THE ALTO KNIGHTS: Mob Movie Comfort Food

THE ALTO KNIGHTS (Blu-ray)

2025 / 123 min

From Warner Bros

#InPartnershipwithWB

Review Mr. Bonnie, the Boss😺

The inherent problem with any gangster movie starring Robert De Niro is that - fairly or not - it is inevitably gonna be compared to Goodfellas…and never measure up, even when he re-teams with Martin Scorsese. That’s not to say Casino and The Irishman aren’t great films, but come on…Goodfellas is freaking iconic.

The Alto Knights is certainly no Goodfellas. It ain’t Casino, either, though this one does boast a similarly constructed narrative by the same screenwriter (Nicholas Pileggi). And while Barry Levinson is no Scorsese, he did direct Bugsy, so he’s not a stranger to the genre. So let’s cut Bobby, Nicky and Barry a bit of slack and try to assess this one on its own terms.

First off, The Alto Knights indulges in a little stunt casting of sorts, with De Niro playing both lead roles. Frank Costello and Vito Genovese have been friends since childhood, both becoming high ranking mob bosses. As the movie begins, Frank is shot the head but survives. Also serving as the story’s narrator, Frank reveals it was Vito who ordered the failed hit. 

This sets up the remainder of the story, which details how and why the two became enemies: Before going into hiding for 15 years, Vito left Frank in charge of everything. After returning, Vito wants it all back, but as Frank tries to explain, a lot has changed since the old days. Frank is generally soft-spoken, reserved and a meticulous planner, while Vito is brash, hot-headed and more than a little paranoid, which makes him dangerous. Even after Frank decides he’s had enough of mafia life and wants out, Vito now sees him as the enemy.

Robert sticks himself with the bill.

Like Goodfellas and Casino, The Alto Knights is based on real people and events. Its historical accuracy is a debate I’ll save for someone else because I don’t really care. What does matter is I enjoyed the story and characters. I’m not sure what purpose De Niro playing both roles ultimately serves, but he manages to convey their individual personalities quite well. And since he’s previously demonstrated a penchant for scenery chewing should a movie call for it, I’m assuming he had a lot more fun playing Vito.

Either way, De Niro is the best part of the film. He's supported by a decent cast, but other than Debra Messing as Frank’s concerned wife, most have comparatively little actual screen time. Elsewhere, the narrative structure - and Pileggi’s screenplay - definitely evokes a strong sense of deja vu, but in a way, that’s part of its overall appeal…a slice of mafia movie comfort food, if you will. As a director, Levinson can’t match the energy and exuberance of Scorsese, but if nothing else, this is his best movie in years.

The Alto Knights is no classic and ain’t destined to be mentioned among Hollywood’s greatest mob movies. In fact, it’ll probably be largely forgotten in a year or two. But keeping that in-mind, the movie still works as an engaging (if familiar) way to kill a few hours.

MADE IN ENGLAND: Marty's Memories

MADE IN ENGLAND: THE FILMS OF POWELL & PRESSBURGER (Blu-ray)

2024 / 133 min

FROM COHEN MEDIA GROUP

Review by Princess Pepper😺

Of course, Martin Scorsese is a national treasure, and not just because of his slew of masterpieces. In addition to being one of our greatest living directors, he’s one of cinema’s biggest fans and few filmmakers have personally done more to preserve its long history. 

You’d also be hard pressed to name an American director more knowledgeable of its past…or present, for that matter (sorry fanboys, but he’s right about all those Marvel movies). So when he speaks, anyone possessing even half of his appreciation and knowledge tend to listen. And he speaks a lot in Made in England.

As the full title indicates, this is about the British writer-director team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, probably most famous on this side of the pond for The Red Shoes. As an introduction to their body of work, Made in England is indispensable. Part biography, part retrospective, part analysis, Scorsese narrates with a knowledge and enthusiasm that’s infectious. 

This scene from The Red Shoes was originally supposed to feature a T-Rex.

Reflecting on Powell and Pressburger’s lengthy career, Scorsese discusses individual films in considerable detail, providing historical background, summary & analyses, and most importantly, the duo’s considerable influence, not only on British cinema, but the director himself, both personally and professionally. Scorsese shares childhood recollections of seeing certain films for the first time - if even on a tiny black & white TV - and how specific sequences inspired his own work as a director.

It might be his autobiographical asides that ultimately render Made in England such an entertaining, insightful film, which includes Scorsese’s own personal encounters with Powell (a friendship based on mutual respect). If nothing else, this film shines a light on the work of a filmmaking team that may not be household names, but certainly impacted the life of a man who is.

Revisiting BRINGING OUT THE DEAD in 4K

BRINGING OUT THE DEAD (4K UHD)

1999 / 121 min

FROM PARAMOUNT

Review by Princess Pepper😺

That bastion of accuracy, Wikipedia, currently defines Bringing Out the Dead as a “supernatural horror drama film.” Of course, anything you read on that website should be taken with a grain of salt, but in revisiting the film for the first time since 1999, I have to concede it does sometimes have a horror aesthetic. Or more accurately, the entire thing unfolds like some kind of nightmarish fever dream.

Still, Wikipedia may want to reconsider their policy of allowing anybody to edit the site.

As for the movie itself…we here at Free Kittens hold director Martin Scorsese in the highest regard. Not everything he’s made has been great, but with the possible except of New York, New York, they’ve all been worth seeing. 1999’s Bringing Out the Dead remains one of his less-heralded efforts - for good reason - though it does have its share of admirers, who’ll certainly like this 25th Anniversary 4K edition, #47 in the Paramount Presents series.

But while Bringing Out the Dead doesn’t rank among Scorsese’s greatest pictures, it arguably features one of Nicholas Cage’s greatest performances. As burnt-out, tormented paramedic Frank Pierce, he perfectly conveys the character’s weariness, depression, cynicism and, most significantly, perpetual guilt over failing to save a young girl’s life months before…a tragedy that haunts him every night. Displaying just the right measures of desperation and vulnerability, this is Cage at his most dynamic. 

"Nice shot, Frank! Fifty points!"

Elsewhere, the setting, dark tone and episodic nature of the film reminds me a little of Taxi Driver, minus the terrifying protagonist. But unlike that classic, this one is populated by too many broadly-drawn secondary characters, compounded by some overwrought performances (especially those of Ving Rhames and Tom Sizemore). Maybe that’s intentional in order to convey the black comedy elements of Paul Schrader’s screenplay, but it’s sometimes handled with the subtly of a mallet. 

Still, we’ll take second-tier Scorsese over most other directors’ magnum opuses any damn day of the week, and though it’s a bit overlong, Bringing Out the Dead remains a gritty, engaging and occasionally haunting film with some stunning moments (both creatively and technically). Like other recent Paramount Presents releases, it boasts an excellent 4K transfer and includes a great batch of new bonus features, along with some carried over from previous versions.

Just don’t call it a horror movie.

EXTRA KIBBLES

4K, BLU-RAY & DIGITAL COPIES

NEW FEATURETTES - Filmmaker Focus features director Martin Scorsese, who is always worth listening to; A Rumination on Salvation is a new interview with Nicholas Cage; Cemetery Streets is a new interview with screenwriter Paul Schrader; City of Ghosts is a new interview with cinematographer Robert Richardson.

ON SET - Individual archival interviews with actors Patricia Arquette, Ving Rhames John Goodman, MarcAnthony and Tom Sizemore.

THE POOP SCOOP: Culty Kibbles

🚑Martin Scorsese's BRINGING OUT THE DEAD Celebrates 25th Anniversary With 4K Ultra HD And Blu-ray Release On September 17 from Paramount.

Director Martin Scorsese’s gripping and fiery masterpiece BRINGING OUT THE DEAD celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and Paramount Home Entertainment is marking the occasion by releasing the newly remastered film for the first time ever on both 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray on September 17, 2024. BRINGING OUT THE DEAD debuted on October 22, 1999 and marked the fourth collaboration between Scorsese and screenwriter Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver, Raging Bull).  Nicolas Cage gives a riveting performance as a Manhattan paramedic barely clinging to sanity over the course of three chaotic nights.  The film also stars Patricia Arquette, John Goodman, Ving Rhames, and Tom Sizemore. Newly remastered from the original camera negative, this exceptional new release was reviewed by Scorsese, cinematographer Robert Richardson, and editor Thelma Schoonmaker.  Arriving as part of the Paramount Presents line, BRINGING OUT THE DEAD is presented in a must-own two-disc set that includes the film on 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Atmos and on Blu-ray, along with a wealth of new bonus content, including new interviews with Scorsese, Cage, Schrader, and Richardson, plus archival on-set interviews with Patricia Arquette, John Goodman, Ving Rhames, Tom Sizemore, and Marc Anthony.

🙀THE WATCHERS on Digital June 25, and 4K Blu-ray and DVD August 27 from Warner Bros Discovery.

Prepare to be on the edge of your seat when Ishana Night Shyamalan’s feature film directorial debut, The Watchers, from New Line Cinema arrives for purchase and rental Digitally at home on June 28. The film will also be available to purchase on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on August 27. From producer M. Night Shyamalan, The Watchers is written for the screen and directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan, and is based on the 2022 novel by A.M. Shine. The Watchers follows Mina, a 28-year-old artist who gets stranded in an expansive, untouched forest in western Ireland. When Mina finds shelter, she unknowingly becomes trapped alongside three strangers that are watched and stalked by mysterious creatures each night. The Watchers stars Dakota Fanning (Ripley, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), Georgina Campbell (Barbarian, Suspicion), Olwen Fouéré (The Northman, The Tourist) and Oliver Finnegan (Creeped Out, Outlander). 

🏁Howard Hawks’ Cult Classic RED LINE 7000 on Blu-ray July 30 from Arrow Video.

July 30th marks the release of Howard Hawks’ thrilling drama Red Line 7000 in limited-edition Blu-ray. Filmed at real NASCAR races during the 1965 season, director Hawks (Rio Bravo) brings you closer to the split decisions between glory and death than ever before. Pat Kazarian’s (Norman Alden) racing team is put into disarray with the death of one of his drives at Daytona. The competition heats up as drivers Mike (James Caan, in his first starring role), Ned (John Robert Crawford) and Dan (Skip Ward) all contend with each other on and off the track. Red Line 7000 is a high-octane film that influenced Quentin Tarantino and Francois Truffaut and features early performances by George Takei (Star Trek) and Teri Garr (Mr. Mom). The Blu-ray special features include audio commentary, new interviews, two new visual essays, image galleries, new writings on the films, a double-sided foldout poster, and newly commissioned artwork. 

🙀BLOODY DISGUSTING Reveals Exclusive Walmart Blu-ray SteelBooks, Coming August 20 from Lionsgate.

Bloody Disgusting is pumping the blood into summer at a Walmart near you with their exclusive, newly commissioned and eye-catching SteelBooks, arriving on Blu-ray + Digital on August 20 from Lionsgate. Each frightful SteelBook brings these iconic horror titles back with a new look and artwork created by the artist Bond. The featured titles include Wolf Creek, Leatherface, Sinister, Texas Chainsaw, You’re Next, I Spit on Your Grave, and Hannibal Rising, all for the suggested retail price of $24.99 individually.Terror has never looked more frightening with The Bloody Disgusting Blu-ray SteelBook collection.

THE DEPARTED 4K SteelBook is a Big Deal

THE DEPARTED (4K UHD SteelBook)

2006 / 151 min

FROM WARNER BROS / #InPartnershipwithWB

Review by Mr. Bonnie, the Barbarian😹

While not Martin Scorsese’s greatest gangster film (Goodfellas will always hold that title), the 4K UHD SteelBook release of The Departed is a very big deal…at least in my house. 

First off, The Departed was one of the first Blu-rays I purchased after switching to the format. The picture and sound quality of that one was pretty good, noticeably sharper than the DVD. However, the overall 4K image is even better. This is especially apparent in close-ups and some of the scenes relying on shadow for dramatic effect. I didn’t notice a huge difference in the audio quality, though the DTS-HD Master Audio sounds terrific.

Another significant reason to upgrade is Warner Bros actually includes a brand new bonus feature, and it’s a good one. Scorsese looks back at the film, discussing how he came to make it and why, as well as a few of the hurdles he faced during production. In a surprising revelation, he believed that disagreements with the studio over the ending might have resulted in The Departed being his swan song as a director. Thank god that didn’t happen. My only complaint about this bonus feature is that it isn’t long enough…I could listen to him talk about movies and the filmmaking process all day.

Wondering who's gonna pick up the check.

The other reasons this release is a big deal are more personal. SteelBooks are the hardcover novels of physical media, and when at all possible, it’s nice when those special movies come with new packaging and artwork. Since I consider Scorsese one of our greatest living directors, any time one of his titles is made available in a SteelBook edition…just shut up and take my money. The Departed SteelBook has a neat matte finish and a montage of the three main characters, with a symbolic ‘X’ imposed over them (Scorsese explains its origins and significance in one of the bonus features). It’s also cool to have a digital copy, which obviously didn’t exist back in the early Blu-ray days. While watching films digitally is not preferable, I like having it handy during those visits to my mother-in-law’s house. 

As for the film itself…The Departed remains something of a milestone in Scorsese’s career, being the only film that got him a looooong overdue Oscar for Best Director. In a perfect world, he’d have already won a fistful by then and I believe the Academy gave him a statue for this one just to right past wrongs. But even if it’s no Goodfellas, Taxi Driver or Raging Bull, The Departed remains one of the better, more rewatchable gangster films of the 21st Century, and for Scorsese fans, owning it in 4K is a pretty big deal.

EXTRA KIBBLES

GUILT AND BETRAYAL: LOOKING INTO THE DEPARTED - An all new interview with director Martin Scorsese. 

VINTAGE FEATURETTES - The True Story of Whitey Bulger, Southie and The Departed looks at some of the partial inspiration for the film; Crossing Criminal Cultures is an excellent 20 minute featurette that focuses on how Scorsese’s personal experiences inspire his gangster films.

9 DELETED SCENES

DIGITAL COPY