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- First reviewOctober 10, 2007
- Last reviewJuly 31, 2009
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After spending years consigned to one half of a double-feature disc, David Cronenberg's brilliantly personalized take on The Fly has received a special edition worthy of its merits. Starting off the package is a slick new transfer; the video offers a slight but noticeable improvement on the past edition, with a richer sense of color and detail as well as mastering for high-definition. The audio portion of the disc offers effective 5.1 Dolby and DTS mixes guaranteed to give the viewer's stereo system a workout. The first disc also features an excellent commentary track from Cronenberg that covers everything from technical and aesthetic details to on-the-set memories in the director's wry, understated style. The second disc is where the real treats begin for the film's longtime fans. First up is a new epic-length documentary on the making of The Fly that covers everything one could ever want to know about the film (with the selection of optional scene extensions, it can go all the way up to two hours and 45 minutes). This might be too much of a good thing for some viewers but the producers' willingness to leave no stone unturned is truly impressive. There's also a gallery of deleted scenes that have been painstakingly reconstructed and given new sound mixes for this disc -- fans of the film will flip over the often discussed but rarely seen "Monkey Cat" sequence. The viewer's behind-the-scenes knowledge is further extended with a series of film tests, including an amusing bit where Cronenberg camps it up in a fly costume on the film's revolving set. Elsewhere, the second disc features an elaborate series of still galleries that cover everything from the expected stills and conceptual art to reproductions of script drafts and the George Langelaan short story that inspired all the Fly films. Rounding out the disc is a generous trailer collection that includes all the theatrical and television trailers for the 1986 version of The Fly as well as trailers from The Fly 2, the 1958 version of The Fly, and The Return of the Fly. In short, this is a stellar DVD package, and fans of horror and sci-fi classics will be thrilled with its thorough excellence.
Posted by: prlwctd
David Cronenberg's followup to his hit The Dead Zone is another wonderful and tragic character study (albeit one with more gore).
This remake of the Vincent Price 1950's film stars Jeff Goldblum as a shy scientist who has developed a Star Trek-esque transporter. His desire to show it to the reporter (Geena Davis) he falls for eventually leads to him testing on himself, without taking into account a housefly that has found its way into the device with him.
Both Goldblum & Davis are instantly sympathetic & likeable, which enhances the tragic aspects of the film. Likewise, John Getz (as Davis's boss & former lover) becomes surprisingly more complex than the audience anticipates.
For a film with a great amount of both gore & emotion, look no further.
This remake of the Vincent Price 1950's film stars Jeff Goldblum as a shy scientist who has developed a Star Trek-esque transporter. His desire to show it to the reporter (Geena Davis) he falls for eventually leads to him testing on himself, without taking into account a housefly that has found its way into the device with him.
Both Goldblum & Davis are instantly sympathetic & likeable, which enhances the tragic aspects of the film. Likewise, John Getz (as Davis's boss & former lover) becomes surprisingly more complex than the audience anticipates.
For a film with a great amount of both gore & emotion, look no further.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Those mischievous green terrors are back for seconds in Gremlins 2: The New Batch. Warner has done a very presentable job at making sure this 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen print looks very crisp and clean. Aside of just a smidgen of edge enhancement, this picture appears to boast sharp, detailed colors and well defined black levels. The soundtrack is presented in a newly remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround mix in English, along with a Dolby 2.0 Surround track in English, French and Spanish. The 5.1 mix does a fine job of making sure the soundtrack is crystal clear, though directional effects are rather slim and spotty. All aspects of the soundtrack are free of any hiss or distortion. Also included on this disc are English, French and Spanish subtitles. Warner has gone the extra mile to throw a few extra features on this disc, starting with a commentary track by director Joe Dante and producer Mike Finnell. This is mildly funny track that features multiple stories about the cast, effects and difficulties working with little green puppets. A gag reel of funny flubs is included, as well as an entertaining behind-the-scenes featurette which is a parody of other boring featurettes found on most discs. An ample amount of deleted footage running over 20 minutes is included with optional commentary and allows viewers to see what ended up on the cutting room floor. Finally there is a goofy game called "The Gremlins Files," a theatrical trailer for the film, and a list of the cast and crew members.
Posted by: prlwctd
This 1990 Gremlins sequel (which reunites the main cast with director Joe Dante) finds Billy & Kate now working at a mechanized building (owned by a hilarious John Glover) in the Big Apple. There, they are reunited with Gizmo, who has been brought their by a genetics team working in the lab after his owner passes.
One thing leads to another and the title creatures make an encore appearance.
Christopher Lee & future Star Trek: Voyager Robert Picardo are also funny as a genetic scientist & a stuffy executive, respectively.
This has even more laughs than the first (especially once the Gremlins get their claws on genetic material), which is probably why it's the rare sequel that's better than the first.
One thing leads to another and the title creatures make an encore appearance.
Christopher Lee & future Star Trek: Voyager Robert Picardo are also funny as a genetic scientist & a stuffy executive, respectively.
This has even more laughs than the first (especially once the Gremlins get their claws on genetic material), which is probably why it's the rare sequel that's better than the first.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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This special edition re-release of Gremlins is a vast improvement over the original disc. To begin with, the image, which is framed at the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, shows clear signs of the new digital transfer. Colors are sharp and vibrant (though maybe a little over saturated at times) with blacks that are solid. Overall the immediate impression of the picture is better than would be expected. The sound, which uses the same 5.1 English track from the original release, is certainly good, but never takes advantage of the entire sound field. It's generally centered up front, but is distortion free and produces clear audio. The main difference between releases is obviously the supplemental features. Whereas the first disc was basically movie only, this one has a number of nice features. At the top of the list would have to be two new commentary tracks. The first is enthusiastic and informational with director Joe Dante and actors Zach Galligan, Howie Mandel, and the less heard Phoebe Cates and Dick Miller. The second is a little more technical, but nevertheless entertaining with Dante again, producer Michael Finnell, and special effects artist Chris Walas. The rest of the extras, while good, are less spectacular. Along with ten minutes of deleted scenes with optional commentary is a six-minute featurette with behind-the-scenes shots and interviews, a photo/storyboard gallery, and cast and crew biographies. Rounding this nice package out are three trailers, two for this film and one for the sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch.
Posted by: prlwctd
This Joe Dante film is a wonderful and, at times, scary (so much so that it helped lead to the creation of the PG-13 rating) ride. An inventor gives his son, Billy, a rare Christmas gift: a sweet creature known as a Mogwai (who the recipient names Gizmo). However, this pet requires more precise care than most: it shouldn't get wet (as it'll multiply), be exposed to bright light (which hurts them) or sunlight (it kills them), and it shouldn't be fed after midnight. To do the latter will cause them to turn into the title creatures, which are ugly, mean, & have claws(although they are just as mischievous as their Mogwai counterparts).
Needless to say, these rules are all broken, which leads to havoc for Billy's town, which he, Gizmo, & Billy's girlfriend Kate must stop.
Needless to say, these rules are all broken, which leads to havoc for Billy's town, which he, Gizmo, & Billy's girlfriend Kate must stop.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Like the TV series that shared the same title, The Untouchables (1987) was an account of the battle between gangster Al Capone and lawman Eliot Ness, this time in the form of a feature film boasting big stars, a big budget, and a script from respected playwright David Mamet. Kevin Costner stars as Ness, a federal agent who has come to Chicago during the Prohibition Era, when corruption in the local police department is rampant. His mission is to put crime lord Capone (Robert De Niro) out of business, but Capone is so powerful and popular that Ness is not taken seriously by the law or the press. One night, discouraged, he meets a veteran patrolman, Jimmy Malone (Sean Connery), and discovers that the acerbic Irishman is the one honest man he's been seeking. Malone has soon helped Ness recruit a gunslinger rookie, George Stone (Andy Garcia), and, joined by nebbish accountant Oscar Wallace (Charles Martin Smith), the men doggedly pursue Capone and his illegal interests. At first a laughingstock, Ness soon has Capone outraged over his and Malone's sometimes law-bending tactics, and the vain mobster strikes back in vicious style. Ultimately, it is the most unexpected and minor of crimes, tax evasion, which proves Capone's undoing. All of the credits for The Untouchables boasted big names, including music from Ennio Morricone and costumes by Giorgio Armani. Director Brian De Palma continued his tradition of including a homage to past masters of the cinema with a taut stairway shoot-out reminiscent of a similar sequence in Sergei Eisenstein's Battleship Potemkin (1925).
Posted by: prlwctd
Brian De Palma's sublime adaptation of the TV series of the same name follows Eliot Ness's (Kevin Costner) attempts to bring down Al Capone (Robert De Niro), who rules Prohibition-era Chicago with an iron hand.
After Ness's initial attempts end in failure, a lonely, depressed cop (Sean Connery) agrees to help him by showing him how Chicago operates. To that end, they enlist the aid of a rookie cop (Andy Garcia) & an accountant from Washington (Charles Martin Smith). As their success against Capone increases, so does Capone's determination to destroy them.
The sublime acting, production values, & Ennio Morricone's music are added pluses to this film, which proved that there was more to De Palma than just his attempts to emulate Hitchcock.
After Ness's initial attempts end in failure, a lonely, depressed cop (Sean Connery) agrees to help him by showing him how Chicago operates. To that end, they enlist the aid of a rookie cop (Andy Garcia) & an accountant from Washington (Charles Martin Smith). As their success against Capone increases, so does Capone's determination to destroy them.
The sublime acting, production values, & Ennio Morricone's music are added pluses to this film, which proved that there was more to De Palma than just his attempts to emulate Hitchcock.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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While not quite a special edition, the re-release of The Fugitive makes up for what the original disc lacked. As with the first DVD, this disc has excellent picture and sound. The image, which is as good if not better than the previous release, uses a strong anamorphic transfer in the original theatrical aspect ration of 1.85:1. The detail is sharp and colors are consistent. In addition, blacks are deep and solid. The sound is equally impressive. The Dolby Digital 5.1 track is filled with effects that take advantage of the entire sound spectrum. A surround track in French, and subtitles in English and French, are also included. The original release of this title did not even have a trailer so it is exciting to see a little extra work go into this release. The highlight is a commentary track from director Andrew Davis and actor Tommy Lee Jones. Actually, Jones is rarely heard on this track, but Davis makes up for his absence with plenty of anecdotal information on making the film. Some of the things he talks about come as a real surprise. The rest of the supplemental information is not nearly as interesting, but still welcome. A 20-minute featurette called "On the Run With the Fugitive" combines film clips with interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, but lacks depth. The other featurette is a seven-minute piece called "Derailed: Anatomy of a Train Wreck"; while fascinating, it is too short. The least interesting extra on this disc is an introduction from Davis and Harrison Ford, which is nothing more than a very brief set of interviews. Biographies and filmographies of the main players as well as the theatrical trailer are also included. While superior to the first disc Warner released, it really could use more to make it feel complete.
Posted by: prlwctd
Like The Untouchables & Maverick, The Fugitive is even better than the TV series it's based on.
Ford is perfect as the falsely accused Dr. Kimble, who takes advantage of a mishap that prevents his prison transfer by going on the lam in the hopes of finding the one who really killed his wife.
Jones is his match as the fed who is tracking Kimble and trying to piece together his motivations.
The great acting from this duo is complemented by James Newton Howard's great score and first-rate editing.
Ford is perfect as the falsely accused Dr. Kimble, who takes advantage of a mishap that prevents his prison transfer by going on the lam in the hopes of finding the one who really killed his wife.
Jones is his match as the fed who is tracking Kimble and trying to piece together his motivations.
The great acting from this duo is complemented by James Newton Howard's great score and first-rate editing.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Richard Donner's big-screen adaptation of the low-key Western series Maverick comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. English and French soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Surround. There are neither subtitles nor closed-captions on this release. Supplemental materials are limited to production notes. The film's easy charm comes through on the small screen just as easily as it did in theaters. Fans of the film will be satisfied with the picture and sound on this otherwise bare-bones release.
Posted by: prlwctd
For every TV show-turned-feature bust like The Mod Squad, there's a gem like Maverick. Mel Gibson is perfect in the title role, who is trying to get to a high-stakes poker game. Jodie Foster is also first-rate as his lover/rival, and James Garner, the original Maverick, has a great role as the marshall keeping an eye on them.
These three have a great supporting cast backing them up (including James Coburn as 'the Commodore') and Richard Donner's direction is spot on.
Hopefully, this gets the same special edition DVD treatment that Warner Bros. gives its other releases.
These three have a great supporting cast backing them up (including James Coburn as 'the Commodore') and Richard Donner's direction is spot on.
Hopefully, this gets the same special edition DVD treatment that Warner Bros. gives its other releases.
What's great about it: great acting & laughs
What's not so great: no special features
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Posted by: prlwctd
As parts of this film were made at the same time as the first Superman film (under Richard Donner), the finished product (credited to Richard Lester) is more effective in terms of continuity than most sequels.
By saving Paris from an H-bomb, the Man of Steel inadvertently releases the three villains from Krypton his old man imprisoned at the beginning of the first movie.
All three, being as super-unique as our hero, head for Earth to conquer it (with the help of Lex Luthor, of course). At the same time, Superman and Lois's relationship becomes a bit more romantic and he must make a fateful choice.
Although some issues bear scrutiny (like our Superman becomes powerful again), there is still the same warmth and humanity from the first film to make this a memorable ride.
By saving Paris from an H-bomb, the Man of Steel inadvertently releases the three villains from Krypton his old man imprisoned at the beginning of the first movie.
All three, being as super-unique as our hero, head for Earth to conquer it (with the help of Lex Luthor, of course). At the same time, Superman and Lois's relationship becomes a bit more romantic and he must make a fateful choice.
Although some issues bear scrutiny (like our Superman becomes powerful again), there is still the same warmth and humanity from the first film to make this a memorable ride.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Posted by: prlwctd
The tread of turning comic book heroes into movie franchises which still continues to this day began with Richard Donner's sublime take on the Man of Steel (which, appropriately, was released when Superman turned 40).
Christopher Reeve was, in the minds of many, heavensent to play the title role and its his work which brings much of the picture's emotion and humor to the fore.
However, the other roles are also letter perfect, including Gene Hackman's funny & serious Lex Luthor, Margot Kidder's spunky Lois, & Marlon Brando's sympathetic and commanding Jor-El.
The great SFX & John Williams music are the icing on this delicious cake.
Christopher Reeve was, in the minds of many, heavensent to play the title role and its his work which brings much of the picture's emotion and humor to the fore.
However, the other roles are also letter perfect, including Gene Hackman's funny & serious Lex Luthor, Margot Kidder's spunky Lois, & Marlon Brando's sympathetic and commanding Jor-El.
The great SFX & John Williams music are the icing on this delicious cake.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Posted by: prlwctd
Argento's classic about an American (Jessica Harper) who arrives at her new dance school in Europe only to later link the sinister happenings going on their with the school's headmistresses.
Spooky imagery and the goosebump-inducing score by Goblin make this an example for others to follow.
Spooky imagery and the goosebump-inducing score by Goblin make this an example for others to follow.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Posted by: prlwctd
Stanley Kubrick's final movie gained much publicity for its use of then-marrieds Tom Cruise & Nicole Kidman as the leads and for its suggestive overtones.
Further notoriety was generated when Kubrick died about a week after filming finished.
This is not an erotic story, but rather a story about marriage, specifically the one between Bill (Cruise) a doctor and his unemployed wife Alice (Kidman) who, after going to a Christmas party a wealthy friend (Sydney Pollack) is throwing bring out their frustrations & desires into the open. This prompts Bill to go out on his own at nights and commit acts that push his marriage to the moral edge.
The only drawback of the film is that Kidman was somewhat underused. Fortunately, the scenes with her (including the final one where she says the film's final line) are great.
This film may have, in a way, paved the way for other films like Closer & Match Point and its ending is not what you'd expect.
Further notoriety was generated when Kubrick died about a week after filming finished.
This is not an erotic story, but rather a story about marriage, specifically the one between Bill (Cruise) a doctor and his unemployed wife Alice (Kidman) who, after going to a Christmas party a wealthy friend (Sydney Pollack) is throwing bring out their frustrations & desires into the open. This prompts Bill to go out on his own at nights and commit acts that push his marriage to the moral edge.
The only drawback of the film is that Kidman was somewhat underused. Fortunately, the scenes with her (including the final one where she says the film's final line) are great.
This film may have, in a way, paved the way for other films like Closer & Match Point and its ending is not what you'd expect.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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