My blind pick of the week is Michael Mann's Manhunter, which is being issued by MGM as a stand-alone disk after being available since 2009 as part of a three-disk Hannibal Lector set. It's a "blind" pick because I haven't seen MGM's version. nor did I see Anchor Bay's Limited Edition 2001 DVD, which featured a longer "theatrical" version and an even longer "director's cut." Therefore, fans of the film may wish to rent the Blu-ray to see if it meets with their expectations. If you haven't seen the movie, it's definitely worth your time.
Based on "Red Dragon," a novel by Thomas Harris, Manhunter William Petersen stars as Will Graham, an FBI profiler who is called out of retirement to help catch a serial killer. Will was an effective profiler because he could put himself into the serial killer's mind, which makes him fear for his own sanity. Reluctantly, and at the urging of his old boss Jack Crawford (Dennis Farina), Will lends his talents to solving the mystery of "The Tooth Fairy."
The identity of the killer is not kept from the audience, which allows the opportunity to soak in the dread as Francis Dollarhyde (Tom Noonan) slinks around the city searching for victims and reveling in the inability of the authorities to track him down.
Because I saw Manhunter before The Silence of the Lambs, I didn't have any preconceptions about the characters who appear in both films: Jack Crawford and Dr. Lector. The differences between Dennis Farina and Scott Glenn, as Crawford, are minor, having more to do with the differing relationships between Crawford and the respective protagonists. While the differences between the two evil man-eating doctors (Brian Cox and Anthony Hopkins) are more pronounced, it's good to keep in mind that they are supporting, each playing a key but secondary role.
Manhunter is much more interesting as Michael Mann's third feature film, after Thief and The Keep (and after Miami Vice began airing). It's visually striking, with multiple sequences lingering in the memory long after the substance of the plot fades into the noise. You may never look at a wheelchair again without imagining it rolling down a parking garage in flames.
The film its bolstered substantially by William Petersen, who leapt from playing a bartender in Thief to the dangerous lead role in William Friedkin's To Live and Die in L.A. and then to Manhunter. The two starring performances are linked by the degree of mature intensity that Petersen brings.
Manhunter is out on Region A Blu-ray tomorrow.
Other Notable Titles, Out This Week
Hong Kong (Region A)
Sources: AsianBlurayGuide.com, YesAsia.com
Sex and Zen II
Ah, the glory days when Shu Qi mostly was known for her naked body! It's doubtful that the upgrade to Blu-ray will be worth the cost; it's not restored, for one thing. But the movie is, as I recall, good fun, and features Loretta Lee for those who are not fans of Shu Qi. With Elvis Tsui.
U.K. (Region B)
Source: Amazon.co.uk
Sunrise: Masters of Cinema
Murnau's masterpiece. "This new edition of Sunrise (for the first time anywhere in the world on Blu-ray) contains two versions of the film: the previously released Movietone version and an alternate silent version of the film, recently discovered in the Czech Republic, of a higher visual quality than any other known source." More information at the Masters of Cinema site.
Also:
Breakfast at Tiffany's: 50th Anniversary (Region Free)
Charm in spades in the person of Audrey Hepburn, if you can ignore Mickey Rooney's "Japanese" neighbor.
Heavenly Creatures Remastered
Dreamy Kate Winslet, balanced by the beguiling Melanie Lynskey and a visually enticing atmosphere and mood created by young Peter Jackson.
Insidious
James Wan's spooky house thriller keeps the tension tight for about 2/3 of the movie.
Julia's Eyes
Quite enjoyable thriller, especially for those of us who are vision-impaired.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
The lastest installment.
Point Break (Region Free)
Kathryn Bigelow's "surfers go bank robbing" romp.
Shaolin
Andy Lau, disgraced general, reborn monk; Nicholas Tse, evil incarnate; Jackie Chan, helpful cooking sidekick. A rental for me, but others at ScreenAnarchy liked it even better. If you're so inclined, it has replay appeal.
Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Episodes I-VI)
Help yourself.
U.S. (Region A)
Source: Amazon.com
3 Women: Criterion Collection
Robert Altma's 70s-style feminism.
10th Victim
Marcelle Mastrioanni, Ursula Andress, Elsa Martinelli.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Kristy Swanson, the movie version.
Citizen Kane: 70th Anniversary
Orson Welles plays with the best toys a boy could imagine.
Conan O'Brien Can't Stop
Red-haired comedian works and feels blue that he has millions of dollars.
The Exterminator
Grotty, unpleasant, unforgettable. Robert Ginty, Christopher George.
The Frighteners
Michael J. Fox in Peter Jackson's rollicking ghost story.
Hesher
Joseph Gordon-Levitt in his underwear, Natalie Portman in her glasses.
The Hills Have Eyes Unrated
The remake.
Incendies
Middle East mystery.
The Last House on the Left Unrated
Some good stretches in this particular remake.
Meek's Cutoff
An indie Western.
My Life as a Dog: Criterion Collection
Growing up.
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Looney George Clooney, as the Coen Brothers "adapt" The Odyssey.
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena
Trashy fun, filled with full nudity from gorgeous men and woman, plus hilariously over-the-top CGI blood and gore.
Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Episodes I-VI)
Help yourself.
The Tempest
Move along, folks, not much to contemplate here.
Thor
Competent superheroics.
Trainspotting
A brash bash.
True Legend
Good, not great. Yuen Wo-ping directs.
Corrections, updates, notices of omission, and general observations are more than welcome in the comments section. This is not meant to be a comprehensive listing, only a list of titles that grabbed my attention.