Blu-ray World: BLUE VELVET, ABSENCE OF MALICE, TO DIE FOR, and More
Blue Velvet (U.S., Region A)
David Lynch's perverse classic stars Kyle MacLachlan, Laura Dern, Dean Stockwell, and Dennis Hopper. The shock value from 1986 may have diminished, but what has not changed is the vision of American suburbia as a candy-coated Hell, where evil lurks in the bright sunlight, between blades of grass and hissing lawn sprinklers.
Absence of Malice (U.S., Region A)
Paul Newman and Sally Field star in a self-righteous drama, filled with grandstanding about truth, justice, and the American way. It's a portrait of a newspaper and a government more interested in "the big story" than the people involved. Directed by Sydney Pollack, the film is resolutely a showcase for movie stars, but with Paul Newman giving a growling, darkly charming performance, reservations about star power tend to melt away in the heat of his anger.
To Die For (U.S., Region A)
Nicole Kidman sparkles in Gus Van Sant's sharp poke at stardom. Kidman is an ambitious personality who hungers for the spotlight; she happens to be on TV because that seems to offer the quickest route to celebrityhood. But even that's not quick enough for her, so she turns to murder. When Kidman gets a mean glint in her eye, she's as scary as any horror movie slasher in history.
This Week's Other Notable Releases
Hong Kong (Region A)
Sources: AsianBlurayGuide.com, YesAsia.com
Bruce Lee Legendary Collection (Ultimate Collection)
Includes six Blu-rays: The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, The Way of the Dragon, Enter the Dragon, Game of Death, Tower of Death, plus two more DVDs: Bruce Lee: The Man and the Legend and Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey.
Summer Love Love
Youth romantic comedy, featuring babes in bikinis on the beach. Delayed, but now expected this week.
U.K. (Region B)
Source: Amazon.co.uk
Downton Abbey -- Series 2
The domestic drama continues.
The Lion King
Disney's modern fairy tale of fatherhood and responsibility.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale
Fantastic modern-day Norwegian flight of fancy.
U.S. (Region A)
Source: Amazon.com
13
Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, and 50 Cent star in director Gela Babluani's remake of his own 13 Tzameti. "It is decent, but with the cast they had, it definitely feels like it should have been more." -- Blu-ray review by J. Hurtado.
A Better Tomorrow
Remake of John Woo's classic, set in Korea. "The film is actually not bad, given the handicap of being perpetually compared to the original." -- Blu-ray review by J. Hurtado.
The Cannonball Run
Hal Needham's all-star car chase, headed up by Burt Reynolds, and featuring Michael Hui and Jackie Chan as kooky Japanese (?!) drivers. -- Blu-ray review by J. Hurtado.
The Change-Up
Body swap comedy starring Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds. Occasionally inspired, but drowned by heavy-duty soap opera poured onto a very thin premise that wasn't that funny or fresh to begin with. -- My review.
Destroy All Monsters (U.S., Region A)
Ishiro Honda's monster mash.
Doctor Who: The Sixth Series -- Part 2
The venerable series continues onward.
Executive Decision
Kurt Russell stars in a terrorist-themed thriller, set aboard a hijacked 747. With Halle Berry and Steven Seagal.
Fanny and Alexander
Bergman. Criterion.
The Fisher King
Terry Gilliam's comic fantasy, with Jeff Bridges and Robin Williams.
Gia (Unrated)
An early, affecting starring performance by Angelina Jolie as a doomed model.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
Well-made and effective concluding installment, even though the series is not my personal cup of tea. -- My review.
In a Glass Cage
"This tale of abuse, revenge, and madness is thoroughly disturbing and nihilistic." -- Blu-ray review by J. Hurtado.
Little Big Man
Dustin Hoffman gives a performance spanning the decades in Arthur Penn's sprawling and entertaining revisionist Western.
Mortal Kombat: Legacy
Inspired by the video game, a series of short films, previously available online, are now collected in high-definition format. Starring Michael Jai White, Jeri Ryan, and Darren Shahlavi. -- Teaser trailer
Mutiny on the Bounty
Marlon Brando revels in his stardom as Mr. Christian, in the 1962 film version.
One Eyed Jacks
Marlon Brando directs himself, to bizarre effect.
