Black Sheep's Blu-Tuesday

What a lovely day to be a blu-ray ... Both today's BR announcements and releases are so fantastic that I can't help but smile as I ponder how much they are going to cost me ... First of all, fans of the traditional Disney animation of yore will delight to hear that BAMBI and THE LION KING are being prepped for BR release in the spring of 2011. Specific dates will follow ... One of my favorites and one of the most polarizing movies I know of in recent history, Sofia Coppola's LOST IN TRANSLATION is coming in time for the holidays, sort of. Amazon.com has the BR on December 7 exclusively, while regular retailers get it on January 4, 2011 ... There is good news if you were hoping to catch a quality version of the original John Wayne film, TRUE GRIT, before the Coen Brothers remake, starring Jeff Bridges, this holiday season. The 1969 original lands on BR December 14 ... And Valentine's Day titles are already being readied. Look for PLEASANTVILLE to make its way to BR on February 1, 2011 ... And now for this week's best BR releases ...

THE DARJEELING LIMITED

(Criterion Collection)

This may be some of his most accessible work but it may also be my favourite Wes Anderson film, after RUSHMORE, that is. Classic is classic after all. Owen Wilson, Adrian Brody and Jason Shwartzman are the most implausible of brothers and their antics on a train ride through India are outlandish and, at other times, somewhat obvious, but they are always delightful. And gorgeous, I should say. I can't afford a voyage through India but this will do me just fine for now. This is its first appearance on BR and, from what I've read, the transfer is remarkable. It is Criterion though so that usually goes without saying. The set contains an all new commentary track featuring writers Anderson, Roman Coppola and Schwartzman but, unlike the DVD that is sitting on my shelf, it does not contain the short film, HOTEL CHEVALIER, with Schwartzman and Natalie Portman, which explains Schwartzman's character backstory. I guess I will have to just own both the DVD and the BR. Oh well.

THREE KINGS

(Warner Brothers)

It has been quite a long time since I've seen this David O. Russell film and I can't wait to see how it holds up on BR. George Clooney, Mark Whalberg and Ice Cube are Desert Storm soldiers in this sharp, humourous critique on the war. Famed director, Spike Jonze (BEING JOHN MALKOVICH) gives one of the most surprising turns in the film, simply because I didn't expect anything from him at all. The disc features director commentary as well as a behind the scenes documentary, amongst a number of other juicy special features. I am just curious to see if the behind the scenes footage will contain proof of the reported on-set difficulties that almost ruined this great piece of filmmaking. I want to see Clooney throw a chair or something.

I AM LOVE

(Mongrel Media)

When I caught this epic film in theatres this summer, I was completely taken in by it. I was not expecting to love it as much as I did but it is absolutely enchanting and mesmerizing. Director, Luca Guadagnino channels the spirit of the French "new wave" thanks to a culmination of so many great formal elements - most notably the brilliant screenplay, stunning cinematography and stirring musical score. All of this is capped by a remarkable cast, led by Tilda Swinton in a role that could see her nab another Oscar nod. American readers can run out and buy this today but Canadian folks will have to wait until its release on October 26. Either way, don't miss it! The scenery alone is worth it.

For a full review of THE DARJEELING LIMITED, click the title.

Source: blu-ray.com

Black Sheep's Blu-Tuesday

The month of September was a little busy for me. There was that little film festival, TIFF. It really took up a good chunk of my time so I was not able to keep up with the current Blu-Ray releases each week. Well, September is definitely over and instead of focusing on what came out today to rent and own, I will take a look back at the bigger titles that were missed in the weeks prior.

MARS ATTACKS!

(Warner Brothers)

It is not surprising that Tim Burton likes B-movies. It is a little more surprising that he is such a big Hollywood player now when you watch his 1996 film, MARS ATTACKS! This is a B-movie done A-styles. Everyone from Jack Nicholson and Annette Bening to Sarah Jessica Parker and Pierce Brosnan stars in this ode to the aliens from outer space movie. Although the film no longer inspires me to, “Ack! Ack! Ack” alongside those hilarious, homicidal aliens, it is still a ridiculous good time.

THE PLAYER

(Warner Brothers)

This 1992 film will certainly be counted amongst the late Robert Altman’s greatest achievements. With the exception of some questionable hairstyles and shoulder pads, THE PLAYER holds up very well. Tim Robbins plays Griffin Dunne, a Hollywood executive who is being stalked by a writer. It gets hairy and it couldn’t come at a worse time considering there is talk around the studio that he is on his way out. Everyone from Angelica Huston to Bruce Willis to Julia Roberts cameos in this Hollywood murder mystery. It will grab you and get you hooked from the opening 8 and a half minute shot.

GLEE - SEASON ONE

(20th Century Fox)

There is no denying it. GLEE is the biggest new show to emerge from last year. Fox is so happy with it that they have renewed it through its third season already. Watching the first season straight through was actually a lot of fun. The moments that didn’t work so great when the show was airing (ie. the return from hiatus) aren’t as bad sandwiched between all the fantastic moments that came out of the first year at McKinley High (ie. The Power of Madonna episode, start to finish). My neighbours must be sick of me singing along to every single song … except “U Can’t Touch This” in the library. I totally skipped that one.

CHARADE

(Criterion Collection)

I had the pleasure of catching this 1963 Stanley Donen picture this past weekend. I must admit that I had never even heard of it but it jumped out at me on the shelf and was exactly the speed I needed that night. Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant star in this occasionally hokey but more often than not twisty comedy that actually keeps you guessing until the end. The pair are delightful and the cinematography is often surprisingly ambitious and impressive. Henry Mancini’s jazzy score makes it the perfect film to watch if people come over for cocktails.

A BOUT DE SOUFFLE (BREATHLESS)

(Criterion Collection)

I wish I had known that Criterion was planning on restoring and releasing this Jean-Luc Godard classic. If you know the site, then you might already know that this Nouvelle Vague masterpiece is one of my all-time favorite films. And it isn’t just me. It is widely considered to be a quintessential piece of film history. This doesn’t make it for everyone but the way Godard pokes fun at American cinematic conventions is so ludicrously delightful that you cannot help but get on board if you’re in the right mood. Before you know it, you will be lost in the breathtaking black and white imagery – so French, so romantic, so meaningless. (Read the full BREATHLESS Black Sheep review here.)

AMERICAN BEAUTY

(Dreamworks)

I’ve always loved this film. I think I saw it four or five times in the theatre alone. When I sat to watch it again recently, more than ten years after its initial release, I marveled at how shocking it still was. I could pretty much mouth the entire film if I tried but this particular viewing kept throwing me off. So many of the film’s elements – from the video taping to the pot smoking – are almost completely conventional now but were practically unused at the time. Even the central awakening of Lester Burnham’s (Kevin Spacey) character comes from a sexual fascination with an underage teenager (Mena Suvari). This Best Picture Oscar winner still stands as one of the best pictures of all time and you haven’t seen roses fall from the ceiling until you’ve seen them on blu-ray.

With all this catching up to do, I haven't even touched October yet. Here are a list of choice titles available today on Blu-Ray for the first time ...

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Walt Disney)

THE KARATE KID (Walt Disney)

THE EXORCIST (Warner Brothers)

GRINDHOUSE (Vivendi Visual Entertainment)

THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS (20th Century Fox)

THE MALTESE FALCON (Warner Brothers)

THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRE MADRE (Warner Brothers)

SPLICE (E1 Entertainment)

Source: blu-ray.com