Catnip Reviews: HANKY PANKY, CHEAP THRILLS and CINDERELLA: IN CONCERT

Snack-sized opinions from the frisky felines at Free Kittens…

HANKY PANKY (Blu-ray) - This romantic comedy is mostly a footnote in the careers of a few Hollywood legends. The first pairing of Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner, the film tells sort of a Hitchcockian story with a comedic spin. Unfortunately, it’s seldom particularly thrilling, and though its two stars exhibit agreeable onscreen chemistry, the film rarely rises above mildly amusing. As much as I’ve always respect Sidney Poitier as an actor, it’s a different story when he’s calling the shots in the director’s chair. Hanky Panky is watchable, especially for those who were charmed by the stars’ real-life relationship. But by-and-large, it’s a forgettable film that squanders the talents of a lot of people on both sides of the camera.   (1982/108 min/Alliance Entertainment).

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼

CHEAP THRILLS (Blu-ray) - A rich couple coerces two financially strapped friends into performing demeaning, increasingly dangerous acts for money in this pitch black comedy. But before anyone assumes Cheap Thrills is a scripted variation of Jackass, the film sometimes appears to have more on its mind than shocking the viewer. There’s a clear underlying theme of the “haves vs. the have-nots” permeating the narrative, and the increasing animosity between its two main characters takes the story to some pretty dark places. With morons in the real world doing stupid things on YouTube and TikTok for free, I suppose the film would’ve seemed edgier if made a decade earlier, but it’s still a morbidly compelling descent into depravity and desperation, anchored by dedicated performances from the entire cast. This new Blu-ray release includes a big selection of new and archival bonus features. (2013/85 min/Arrow Video).

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😺😺😺

CINDERELLA: IN CONCERT (Blu-ray) - Any Cinderella fans still out there? Okay, you three…stop what you’re doing and stick this one in your Amazon cart right now! You won’t be disappointed, as this 1991 concert video captures the band at the height of their powers, just before grunge came along to relegate nearly every hair band to the state fair circuit. For the uninitiated, these guys were part of a second wave of popular glam metal bands who took things to the next level (at least visually). Try as they might, Cinderella never quite escaped their image, but were actually better than many others of their ilk, with a hell of a screecher in singer/guitarist Tom Keifer and a blues-based approach that made songs like “Gypsy Road” and “Shelter Me” pretty catchy. This Blu-ray disc sounds great and the concert itself is well shot, featuring all the band’s biggest hits.  (1991/80 min/cleopatra Entertainment).

KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼😼

EXCALIBUR: For People Who Love Shiny Things

EXCALIBUR Limited Edition (Blu-ray)

1981 / 141 min

Arrow Video 

Review by Mr. Paws😺

In addition to its gorgeous aesthetic, Excalibur was sort of unique for the time. Here was a big budget, live action fantasy film aimed squarely at adults, boasting copious amounts of nudity, sex and brutal violence (that scene of a crow plucking out a dead knight’s eyeball still gets to me). For the most part, only Heavy Metal magazine and the occasional album cover offered such gratuitous gifts on a regular basis. The film transcended its genre, attracting an audience who normally wouldn’t be caught dead watching one of these things. Hell, even my parents went to see it, which is really saying something because Dad always hated this shit. 

Not to let an opportunity go to waste, Excalibur was later re-released in an edited PG-rated version to grab the kiddie crowd. Studios did that sometimes, most memorably when Paramount took the splicer to Saturday Night Fever. But at least the music and dancing was left intact, which was that movie’s main appeal in the first place. But a de-fanged Excalibur? Why bother? I only bring it up because this Blu-ray release from Arrow includes the original and edited-for-TV versions of the film. I don’t know if the latter is the same as the PG cut, but I wasn’t ready to sit through it to find out. Still, it’s here for the curious. 

Aside from Deliverance, Excalibur arguably remains director John Boorman’s most fondly remembered film, a sprawling, visually stunning epic that walks that fine line between high art and high camp. From a narrative standpoint, it’s all over the place, but this was never something you watched for the plot. Excalibur has always been a movie of moments (of which it has plenty), its lulls compensated by striking cinematography and production design. Best to settle in and immerse yourself in the imagery, violence, music and the perverse pleasure of beautiful people doing terrible things…

A shiny kingdom is a happy kingdom.

…and Excalibur is chock full of beautiful people, some who’d later become big stars, such as Gabriel Byrne, Helen Mirren, Patrick Stewart and Liam Neeson. The performances are generally exaggerated and over-the-top, most of the cast delivering overtly grandiose dialogue and delivered with such seriousness that the result is sometimes unintentionally funny (Nigel Terry as King Arthur & Nicholas Clay as Lancelot still make me chuckle). The big exception is Nicol Williamson as Merlin, the lone actor who appears to be having fun in his role and steals every scene he’s in. He’s also the closest thing the film has to (intentional) comic relief.

Still, the actors and characters ultimately take a backseat to the real stars: Boorman’s flamboyant direction and Alex Thompson’s Oscar-nominated cinematography. These days, I suppose Excalibur might seem a little quaint compared to Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films, but remains a unique visual experience that’s been very nicely restored in all its shiny, colorful, soft-focus glory for this 3-disc release. It also comes with two audio options, the original mono and DTS-HD 5.1. In addition to two cuts of the film, there’s an entire disc of new and archival bonus features. Arthur and his knights never looked so good.

EXTRA KIBBLES

NOTE: Free Kittens Movie Guide was provided with a promo disc for review purposes. Physical supplemental material included with the final product (booklets, artwork, inserts, etc) were not available for review.

TV VERSION - An interesting curio, and maybe worth watching once for a few chuckles.

THE MAKING OF EXCALIBUR: MYTH INTO MOVIE - Neil Jordan’s on-set documentary, which I seem to remember airing on HBO back in the day.

EXCALIBUR: BEHIND THE MOVIE is another, more recent documentary featuring numerous cast/crew interviews.

NEW INTERVIEWS - Individual interviews with director/co-writer John Boorman, John’s son & actor Charley Boorman, Neil Jordan, production designer Anthony Platt, co-writer Rospo Pallenberg and 2nd unit director Peter MacDonald (MacDonald’s interview is the longest and most entertaining).

DIVIDED NATURE - An appreciation by Howard S. Berger and Kevin Marr.

3 AUDIO COMMENTARIES - 1) By Boorman biographer Brian Hoyle; 2) By filmmaker David Kittredge; 3) By director John Boorman.

2 TRAILERS

5 IMAGE GALLERIES

LOOKIN’ ITALIAN: Life Before Joey

LOOKIN’ ITALIAN (Blu-ray)

1994 / 101 min

Severin Films

Review by Stinky the Destroyer😼

The title makes it sound like a comedy, while the cover art & synopsis suggest more of a crime thriller. While 1994's Lookin’ Italian contains elements of both, it doesn’t fall neatly under either category. And chances are the film would’ve dwelled in obscurity if not for the presence of Matt LeBlanc in his first major role. So for some, the curiosity factor might be pretty high.

Released just before Friends made him a household name, this low budget indie drama is mostly about mid-level gangster Vinnie Pallazzo (Jay Acovone). Following a job that goes fatally wrong, he quits the mob and relocates to Los Angeles for the comparatively quite life of working at a bookstore. He’s also tasked with trying to keep his irresponsible, womanizing nephew, Anthony (LeBlanc), out of trouble and away from the old “family” business.

There isn’t actually a hell of a lot of plot until the final act. Until then, the film’s rambling, episodic narrative mostly consists of Anthony and his buddies partying while an exasperated Vinnie repeatedly scolds him for his behavior (though he does sometimes participate). Then when a couple of Anthony’s friends are killed in a drive-by shooting, the tone suddenly turns serious as he sets out to get even, despite Vinnie’s efforts to intervene.

"I guess I don't gotta ask how you're doin'!"

Lookin’ Italian is written and directed by Guy Magar, who’s mostly known for B-movie horror and should be commended for stepping out of his comfort zone. Considering the miniscule budget, the film is pretty well assembled from a technical standpoint. However, inconsistent pace and tone tend to hamper the narrative's overall effectiveness. The first hour is almost maddeningly meandering at times, perhaps in an attempt to establish a vibe similar to Mean Streets. But Magar is no Scorsese, nor are his characters as richly developed. However, the story culminates an exciting (and violent) final act that in-some-ways does more to establish the strong bond between these two characters than the rest of the film. 

Engaging performances help, of course. Acovone is one of those guys you’ve seen in lots of other stuff without ever knowing his name, and he makes the most of a rare leading role. As for LeBlanc...in light of Friends becoming a cultural milestone, I personally found it difficult separating Anthony Manetti from Joey Tribbiani, since his approach to both is almost identical. While he’s certainly likable here, I half expected him to blurt out “How you doin’?” on numerous occasions. 

Still, seeing pre-fame Matt LeBlanc is kind of interesting, and look quick for a very young, still unknown Denise Richards in a small role. While no lost classic or forgotten gem, the film itself ain’t half bad. For its Blu-ray debut, Severin Films has thrown in quite a few archival bonus features, including promotional interviews and a film festival Q&A session (where the movie apparently premiered).

EXTRA KIBBLES

INTERVIEWS - Individual archival interviews with writer/director Guy Magar, actors Matt LeBlanc, Jay Acovone, Stephanie Richards, Lou Rawls and John MaMotta.

PALM SPRINGS FILM FESTIVAL Q&A -  with writer/director Guy Magar, actors Matt LeBlanc, Jay Acovone, Stephanie Richards and Ralph Manza.

INSIDE EDITION FIRST LOOK

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FEATURETTE

GAG REEL

TRAILER

STRANGER ON THE THIRD FLOOR: The First Film Noir?

STRANGER ON THE THIRD FLOOR (Blu-ray)

1940 / 64 min

Warner Archive 

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😽

Stranger on the Third Floor is touted by many to be the first film noir as we came to know it. Depending on how one defines the genre, that can be debated and it would likely be a spirited argument. Having finally seen it, the film certainly has that noir aesthetic. Narratively, I’m not sure. Let's just call it noirish.

It tells a pretty good story, though. Mike Ward (John McGuire) is a newspaper reporter whose eyewitness testimony is key in convicting Joe Briggs (Elisha Cook Jr) of killing a local coffee shop owner. While he didn’t actually see the act itself - just Briggs fleeing the scene - it’s a slam dunk case, and Briggs is sentenced to death.

Ward’s fiancee, Jane (Margaret Tallichet), has her doubts about Briggs’ guilt, which soon has him wondering if he helped condemn an innocent man. Then one night in his apartment building, Ward sees a shifty looking stranger (Peter Lorre) flee a neighbor’s room. He considers checking it out, then ponders whether or not he should, because if the man’s dead, Ward could be a suspect (especially since he hated him). His worst fears are realized when goes into the room to find the man murdered…the same way the coffee shop owner was. Remembering what happened to Briggs, Ward considers fleeing, but Jane talks him into reporting the murder to the police. And sure enough, Ward is the primary suspect.

"Sorry, I'm a little distracted with this light shining in my face."

Stranger on the Third Floor is efficiently paced and features perfunctory performances by the entire cast (but despite top billing, Lorre isn’t really in the film all that much). The unquestionable highlight is a lengthy, Kafkaesque dream sequence in which Ward is caught, tried and convicted. This montage is a masterwork of imaginative camerawork and production design. Elsewhere, the striking use of shadows and shade are pure film noir, enhancing the tension. Conversely though, the story unfolds more like a straight crime thriller about the hunt for a psycho killer, with an overall tone that doesn’t feel like pure noir…as I’ve come to define it, anyway. It certainly doesn’t end like one. 

But hey, what do I know? I don’t think Sunset Boulevard qualifies as noir, either, so maybe I’m way off base. I doesn’t really matter though because, noir or not, Stranger on the Third Floor is an agreeable way to kill an hour & change. And if nothing else, the movie is visually striking, and one can easily see how that aspect inpacted the genre.

EXTRA KIBBLES

2 LOONEY TUNES SHORTS - Ceiling Hero and Wacky Wildlife, both directed by Tex Avery.

MYSTERY ON THE AIR - Three episodes from the radio series featuring Peter Lorre.

WESTWORLD (4K): Nostalgic Warm Fuzzies

WESTWORLD Limited Edition (4K UHD)

1973 / 88 min

Arrow Video

Review by Mr. Paws😺

I know fans of the HBO series, Westworld, who had no idea this movie even existed until I told them (rather incredulously, I might add). One of my childhood favorites, I remember going with my parents to see it as a double feature with Soylent Green. We didn’t stay for all of the latter because Mom found it too depressing, but Westworld blew my mind. 

Whereas Soylent Green was indeed kind of a Debbie Downer and sorta confusing, Westworld had action, killer robots, gunfights and a plot simple enough for a 10-year-old to digest and appreciate without much scrutiny. I walked out of the theater thinking Yul Brynner, all duded-up in black as The Gunslinger, was a total badass (long before I was ever allowed to use that term around my folks). At the time, I had no idea it was an homage to his character in The Magnificent Seven.

Author Michael Crichton’s directorial debut, Westworld takes place in the near future, where people willing to shell-out $1000 per day can vacation at Delos, an adult amusement park which consists of three distinct sections, Roman World, Medieval World and Westworld. Whatever world you choose, you can indulge in your every whim, no matter how decadent, which will be serviced by willing, obedient and lifelike androids.

Much of the story focuses on James Brolin and Richard Benjamin as Peter & John, two spoiled yuppies who decide to play cowboys in Westworld. They get into gunfights by day (repeatedly blowing away gunslinger Brynner) and bang saloon prostitutes by night. And while the guests are sleeping-off their debauchery, Delos’ maintenance crew gathers all the damaged robots for repairs in order to get them ready for the next day.

Because this is Michael Crichton we’re talking about, something goes fatally wrong…the park’s computer system begins to malfunction, making the robots turn homicidal. In the gripping final act, The Gunslinger methodically and mercilessly stalks Richard Benjamin throughout the park. No real explanation is given for the malfunction, though some technicians briefly kick around a theory that it might be some sort of virus. 

Somebody obviously didn't see the 'No Smoking' sign.

But who cares about the hows or whys? I sure didn’t at the time, and even now, watching this classic for the umpteenth time, I still don’t. Oh sure, I’ve since questioned why anyone would bother arming these robots with real ammo in the first place. I’ve also pondered what unfortunate Delos employees are tasked with cleaning out the pleasure models after a long day of being boned by tourists (someone’s gotta do it). However, it’s a credit to Crichton, Brynner and everyone else involved that none of Westworld’s implausibilities impede the thrill of the chase. 

Unless you’re a total killjoy, of course, which I suspect some of those weaned on HBO’s show would reveal themselves to be if they ever watched this. Too silly, too quaint, too far fetched, they might say, to which I’d argue that their precious dystopian drama wouldn’t exist without this scrappy little thriller. There’s every possibility Jurassic Park wouldn’t either. Conceptually similar, Westworld could easily be seen as Crichton’s dry run for the novel that would spawn one of the world’s biggest movie franchises. 

Or maybe my own sense of nostalgia is building-up this movie to be more historically important than it really is. While certainly not a forgotten film by those of a certain age, Westworld isn’t some kind of sci-fi milestone…just fast, fun cinematic junkfood that struck a chord with moviegoers back in ‘73, a lot of ‘em probably impressionable pre-teens like yours truly. As such, this Limited Edition 4K release is a terrific blast from the past. The film has been given a nice video upgrade, along with four audio options: remixed 5.1 DTS-HD and restored 2.0, 1.0 and 4-channel stereo options. Best of all are the bonus features, most of which are brand new and sure to please anyone who grew up loving this film. The new artwork kinda sucks, though, and what's with copping the same font used for Rollerball?

EXTRA KIBBLES

NOTE: Free Kittens Movie Guide was provided with a promo disc for review purposes. Physical supplemental material included with the final product (booklets, artwork, inserts, etc) were not available for review.

FEATURETTE - Cowboy Dreams is a new conversation between actor Richard Benjamin and producer/screenwriter Larry Karaszewski.

INTERVIEWS - Actor James Brolin and producer Paul Lazarus III are featured in new, separate interviews.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By filmmaker/historian Daniel Kremer. This is also new.

BEYOND WESTWORLD - The pilot episode of the ill-fated (and ill-advised) TV show based on the film. An amusingly cheesy relic from 1980.

ON LOCATION WITH WESTWORLD - A promotional making-of documentary from 1973.

TRAILER

IMAGE GALLERY

THE POOP SCOOP: Springtime Kibbles!

UPCOMING KIBBLES THAT MAKE US PURR!

Landmark Giallo film, THE BLACK BELLY OF THE TARANTULA, Coming to 4K and Blu-ray May 12 from Cellucloid Dreams. A serial killer has Rome on edge! Paralyzing his victims, then proceeding to slice them open before their own eyes, this sadistic maniac must be stopped! Conflicted, burned-out, and feeling overwhelmed, Inspector Tellini must find the madman before he claims another victim in a case that edges closer and closer to his personal life. Starring three Bond girls (Claudine Auger, Barbara Bouchet, and Rossella Falk), alongside another Bond alumnus, Giancarlo Giannini, "The Black Belly of the Tarantula" is a giallo cornerstone that broke the genre wide open and became one of Italy's true classics. "La Tarantola dal Ventre Nero," or "The Black Belly of the Tarantula," as it is known in English, will arrive in a beautiful slipbox that features the film, along with a vast array of bonus features that provide more insight into the film and its production than ever before. It is now available for preorder on the Celluloid Dreams website.

GREENLAND 2: MIGRATION on Blu-ray, 4K and DVD March 31 from Lionsgate. In the aftermath of a comet strike that devastates most of the Earth, GREENLAND 2: MIGRATION follows devoted family man John Garrity (Gerard Butler) and his wife and son (Morena Baccarin, Roman Griffin Davis) after they’re forced to leave the safety of their bunker in Greenland to search for a new home in a shattered world. John leads the family on a dangerous journey, guided by his burning hope in a rumored safe haven. It’s a journey against the odds that will test the family’s deepest sense of love, sacrifice, and instinct to survive.

THE HOUSEMAID on Blu-ray, 4K and DVD March 17 from Lionsgate. THE HOUSEMAID is a wildly entertaining thriller starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, based on the best-selling book. From director Paul Feig, the film plunges audiences into a twisted world where perfection is an illusion, and nothing is as it seems. Trying to escape her past, Millie (Sweeney) accepts a job as a live-in housemaid for the wealthy Nina (Seyfried) and Andrew Winchester (Brandon Sklenar). But what begins as a dream job quickly unravels into something far more dangerous — a sexy, seductive game of secrets, scandal, and power. Behind the Winchesters’ closed doors lies a world of shocking twists that will leave you guessing until the very end.

THE RUNNING MAN on 4K, 4K SteelBook and DVD on March 3 from Paramount. Starring Glen Powell and directed by Edgar Wright from Stephen King’s classic novel, this release also includes several bonus features.

ZOOTOPIA 2 on digital Now and 4K, Blu-ray & DVD March 3 from Disney. Rookie cops Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde find themselves on the twisting trail of a great mystery when Gary De’Snake turns the animal metropolis upside down. Both the digital and physical releases include several featurettes and deleted scenes.

The New ANACONDA on 4K and Blu-ray March 17 from Sony. Doug (Jack Black) and Griff (Paul Rudd) have been best friends since they were kids, and have always dreamed of remaking their all-time favorite movie: the cinematic "classic" Anaconda. But things get real when an actual giant anaconda appears, turning their comically chaotic movie set into a deadly situation. 

The Original WESTWORLD on 4K February 24 from Arrow Video. The Limited Edition release features a brand new 4K restoration from the original negative by Arrow Films, hours of special features, and newly commissioned extras. There is also a Blu-ray release.

EXCALIBUR on 4K February 24 from Arrow Video. The Limited Edition release features a brand new 4K restoration from the original 35mm negative by Arrow Films presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.66:1 for the first time on home video,and hours of special features, and newly commissioned extras. There is also a Blu-ray release.

Dave’s a little pissed…POINT BLANK Coming to 4K and Blu-ray April 21 from Criterion Collection. Free Kittens’ CEO bought himself an older Blu-ray copy of this action classic, then literally the next day, Criterion announces this release! In addition to a 4K restoration, this disc comes with a bunch of bonus features.

MONTY PYTHON’S LIFE OF BRIAN on 4K and Blu-ray April 14 from Criterion Collection. Featuring ribald Roman puns, sharp political commentary, and an audacious crucifixion-themed musical number, the Pythons’ most ambitious film is a hilarious satire of dogma and blind faith in which nothing is sacred.

It’s about damn time! Martin Scorsese’s KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON on Blu-ray, 4K and DVD March 24, 2026 from Criterion Collection. An epic elegy of greed, betrayal, and murder, Scorsese brings a dark chapter of American history to the screen with gripping narrative power and a profound feeling for the weight of systemic injustice.

The Sobering Nuclear War Classic, TESTAMENT, on Blu-ray March 17 from Criterion Collection Taking a hauntingly intimate approach to an often sensationalized subject, the singular Testament depicts one family’s daily life in the wake of nuclear devastation.