Hey folks, Harry here with this third installment of my DVD Picks & Peeks for October 2009! We start the list off with the title that will dominate the talkback and end with a great documentary that sadly, too few have seen. As usual the titles and the Images are linkable to Amazon, where you can learn more on the title in question, or go ahead and purchase it and a small portion of the price goes to continue to sponsor this column! Without further babble, let’s get on with it!

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN

Ok, here’s someone’s homework assignment. See, if by selectively removing the most offensively awful scenes from TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN – if you can conjure a somewhat cool Action/Sci-Fi Adventure film for the whole family. Because I’m pretty certain that there is easily 45 minutes of this film that could go the way of the DoDo, but I also hold that like PEARL HARBOR, once that unnecessary BS is removed, that there could possibly be a solidly entertaining film left behind. OF COURSE – this all begs the question of why anyone would want to spend any time, much less any money upon this work of plastic cinema? I haven’t yet summoned the answer.

Peanuts: 1970’s Collection Vol. 1 ( IT’S A MYSTERY CHARLIE BROWN / PLAY IT AGAIN / A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING / IT’S THE EASTER BEAGLE / THERE’S NO TIME FOR LOVE / YOU’RE NOT ELECTED )

If you’re planning on having kids, if you have kids or if you are still a kid at some level, the Bill Melendez/Charles Schultz Animated TV Specials are gold. They must be seen by every generation. Children must fear running to kick a football, to be afraid of kite eating trees, to await the Easter Beagle and so much more. At some point, I believe these will appear on Blu Ray. At least that’s the hope I have, but till that far off day, these will do just fine. Besides, there’s two of these that have never been seen on DVD! So, there ya go… Quick, before Lucy snatches your copy away!

WATERWORLD (Blu Ray)

There’s several things I find funny about WATERWORLD today. First off is that my wife’s generation seems to like the movie and have none of the bias that those of us that were in College had for this film. Second, it’s the production design. I was watching STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT last night – and as Diana & her Sis Daisy watched, I commented upon the LOOK of this future Earth. In the 90’s. It seems the future contemporary structures would be built out of Aluminum, Plexi and repurposed existing materials. This was very much THE LOOK of the future then. Be it this, FIRST CONTACT, BATTLEFIELD EARTH… and on and on and on. And then we realized… Well, it is “Green” – and the horrifying thought became… EWWWWW – THAT IS THE FUTURE! The trasfer is just as sharp as the HD DVD that came out and there doesn’t seem to be any real jewels of extras. Hey? Am I the only one that remembers that incredibly eloquent and pro-environmentalist scoring stage piece that Matt Drudge wrote back in 1995 talking about how after he returned to his place, he looked out at the ocean and wondered about the future of mankind and could we perservere when the Ice Caps melted. Before it was politicized into a Conservative vs Liberal debate? I miss that Matt Drudge.

CHERI

I love Stephen Frears’ work and God knows I’ve adored Michelle Pfeffier for decades. And their last work together, DANGEROUS LIAISONS is a classic. Besides, a film about an aging mistress of the night in Paris of long long ago… well, I was very curious – especially when you add the always wonderful Kathy Bates to the mix. The film is heartbreakingly erotic, hot & funny. It was excellent. Michelle is still one of the most beautiful women on the planet. Anyone that would pick Megan Fox over her would be an imbecile in my opinion. Michelle oozes sensuality without an ounce of sluttery. The story of her December/May romance with the Son of a “lady” is completely captivating from beginning to end. Highly recommended.

BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE

I haven’t seen this yet. It actually angers me that I haven’t seen this yet, as it’s one of those types of films that usually I see exceptionally early. I’ve loved the trailers and previews for this – and I’m going to see if I can find a copy of it tomorrow, if not, I’ll be clicking this link like many of you to order it. It was handsomely produced and does have moderately good word about it.

The William Castle Film Collection (13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS / 13 GHOSTS / HOMICIDAL / STRAIT-JACKET / THE TINGLER / THE OLD DARK HOUSE / MR SARDONICUS / ZOTZ! )

OK – I out and out love MR. SARDONICUS, THE TINGLER, STRAIT-JACKET and 13 GHOSTS… I’m not a fan of the remake of THE OLD DARK HOUSE, but I’m curious to see 13 FIGHTENED GIRLS and ZOTZ! Now if you saw the Joe Dante movie, MATINEE you’d be right in the mood for this set of films. William Castle was a great showman who made movies that were meant to inspire hijinks and fun for your local theater. At the Drafthouse – we’ve had great TINGLER screenings, but we haven’t yet done a proper screening of 13 GHOSTS – we need to do it. Must have ghosts fly over the audiences heads at key points! MUST HAPPEN! It will one day! That said – I think the issue price on this set is a bit outrageous. $80.95? Even with the Amazon discount, that takes it to $59.99. My instincts tell me that you should hold out for a bit. Unless, like me, you’re a William Castle freak.

On 13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS you get the trailer, the original British trailer intro, the Candy Web trailer and the original Candy Web theatrical opening and closing message from William Castle himself – along with 4 alternate openings! It’s pretty damn sweet.

On 13 GHOSTS there’s a special feature called THE MAGIC OF ILLUSION-O and a trailer.

On HOMICIDAL there’s a featurette titled Psychette: William Castle & Homicidal. There’s premiere footage from the Youngstown, Ohio premiere and a trailer.

On STRAIT-JACKET there’s a Making of, Joan Crawford’s Wardrobe Tests, an Axe Test, the TV spots, a How To Plan A Movie Murder Featurette and the Trailer.

THE OLD DARK HOUSE & ZOTZ just have a trailer.

On MR SARDONICUS you get to take THE PUNISHMENT POLL, the GHOST STORY Pilot and the original trailer.

On THE TINGLER you get “SCREAM FOR YOUR LIVES: WILLIAM CASTLE AND THE TINGLER, an alternate Drive In Sequence, there’s the CIRCLE OF FEAR graveyard shift and the Trailer! If you love this, you should check out Mark Miller’s comic (Not Included)!

SUMMER STORM

Starring my not-so-distant Cousin, Linda Darnell and the awesome George Sanders… and directed by the great Douglas Sirk! If you end up loving this Gold Digger story by that “hack” Anton Chekhov (giggle), and the Oscar nominated score by Karl Hajos – who is criminally underrated – but was the composer that created all that wonderful Serial stock music for everything from Buck Rogers to Zorro’s Fighting Legion, Flash Gordon to feature work like WEREWOLF OF LONDON and much more! Anyway, this is a great film, you definitely owe it to yourself to check it out!

MONSOON WEDDING Criterion Collection (Blu-Ray)

A brilliant film from director Mira Nair. It is beautifully transferred, as you’d expect, by Criterion – and the world just looks so damn beautiful on this Blu Ray. But the extras that Criterion put together is what really puts this one over the top. Here… check it out.

New, restored high-definition digital transfer, supervised by director Mira Nair and director of photography Declan Quinn with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack • Audio commentary featuring Nair • Nair’s short documentaries So Far from India (1983), India Cabaret (1985), and The Laughing Club of India (2001), featuring video introductions by the director • Nair’s short fiction films The Day the Mercedes Became a Hat (1993), 11'09'01—September 11 (Segment: India) (2002), Migration (2007), and How Can It Be? (2008), featuring video introductions by the director • New video interview with actor Naseeruddin Shah, conducted by Nair • New video interviews with Quinn and production designer Stephanie Carroll • Theatrical trailer • New and improved English subtitle translation • PLUS: An essay by critic and travel writer Pico Iyer

All of that is wonderfully put together. And if you happen to have never seen MONSOON WEDDING, you’re in for a treat!

PLASTIC MAN: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION

That we haven’t seen a Wachowski written and directed PLASTIC MAN feature yet is a crime! All we have is this rather awesomely fun show from the late 70’s – early 80’s. I loved PLASTIC MAN. I was actually introduced to the character by my father via a large collection of Golden Age comics he let me read, so when the cartoon hit TV, my fevered pulp loving brain was ready, willing and able to bounce along on every adventure. Once I saw the Batman Animated Series – I longed to see PLASTIC MAN handled in a cartoon 40’s – with that darker edge. We still haven’t seen it. One day I hope to.

HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET – The Complete Series

This is just a repackage job, figured I’d warn y’all that there isn’t any new material on here. But if you haven’t picked it up yet… you’re missing out. It is a really damn fine show.

EASY RIDER (Blu Ray)

Beyond the cultural iconography of the film, it is a great film to boot. Rewatching this last week was wonderful. The transfer was beautiful – completely capturing the gorgeous grain this film had. The music? Oh god, it has never sounded so fucking good! From the first time you see the “Captain America” bike and Fonda’s Jacket – you’ll know just how beautiful this print is. Then for the acid drop in the New Orleans cemetery. WONDERFUL! Hard to believe this is 40 years old, must mean I’m getting close. What a frightening concept! Really great!

SHERLOCK HOLMES: The Archive Collection

Ok – I have no bones about admitting this… but I’m a Sherlock Holmes and mystery junkie. I literally can not get enough. Earlier this year I read the Nicholas Meyer edited edition of John H Watson’s memoir that was published after his death… called THE WEST END HORROR and I was drunk in love… all over again with Holmes. I love Sherlock Holmes – and I’m giddy that Guy Ritchie has a new take for us – and I loved the script. SO – when I was told… there’s new to Home Video Sherlock Holmes stuff… OH MAN! Sign me up. Here’s what you get:

First time ever on home video! DeLuxe EDITION, 3-Disc Set, Sherlock Holmes: The Archive Collection:

Disc 1 includes The Sleeping Cardinal (a/k/a Sherlock Holmes Fatal Hour, 1931) with Arthur Wontner, Lost in Limehouse (a 2-reel burlesque, 1933), and The Limejuice Mystery (a British 1-reel comedy, 1930).

Disc 2 has The Sting of Death (1955), an episode of the TV series The Elgin Hour starring Boris Karloff as Mr. Mycroft ; The Man Who Disappeared (1951), a British TV episode with John Longden as Holmes; and the comedy shorts A Case of Hypnosis (1952) and The Strange Case of Hennessy (1933).

Disc 3, The Adventure of the Speckled Band (1949, with Alan Napier as Holmes); The Copper Beeches (1912 French film with Georges Treville as Holmes); The Man with the Twisted Lip (1921, with Eille Norwood as Holmes), The Case of the Screaming Bishop (1944 Columbia cartoon), and a bonus episode of Schlitz Playhouse of Stars called The General s Boots (1954, with Basil Rathbone). The Titles on this DVD set have all been copied from original archival film elements, chosen for their quality and rarity.

This is a real treat!

TRANSFORMERS: 25th ANNIVERSARY MATRIX OF LEADERSHIP EDITION

The Complete Series. Can anyone actually march all the way through it all? That’s 37 hours of TRANSFORMERS! 37 HOURS! Ya know… there’s a part of me that wonders – what it would be like to hop up on the right cocktail of substances that would allow one’s consciousness to actually absorb 37 HOURS of Transformers consecutively. It’d be fun if somebody did a Time Lapse Camera of watching it all in a sitting. Heh. This is it, TRANSFORMERS done right. With low grade animation, but awesomely fun sound effects, ambitious storylines and all the right voices and designs. An absolutely great set!

In addition – there’s the extras:

* Five retrospective featurettes including brand-new, in-depth interviews with those most responsible for the success of The Transformers franchise. Two of these featurettes are exclusive to this set including a conversation with comic writer Bob Budiansky and a voice cast reunion. The reunion features Jack Angel (Ramjet), Michael Bell (Prowl), Gregg Berger (Grimlock), Arthur Burghardt (Devastator), Corey Burton (Spike Witwicky), Richard Gautier (Rodimus Prime), Neil Ross (Slag), Frank Welker (Megatron).

* Two concept art galleries

* Archival Hasbro toy commercials.

* All 98 episodes of dialogue scripts. Three full scripts, with original handwritten notes, include Transport To Oblivion, Starscreams Brigade and The Revenge of Bruticus.

* All 5 rare PSAs.

* From the files of Teletraan-2.

* A fan art gallery.

* An animated fan film entitled Transformers: Generation One featuring an optional audio commentary by the filmmakers.

• Housed in a deluxe Matrix of Leadership multi-paneled box

Is there any reason to not leap if you love your TRANSFORMERS?

THEY KILLED SISTER DOROTHY

One of the most captivating and dramatic Documentaries that I’ve ever seen. At SXSW it won not only the Grand Jury Prize, but the Audience Award as well. It has been heralded at many film festivals and premiered on HBO, but were you watching? This is a documentary about a murder trial regarding the death of a 73 year old Nun, who had a gun emptied into her at point blank range. It is like an Amazonian CHINA TOWN in some ways and is narrated by the great Martin Sheen. If you like documentaries – you don’t want to miss this! It is outstanding!

Next week we’ll finish up October with BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE PLAN, ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS, TINKER BELL AND THE LOST TREASURE, The Complete PRISONER on Blu Ray! NIGHT OF THE CREEPS (Blu), Monty Python: Almost The Truth, STARGATE (Blu), Luis Bunuel’s DEATH IN THE GARDEN, Z (Criterion), Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1960s & 1970s Vol 2s, 2nd Season of TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE, The Sam Fuller Film Collection, WHATEVER WORKS, THE LIVING DEAD AT MANCHESTER MORGUE (Blu), Monty Python: The Other British Invasion, LOVECRAFT: FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN, BLACK DEVIL DOLL, BLOOD NIGHT: THE LEGEND OF MARY HATCHET, FEAR(S) OF THE DARK, THE ASPHYX, Jin Won Kim’s THE BUTCHER, NIGHT OF DEATH!, THE PLEASURE SHOP ON 7TH AVENUE, EVIL FACE, GRAVEYARD DISTURBANCE and much more! See you next week!