DVD

Outrage

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 11th, 2002

Outrage is actually the DVD release of a 1980’s made for TV film, Christopher Rage’s Outrage. Changing the title was probably a pretty good idea. West Wing star Rob Lowe is the focus of this B film. It’s actually a very watchable film if you’re willing to ignore plot holes large enough to drive a starship through and some lazy legal writing. (When the kids trash his home they leave more fingerprints than a 3 year old with an overstuffed peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but the cops see no evidence.
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The Exorcist – The Version You’ve Never Seen

Posted in Disc Reviews by David Annandale on November 11th, 2002

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Few films have had the impact of the original Exorcist. William Peter Blatty’s original book was a phenomenal hit. The film’s intense imagery and in your face brutality was all the more disturbing coming from a young teenage Linda Blair. What makes this film effective, however, is the subtle touches: The quick flash demonic faces, the eeriest backward language of the demon, and the haunting moans that culminate in one of the truly scariest films ever made. This release restores footage, long legendary, but not seen by a movie audience. I remember seeing pictures of Linda Blair’s “spider crawl” in Famous Monsters of Filmland in the 70’s. To call this film a classic would be stating the obvious.

Liberty Stands Still

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 11th, 2002

Written by Dan Bradley

The right to bear arms has been a heated debated for many years now. Entertainment industries, Hollywood included, have often been singled out as culprits for violence at the hands of these legally-owned weapons. Liberty Stands Still serves as a direct commentary from Hollywood towards the effects of this law, and the influence gun manufacturers and politicians have on the distribution of firearms. Although not released theatrically in the United States, Liberty Stands Still comes home to DVD in a confusing but intri…
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Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 10th, 2002

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This is without a doubt the ultimate chick flick. Guys who find themselves subjected to the film can take heart in fact that there are a few moments that they will find interesting. Although this film will likely not give you a better understanding of your wife/girlfriend, it will most assuredly provide insight into your mother-in-law. Turns out she really is as crazy as you thought she was. There is also a subdued but pivotal performance by James Garner, who steals practically every scene he’s in with his wonderful “suffering in silence” Shep.
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Beat

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 5th, 2002

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Synopsis

Set in Mexico, Beat shows us the final days of the relationship between Burroughs and hiswife Joan Vollmer. While Burroughs vacations in Guatemala with his latest boy toy, Vollmergallivants about with two other members of the beats, notably a rather innocent Ginsberg.Somehow this is all going to lead to the fatal William Tell trick with the gun. Keifer Sutherlandturns in a startling bit as Burroughs, perfectly mimicking his speech patterns. But the film itself islittle more…
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Spellbound

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 5th, 2002

Synopsis

Ingrid Bergman is a psychoanalyst and, according to her male colleagues, a cold fish. Thischanges when Gregory Peck shows up as the new head of the psychiatric institution. The onlyproblem is, Peck is not who he says he is. In fact, he doesn’t even know who he really is.Bergman is determined to help him find out, but meanwhile, the man whose identity Peck hasassumed is missing, perhaps murdered… The psychoanalysis in the film is pure hokum, and theplot’s contrivances are …
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Spetters

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 5th, 2002

Synopsis

Three working class friends have their hopes set on motorcross stardom to bring them fameand fortune. Their friendships get complicated by, among other things, the arrival of ambitioussexpot Renee Soutendijk (also seen in Verhoeven’s The Fourth Man).

Audio

The sound is mono, and it gets the job done. Nothing exceptional, but clean andserviceable.

Video

The print appears to be in good shape. The colours are very drab, but thi…
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Rookie, The

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 3rd, 2002

Synopsis

Based on the life of Jim Morris, The Rookie stars Dennis Quaid as a high school coach inrural Texas who has had to give up his dream to play in the major leagues. When he sees his highschool team giving up on themselves, he challenges them with a deal. If they turn themselvesaround, he’ll try out for the Major Leagues. Guess what happens. That’s right, once againbaseball is a metaphor for the American Dream. (Deep sigh from cynical reviewer.) It’s all puttogether very nicel…
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Enough

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 3rd, 2002

Synopsis

Jennifer Lopez plays a waitress named Slim. She meets Prince Charming in the person ofMitch (Billy Campbell). They get married, have a kid, and overnight Prince Charming turns intoJason Voorhees. After suffering a relentless campaign of terror, Slim shifts from Sleeping withthe Enemy to I Spit On Your Grave, and fights back. Her retaliation, which is the entire pointof the film in terms of title and promotion, only begins 80 minutes in. That’s a long time to waitthrough wha…
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Producers, The

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 31st, 2002

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Synopsis

Zero Mostel is a down-on-his-luck play producer. Gene Wilder is a neurotic accountant.Together they cook up a scheme to raise a million dollars (from old ladies) to produce a playguaranteed to flop (and thus they keep the money.) The play they choose is a little romp called“Springtime for Hitler.” This being a Mel Brooks film, the humour ain’t subtle, and Brooks doesrun some sequences into the ground (he never has known when to quit). But there is a lot oftremendously funny…
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Spider-man

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on October 30th, 2002

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This disc combines excellent sound, a fantastic movie, and bales of extras with murky video to create a very acceptable – if not truly outstanding – first release of Spider-Man. I would heartily recommend this disc to anyone, but with some caution: this release (“Widescreen Special Edition” reviewed) leaves plenty of doors open for SuperBit Deluxe and later Collector’s releases. Both sound and video are good – but definitely not the best – so, watch for re-releases after the holidays.

This two-disc set is b…
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Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 30th, 2002

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In an interview with producer Harve Bennett he tells us that Star Trek II was so successful that he was given the green light for Star Trek III three days after its predecessor’s release. The Search For Spock is not the best of the franchise, but it is certainly the most underrated. Trek lore states that even numbered films are great and odd numbered films bite. This is certainly an exception. Christopher Lloyd is surprising as the main villain, the Klingon Kruge. Shatner actually provides one of his best scenes with Mark Lenard as Spock’s father.
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Don’t Look Down

Posted in Disc Reviews by David Annandale on October 24th, 2002

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Synopsis

Unable, to save her sister from falling off a high cliff, Carla develops a crippling fear ofheights. She also starts to have visions of her sister stalking her. Sister, it seems, wants Carla tojoin her in death. Carla joins a therapy group, hoping to overcome her fears. While she makessome progress, the members of the group start being killed off one by one. There are someeffectively vertiginous moments here, and some okay spookiness, but the film is torpedoed by anending s…
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Quiet Man, The

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 23rd, 2002

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Synopsis

John Wayne plays an American returning to his Irish roots in the town of Innisfree. He fallsin love with the fiery Maureen O’Hara, but the path to true love does not run smoothly. This isbecause O’Hara’s brother is the bully Victor McLaglen. Wayne refuses to fight back, though,because of accidentally killing a boxing opponent in the past. Sooner or later, though… A changeof pace, this, for Wayne: essentially a romantic comedy (loaded with Irish stereotypes) ratherthan a w…
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Wishmaster: The Prophecy Fulfilled

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 22nd, 2002

Synopsis

The Djinn (John Novak) is unwittingly released by Tara Spencer Nairn. Adopting the identityof one of her friends, the Djinn insinuates himself into her life. If she makes three wishes, hisentire race will be unleashed upon the earth. The tricky thing is, her last wish is that she couldlove him for himself. Oops. How is the Djinn supposed to grant a wish that only she can grant?He certainly has an odd way of courting her. Very, very, very low-budget stuff, mildly divertingfo…
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Triumph of Love

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 22nd, 2002

Synopsis

The Princess (Mira Sorvino) is in love with Agis (Jay Rodan), the man who is the true heir tothe throne. He has been raised by philosopher Ben Kingsley to hate not just the Princess, but allwomen. So the Princess dons male clothing to infiltrate Kingsley’s home. Her scheme gets moreand more complicated as she winds up having to win the hearts not just of Agis, but of Kingsleyand his spinster sister (Fiona Shaw) as well. Deliberately stagey, and with a script thatcarries dis…
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Rio Grande

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 22nd, 2002

Synopsis

Wayne is veteran Lt. Col. Yorke, bedevilled by the fact that the Apaches attack and thenretreat across the Rio Grande, while the cavalry can’t pursue into Mexico. Further complicatinghis life are the arrival in camp of his young son as a fresh recruit, and his estranged wife(O’Hara) wanting to bring sonny home. This isn’t the greatest of Ford’s westerns, largely becauseof its meandering plot. But it does have those great Monument Valley vistas, and it is goodfun.

Urban Cowboy

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 21st, 2002

Synopsis

Country boy John Travolta arrives in the big city of Houston. He finds a home away fromhome in Gilley’s, a huge country & western bar. There he meets and falls in love with DebraWinger. But when villain Scott Glenn tries to steal her from him, will Travolta rise to thechallenge of the mechanical bull?

Audio

A pretty nice job done of giving an older soundtrack a solid surround mix. The music and thesound effects both come through very well. You won’t…
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Staying Alive

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 21st, 2002

Synopsis

Tony Manero (John Travolta) is still dancing up a storm (snort). He’s a dance instructor now,but he’s hoping to land the big gig on Broadway. Duly that break comes, and he must choosebetween the two women in his life, one of whom (Finola Hughes) is British, so you know she’sa bitch. Finally we reach the big finale, and it’s everything that was wrong with the 80s.

Audio

The soundtrack is showing its age, and up to the crystalline clarity and richness w…
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Vulgar

Posted in Disc Reviews by David Annandale on October 21st, 2002

Synopsis

Poor Will, AKA Flappy the Clown. He lives in a dump, is dumped on by his mother, andis tormented by just about everyone he meets. Then he’s brutally raped. Just when he’s ready toend it all, he saves a little girl, and his instant celebrity turns his life around. But the men whoassaulted him haven’t forgotten him… I really didn’t know what to make of this flick, and thisis reflected in the middling star rating. Is it supposed to be a comedy or not? There are enoughcharact…
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High Noon

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 21st, 2002

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Synopsis

The story unfolds in something close to real time. Gary Cooper is on the point of retiring asMarshal of a small town. He is also about to leave, accompanied by new wife (and pacifist)Grace Kelly. But then a villain from his past returns with vengeance in mind. Cooper turns to thetownspeople for help, but nobody wants to know. Released during the McCarthy witch hunts, thefilm invites (and rewards) political analysis. But it is also a damn fine suspense film.

Audio…
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Singin’ in the Rain

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 19th, 2002

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Synopsis

The plot is very simple, as the spectacular song-and-dance numbers are the real star of theshow. Gene Kelly and Jean Hagen are big stars of the silent screen. But sound is arriving, andHagen’s voice sounds like fingernails on a chalkboard (and she has a personality to match). Kellyfalls in love with Debbie Reynolds, a struggling dancer with a terrific voice. This is enough of aframework on which to hang the production numbers, but the comedy in between is oftenhowlingly fun…
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Insomnia (2002)

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on October 19th, 2002

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Written by Dan Bradley

I’ve experienced sleepless nights, as I’m sure most everyone has at some point in their life. But for some, this conscious prison can linger for many days, sometimes weeks at a time. Christopher Nolan’s remake of Insomnia manages to capture this feeling through terrific writing and strong sensory cues littered throughout.

On the verge of a departmental decision that could jeopardize his career, detective Dormer (Al Pacino) travels to Alaska with his partner, Detective Ekhart (Martin Donovan) to investigate…
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Casino Royale

Posted in Disc Reviews by David Annandale on October 19th, 2002

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Synopsis

Sir James Bond (David Niven), a superhuman prude with a stutter, is forced out of retirementto discover who is killing off all the world’s spies. He recruits a whole load of other 007s, fromPeter Sellers to Ursula Andress (don’t ask), and the villain turns out to be Woody Allen.Comedies should rarely run more than 90 minutes. This clocks in at 137. Interminably,mortifyingly dull. I defy anybody to sit through this.

Audio

The sound comes in both 5.1 …
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Frailty

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on October 18th, 2002

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“I think they pulled it together in a way only Texans working together could.”
David Blocker – Producer, Frailty

Well, those Texans certainly did bring it together in a unique fashion, and Lions Gate has packaged it in an excellent DVD release. Bill Paxton’s directorial debut captures a family’s descent in dementia in 1979 in a performance that is surreal and believeable. The everyday and the unexpected are blended into a nightmare world where the mundane and supernatural are superimposed…
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