DVD Reviews for This Month (Pt. 1 of 2)February 2001 - This page sponsored by Pioneer Electronics
DVD Reviews for This Month (Pt. 1 of 2)
February 2001 - This
page sponsored by Pioneer Electronics
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Shanghai Triad
- Starring Gong Li, Li Baotian
- Dir. By: Zhang Yimou
- Studio: Shanghai Film Studio/Sony Pictures Classics
- Video: 1.85:1 widescreen enhanced
- Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Surround
- Subtitles: English, Spanish
- Extras: Theatrical trailers, Talent files, Production Notes, Booklet
- Length: 107 min.
- Rating: ****
Based on a mix of a number of actual gang lords fighting for control of the opium market in the 1930's, this story primarily concerns the fate of a beautiful prostitute stuck in a society completely controlled by the Shanghai Mafia. The beautiful Gong Li rings my gong as usual, and Baotian is really creepy as the main Godfather figure. The story is told from the point of view of a 14-year-old boy who is sent by a relative to be in the service of a gangster uncle. The National Board of Review named this Best Foreign Film of l995. The transfer is excellent, with lots of detail and good color plus very little digital artifacts. The cinematography in the latter part, taking place in the misty countryside, is lovely. The soundtrack music doesn't try to point up the thriller side of the story but consists of children's songs and simple innocent tunes, adding to the contrast. Get this one if you don't mind a Chinese film without any gung fu and if you don't insist on every film having a happy ending - this one certainly doesn't.
- John Sunier
Me, Myself & Irene (2000)
Charlie is a really nice guy. He has a really nice job as a policeman with the Rhode Island State Police. He is in love with a really nice girl. On the day of his wedding, the day that begins the rest of his really nice life, his new bride decides that maybe he isn't the perfect guy after all. After a strange birth of triplets, we find things out about that really nice girl that may not be so really nice after all. People move on, and that is what seems to happen. Charlie becomes the guy that everyone takes for granted and walks all over. One day it all comes to an end with the birth of Hank--not a new kid, but Charlie's second personality. Hank is the crude, rude, mean, get stuff done kinda guy.
Charlie takes some medication and everything seems to be under control, or is it? He has to take a woman across state lines back to another police department, and along the way they both meet up with some interesting characters who inevitably cause the return of Hank. An all out melee happens between the good guys and the bad guys and Charlie and Hank, and there is no telling who will win.
If you liked Dumb and Dumber and Kingpin then you will enjoy the type of humor found in this movie. There were more serious scenes which helped to keep the movie more together and interesting, and then it slipped back into silliness. At times it seemed that we were waiting for these silly scenes, and occasionally they were there just for the heck of it, and didn't add anything to the story line. But then gross humor, silliness, and fun is what this movie is about. This movie is full of tons of extras, and make sure you stay through the credits to see a final scene in the film. The extended version is available through the Special Features menu. Watch this almost completely forgettable movie for a good laugh. You can even watch it again soon after and still find it humorous--that can't be so bad.
- Brian Bloom
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)
- Dir. By Luis Bunuel
- Starring: Fernando Rey, Paul Frankeur, Delphine Seyrig, Stephane Audran, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Michael Piccoli
- Studio: Studio Canal/The Criterion Collection
- Video: 1.66:1 widescreen enhanced, color
- Audio: Dolby Digital mono, stereo on Disc 2; in French and Spanish
- Subtitles: English
- Extras: Theatrical trailer, improved subtitle translation, 24 min. Documentary homage to Bunuel: The Castaway on the Street of Providence (1970); Second DVD contains a Bunuel filmography and a new 98-min. Documentary on the life and work of Bunuel: Speaking of Bunuel (2000).
- Length: 101 minutes (feature)
- Rating: ****
Another of those lavish DVD sets where there are more extras than there is the feature film itself. In fact a second DVD is required to hold it all. But in this case most of the additional material is fascinating, shedding light on the surrealistic/satiric Spanish filmmaker and greatly enhancing the experience of those who have seen the film before and surely of those who know nothing about Bunuel. An upper-class sextet of friends have a series of off-the-wall experiences, many involving going out to restaurants to eat or drink but seldom actually getting to the eating or drinking. Some of the more violent incidents are shown to be dreams had by one or another of the characters, but plenty of unexplained things occur in the real life portions too. Rey is perfect in a role similar to those he had in other Bunuel films - a self-important diplomat or official. There is no real beginning or ending to the plot; it seems the viewer is just checking into these rather pointless lives and they never will actually finish a meal together undisturbed or arrive where they are going. A colleague has referred to the "grimly amused inevitability of all Bunuel," and that seems to encapsulate his general approach. This film won the l972 Oscar for Best Foreign Film.
The shorter documentary was a simple sort of memento shot informally by two of Bunuel's friends. The new and longer piece is a detailed investigation of the composer's early life, development and philosophies of life. Many clips from his films are featured, and interviews with some of his actors. Bunuel's creation of the path-breaking surrealist short with Salvador Dali, Une Chien Andalou, is discussed at length. No special meaning was intended with any of the bizarre shots in it - they just put together the most surreal things they could think up and inexpensively shoot. Some other areas covered are his attitudes about sex and nudity (he disliked the latter), his obsession with making the perfect martini, and his satirical treatment of the Roman Catholic church - which was a great deal more mean-spirited than Fellini's. Understanding more about this great director makes one want to view again many of his films.
- John Sunier
Aguirre: The Wrath of God (1972)
- Starring: Klaus Kinski, Helena Rojo, Ruy Guerra, Del Negro
- Directed By: Werner Herzog
- Screenplay: Werner Herzog
- Studio: Anchor Bay
- Video: Full Frame 1.33:1
- Audio: DD German, DD Mono English, audio commentary
- Subtitles: English
- Extras: trailer, talent bios
- Length: 1 hour 34 minutes
- Rating: ***1/2
After the Incan empire, in the 1500's, Spanish Conquistadors who are looking for fame and fortune are searching for the city of gold--El Dorado. The only document to survive Pizarro's expedition into the Amazon jungle is a diary kept by a monk named Gasper de Carvajal. The group of soldiers must head farther and farther down the river braving the local indians in an effort to discover the lost city. A small group is ordered to do some recon and report back in about a week. They take their Indian slaves who have trouble with the tropical weather and head down the river. The second in command is very aggressive and ambitious, so he does all that he can to influence the path they will take. His name is Aguirre, and he is a true warrior. As days go by, and treachery and attacks from the locals cause the group to have doubts, Aguirre trudges on relentlessly. Soon he is in command and calling all the shots. But as the number in the group continues to decline, it becomes uncertain whether he will ever reach his goal.
Wonderful music, a strong cast, and really good direction make this film one of the Herzog classics. You can almost feel the strain and angst among the main characters as they struggle for control and sense. Little need be explained, and the actions of the characters and story propel us deep into the Amazon jungle, where all we see for days and days is muddy water and plants. As the mission looks more and more hopeless, the leader becomes more and more ruthless, and by watching the other characters's roles, we can see a truly selfish, empowered, and uncontrolled man. His inward anger at the lack of luck he is having soon becomes directed outward toward all around him. He will stop at nothing to achieve this victory for himself, including risking the life of his young daughter--probably the only other thing he cares anything about.
Even from the opening shot during which the men, slaves, and livestock trail down one of the mountains on their way to the jungle, we are shown not only the beauty of the terrain, but the incredibly arduous task that lay ahead. This film may seem slow moving to some, and others may find it strange to hear Spaniards speaking German, but it is still definitely worth a look. And to those interested in building a foreign film library, this is yet another to add to your collection.
- Brian Bloom
The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
- Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Jodhi May
- Directed By: Michael Mann
- Screenplay: Michael Mann, Christopher Crowe
- Studio: 20th Century Fox
- Video: 2.35:1 Widescreen Enhanced
- Audio: DTS 5.1, DD 5.1, DD 2.0, French 2.0,
- Subtitles: English, Spanish
- Extras: THX Optimode
- Length: 1 hour 57 minutes
- Rating: ***
Based on the novel by James Fenimore Cooper, The Last of The Mohicans is a tale of love of woman, country, and heritage. Back in colonial times in the days of the French American War we find a group of frontiersmen who are forced into service in the British army to fight against the French and native Americans who are at war. Hawkeye is the adopted son of the Mohicans, and along with his fellow frontiersmen come upon an escort which is attacked by the natives. Intervening just in time they are able to help Cora Munro, the aristocratic daughter of one of the officers in the British army get back to her father. The fort is being pummelled by French artillery and it doesn't look like it will hold long. A romance is brewing between Cora and Hawkeye, so he remains while others flee the battle. He is thought to be a traitor and his execution is imminent. Luckily time is on his side and he manages to escape, but not without seeing death and destruction to many of the British.
The movie goes on to a somewhat predictable conclusion, and although there is some good acting and storyline, overall there is something lacking in the interpretation. As with other Michael Mann films, there is good drama and action, and direction and scene layout is enjoyable, but alas, there is just not enough meat in the film. It's as if we don't feel attached enough to the characters to really care. The romantic side of this film is somewhat unconvincing, and that is also problematic. Even though horrendous things occur and we feel strongly one way or the other at the moment, the end result is not as important. If you like action/ adventure movies like Braveheart and Gladiator then there are some similarities to this older film. Excitement abounds, but don't expect to be thinking too much.
- Brian Bloom
Masters of Russian Animation - 10 shorts
- Studio: Jove Films/Image Entertainment
- Video: 4:3 full screen
- Audio: Dolby Digital stereo
- Subtitles: English
- Length: 133 min.
- Rating: ***
Lenin and the Soviets supported state film production as an ideal way to communicate with and propagandize the masses, and animation was not ignored. But things really got rolling in the early 1930's following a festival of Walt Disney animation in Moscow. Stalin absolutely loved the cartoons and soon the Soyuzmultfilm Studio was opened as the home for all Soviet animation artists. In the Khrushchev era some animators abandoned the Disney style and starting making more highly personal shorts, some of which made Soviet censors exceedingly nervous. This DVD was struck from new 35mm prints made by the National Film Archive of Russia. They are dated from 1962 to 68 and cover a variety of subjects. Many were never shown abroad until after perestroika. Those few that employ dialog have been given English subtitles, but one of the great things about animation is how much can be clearly communicated to any audiences anywhere using only sound effects and gibberish speech when characters are required to speak. Each film is described in the accompanying film notes. With the images of robot-like bureaucrats and dutiful workers, it's obvious that Russians enjoy laughing about themselves. Passion of Spies is an hilarious spoof of Soviet spy and detective films. The concluding animation even spoofs Eisenstein's Ivan the Terrible. Several of the shorts end very abruptly, with a "punch line" that doesn't quite seem to work. Also, the music and sound effects are frequently distorted - probably on the original materials.- John Sunier
Jazz Scene USA (1962):
Phineas Newborn, Jr. Trio & Jimmy Smith Trio
- TV Series Executive Producer Steve Allen
- Studio: Shanachie
- Video: 4:3 full screen B & W
- Audio: Dolby Digital Mono
- Length: 60 min.
- Rating: ****
This nationally-televised series, shot on film for greatly improved quality over the kinescopes of other jazz programs of this era, was the brainchild of Steve Allen. Hipster host for the series was jazz composer-vocalist Oscar Brown Jr., and the approach was casual in keeping with the subject, as had been done with the KQED-TV series hosted by Ralph J. Gleason and the great CBS-TV Sound of Jazz special. Most of the performers were California-based and younger, and their later fame points to Allen's expert choices. Pianist Newborn gets in five tunes. His version of Lush Life begins with a lengthy quote of a piece by Ravel, demonstrating the debt to that composer owed by Billy Strayhorn. Jimmy Smith wails at his B3 Hammond in three tunes, beginning with the theme from Walk on the Wild Side, which popularity started the real acceptance of Jimmy and the B3 in jazz - which has recently had a rebirth of attention. Smith's Mack the Knife has him running out of hands and feet and thus using his chin to hold down some notes on the top keyboard at one point! The mono sound is clean and enjoyable, almost as good as Rudy Van Gelder's great mono jazz recordings, and the camera work - while heavy on closeups for the small screen TVs of the time - is fairly creative and varied.
- John Henry
The Moody Blues--Hall Of Fame: Live From The Royal Albert
Hall (2000)
- Directed By: Andy Harcott
- Studio: Image
- Video: 1.33:1
- Audio: DTS 5.0, DD 5.0, DD 2.0
- Subtitles: None
- Extras: None
- Length: 1 hour 21 minutes
- Rating: ***
This concert was recorded on May 1st, 2000. The first thing I thought when I saw the Moody Blues on stage was: "Man, these guys are getting old!" Well, I guess we all are. The fact that this concert is recorded at Albert Hall lends a semi-sedate atmosphere to the entire show. Although on some pieces there is a little more 'rocking' going on, most of it is relaxed and mellow. I guess a lot of the Moody Blues music is this way anyhow, so there is no need to be disappointed. The crowd sure seems to be enjoying the show even though they aren't exactly spring chickens. The song listing includes:
Overture
Tuesday Afternoon
English Sunset
Words You Say
The Story In Your Eyes
I Know You're Out There Somewhere
Haunted
Your Wildest Dreams
Isn't Life Strange
I'm Just a Singer (...)
Nights In White Satin
Legend Of A Mind
Question
Ride My See-SawYou get some hits, you get some other stuff, and you get all Moody Blues. Enjoy.
- Brian Bloom
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