Rampart Blu-ray review

Actors: Woody Harrelson, Robin Wright, Steve Buscemi, Sigourney Weaver, Ben Foster
Director: Oren Moverman
Format: Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Language: English
Subtitles: Spanish
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number of discs: 2
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Millennium Entertainment
Release Date: May 15, 2012
Run Time: 107 minutes

            This is Woody Harrelson’s film. I don’t just say that because he is a strong performer who dominates the screen. I say that also because it is within a film we have all seen dozens of times before. There is little new within the screenplay by James Ellroy and Oren Moverman, and that is why it quickly becomes a character-based film in which Harrelson is able to show off his acting chops in some very indulgent sequences. This is not to say that Rampart is a bad film. In many ways it was mostly entertaining and well made, but it has been made better before. In some ways the entire film felt like a rehash of Bad Lieutenant. Either version.

            Set in 1999 Los Angeles, Harrelson plays Officer Dave Brown. Brown is a cop that is accustomed to doing what he wants, when he wants. This is quickly clear both in his personal and professional life. He has two children by two different women, who also happen to be sisters. In his professional life, Brown is no better. He is used to doing the dirty work of his department, but things have changed after the beating of Rodney King. When Brown is caught on camera excessively beating a suspect, he is forced to manipulate the system by lying and cheating in order to survive.

            The entire film is a character study of a man who has more bad qualities than good, which can be somewhat difficult to enjoy, regardless of the talent involved. Eventually Brown becomes involved with a lawyer (Robin Wright), having a sexual relationship that nearly seems to have the ability to save him. In the end it is clear that the machismo attitude prevents Brown from changing his way, and eventually he digs himself in even deeper than he can lie or manipulate a way out of. The cast is impressively stacked even beyond Harrelson’s performance, though there are too many names which are underused within the film. These names include Ned Beatty, Ben Foster, Anne Heche, Ice Cube, Cynthia Nixon, Sigourney Weaver and Steve Buscemi.

            The Blu-ray includes a commentary track with director and co-writer Oren Moverman, cast and crew interviews and a behind the scenes featurette.   

Blake Edwards Classics Find Their Way to DVD for the First Time

            Blake Edwards is probably best known for his film adaptations of The Pink Panther and his presentation of middle-aged men in mild crisis in films such as 10. Edwards always reminded me of a filmmaker not unlike Robert Altman with a sillier sense of humor. He made some classic comedies in his time, many of which managed to balance mature themes with slapstick humor. Too many of his films have been lost with the test of time and audience’s unwillingness to enjoy dated movies. Three of his greatest forgotten accomplishes have finally been released on DVD for the first time, despite the remarkable quality and popularity when originally made in the 1980s.

S.O.B.

            S.O.B., which stands for Standard Operating Bullshit, is one of Edwards’ crowning achievements in satire. After the difficulty that Edwards had with the studios in releasing two flops, he made a comeback with a film that poked fun of the manner in which the studios handle art as a business. The film business is an easy target to poke fun of, and Edwards’ aim is impeccable. Even though the telephones may be outdated and the costumes absurd, there is still relevance in the biting humor of S.O.B., a film which carries a great deal of true personal baggage within the storyline.

            Richard Mulligan stars as Felix Farmer, a successful Hollywood director whose latest and greatest film exploit has ended in absolute failure. It is his most expensive and biggest flop, and this causes a personal identity crisis along with a studio panic. Edwards’ real-life wife, Julie Andrews, plays Farmer’s wife and the star of his latest failure. She also changed her image drastically from the Mary Poppins wholesome films to this flesh-exposing role. Farmer must find a way to save his film, and he does so by changing his wife’s image, just as Andrews did for this film. It is a mind-bending art-imitates-life scenario which adds to the relevance of the storyline. The film also co-stars William Holden in his final film role, Robert Preston, Robert Vaughn and Shelley Winters.

Victor/Victoria

            Victor/Victoria is one of those rare musicals to make it into the 1980s, somehow still carrying the feeling of many classic musicals of yesteryears. The main difference in the flippancy with which homosexuality is addressed. Robert Preston and Julie Andrews star as a pair of struggling cabaret performers in an impoverished France. Both are unsuccessful in their attempt to make a living by singing, until they devise a plan to change that. Victoria (Andrews) becomes Victor, pretending to be a man impersonating a woman. Everyone thinks that this is a sign of talent, but it is actually her ability to appear slightly more masculine that convinces audiences that she is a man pretending to be a woman instead of a woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman.

            There are plenty of fantastic musical numbers within this film, helped a great deal by the Academy-Award-winning score by Henry Mancini and Leslie Bricusse, though it is Preston’s performance which elevates the final number to excellence. James Garner co-stars as a gangster who risks his reputation when he falls in love with Victoria, while she is playing Victor. Nominated for seven Academy Awards, it is shocking that this classic is only now making its way to DVD.

Skin Deep

            With themes that are not far off from 10, Skin Deep is the story of a middle-aged man who must face the reality of his situation. John Ritter stars as womanizer Zach, whose unhappiness stems from his inability to find lasting love or motivation to write a second novel. Though he is determined to win back his ex-wife, this doesn’t stop Zach from self-destructively sleeping with every available woman that comes his way.

            There is plenty of slapstick and one unforgettably shocking sequence, and though the humor is very much directed at adults, it still manages to resemble the Pink Panther. Verbal wit also takes over, as our protagonist is an author. In many ways, Skin Deep is like the film version of the hit television series, “Californication.” Though dated with 80s clothing and music, all of the plot points and character attributes line up in the same way.

            All of these three films are being released through the Warner Brothers Archive Collection, which releases the movies in the best available condition without any restoration or attempts to create special features.  

Madison County DVD review

Actors: Ace Marrero, Katie Stegeman, Nick Principe, Colley Bailey, Matt Mercer
Director: Eric England
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Language: English
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Number of discs: 1
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Image Entertainment
DVD Release Date: May 8, 2012
Run Time: 82 minutes

            Madison County is hardly a feature film. With a concept that is hardly original and a running time of 82 minutes, this is a horror film that has few surprises and only predictable twists amidst the usual graphic gore. There doesn’t even seem to be enough time or effort for a unique villain. Instead we just get a masked killer who wears the face of a pig and slaughters innocents for unknown reasons.

            The film begins like so many other slasher films before. If there weren’t generic horror films like this, it wouldn’t have been possible for the tongue-and-cheek creation of Cabin in the Woods. A group of co-eds decide to travel to a rural town which is brought to the attention of a few students who read a book about a local serial killer named Damien Ewell. After corresponding forebodingly with the author of this book, the young students are lured into the lair of the killer, hoping to discover the truth. Despite the fact that there is a book written about the hog-masked psychopath, it comes as no surprise to find that he still remains.

            We expect that there are going to be some bloody murders done by the masked man, but Madison County is slower than Bridges of Madison County in getting there. At first the entire town folk insist that the author no longer lives in town and that the murders were all fabricated. It is a small town, so their presence is known immediately, but we must wait half of the short running time until the attacks begin. At first there is the cliché moment of discovery and several useless conversations about relationship dynamics within the group, all of which is made irrelevant with death.

            Fans of bloody horror films may also find themselves disappointed by the lack of creative carnage within the film. There are some adequate moments with an axe, but none of this is remotely original or even the slightest bit daring. The special features of the DVD include an audio commentary track with writer/producer/director Eric England, producer Daniel F. Dunn and actor/producer Ace Marrero. There are a few other odds and ends, including a trailer, though nothing which improved my opinion of this highly forgettable horror film.

Frank Sinatra Film Collection review

Format: Box set, Color, Dubbed, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number of discs: 10
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
DVD Release Date: April 3, 2012

            The two volumes which make up this Frank Sinatra Collection of MGM classics include mostly films from the celebrated crooner’s later cinematic career. Most notable is the John Frankenheimer political thriller, The Manchurian Candidate, followed by World War II Von Ryan’s Express. This collection is filled with films in which Sinatra is a cop or a soldier, and rarely ever singing. Only the rare film in this collection (such as Frank Capra’s A Hole in the Head) actually have Sinatra doing what he is best known for: singing.

            Just because there are fewer musicals in this collection doesn’t mean that these are throw-away films. Nearly every one of them is worth watching, and some are forgotten classics. From 1957’s The Pride and the Passion to 1968’s Lady in Cement, the collection includes ten of Sinatra’s films in an 11-year period. Volume 1 includes two war films and the only two musicals in the collection. Starting with the strange historical epic, The Pride and the Passion, there is also a tradition of love triangles within this collection. Sinatra is a Spanish resistance fighter resisting against Napoleon’s French army with the help of a British soldier played by Cary Grant. Both men vie over the affections of Sophia Loren. In Kings Go Forth (1958), the love triangle continues between two World War II American soldiers (Sinatra and Tony Curtis), who each have their eye on an American girl raised in France (played by Natalie Wood).

            The two remaining films in Volume 1 are much lighter, beginning with Capra’s A Hole in the Head, which isn’t a full-blown musical but has the classic song “High Hopes” to remind us of Sinatra’s other abilities. Based on the Arnold Schulman Broadway play, the lighthearted comedy about a hotel owner and his street-smart son also includes a supporting performance by Edward G. Robinson. The final film in the first volume is the only true musical, and another Broadway production turned into a classic film. Taking place in turn-of-the-century France, this film follows the forbidden dance of the Can-Can, and co-starring Shirley MacLaine as a dancer who must once again choose between Sinatra and another man.

            The second volume of the Sinatra collection includes several more war films and a collection of movies in which Sinatra plays a convincingly seasoned detective. In The Manchurian Candidate he is a military commander who discovers that one of his men has been brainwashed during the war to become an assassin. In Von Ryan’s Express he is an American POW who leads his fellow prisoners in an escape from the Germans aboard one of their own trains. Cast a Giant Shadow is a monumental cinematic achievement, though one in which Sinatra only has a supporting role and Kirk Douglas stars as an American commander leading the Israeli military against the Arab forces. It also co-stars John Wayne.

Two of the final three films have Sinatra playing wise-cracking Miami private detective, Tony Rome. This title character takes on the mystery of a missing diamond broach in the first film. The follow-up movie, Lady in Cement, begins with a dead nubile woman found beneath the sea, which results in a dangerous investigation. Lady in Cement co-stars Raquel Welch, though it is Sinatra’s wisecracks which make this film so enjoyable, even if only as a poor-man’s Phillip Marlowe. Also included is the darker crime drama, The Detective, which begins with a bizarre murder mystery and turns into a bold social commentary for the times. Not all ten of the films included in this tow-volume collection are perfect movies, but each and every one of them has admirable and interesting qualities. Most importantly, these are perfect films to showcase the abilities of “ol’ blue eyes” when he wasn’t singing.

Mutant Girls Squad Blu-ray review

Actors: Tak Sakaguchi, Yoshihiro Nishimura
Director: Tak Sakaguchi, Yoshihiro Nishimura, Noboru Iguchi
Format: Color, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number of discs: 2
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Well Go USA
Release Date: May 22, 2012
Run Time: 89 minutes

            Sushi Typhoon is back with another patently vulgar and graphic horror action film, with all of the predictable over-the-top violence and blatant vulgar sexual innuendo that we have come to know them for. This time we have a kind of demented teenage boy’s fantasy of a highly sexualized and violent female X-Men, otherwise known as the Mutant Girls Squad.

            After a typical gory intro sequence we are brought into the revelation that mutants have existed under the radar in Japan for as long as humanity has been there. Their powers don’t manifest until their sixteenth birthday, so Rin must suddenly come to terms with the fact that she has a mutant arm which is a sharp and destructive claw. After watching her parents brutally murdered by the government insurgents who are aware of the mutants, Rin escapes and finds a group of mutants out for revenge against the Prime Minister.

            It is never explained why there are only girls in this mutant squad. There are male mutants elsewhere, including Rin’s father. So why is it, beyond the obvious male fantasy, that there are only young teen girls in this group? They each have unique qualities and natural weapons, some of which are more sexualized than others. One girl has sword blades emerging from her breasts while another has a chainsaw which appears from her rectal area. It is sophomoric at best, but still manages to be one of the stronger Sushi Typhoon endeavors.

            The Blu-ray includes an opening day featurette, as well as a behind-the-scenes making-of featurette and interviews with cast and crew. There is also a spin-off short film.

Shock Labyrinth 3D Blu-ray review

Actors: Ai Maeda, Suzuki Matsuo, Shoichiro Masumoto
Director: Takashi Shimizu
Format: Color, Dubbed, Subtitled, 3D, Widescreen
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number of discs: 2
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Well Go USA
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Run Time: 89 minutes

            Shock Labyrinth 3D is somewhat like the house of horrors which the storyline takes place in; it a film which is full of cheap 3D thrills and a pathetically dull and dragged out storyline to match. Without the 3D it is even more unbearable to sit through. There is also a DVD version available in this package of three ways to view a below average film, but in standard definition only the story and characters remain in focus. I don’t recommend watching this film at all, but at the very least there is some spectacle in the 3D, whereas the remainder of the film feels incomplete.

            The storyline makes even less sense the more we find out, but it begins with so little information that it has a bizarre logic that works. The quality of the filmmaking is actually quite poor looking when not shown in 3D, regardless of the definition. At the beginning of the movie a group of childhood friends are reunited by a long lost member of their group. As children they all entered a House of Horrors at an amusement park, though one of them did not walk out the same. Ten years later Yuki suddenly appears to rejoin the friends, luring them into a trap at the same House of Horrors from their childhood.

            The film asks for more than just suspension of disbelief. It asks audience not to think about the movie at all, and this is not easy when there are so few sincerely entertaining moments to at least be distracting from the discrepancies. The halls of the House of Horrors are predictably haunted and filled with all sorts of mind-bending tricks and 3D effects.

            The Combo pack includes the 3d Blu-ray and 2D Blu-ray, as well as a DVD. The special features include interviews and a behind-the-scenes featurette.

           

The Organizer Blu-ray review

Actors: Marcello Mastroianni, Annie Girardot
Director: Mario Monicelli
Format: Black & White, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Language: Italian
Subtitles: English
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Number of discs: 1
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Criterion Collection
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Run Time: 130 minutes

            There is far less judgment within Mario Monicelli’s The Organizer than there are ideas. Monicelli does not offer a transparent presentation of preconceived notions about labor unions in Italy, but instead shows a fairly even presentation of a single conflict between poor factory workers and their business-minded bosses. Despite a political background that began with an upbringing by his political journalist father, filmmaker Monicelli allows the story to permeate ideas in the audience’s head rather than forcing Marxist propaganda down their throat. In some ways, the protestors are seen to be equally goal oriented and cold-hearted in achieving their goals as the greedy factory owners refusing better conditions.

            Though the subject matter is serious, at times even deadly, The Organizer allows a sense of humor to drift in the story. The ignorance of the factory workers attempting to organize a strike is often comical, and even the educated leader often carries more resemblance Charlie Chaplin’s tramp than a revolutionary leader. Only arriving after we have seen several sequences of the factory worker’s incompetence, Professor Sinigaglia (Marcello Mastroianni) appears unexpectedly to help the cause. Wanted by police elsewhere, the professor quickly becomes a rebel asset that the factory owners realize they must fear. Even more dangerous is the weak will of the workers, who are uncomfortable with the amount of sacrifice that they discover must be necessary in order to cause change to occur.

            Released in 1963, The Organizer is more of a look back at the struggles which came with achieving some rights for the modern workers than it is a realistic presentation of present conditions. This is not to say that the film had no relevance in the early 1960s, but rather that it was a reminder of the beginnings which made modern struggles possible. Beyond the message, however, is a remarkably entertaining film, even at an even-paced 130 minutes. We are slowly immersed into this world along with the outsider, allowed to discover unique qualities and personality traits within each character.

            The Blu-ray release includes a new high-definition digital restoration, with an uncompressed monaural soundtrack and an introduction to the film by director Monicelli from 2006. There are also improved English subtitles and a booklet insert with an incredibly dry and factual essay by film critic J. Hoberman.     

Late Spring Blu-ray review

Actors: Chishu Ryu, Setsuko Hara, Yumeji Tsukioka, Haruko Sugimura, Hohi Aoki
Director: Yasujiro Ozu
Format: Black & White, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Number of discs: 1
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Criterion Collection
Release Date: April 17, 2012
Run Time: 108 minutes

            It is through repetition that a larger understanding of a single theme can be properly examined with increased understanding and nuance. At least this is the belief system which is a constant throughout the artistic history of Japan, from poetry to painting, stage to screen. When considering the family portraits which dominate the filmography of cinema master Yasujiro Ozu, one cannot help but compare him to the traditions held constant within his country. Using the shomin-geki (“modern family drama) and restrained and understated filmmaking, Ozu has remained one of the most recognizable names in Japanese cinema for the last 60-some years.

            Considering the fact that many themes and structures are revisited within an Ozu film, it is a wonder that one stands out among the rest. Perhaps it is because of historical significance, or maybe it was simply made at the pinnacle of his creative career. Whatever the reason, it is Late Spring which seems to stand tallest in the filmography of the late great Japanese master. There is a certain amount of peaceful wisdom and self repair with Ozu’s third film outing after the close of World War II. It is the fact that he had already visited the shomin-geki prior to the war which allows us to understand the changes which had occurred in the post-war world, however subtle they may be within the simplistic stylistic choices.

            It is the simplicity itself which makes Ozu such a lasting figure in cinematic history. His ability to use uneventful moments to give way to a deeper understanding of their character is unbelievable. Many directors can get their story across effectively with excess, but only the truly talented can do it through the non-moments which fill the storyline of Late Spring. A widowed father, Shukichi Somiya (Chishu Ryu) worries about his only daughter’s future. He knows that if his daughter, Noriko (Setsuko Hara) does not marry soon, she will becomes older and once he is gone will have no one to take care of her. Though she now dedicates her time to taking care of him, he is determined to remedy this with upcoming nuptials.

            There are no long dramatic and emotional speeches. Everything is said and seen in simple subtle statements and reactions. Many ignorant modern audience members might call this film dull, but it is simply a film which requires attention and thought. Each time I watch it, I find myself understanding the characters more and appreciating Ozu exponentially. The Blu-ray release is well-worthwhile, as the cinematography is also as excellently simplistic. Ozu is completely unpretentious in his filmmaking, and the high definition digital restoration with an uncompressed monaural is well worth having. The special features include an optional commentary track with Richard Peña, program director of New York’s Film Society of Lincoln Center. Also included is a feature-length documentary by Wim Wenders about Ozu; Tokyo-ga (1985). The booklet insert has essays by critic Michael Atkinson, Japanese-film historian Donald Richie and an excerpt from Ozu on screenwriter Kogo Noda.  

             

¡Alambrista! Blu-ray review

Actors: Ned Beatty, Trinidad Silva, Edward James Olmos, Robert M. Young, Julius Harris
Director: Robert M. Young
Format: Color, DTS Surround Sound, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen 
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Number of discs: 1
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Criterion Collection
Release Date: April 17, 2012
Run Time: 96 minutes

            ¡Alambrista! is still relevant today, which is a sure sign that it was groundbreaking in its depiction of illegal Mexican immigrants when originally released in 1977. Remarkably made by a non-Spanish speaking filmmaker, ¡Alambrista! somehow still manages to capture the experience of migrating to the new land for work with compassion and raw realism. Writer/director/cinematographer Robert M. Young made his way into the world of film as a documentary filmmaker, which is helpful in creating the feeling that we are witnessing un-choreographed action even within this narrative film. We are a fly on the wall to the ostracized and ignored, experiencing the arrival to America first-hand alongside our protagonist.

            With the heart of a journalist and an activist’s attitude, ¡Alambrista! allows for Young to make a film with the political edge of his early documentaries while retaining narrative control that allowed him to clarify a message. This is done subtly though, with the use of documentary as stylistic choices allows for a feeling of realism to lull the audience into the experience rather than pounding a message into our heads with an over-written screenplay. Young understands the same methods as the Italian neorealist filmmakers in creating an authentic feeling narrative film.

            After making the short film documentary, “Children of the Fields,” Young became fascinated with the brutal living conditions of the undocumented Mexican immigrants working in the fields. This is how the idea for ¡Alambrista! was born, following the journey of a single immigrant as he struggles to make money for his family back in Mexico. Roberto Ramirez (Domingo Ambriz) leaves behind a wife and newborn baby, hoping that the poverty in Mexico can be avoided by finding work in the fields of America. After crossing the border, he finds that although there is plenty of work available for him, there are very few guarantees that he will get proper treatment or pay. There is also the constant threat of being deported by la migra, though this eventually becomes the saving grace for our homesick protagonist.

            Originally shot with money from the Guggenheim Fellowship and aired on KCET and PBS in the fall of 1977, ¡Alambrista! went on to rave reviews at the Cannes Film Festival and a best film award at the San Sebastian Film Festival. Even with all of the positive attention, the film was still never given a theatrical release in the United States, and even disappeared for two decades before finally released on DVD for the first time. This Blu-ray edition includes a re-edited version from that DVD release, which allows for some additional humor and a slightly tighter running time.

            The Blu-ray includes a new high-definition digital restoration with an uncompressed stereo soundtrack, with an optional audio commentary track featuring Young and co-producer Michael Hausman. There are also new interviews with actor Edward James Olmos and Young’s short documentary, “Children of the Fields.” The booklet insert also includes an essay by film historian Charles Ramirez Berg.

The Big C: The Complete Second Season DVD review

            “The Big C” has a similar storyline to “Breaking Bad,” though it mostly stays on the lighthearted side, and only occasionally delves into purposefully unlawful behavior. Like Walt of “Breaking Bad,” Cathy Jamison (Laura Linney) has just found out that she has cancer and very little life left to live. With her last years, Cathy decides that she is going to start living her life the way she has always wanted to. Transforming from a rule-following responsible wife and mother into a free-spirit, Cathy makes the most out of her remaining time, much to the dismay of those close to her.

            As a 42-year-old schoolteacher, Cathy begins a passive approach to education, though she takes a personal interest in one of her most rambunctious students (Gabourey Sidibe from Precious). At home she refuses to accept the childish behavior from her husband (Oliver Platt) or the selfish behavior from her son. She also reunites with her radical activist brother, finding that they share more in common now that social constraints don’t hold her back any longer.

            Linney is more than enjoyable as Cathy, a role which brought her a Golden Globe, and she is backed up by a compelling ensemble cast. The show itself is not nearly as original or profound as it seems to think it is, but there are still moments of enjoyment within the serio-comedy. Season two advances the storyline by finally revealing the truth to all major cast members. Cathy must now deal with the different reactions from those close to her, as they all react to the news in their own way as well.

            The second season has thirteen episodes on three discs. The final disc includes deleted scenes and an outtake reel. 

           

The Innkeepers Blu-ray review

Actors: Sara Paxton, Kelly McGillis, Pat Healy

Director: Ti West

Format: Widescreen

Language: English

Subtitles: English

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: R (Restricted)

Studio: Dark Sky Films

DVD Release Date: April 24, 2012

Run Time: 101 minutes

            Ti West may not have any large studio budget projects under his belt, but he is becoming an increasingly interesting filmmaker to watch in the horror field. His 1970s drive-in spirited House of the Devil, moving on to direct the sequel to Eli Roth’s Cabin Fever. The Innkeepers is a different kind of horror film, quietly and carefully established. Everything from the storyline to the camera work seems much more deliberate this time around, and it provides plenty of thrills along the way. There is not the mass amount of blood and gore that filled Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever. All of the frights come from solid filmmaking and classic techniques.

            It is the simplicity of The Innkeepers which allows for the scares to work. The less we see, the more our imagination is allowed to wander. Alone in an empty house is a frightening enough idea for many, without the addition of ghosts and haunted halls. All of The Innkeepers takes place at The Yankee Pedlar Inn in New England during its closing weekend. There are only a handful of guests and two employees, Claire and Luke (Sara Paxton and Pat Healy) during the final weekend open. Claire and Luke take it upon themselves to record the ghosts on tape for fame and fortune. And because they have nothing better to do with the final days of their minimum wage jobs.

            Much of The Innkeepers feels more like an independent comedy than it does a horror film, except that the camera work and music continually remind us that we are in a suspense-filled world of unexpected realities. There are many of the expected scares, from recorded voices and pianos playing themselves. There are frights and scares and a surprising twist, but the manner in which West plays all of these cliché moments out is wholly original.

            The Blu-ray includes a commentary track with writer/director/editor West, along with producers Peter Phok and Larry Fessenden, and 2^nd unit director/sound designer Graham Reznick. A second commentary track has West along with stars Paxton and Healy. A behind the scenes featurette is also included, as well as a trailer, but the high definition presentation of this film alone is nothing to scoff at.    

Mother’s Day Blu-ray review

Actors: Rebecca De Mornay, Shawn Ashmore, Jamie King

Director: Darren Lynn Bousman

Format: Widescreen

Language: English

Subtitles: English, Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Number of discs: 2

Rated: R (Restricted)

Studio: ANCHOR BAY

Release Date: May 8, 2012

Run Time: 112 minutes

            If ever there was a holiday in need of a horror film, it certainly isn’t Mother’s Day. I’m sure that there are some mothers out there who enjoy a bloody action film from a horror director more than they would flowers or gifts, but I have yet to meet them. Most tend to shy away from these type of films, so I guess this is a movie for all of those gore hounds who need something shocking after doing all of the proper sonly duties of the holiday. Mother’s Day is not really about the holiday anyway, and the release of the Blu-ray prior to the holiday is just a marketing ploy. With a film which has been shelved since 2009, they are attempting to give it as much relevance as possible.

            Director Darren Lynn Bousman is best known for his work in the Saw franchise, including the first three sequels. He is mostly known for his work as a horror film director, which is probably why this film feels more like horror than action or suspense. There is a sadistic and unpredictable nature to the film’s villains, as well as the slow increase in body count as the innocent victims slowly diminish. Even the way that the story unfolds is filled with the uncertainty and chaos of a horror film. The fact that it is based on a Troma film only solidifies the horrific in the film’s basic structure.

            After an unseen bank robbery has gone wrong, three brothers return to their mother’s house to find that she is no longer there. Instead there are new owners and a house full of party guests. These innocent people are immediately taken hostage and used as playthings until they are able to save their injured brother. The arrival of their mother (Rebecca De Mornay) only aggravates the situation even further.

            There is a brutal edge to the film, making it feel like a mild version of Funny Games. Some of the film may be unoriginal, but there are still elements of suspense and horror which make it a film worth seeing for die-hard fans of the genre. The Blu-ray includes an audio commentary with director Darren Lynn Bousman and actor Shawn Ashmore. The high definition is also worthwhile, as the photography is mostly solid.

           

The Front Line Blu-ray review

Actors: Shin Ha-Kyun, Ko Soo, Soo Go

Directors: Hun Jang

Language: Korean

Subtitles: English  

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Number of discs: 2

Rated: Unrated

Studio: Well Go USA

DVD Release Date: May 8, 2012

Run Time: 133 minutes

            South Korea is continually able to top their previous box office numbers, because their cinema has rapidly turned into one not unlike Hollywood. The epics are getting larger and the melodrama more convincing. The production values increase and the effects are increasingly realistic. There are few genres which haven’t been nationalized and recreated. The Front Line is a top-notch war film, telling the story of the men at the front line of the Korean War during the final days of peace negotiations. Award three nominations at the 2012 Asian Film awards and the country’s submission for Best Foreign Film at the Academy awards, The Front Line is also the second highest grossing domestic film in South Korean history.

            This film has everything that a war film should have, and then some. While the war battles on in the final days, the orders coming from the distant commanders are all to push for more territory before the final agreement is made. Even when the peace treaty has already been signed, there are still hours remaining in which the men can fight. Director Jang Hun is not afraid to show the brutal moments of war, with all of the appropriate violence and destruction, but he also allows us to know more about the characters. The film is not afraid to slow down and show the more tender side of humanity, even amidst war, and this is what makes it a great film.

            The Blu-ray is the perfect way to view The Front Line, outside of seeing it in a theater. The high definition enhances the visuals, but more impressive is the sound. There are many impactful moments in the film which have sound that greatly helps this experience, from explosions to sniper rifle. The Blu-ray only has a few special features, including a making-of featurette and a highlights reel. The real highlight is simply having this film in high definition and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1.

           

W/E Blu-ray review

Actors: Andrea Riseborough, James D'Arcy

Directors: Madonna

Language: English

Subtitles: English, Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Number of discs: 3

Rated: R (Restricted)

Studio: The Weinstein Company

DVD Release Date: May 1, 2012

Run Time: 119 minutes

            Madonna has fought painfully, as well as very visibly, to remain relevant in the entertainment world. People have stopped lining up to but her music the way they once did, and the attempts at acting were unsuccessful, time and time again. Even having a successful director like Guy Ritchie as a husband to put her in films was not enough. It did seem to influence her stylistic choices when attempting her latest endeavor as a director. W/E may look somewhat like a Guy Ritchie film at times, and have costuming which is perfect for time and setting, but in every other aspect it is simply a mess.

            The storyline is two-fold, including some history along with some melodrama. The successful portions of the film are the historical moments, which what I though the entire movie was about. The real-life love affair between King Edward VIII (James D’Arcy) and an American woman named Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough), however, becomes secondary to the story of an abused New York woman (Abbie Cornish) who sees the love story as an escape from her own bleak existence. There is a kind security guard at the exhibit for the romance from 1998 in New York, and eventually the abuse subsides.

            I think the attempt was to take a feminist look at the historical romance. While this is somewhat admirable, the focus comes so strongly away from any relevance to the actual romance with the story of a physically beaten protagonist that it is hard for the film to recover. The screenplay which is co-written by Madonna and Alek Keshishian, is a jumbled mess. The former pop star shows no talent beyond the immediate look of the film. The costumes and the photography are beautiful, while all aspects of the content sincerely annoyed me.

            The Blu-ray combo pack also includes a DVD and digital copy of the film. The only special feature is a making-of video which features Madonna, which seems to be a primary selling point of an otherwise average movie.

Strip Strip Hooray DVD review

Actors: Gay Dawn, Shirley Jean Rickert, Sunny Knight, Tempest Storm

Directors: Liliian Hunt, Robert C. Dertano, W. Merle Connell

Language: English

Number of discs: 2

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT

DVD Release Date: May 1, 2012

Run Time: 432 minutes

            The world of burlesque is not like the world of strip clubs. There is no accurate association between the two. There isn’t even any truly exposed flesh that could be considered nudity in these burlesque dancing routines, and they are mixed in with other forms of entertainment. There are skits and comedy routines, and there are songs and dances, complete with showgirls. When the striptease actually does begin, it always ends before there is any real nudity to be seen. These are bits of entertainment history, more titillating that pornographic.

            This two-disc collection includes six feature-length films of popular burlesque shows. All six were made from 1949 to 1953, so there was a great deal of censorship which prevented any flesh from being shown. The back of this package refers to it as “Burlesque-style nudity,” but the late 1940s and early 1950s were still ruled by the Hays code, which did not allow much to truly be shown. This makes the comedy and the dance routines all the more relevant in this collection. Some of the greatest comedians got there start in burlesque shows, and these films help to show why.

            The three films included on the first disc are Midnight Frolics (1949), Everybody’s Girl (1950) and French Follies (1951). The second disc includes “B” Girl Rhapsody (1952), The A-B-C’s of Love (1953) and A Night in Hollywood (1953).

The Divide Blu-ray review

            There are some moments of unnecessary melodrama that mostly contains a maddening amount of shouting, but the overall concept and execution of The Divide is spectacular. With all of the post-apocalyptic visions in recent cinema, The Divide takes a unique approach which is able to simplify the vision in a claustrophobic manner. Survivors of an unexpected nuclear attack by an unknown enemy are forced to barricade themselves in the basement of an apartment building in hopes of surviving.

            Some of what happens in the basement over time is rather predictable for anyone with a little bit of an imagination or previous viewing experience with post-apocalyptic films. Amidst this expected moments, however, are some shockingly unique and unexpected sequences. Even more fascinating is the film’s unwillingness to commit to any one genre. While it has elements of horror and suspense along with drama and melodrama, there is also a little bit of science fiction and action thrown into the mix. All that is really missing is humor. At just over two hours, this is a grueling viewing experience which may be too intense for some. Genre fans owe it to themselves to see this film, though it is just short of spectacular.

            There are nine strangers trapped in the basement together. They are both fortunate and unfortunate enough to have a resident superintendent living in the basement, who just happens to be an apocalypse fanatic. He has the basement stocked with food and water, though the provisions were meant for him and not all of his guests. The reality of having to share his supplies with ungrateful tenants unnerves him, causing problems with some of the more riled up survivors. Milo Ventimiglia (“Heroes”) is especially frightening in the transformation as time passes within the basement.

            The Blu-ray includes an audio commentary with director Xavier Gens, as well as actors Michael Beihn, Michael Eklund and Milo Ventimiglia. There is also a trailer, though the highlight is simply having this visual spectacle in high definition.

The Terror Experiment Blu-ray review

            The Terror Experiment is beyond just being bad. It is nearly so awful, so depraved of every single element of common-sense filmmaking, it almost becomes enjoyable. Almost. Not quite. Instead of making me laugh at the poor production values, the terrible script and the atrocious acting, I was simply cringing through the entire 82 minutes of embarrassment.

            I don’t mean to be cruel. I watch a lot of bad films. I’ve seen so many that I am almost surprised when a movie is actually good, especially in the horror genre. The Terror Experiment doesn’t even qualify as mildly amusing. It is an unoriginal concept with an offensively sloppy execution.

            When a deranged man sets off a biological weapon in a federal building, a group of strangers are forced to stick together in order to survive. This doesn’t work well and eventually they all seem to turn against each other anyway. There are also the victims of the biological weapon, which turns humans into violent zombie-like creatures fueled with pure aggression. The outside of the building is quarantined off and the survivors are forced to fend for themselves within the building.

            There are no special effects are make-up effects within The Terror Experiment which would warrant a high definition presentation. The Blu-ray is an unnecessary upgrade for a film like this. The special features include an audio commentary by executive producer /director George Mendeluk.

The Wicker Tree Blu-ray review

            The Wicker Man is on the BFI’s list of the top 100 British films. A film like that should not be touched or messed with, which is why I found the Nicholas Cage remake to be unnecessary. The Wicker Tree makes that remake look like a masterpiece. Original writer/director Robin Hardy returns to the subject, though this has only tarnished the image of the original. Even a guest appearance by The Wicker Man star Christopher Lee is unable to save this mess of a film.

            Part of the problem with this return to the same subject matter is that it can never live up to the shocking nature of the original. We already know from the very beginning that all of the villagers we meet are actually insane members of a pagan cult. This time it is a naïve young couple from Texas who are pulled into a ridiculous new ceremony in a rural Scottish community.

            The couple (played by Brittania Nicol and Henry Garrett) are on an odd missionary trip, attempting to spread the word of the Lord to the Scottish people. Apparently they have not heard of Christianity yet. She is a former sex-object teen pop star, turned born-again Christian artist. This seems like an odd choice for a person to kidnap and kill, but we are asked to accept this major plot hole from the very beginning.

            The Blu-ray offers very little excitement to an already unimpressive film. There is a making-of featurette as well as some deleted scenes and a trailer. The high definition is not altogether forgiving on the shoddy filmmaking, from the special effects to the simple production values. The only reason for the high definition seems to be in order to see the copious amounts of flesh as clearly as possible.

Let the Bullets Fly Blu-ray review

            Let the Bullets Fly is full of bullet ballet moments which seem inspired by a John Woo film, though it also has a plot that is worthy of a classic western and some slapstick which is often oddly closest to films like Kung-Fu Hustle. Not all of these elements always line up smoothly within the film, but individually there are some great sequences. The storyline is what truly makes the movie engaging, playing out like a chess game between two violent men.

            Legendary bandit Pocky Zhang (Jiang Wen) and his numbered gang members attempt to make easy money with train robberies. When they attack a carriage holding a con man governor (Ge You), Zhang is given the opportunity to make a great deal more money with a scheme. They enter the town as Goose Town as governor, but find that the town is under the iron fist of Master Huang (Chow Yun-Fat). Huang is rich and ruthless, soon giving Zhang reasons beyond money to destroy him. These two brilliant and violent men go to battle against each other passively, manipulating and maneuvering in secret until the final blowout.

            There is plenty of action in Let the Bullets Fly, but the focus remains much more on the maneuvering of the two men than it does gunplay. There is far less spectacle than I was expecting, and fans of gun films may find themselves a bit disappointed in that respect. Fortunately, there are enough other strong elements to make up for the minimal gunplay within a film with bullets in the title.

            The high definition does look spectacular, as the film has great production values even with less action than hoped for. The special features are lacking, however, including only trailers and an English Language track for those too lazy to read subtitles.

War Horse Blu-ray review

Actors: Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston

Director: Steven Spielberg

Writers: Lee Hall, Michael Morpurgo, Richard Curtis

Producers: Adam Somner, Frank Marshall, Kathleen Kennedy, Revel Guest

Language: English

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Number of discs: 4

Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)

Studio: Touchstone / Disney

Release Date: April 3, 2012

Run Time: 146 minutes

            I was right there alongside the title horse, captivated from opening frame to the close of the film. It wasn’t until the lights came up in the theater that I had the distinct feeling that I had been manipulated by the best. Steven Spielberg knows how to speak to audiences; he is a master at drawing the chosen feelings from his audience members. The problem with this effective method in the case of War Horse is the point behind it. We can all understand the point of a difficult film like Schindler’s List or even Saving Private Ryan, just like we can understand the viewing enjoyment of E.T. or Jaws. But where does War Horse fit in? It has little to say about war beyond the abuse of animals, and there is little enjoyment to be found with so much abuse to the animals dominating the storyline.

            Although there are human characters within the storyline, the only constant throughout the film is the silent protagonist. This horse is first bought by a farmer, despite being better suited for a more luxurious lifestyle as the horse of a rich man. The initial friendship between a young man and this horse sets the backdrop for the remainder of the film, during which the horse is put through dreadful scenario after another in the battles of World War I. The horse’s name is Joey initially, but he changes owners so often throughout the war that names become insignificant.

            War Horse is based on the Tony award-winning Broadway play, fully realized in the cinematic mind of Spielberg. There are some magnificently sweeping moments of cinematography which make it difficult to imagine this story onstage. Then there is the overwhelmingly manipulative melodrama which appears inexplicably at every turn of the film’s storyline. This would be much easier to accept in theater, where a certain level of disbelief suspension is required to begin with.