tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848241972700699612024-03-18T14:46:34.210-07:00Free Kittens Movie GuideBecause life in the dark is wonderful.D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.comBlogger3167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-43800703249841040972024-03-18T14:42:00.000-07:002024-03-18T14:46:02.762-07:00DRIVING MADELEINE: Bring Some Tissue<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSw2Zl4SCE7Hki4949p8RqKJq1jF_hiQbENKYlmV2Z9b_mXGWPCwQawHoWE3ksxcTvNjkpwvo10oiF7YIRocoSgUDqQW50csEgZ3gIycOkj5DR4c5bCN7nwYIxQUL9Nrcbw4eq-y51DraW_VEH6fC2gvGSSvxpzB18FK4-p-I0QotdCuEKT217ijI4fDY/s1500/DrivingMadeleine_BR_3D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1213" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSw2Zl4SCE7Hki4949p8RqKJq1jF_hiQbENKYlmV2Z9b_mXGWPCwQawHoWE3ksxcTvNjkpwvo10oiF7YIRocoSgUDqQW50csEgZ3gIycOkj5DR4c5bCN7nwYIxQUL9Nrcbw4eq-y51DraW_VEH6fC2gvGSSvxpzB18FK4-p-I0QotdCuEKT217ijI4fDY/s320/DrivingMadeleine_BR_3D.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">DRIVING MADELEINE (Blu-ray)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>2022 / 90 min</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">FROM <u><a href="https://cohenmedia.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">COHEN MEDIA GROUP</span></a></u> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">Review by Stinky the Destroyerđč</b></div></span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In some ways, the Belgian film, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Driving Madeleine</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, is what I first expected. In others, I was thrown for a loop by a few of the narrative turns. Either way, one of this discâs bonus features should be a box of tissues. By the end of this thing, I was in tears (which doesnât happen often). Hell, I was damn close to ugly crying.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-22f084c2-7fff-4cd0-cc80-1d541c3655e2"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The basic plot is fairly straightforward. Middle-aged, financially struggling cab driver Charles (Dany Boon) is hired to take a passenger to the other side of ParisâŠa lengthy distance, but a potentially lucrative fare. The customer is Madeleine (Line Renaud), a 92 year old woman being forced to move into a nursing home. In no real hurry, she requests a few stops at places she recalls from her past - including the old neighborhood - while opening up about the pivotal moments in her life. To his surprise, sheâs also genuinely interested in </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">his</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> life.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Initially, Charles doesnât care about her stories and is reluctant to open up to her. But as the journey continues, Madeleine is increasingly candid about her tumultuous past. Depicted through artfully conceived flashbacks, the love of her life was an American GI she met near the end of World War II, with whom she had a son. However, once he shipped back home, she never saw him again. She later ended up in an extremely abusive marriage with violent drunk Ray. Since abuse wasnât grounds for divorce back then, her gruesome solution to the problem, while justifiable (and potentially audience pleasing), alters the trajectory of her life and relationship with her son.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07y2FuD1JbT0eq94wYRJKj10pq79T3vAHvgOi1712BbEqo9LvbYSUnf8z-25uzxua_PZ8ol-Ik3A4P66XC3ZDcrDVw_p22-KPIvjXi7pd_8gypmsmlYBiyZLLbjF0cZ9EJKLsNJYZ6nW36QYVUd7Sa4sHEvzqb9YdvKYdEMl7OcdI82u09e3V1UD5_qc/s960/web1_240216-saa-film-society-driving-madeleine.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07y2FuD1JbT0eq94wYRJKj10pq79T3vAHvgOi1712BbEqo9LvbYSUnf8z-25uzxua_PZ8ol-Ik3A4P66XC3ZDcrDVw_p22-KPIvjXi7pd_8gypmsmlYBiyZLLbjF0cZ9EJKLsNJYZ6nW36QYVUd7Sa4sHEvzqb9YdvKYdEMl7OcdI82u09e3V1UD5_qc/w640-h426/web1_240216-saa-film-society-driving-madeleine.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Looks like Charles will be putting in some overtime cleaning ice cream off his upholstery.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">During the cab ride, Charles and Madeleine form a friendship thatâs frequently charming, funny and ultimately heartwarming. Through much of </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Driving Madeleine</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, I could kinda tell where the narrative was heading. But by the third act, I was so invested in these two characters that part of me was really happy it <i>did</i> play out as predicted, because the emotional payoff is huge. However, this isnât just a French </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Driving Miss Daisy</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. There are jarring tonal shifts between their conversations in the car and the increasingly harrowing flashbacks, the latter of which contributing greatly to our admiration of Madeleine, as well as a few personal epiphanies experienced by Charles.</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">By the time the end credits rolled, I was emotionally exhausted. But it was the </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">good</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> kind of exhaustion. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Driving Madeleine</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> takes the viewer on an entertaining - often revealing - personal journey of two wonderfully realized characters. With a perceptive screenplay, fluid direction by Christian Carion and affecting performances (including Alice Isaaz as young Madeleine), this is the best disc Iâve reviewed so far this year.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><u><span style="color: red;">EXTRA KIBBLES</span></u></i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>INTERVIEW WITH DIRECTOR CHRISTIAN CARION - </b>An enjoyable Zoom-type interview. Surprisingly, Carion reveals one of his inspirations while making this film was Steven Spiebergâs </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Duel</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>TRAILER</b></span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFbdtOo-nbrT5bM7UPJJXrS9Mt2NnOAy4JYNxiju6QVNT1MF9XIRODjkLdPhLO4G8ikkyV1BhN-11a3BKqI686kk2tvgEPoX3NNv1HbVSLKTYPeyYUHsOdwBYn_V_FCH5U0eUkw-2MPF5B_EIM66BaIfeV2pIugHdSbvVklJcUMVXRtGgriL1Ita3Qxw/s200/meow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFbdtOo-nbrT5bM7UPJJXrS9Mt2NnOAy4JYNxiju6QVNT1MF9XIRODjkLdPhLO4G8ikkyV1BhN-11a3BKqI686kk2tvgEPoX3NNv1HbVSLKTYPeyYUHsOdwBYn_V_FCH5U0eUkw-2MPF5B_EIM66BaIfeV2pIugHdSbvVklJcUMVXRtGgriL1Ita3Qxw/s1600/meow.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div></span>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-84571493504989140232024-03-17T15:16:00.000-07:002024-03-17T15:17:26.923-07:00SHADOW MAGIC: More Heartfelt Than Historical<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVM8hZkIc4gPWPQlMrEDIN5qmkt-tT-NxNcChtPGeNguT2hlmN1B4hKfNhoK1myXKbgrMl1tahUhjqTT0hbqxBXh5pmV_NeiNQrFYFjdtfoEgmv4iSLygDUgxRYsTrNgVZaP6Vq7hEaJ1oHpJzeibGb1MiyDRe4brCcoH2VZdU-1_yeN-XklzlXqrP2cg/s692/shadow.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="574" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVM8hZkIc4gPWPQlMrEDIN5qmkt-tT-NxNcChtPGeNguT2hlmN1B4hKfNhoK1myXKbgrMl1tahUhjqTT0hbqxBXh5pmV_NeiNQrFYFjdtfoEgmv4iSLygDUgxRYsTrNgVZaP6Vq7hEaJ1oHpJzeibGb1MiyDRe4brCcoH2VZdU-1_yeN-XklzlXqrP2cg/s320/shadow.jpeg" width="265" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">SHADOW MAGIC (Blu-ray)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>2001 / 116 min</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">FROM <u><span style="color: red;">SONY</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Available at </span><a href="http://www.moviezyng.com/" style="color: #f52000; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">www.MovieZyng.com</span></a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Review by Pepper the Poopyđș</b></div><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Released in 2001, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Shadow Magic</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> makes few claims of historical accuracy. However, some of the characters are based on real people who were key figures in the making of whatâs widely considered Chinaâs first filmâŠway back in 1905. </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c43ca8f6-7fff-f6bc-eddf-2c7e7cc89dcc"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Taking place a few years before that, Liu Jinglun (Xia Yu) is a young photographer whoâs fascinated by western technology, to the chagrin of his boss, Master Ren (Liu Perqi), and father (Jingming Wang), both of whom are Chinese traditionalists. When enterprising Englishman Raymond Wallace (Jared Harris) arrives with moving picture cameras and projectors, Liu is intrigued. Others, including snobbish opera star Tan Linmei (Li Yuheng), are dismissive of this âshadow magic,â thinking it will ever catch on.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Tan is wrong, of course. When Liu and Wallace partner up and open a little movie house, the locals show up in droves, entranced by what they see. However, not only do a few incidents hamper their success, Liu is eventually ostracized by others for abandoning traditions and defying his father, the latter of which is exacerbated by his refusal to marry a rich widow (at Dad's behest) because heâs in love with Tanâs daughter (Xing Yufei).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fu7uau-rK0USmZHcDAiB4fzcz13ifijwY8GluM_U1hwpYL0YQKoxASsxqaoSzTBxJ6dhuAgnlLd-WV3y_uR5BM4vWTTTKkh00VjOzlYFP_bWZ2MsWSil3KXDOoVU4nuFGAsCbwDNGvHttLJd-1RiWKFm12bT3lx1lfUeyEie88NXWiJWF1LYDBHlpwI/s400/timeout.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="400" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fu7uau-rK0USmZHcDAiB4fzcz13ifijwY8GluM_U1hwpYL0YQKoxASsxqaoSzTBxJ6dhuAgnlLd-WV3y_uR5BM4vWTTTKkh00VjOzlYFP_bWZ2MsWSil3KXDOoVU4nuFGAsCbwDNGvHttLJd-1RiWKFm12bT3lx1lfUeyEie88NXWiJWF1LYDBHlpwI/w640-h420/timeout.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">"Our new movie needs dinosaurs...go wrangle a few."</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Despite the historical context, much of the film covers familiar narrative ground. While well done and often interesting, the emotional heart of the story is the relationship between Liu and Wallace, which grows into a close friendship that contributes greatly to the affecting climax & denouement. Elsewhere, the sequences depicting filmmaking in its infancy - as well as its presentation - are fascinating.</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Though leisurely paced and maybe a little overlong, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Shadow Magic </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">boasts a charming story with two likable main characters, both earnestly portrayed by Yu and Harris. And while film may not exactly be a history lesson, the attention to period detail related to movie making certainly feels authentic. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><u><span style="color: red;">EXTRA KIBBLES</span></u></i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>AUDIO COMMENTARY -</b> By director Ann Hu</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>TRAILER</b></span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOx6FbSP5jYOof1IlCpX-MmPsz1svIIMhW26QF0q8lv-BWK666bYqYuiZ0lGfalVyAcafmn4qMvQe_4nLPvNMi0IcLbS87Upg3h57LWkLP33lmeU61H8DbSfOtTL2uT9Uz5Ac-JSyRKi53-3rfHtTi4gMovczWCN50LMtM_-_hkLPWez_sIrHFR_U7uvk/s200/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOx6FbSP5jYOof1IlCpX-MmPsz1svIIMhW26QF0q8lv-BWK666bYqYuiZ0lGfalVyAcafmn4qMvQe_4nLPvNMi0IcLbS87Upg3h57LWkLP33lmeU61H8DbSfOtTL2uT9Uz5Ac-JSyRKi53-3rfHtTi4gMovczWCN50LMtM_-_hkLPWez_sIrHFR_U7uvk/s1600/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" width="200" /></a></div></div></span>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-3558883083316158892024-03-15T15:03:00.000-07:002024-03-15T15:23:32.247-07:00Revisiting WITNESS<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxt4Ye5UV5FZm-lCh376Luxl3TNu-i11TnUmwybnpwtdtumBEB6xtAImQTZmcoIt7VvLx-IrLBmKbYsEKdKrhzXbBiCVyjNEzpjxM0-EXNMzSchwXpWzo3HldmFVlFi0d3syC7vCkg2TGIDDU-ixRwgs9HFHJX4v34z5I4TlULZYo1avU6TBLboEd3dsc/s1000/wit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="760" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxt4Ye5UV5FZm-lCh376Luxl3TNu-i11TnUmwybnpwtdtumBEB6xtAImQTZmcoIt7VvLx-IrLBmKbYsEKdKrhzXbBiCVyjNEzpjxM0-EXNMzSchwXpWzo3HldmFVlFi0d3syC7vCkg2TGIDDU-ixRwgs9HFHJX4v34z5I4TlULZYo1avU6TBLboEd3dsc/s320/wit.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">WITNESS (Blu-ray)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>1985 / 113 min</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">FROM <u><span style="color: red;">PARAMOUNT</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Available at </span><a href="http://www.moviezyng.com/" style="color: #f52000; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">www.MovieZyng.com</span></a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">Review by Stinky the Destroyerđș</b></div></span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Considering </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Witness</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> was just recently restored and released by Arrow Video on Blu-ray & 4K, both loaded with supplemental material, it seems odd to be getting a Paramount reissue of a previous bare-bones edition. On the other hand, if all you care about is the movie without bells & whistles, this one's a little easier on the wallet.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-24c8a6e0-7fff-c96e-bd27-d7be17830c3a"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For those too young to recall, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Witness</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> was a huge hit in the â80s and arguably the first movie where Harrison Ford was taken seriously as an actor. He even earned an Oscar nod for his performance as Philadelphia detective John Book, tasked with protecting an Amish boy who witnesses the murder of an undercover cop. Surrounded by corruption in his own department, Book, the boy and his mother, Rachel (Kelly McGillis), go into hiding in the familyâs village, where he learns the Amish ways to fit in.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkYVBKDPz4MPmAYHo6PxY0NGHLhkAd37GFor4LVTnL7zld6maASSDc68F6Nxi0qZdzAhdrVHLq_-CPbhicCY_CREhZdwTwbtta8yZuEfVsZMbusD9uLWZWmvyJdSPRznv94bDT9qny0qFLi9HBRIWa6tQHkZ-yWSzRObxkcqEQL9RDPvy0iRsAz93Rp8/s640/witness04.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkYVBKDPz4MPmAYHo6PxY0NGHLhkAd37GFor4LVTnL7zld6maASSDc68F6Nxi0qZdzAhdrVHLq_-CPbhicCY_CREhZdwTwbtta8yZuEfVsZMbusD9uLWZWmvyJdSPRznv94bDT9qny0qFLi9HBRIWa6tQHkZ-yWSzRObxkcqEQL9RDPvy0iRsAz93Rp8/w640-h360/witness04.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The best kittens are Free Kittens.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Fordâs still a lot more fun when punching Nazis or running from Tommy Lee Jones, but heâs certainly the best part of </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">this</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> film. Storywise, weâve seen a lot of it beforeâŠthe fish-out-of-water story, the cop who falls in love with his witness, etc. But Fordâs performance keeps it interesting, probably because we hadnât seen him in a role like this before. At the very least, heâs more engaging than catatonic co-star McGillis.</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Behind the camera, Peter Weir brings visual freshness to all the familiarity and keeps the story moving along efficiently. While not his best film, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Witness</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> was the one that elevated him from respected Australian director to Hollywood A-lister. Elsewhere, one of the fun things about revisiting old films is catching now-famous actors in small early roles. In this case, look for Danny Glover as a corrupt killer cop and Viggo Mortensen in his film debut as one of the Amish.</span></p><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Overall, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Witness</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> has aged pretty well for a nearly 40-year-old movie, with only Maurice Jarreâs atypically terrible score serving as a reminder of the decade in which it was released. The film walks a familiar narrative path, but </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">did</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> give Harrison Ford the chance to try something different at the time, and he made to most of it.</span></span><div><span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiS3ubMERwfCdBS_4O4gtqPKNNdzEoVgRkV-eKvvz6Nnyj9XhzpZCk-LxH6UkOzlL9O2B0OZFBThhkvELdqdf7oqjRgxqCyIZvDUeDylAhiVv94c2BG03qhUNVUoLxDh_mZhwQbUnLadaL7yZ5Yo2g9wsjzBSSpkpqY-LrfpBiujK09MnQ2RmWHZ9UFDE/s200/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiS3ubMERwfCdBS_4O4gtqPKNNdzEoVgRkV-eKvvz6Nnyj9XhzpZCk-LxH6UkOzlL9O2B0OZFBThhkvELdqdf7oqjRgxqCyIZvDUeDylAhiVv94c2BG03qhUNVUoLxDh_mZhwQbUnLadaL7yZ5Yo2g9wsjzBSSpkpqY-LrfpBiujK09MnQ2RmWHZ9UFDE/s1600/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" width="200" /></a></div></span></div>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-73735540143803167492024-03-14T15:41:00.000-07:002024-03-14T15:42:13.572-07:00ONE-PERCENT WARRIOR: Meta Mayhem<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc8C6FW75k0EqtvJtbmXJHNQrKddqqgK1p0KgqU81vX-l5XUk2rXqTrXPohzNpm36ZmdGjBMp6363KrbVjLMqZOrDwltA5gAGQMm3fK4sqZRjPCBs9tu589j69rYKZu0sop26dfjL0Cr8_P66MSawgrpZj940kM4K71KMlPrgHX5ZkO9BaAC6gIkrP0U/s1000/one.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="777" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc8C6FW75k0EqtvJtbmXJHNQrKddqqgK1p0KgqU81vX-l5XUk2rXqTrXPohzNpm36ZmdGjBMp6363KrbVjLMqZOrDwltA5gAGQMm3fK4sqZRjPCBs9tu589j69rYKZu0sop26dfjL0Cr8_P66MSawgrpZj940kM4K71KMlPrgHX5ZkO9BaAC6gIkrP0U/s320/one.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">ONE-PERCENT WARRIOR (Blu-ray)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>2022 / 85 min</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">FROM <u><a href="https://wellgousa.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">WELL GO USA</span></a></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">Review by Mr. BonnieđŒ</b></div></span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Tak Sakaguchi is evidently a big deal in his home country of Japan. On this side of the pond, heâs probably most known for the cult film, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Versus</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, but the only thing I remember him from is </span><a href="https://www.freekittensmovieguide.com/2021/02/crazy-samurai-400-vs-1-is-literal-one.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Crazy Samurai: 400 vs 1</span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. Boasting a 77-minute fight scene, it was gimmicky, monotonous junk that played more like a live-action first-person video game than a movie.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a012316e-7fff-0d21-abae-7f3a63399536"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The good news is </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">One-Percent Warrior</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is better than that, with an actual story that begins pretty cleverly. Tak plays a thinly veiled version of himself as Takuma Toshiro, an action star who once made a classic film, but his obsession with âauthenticâ action & fighting has since made him almost impossible to work with. 10 years later, he has trouble even landing roles as an extra.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc52iX0fccoJAObvOQ203UluqArBOCL9EB4DGNe08YY3QrUa7adrEc9ur86SFs7xI0q5dvZ8mvM9qveOOk6PjbX7JgXtyPFX8aekAeX1J5Vv8hbNnkTnyblyU1650uYt9GvGDIQAHE2xYAtC-TciXvhA0tc3wBc-JOE0onZr9sUoIiQvEsEcIy4ysgLs0/s850/Screenshot%202024-03-14%203.27.14%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="850" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc52iX0fccoJAObvOQ203UluqArBOCL9EB4DGNe08YY3QrUa7adrEc9ur86SFs7xI0q5dvZ8mvM9qveOOk6PjbX7JgXtyPFX8aekAeX1J5Vv8hbNnkTnyblyU1650uYt9GvGDIQAHE2xYAtC-TciXvhA0tc3wBc-JOE0onZr9sUoIiQvEsEcIy4ysgLs0/w640-h306/Screenshot%202024-03-14%203.27.14%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Mr. Badwrench</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So with apprentice & only fan Akira (Kohei Fukuyama) in tow, Takuma decides to put together a </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">real</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> action movie with some financial backing. But the action becomes </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">very</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> real when he and his crew arrive at the shooting location - an abandoned factory on a remote island - at the same time as two warring Yakuza clans. Seeing this as an opportunity to show off his skills in a real situation, Takuma goes to work while Akira films it all.</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Itâs more-or-less at this point that </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">One-Percent Warrior</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> turns into an extended brawl, allowing Sakaguchi ample opportunities to demonstrate his formidable fighting abilities. But however impressive, a little of this goes a long way. The action grows increasingly repetitious and at no point is the outcome ever in question. </span></p><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Itâs ultimately the meta aspects of the film that work best, along with Sakaguchi's apparent willingness to poke fun at himself. Hence, the early scenes tend to be more engaging. The rest of </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">One-Percent Warrior</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> should keep hardcore fight fans amused.</span></span><div><span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></span></span></div><div><span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><u>EXTRA KIBBLES</u></i></b></span></span></div><div><span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>MAKING-OF FEATURETTE - </b>At 25 minutes, it's much more substantial than the usual promos included by Well Go.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>TRAILER</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvrUwD3GgiQ-RLibsDCTJamjw1cSQOIRO-dpcR7mrISsj0-hv_36-1_QXQly1KWQSpw0Wh8MMONSap5Dte0mXkbq0jXaY8pd9lyNhNYWvi9-uXuD3zMcRfVv5G_SxQqszfcKkZlWZV1Rd6oMzrEBVECXRe2l8V7RzrhdgbEO5plO8FtV5DqDaWZE54e0/s200/not%20bad%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvrUwD3GgiQ-RLibsDCTJamjw1cSQOIRO-dpcR7mrISsj0-hv_36-1_QXQly1KWQSpw0Wh8MMONSap5Dte0mXkbq0jXaY8pd9lyNhNYWvi9-uXuD3zMcRfVv5G_SxQqszfcKkZlWZV1Rd6oMzrEBVECXRe2l8V7RzrhdgbEO5plO8FtV5DqDaWZE54e0/s1600/not%20bad%20(2).jpg" width="200" /></a></div></span></div>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-81718792657901547292024-03-13T20:27:00.000-07:002024-03-13T20:31:05.440-07:00THE 355 (4K): "Weren't We Gonna See That Once?" <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VAc2ftVqvr1SdRltLD75jTsvKfnBRK9ES27sHp_i-hq8E-xNt3v7jx-zM9s1z0LMdmyl0N3Lw3PS7ub1VGeV7En69JsDmZq9ewIMXdPAt768dkYCb4oC3MtgWlNcWHJf5fhsrLEjrNfMffnnTRA-dfbkpmc6PY8c7YoZBkUYy4rKo15houHI2jSqlzA/s1000/355.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="792" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VAc2ftVqvr1SdRltLD75jTsvKfnBRK9ES27sHp_i-hq8E-xNt3v7jx-zM9s1z0LMdmyl0N3Lw3PS7ub1VGeV7En69JsDmZq9ewIMXdPAt768dkYCb4oC3MtgWlNcWHJf5fhsrLEjrNfMffnnTRA-dfbkpmc6PY8c7YoZBkUYy4rKo15houHI2jSqlzA/s320/355.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">THE 355 (4K UHD)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>2022 / 124 min</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">FROM <u><a href="https://www.uphe.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">UNIVERSAL</span></a></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Available at </span><a href="http://www.moviezyng.com/" style="color: #f52000; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">www.MovieZyng.com</span></a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #800180;">Review by Mr. Bonnieđœ</span></b></div></span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I vaguely recall seeing the trailer for </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The 355</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> when it was first released. It was my wife who fleetingly mentioned, âThat might be fun,â to which I nodded in agreement. Every now and then, we enjoy taking-in a big, loud action flick at the movies. But we never got around to it, either because we were too busy or the movie came and went so fast in theaters that we simply forgot about it.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-283bba6c-7fff-de38-8868-e51d8bdcbadb"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sometime later, when the wife and I were browsing through Netflix or Prime, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The 355</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> popped up. âHey, weren't we gonna see that once?â she said. âThat might be fun some night.â I nodded in agreement and stuck it on my watchlist because sometimes itâs great just to vedge on the sofa with a movie that doesnât require a lot of brain power. But again, I never got around to it, probably because I generally spend more time looking for something on Netflix than actually </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">watching</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> something on Netflix. With the billion other things I had on my watchlist, I guess it just got lost in the shuffle (if itâs even there anymore).</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When it arrived on 4K for review, I said to my wife, â</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The 355</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">âŠdidnât you want to see that ?â She shrugged indifferently, either because she forgot or was no longer interested. At any rate, I was flying solo for this one, and after watching it with the lights down and the volume cranked, itâs exactly the movie I thought it would be. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The 355</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is a big, loud actionfest that seldom engages the brain, and unless youâve never seen a single 21st Century action movie, offers no surprises whatsoever.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VYe6kNpZunMu-Y2_azY8jdp4LHGWCEofZubtYIjaCafJ6gKGcsFEYxR6DwAxzXMmtpVLZq5hAGbsL0gjGnwyB_Ft2V4q_gtouwE8IK4MjXgpvVVifyy7R0nKlrKio_EF-gYFjZIAqx00M3QjIiCnCVpsTt90J7retjCmkuojJhaqI5n0Eerb1Ep_Gbs/s1200/doubleparked.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VYe6kNpZunMu-Y2_azY8jdp4LHGWCEofZubtYIjaCafJ6gKGcsFEYxR6DwAxzXMmtpVLZq5hAGbsL0gjGnwyB_Ft2V4q_gtouwE8IK4MjXgpvVVifyy7R0nKlrKio_EF-gYFjZIAqx00M3QjIiCnCVpsTt90J7retjCmkuojJhaqI5n0Eerb1Ep_Gbs/w640-h360/doubleparked.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">"You rode shotgun last time. My turn."</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Which isnât necessarily intended as criticism. Like going to McDonaldâs, sometimes you just want simple comfort food. And it doesnât get much simpler than four international agents (and another forced to go along for the ride) chasing down a MacGuffin around the globe while clashing with a gaggle of ruthless bad guys. In this case, itâs five women who must overcome their initial distrust to team up for a common goal. The MacGuffin is a hard-drive that can take control of any digital system. As for the ruthless bad guysâŠwell, there's a ton of âem. Some we meet in the first scene, others are later revealed as bad guys in a shocking plot twist (though it wonât come as much of a shock).</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">With a frenetic pace and action sequences that tend to gloss over most of the story implausibilities, itâs fun watching these women trot the globe and kick-ass. Thereâs a plethora of bullets, bombs, brawls and broken glass, all of it well shot and choreographed. An impressive ensemble cast of leading ladies (Jessica Chastain, Diane Kruger, Penelope Cruz, Lupita Nyongâo, Bingbing Fan) make the main characters more interesting than the screenplay actually does. The even <i>bigger </i>batch of antagonists are strictly standard-issue, though Sebastian Stan appears to be enjoying himself as a double-crossing CIA agent.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Both narratively and technically, there isnât a single aspect of </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The 355</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> that's particularly original, complex or all that memorable. But hey, itâs certainly fun in the moment and seldom boring. If the wife ever </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">does</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> decide to finally watch it, I might be up for another round. The film bombed in theaters and was quickly forgotten, so I donât know how many were pining for a 4K upgrade, but it looks and sounds terrific (as does the accompanying Blu-ray).</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><u><span style="color: red;">EXTRA KIBBLES</span></u></i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>4K, BLU-RAY & DIGITAL COPIES</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>FEATURETTES (all carried over from the original Blu-ray)</b> - <b><i>Chasing Through Paris</i></b>; <b><i>Action That Hurts</i></b>; <b><i>Reconstructing Marrakesh</i></b>; <b><i>Chaos at the City of Dreams</i></b>; <b><i>VFX Breakdown</i></b>. These featurettes run around 5 minutes each and are mostly focused on locations and technical aspects of the film.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>DELETED SCENES</b></span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJ2sgk51y8iXzsbGLZ_2Oxxknvo38HRbif9yuEcIpWPQgePf8WQOb7MKXy3G0F9LRTdBsQZGllOcmfx2w5g34dubCX3dW5WMc1OXSAycwRGes_YGKnEVALhkpiJc5y41oznL9Jcva8vGuyaq2_rL5O9gqNxWbyDkgDVCSQPDSE0xhTebsSr7NCqTOMOI/s200/not%20bad.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJ2sgk51y8iXzsbGLZ_2Oxxknvo38HRbif9yuEcIpWPQgePf8WQOb7MKXy3G0F9LRTdBsQZGllOcmfx2w5g34dubCX3dW5WMc1OXSAycwRGes_YGKnEVALhkpiJc5y41oznL9Jcva8vGuyaq2_rL5O9gqNxWbyDkgDVCSQPDSE0xhTebsSr7NCqTOMOI/s1600/not%20bad.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div></span>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-77003954172212521572024-03-12T18:02:00.000-07:002024-03-13T07:46:00.844-07:00Family Movie Night with POOR THINGS<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEomWW04hW7q6Th3k9JxeSwCZFr1PN_TVEnO-HrTCXGeQbAKWtXrfBZKexrdnThzb6AC9V_zinjHbNsYrvtXiZmcd4cBwf8_OiXYghlgIk-O2LdamysbVc-8Akugfevih5K1GrXJz2EoSC4_0DJ4-WvKLOrbY0PCUsNlMbDSm-Ne0a5nPdhbiX-xIMDU/s375/poor.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEomWW04hW7q6Th3k9JxeSwCZFr1PN_TVEnO-HrTCXGeQbAKWtXrfBZKexrdnThzb6AC9V_zinjHbNsYrvtXiZmcd4cBwf8_OiXYghlgIk-O2LdamysbVc-8Akugfevih5K1GrXJz2EoSC4_0DJ4-WvKLOrbY0PCUsNlMbDSm-Ne0a5nPdhbiX-xIMDU/s320/poor.webp" width="213" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">POOR THINGS (Digital)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>2023 / 142 min</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">FROM <u><a href="https://www.searchlightpictures.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES</span></a></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Review by Mr. Bonnieđș</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i>Poor Things</i> is also available on Blu-ray on DVD</span></b></div></span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In the end, Iâm glad I waited as long as I did to watch </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Poor Things</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a3b97e9c-7fff-9b76-fc64-b3c285cdba57"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Both of my daughters were very interested in seeing it as well, so when it was made available to review, I extended them an invitation. The challenge was picking an evening we were all free and up for a movie. Finally, with the Academy Award broadcasting the next day, I couldnât wait on them any longer. Since the Oscars are sort of like the Super Bowl for me, itâs important to see as many of the major nominees as possible before the statues are handed out. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And thank God I ended up watching it alone, because even though both daughters are more or less grown up, Iâm still uncomfortable watching movies with them that contain explicit sex or nudityâŠof which </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Poor Things</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> has gobs. There are enough naughty bits on display for two Ari Aster movies. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But like Aster, thereâs a twisted rationale behind these scenes, particularly in relation to the themes of female empowerment, sexual liberation and independence. So while graphic and plentiful, Iâd stop just short of labeling them gratuitous, though lead actor Emma Stone certainly goes all-in with her character (in more ways than one) and demonstrates a ton of bravery.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeXKl5-5g29MxsEjok9QGutjuZ2728HEveRD5To9yFSjxw0DBITe6uP8y2FCEWMfuTBtsBxxIHVCZKUjY6p5Hlz75TgC6HeSQEqpa36oIOP5eRcIae4ugX2n-ooZ1ebeAO8fTZTAADHb0gZ2hJqk8zn5lar5fTzbQfi3Tf8VOpvFQErwgDAqXviigJSw/s1500/Poor-Things-Emma-Stone-pink-cloak.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeXKl5-5g29MxsEjok9QGutjuZ2728HEveRD5To9yFSjxw0DBITe6uP8y2FCEWMfuTBtsBxxIHVCZKUjY6p5Hlz75TgC6HeSQEqpa36oIOP5eRcIae4ugX2n-ooZ1ebeAO8fTZTAADHb0gZ2hJqk8zn5lar5fTzbQfi3Tf8VOpvFQErwgDAqXviigJSw/w640-h360/Poor-Things-Emma-Stone-pink-cloak.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Emma cosplays as a croissant.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Now having seen it, did she deserve the Oscar for Best Actress? Perhaps I should reserve final judgment until seeing Lily Gladstone in </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Killers of the Flower Moon</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, but Stone certainly provides a strong case for herself as Bella Baxter, resurrected from the dead by kindly-but-deranged doctor Godwin (Willem Dafoe, in yet another wonderfully eccentric performance). Iâm gonna refrain from discussing any more of the plot because I went into the film relatively cold and can attest that much of what keeps </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Poor Thingsâ</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> episodic narrative compelling is having no idea what itâs gonna throw at you next (though I <i>will</i> say the whole thing does carry on longer than it needs to).</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The film certainly deserved a lot of its other Oscar wins, especially the production design, which is a knock-out. More so than any previous effort by director Yorgos Lanthimos, virtually every shot is an elaborate, imaginative work of surrealist art, alternately oppressive & whimsical, drab & vivid. And even though he didnât win, Robbie Ryanâs cinematography brilliantly enhances the mood of each scene. I especially liked the use of black & white to reflect Bellaâs confinement in Godwinâs house, while her journey of self-discovery is bursting with color. In addition to Stone & Dafoe, Mark Ruffalo and Ramy Youssef are excellent in key supporting roles.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Like every Lanthimos film, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Poor Things</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> will be a little too âout thereâ for some tastes and a twisted breath of fresh air for others. Either way, there hasnât been another Oscar nominee quite like it. With equal measures of comedy, fantasy, pathos, sexuality and no small amount of cultural commentary, itâs Lanthimosâ most accomplished film.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As for my two girls...they later watched <i>Poor Things</i> on their own. Both liked it, but concurred it wasn't something they needed to experience with Dad.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><u><span style="color: red;">EXTRA KIBBLES</span></u></i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>FEATURETTE -</b> Possessing Beauty: The Making of Poor Things (running 21 minutes, this features interviews with the primary cast & crew).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>3 DELETED SCENES</b></span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0nMWMp-JamD18k1REuyf4XzwCA5cGkkvCf5Y0LfD2q2Osi2lFIIHo4PWGSZV4fKr3Sa_M6Nv174z0X-icOkJtHU7m1N5PTpAFGe5af4XRx-MAjqjL_Vyi8eqXBJuVtxCa5a3aC-0xZjXq_v0aWYSxcmSm3zSf3lWBE0JUSlvu1R52s5YNJStSjI67hk/s200/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0nMWMp-JamD18k1REuyf4XzwCA5cGkkvCf5Y0LfD2q2Osi2lFIIHo4PWGSZV4fKr3Sa_M6Nv174z0X-icOkJtHU7m1N5PTpAFGe5af4XRx-MAjqjL_Vyi8eqXBJuVtxCa5a3aC-0xZjXq_v0aWYSxcmSm3zSf3lWBE0JUSlvu1R52s5YNJStSjI67hk/s1600/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" width="200" /></a></div></div></span>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-1208703042380106832024-03-11T17:06:00.000-07:002024-03-12T06:01:12.642-07:00THE COLOR PURPLE: Not Quite a Remake<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_E6o_VcH9QSs1R5J6BrzhPwWV5wHszJQl58i7Sowxh1EHX0SFyF7HgoymAxSlTHCikRWwvCbA46kXYk8K0x3CIqaHOTPqUXlQJDEnMa4COtuGGw-3qp-uHoFU4KQRrMGALMf3yCrCRBI11d7CIWpSyKqYghXcGgl93bJqJHONWEPyqwQHiZXTsHTEJyM/s1000/color.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="787" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_E6o_VcH9QSs1R5J6BrzhPwWV5wHszJQl58i7Sowxh1EHX0SFyF7HgoymAxSlTHCikRWwvCbA46kXYk8K0x3CIqaHOTPqUXlQJDEnMa4COtuGGw-3qp-uHoFU4KQRrMGALMf3yCrCRBI11d7CIWpSyKqYghXcGgl93bJqJHONWEPyqwQHiZXTsHTEJyM/s320/color.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">THE COLOR PURPLE (Blu-ray)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>2023 / 141 min</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>FROM <u><a href="https://www.warnerbros.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">WARNER BROS</span></a></u> / </b></span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23InPartnershipwithWB&src=typed_query" style="color: #f52000; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #800180;">#InPartnershipwithWB</span></a></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Review by Pepper the Poopieđș</b></div></span><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">From a certain perspective, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Color Purple</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is a historical first. Until now, no other Steven Spielberg-directed movie has ever been remade. I suppose it was just a matter of time and Iâm actually surprised it hasnât already happened.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5fb5b6ab-7fff-a9e6-8c0c-d5bea874d33e"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But one could easily argue that the film isn't really a remake. Sure, the characters and story are more-or-less the same, but this is primarily an adaptation of the 2005 stage musical that had a couple of lengthy Broadway runs over the years. Still, I suppose some comparisons are inevitable. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I gotta say I found Fantasia Barrino much more appealing as Celie than Whoopi Goldberg was, and even then, both Danielle Brooks (as Celeieâs feisty friend, Sofia) and my secret crush Taraji P. Henson (as sultry singer Shug Avery) manage to steal a few scenes for themselves. Like in the original, this trio is the crux of the story, forming a bond over the years as Celie grows to become independent of her abusive husband, Mister (Colman Domingo).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qV_Pst3IWKXPOHPNQXTq-V_Q0TIjZ2lL1rUGPK9x5cM1Q93uoclyW4Y0QU8Ka-fbzPVPpZ5UQ5Zk_gywlvtcz7jmT2Y7IE04CVCnqHyfhd23hKFJwp2X7NZdWeiwEkuT9vSyiU6Pj3D3UdEtC05YWeDpWecc-j7zQG4gGim9MrCrVPPOEW7k-kpbIew/s2048/flowers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1394" data-original-width="2048" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qV_Pst3IWKXPOHPNQXTq-V_Q0TIjZ2lL1rUGPK9x5cM1Q93uoclyW4Y0QU8Ka-fbzPVPpZ5UQ5Zk_gywlvtcz7jmT2Y7IE04CVCnqHyfhd23hKFJwp2X7NZdWeiwEkuT9vSyiU6Pj3D3UdEtC05YWeDpWecc-j7zQG4gGim9MrCrVPPOEW7k-kpbIew/w640-h436/flowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">With the color purple comes allergies.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">While the performances are earnest and exuberant, the characters arenât as complex as their 1985 counterparts (a few border on being caricatures). The same could be said about the story. The novelâs themes are still present, but a lot of the film takes a back seat to the musical sequences, some which are genuine showstoppers. Standout numbers include Sofiaâs sassy âHell, No!â and Shugâs playful âPush Da Button.â I also appreciated Celie and Shugâs charming, fantasy tinged âWhat About Love?â, which includes imaginative production design.</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Considering the amount of down time between musical numbers and our anticipation of some good olâ fashioned karma being dished out, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Color Purple</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is a little too long for its own good. But despite a bit of overall aloofness, the film is ultimately rewarding and a solid musical adaptation of a classic novel. And I guess if you had to rework a Spielberg movie, better this than <i>Jaws</i>.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><u><span style="color: red;">EXTRA KIBBLES</span></u></i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">FEATURETTES</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> - </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Creating </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Color Purple</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">: A Bold New Take on a Beloved Classic</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">; </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Hell, Yes! - The Iconic Characters of </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Color Purple</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">; </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A Story for Me: The Legacy of </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Color Purple</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. Each of these run 6-7 minutes.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">MUSICAL MOMENTS -</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> This lets you skip straight to the musical numbers.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">DIGITAL COPY</span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJE-bdNA8jBW27B0UwZwsdS4WdZvx0F1EqINxQoqLXgretLdSzawyaQWT0qYqNBNH1tWUJzfaRBwsB48J0xRZoJTRnjBaq2UKYceatvHragEzVLugk-WDjD2DIgKbOGK2_ttzNk8KyzuwQ9cKFP1gI5yYlMifWBYcBvBbVp4iE9u0bZTqMxko6nYYESWw/s200/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJE-bdNA8jBW27B0UwZwsdS4WdZvx0F1EqINxQoqLXgretLdSzawyaQWT0qYqNBNH1tWUJzfaRBwsB48J0xRZoJTRnjBaq2UKYceatvHragEzVLugk-WDjD2DIgKbOGK2_ttzNk8KyzuwQ9cKFP1gI5yYlMifWBYcBvBbVp4iE9u0bZTqMxko6nYYESWw/s1600/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" width="200" /></a></div></div></span>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-92202110287039172162024-03-10T16:19:00.000-07:002024-03-10T16:19:04.082-07:00AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM: Surprise-Free Spectacle<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDF73JyImjcKFnSOw8FF1xumxVEh-eNnyCTTfbLKhV06laxhqalDKGneQLKSb-eYoa4FukWfslspPJgNi2XLfqmwIXnyVCWaJSQTbREyFn6GPmdDeSwv_QOcgXGk1tV-6FPPZWUxc9-jq298FJjA7q6F1feaO6p_smHh29poNRVKe-ZqTxfxNoG6b4ak/s2054/AQUAMAN2_WW_BDOSLV_FINALSKEW_3D%5B96%5D%5B7%5D%5B3%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2054" data-original-width="1522" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDF73JyImjcKFnSOw8FF1xumxVEh-eNnyCTTfbLKhV06laxhqalDKGneQLKSb-eYoa4FukWfslspPJgNi2XLfqmwIXnyVCWaJSQTbREyFn6GPmdDeSwv_QOcgXGk1tV-6FPPZWUxc9-jq298FJjA7q6F1feaO6p_smHh29poNRVKe-ZqTxfxNoG6b4ak/s320/AQUAMAN2_WW_BDOSLV_FINALSKEW_3D%5B96%5D%5B7%5D%5B3%5D.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM (Blu-ray)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>2023 / 124 min</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>FROM <u><a href="https://www.warnerbros.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">WARNER BROS</span></a></u> / </b></span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23InPartnershipwithWB&src=typed_query" style="color: #f52000; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #800180;">#InPartnershipwithWB</span></a></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">Review by Stinky the DestroyerđŸ</b></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Throughout much of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, I felt like I was watching a cartoon. Granted, a very nicely animated cartoon, but even more so than the first film, the overall aesthetic reeks of artifice. Rarely did I feel like the performers were ever interacting with their environment.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-0b4c8171-7fff-289e-8e18-f6f2cd649162"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">CGI runs rampant in nearly every scene, with action sequences so busy that they cease to be logistically convincing. Elaborate new worlds, machines and creatures are obviously intended to instill awe, but weâre mostly impressed with the technology that created them. Special effects shouldnât call this much attention to themselves, especially if they donât depict anything we havenât seen before (and are used more sparingly). Visually, there ainât a lot of difference between Atlantis and the Land of the Dead from </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Coco</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Storywise, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> offers no real surprises. Having defeated his tyrannical brother Orm (Patrick Wilson) in the first film, Arthur curry/Aquaman (Jason Momoa) is now the ruler of Atlantis. He doesnât particularly enjoy being king, preferring to spend time on land with Mera (Amber Heard) and their new son, Arthur Jr. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZMM8uxsZUImOUVCYTqOVnMdbYowgFbtFfRRWlvKBwCi1E_c27U_YVV6b13FGjmTPYEhB_dG7LzCAXOx_XpI4Q3IBCDEIEKK7VLPHpfAdM_HPThoXV3RG5MmtMhX3-llukxReTLk3Z2PQA24maI6ij3PAFpUu6cKJKHOOhMNXBghiDIAdThE8SXpZbo0/s1920/shirt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZMM8uxsZUImOUVCYTqOVnMdbYowgFbtFfRRWlvKBwCi1E_c27U_YVV6b13FGjmTPYEhB_dG7LzCAXOx_XpI4Q3IBCDEIEKK7VLPHpfAdM_HPThoXV3RG5MmtMhX3-llukxReTLk3Z2PQA24maI6ij3PAFpUu6cKJKHOOhMNXBghiDIAdThE8SXpZbo0/w640-h360/shirt.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">"Yeah, it was me...I stole your shirt."</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Meanwhile, David Kane/Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is still obsessed with avenging his fatherâs death by killing Aquaman, only now he has a new crew of henchmen and a supersub equipped with ancient Atlantean technology. After finding a trident that once belonged to Kordax, the ruler of the lost kingdom of Necrus, he becomes possessed and empowered with strength that equals Aquamanâs. Adding apocalyptic implications to the narrative is the fuel required for Manta to hatch his plan, which is environmentally devastating. In true supervillain fashion, he isnât concerned with such triflesâŠ</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">âŠwhich is part of the problem. Mantas is so single-minded and hateful that thereâs little Abdul-Mateen can do with the character but glower and rage. Heâs more of a video game villain than a dynamic antagonist. Elsewhere, many returning characters are given little to do that significantly impacts the narrative, especially Mera, whoâs almost persona non grata until the climax. Fortunately, Arthur is forced to tap his incarcerated brother for help defeating Manta because the scenes they share nearly save the movie. Not only is their antagonistic brotherly banter pretty amusing, Momoa and Wilsonâs performances manage to stand out amid all the spectacle.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For the most part, however, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Aquaman and Lost Lost Kingdom</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is emblematic of many recent superhero moviesâŠwatchable without ever being engaging, with no attempts to bring anything new to an increasingly rote formula. The film is pretty, but also pretty redundant.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><u><span style="color: red;">EXTRA KIBBLES</span></u></i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>FEATURETTES - <i>Finding the Lost Kingdom</i></b> (the most substantive of the bonus material, featuring Jason Momoa, director James Wan and other cast & crew); <b><i>Aquaman: Worlds Above and Below</i></b>; <b><i>Atlantean Blood is Thicker Than Water</i></b> (the history of Arthur & Orm); <b><i>Itâs a Manta World</i></b> (about the primary villain, featuring interviews with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II & others); <b><i>Necrus: The Lost City</i></b>; <b><i>Escape from the Deserter World</i></b>; <b><i>Brawling at the Kingfishâs Lair</i></b>; <b><i>Oh, Topo! </i></b>(brief segment about the scene stealing octopus.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>DIGITAL COPY</i></b></span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuEPFoH3PKVoEMOHs3X91DYrk15JTbsR7NCt-m88YWrhrQNueiEFdsuUcRx3Kfn6tqzDOZ4zeMbxOAL2lj381ADg4NB2c-UYiiPdqXIvV_ushhVNHDhMzCDmNV0DjdYgQQERb9uCmwxwNlljf0JQUq1A8VVB4GPSmy-cb2XAFXjIGS8S2uve-Y3G3omY/s200/MEH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuEPFoH3PKVoEMOHs3X91DYrk15JTbsR7NCt-m88YWrhrQNueiEFdsuUcRx3Kfn6tqzDOZ4zeMbxOAL2lj381ADg4NB2c-UYiiPdqXIvV_ushhVNHDhMzCDmNV0DjdYgQQERb9uCmwxwNlljf0JQUq1A8VVB4GPSmy-cb2XAFXjIGS8S2uve-Y3G3omY/s1600/MEH.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div></span>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-69920957438157923132024-03-08T20:19:00.000-08:002024-03-09T00:45:44.089-08:00THE SHOOTIST: The Duke's Swan Song<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial,sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial,sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VW8dPAqkcl1lO0Ua5M4asRc0i-wy7pstCZF8kUDsF9Jj5e_X94mBcFgSZEB6ax4aC0RhxGsFUAF2ASVIaK8Cojx9wZ8r2_GDTkVHZwS-XSKyqV9UOKV9-0mcp0E7zpiPW2xHVqI3_EdqY9DdG_Kx5MtQpYDDiY3hRfY4OyI74NWclbFjovFo1eWqarI/s1500/shhot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VW8dPAqkcl1lO0Ua5M4asRc0i-wy7pstCZF8kUDsF9Jj5e_X94mBcFgSZEB6ax4aC0RhxGsFUAF2ASVIaK8Cojx9wZ8r2_GDTkVHZwS-XSKyqV9UOKV9-0mcp0E7zpiPW2xHVqI3_EdqY9DdG_Kx5MtQpYDDiY3hRfY4OyI74NWclbFjovFo1eWqarI/s320/shhot.jpg" width="255" /></a></span></div><span face="Arial,sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">THE SHOOTIST (Blu-ray)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>1976 / 100 min</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">FROM <a href="https://www.arrowvideo.com/elysium.search?autocomplete=searchsuggestion&search=the%20shootist%20limited%20edition%20bluray" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">ARROW VIDEO</span></a> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">Review by Mr. PawsđŒ</b></div></span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Itâs probably prudent to point out Iâve never been a massive John Wayne fan. He starred in some great classic films, to be sure, but they werenât necessarily great </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">because</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> of him. Wayneâs career was similar to Ozzy OsbourneâsâŠmarginal inherent talent, but surround yourself with the right people and you become a legend. </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-03fc250f-7fff-6c88-d7ce-c432d6cb2bc0"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For some reading thisâŠthemâs probably fightinâ words.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">That being said, 1976âs </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Shootist</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is arguably the one John Wayne film where his character could not have been played by anyone else. J.B. Books is an aging legendary gunfighter diagnosed with terminal cancer who plans to quietly die peacefully in Carson City. However, his reputation makes that impossible. Word quickly spreads that not only is Books in town, but heâs vulnerable. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Taking place in 1901, Carson City itself reflects American progress since Bookâs glory daysâŠtelephones, buildings with running water, horseless carriages and most importantly, changing attitudes regarding his particular skill set, as represented by boarding house owner Bond Rogers (Lauren Bacall). She vehemently disapproves of the way heâs lived, though ultimately empathizes with him. The narrative suggests that, even if Book werenât dying, the world has already written him off. Still, that doesnât stop some locals from trying to kill himâŠeither for glory or revenge.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RFzRAJIAtjuiUI4RwjkHX8mdMHfpd1P7-Hh8pdjsje_KkaO7wvS5KDO6gNSpDgFQfL1ZvPkdLozy0Y1FmxfvCQhj4_rvr1swj-HKhSBq4l7gaT5IQgis43Rkq5R3Lmq_bPfM3c_xs78xdFV32Y4jaKIYCPZEvy1xGQvO-d2f_l0sFqYdSeqy2M1P8T8/s864/MVCOM-SHOOTIST-04.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="864" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RFzRAJIAtjuiUI4RwjkHX8mdMHfpd1P7-Hh8pdjsje_KkaO7wvS5KDO6gNSpDgFQfL1ZvPkdLozy0Y1FmxfvCQhj4_rvr1swj-HKhSBq4l7gaT5IQgis43Rkq5R3Lmq_bPfM3c_xs78xdFV32Y4jaKIYCPZEvy1xGQvO-d2f_l0sFqYdSeqy2M1P8T8/w640-h358/MVCOM-SHOOTIST-04.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">"Back off. Those are <u>my</u> pillows."</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Because of Bookâs illness and the filmâs themes of obsolescence, it is difficult - if not impossible - to separate Wayne from his character. At the time </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Shootist</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> was being made, Wayne himself had already endured both cancer and cultural irrelevance. To watch Book come to terms with his place in the world is to watch Wayne, which I suppose adds a level of poignancy the film wouldnât have achieved otherwise, exacerbated by the fact this was indeed his last performance before succumbing to cancer a few years later (contrary to popular belief, Wayne wasnât in the best of health, but did not have cancer while making this).</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Setting sentiment aside, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Shootist</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> remains a watchable western, but fairly light on action and ultimately not among Wayneâs best films. Don Siegelâs direction is serviceable as always, but heâs certainly no John Ford or Howard Hawks. A few nifty scenes notwithstanding, the whole thing kind of plays like a TV movie of the era. Wayne is his stoic self, of course, either unable or unwilling to convincingly convey the despair of being diagnosed with cancer. But hey, at least he's acknowledging his age. He's also surrounded by a great supporting cast, including Bacall, Ron Howard and old buddy James Stewart.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I suspect Iâm in the minority on all this, as there are many fans of The Duke who view </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Shootist</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> as a glorious swan song to a legendary career. For them, this Blu-ray debut from </span><a href="https://www.arrowvideo.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Arrow Video</span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is indispensable. The disc boasts a solid video transfer and plenty of insightful, revealing bonus features, as well as a few physical goodies.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><u>EXTRA KIBBLES</u></i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">NOTE: </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Free Kittens Movie Guide</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> 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.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>THE LAST DAY - </b>Video essay by David Cairns.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>CONTEMPLATING JOHN WAYNE -</b> Another video essay, this time by Scout Tafora, who tries to reconcile his appreciation for Wayne's influence on American cinema and the manâs repellent world views.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>A MAN MAKING MOMENT - </b>This is an excellent 40 minute feature with C. Courtney Joyner, who also discusses director Don Siegelâs career history in considerable detail.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>LAMENTS OF THE WEST -</b> Neil Brand discusses Elmer Bernsteinâs score.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>AUDIO COMMENTARY -</b> By Howard S. Berger.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>THE SHOOTIST</i>: THE LEGEND LIVES ON -</b> Archival featurette.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>IMAGE GALLERY</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>TRAILER</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>POSTER, BOOKLET, LOBBY CARD REPLICAS (not reviewed)</b></span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2GBkLbBPgYwD9z_dt-Ue0f1dKymWBuP85MbcOJgXlbXiKltmGvhJZKabxuzVaw7BbWb4g4cCkM54kzjio1RKtsp0Wu0U_OXsM3oBSL2XlBSj59zBUIQY5i4b7g-7vAr7AbtDfa4KpkDwtGQd6L8uTfE7gBAAFhJDBu1JDb17fs0QBr8v24ypnc-AdD4/s960/REVIEW%20RATINGS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2GBkLbBPgYwD9z_dt-Ue0f1dKymWBuP85MbcOJgXlbXiKltmGvhJZKabxuzVaw7BbWb4g4cCkM54kzjio1RKtsp0Wu0U_OXsM3oBSL2XlBSj59zBUIQY5i4b7g-7vAr7AbtDfa4KpkDwtGQd6L8uTfE7gBAAFhJDBu1JDb17fs0QBr8v24ypnc-AdD4/w200-h113/REVIEW%20RATINGS.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div></span>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-79461798247646585992024-03-07T08:36:00.000-08:002024-03-07T08:36:36.200-08:00THE POOP SCOOP: Upcoming Killer Kibbles <p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGI_IqMkDBveGj58yWCE3na1r7MGgccOQ6Oa1_TcQZJxUzTI03tdII-qeQhwPbAeViW6ZTnZvMxG95boi93w63jJ3dWC_ffh4sV3Yf_5-UIqoXMshrCgCS6-XN1hCB6kNktMdpj10KqyexcPHb0EMie1hSUqwGyKLnHksPFFbDps-WuOMVN5NvTLe4EQ/s2070/DEPARTED_1000814899_4K_OSLV_2D_DOM_SKEW%5B71%5D%5B87%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2070" data-original-width="1655" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGI_IqMkDBveGj58yWCE3na1r7MGgccOQ6Oa1_TcQZJxUzTI03tdII-qeQhwPbAeViW6ZTnZvMxG95boi93w63jJ3dWC_ffh4sV3Yf_5-UIqoXMshrCgCS6-XN1hCB6kNktMdpj10KqyexcPHb0EMie1hSUqwGyKLnHksPFFbDps-WuOMVN5NvTLe4EQ/s320/DEPARTED_1000814899_4K_OSLV_2D_DOM_SKEW%5B71%5D%5B87%5D.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>đșTHE DEPARTED Arrives on 4K Ultra HD and Digital April 23<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> from Warner Bros.</span></b></span><div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The iconic crime thriller film </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Departed</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> from Academy Award winning director Martin Scorsese (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Raging Bull, Goodfellas</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">) will be available for purchase on 4K Ultra HD Disc and Digital for the first time on April 23. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Departed</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">âs prestigious ensemble cast stars Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Revenant, The Wolf of Wall Street</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">) , Academy Award winner Matt Damon (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Good Will Hunting, The Martian</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">), three time Academy Award Winner Jack Nicholson (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">One Flew Over the Cuckooâs Nest, Terms of Endearment, As Good as it Gets), </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and Academy Award nominee Mark Wahlberg (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Fighter, Boogie Nights</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">), with Emmy Award winner Martin Sheen (televisionâs âThe West Wing,â </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Apocalypse Now</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">), BAFTA nominee Ray Winstone (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">That Summer, Nil by Mouth</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">), Academy Award nominee Vera Farmiga (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Up in the Air</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">), Academy Award nominee Alec Baldwin (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Cooler</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">), Emmy nominee Anthony Anderson (televisionâs âBlack-ish,â </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Hustle & Flow</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">), and James Badge Dale in supporting roles. Directed by Scorsese, the screenplay is by Academy Award Winner William Monahan and is based on the 2002 Hong Kong action thriller </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Internal Affairs</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> by Alan Mak & Felix Chong. The film was produced by Brad Pitt, Brad Grey, and Graham King.</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-f41c850d-7fff-f1d5-2883-5183b9dd566d"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfc8oTd5CvxiEDYpBFd-HmancfEoFH4HSj3t54ZCQBXTK5LS5MVEhRwLLhFezOoEnAATlG9VG0JGbnHcZJ7VlTp7GUYfgHcPQSdgRyIqgMxOPw7DCH2LMyuxfEBoQkIuw6Uvb7-7SUYmVYKS3SVFQkyws8wtq3Hi3qI3MfJ-6Wsx5gwqtlpbUAiz5r9g/s2084/Beekeeper_DOM_BDOSLV_FINALSKEW_2D_1000837034_d75e355a.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="1647" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfc8oTd5CvxiEDYpBFd-HmancfEoFH4HSj3t54ZCQBXTK5LS5MVEhRwLLhFezOoEnAATlG9VG0JGbnHcZJ7VlTp7GUYfgHcPQSdgRyIqgMxOPw7DCH2LMyuxfEBoQkIuw6Uvb7-7SUYmVYKS3SVFQkyws8wtq3Hi3qI3MfJ-6Wsx5gwqtlpbUAiz5r9g/s320/Beekeeper_DOM_BDOSLV_FINALSKEW_2D_1000837034_d75e355a.JPEG" width="253" /></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>đTHE BEEKEEPER on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD April 23 from Warner Bros.</b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The first action-thriller of 2024, </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Beekeeper</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, from Amazon MGM Studios, will be available for purchase on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on April 23. In </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Beekeeper</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, one manâs brutal campaign for vengeance takes on national stakes after he is revealed to be a former operative of a powerful and clandestine organization known as âBeekeepers.â </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Beekeeper</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> stars Jason Statham (âThe Meg,â âFurious 7â, âThe Fate of the Furious,â The âTransporterâ films), Emmy Raver-Lampman (TVâs âThe Umbrella Academyâ), Josh Hutcherson (âThe Hunger Gamesâ films), Bobby Naderi, Minnie Driver (âGood Will Huntingâ), Phylicia Rashad (âCreedâ) and Jeremy Irons (TVâs âWatchmenâ). Directed by David Ayer (âFuryâ, âEnd of Watchâ) from a screenplay by Kurt Wimmer (âSaltâ, âExpend4blesâ), the film is produced by </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Bill Block, Jason Statham, David Ayer, Chris Long, Kurt Wimmer.</span><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYan0FqdSOn5WP64oASpLWhbYr3xZNIUiCBpceON3gRiDmCYnG2RsZ9-TH3G3ZqJTDl7SU-L6TwcAgrOsulpxdga8B0EU_r-XPzPAr_EmKQ5XWpzwd5bghTUhLqtWHJFzZDTx9b7HnUzoZ2CZxX139OCEaAOGsqGa4ptFRXsnD7T4vEAX07nH8985gUQ/s320/OnceUponATimeInTheWest_4K_UHD_Front-S%20(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="254" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYan0FqdSOn5WP64oASpLWhbYr3xZNIUiCBpceON3gRiDmCYnG2RsZ9-TH3G3ZqJTDl7SU-L6TwcAgrOsulpxdga8B0EU_r-XPzPAr_EmKQ5XWpzwd5bghTUhLqtWHJFzZDTx9b7HnUzoZ2CZxX139OCEaAOGsqGa4ptFRXsnD7T4vEAX07nH8985gUQ/s1600/OnceUponATimeInTheWest_4K_UHD_Front-S%20(1).png" width="254" /></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>đ€ ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST Celebrates Its 55th Anniversary With 4K Ultra HD Debut May 14<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> from Paramount.</span></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Director Sergio Leoneâs monumental Western classic </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">celebrates its 55</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> anniversary this year and to mark the occasion Paramount Home Entertainment will release the fully restored film for the first time on 4K Ultra HD May 14, 2024, as the latest addition to the studioâs Paramount Presents line. One of the most iconic and influential movies ever made, </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> has been restored from the original </span><span style="color: #1d1c1d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">35mm Techniscope camera negative</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> by Paramountâs archive team, L'Immagine Ritrovata and The Film Foundation. </span><span style="color: #1d1c1d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This restoration honors the 2007 Film Foundation photochemical restoration overseen by </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">legendary director Martin Scorsese</span><span style="color: #1d1c1d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> by matching its build and color palette. </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> The result is the definitive home release of the film, which features the 165-minute extended cut restored to its glory. A must-own for every cinephileâs collection, </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> will be presented in a Limited-Edition two-disc 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray set that includes both new and legacy bonus content, as well as access to a Digital copy of the film. The film is presented in Dolby Vision and HDR-10, along with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and English Restored Mono Dolby Digital for an exceptional home viewing experience.</span><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyO_OvjWwyO9a5Dx2WqhqxAkx0iFayisecvzhhqx49MQzMJBDwfFKFsqwElXUiCaONjJcwd5AQZ0MENTX0znxDrT5laB0UCb7jaifGPdwgdt9u6VafmWmkx8R_WCPiOGtoE_Hxf4KiCZNZz0zUf21SN_xB1sILIMhUP4dx-sw1C3LN4P4-L2ehTD3rAI/s320/TheCrow_4K_UHD_Front%20(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="254" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyO_OvjWwyO9a5Dx2WqhqxAkx0iFayisecvzhhqx49MQzMJBDwfFKFsqwElXUiCaONjJcwd5AQZ0MENTX0znxDrT5laB0UCb7jaifGPdwgdt9u6VafmWmkx8R_WCPiOGtoE_Hxf4KiCZNZz0zUf21SN_xB1sILIMhUP4dx-sw1C3LN4P4-L2ehTD3rAI/s1600/TheCrow_4K_UHD_Front%20(1).png" width="254" /></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>đșTHE CROW Celebrates 30th Anniversary with 4K Ultra HD Debut May 7th<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">from Lionsgate.</span></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Celebrate the 30</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> anniversary of the thrilling, cult classic </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THE CROW</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> when it arrives for the first time on 4K Ultra HD</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">âą</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> May 7, 2024 from Paramount Home Entertainment. Originally released on May 13, 1994, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THE CROW </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">entranced audiences and critics alike with its gothic aesthetic, breathtaking action, and Brandon Leeâs soulful performance at the center of director Alex Proyasâ revenge fantasy. A sleeper box office hit, the film developed a passionate cult following that spawned three sequels, a television series, a video game, toys, and novels. Based on the comic book saga of the same name by James OâBarr, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THE CROW</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> delivers an action-packed thriller bursting with hypnotic style and dazzling visuals. Newly remastered, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THE CROW</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> will be available nationally on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Discâą with new and legacy bonus content and access to a Digital copy of the film. In addition, there will be a limited-edition SteelBookâą with a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc and access to a Digital copy of the film, featuring an o-sleeve with a cutout of a crow that lifts to reveal a portrait of Brandon Lee with his guitar. Both releases include a brand-new three-part documentary created for the 30</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> anniversary entitled âShadows & Pain: Designing The Crow.â The new piece is a fascinating deep dive with legendary production designer Alex McDowell, who discusses all aspects of designing the 1994 classic, as well as his experience working with visionary director Alex Proyas and the filmâs late star, Brandon Lee.</span></div>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-12396996535815697872024-03-06T20:19:00.000-08:002024-03-07T08:18:31.025-08:00LOONEY TUNES COLLECTORâS CHOICE, VOL. 3: More Obscurities From The Golden Years<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfFb3iQaDkgA5sKSpTnn2pWGl2McaGbsyQ3rWWmGfc9vuVGa6gjdevOnLT-Bj-kH5iogwwD4nWYHqdh0F5oztxsigOJi1ZwpK3REnhcXaOfdVEXFP8sXT8KiMqi5TR_GnJse06pzWS2upJiKOXYwSWi3Boq-Be5zVoeTu4CFkA3W-mdTW6kvznGF8ivs/s1000/loony.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="784" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfFb3iQaDkgA5sKSpTnn2pWGl2McaGbsyQ3rWWmGfc9vuVGa6gjdevOnLT-Bj-kH5iogwwD4nWYHqdh0F5oztxsigOJi1ZwpK3REnhcXaOfdVEXFP8sXT8KiMqi5TR_GnJse06pzWS2upJiKOXYwSWi3Boq-Be5zVoeTu4CFkA3W-mdTW6kvznGF8ivs/s320/loony.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><div style="color: black; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">LOONEY TUNES COLLECTORâS CHOICE, VOL. 3 (Blu-ray)</b></div><div style="color: black; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>1934-1964 / 177 min</i> (25 shorts)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">FROM <u><span style="color: red;">WARNER ARCHIVE COLLECTION</span></u></b></div><div style="color: black; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;"><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Available at </span><a href="http://www.moviezyng.com/" style="color: #f52000; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.MovieZyng.com</span></a></b></div><div style="color: black; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #800180;">Review by Mr. Pawsđș</span></b></div></span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This third volume in Warner Archiveâs <i>Collectors Choice</i> series continues raiding the vaults for more Looney Tunes obscurities from the golden years (and a few which arenât). Like <i>Volumes 1 & 2</i>, it showcases 25 shorts, some of which havenât been available on home video for yearsâŠif ever.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-64c0e53b-7fff-cc38-ee80-674dd27f2598"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The disc contains a few pivotal pieces of Looney Tunesâ history. In âA Feud There Was,â a character known as Egghead in previous shorts is finally given a name: Elmer Fudd, while âElmerâs Pet Rabbitâ is director Chuck Jonesâ first cartoon to feature Bugs Bunny. Elsewhere, the 1964 Wile E. Coyote/Road Runner short, âWar and Pieces,â was Jonesâ last before being fired by Warner Brothers.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Familiar faces pop up here and there in some lesser-known cartoons. Bugs stars in the hilarious âWet Hareâ and the comparatively lame âDumb Patrol.â Daffy Duck plays a private dick in âChina Jones,â which has </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">seldom </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">been seen in its entirety for good reasonâŠits depiction of Asian stereotypes is a little shocking in this day and age. But for historical posterity, itâs here uncut (and also one of the reasons these discs come with a reminder they are intended for adult collectors).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXaiBOrHX29yyHbnRpVbiTa6OqpqLNKWF5cMDmGmjI2IoNGiW0j4eAVritF7qPJQcC28J8PHr_kbz7pZesAm1zFqXbKm2rY92PZFmC6CKmXnCNNe6zU8ikC_VguDMqwcLXFcDotPCrNZclyHDJk8Raohu21wkkJLI7_jP4i_dePacWR36gSA6cuuL7w4/s600/sheep-ahoy-600.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXaiBOrHX29yyHbnRpVbiTa6OqpqLNKWF5cMDmGmjI2IoNGiW0j4eAVritF7qPJQcC28J8PHr_kbz7pZesAm1zFqXbKm2rY92PZFmC6CKmXnCNNe6zU8ikC_VguDMqwcLXFcDotPCrNZclyHDJk8Raohu21wkkJLI7_jP4i_dePacWR36gSA6cuuL7w4/w640-h468/sheep-ahoy-600.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">A tender moment from "Sheep Ahoy."</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sylvester & Tweety show up once, as does the always funny Foghorn Leghorn, but the real treasure might be âSheep Ahoy.â Some of you might remember Sam Sheepdog & Ralph Wolf, who punch the clock in the morning before squaring off against each other like itâs their 9-to-5 job. I always loved those and am happy they finally saw fit to include one. </span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Elsewhere, there are a lot of one-off shorts by various directors dating as far back as 1934. Subjectively, most are more interesting than funny. However, âPunch Trunk,â about a 5-inch elephant sending New York into a panic, is a forgotten gem, while âThere Auto Be A Lawâ is a gag-filled look at modern driving in the â50s.</span></p><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Like the previous two releases, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Looney Tunes Collectors Choice Vol.3</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is a revealing collection of seldom seen cartoon shorts. Few would rank among the studioâs best, but collectors and completists will find a lot to like.</span></span><div><span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1jv6hxLDX22SHfWiMc0dwuPDwJfMrko1rrwVO2WfnPJbpZ2M0i6LpY7p409uEDyrYyxRDPmAHNJmLcjIGmn5sUt4n_lXbVM2MIthB_QfVz4UuU51NRHoZfJFq3yHt7HEMjcGwJvikSMosEwniNStVs1u6hOpypteBb02JzKFE3-i4SWG4G63FeUI2ZM/s200/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1jv6hxLDX22SHfWiMc0dwuPDwJfMrko1rrwVO2WfnPJbpZ2M0i6LpY7p409uEDyrYyxRDPmAHNJmLcjIGmn5sUt4n_lXbVM2MIthB_QfVz4UuU51NRHoZfJFq3yHt7HEMjcGwJvikSMosEwniNStVs1u6hOpypteBb02JzKFE3-i4SWG4G63FeUI2ZM/s1600/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" width="200" /></a></div></span></div>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-20181102666175447342024-03-05T20:28:00.000-08:002024-03-06T07:47:44.770-08:00PUNTO ROJO: What's in THIS Box?<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBOnZlCvwBlX4R5QRH723EgMVccQX3uq1G3RbkQXzMMwIwijnJ605xjLe31H1k5ng5QogABRNxJp0g1XFvYQ0Z0lzvZg31IKtv-TppHSERpSZCyT9PNZQtm9qLFsfnHYcmwo9MHUL0DdOcyNecMk2DL6i1JG2xAgfmxRBlr4tiwubVapSv31PNUrQV-o/s1500/punto.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1270" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBOnZlCvwBlX4R5QRH723EgMVccQX3uq1G3RbkQXzMMwIwijnJ605xjLe31H1k5ng5QogABRNxJp0g1XFvYQ0Z0lzvZg31IKtv-TppHSERpSZCyT9PNZQtm9qLFsfnHYcmwo9MHUL0DdOcyNecMk2DL6i1JG2xAgfmxRBlr4tiwubVapSv31PNUrQV-o/s320/punto.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">PUNTO ROJO (Blu-ray)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>2021 / 80 min</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">FROM <u><a href="https://mvdshop.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">MVD VISUAL</span></a></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">Review by Mr. Bonnieđș</b></div></span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Punto Rojo</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (âRed Pointâ) is a quick & dirty little crime flick that doesnât unfold how you expect and makes the most out of an obviously minuscule budget. </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-df1865a6-7fff-e267-43dd-15bbc5b5a9c6"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As the film begins, Diego (DemiĂĄn SalomĂłn) is a low-level thug sitting in a car in the middle of an empty field, listening to a talk radio program about his favorite soccer team. While calling the station to answer trivia contest questions, a body drops from the sky onto the car. Then a plane crashes some distance away. Soon after, a heavily armed woman from the plane, Paula (Moro Anghileri), approaches. Obviously expecting someone else to be waiting for her, she demands to know who Diego is. The man she was actually planning to meet, Edgardo (Edgardo Castro), is stashed in the trunk.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A lengthy flashback provides the backstory leading up to this conflict. Originally, it was Diego in the trunk, kidnapped by Edgardo for a local gangster and being held hostage until his brother, a professional soccer goalie, throws an upcoming match. However, Edgardo is attempting two jobs at once, the other delivering a lockbox to Paula, which contains a narrative MacGuffin thatâs revealed in the final act (like most of the previous plot developments, it ainât what weâre led to expect).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrweBjo-fTSDeXTD1gLs0_4b_YOFLGpxvd7tAvk7A9rOlOI9UNBWvFnitbunZpQBJL4zjqDvsX0B_f-FQnbQ1giCCJ1Pt6xPwZn2aVRd8HUxiK6MY3qYVh9ynxCqKrENogT_llsl5SNsW0hfOyNIvNdYU3tJTbk8ihVHOGFFhBZZ4zb4D1qRjomZnSN6I/s607/Screenshot%202024-03-05%208.12.43%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="607" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrweBjo-fTSDeXTD1gLs0_4b_YOFLGpxvd7tAvk7A9rOlOI9UNBWvFnitbunZpQBJL4zjqDvsX0B_f-FQnbQ1giCCJ1Pt6xPwZn2aVRd8HUxiK6MY3qYVh9ynxCqKrENogT_llsl5SNsW0hfOyNIvNdYU3tJTbk8ihVHOGFFhBZZ4zb4D1qRjomZnSN6I/w640-h316/Screenshot%202024-03-05%208.12.43%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">That feeling you get when all your luggage fits.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Running a lean, mean 80 minutes, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Punto Rojo</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> wastes little time with peripherals, making every scene count (though some might </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 18.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">initially </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">seem a little rambling). Even with only three primary characters and two settings, the film feels a lot bigger than it really is. Brutal at times, itâs also pretty damn funny, particularly a great running gag regarding Diegoâs attempt to win the radio trivia contest.</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">None of the characters would ever be mistaken for pleasant people, but theyâre all interesting, punctuated by solid performances. SalomĂłn, in particular, brings a zeal to his role thatâs especially amusing. Both visually and conceptually, writer/director Nic Loreti manages to accomplish a lot with very little, making </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Punto Rojo</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> a small winner all around.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><u><span style="color: red;">EXTRA KIBBLES</span></u></i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>SHORT - </b>âPinball,â which is basically an earlier version of the garage scene from <i>Punto Rojo</i>.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>TRAILER</b></span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQszbyQAYaCbgM_yfBxX0OxxCcq7KJvJHaK83S5ELBy7zkxXlzijhzQHhDmuBKTspArLL4xg8AlQaC0fYIE7YGNkhTZnrbu17xShNdgNpEc9v1FSsGrkt_FmDuMWqvReMvzXFqqNWDMta9DsPHBxRHrqYgcnNmxxaaLJ1a6d5h7VvkPrS1kQOWV-KN-nA/s200/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQszbyQAYaCbgM_yfBxX0OxxCcq7KJvJHaK83S5ELBy7zkxXlzijhzQHhDmuBKTspArLL4xg8AlQaC0fYIE7YGNkhTZnrbu17xShNdgNpEc9v1FSsGrkt_FmDuMWqvReMvzXFqqNWDMta9DsPHBxRHrqYgcnNmxxaaLJ1a6d5h7VvkPrS1kQOWV-KN-nA/s1600/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" width="200" /></a></div></div></span>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-72213057605449536712024-03-03T18:44:00.000-08:002024-03-12T08:09:50.972-07:00THE TOWERING INFERNO Turns 50<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmh03Po3fXRhtp5ZRL6syEIhiVlWl8YYrE4BZJVca8EtVucG42nqiq2q7pAwwhF3oKkQDtyM5GxHZ0eZ9s04FC4SUpdnV2Uc_rsEazYwgK6q645hF1TO2Ofw1jHk8cIsYT9VEfw_cKSX3AkIeqZidpRn3l-_OIo-Dgf4TlmfodATStkToJv7E2-VgPJZ8/s1280/towering%20top%20pic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmh03Po3fXRhtp5ZRL6syEIhiVlWl8YYrE4BZJVca8EtVucG42nqiq2q7pAwwhF3oKkQDtyM5GxHZ0eZ9s04FC4SUpdnV2Uc_rsEazYwgK6q645hF1TO2Ofw1jHk8cIsYT9VEfw_cKSX3AkIeqZidpRn3l-_OIo-Dgf4TlmfodATStkToJv7E2-VgPJZ8/w640-h360/towering%20top%20pic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: 400;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;">THE TOWERING INFERNO (1974)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>Starring Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, William Holden, Faye Dunaway, Fred Astaire, Richard Chamberlain, Robert Wagner, Susan Blakely, Robert Vaughn, O.J. Simpson, Jennifer Jones, Susan Flannery. Directed by John Guillermin; Action sequences directed by Irwin Allen. (165 min)</i></b></div></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #800180;">ESSAY BY D.M. ANDERSONđ</span></b></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIntLjeLzQ3AEEF7vkNZyebhIK_FmZ_kWFmH1wNz48UGevokzhMNPpCz-TT0AvjIIJdmtOe9ayeEQ48W4LB5M9S_169sT-9Cu0m0fr49gfy-hEfP4uViVqIC_Tcr9gWvVgXwBUUIX-KM_15GsBdvJeyviU7wcsNyBl2rMAo2exuWFMlznSyAHDCoegDoQ/s1000/tow.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="651" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIntLjeLzQ3AEEF7vkNZyebhIK_FmZ_kWFmH1wNz48UGevokzhMNPpCz-TT0AvjIIJdmtOe9ayeEQ48W4LB5M9S_169sT-9Cu0m0fr49gfy-hEfP4uViVqIC_Tcr9gWvVgXwBUUIX-KM_15GsBdvJeyviU7wcsNyBl2rMAo2exuWFMlznSyAHDCoegDoQ/s320/tow.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Producer Irwin Allenâs seminal disaster film, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Towering Inferno,</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> turns 50 this year. Itâs the movie that made me fall in love with movies.</span></span><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-41e67ede-7fff-f6d3-7cc0-8b9d77c8cfda"><span style="font-size: large;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Released in late 1974, I didnât actually see it until 1975 after it had already been playing at the Southgate Quad for months. I was 11 at the time, and before this one, going to the movies usually meant catching a Disney flick for mine or my sisterâs birthday. While I enjoyed going to movies - even the rare times Mom & Dad dragged us to something </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">they</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> wanted to see - I wasnât particularly enamored with them.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Based on the TV spots and enthusiastic accounts of friends who'd seen it, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Towering Inferno</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> was the first âgrown upâ movie that really piqued my curiosity. Since my parents had absolutely zero interest, it was also the first PG-rated movie I watched in a theater without them. They dropped off my 9-year-old sister and I - Mom repeatedly warning us not to leave the theater until they returned - and went off to do whatever parents do with a kid-free Saturday afternoon</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Since it was nearing the end of its theatrical run, the auditorium was fairly empty, so we had our pick of seats. After a couple of trailers for other grown-up films I didnât care about, the movie started, and for the next 165 minutes, I was transfixed, barely noticing my sister when she occasionally left to use the restroom.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Based on two different novels, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Towering Inferno</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> takes place in San Francisco during the grand opening of a fictional skyscraper called the Glass Tower. At 138 stories, itâs the worldâs tallest building, designed by Doug Roberts (Paul Newman) and constructed by James Duncan (William Holden). To celebrate its opening, a massive gala is scheduled in the Promenade Room, located on the 135th floor. However, faulty wiring - approved by Duncanâs greedy, cost-cutting son-in-law, Roger (Richard Chamberlain) - sparks a fire in one of the storage rooms on the 81st floor. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The flames quickly spread, but Duncan refuses Robertsâ pleas to evacuate the Promenade Room, incorrectly assuming a fire fifty floors below canât possibly affect them. Only after no-nonsense fire chief OâHalloran (Steve McQueen) orders an evacuation does Duncan grudgingly agree to comply. By this time, however, itâs too late. Not only is it extremely difficult to fight a fire that high up, the sprinklers and elevators stop working and several explosions take out the stairs. The 300 partygoers (and most of the supporting cast) are trapped, with only the scenic elevator, running outside of the building, as a possible means of evacuation. But even that plan eventually goes fatally awryâŠa scene that terrified me as a kid, but looks a bit silly today. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoPKUZvnPJerh4sOzwuYPFfL5SSxrTEKmXKvqJyCDYm8kTfCra6umll_P_oxvU-ehVpJeK3nBhudjCJBxA7OooSacy4wBfssFau8aU-dsmZI0AbSY3QnnY1LTNj_9NAIMy827y8f9-V-cTzYCWtUn0q4elermh6k5G1k9P0-yjTr6SZwOhX_kHqrRiPw/s900/best%20ride2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="900" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoPKUZvnPJerh4sOzwuYPFfL5SSxrTEKmXKvqJyCDYm8kTfCra6umll_P_oxvU-ehVpJeK3nBhudjCJBxA7OooSacy4wBfssFau8aU-dsmZI0AbSY3QnnY1LTNj_9NAIMy827y8f9-V-cTzYCWtUn0q4elermh6k5G1k9P0-yjTr6SZwOhX_kHqrRiPw/w640-h398/best%20ride2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The best ride in the park.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Another desperate effort involves using a breeches buoy, running from the Promenade Room to the building across the street, in hopes of rescuing people one at a time. However, panic and Rogerâs disregard for human life (other than his own) results in the buoy cable snapping, sending several characters plunging to their deaths. A helicopter rescue is attempted on the roof, but high winds cause the chopper to crash and explode while trying to land. In the end, only one option remains to extinguish the fireâŠRoberts and OâHalloran must blow up the giant water tanks above the Promenade Room, at the risk of drowning the remaining partygoers.</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There are plenty of subplots and secondary characters, like Faye Dunaway as Susan, Robertsâ girlfriend and one of those trapped up-top. Then thereâs Fred Astaire as Harlee, a con-man trying to dupe widow Losolette (Jennifer Jones), but falling in love with her instead. With hindsight, itâs kinda surreal seeing O.J. Simpson as the head of security who saves a kitty. But at the time, he was the latest NFL superstar making a stab at an acting career. And heyâŠwasnât that none other than Bobby Brady as one of the little kids rescued by Roberts?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I left the theater completely blown away. The movie was an epic spectacle of drama and destruction. It had everythingâŠeye-popping special effects, amazing stunts, hand-wringing suspense and the type of grisly deaths you generally didnât see in a Disney movieâŠdeath by fire, death by explosion, death by drowning, death by falling. Such scenes were pretty disturbing to an 11-year-old, yet morbidly fascinating. This was also my introduction to such superstars as Newman, McQueen and the lovely Ms. Dunaway, who might have been my first celebrity crush at the time. The film also had me convinced Steve McQueen was the coolest actor ever (an opinion that hasnât changed much).</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For me, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Towering Inferno</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> was life-changing. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Disaster movies quickly became my favorite genre and I tried to catch every film my parents were willing to drive me toâŠ</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Earthquake, Airport 1975, The Cassandra Crossing, Avalanche</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, etc. And as disasterâs popularity began to wane toward the end of the decade, I still never passed on the chance to catch the latest </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Airport</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> sequel or Irwin Allen epicâŠthough some were partially responsible for killing the genre. Throughout the 70s, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Towering Inferno</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> remained the standard by which I judged all the others. Even the ones that came before, including Allenâs own </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Poseidon Adventure,</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> never quite matched the visceral thrills of </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Towering Inferno</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (perhaps because I caught them on TV, where movies felt smaller and were edited to make room for Calgon commercials).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHztn4Y2uRJZBmshiRIBQGVJnOV-ck4AaJu40j7VbIBYAza6j0yYp28Urrw2_j2O-dVQfMJZOpPUPBTOd_k2thpMPUhjAtcNstjTr8qVwmkEsgWy0vIZxfKvLYcjaxYo0e8PXSAImRgmxKbgoONp9o5Uf9MHaZXfR2v6623nAGMPCRVFSBOcRhP0ibH-4/s620/towering_inferno_paycheck1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="620" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHztn4Y2uRJZBmshiRIBQGVJnOV-ck4AaJu40j7VbIBYAza6j0yYp28Urrw2_j2O-dVQfMJZOpPUPBTOd_k2thpMPUhjAtcNstjTr8qVwmkEsgWy0vIZxfKvLYcjaxYo0e8PXSAImRgmxKbgoONp9o5Uf9MHaZXfR2v6623nAGMPCRVFSBOcRhP0ibH-4/w640-h426/towering_inferno_paycheck1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">"How big was <u>your</u> paycheck?"</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Iâm sure the producers were as surprised as the rest of the world when </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Towering Inferno </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">was nominated for 8 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. That movie was the reason I actually watched the Oscars for the first time. Considering its competition (</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Godfather Part II, Chinatown, Lenny </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> The Conversation</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">), the idea that it had a chance of winning seems laughable to anyone but an 11-year-old, so I was incredulous when it didn't win. While I hadnât seen any of the other nominated films, surely a boring old movie about an Italian mafia family couldnât match up to Newman & McQueen saving the day! </span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Looking back, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Towering Inferno</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> was the last great disaster movie of the '70s (and the last </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">good</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> movie producer Irwin Allen would be associated with). Was it high art? Not by a long shot. I think everyone involved in its production had no pretenses about what they were making...the type of grand, star-driven melodrama that wasnât being made much anymore. In light of the âNew Hollywoodâ movement and such auteurs as Martin Scorsese, William Friedkin and Francis Ford Coppola making waves & getting raves, here came one of the last movies where the studios involved (Warner Brothers & 20th Century Fox) boasted massive star power and bragged how much they spent to bring it to the screen. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">More significantly, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Towering Inferno</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> was the biggest film of 1974 (since surpassed over the years by </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Blazing Saddles</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">). Until </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Titanic</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> came along 23 years later to sweep teenage girls off their feet, no other disaster film released before or since would have quite the same impact, both critically and financially. Even today, it is generally considered the quintessential disaster movie, a kitchen sink filled with all of the characters, story elements, destruction, tropes and cliches most associated with the genre.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Though I still remember catching the film for the first time like it was yesterday, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Towering Inferno</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is now 50 years old, an anniversary that one might think would be celebrated by some kind of restoration, a remastered new Blu-ray or 4K disc...maybe even a special theatrical screening or two from Fathom Events. I suspect none of that will happen though, which is too bad because Iâd be first in line to see it on the big screen one more time. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But the fact remains that, even at the height of its popularity, disaster was never a particularly respected genre, a consensus exacerbated by cynical critics, some legendarily bad films (many from Allen himself) and of course, the mother of all movie parodies. 1980âs </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Airplane!</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> was a brilliant comedy that made it a challenge to revisit </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">any</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> â70s-era disaster film with a straight face. Itâs with no small amount of irony that </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Airplane!</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is widely regarded as an undisputed classic while the films it mercilessly skewers generally arenât. Still, </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Towering Inferno</i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> deserves at least <i>some</i> kind of retrospective acknowledgment </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">as one of the biggest, most influential movies of the decade...even if it only comes from me.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Now that Iâm older, wiser and have a much wider range of cinematic interests, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Towering Inferno</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> no longer ranks among the greatest films Iâve ever seen (though <i>Godfather II</i> does). A product of its time, many aspects of the film haven't aged all that well and are sometimes a little chuckleworthy. However, it remains one of my childhood favorites. Revisiting it on occasion, recalling the thrill of first experiencing it at the Southgate Quad all those years ago, fills me with warm nostalgia. After all, this was the movie that made me fall in love with movies.</span></span></span>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-3023813264190051472024-03-01T18:54:00.000-08:002024-03-02T08:38:13.161-08:00MIGRATION: Animated Mac & Cheese<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueu-3rlO8OyGu-12Keeb7t4RQ0Z_d9nEBd9kup3cOlq2rX-W5c_foRlqHnni-wCBkYRnDJGb_XRRjV3m0fyjq4aS44xQDhYbuFs-DlbdNyNX_0F39Eai4PoEZn1BLoV4QQGEo0CKzAZwNHOtDAEADCCWl3HcWqaaXw1dI5eFCLq8nc3IxSuCs9YBZM-E/s1500/box.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1166" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueu-3rlO8OyGu-12Keeb7t4RQ0Z_d9nEBd9kup3cOlq2rX-W5c_foRlqHnni-wCBkYRnDJGb_XRRjV3m0fyjq4aS44xQDhYbuFs-DlbdNyNX_0F39Eai4PoEZn1BLoV4QQGEo0CKzAZwNHOtDAEADCCWl3HcWqaaXw1dI5eFCLq8nc3IxSuCs9YBZM-E/s320/box.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">MIGRATION (Blu-ray)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>2023 / 82 min</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">FROM <u><a href="https://www.uphe.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">UNIVERSAL</span></a></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">Review by Stinky the Destroyerđœ</b></div></span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Maybe some of you parents can relate to thisâŠ</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b6a95d4f-7fff-caed-d020-9f98b0e63789"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When my daughter, Natalie, was little, she was a notoriously picky eater, which sometimes made going out to restaurants a little annoying. She tended to poo-poo any place offering cuisine that didnât come in a box with a toy. Most eateries tried to have parentsâ backs with kidsâ menus, which always featured mac & cheeseâŠand which Natalie </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">always</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> ordered. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Thereâs nothing inherently wrong with mac & cheese, but I resented the hell out of shelling-out six bucks for a plate of it just because the place had a tactile menu. Since I was footing the bill, would it have killed Natalie to be just a </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">little</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> adventurous and order something that couldnât be whipped up in a microwave? On the other hand, watching her stare at an untouched plate of shrimp scampi for an hour would have been an even bigger waste of time and moneyâŠ</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">âŠwhich is something to keep in mind with </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Migration</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. Like a lot of the other animated movies from Illumination Studios, itâs a kid-friendly selection on the menu which may not be all that flavorful or original, but at least itâll fill up the little ones. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucdkBmdhjnLks4esdb-syP6u_yl7aUv44FAVwcjnkh4uXu8KATDlDQw1Un2Cz3r0gmU-XUQMRhnnQNtAtLHpvrVYKxlaWsVhDJqFYIVw8mgcV1lrQgzMomcoAPBt9Momt1ZgskBsRTC5BOOwU1OOLBhJ0asQT36BHuS2Rch4HsecETvIgVRnMDkmHiMY/s1000/Migration-Review.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucdkBmdhjnLks4esdb-syP6u_yl7aUv44FAVwcjnkh4uXu8KATDlDQw1Un2Cz3r0gmU-XUQMRhnnQNtAtLHpvrVYKxlaWsVhDJqFYIVw8mgcV1lrQgzMomcoAPBt9Momt1ZgskBsRTC5BOOwU1OOLBhJ0asQT36BHuS2Rch4HsecETvIgVRnMDkmHiMY/w640-h360/Migration-Review.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">"I said that out loud, didn't I?"</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The story has a family of mallards that have spent their entire lives in one pond, then finally decide to migrate south like all the others. Taking something of a cue from </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Croods</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, dad is initially fearful and overprotective, while mom is, naturally, the more level-headed of the two. The teenage son is adventuresome and rebellious, while the baby daughter is illustrated & voiced to be irresistibly cute (and provide a poop joke, of course). Tagging along is old Uncle Dan, who exists to drop amusing comments here and there while having little impact on the plot. In other words, weâve met them all before, this time as ducks.</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The episodic narrative takes them on a variety of misadventures on the way to their destination, some amusing, some not, but all of them pretty familiar, right down to the obligatory use of a popular pop song in the middle of the action. Thereâs also the typical cast of celebrity voices, including Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Keegan-Michael Key and Carol Kane. Danny DeVito makes Uncle Dan the filmâs funniest character (superfluous as he is), while Awkwafina, as tough-talking pigeon Chump, manages to remain obnoxious even when we canât see her. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The film does boast excellent animation and appealing character design, though. Additionally, the overall tone is light and congenial, briskly moving from one predicament to the next. Like that plate of restaurant mac & cheese, thereâs nothing particularly distinctive about </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Migration</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, but as movie comfort food, undiscriminating kids should have a good time.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><u><span style="color: red;">EXTRA KIBBLES</span></u></i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>FEATURETTES -</b> <i><b>Taking Flight</b></i> (making of); <b><i>Meet the Cast</i></b> (interviews with most of the cast); <b><i>Microphone Madness</i></b> (behind-the-scenes footage of recording); <b><i>The Art of Flight</i></b> (animation process); <b><i>The Sound of Flight</i></b> (music score)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>3 ANIMATED SHORTS - </b>âFly Hardâ; âMoonedâ; âMidnight Mission.â The last two feature the Minions, just in case you havenât already had enough of them.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>ACTIVITY FEATURES - How to Draw</i></b> (how to draw the Migration characters); <b><i>Build Your Own Pop-Up Book</i></b>; <i><b>Calling All Birds</b></i> (how to make bird noises); <b><i>Best Nests</i></b> (making nests and water feeders with stuff laying around the house).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>DIGITAL COPY</b></span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxI_6Rpykp1A96ROEpnpOpb-Wtd8eLShsVfpPW1DOq75BWVT5DkiGWoSs_c6wgq773O5MrKRtD0ETqnN1pT8WzUjOJ1U9t3DUcACtugE2UoDLGMNQ7rIEzlQ8ZdOWjh2MAhQ2uUWhZBNUZS36HdZffi6q2SJSB_SSLyWB7LKJlKVXlbdeGWSpJxT72rA/s200/not%20bad.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxI_6Rpykp1A96ROEpnpOpb-Wtd8eLShsVfpPW1DOq75BWVT5DkiGWoSs_c6wgq773O5MrKRtD0ETqnN1pT8WzUjOJ1U9t3DUcACtugE2UoDLGMNQ7rIEzlQ8ZdOWjh2MAhQ2uUWhZBNUZS36HdZffi6q2SJSB_SSLyWB7LKJlKVXlbdeGWSpJxT72rA/s1600/not%20bad.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div></span>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-27457957259864037832024-02-29T13:23:00.000-08:002024-02-29T13:25:06.074-08:00PEACOCK Occasionally Flies<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGRvpVwwOKZkA34OpioPJPaE3MzlKelw-ACeE0DswVN8g9SEpeimxjwDlYHYmwV0aThqzVCuer8phhLobJ3G7s_FaBlLt8kMx4Iw1SLdxiy59QiEcBlHLyXZWznzEdORu6BQmJize0L6yihyTn0U3kNDf92jQxJNfR-tGZLGKDuPjdosQ8jkH_1vZJTk/s1756/pea.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1756" data-original-width="1395" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGRvpVwwOKZkA34OpioPJPaE3MzlKelw-ACeE0DswVN8g9SEpeimxjwDlYHYmwV0aThqzVCuer8phhLobJ3G7s_FaBlLt8kMx4Iw1SLdxiy59QiEcBlHLyXZWznzEdORu6BQmJize0L6yihyTn0U3kNDf92jQxJNfR-tGZLGKDuPjdosQ8jkH_1vZJTk/s320/pea.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">PEACOCK (Pou) (Blu-ray)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>2022 / 89 min</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">FROM <u><a href="https://indiepixfilms.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">INDIEPIX FILMS</span></a></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">Review by Josey, the Sudden Catđ</b></div></span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space-collapse: preserve;">At the beginning of this South African film, Anna (Warryn Wyngaard) is a free-spirited young woman living at an oppressive all-girls institute known as The Foundation. For repeatedly violating their puritanical rules, sheâs sent to a remote home in the middle of nowhere to serve as caretaker for Sarel (Johan Botha), the theologian who founded the institute decades earlier.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-0fa82dca-7fff-8782-9aa4-c23e855ab4fc" style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Though not quite an invalid, heâs not quite in his right mind, either. Something of a religious zealot, heâs obnoxiously stubborn, prone to nasty outbursts and obsessed with ridding the human race of sin. Anna soon discovers why The Foundation seems to have so much trouble keeping caretakers here for very longâŠthe house is also occupied by noisy apparitions which appear to be connected to dark secrets from Sarelâs past involving his daughter. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Much to the chagrin of both Sarel and the doctor who sent her there in the first place, Anna begins digging through his piles of records, books and research, uncovering something sinister (though the narrative doesnât quite go into specificsâŠprobably for the best). Itâs soon apparent that the presence of these entities represents </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">his</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> sinsâŠalso symbolized by the ailing peacock Sarel keeps caged in the yard.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhQ9_OaqzheTsyTmGREOAevhoy_77RhYPrFkaSRAPtrQGia8m0hXo-ZobYJQGcVaYEuUbL-EB3fhPWVNG8yOZHpRLYcFLK8DAI4eZGML4uW76mPlrHWeRap0x0MXi6rjknJgwKPsJVb4ouTwO8Uf-n2cyeIIwl6c9-E6FMvM9SjDBVi57IftGRlSpNwk/s800/pea2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhQ9_OaqzheTsyTmGREOAevhoy_77RhYPrFkaSRAPtrQGia8m0hXo-ZobYJQGcVaYEuUbL-EB3fhPWVNG8yOZHpRLYcFLK8DAI4eZGML4uW76mPlrHWeRap0x0MXi6rjknJgwKPsJVb4ouTwO8Uf-n2cyeIIwl6c9-E6FMvM9SjDBVi57IftGRlSpNwk/w640-h360/pea2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-5bad8108-7fff-95aa-727f-8462776de3f9"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"<b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">You see that helicopter right there? I think it's been following me all morning."</span></b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br />Peacock</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> has a lot on its plate besides a simple ghost story (though they arenât really ghosts), presenting such themes as sexuality, gender identity, institutional religion and hypocrisy. For the most part, the story is interesting, and if not particularly scary, the film is bleakly atmospheric and often creepy. A languid pace </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">does</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> tend to test oneâs patience at times. Surreal, slow burning horror is difficult to pull off well, which director/co-writer Jaco Minnaar occasionally struggles with. </span><p></p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Still, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Peacock</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> manages to stick the landing with a hauntingly poetic denouement, though it might frustrate some viewers used to being spoonfed. It features excellent performances by the two leads, especially Wyngarrd, who is in nearly every scene. While probably not conducive to multiple viewings, itâs certainly worth checking out at least once.</span></span><div><span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGn9t9PPS1sHem9UNwaH1otdPMpnFlrwy_ANKr1UZ4NTng4PO7ZS62zqbKOuwD-VY_oVBdl_1RpRX3Mub7iimDGgrr23Djnawj8fis5_jWeJvmpK1NKbhjpw_-gyntX5XJXPktymYJowIN1-soh6Y27S3-wp0dOCIQn-o1zFQSybnFzIXUbxWNM4acRQY/s200/not%20bad%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGn9t9PPS1sHem9UNwaH1otdPMpnFlrwy_ANKr1UZ4NTng4PO7ZS62zqbKOuwD-VY_oVBdl_1RpRX3Mub7iimDGgrr23Djnawj8fis5_jWeJvmpK1NKbhjpw_-gyntX5XJXPktymYJowIN1-soh6Y27S3-wp0dOCIQn-o1zFQSybnFzIXUbxWNM4acRQY/s1600/not%20bad%20(1).jpg" width="200" /></a></div></span></div>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-9208521927029065602024-02-27T19:54:00.000-08:002024-02-27T19:54:34.517-08:00DR. CHEON AND THE LOST TALISMAN: The Beginning Of A Franchise?<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzeZTvo4lGYNiEDX15s9uzD-mS_4Aqtw1ATt07N0aj8JSHkNByYLMF3GHsb-WFkQJTVv7I2TAQVaITt3kukhTbolSCHsYMjEf4wPAyH5AHjq_y61famYADPdo4TSgD6XazLakn8yPu9okODIA1p2qsD0CP8XTZ9DsV_8OUEfYaWKzdBl3UEjySOAVPOc/s1500/71xh9GhNknL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1166" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzeZTvo4lGYNiEDX15s9uzD-mS_4Aqtw1ATt07N0aj8JSHkNByYLMF3GHsb-WFkQJTVv7I2TAQVaITt3kukhTbolSCHsYMjEf4wPAyH5AHjq_y61famYADPdo4TSgD6XazLakn8yPu9okODIA1p2qsD0CP8XTZ9DsV_8OUEfYaWKzdBl3UEjySOAVPOc/s320/71xh9GhNknL._SL1500_.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">DR. CHEON AND THE LOST TALISMAN (Blu-ray)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>2023 / 98 min</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">FROM <u><a href="https://wellgousa.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">WELL GO USA</span></a></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">Review by Pepper the Poopyđœ</b></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is based on a popular Korean âwebtoon,â and after watching this one, itâs clear that those behind it have franchise aspirations. Whether or not it actually becomes one remains to be seen, but if viewers keep their expectations in check, these characters might be worth revisiting in another adventure. </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-6814606f-7fff-64b6-00af-66000a1dc671"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The premise is pretty straightforward. The title character (Gang Dong-won) is the grandson of a legendary shaman, but doesnât actually believe in all that spiritual hokum. Instead, he uses his knowledge and skills as a fake exorcist, visiting families who pay him to save âpossessedâ loved ones. We see Cheon and beleaguered tech savvy assistant Inbae (Lee-Dong-hwi) at work during an amusing prologue, which sort of sets the tone for the rest of the film.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq41geFIkoUB0Kt8thcraeEF0oPeFCYqeCBBzz90gzjsDdgWKGxsSWX9hW94GrgvfNz_HXBB5FInj04O2W3sqYMjMlcg5yE36rvm3vl41Y_QxubgGhnka_jt4dD75dZGI6C4Qir1x8-DCLJiU7d3Wm2iG3gFKl5TjJNL3YXl7W9Agw6pvcfpAM61qChII/s1900/DR.-CHEON-AND-THE-LOST-TALISMAN_Credit_CJ-Entertainment.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="1900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq41geFIkoUB0Kt8thcraeEF0oPeFCYqeCBBzz90gzjsDdgWKGxsSWX9hW94GrgvfNz_HXBB5FInj04O2W3sqYMjMlcg5yE36rvm3vl41Y_QxubgGhnka_jt4dD75dZGI6C4Qir1x8-DCLJiU7d3Wm2iG3gFKl5TjJNL3YXl7W9Agw6pvcfpAM61qChII/w640-h426/DR.-CHEON-AND-THE-LOST-TALISMAN_Credit_CJ-Entertainment.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Too cheap to hail a cab.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">His next client, Yoo kyung (Esom) offers Cheon a huge sum to perform an exorcism on her little sister. In a plot turn that will surprise no one, the girl turns out to be really possessed. This demonic entity, Beom-Cheon (Huh Joon-ho), has also taken control of an entire village with his ability to possess people at-will to do his bidding. Not only that, flashbacks reveal heâs the man who killed Cheonâs grandfather and wants his half of a broken sword that banished him to the netherworld in the first place.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Storywise, there arenât many surprises. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is mostly a fantasy film with a few vivid horror elements, along with welcome bits of humor that seldom feel shoehorned in (the banter between Cheon and Inbae is especially amusing). The film is briskly paced, with likable main characters and decent special effects. And of course, the door is left wide open for a sequel or two.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Will </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> leave viewers waiting with bated breath for another chapter (if there is one)? I dunnoâŠthis one isnât likely to knock your socks off or leave a lasting impression. But even though the film serves up little we havenât seen before, itâs generally pretty entertaining. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><u><span style="color: red;">EXTRA KIBBLES</span></u></i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>CHARACTER BIOS</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>TRAILER</b></span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKAUtDYnwv37kTmsjMWEB_MqrTwGy3OpuE0EoFhzTha8t1PKk3OjRo4ntkylxqdrGNNFb1FAHwdEbW3pRnKsmYsHBspQSphSiBJrtqlJP4JBguA0pEkBkcGmN5lw-lMvFsbGUP7oOcfV-mcmlhV74Y-qFmjL1scbjq9U4SeJpsUhaUzhrDkJ5iw9ZxGQ/s200/not%20bad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKAUtDYnwv37kTmsjMWEB_MqrTwGy3OpuE0EoFhzTha8t1PKk3OjRo4ntkylxqdrGNNFb1FAHwdEbW3pRnKsmYsHBspQSphSiBJrtqlJP4JBguA0pEkBkcGmN5lw-lMvFsbGUP7oOcfV-mcmlhV74Y-qFmjL1scbjq9U4SeJpsUhaUzhrDkJ5iw9ZxGQ/s1600/not%20bad.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div></span>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-31116255190689221492024-02-26T12:45:00.000-08:002024-02-27T11:05:03.469-08:00WONKA Is Better Than It Had A Right To Be<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQRtOmQcaufPlgn8Lx88cS00Zz3lfEdBw1bDZl04QYDcUwsnZ-zyheYyKWo6o7RN2efSxUMe17SCC-Gx926dAKNBjJZyxfAEyeIs8LENRCp99iDVbOnzN10Mxlui9sMTgz70I6_qFrlI4vMHLM2-NUh75B841cwt8RNx3NmXrX2GsVtxeXgI1674IPQw/s1000/wonka.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="789" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQRtOmQcaufPlgn8Lx88cS00Zz3lfEdBw1bDZl04QYDcUwsnZ-zyheYyKWo6o7RN2efSxUMe17SCC-Gx926dAKNBjJZyxfAEyeIs8LENRCp99iDVbOnzN10Mxlui9sMTgz70I6_qFrlI4vMHLM2-NUh75B841cwt8RNx3NmXrX2GsVtxeXgI1674IPQw/s320/wonka.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">WONKA (Blu-ray)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>2023 / 116 min</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">FROM </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><a href="https://www.warnerbros.com/" style="color: #c01012; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">WARNER BROS.</span></a></u></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> / <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23InPartnershipwithWB&src=typed_query" style="color: #f52000;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #800180;">#InPartnershipwithWB</span></a></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">Review by Stinky the Destroyerđș</b></div><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Iâll say this muchâŠ</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Wonka</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> was a hell of a lot better than I thought it would be.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c2268d03-7fff-d3c6-5607-999c2de37dac"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">One might take that as great praise, being that Iâm one of those old curmudgeons who not only grew up on </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, but felt Gene Wilder embodied the title character so brilliantly that anyone else stepping into the role would be an exercise in futility. Even today, Iâm convinced Wilder is almost the sole reason the film is a classic. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Timothy Chalamet is not gonna make anyone forget Wilder, but to his and director Paul Kingâs credit, he isnât trying to. At the same time, thereâs no misguided attempt to re-invent the character as a creepy manchild (as in Tim Burtonâs godawful remake). While the new film is a prequel, thereâs a definite connecting thread between this young, confident, optimistic Willy Wonka and the wise, cynical, condescending one thatâs now the subject of countless memes.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">That being said, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Wonka</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is a whimsical, aesthetically gorgeous musical depicting its titular character as a young man, filled with hope and ambition in his attempts to introduce his unique brand of chocolate to the world. Heâs met with opposition, of course, in the form of Arthur Slugworth (Paterson Joseph), the leader of the Chocolate Cartel, which essentially runs the city like the mafia. Wonka gets help from a variety of others who, like him, are indebted by-contract to crooked launderette owner Mrs. Scrubitt (Olivia Colman). The smartest of them is Noodle (Calah Lane), a young orphan who was dumped at the launderette as a baby and becomes Wonkaâs most trusted friend.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hNQj0wyGyXAGn-YmOGhW-adR8k58Yb2wR_hP6zlOLsEkfFPGn4hO36NWayyPegrcVBJEbXLSKHyZinADDK-ZsVNZXBqUjq296ZQGMHuFKEqLJJaaqzbKktf1qhjpvIaciXOj7LXoauFAUbfJCDl3_Fp0o8USwgX4IrBRnt741-m4EsoDvEwMHqz31yE/s1920/wonka%20holes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hNQj0wyGyXAGn-YmOGhW-adR8k58Yb2wR_hP6zlOLsEkfFPGn4hO36NWayyPegrcVBJEbXLSKHyZinADDK-ZsVNZXBqUjq296ZQGMHuFKEqLJJaaqzbKktf1qhjpvIaciXOj7LXoauFAUbfJCDl3_Fp0o8USwgX4IrBRnt741-m4EsoDvEwMHqz31yE/w640-h360/wonka%20holes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Willy's killing jar.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As with most musicals, the actual plot takes a backseat to the characters, performances and musical numbers. The songs themselves are generally forgettable (save for a few nostalgic callbacks to the original film), but presented pretty spectacularly, bursting with exuberance and color. Several character-driven moments are charming (particularly those shared by Wonka and Noodle) and funny (such as Hugh Grant, who was born to be an Oompa Loompa).</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As Wonka, Chalamet wears the hat quite nicely, displaying confidence and earnestness while avoiding turning him into a caricature. However, heâs sometimes upstaged by his co-stars, including Colman, Lane, Keegan-Michael Key (as the corrupt chief of police) and Tom Davis (as Bleacher, Mrs. Scrubittâs nasty partner). Perhaps thatâs because their characters were newly created for this film, so we have no basis for comparison, whereas Chalamet was never going to completely escape Wilderâs shadow. Heâs good, but heâs no Heath Ledger.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Still, as prequels go, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Wonka</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is a lot better than it had a right to be. While there are obvious ties to the original, it works just fine as a stand-alone story. In fact, it was only during certain musical cues, the arrival of Lofty (the Oompa Loompa) and the inevitable denouement that I was reminded this </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">was</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> a prequel.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><u><span style="color: red;">EXTRA KIBBLES</span></u></i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>FEATURETTES -</b> <b><i>Unwrapping Paul Kingâs Vision</i></b> (interviews with director King and most of the cast); <b><i>The Whimsical Music of Wonka</i></b> (the filmâs songs, mostly written by Neil Hannon); <b><i>Welcome to Wonka Land</i></b> (mostly focuses on production design); <b><i>Hats Off to Wonka</i></b> (costume design); <b><i>Wonkaâs Chocolatier</i></b> (featuring Gabriella Gugna, who created the candies).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>MUSICAL MOMENTS - </b>13 isolated music segments.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>DIGITAL COPY</b></span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCySXafVhLkcN16dMmF_eufqnlRWYuCogQjqipCgg2C9RmFWTqqFjganH43xmEqavjxlK3Ga1TQFtvutbuxHwWxI_y-1cbHF9y4ekRLnUPI_Mk5INex2x7x-qPH-qwpRpMrSwR3DyF-O2LfQ4NFUpTFXcTtKe5fI5KpJA_CvL0Td3GXmxTTAHXFQAXuU/s200/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCySXafVhLkcN16dMmF_eufqnlRWYuCogQjqipCgg2C9RmFWTqqFjganH43xmEqavjxlK3Ga1TQFtvutbuxHwWxI_y-1cbHF9y4ekRLnUPI_Mk5INex2x7x-qPH-qwpRpMrSwR3DyF-O2LfQ4NFUpTFXcTtKe5fI5KpJA_CvL0Td3GXmxTTAHXFQAXuU/s1600/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" width="200" /></a></div></div></span>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-55931756280295050182024-02-25T12:41:00.000-08:002024-02-25T12:42:38.302-08:00Revisiting CONTAGION In 4K (And Hindsight)<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsJa5UduXDQrq8Pa0By5lilpZRifgqR_78UmRNMgxaUqw0bUzOcYXeujkm2I__BadHWTbRMmMjmaUb-fB3djisgASqKry9GNYRRTmJd0GiEXxtGEKkBfMRD_-7vH93L7p7ys_JHVlIJoXV-VxKX9qqJzcUewSnTc2_-2seu17N5lZedJe8RXjCq688zE/s1000/con.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="780" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsJa5UduXDQrq8Pa0By5lilpZRifgqR_78UmRNMgxaUqw0bUzOcYXeujkm2I__BadHWTbRMmMjmaUb-fB3djisgASqKry9GNYRRTmJd0GiEXxtGEKkBfMRD_-7vH93L7p7ys_JHVlIJoXV-VxKX9qqJzcUewSnTc2_-2seu17N5lZedJe8RXjCq688zE/s320/con.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">CONTAGION (4K UHD)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">2011 / 106 min</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">FROM </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><a href="https://www.warnerbros.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">WARNER BROS.</span></a></u></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> / <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23InPartnershipwithWB&src=typed_query" target="_blank"><span style="color: #800180;">#InPartnershipwithWB</span></a></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">Review by Mr. Bonnieđ»</b></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If life does indeed imitate art, at least we arenât yet talking about </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Deep Impact</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-568a8c19-7fff-83f1-6f03-b7db95494561"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I must have seen </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Contagion</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> a half-dozen times, but it was only while doing this review that I noticed this cryptic message during the end credits: <i>âItâs not IF, but WHEN,â</i> along with a web link that apparently offered more info. That link doesnât work anymore, but considering all thatâs transpired since 2011, maybe it should.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Oh, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Contagion</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">âŠhow prophetic you turned out to be.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Now that weâve actually lived it, watching the film today is an interesting experience. Itâs clear that screenwriter Scott Z. Burns didnât cook this story from scratch. For a movie once simply intended as cautionary entertainment, its jargon, scientific accuracy and narrative eventually played itself out in the real world, albeit with less apocalyptic implications (being a disaster film at heart, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Contagion</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> naturally presents a worse-case scenario). This movie was serving-up terms like ânovelâ and âsocial distancingâ before most of us even knew what they were.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Unlike </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Andromeda Strainâs</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> sci-fi trappings and Dustin Hoffmanâs action heroics in </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Outbreak</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, what makes </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Contagion</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> especially unnerving (now historically relevant) is its grounding in reality. With no main protagonist (like most of Steven Soderberghâs best work), it chronicles the rapid spread of a lethal virus â labeled MEV-1 - from the perspectives of specialists, doctors from the CDC, victims and everyday folks subjected to quarantine. We see the breakdown of services we usually take for granted, mass graves, false information spread by conspiracy theorists and the overall fragility of our society.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1bhUdrHpVHKcQH1WWIudJ7aTpSqNYwvxXqaF_fXsBA4dyhd5vFKWS8HC2lySrAl2xkaUHScyqRHt4zl8YHGub_tl4g7c-T9QoDix6LQDXENhG7Bu2390D6mtCx1j3TxYT0xsABhbpgrL-ZNhzuNuSCZ78LVJOT8zBtmIUPXZP8elxMyB2JHQ_UP_KVo/s1200/coupon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1bhUdrHpVHKcQH1WWIudJ7aTpSqNYwvxXqaF_fXsBA4dyhd5vFKWS8HC2lySrAl2xkaUHScyqRHt4zl8YHGub_tl4g7c-T9QoDix6LQDXENhG7Bu2390D6mtCx1j3TxYT0xsABhbpgrL-ZNhzuNuSCZ78LVJOT8zBtmIUPXZP8elxMyB2JHQ_UP_KVo/w640-h360/coupon.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">When you show up late on Coupon Day.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />But despite the terrifying scenario, ruthless proliferation of the virus and staggering body count, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Contagion</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is ultimately an optimistic film. The authorities know what theyâre doing, methodically attacking the pandemic with all the resources at their disposal without dealing with petty politics (too bad that didnât happen in real life). And the one character who </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">does</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> exacerbate the problem, touting conspiracy theories and fake cures, ultimately faces consequences for his recklessness. That never really happened in real life, either.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">While some of the dimmer bulbs and COVID deniers of the world will still view it as science-fiction, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Contagion</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> remains one of the greatest - and scariest - disaster movies ever made. Due to the large ensemble cast, itâs a little light on character dynamics, but the pace, plausibility and urgent tone keep it compelling (punctuated by Cliff Martinezâ propulsive score). </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For its 4K UHD release, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Contagion</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> gets an excellent video upgrade, which nicely preserves Soderberghâs intentionally muted color palette. The audio is identical to the Blu-ray, which is fine for such a dialogue-heavy movie. It still sounds good, especially during the outdoor and crowd sequences. Unfortunately, no new bonus features are included. Considering how prophetic the film turned out to be, one would think a respective âI told you soâ documentary would be amusing.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><u><span style="color: red;">EXTRA KIBBLES</span></u></i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>FEATURETTES -</b> <b><i>The Reality of </i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>Contagion</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">; <b><i>The </i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>Contagion</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i> Detectives</i></b>; </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>Contagion</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>: How a Virus Changes the World</i></b>. Like the film, watching these in insight puts a different perspective on them.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>DIGITAL COPY</b></span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoSkyG25xEG60z8DLJVqWSTEp5MNyo-cfF9LoEW2RcuhHU8Yyla_BgWQyovUv_Dzay0oK-_ifvyxa2aG7-T_5it_cnyle3N2Otgc2O2_aOijgt3g0W_ejYbCBY3WP6nprj7B70M1HYHtHfxOpgw8jEY-IH-McWxiDQoFBAj5N9VH1I0FzYQUQv8yY8aM/s200/meow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoSkyG25xEG60z8DLJVqWSTEp5MNyo-cfF9LoEW2RcuhHU8Yyla_BgWQyovUv_Dzay0oK-_ifvyxa2aG7-T_5it_cnyle3N2Otgc2O2_aOijgt3g0W_ejYbCBY3WP6nprj7B70M1HYHtHfxOpgw8jEY-IH-McWxiDQoFBAj5N9VH1I0FzYQUQv8yY8aM/s1600/meow.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div></span>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-11281735328880992542024-02-23T10:30:00.000-08:002024-02-23T10:34:52.416-08:00THE LUZHIN DEFENCE: An Enjoyable Letdown<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQm3MM4AHxUVGgEDhuxLgQ7sfagz9osGbEcNddJkePm231HtZtpk11ge7l7qIFliGICFda9B7Uyw49v4CwHA2eA_wMnvLnuYxA-FLf-BBPeYSSUeTnubB9ajqo7nG5tL5XLMTvkW131xVWtnN85TPpidzHF5eXsFtaJKoL0qHYammg6MX26N4z4EMARbs/s997/luz.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="827" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQm3MM4AHxUVGgEDhuxLgQ7sfagz9osGbEcNddJkePm231HtZtpk11ge7l7qIFliGICFda9B7Uyw49v4CwHA2eA_wMnvLnuYxA-FLf-BBPeYSSUeTnubB9ajqo7nG5tL5XLMTvkW131xVWtnN85TPpidzHF5eXsFtaJKoL0qHYammg6MX26N4z4EMARbs/s320/luz.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">THE LUZHIN DEFENCE (Blu-ray)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>2000 / 109 min</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">FROM <u><a href="https://www.sonypictures.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">SONY</span></a></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Available at </span><a href="http://www.moviezyng.com" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">www.MovieZyng.com</span></a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">Review by Stinky the Destroyerđș</b></div></span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Over the past year or so, Iâve become something of a belated fan of Dutch director Marleen Gorris, having the opportunity to review some of her films on Blu-ray. Though I have yet to check out her most renowned work, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Antoniaâs Line</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, which won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language film, Iâm sure Iâll get around to it eventually.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-6e0035b8-7fff-c9dc-597c-12a19acc6b2d"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But a lot of her earlier movies are pretty great. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">1982âs</span><a href="https://www.freekittensmovieguide.com/2023/06/a-question-of-silence-murder-most.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A Question of Silence</span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, was an incendiary debut about three women who are total strangers that impulsively team up to murder a man they donât know. </span><a href="https://www.freekittensmovieguide.com/2023/08/broken-mirrors-daily-grind-of-brothel.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Broken Mirrors</span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, juggles two concurrent storylines, the bleak daily life in a brothel and a serial killer who imprisons women and then starves them to death. I think </span><a href="https://www.freekittensmovieguide.com/search?q=the+last+island" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Last Island</span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> might be my favorite because Gorris incorporates two of my favorite genres - disaster and survival. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The common threads between these provocative films are themes of female empowerment weaved into the narratives, which</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <i>arenât </i>prevalent in </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Luzhin Defence</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. Since she didnât actually write this one, perhaps I shouldnât be too surprised. This period drama might also be the closest Gorris has ever come to making a mainstream film. In a way, thatâs kinda disappointing. A big part of what made her other movies compelling (aside from some incendiary social commentary) was the sense that Gorris herself was personally invested in her characters (the female ones, in particular). </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaZJZRMBCZL9pljRW6SRR-VXhenh3ezgLXdOPUIHRQJM_vzYy1DUaoNAaseMBq_KjXqlzTRY0EeON4odnt67she5Qr3m_wHDgJc2oKQCHnZItizFgFBOmtp0EUigvAT8NJDV6508ON96tQYpc8cDylphCVJ6mN_p03IiQwjEaZW7B1A-nS4_e8ONTo08/s492/finger.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="492" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaZJZRMBCZL9pljRW6SRR-VXhenh3ezgLXdOPUIHRQJM_vzYy1DUaoNAaseMBq_KjXqlzTRY0EeON4odnt67she5Qr3m_wHDgJc2oKQCHnZItizFgFBOmtp0EUigvAT8NJDV6508ON96tQYpc8cDylphCVJ6mN_p03IiQwjEaZW7B1A-nS4_e8ONTo08/w640-h340/finger.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Sasha's subtle response to Turati's last move.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Not that </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Luzhin Defence</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> isnât a good film. Itâs a perfectly enjoyable - and beautifully shot - story of eccentric, obsessive chess wizard Aleksandr âSashaâ Luzhin (John Turturro), who arrives in Italy for a championship tournament, which is expected to be a showdown between him and rival Salvadore Turati (Fabio Sartor). Also in attendance is fellow Russian Natalia Katkov (Emily Watson) and her doting mother (Geraldine James), whoâs bent on hooking her up with a respectable suitor. Instead, she and Luzhin fall in love (quite quickly, actually), much to Momâs chagrin.</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Complicating matters is the arrival of Leo Valentinov (Stuart Wilson), Luzhinâs former mentor who plans to exploit Luzhinâs weaknesses and insecurities in order to give Turati an advantage. The reason for this particular conflict is depicted in numerous flashbacks of Luzhin as a young prodigy, as is the tumultuous relationship between his parents.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The performances are excellent, though none of the primary cast are really stretching themselves here. Weâre used to seeing Turturro as an oddball and Watson in period dramas. As for WilsonâŠI don't recall anything Iâve seen where he wasnât a bad guy, though heâs especially cold-blooded and hateful in this one. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For the most part, the story is engaging, with nice moments of drama, levity, romance and conflict. Aside from the somewhat surprising climax, though, the narrative itself generally treads pretty familiar ground. Itâs an enjoyable, ultimately poignant journey, but unlike some of Gorrisâ earlier films, there isnât a lot to ponder afterward. It kinda feels like she was a director-for-hire here.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><u><span style="color: red;">EXTRA KIBBLES</span></u></i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>MAKING OF FEATURETTE</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>AUDIO COMMENTARY - </b>By director Marleen Gorris.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>TRAILER</b></span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZELzhOgyz8kASRPhUIpW9ZzGndOu1o12P_ObzI3YtjJPBZq4CwD_70wOWg17J-un0aF4vXD7TEtXXE7B5Bot7p-f9YySOrPtkFJ3pPMIWDJYjMpTt8CAyacTRlZ2f7v_FjXC8bDe9zwxN2jkkmnQj6UKk5zDWzqnla08NdEYH9_T4CbxZTbUkrCPZHnw/s200/not%20bad.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZELzhOgyz8kASRPhUIpW9ZzGndOu1o12P_ObzI3YtjJPBZq4CwD_70wOWg17J-un0aF4vXD7TEtXXE7B5Bot7p-f9YySOrPtkFJ3pPMIWDJYjMpTt8CAyacTRlZ2f7v_FjXC8bDe9zwxN2jkkmnQj6UKk5zDWzqnla08NdEYH9_T4CbxZTbUkrCPZHnw/s1600/not%20bad.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-54863367462289152052024-02-21T21:43:00.000-08:002024-02-27T13:13:32.952-08:00THE POOP SCOOP: Classics & Future Classics<p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghs522Fzx6oIJf5F1gKNkt-HmendktVM2zXbs6HcS-7UcZH5HudfXNqEZ3J8NyMfGuLEskNF3ZqqYVPvZdrDFOTjZuBvwkylY3MO0g93tPbnFuyV_AYdEJfEQW9NHR5yyqPWuyNHsN6RohMpa15gg6D9ZQgk7KbMVGvVeYCyEosaLh2kfcia07VuO2uOA/s650/OnceUponATimeInTheWest_4K_UHD_Front-S.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="516" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghs522Fzx6oIJf5F1gKNkt-HmendktVM2zXbs6HcS-7UcZH5HudfXNqEZ3J8NyMfGuLEskNF3ZqqYVPvZdrDFOTjZuBvwkylY3MO0g93tPbnFuyV_AYdEJfEQW9NHR5yyqPWuyNHsN6RohMpa15gg6D9ZQgk7KbMVGvVeYCyEosaLh2kfcia07VuO2uOA/s320/OnceUponATimeInTheWest_4K_UHD_Front-S.png" width="254" /></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial;"><b>đ€ ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST Celebrates Its 55th Anniversary With 4K Ultra HD Debut May 14</b></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> from Paramount.</span><div><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Director Sergio Leoneâs monumental Western classic </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">celebrates its 55</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> anniversary this year and to mark the occasion Paramount Home Entertainment will release the fully restored film for the first time on 4K Ultra HD May 14, 2024, as the latest addition to the studioâs Paramount Presents line. One of the most iconic and influential movies ever made, </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> has been restored from the original </span><span style="color: #1d1c1d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">35mm Techniscope camera negative</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> by Paramountâs archive team, L'Immagine Ritrovata and The Film Foundation. </span><span style="color: #1d1c1d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This restoration honors the 2007 Film Foundation photochemical restoration overseen by </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">legendary director Martin Scorsese</span><span style="color: #1d1c1d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> by matching its build and color palette. </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> The result is the definitive home release of the film, which features the 165-minute extended cut restored to its glory. A must-own for every cinephileâs collection, </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> will be presented in a Limited-Edition two-disc 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray set that includes both new and legacy bonus content, as well as access to a Digital copy of the film. The film is presented in Dolby Vision and HDR-10, along with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and English Restored Mono Dolby Digital for an exceptional home viewing experience.</span><span id="docs-internal-guid-86fa8faa-7fff-724e-d8f0-02c68bd2521c"><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWDl_sf8YBugTktqHlf__52MJMsz7d2xdysp67c0r4_-Iqp0O5JzpQleM-_w0a6q1ceytyYo6GdCqhEHCRnyj8jutzs3mOHQGuqnrPxWI1GOsSjdwRv1fWu9Mv8zyXdV7AH3VlF9Uc7a53mO7HBppIpZ16Fmi7iwL38GhSOXUxDVptTse3pNs6SP1SvY/s650/TheCrow_4K_UHD_Front.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="516" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWDl_sf8YBugTktqHlf__52MJMsz7d2xdysp67c0r4_-Iqp0O5JzpQleM-_w0a6q1ceytyYo6GdCqhEHCRnyj8jutzs3mOHQGuqnrPxWI1GOsSjdwRv1fWu9Mv8zyXdV7AH3VlF9Uc7a53mO7HBppIpZ16Fmi7iwL38GhSOXUxDVptTse3pNs6SP1SvY/s320/TheCrow_4K_UHD_Front.png" width="254" /></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial;"><b>đTHE CROW Celebrates 30th Anniversary with 4K Ultra HD Debut May 7th</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">from Lionsgate.</span></div><div><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Celebrate the 30</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> anniversary of the thrilling, cult classic </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THE CROW</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> when it arrives for the first time on 4K Ultra HD</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">âą</span></span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> May 7, 2024 from Paramount Home Entertainment. Originally released on May 13, 1994, </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THE CROW </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">entranced audiences and critics alike with its gothic aesthetic, breathtaking action, and Brandon Leeâs soulful performance at the center of director Alex Proyasâ revenge fantasy. A sleeper box office hit, the film developed a passionate cult following that spawned three sequels, a television series, a video game, toys, and novels. Based on the comic book saga of the same name by James OâBarr, </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THE CROW</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> delivers an action-packed thriller bursting with hypnotic style and dazzling visuals. Newly remastered, </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THE CROW</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> will be available nationally on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Discâą with new and legacy bonus content and access to a Digital copy of the film. In addition, there will be a limited-edition SteelBook with a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc and access to a Digital copy of the film, featuring an o-sleeve with a cutout of a crow that lifts to reveal a portrait of Brandon Lee with his guitar. Both releases include a brand-new three-part documentary created for the 30</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> anniversary entitled âShadows & Pain: Designing The Crow.â The new piece is a fascinating deep dive with legendary production designer Alex McDowell, who discusses all aspects of designing the 1994 classic, as well as his experience working with visionary director Alex Proyas and the filmâs late star, Brandon Lee.</span><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSFiHUvtrtXHpN4Q8hLYNylTbpfuUrJCcxem_VjCVDFBPk0PUmn6vGPlTVyYGZBGcbM-pM6ckRSNZOvtU5t8qQXPdgLCFnhGhxIoQpqhXTbltBD2ZlhL9CA2NC3BDGr0bR_yq5ophWdMW6OerLqYIEdOTDvfWEB_GkPA-QCiCoim3lfXvM-DN3poRqSg/s650/MeanGirls_2MovieCollection_EN_800x1200_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="433" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSFiHUvtrtXHpN4Q8hLYNylTbpfuUrJCcxem_VjCVDFBPk0PUmn6vGPlTVyYGZBGcbM-pM6ckRSNZOvtU5t8qQXPdgLCFnhGhxIoQpqhXTbltBD2ZlhL9CA2NC3BDGr0bR_yq5ophWdMW6OerLqYIEdOTDvfWEB_GkPA-QCiCoim3lfXvM-DN3poRqSg/w133-h200/MeanGirls_2MovieCollection_EN_800x1200_0.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial;"><b>đ”MEAN GIRLS (2024) Arrives On Digital February 20th and MEAN GIRLS (2024) and MEAN GIRLS (2004) Debut On 4K Ultra HD April 30th from Paramount.</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Get in, loserâŠ</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">weâre watching the hit comedy </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">MEAN GIRLS (2024)</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> at home on February 20, 2024 when it arrives to buy or rent on Digital from Paramount Home Entertainment. The new movie will debut on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-rayâą, and DVD on April 30, which just happens to be the 20</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> anniversary of the original contemporary classic </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">MEAN GIRLS (2004)</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. And the original </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">MEAN GIRLS (2004) </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">just happens to be arriving on 4K Ultra HD for the first time, like, </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">ever</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> on April 30, too. Itâs gonna be totally grool. Fans who purchase the film on Digital can go inside the making of the new movie with more than 30 minutes of bonus content AND sing their hearts out with a sing-along version featuring lyrics to select songs from the film! </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">MEAN GIRLS (2024)</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">MEAN GIRLS (2004)</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> will also be available in a 2-movie collection on Digital on February 20, 2024.</span><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNmWo8EeX8aLcNqWOZx3BTh1JpUGdfMXeMXG7xlA9jlkXv3JTBBGVEKuZLreSqMR5uQgQU_SLRsqtjOWrpoCAG6LxZVr6ktU6QH_hstEujJHqDzrTMrEXas19MqH81SpN6UyBn-yXqJybTNHGvNrRVUAljK2lDNtte8bvl5kXdPD6znFsVExWZ8-i6pg/s1200/iron.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1040" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNmWo8EeX8aLcNqWOZx3BTh1JpUGdfMXeMXG7xlA9jlkXv3JTBBGVEKuZLreSqMR5uQgQU_SLRsqtjOWrpoCAG6LxZVr6ktU6QH_hstEujJHqDzrTMrEXas19MqH81SpN6UyBn-yXqJybTNHGvNrRVUAljK2lDNtte8bvl5kXdPD6znFsVExWZ8-i6pg/w173-h200/iron.png" width="173" /></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial;"><b>đșTHE IRON CLAW will be available March 26 on Blu-ray + DVD + Digital from Lionsgate. </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Through tragedy and triumph, under the shadow of their domineering father and coach, the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports. Bringing the true story of the Von Erich brothers to the world, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Iron Claw</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> will be available on Blu-ray + DVD + Digital on March 26 from A24 and Lionsgate. Starring Zac Efron and Golden Globe</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">Âź</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> winner Jeremy Allen White (Best Performance by an Actor in Musical or Comedy TV Series), Maura Tierney, Holt McCallany, Harris Dickinson and Lily James. This release includes a making-of featurette and cast/crew Q&A.</span><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMJbjgZGtgdIewMEnX1e-i9X8cQYoBNB5dwYsX8rec7Vk4Vm_vzKG3L11nQwRsoiuCooOhCGUqmmwpEA5b4fw-8Yr5l-sXMv6JZ-9wRNApaAz8yPwjAJi9AIbHuM29yext0Z1INvQNPYYVkciKA4btdWnnTUVZkY12S0_pnOLkbgpFz-_s93pBLPQYgs/s1600/anatomy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1288" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMJbjgZGtgdIewMEnX1e-i9X8cQYoBNB5dwYsX8rec7Vk4Vm_vzKG3L11nQwRsoiuCooOhCGUqmmwpEA5b4fw-8Yr5l-sXMv6JZ-9wRNApaAz8yPwjAJi9AIbHuM29yext0Z1INvQNPYYVkciKA4btdWnnTUVZkY12S0_pnOLkbgpFz-_s93pBLPQYgs/w161-h200/anatomy.jpg" width="161" /></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial;"><b>đșOscar Nominated ANATOMY OF A FALL on Blu-ray and DVD May 28 from Criterion Collection.</b></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-eb8e343b-7fff-f363-70ba-5437bc4bd769"><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The closer we look, the less we know in Justine Trietâs masterful Palme dâOrâwinning </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Anatomy of a Fall, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">an eerily riveting courtroom thriller that examines the line where truth becomes fiction and fiction becomes truth. When Sandra Voyter (a transfixing Sandra HĂŒller), a writer who turns the material of her life into autofiction, is put on trial for the suspicious death by defenestrationâor was it suicide?âof her husband, it opens up an inquiry that will turn a troubled home inside out. Tapping into the minimalist intensity of a chamber dramaâand using intricate, elliptical editingâTriet constructs a mystery that is ultimately less about a death than about the hidden lives we lead. This release includes an interview with director Justine Triet, audition footage and an essay by critic Alexandra Schwartz.</span></span></div>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-61656523906684132932024-02-20T18:45:00.000-08:002024-02-27T11:29:18.997-08:00HARRIET (4K): Superficial But Exciting<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_hC4igvpiNyCIBtVyi08ZHD38UExcADzLUo12lJMi8UxhDXOEY1FkbpUxzg77497qv0Jm1CgznjVGtLw9AxOvzKXiobv-BPbtb8NluE7JL_0yy58czGIb7_hAwB-M81U5Xe7konJ6KqaDf7SjaC2qhxSUg2TKqHAetishHD2SNtjgYEUxXqyWH6-3xI/s1000/harriet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="789" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_hC4igvpiNyCIBtVyi08ZHD38UExcADzLUo12lJMi8UxhDXOEY1FkbpUxzg77497qv0Jm1CgznjVGtLw9AxOvzKXiobv-BPbtb8NluE7JL_0yy58czGIb7_hAwB-M81U5Xe7konJ6KqaDf7SjaC2qhxSUg2TKqHAetishHD2SNtjgYEUxXqyWH6-3xI/s320/harriet.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">HARRIET (4K UHD)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>2019 / 125 min</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">FROM <u><a href="https://www.uphe.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">UNIVERSAL</span></a></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">Available at </span><a href="http://www.moviezyng.com" style="text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">www.MovieZyng.com</span></a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">Review by Stinky the Destroyerđș</b></div></span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">With only a rudimentary knowledge of Harriet Tubmanâs life and accomplishments, I canât attest to this movieâs historical accuracy. Nor do I actually care. If the law required films based on true stories to be accurate, how many of them would end up being all that entertaining?</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-4113c8cf-7fff-fa21-1a80-5559105b67b2"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Whatâs important is that </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Harriet</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><u>very</u></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> entertaining, even though it doesnât offer much in the way of depth. Itâs more of a chronology of Tubmanâs (Cynthia Erivo) rise from lowly, abused slave to the legendary abolitionist we read about in school. But to her credit, director/co-writer Kasi Lemmons keeps her filmmaker hat on and leaves the educating to others. Her skills elevate the</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> movie from one we feel obligated to see to one we actually <u>want</u> to see.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKK_jAMXJJjRjk_SmNcUh_amQtDRlLytRek_In0Qcmd643Vtqa7NQ0gdEoF8wCtPLVXLZeGqHNSQi3DNO1ef2xf8BRS6FKU01Zos4-4lj2ZQ2Tes0TmnnMjcGMeH8XZE1XUDDO_57I5S6_N2SJ0GR08xiMZW1x8NvSCDFqNx9MxNk6uMISRRrAi4VJDk/s2560/contact.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKK_jAMXJJjRjk_SmNcUh_amQtDRlLytRek_In0Qcmd643Vtqa7NQ0gdEoF8wCtPLVXLZeGqHNSQi3DNO1ef2xf8BRS6FKU01Zos4-4lj2ZQ2Tes0TmnnMjcGMeH8XZE1XUDDO_57I5S6_N2SJ0GR08xiMZW1x8NvSCDFqNx9MxNk6uMISRRrAi4VJDk/w640-h360/contact.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The worst place to lose a contact lens.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Harriet</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is surprisingly action oriented, with many sequences focused on Tubmanâs daring - and dangerous - efforts to not-only escape north to freedom, but repeatedly risk her own life by returning south to free others (including most of her own family). The uncomplicated narrative presents its characters as clear-cut heroes and villains. The latter, Tubmanâs vindictive former owner, Gideon (Joe Alwyn), is evil personified. </span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As âMintyâ, Cynthia Erivo rises above the proficient-but-unremarkable script with an excellent performance (which earned her an Oscar nod that year), providing a majority of the movieâs emotional heft. A chief reason the escape sequences and conflicts are effective (and suspenseful) is because Erivoâs earnestness has us invested in the character from the get-go. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Is this the definitive Harriet Tubman story? Probably not. Itâs more of a checklist of events that never dives too deeply into its subject, the divisive political turmoil of the time or atrocities committed against slaves. And aside from Tubman herself, none of the other characters resonate much. Still, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Harriet</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is exciting, well directed and fast-paced. Boasting impressive cinematography, authentic production design and an affecting music score, the film looks and sounds great with this 4K UHD transfer, which is an improvement over the 2020 Blu-ray disc (though it looks good, too). Both formats are included here, along with a smattering of </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 18.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">perfunctory </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">bonus features.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><u><span style="color: red;">EXTRA KIBBLES</span></u></i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>4K, BLU-RAY & DIGITAL COPIES</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>FEATURETTES -</b> <i>Her Story</i>; <i>Becoming Harriet</i>.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>AUDIO COMMENTARY - </b>By director/co-writer Kasi Lemmons.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>8 DELETED SCENES</b></span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBFpHro8lx3VBPgZeglQFzERenXWAUA7T8cWnDRSdP4cq8nY6U31elBigbARqvDff962vfY6toiCooK_JDLYegmRK3U4M_4AzZ0bvtg0gYJ9iVux0KReYXvkeNAKhqXaNZYubZdBkwYgEe8j1GNRoZgddsFUgVTXpIe9zcAWRye2lkV13JBoZ9gV9sYs/s200/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBFpHro8lx3VBPgZeglQFzERenXWAUA7T8cWnDRSdP4cq8nY6U31elBigbARqvDff962vfY6toiCooK_JDLYegmRK3U4M_4AzZ0bvtg0gYJ9iVux0KReYXvkeNAKhqXaNZYubZdBkwYgEe8j1GNRoZgddsFUgVTXpIe9zcAWRye2lkV13JBoZ9gV9sYs/s1600/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" width="200" /></a></div></div></span>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-29662974095318139062024-02-18T17:46:00.000-08:002024-02-27T11:30:50.143-08:00LUNAMANCER: Small Film, Big Ideas<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6-dAKywLLOy56R0soW5N5wBSnIzo4OSeCa99uIkLSFbG9pCICTydqPxs9oGy679VffcGyAjXRAeeBNm9ks1q9-YW84PvX98nrMQMRAkoNdwS8ntmHUogPGFg2kI262SwB3i4Hh3G1hIWOXoDNTIkv9EGG53KgdiqSMvQD2OH9qprrfRtGIIvSpiTJbM/s931/luna.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="711" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6-dAKywLLOy56R0soW5N5wBSnIzo4OSeCa99uIkLSFbG9pCICTydqPxs9oGy679VffcGyAjXRAeeBNm9ks1q9-YW84PvX98nrMQMRAkoNdwS8ntmHUogPGFg2kI262SwB3i4Hh3G1hIWOXoDNTIkv9EGG53KgdiqSMvQD2OH9qprrfRtGIIvSpiTJbM/s320/luna.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">LUNAMANCER (Blu-ray)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>2021 / 71 min</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">FROM <span style="color: red;">ALLIED VAUGHN</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Available at </span><a href="http://www.moviezyng.com" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">www.MovieZyng.com</span></a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Review by Pepper the Poopyđș</b></div></span><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Dr. Isaac Blake (Jake Pirkkanen) returns to his hometown in search of his twin sister, Sue (Nikki Clyne), a tarot card reader whoâs gone missing, though no one else appears to be aware of it. The viewer gets the impression Isaac already knows her fate, since they appear to have some sort of supernatural connection to each other (established in the prologue).</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-37851f55-7fff-24f4-0ff1-575d61e28c03"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In the meantime, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Lunamancer</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> keeps the viewer consistently in the dark, often perplexed by what the hell theyâre watching. The film is loaded with surreal sequences and imagery which blur the line between reality and illusion, seemingly perpetuated by a local garage mechanic (Cliff Tullis) who Isaac first questions when he arrives in town. Throughout much of the narrative, weâre not entirely certain whatâs driving Isaac or if what heâs experiencing is real.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGDSCDVQCl1vSb1otMshoGXfeyeHAmdl5Vc_p_jkT6eGyA6vaFydyGILGhL6WLs8RYgwVgFEvrEPoXXrGqinaraUUPyn9qSqzDaBYNp8tMlcfkWyvE3lRm815LRr65zLsXCdvJ6rsv30rXieLbUzc-F2OZPwM0EEyQQE_KYO3gBGq3gykrzy7rNMQHEE/s672/Screenshot%202024-02-18%205.33.46%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="672" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGDSCDVQCl1vSb1otMshoGXfeyeHAmdl5Vc_p_jkT6eGyA6vaFydyGILGhL6WLs8RYgwVgFEvrEPoXXrGqinaraUUPyn9qSqzDaBYNp8tMlcfkWyvE3lRm815LRr65zLsXCdvJ6rsv30rXieLbUzc-F2OZPwM0EEyQQE_KYO3gBGq3gykrzy7rNMQHEE/w640-h352/Screenshot%202024-02-18%205.33.46%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Isaac doesn't feel like making his bed this morning.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">While watching this, I was often reminded of Darren Aronofskyâs debut, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Pi</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, a similarly low budget sci-fi film driven more by cerebralism than a clear narrative or visual aesthetics. And like Aronofsky, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Lunamancerâs</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> bleak setting, evocative score and subdued performances contribute greatly to the somber (and quietly menacing) overall tone. Itâs one of those films where itâs only after the denouement is revealed that (most) of the narrative pieces click in place.</span><p></p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Until then, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Lunamancer</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is intriguingly ambiguous. While the deliberate pace does threaten to test oneâs patience at times, itâs a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience that, at 71 minutes, doesnât wear out its welcome. Co-written by first-time feature director Noah Mucci and producer Matt Patterson, the film is worth seeking out by adventurous viewers.</span></span><div><span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbaTSXuafi0xYSKdaaAWAhAlsAWXHR6W0q_833ifhYe6BfX-eGM9YOg3NA9ASkE3vpNS6g_BUBtSvAveYkhBvUPpvHzC5lM5MKE4sZXkuxi89HaV1ybZUgtYtos405LguFzdq4T8uCAl1qQsKWxUW8iDXAdCfF3S6c_Wga2pv1QcnELKtf9wWqh78xIs/s200/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbaTSXuafi0xYSKdaaAWAhAlsAWXHR6W0q_833ifhYe6BfX-eGM9YOg3NA9ASkE3vpNS6g_BUBtSvAveYkhBvUPpvHzC5lM5MKE4sZXkuxi89HaV1ybZUgtYtos405LguFzdq4T8uCAl1qQsKWxUW8iDXAdCfF3S6c_Wga2pv1QcnELKtf9wWqh78xIs/s1600/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" width="200" /></a></div></span></div>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-9590615716545795502024-02-18T12:44:00.000-08:002024-02-27T11:32:26.118-08:00THE BLACK MASS: Don't Judge A Book (or a film) By It's Cover<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVl3YWfofwf-Y1KT2KpANjeFpfN5S-l0kmvxHNZh_oWqZpIy5SpF022l-VfwZqRC83kPgNhPPYjxHuYema2pfv3Mum4W3vkfY6oYLrt_DiUX37oeOQMBAXcvZnjOHcH1OnI2p5haIwotDEKRXiUuliO7y9rmdWN6FnpJ-53ppLKTNlRUF5DkSCXpheqXI/s489/theBlackMass-367x489.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="367" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVl3YWfofwf-Y1KT2KpANjeFpfN5S-l0kmvxHNZh_oWqZpIy5SpF022l-VfwZqRC83kPgNhPPYjxHuYema2pfv3Mum4W3vkfY6oYLrt_DiUX37oeOQMBAXcvZnjOHcH1OnI2p5haIwotDEKRXiUuliO7y9rmdWN6FnpJ-53ppLKTNlRUF5DkSCXpheqXI/s320/theBlackMass-367x489.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">THE BLACK MASS (Blu-ray)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>2023 / 82 min</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">FROM <u><a href="http://cleopatra-entertainment.com/blu-ray-dvd-vod/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">CLEOPATRA ENTERTAINMENT</span></a></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">Review by Josey, the Sudden Catđ</b></div></span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In this case, you definitely shouldnât judge a book by its cover, which suggests </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Black Mass</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is some kind of slasher film. The box art features a collage of the filmâs more photogenic female cast members and a silhouette of a mysterious killer, along with a synopsis that carefully avoids who and what itâs really about.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-8d986678-7fff-86ed-3346-a9c3503af63f"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Black Mass</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">not</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> another modern horror movie in the vein of </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Scream</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and its ilk. Itâs about notorious serial killer Ted Bundy. More specifically, the film is an account of one particularly infamous 24-hour period in 1978 when he stalked and attacked several girls from a Florida sorority house. Not only that, the entire narrative is presented - almost literally - from Bundyâs point of view. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The film follows Bundy (Andrew Sykes) around in his VW Beetle as he methodically targets potential victims, sometimes initiating friendly banter, as well as lengthy segments when heâs peering through the sorority house windows to observe the largely anonymous female characters. For the most part, their conversations and activities are intentionally mundane (and barely audible), save for one hallucinatory shower sequence that reflects Bundyâs view of violence as a sexual act.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2q-ytXOm_qIoz9EQoF6PzGujE-KzZMyxeD2g5AtvoTSfKX1HGpQQoesipA70TmK7mNWR0VT7AqY2pBuCZtP2Z4YeoC-ww-VwmIXE1Axjzk1n_eP8lHY17rG8f_VB7D6HTZI026k6RH0mSfqe4PgAiw5I0lvo2ffGVUtZjfSVfmAhw6DmjcNLz-WX8O8/s1313/The-Black-Mass-2023-Still.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="1313" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2q-ytXOm_qIoz9EQoF6PzGujE-KzZMyxeD2g5AtvoTSfKX1HGpQQoesipA70TmK7mNWR0VT7AqY2pBuCZtP2Z4YeoC-ww-VwmIXE1Axjzk1n_eP8lHY17rG8f_VB7D6HTZI026k6RH0mSfqe4PgAiw5I0lvo2ffGVUtZjfSVfmAhw6DmjcNLz-WX8O8/w640-h360/The-Black-Mass-2023-Still.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Herbie Goes to Florida</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We donât really learn much about Bundy beyond his actions. In fact, it isnât until late in the film that heâs even clearly shown, after already committing the gruesome murders. It's a conscious creative decision that renders the lengthy voyeuristic stalking sequences especially unnerving. Director Devanny Finn (who also has a supporting role) obviously realizes that sheâs not going to reveal anything about Bundy that hasn't been documented in countless other books and movies. The film is simply a reenactment of that horrific night.</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">At no point does </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Black Mass</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> look or play like a horror film, nor are there any twists, surprises or character revelations. However, itâs extremely well made, with believable performances, outstanding attention to period detail and a cinema <span id="docs-internal-guid-0e9aa180-7fff-f97a-987f-b82ef43b4028"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">vĂ©ritĂ©</span></span> style that instills dread in nearly every scene. The murders themselves are lengthy and brutal, more intended to horrify, not glorify.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Though I can certainly understand why </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Black Mass</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is marketed as a thriller, thatâs sort of misleading. This is an uncomfortable film to endure, which is appropriate, considering the subject matter. And despite a nearly complete lack of sensationalism, suspense or meaningful character exposition, the film is morbidly fascinating.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><u><span style="color: red;">EXTRA KIBBLES</span></u></i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>IMAGE SLIDESHOW</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>TRAILER</b></span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUx9SAU6u0JKMK40PQjQhna1vhPxMi9S7pFaUFWbFwxKh0H599BA1KM5bvfzmP3AGGeri8gmrvgg1RdNCcAfqAvlvBcKzr91aa_yBjDWbvrFr9roRQLzgs0Y3Q_fmaZW-ew1pwoxYnh5GsCeHpLh7N8OJwpRB0r1aMV0WcvQQcKj3Bzb63yPCBabzcDo/s200/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUx9SAU6u0JKMK40PQjQhna1vhPxMi9S7pFaUFWbFwxKh0H599BA1KM5bvfzmP3AGGeri8gmrvgg1RdNCcAfqAvlvBcKzr91aa_yBjDWbvrFr9roRQLzgs0Y3Q_fmaZW-ew1pwoxYnh5GsCeHpLh7N8OJwpRB0r1aMV0WcvQQcKj3Bzb63yPCBabzcDo/s1600/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" width="200" /></a></div></div></span>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-42317506554579324972024-02-16T14:43:00.000-08:002024-02-16T17:43:12.254-08:00The Beautiful Ugliness of THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8EvObpL-lVn5yDXl0dY-D8sDlV2f0g5mG-wHQQMOsYrT4QchtnKLdCH7mRRNidUg_6T-B-druFBZIVxT6FVFF7UZaRAT0GRIl1ANy5mT2sGBnQlbaCIAMtU1nnHcYXF1dlCB0LmadRqXSAghALrZ9BDBE3Hha3hwTteLQ0jNt8yT_kbxlZPbAyBVmKc/s500/trip.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="415" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8EvObpL-lVn5yDXl0dY-D8sDlV2f0g5mG-wHQQMOsYrT4QchtnKLdCH7mRRNidUg_6T-B-druFBZIVxT6FVFF7UZaRAT0GRIl1ANy5mT2sGBnQlbaCIAMtU1nnHcYXF1dlCB0LmadRqXSAghALrZ9BDBE3Hha3hwTteLQ0jNt8yT_kbxlZPbAyBVmKc/s320/trip.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE (Blu-ray)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>2003 / 80 min</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">FROM <u><a href="https://www.sonypictures.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">SONY</span></a></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.moviezyng.com/" style="color: #c01012; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Available at </span><u><span style="color: #800180; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;">MovieZyng.com</span></u></a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">Review by Pepper the Poopyđș</b></div></span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If there was an Oscar category for originality, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Triplets of Belleville</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> would surely have taken home a trophy back in 2003. It was nominated for Best Animated Feature that year, but while </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Finding Nemo </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">arguably </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">deserved to </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">win, this one had a narrative, aesthetic and tone unlike anything weâve really seen beforeâŠin a cartoon anyway.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-17fd0e66-7fff-9a8b-2080-ae26d7e24afd"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The weird-ass story has an elderly woman, Madame Souza, using her meager resources to help her grandson, Champion, achieve his dream of participating in the Tour de France. But during the event, he and two other bikers are abducted by mobsters, who take them to America and force them to compete in backroom gambling houses (with fatal consequences for the loser). With family dog Bruno, Souza follows them to New York. Penniless, sheâs taken in by three old ladies who were once a French singing sensation known as Triplets of Belleville. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The triplets themselves are sort of a subplot, introduced in the filmâs first scene by appearing on French television performing their hit song, âBelleville Rendez-Vousâ (which was also nominated for an Oscar). Itâs a surreal sequence that sort-of sets the tone for the entire film. When they reappear much later, theyâre kindly but repulsive old ladies, living in a sleazy apartment building and killing frogs in a nearby marsh to sustain themselves. They still perform, though, with Souza joining their band. And eventually, when Souza learns where Champion is being held, the triplets are more than happy to help free him, taking on local gangsters in an amusing climactic chase through the city streets.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHuhmBKx79tbWNtSMlYUToVlxbBcMUyTDtky-qldmwfaztntF0_D60DD0TN0Ce6u_eEmDTwasEPw_9lacJgFgogJAY7ltzPHM2p0lJ_0hipO3Saij3WrOOG32zsHONlJ3y-vqkG5egUfIEOD6_dQnKD6YTi4F1s4H9Mc7ZXQuRlLiKPie0OdBs-7B0Ws/s1100/tripletsbelleville_a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="1100" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHuhmBKx79tbWNtSMlYUToVlxbBcMUyTDtky-qldmwfaztntF0_D60DD0TN0Ce6u_eEmDTwasEPw_9lacJgFgogJAY7ltzPHM2p0lJ_0hipO3Saij3WrOOG32zsHONlJ3y-vqkG5egUfIEOD6_dQnKD6YTi4F1s4H9Mc7ZXQuRlLiKPie0OdBs-7B0Ws/w640-h378/tripletsbelleville_a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Chick-Fil-A's secret ingredient.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Whimsical, weird and often grotesque, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Triplets of Bellevue</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is fairly light on characterization and plot (the latter is sometimes set aside for strange sequences of Brunoâs dreams or the Tripletsâ sickening eating habits). But itâs brilliantly animated, sometimes reminding me of a stylistic mash-up of Studio Ghibli and </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Heavy Metal </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">(along with a smidgen of CGI in some scenes). The characters themselves - even the minor ones - are cleverly conceived, their appearance and movements reflecting their roles in the story. Speaking of which, the film is nearly free of dialogue, the narrative largely driven by expressions, action and BenoĂźt Charestâs evocative score.</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">At first, there doesnât appear to be any overt effort to engage the viewer on an emotional level. With the exception of Bruno the Dog, the characters seem fairly aloof. But as the story unfolds, Souzaâs fearless resolve is ultimately kind of touching. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Triplets of Bellevue</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is sometimes aesthetically abhorrent, but as animated features go, there hasnât been anything else quite like it.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Previously released on Blu-ray in 2017, this new version features slightly upgraded picture and sound, along with vintage bonus features, as well as a new teaser for director Sylvain Chometâs next film.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><u><span style="color: red;">EXTRA KIBBLES</span></u></i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>FEATURETTES -</b> The Making of <i>The Triplets of Belleville</i>; The Cartoon According to Sylvain Chomet.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>THE MAGNIFICENT LIFE OF MARCEL PAGNOL</i> TEASER -</b> This is a teaser trailer for Chomet next animated feature, due in 2025.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>SELECTED SCENES WITH COMMENTARY -</b> 3 scenes with commentary by director Sylvain Chomet.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>MUSIC VIDEO - </b>âBelleville Rendez-Vousâ</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>TRAILER</b></span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_fKO55IZiXd7pyssJoJEZ4GrMpAgGBbec_e4_N_J-rahDujYVIQpVnHwEeP6Wx3d6J83N87a86uKfAsV-3dS7Org8GOrv8Zg1lo106wyYTwzSHujM6GVZCEqscaTxiG66Wb7ngNVsjJFPUbai8fZQTISVTOsahGqQcYRuaUiVXjn0Ie2cd1IjUB7Fgc/s200/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_fKO55IZiXd7pyssJoJEZ4GrMpAgGBbec_e4_N_J-rahDujYVIQpVnHwEeP6Wx3d6J83N87a86uKfAsV-3dS7Org8GOrv8Zg1lo106wyYTwzSHujM6GVZCEqscaTxiG66Wb7ngNVsjJFPUbai8fZQTISVTOsahGqQcYRuaUiVXjn0Ie2cd1IjUB7Fgc/s1600/purr%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).png" width="200" /></a></div></div></span>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684824197270069961.post-25812579875154256052024-02-14T20:03:00.000-08:002024-02-27T11:36:13.878-08:00BACK TO THE DRIVE-IN Paints a Gloomy Picture<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8bzh8FQvtWHbLvPfTbcD_qfsqxvgON5QCTaSAsFvMsUee_qWRIt-SsWitUjvmpmknzaRv4zJQ_2QzKNEP7iydrMudT3lsbTchdzJ_Q0Lyf9i4JLFikurVAUxG3YDX8EmZqsl3jAI093rIJJDiimZPh-hs0jqFJ3IC18UhtPkT3rlC1qmN6YvtKmB-q4/s630/back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="443" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8bzh8FQvtWHbLvPfTbcD_qfsqxvgON5QCTaSAsFvMsUee_qWRIt-SsWitUjvmpmknzaRv4zJQ_2QzKNEP7iydrMudT3lsbTchdzJ_Q0Lyf9i4JLFikurVAUxG3YDX8EmZqsl3jAI093rIJJDiimZPh-hs0jqFJ3IC18UhtPkT3rlC1qmN6YvtKmB-q4/s320/back.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-weight: 400;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">BACK TO THE DRIVE-IN (DVD)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>2022 / 105 min</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">FROM <u><a href="https://www.uncorkedentertainment.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">UNCORKâD ENTERTAINMENT</span></a></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><a href="https://www.moviezyng.com/" style="color: #c01012; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Available at </span><u><span style="color: #800180; text-decoration-line: none;">MovieZyng.com</span></u></a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;">Review by Stinky the Destroyerđœ</b></div></span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Being of a certain age, I have fond memories of drive-ins. From piling into the backseat in my jammies as a kid to piling into the backseat with dates, it was always a lot of fun. More often than not, whatever movie was actually playing was secondary to the experience. </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-73589197-7fff-f3d3-036a-26aa4bf2c26e"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Though hardly the optimum way to view a film, I miss drive-ins. They arenât quite extinct yet, but there are only two left in my home state and the closest is a 90-minute drive away. Like Fotomat booths, itâs just a matter of time before theyâve all gone the way of the dodo. Because of its subject, I thought Iâd enjoy </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Back to the Drive-In</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> a lot more than I actually did. But it's not-so-much an affectionate reflection of the past as a gloomy forecast of the future.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This documentary visits 11 currently-operating drive-ins across the country, from big multi-screen spreads to humble family-run businesses and everything in between (such as an enterprising man who turned his own backyard into one). Some of them have been open for decades, while others are - surprisingly - fairly new. We meet the owners and managers who discuss the joys and tribulations (mostly the latter) of operating such a business in this day and age.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3yWlT6w3CKkHCU-h18F3YpH8a_20nAomSMKVTKo0ehLhgw5EQUE3ph1Udfy7VfCK73dv9I6lgcBS3GFJSprx38yt8kT3z8Ur_0PffaLnjb9MTMO9xyntGfDZCuqzXPcUfk_WAqmF0a4FXEoYFMg4PkfMiTpRuCkzx01ZX4QQURuC643cdCmwZ9W4Qc8/s800/space.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="800" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3yWlT6w3CKkHCU-h18F3YpH8a_20nAomSMKVTKo0ehLhgw5EQUE3ph1Udfy7VfCK73dv9I6lgcBS3GFJSprx38yt8kT3z8Ur_0PffaLnjb9MTMO9xyntGfDZCuqzXPcUfk_WAqmF0a4FXEoYFMg4PkfMiTpRuCkzx01ZX4QQURuC643cdCmwZ9W4Qc8/w640-h408/space.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">If <u>this</u> is what's playing, I'm not going to the drive-in either.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The locations may be different, but their stories are more or less the sameâŠthe COVID pandemic triggered a brief resurgence in the popularity of drive-ins, but since then, business and interest continues to dwindle. These owners seem determined to remain open, but also appear painfully aware that the days of drive-ins as a sustainable business are probably numbered. Filmmaker April Wright must think so, too, since the entire film is accompanied by the kind of melancholy score one usually hears in a poignant death scene (even during moments of levity).</span><p></p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Hence, the film ends up being kind of somber. Seeing how these theaters operate is certainly interesting, as are the personal stories of owners explaining how and why they got into the business in the first place. And if nothing else, Iâm inspired to finally make that 90 minute trek to my nearest drive-in just to relive the experience one more time. But </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Back to the Drive-In</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is hardly the nostalgia trip I was expecting. As someone who fondly recalls enjoying movies under the stars, itâs more like visiting a loved one whoâs on life support.</span></span><div><span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXy0bItma9FpIAvKBONjoxDaacw8GnNqQRKIE82C4F0ICtq9dM6dfAAKJnXijaZ8A0WXwlaEhoP3gRY6KuisVu-3QQVoMh-zWYhB8u70I0El0WcQqcfoyAJIhB-aO76zCa3PnuWycYozg0c3XYhLcPs_8khSbjrCtgr_kAAlEIKbTFV0V8fUpry6x8ezg/s200/not%20bad.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXy0bItma9FpIAvKBONjoxDaacw8GnNqQRKIE82C4F0ICtq9dM6dfAAKJnXijaZ8A0WXwlaEhoP3gRY6KuisVu-3QQVoMh-zWYhB8u70I0El0WcQqcfoyAJIhB-aO76zCa3PnuWycYozg0c3XYhLcPs_8khSbjrCtgr_kAAlEIKbTFV0V8fUpry6x8ezg/s1600/not%20bad.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></span></div>D.M. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842909593322673355noreply@blogger.com0