THE PAINTED BIRD: Curse the Beasts and the Children

THE PAINTED BIRD (Film Review)

Starring Petr Kotlár, Nina Šunevič, Stellan Skarsgård, Udo Kier, Harvey Keitel, Jitka Čvančarova, Julian Sands, Barry Pepper, Ala Sakalova. Directed by Václav Marhoul. (2019/169 min)

OPENING IN THEATERS, DRIVE-INS & DIGITAL/VOD ON JULY 17 FROM IFC FILMS

Review by Fluffy the Fearless🙀

The metaphor of the title may not be subtle, but it's effective. About a third of the way into this Czechoslovakian film, a bird keeper paints the wings of one of his animals. After releasing it, the bird ascends to join a flock hovering above them. The flock then proceeds to attack and kill it.

That bird represents the young boy (Petr Kotlar) who just watched it die. He's a WWII-era Jew whose parents left him with his aunt for his own safety. When she unexpectedly dies, he's on his own to begin a long, terrifying journey through war-ravaged Europe. Along the way, he's seldom treated as human by the adults he meets, most of whom vilify, exploit and abuse him (verbally, physically & sexually). He also witnesses a variety of atrocities inflicted upon others, from animals to town whores to entire villages raided by Cossacks.

Speaking of animals, The Painted Bird opens with a scene of the boy running through the woods clutching a pet ferret. Some other kids catch him, beat him bloody and set fire to the animal. In fact, a lot of animals meet a violent demise throughout the film, to the point we're fearing for the life of any critter that pops up on-screen, very much like we constantly dread what this poor kid will be forced to endure next. And is he destined to share the same fate as the ostracized bird?

"Who's the bird brain now, kid?"

Running a harrowing three hours, The Painted Bird is the most emotionally exhausting Holocaust-related film I've seen since Schindler's List. But instead of mass killings and the redemption of one man, the entire narrative is a single boy's personal experience, which nobody with an ounce of empathy would wish on anyone. Like the animals, he's silent through most of the story, either out of fear or a sense of futility. Only on rare occasion is he treated with compassion by those he meets.

You might have to go back to The Passion of the Christ to find a film that inflicts more misery on a single character. But conversely, The Painted Bird doesn't sensationalize its sometimes-shocking violence and the scenes involving sexual abuse are discreetly handled. Dialogue is generally kept to a minimum, allowing imagery to tell much of the story, which is enhanced by stark, darkly beautiful black & white cinematography. What really holds the film together, however, is young Petr Kotlár, who's in nearly every scene. The entire cast, which includes a smattering of familiar faces, is uniformly excellent, but the performance writer-director Václav Marhoul manages to pull out of this kid is remarkable.

While The Painted Bird tells a compelling story (based on a Jerzy Kosiński novel), it is also relentlessly somber and frequently horrifying. It's the kind of film that leaves the viewer emotionally drained and one most will be content to experience just once. But love it or hate it – I can't imagine much middle ground - nobody is likely to forget it. Animal lovers, however, are advised to look elsewhere.

KITTY CONSENSUS:

RELENTLESSLY BLEAK, BUT UNDENIABLY COMPELLING.

BRAVEHEART (4K SteelBook): Mel's Masterpiece

BRAVEHEART 25^th Anniversary SteelBook

(4K Blu-ray Review)

Starring Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Angus Macfadyen, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine McCormack, David O'Hara. Directed by Mel Gibson. (1995/177 min)

FROM PARAMOUNT

Review by Tiger the Terrible😺

Before he went all funny on us, Mel Gibson could do no wrong. In addition to being one of the most bankable actors in the world, 1995's Braveheart showed he was also a director to be reckoned with. Since it's generally considered a modern classic today, it might be difficult to appreciate what a risk this film was back then. Big, bold three-hour historical epics weren't being made much at the time, let-alone one directed by a guy with just a single small film under his belt.

Five Oscars and $200 million later, not-only was it Gibson's biggest film to date, one could easily argue it opened the doors for such action epics as Saving Private Ryan, Gladiator and Alexander. And as history has shown, Braveheart ended up being the pinnacle of his career. Say what you will about the man now, Mel Gibson put together one hell of a film that stills holds up as grand, voracious entertainment, despite hipsters making great sport of its historical accuracy.

Besides, the film never claimed to be a history lesson. Rousing, romantic, tragic and gleefully gory, Braveheart is audience manipulation at its most effective. Only cynics get wrapped up in such petty details as a skewed timeline, inaccurate depictions of historical figures and the car parked on the battlefield. It's all about good & evil, heroes & villains, love & revenge and, of course, buckets of blood & brutality. What's not to love about that?

"You know it's Commando Friday, right?"

It's hard to believe Braveheart is now 25 years old. As modern historical epics go, it still ranks among the most entertaining and is always worth revisiting from time to time. So of course it deserves some kind of commemoration. But be aware, 4K and SteelBook editions have been released before, as well as several Blu-rays that are loaded with the same extensive bonus features that are included here.

Like the simultaneously released 4K SteelBook of Gladiator, the only difference is the packaging itself, which differs from previous editions and features one of the film's more iconic images. If you've never added Braveheart to your shelf, the 25th Anniversary Edition is a good as it gets. But if you already have it on 4K Blu-ray, time to decide if the new packaging is worth double-dipping for.

EXTRA KIBBLES

BRAVEHEART TIMELINES - A neat interactive feature consisting of three timelines related to the production, the film's narrative and the actual history of William Wallace. Includes text, behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and selected scenes.

BRAVEHEART: A LOOK BACK – An hour-long documentary originally produced in 2009. Features interviews with numerous cast & crew.

SMITHFIELD: MEDIEVAL KILLING FIELDS – A look at the location where Wallace *and countless others) were tortured. It's a meat market today.

TALES OF WILLIAM WALLACE – A 30 minute documentary about the real-life Scottish hero.

A WRITER'S JOURNEY – Interview with screenwriter Randall Wallace.

AUDIO COMMENTARY – By Mel Gibson.

TRAILERS

DIGITAL COPY

KITTY CONSENSUS:

MEE-OW! LIKE TAUNTING A MOUSE TO DEATH.

Long Beautiful HAIR

HAIR – Olive Signature Edition

(Blu-ray Review)

Starring John Savage, Treat Williams, Beverly D'Angelo, Annie Golden, Dorsey Wright, Cheryl Barnes, Melba Moore, Ronnie Dyson. Directed by Milos Forman. (1979/121 min)

FROM OLIVE FILMS

Review by Stinky the Destroyer😺

My God, it's my parents' playlist...

I remember when Mom & Dad bought their first stereo, or hi-fi, as they were called back then. It was a thing a beauty...AM and FM, turntable, 8-track tape player and two cabinet speakers. Since it was Dad's baby, I was forbidden to mess with it.

To celebrate their purchase, Dad ordered a dozen 8-track tapes from one of those record clubs, and for the next few years, the family was inundated by Three Dog Night, The Fifth Dimension, America, The Cowsills, Gilbert O'Sullivan and a shitload of Neil Diamond (to appease Mom). I still know a lot of that music by heart, whether I want those songs swimming in my head or not. Even today, whenever I hear “Good Morning Starshine,” I see Mom vacuuming the living room on Sunday mornings, singing along to the 'glibby gloop gloopy' parts.

A thing of beauty.

What I didn't know at the time was how many of those insanely-popular songs originated from the Broadway musical, Hair. I don't think my parents knew, either, since that hippie stuff wasn't their bag. But Hair not only inspired more cover versions of its songs than I could possibly list without developing carpal tunnel syndrome, it pretty much invented the conceptual rock musical. The likes of Rent, Grease, Tommy and Hamilton arguably wouldn't exist without it.

The film version is directed by Milos Forman – fresh from sweeping the Oscars with One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest – and features a star-making performance by Treat Williams. The songs are all there, too...”Aquarius,” “Easy to Be Hard,” “Good Morning Starshine,” “Hair,” “Let the Sunshine In” and of course, that perennial family favorite, “Sodomy.” The musical numbers are enhanced by playful choreography and the film's mostly upbeat tone congenially contrasts the underlying anti-war theme. It's a bit overlong and comes to a gloomy conclusion, but overall, Hair remains an enjoyable snapshot of bygone era.

Treat Williams wins the ass-kicking contest.

Hair has been revived on-stage several times over the years, yet the movie seems to have fallen into comparative obscurity. Grease notwithstanding, movie musicals were a tough sell in the late seventies. But with classic music, excellent direction and great performances by an ensemble cast – most of whom were unknown at the time – it's a film worth rediscovering.

Mom & Dad eventually upgraded from crusty old 8-tracks to sparkly new CDs. The music was the same, but now Neil Diamond sounded like he was in the room with them. Similarly, Hair has been released on Blu-ray before, but this edition (part of Olive Films' Signature series) comes loaded with brand new bonus features to go along with the great picture and sound, definitely making it worth upgrading for fans.

EXTRA KIBBLES

"THE TRIBE REMEMBERS” - The primary cast – sans Williams – reflect on being cast and the production.

"MAKING CHANCE WORK: CHOREOGRAPHING HAIR” - Interview with choreographer Twyla Tharp, who appears pretty impressed with herself.

"CUTTING HAIR” - Interviews with editors Lynzee Klingman & Stanley Warnow.

"HAIR STYLE” - Interview with production designer Stuart Wurtzel.

"ARTIST, TEACHER, MENTOR: REMEMBERING MILOS FORMAN” - The best of the bonus features, this is an entertaining appreciation of Milos Forman by director James Mangold

AUDIO COMMENTARY – by Treat Williams and assistant director Michael Houseman.

ESSAY – By critic Sheila O'Malley

BOOKLET – Includes the same essay.

TRAILER

KITTY CONSENSUS:

PURR-R-R...GIMME A HEAD WITH CAT HAIR.

12 ANGRY MEN and the Jury Duty Journey

12 ANGRY MEN (1957)

Starring Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Jack Warden, E.G. Marshall, Jack Klugman, Ed Begley, Martin Balsam, Robert Webber, George Voskovec, John Fiedler, Edward Burns, Joseph Sweeney. Directed by Sidney Lumet. (96 min)

Essay by D.M. ANDERSON💀

I had to report for jury duty today. I fucking hate jury duty.

I should amend that last statement, since I've never actually sat on a jury. This was the fifth goddamn time I've been summoned and not-once have I made it past the waiting room to be questioned by the judge and attorneys. My civic duty has so-far consisted of sitting. I once sat for 16 fucking hours over two days – reading three novels and subjected to a nonstop barrage of Fox News' verbal vomit from the overhead TV – just to be sent home with nothing but a thank you and a $15 reimbursement for parking. That's a damn shame because I've always been ready for the judge's questions with a variety of creative responses to avoid being selected, such as ending each of my answers with “according to prophecy.”

Perhaps more effectively, I could simply recite some of the bigoted bile spewed by Juror #10 in 12 Angry Men:

Look, they're lushing it up and fighting all the time and if somebody gets killed, so somebody gets killed! They don't care! Oh, sure, there are some good things about 'em, too! Look, I'm the first one to say that! I've known a couple who were OK, but that's the exception, y'know what I mean? Most of 'em, it's like they have no feelings! They can do anything!

I'm pretty certain quoting any line by that character – out of context, before being asked a single question – would get me immediately excused. One brief uncomfortable silence later, my obligation to the county would be fulfilled.

Since driving in downtown Portland is like playing Tetris with cars, I decided to take the commuter train to the courthouse. I generally hate public transportation because a lot of people who use it don't seem to have any particular destination in mind. For them, the train is more of a social gathering. Worse yet, some are under the mistaken impression I'm open to friendly banter, even if it's one-sided. The last time I rode the train, a guy who smelled like taco meat decided to regale me with his days as a bounty hunter, occasionally pausing to swat imaginary flies. I would have moved but there were no other available seats, so I simply did my best to ignore him.

Or maybe this was how he planned to avoid jury duty and was simply getting into character.

Another social gathering.

But on a more positive note, today's train was relatively empty, even though it was rush hour. That's because the COVID-19 pandemic is still raging, so not-only are masks required to ride public transportation, social distancing guidelines allow only 26 people per car, meaning I pretty much had a section all to myself.

See kids...even global pandemics have a bright side.

Since this wasn't my first rodeo, I brought a backpack carrying my Chromebook, a water bottle, a bag of Funyuns and the Stephen King novel I got for Christmas but never got around to reading. And who knows...perhaps coffee & Funyun breath might turn enough stomachs to get me excused right away.

But that wasn't gonna happen because suddenly I realized I left my coffee tumbler on top of the ticket dispenser at the station where I boarded. This didn't bode well for those poor bastards downtown. Coffee is my personal heroin and without it, there was a distinct possibility the Multnomah County Courthouse would soon be sending out a batch of jury summonses for a murder trail. Thank God my bounty-hunting, fly-swatting friend wasn't around to incur my wrath.

Hopefully, there would be an open Starbucks downtown to defuse an already-explosive situation.

Whenever I receive a jury summons, 1957's 12 Angry Men inevitably comes to mind. It’s arguably the greatest courtroom drama that doesn't actually take place in a courtroom and undoubtedly the greatest film ever set in a single room. Based on the Reginald Rose play, the story has 12 nameless jurors deliberating the fate of a young man on trial for murdering his own father. Though the boy's ethnicity is never mentioned, stereotypical comments and assumptions made by certain members of the all-white jury make it clear he's a minority. Their initial 'guilty' votes are also supported by overwhelming, seemingly irrefutable evidence.

Henry Fonda...sick of your shit.

Initially, Juror #8 (Henry Fonda) is the sole 'not guilty' vote and the only one with enough compassion and empathy to discuss the facts before condemning the boy to death. On the other end of the spectrum is the aforementioned Juror #10 (Ed Begley), who's clearly a racist, and Juror #3 (Lee J. Cobb)...belligerent, judgmental and increasingly infuriated as Juror #8 finds fallacies in the testimony, gradually prompting other jurors to change their vote. But in one of the film's most powerful moments, we eventually learn why he's so angry, which is actually kind of heartbreaking and ultimately has nothing to do with the boy's race (though it doesn't make Juror #3 any less of a dick).

Once downtown, I debarked the train at the stop nearest the courthouse. Strutting down the sidewalk was a tough looking young man who either just climbed out of a time machine or was cosplaying as Benny Blanco from the Bronx (a gangster played by John Leguizamo in Carlito's Way). He was decked-out in a similarly flashy three-piece, complete with a wide-brimmed fedora and a rose in the lapel. He even had the same pencil-thin mustache. Since he was heading the same direction as my destination, I followed from a discreet distance. When he reached Pioneer Courthouse Square, he suddenly perched himself on one of the benches, produced a big bag of bird seed and commenced feeding the pigeons. An elderly, white-haired lady approached and smiled. He greeted her by-name as she joined him on the bench, then they began feeding the birds together. Considering his look and demeanor, I was surprised these two actually knew each other.

Because of 12 Angry Men...I always picture juries as a batch of weary guys in a dingy room, ties loosened and shirts pit-stained, pounding the table as they vigorously debate someone's fate. I also tend to wonder which of those guys is the most like me, because one of the film's greatest strengths – besides themes that are still timely today – is its rich, believable characters. Every one of them resembles somebody we've all had pleasure or displeasure to know in real life. That somebody may even be ourselves.

Of course, we'd all like to think we're Juror #8, an analytical, cool-headed leader with the resolve to stand by his convictions and the temperament to avoid making snap judgments. But honestly, who hasn't made relatively harmless face-value evaluations of people we've never met personally? What assumption did I make of Portland's own Benny Blanco? While he probably didn't wake up this morning and head downtown to bust a cap in Al Pacino's ass, it never crossed my mind that a guy resembling a high-toned gangster would begin each day fattening the pigeons with an old lady. Just because someone looks or behaves a certain way doesn't mean you know them. Yet some of the jurors in 12 Angry Men base their initial vote on similarly ignorant presumptions.

Benny Blanco, the bird feeder.

Unfortunately, I'm not as admirably unassuming as Juror #8, but at-least I'm not as bitter as Juror #3 or as ignorant as Juror #10. Given my overall attitude toward the idea of jury duty in the first place, I suppose I'm most similar to Juror #7. As played by Jack Warden in the film, Juror #7 doesn't want to be there, either. With a couple of baseball tickets burning a whole in his pocket, he just wants to wrap things up and get the hell out of there. As the deliberation drags on, impatience is the main reason he eventually changes his vote to 'not guilty.' I'd like to think I wouldn't have such an indifferent attitude in a murder case, but would the prospect of lengthy deliberations influence my own vote? I'm not sure I want to know the answer to that.

In that respect, if I intentionally torpedoed my chances for jury selection today, I'd still be doing my civic duty by making certain they selected someone who actually gives a shit.

As it turned out, I didn't have to worry about it anyway, and this time I didn't even make it to the waiting room. I was met outside the courthouse by a clerk (because, you know...pandemic) who took my jury card and informed me that trial selection was canceled. She said I should have checked my voicemail, but since I showed up, I was free of my obligation to the county for another two years. It's a good thing I was wearing my COVID mask so she couldn't see my shit-eating grin.

Suddenly free for the fifth time, I headed back the way I came with an extra spring in my step. Benny Blanco and his lady friend were still on their bench, now surrounded by a legion of hungry pigeons. It also looked like one of those ungrateful birds crapped on the brim of his fedora, but Benny didn't seem to notice.

And after the hour-long return trip to my neck of the woods, the coffee tumbler I left behind was still sitting atop the ticket dispenser, which was awesome because it cost me twenty bucks. But even though I knew its contents would still be hot, I didn't dare take a sip, no matter how badly I needed a caffeine jolt at that point. For all I knew, some crazy bastard came along and used it for a piss jar...maybe even my bounty-hunting, fly-swatting buddy.

Considering I'd been dreading this day for weeks, everything suddenly seemed to be going my way. With this run of good luck, I should have stopped by 7-Eleven on the way home and grabbed me some lottery tickets. As for 12 Angry Men, the film remains compulsively watchable and - considering our current cultural turmoil - might be even more thematically relevant than it was in 1957. And who knows, maybe someday we can all be like Juror #8.

Rest in Peace, Joel Schumacher

Joel Schumacher (1939-2020)

THE POOP SCOOP: Trolls & Trauma Edition

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Debuts Trolls World Tour Music Video

Universal Picture Home Entertainment debuted a Zoom-style music video for the song "Just Sing," which can be found on the Trolls World Tour Official Motion Picture Soundtrack - Available everywhere now! In the times of social distancing, nothing can stop Trollskind from having fun and singing together. This is one Zoom call you won’t want to miss! Just remember: “Let Me Hear You Sing!”  

Trolls World Tour on Digital 6/23 and 4K Ultra HD, Blu-Ray and DVD 7/7.

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AS IF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND MURDER HORNETS WEREN'T ENOUGH, ON-TAP FOR JULY...

 

THE DAY THE EARTH CAUGHT FIRE on Blu-ray 7/7

From Val Guest, the director of The Quatermass Xperiment, Quatermass2, The Abominable Snowman and Hell Is a City, comes one of the greatest doomsday movies ever made! When the United States and the Soviet Union simultaneously set off nuclear explosions, London's Daily Express begins to report on bizarre weather changes around the world. But when the reporters dig deeper, they discover that the blasts have knocked Earth off its axis and sent it hurtling towards the sun. Now, as scorching heat and devastating floods plague the planet, cities explode in chaos and mankind is left with one last hope: A final massive detonation that will either rebalance Earth's orbit or destroy the world forever! Produced, directed and co-written by Guest, this British classic is legendary for its brilliant dialogue, chilling realism and one of the most provocative endings in sci-fi history. Bonus Features: Brand New 4K Master | NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Richard Harland Smith | Audio Commentary by Co-Writer/Producer/Director Val Guest | 4 TV Spots | 4 Radio Spots | Theatrical Trailer | Dual-Layered BD50 Disc | Optional English Subtitles

The Original WAR OF THE WORLDS Coming 7/7 from Criterion Collection

BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES: New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack • New alternate 5.1 surround soundtrack, created by sound designer Ben Burtt and presented in DTS-HD Master Audio • Audio commentary from 2005 featuring filmmaker Joe Dante, film historian Bob Burns, and author Bill Warren • Movie Archaeologists, a new program on the visual and sound effects in the film featuring Burtt and film historian Craig Barron • From the Archive, a new program about the film’s restoration featuring Barron, Burtt, and Paramount Pictures archivist Andrea Kalas • Audio interview with producer George Pal from 1970 • The Sky Is Falling, a 2005 documentary about the making of the film • The Mercury Theatre on the Air radio adaptation of The War of the Worlds from 1938, directed and narrated by Orson Welles • Radio program from 1940 featuring a discussion between Welles and H. G. Wells, author of the 1897 novel The War of the Worlds • Trailer • PLUS: An essay by film critic J. Hoberman.

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IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO JOIN THE CULT... 

YOU DON’T NOMI on DVD and Blu-ray 7/21
RLJE Films, a business unit of AMC Networks, is releasing the acclaimed documentary YOU DON’T NOMI on July 21, 2020.  The feature screenwriting and directorial debut of Jeffrey McHale.. In YOU DONT NOMI, a chorus of film critics and fervent devotees explore the complicated afterlife of 1995s biggest film flop, Paul Verhoeven's Showgirls, from disastrous release to cult adoration and extraordinary redemption. The films features Adam Nayman (Vice Guide to Film), April Kidwell (I, Nomi) and Peaches Christ (Milk).

SPLIT SECOND Starring Rutger Hauer (RIP) Makes Its Long-Awaited Blu-ray Debut On 8/11

MVD Rewind Collection has teamed up with 101 Films to bring collectors a fully loaded special edition. Starting with a brand new high definition presentation overseen by Joe Rubin, the main feature is presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, newly scanned, restored and color graded in 4K from the 35MM internegative, with uncompressed 2-channel stereo audio. Split Second is packed with hours of bonus material produced by 101 Films exclusively for the US (and the UK) including brand new cast and crew interviews, new audio commentary, and rarely seen 1992 legacy features, an alternative cut of the film, deleted scenes, promos and more!

Rest in Peace, Ian Holm

Sir Ian Holm (1931-2020)

ME...WANT!: Prrrfect (and pricy) Cat Toys for Movie Lovers

I love cat toys, especially the kind I never intend to play with, like the one pictured above. It's a 1/18 scale die cast replica from the 1977 horror film, The Car (aka Jaws on wheels), and set me back about ninety bucks, the most I ever spend on a movie collectible. But that's nothing compared to some of these wonders, all available to anyone willing make-it-rain (just click the photos!). As for me, unless I want to end up in divorce court, they'll have to remain on my personal wish list.

THE MALTESE FALCON Statue Prop ($159)

BLUE THUNDER 1/32 Scale Die Cast ($226)

STEVE McQUEEN Action Figure ($251)

ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK “Lifeclock” Smartwatch ($399)

Prepare to Die by INDIGO MONTOYA'S Sword ($399)

Handmade AMITYVILLE Dollhouse ($400)

ALIEN Ring ($475)

DEATH STAR Fire Pit ($2399)

 

Seven-Foot Remote Control ROBBY THE ROBOT ($32,000)

Finally, this beauty...but since it is homemade and took the guy 6 months, it's probably not for sale. But damn, it's cool...

PENNYWORTH: Alfred, You Naughty Boy...

PENNYWORTH – THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON (Blu-ray Review)

Starring Jack Bannon, Ben Aldridge, Emma Paetz, Hainsley Lloyd Bennett, Ryan Fletcher, Jayson Fleming, Emma Corrin, Dorothy Atkinson, Ian Pileston-Davies, Paloma Faith, Polly Walker. Various directors. (2019/564 min)

FROM WARNER ARCHIVE COLLECTION

Review by Cuddles, the Couch Potato😽

Pennyworth is a strange show and probably not intended for fans of the so-called DC Universe (no matter which universe is your thing). In fact, only the DC logo and the names of three principal characters link it to anything we might be familiar with.

While the titular character is best-known as the Wayne family's loyal and resourceful butler, the series takes place in the late 1960s, when young Alfred Pennyworth (Jack Bannon) is an ex-soldier with a fledgling security company. The setting is an alternate, dystopian vision of England on the brink of civil war. Two extremist organizations with their own agendas – the puritanical Raven Society and the CIA-supported No Name Group – are both trying to overthrow the current government. Initially hired by American agent Martha Kane (Emma Paetz), Pennyworth becomes more of a hired-gun and occasional assassin, though his allegiance remains with the Queen and he absolutely does not trust Thomas Wayne (Ben Aldridge), a CIA agent working undercover.

A few episodic subplots exist within the overall story arc, such as Pennyworth helping a gay computer whiz defect to America, ridding his neighborhood a local gangster's psychotic nephew and falling in love with dancer Esme (Emma Corrin). Some of these side-quests are interesting, but a few feel like they belong in a different show, such as Martha & Thomas' inexplicable confrontation with legendary satanist Alistair Crowley and Alfred consulting an incarcerated witch to find a killer.

Alfred actually prefers Superman comics.

Though there isn't a cape, gadget or flamboyant super-villain to be found, Alfred is a pretty badass anti-hero, re-imagined as a skilled killer who thinks on his feet. He also has just enough personal integrity and working class charm to remain likable, even when he's blowing someone's head off. He's well-played by Bannon, whose reserved mannerisms remind me of a young Michael Caine (maybe that's why he got the job). In a sea of antagonists – including some in England's own government - Raven Society henchwoman Bet Sykes (Paloma Faith) is the most entertaining and arguably the closest the series has to a psychotic Batman villain.

But even though Pennyworth ain't your daddy's DC Universe, it ain't your kids', either. Several characters – including Alfred – engage in some serious bumping & grinding. What's really surprising, however, is the copious amount of bloody violence...shootings, stabbings, eye-piercings, dismemberments, suggested cannibalism, disembowelings and even some poor bastard whose nose is lopped off...all depicted in loving, graphic detail.

Because of all this, one might cynically assume the sole purpose of making it Alfred Pennyworth's story is for brand name recognition, and you wouldn't necessarily be wrong. With just three quick name changes, the series could be about anybody, especially since it doesn't appear to take place in any existing DC Universe. Still, the first season Pennyworth is pretty binge-worthy. Smart, exciting, brutal and often quite funny, the show offers an intriguingly-shady backstory to a beloved comic book character. 

KITTY CONSENSUS:

PURR-R-R...LIKE A GOOD SCRATCH BEHIND THE EARS. 

Mr. Biscuits’ ADVENTURES IN THE BUDGET BIN: Dollar Tree Edition

I normally try to avoid Dollar Tree because the one near my house is like entering the fourth circle of Hell. Claustrophobic, dirty and haphazardly stocked, it usually looks like their supply truck simply drove through the front window and exploded.

Still, their periodic “Weekly Wow!” ad featuring Blu-ray titles is enticing enough for me to arm myself with a face-mask & crash helmet to enter the circle. More often than not, their selection is already picked clean of everything except exercise videos. But every now and them, I time it right and find some interesting stuff (and off-brand pork rinds)...

THE BELKO EXPERIMENT (DVD) – This is a pitch-black comedy that has an attitude similar to Ready of Not. Though not nearly as funny, it's a gory good time. I'd have rather found it on Blu-ray, but I'd spend more on gas hunting it down at other Dollar Trees than simply picking it up for five bucks on Amazon.

300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (Blu-ray) – Though it's a sequel no one asked for, this follow-up to one of Zack Snyder's two good films has boasts one thing the original doesn't...Eva Green (mee-ow!). Elsewhere, you have more of the stylized battles & bloodletting that made 300 visually interesting, though the novelty has worn off. A 3-D version is also included, but who cares?

 

THE SIGNAL (Blu-ray) – This is the movie Cell should have been. Presented as three linked chapters that are different in both tone and execution (the result of three directors), a mysterious signal transmitted through TVs and cell phones starts turning people homicidal. Though filmed on an low budget, the film manages to convey the apocalyptic implications of its concept. The hilarious second chapter alone makes this one worth the change in your pocket.

UNKNOWN (Blu-ray) – Surely, a dollar is a paltry price to pay to enjoy watching Liam Neeson once again kicking-ass in the name of senior citizens everywhere. Unknown isn't as much fun as Taken, but it's got an interesting story and a few surprises up its sleeve.