinoLorber
US PURCHASE LINK
CANADIAN PURCHASE LINK
BONUS CAPTURES
OUR REVIEW
COMMENTS: Yves Boisset's The Cop tackles some harsh morality with a
committed police officer who has had enough after a colleague dies
and goes on a cold-blooded vengeful spree against the baddies.
Perhaps evoking Dirty Harry to a certain degree with the strong
indifference to criminal's rights. There are no redeeming characters
in The Cop and the French government wanted to ban it for the
portrayal of police corruption and the extensive violence. While the
French release had a few cuts, this Kino Blu-ray is the complete
version. It's a highly impacting crime-film appealing to the
vigilante cinema fans. It's very adeptly realized by Boisset. I am
very happy this gripping, intense, film is available in such
pleasing a/v with the addition of the excellent commentary.
Absolutely recommended!
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**Jules Dassin's "He Who Must Die"** Blu-ray - Jean Servais @KinoLorber
US PURCHASE LINK
CANADIAN PURCHASE LINK
BONUS CAPTURES
OUR REVIEW
COMMENTS: Jules Dassin's He Who Must Die is set shortly after World
War I. A Greek village is occupied by a hypocritical Turkish
governance - and the story plays out mirroring the Passion Play
allegorically, with villagers taking the roles of the Jesus - a
stuttering shepherd (Pierre Vaneck) - the apostles, a town widow
playing prostitute Mary Magdalene (Melina Mercouri), etc. They rebel
against the invaders. Although many assume he was French, Jules
Dassin was born in the USA, one of eight children of Russian-Jewish
immigrants. He was blacklisted, and moved to France to work, having
briefly belonged to the Communist Party. He Who Must Die was shot in
Crete, Greece with excellent cinematography by Jacques Natteau and
Gilbert Chain. It's a very intelligent film filled with relevant
parables - although quite a step away from the director's 'dark
cinema' gems; Brute Force, Thieves' Highway, The Naked City, Night
and the City etc. The Kino Blu-ray looks and sounds wonderful and
includes a valuable commentary by Daniel Kremer. This package is
very highly recommended.
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DVDBeaver Newsletter for the Week of
September 5th, 2022 |