DVDBeaver Newsletter for Oct 20th, 2005
Hello again to all in our community who take supreme advantage of the experience of world of cinema from the comfort of their own homes.
For those with finicky mail clients - you may read our newsletter via the web HERE.
A visiting film fan visits Ozu-san's grave and send us this PICTURE
This weeks newsletter has 19 new items - with a superb selection of strong films. We are again loaded up with important directors. What a lineup - Hitchcock, Tourneur, Wyler, Burton, Miyazaki, Scorsese, Itami, Teshigahara ... and more.
We are continuing to update our YesAsia recommendations page HERE. They are an e-tailor stocked with rare treasured film releases on DVD - not only some Japanese, Chinese and Korean films that are almost impossible to view theatrically, but some modern and superior mainstream offerings as well.
Our Director's Chair added the seemingly ubiquitous (lately) Jacques Tourneur to our list. You can see the 34-strong group at the Search page HERE. We will continue to try to churn at least one out every week.
RECOMMEND:
Some excellent DVDs this week - firstly two primo film-noirs that are great bargains: Detective Story and The Strange Love of Martha Ivers. After a full viewing we endorse the new The Wizard of Oz. Goodness, do we ever need a North American re-release DVD of Taxi Driver - the French edition has a commentary and the Japanese is a stellar SuperBit. Two totally un-related Asian films that I adore - Flower Island and Tampopo are wonderful in their own right.. We will try to get those Hitch masterpiece Collection comparisons done, but viewing our Rear Window page should give you an indication that it is a very worthy purchase. I have the feeling that I am preaching to the converted but I Walked With a Zombie and The Body Snatcher are further evidence to snag the Lewton Set.
NEW Region Free marvel: the Malata DVD-856 Region Free (brand new model) - its the best region-free machine I have seen. CHECK HERE for details and pictures.
Most Recent Reviews
and Comparisons:
Detective Story - A day in the life of New
York's 21st precinct police station. Solid Noir appeal with Kirk Douglas being
directed by William Wyler. One the best black and white images I have seen this
year... and its cheap too.
Batman Returns - Of all the Batman films
that I suffered through this was the only shining spark of attempted brilliance
- one of Tim Burton's best films and Michelle Pfeiffer made me forget any
boyhood fantasies of Ertha Kitt, Lee Meriweather or Julie Newmar. Stacked new
DVD with director commentary.
Maitresse - As is so often the case with
films censored in the Seventies and eventually released uncut, one wonders what
all the fuss was about. Maitresse is the story of a dominatrix prostitute (Bulle
Ogier), her boyfriend (Gerard Depardieu) and how her job affects their
relationship. Criterion wins this close battle.
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers - Lewis
Milestone's classic Film Noir opens in the rain - 1928, where a feisty young
heiress named Martha Ivers is thwarted in her attempt to run off with her friend
Sam Masterson. Pure Film Noir that builds steam with each scene. Kept buoyant
with excellent performances. Wonderful!
The Wizard of Oz - There's no place like
home, and there will never be another movie like 'The Wizard of Oz'. Every so
often you forget how enchanting this film is... and then a song surfaces on the
radio, or a reference is made on TV. Many segments of the film have maintained a
cultural and sociological status as an embedded icon in our collected memory
banks.
Taxi Driver - Taxi Driver is the definitive
cinematic portrait of loneliness and alienation manifested as violence. This
masterpiece, which is not for all tastes, is sure to horrify some viewers, but
few could deny the film's lasting power and importance. Check out how the new
Japanese SuperBit compares...
Flower Island - There's something really
impressive about this film in the emotional impact of its characters and the
strangely enchanting pace. It's like a fairy tale which slowly lets real life
enter into it. Now available again on DVD - I wouldn't wait.
Tampopo - A fun, enjoyable window on
another culture... touching, and appetizing film. I defy anyone not to build an
appetite watching Juzo Itami's 1985 film 'Tampopo'.
Crying Out Love in the Center of the World
- A popular Japanese story of longing that, for many, may have crossed the line
of over-sentimentality that it so incessantly flirts with throughout the films
entire 2+ hours. Filled with memorable star-crossed scenes the cinematic beauty
seems more than enough to carry through its finale.
Basara - The Princess Goh - continues both
the plot and the style of Rikyu, a historical drama. If you can stand slow pace,
and enjoy sumptuous visuals, I heartily recommend it, but if you haven't seen
'Rikyu', see it first. ohhh this is Tesigahara's (Woman in the Dunes) last film.
Rear Window - It’s set in Greenwich Village
during a sweltering summer of open windows, and it reeks of 1954.The movie’s
overall narrative form of scanning past windows in a courtyard seems to
anticipate channel surfing, but it reflects the way one turns a radio knob,
tuning in and out of frequencies while the station indicator moves horizontally
or vertically along the dial.
I Walked With a Zombie - but there is no
denying this films powerful blend of imagery, music and environment. The
camerawork is a real treat as well. A hidden gem that many may dismiss for its
repetitively abused title words. Don't let it deter you. A very worthwhile, if
short and curious, film.
The Body Snatcher - far more accomplished
and evocative than some critics have suggested. In an effort to pull in the
punters, Karloff and Lugosi received dual star billing... and Robert Wise is at
the helm. Another little gem from the Lewton Collection.
Asta Nielsen - She is probably the greatest
Danish film star. However, she only starred in four Danish films, all of which
are on this DVD: From her breathtaking appearance in “The Abyss” (1910) to
Holger-Madsen’s moral tale “Towards the Light” (1919).
Bolivia - A starkly realistic story of an
illegal immigrant from Bolivia who lands a job with a greasy spoon on the
outskirts of Buenos Aires, Bolivia poignantly depicts the world of poverty,
racism and violence that characterize his newfound reality.
The Castle of Cagliostro - Full of silly
humor, neck breaking action sequences and nail biting suspense, this is indeed
one incredible entertaining adventure film. Hayao Miyazaki anime from 25 years
ago.
The Little Norse Prince
- is a key film in Japanese animation history, being both the first
modern anime, but also the film on which Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, who
later formed Studio Ghibli, first worked together.
Mysterious Skin - With almost lyrical
simplicity, Gregg Araki has created one incredible powerful film about sexual
trauma and how they shape our lives. Beautifully acted by Corbett and Gordon-Levitt,
as well as great supporting roles by especially Elisabeth Shue, "Mysterious
Skin" is a film first and foremost to experience, at the same time brutal and
tender, toying with our perception of things, provokes and seduces. One of the
best films of the year.
Upcoming releases (next 2 weeks)
Detective Story (William Wyler - 1951) Paramount Home Video
Jerry Lewis: Legendary Jerry Collection (10pc) Paramount
Kill! (Kihachi Okamoto, 1968) Criterion
(Gus Van Sant, 2005) HBO (1969 - Marco Bellocchio, Bernardo Bertolucci) NoShame FilmsMysterious Skin (Gregg Araki - 2004) TLA Entertainment Group
Partner - (Bernard Bertolucci) - NoShame Film - Wea Corp
Rebel Samurai
- Sixties Swordplay Classics (Criterion
Collection) (1965)
Samurai Rebellion
(Masaki Kobayashi, 1967) Criterion
Samurai Spy
(Masahiro Shinoda, 1965) Criterion
Sword of the Beast
(Hideo Gosha, 1965) Criterion
Le Samouraï
(Jean-Pierre Melville, 1967) Criterion
Sunrise (F.W.
Murnau, 1927) Eureka/MoC [R2-UK]
Tale of Springtime
(Eric Rohmer, 1990) Artificial Eye [R2-UK]
Vengeance is Mine
(Shohei Imamura, 1979) Eureka/MoC [R2-UK]
The Wages of Fear (Henri-Georges Clouzot, 1953 - Restored Edition) Criterion
(Victor Fleming-1939-Two-Disc Special Edition) - Warner Home Video
Chunhyang
(Kwon-taek Im - 2000) LONG VERSION - Spectrum
DVD
Seopyeonje
(Kwon-taek Im, 1993) - Spectrum DVD - Region 0 -
NTSC
Fox Film Noir Collection (Call Northside 777, House of Bamboo, House on 92nd Street, Laura, Nightmare Alley, Panic in the Streets, Somewhere in The Night, A Street with No Name, Whirlpool) Fox Home Entertainment
Nelly and M. Arnaud
(Claude Sautet, 1995)
Pathé [R2-UK]
On connaît la chanson
(Alain Resnais, 1997) Pathé [R2-UK]
Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (Lucas, 2005) Twentieth Century Fox Home Video
Straight To Hell / Death And The Compass (Alex Cox) - BFI - UK
Three Businessmen /
Highway Patrolman (Alex Cox) -
BFI - UK
Tropical Maladay
(Apichatpong
Weerasethakul, 2004) Strand Releasing
Best,
Gary
.
Ballad Of Narayama DVD and more added to our YesAsia links page HERE
LAST DAY
!: If you buy any DVDs at YesAsia.com, you can get $ 5 off a $20+ purchase (FIRST TIME BUYERS ONLY). During the check out process, simply key in coupon code "YesasiaBeaver09", and $5 will automatically be deducted from the total (provided that the total amounts exceeds $20). Good till Oct 21st, 2005!