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THE PEOPLE VS. LARRY FLYNT Limited Edition (4K UHD) - While there’s certainly a lot to admire about The People vs. Larry Flynt, I’ve never particularly cared for it much, a minority opinion that has nothing to do with the film’s controversial subject or his chosen profession. This biography of Hustler magazine’s founder and publisher has some great moments, especially the sequences depicting the numerous legal issues Flynt faced over the years. However, the narrative is jarringly episodic, often leaping from one point in time to another without acclimating the viewer. And while the recurring theme championing freedom of speech is a worthy one (especially today), it’s repeatedly hammered home long after we’ve gotten the point…kinda like what Oliver Stone did with Natural Born Killers (Stone executive-produced this one, too). There’s no real depth to any of these characters, nor does the film offer much beyond what’s already been well-documented about Flynt elsewhere. And while Woody Harrelson, Courtney Love and Edward Norton earned considerable praise for their performances, I never felt any of ‘em were stretching themselves all that much. Both the cast and director Milos Foreman have done better work (okay, maybe not Courtney). But hey, that’s just me. It’s widely considered a great film, and those who concur will love this 4K Limited Edition set, which not only features a terrific restoration, it includes an excellent selection of new and vintage bonus material, the best being an entertaining 25 minute interview with Harrelson himself. (1996/130 min/Arrow Video).
KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼😼
STAR WARS: THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU (Blu-ray) - This one was sort of a milestone in my life, being the first movie in the Star Wars franchise that I didn’t see in a theater, nor was I ever really compelled to. Based on its comparatively weak box office performance, a lot of other people felt the same way. Not that it’s a bad film…far from it. I actually enjoyed it quite a bit, probably because it was exactly what I thought it would be, playing very much like an extended episode of the Disney+ television series. As such, it’s a fun film with a good story, some imaginative production design and moments of good humor. But aesthetically, it never escapes its TV origins, and I probably would have felt a little short-changed paying to catch it in a theater. Still, it’s better than the entire Star Wars prequel trilogy, so there’s that. Featuring excellent picture and sound quality, along with a few enjoyable bonus features, this one makes for a comfortable evening on the couch...like the show (2026/132 min/Disney).
KITTY CONSENSUS: 😼😼😼
TWIGGY (DVD) - While I certainly know who Twiggy was, her era as a cultural icon was back before I was old enough to be aware of such things (though I do recall her guesting on The Muppet Show one time). So consider this documentary by Sadie Frost to be an entertaining history lesson. Twiggy (aka Lesley Lawson) first gained fame as a teenage, rail-thin British model before gaining global notoriety. And like a lot of other models, she ventured into singing and acting. Past and present, Twiggy comes across as charming, funny and likable, as is this documentary, which includes plenty of archival footage (and a ton of famous faces) as it affectionately summarizes her long career. For those old enough to remember when she was everywhere, Twiggy is a wistful trip down memory lane. For those unfamiliar with her, it’s a good introduction. (2024/94 min/Cleopatra Entertainment).
KITTY CONSENSUS: 😺😺😺
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