Film News

BRYAN’S BLURAY/DVD PICKS FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF JUNE!!!

ByBryan Kluger

Jun 7, 2011 61, ac/dc, adam sandler, anthology, bill hicks, billy madison, blu-ray, bluray, blurays, HAPPY GILMORE, motion picture, release, releases, superman, the stuntman, true grit

Hi Bryan Here….

It’s the HUGE FUCKING week for releases which includes The Coen’s ‘True Grit, Superman, and some Adam Sandler films, plus some other goodies. As usual, in this article, you will get some info about the disc and the extras that come with the movie as well as a personal opinion about the movie and a link to purchase the film over at AMAZON where you can save quite a bit of money, and it will give a small percentage kick back to this site so we can continue bringing you excellent stories and sales.

Enjoy and Here We Go!!

61* (BLURAY)

One of the best baseball films based on actual facts ever made. Baseball fanatic Billy Crystal directed this fine gem of a film. Truly amazing. “One was the Yankees’ best loved player, the other was their most valuable. In the summer of 1961, Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle took on Babe Ruth’s record, the 1927 single-season 60 home run slam. It would be a summer that no one who knows baseball would forget. In 1961, Mickey Mantle is a Yankee favorite. The smiling sun god of the season, a hit with fans and sports writers alike and natural heir to his predecessors Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, and Bebe Ruth. Also at bat is a yound midwesterner, Roger Maris. A hard-hitting right fielder, Maris is Mantle’s opposite in almost every way. Quiet and soft-spoken, he doesn’t add up to everything a sports legend should be, and finds himself losing the support of the fans when he refuses to try. As the summer of 1961 unfolds, both Maris and Mantle find themselves approaching Babe Ruth’s benchmark of 60 home runs. Facing mounting pressure from the media and the stands, they both know there’s only room for one winner. The people make their choice known. But the people’s favorite isn’t the favorite to win.” Definitely worth picking up. It will inspire you. Love this film. The video is rich and colorful and looks amazing. The sound is okay, but it has some problems here and there.

EXTRAS

Audio Commentary – With Billy Crystal. Crystal discusses various script changes, casting, research (and Crystal isn’t exactly interesting when he talks about it!), while saying the same thing over and over, as if he already forgot he did. Coverage isn’t a problem, even for a one man track, and the intentions and stories behind scenes, as well as filming techniques, are all lightly danced around, creating a track that is a little bit for everyone. It’s not bad, but not amazing, either.
The Greatest Summer of My Life (HD, 51 min) – A behind the scenes feature, covering the team, the actors, the production, and the two men who made it possible. Billy Crystal talks about his experiences being a fan of the Yanks, in that magical year, we see on field auditions, Crystal meeting the real life Mantle, as well as the lengths taken to recreate a season that took place fifty years earlier. A great extra.
Mickey Mantle Bio and Hitting/Fielding Stats – A micro-bio, baseball card-esque batting stat sheet (minus the bolded league leader areas, which sucks), and extra fielding numbers.
Roger Maris Bio and Hitting/Fielding Stats – Same as the Mick. The funny thing about Maris’s stat card is that in 1961 he was issued zero intentional walks. That is a telling stat, especially when he received eleven free passes the next year.
Roger Maris’s 1961 Home Run List – Sixty one strong, this list be. Just the numbers, dates, and team played, no pitchers, no ballparks, definitely no video.

AC/DC: LET THERE BE ROCK: LIMITED EDITION (BLURAY)

AC/DC! 1979! Highway To Hell Tour! That’s all you really need to know. Definitely worth getting. “The only movie powered by AC/DC. This legendary concert film, covering a 1979 Paris concert during the Australian heavy metal band’s “Highway To Hell” tour showcases the power and precision that the quintet bring to vicious rockers like “Whole Lotta Rosie” and “Let There Be Rock.” Pixieish lead guitarist Angus Young, attired in his trademark school-boy’s uniform, takes center stage with his energetic antics and frenetic solos, while the rest of the band crank out their minimalist boogie with quiet determination. Interview segments and humorous backstage footage show another side to the thuggish musicians, especially AC/DC’s flamboyant lead singer Bon Scott, who died two months after this filmed concert.” The audio on this disc is great. You will feel like you are there, but sadly the video quality is sub-par. It’s old footage from a concert, so you get what you get. Definitely worth getting if you are a fan of Rock N Roll and AC/DC.

EXTRAS

Loud, Locked & Loaded: The Rites of Rock (HD, 9 min) – The participants discuss their beliefs on rock and how AC/DC epitomizes those attributes, focusing on their sometimes controversial image. They also touch upon the band’s knack for creating an exciting atmosphere during shows.

AC/DC: The Bedrock of Riff (HD, 11 min) – Guitar riffs are now the focus and the participants describe the band’s unique talent in this regard. The musical chemistry of the Young brothers is also touched upon and special note is made of Malcolm Young and Phil Rudd’s understated importance to the band.

Angus Young: A True Guitar Monster (HD, 12 min) – The participants analyze Angus Young’s infectious and unique stage presence as well as his seemingly unlimited supply of energy.

Bon Scott: The Pirate of Rock ‘n’ Roll (HD, 12 min) – The late Bon Scott is discussed. Topics include his distinct vocals, his infamous partying, his great love of women, and his honest lyrics. Some details on his unfortunate death are also delved into.

AC/DC: A Rock Solid Legacy (HD, 24 min) – For this featurette the interviewees go through the history of AC/DC and discuss their lasting impression. The band’s gradual rise to fame, shifting styles, and transition to Brian Johnson are covered in detail, but again, there is unfortunately no actual footage of the musicians themselves.

Bad Boy Boogie Pod (HD, 5 min) – In the first of six in depth looks at specific songs, Angus Young’s signature track is the topic. The participants all provide some fairly entertaining commentary on Young’s striptease antics, though apparently Anthrax’s Scott Ian isn’t a fan.

The Jack Pod (HD, 5 min) – The comical origins of “The Jack” are described, which not so surprisingly is actually about an STD.

Highway to Hell (HD, 3 min) – “Highway to Hell” is analyzed, focusing on its origins as an expression of life on tour as well as its controversial elements.

Whole Lotta Rosie Pod (HD, 5 min) – Another comical song origin is discussed as the identity of Rosie is revealed.

Rocker Pod (HD, 4 min) – More of Angus’s antics are touched upon, discussing his potentially dangerous habit of performing in the crowd during this track.

Let There Be Rock Pod (HD, 7 min) – In the final featurette the interviewees turn their attention to the band’s famous, almost biblical anthem and discuss what makes it so great.

THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA: QUEEN OF THE DESERT (BLURAY)

An instant cult film. People compare this to Rocky Horror Picture Show. It is a bad movie, but a fun movie to watch like Rocky Horror. And it stars Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving, and Guy Pearce who are drag queens who travel to remote desert locations performing musical acts by lip synching to ABBA amongst other songs for locals. It’s a hell of a weird film, but also brilliant. For fans of cult films and way out weird films. The film’s audio and video presentation is pretty good. Not excellent, but pretty good. Definitely an upgrade from the DVD version.

AMERICAN: THE BILL HICKS STORY (BLURAY)

A fascinating documentary on the hilarious late comedian, Bill Hicks. This in depth documentary tells the entire life story of Bill Hicks, from him growing up to his death, and everything in between. Instead of the normal one on one talking head interview documentary, it is told by animated sequences using real pictures of Bill and his friends. It was quite a treat. It is riddled with seen and never before seen routines by Bill. Definitely worth getting. The audio is great and the video is good for what it is. Lots of old home video footage makes way for a less than stellar video presentation. “American: The Bill Hicks Story brings to life the amazing true story of one of modern culture’s most iconic figures. Much more than just a comedian, Bill Hicks has become an inspiration to millions around the world. As a rebellious teenager, he discovered that comedy was a way to break all the rules, but then he found it could also open people’s minds. Bill’s comedy challenged the injustices of life head on, but his uncompromising approach met with conflict in America and it was instead on the international stage where he found fame. In 1993, on the verge of wider success, Bill fell ill with terminal cancer, but his timeless material has lived on, revered by comedians and audiences alike as the man who changed comedy forever. Taking documentary to a new level, American uses interviews, archive footage including many unseen performances, and stunning animation to bring Bill’s inspiring story to life, told for the first time by those that knew him best.” Packed with a 2 Disc set full of extras.

EXTRAS

Extended Interviews Part 1 (HD, 59 min) – You want your talking heads? You got your talking heads! Four categories of extended interviews with Hicks’s family and friends are provided here and are viewable either separately or together. Some topics touched upon include the environment Hicks grew up in and how it may have shaped him, his religious upbringing, some funny anecdotes about his behavior in school, and his brotherly relationship with Dwight Slade. These interviews are very informative and serve to flesh out more of Hicks’s early life with almost no material repeated from the main feature.

Austin SXSW Panel w/ Bill’s friends (HD, 10 min) – This is some footage from the panel at the SXSW Music and Film Festival where the movie screened. Moderated by one of the film’s directors, Matt Harlock, the panel includes Steve Hicks, David Johndrow, John Farneti, and James Ladmirault. The group reminisce about Hicks and express why they feel his comedy is still popular today.

Dominion Tour (HD, 8 min) – This is an interview with Chris Bould and Charles Brand, the director and producer of Hicks’s Revelations show in England. Joined by Hicks’s mother, sister, and brother, the two discuss conceptualizing the theme of the famous stand-up show and share stories about shooting its elaborate cowboy opening.

Extended Interviews Part 2 (HD, 2 hr) – More extended interviews with Hicks’s family, friends, and fellow comedians, available to watch in nine separate parts or all together. Topics discussed include Hicks’s amazing confidence in his friends, more on his move to LA, the influence he had on and took from his comic peers, his descent into substance abuse, his popularity in England, and his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and the aftermath of his death. Like the previous set of interviews, very little information is repeated from the main feature and it all serves to flesh out the details of Hicks’s life in an interesting and emotional manner. This is basically a second feature’s worth of material. While the standard interviews lack the creative flair and artistic merit of the documentary itself, the wealth of information provided here should please fans.

Festivals in the US and UK w/ the Hicks (HD, 15 min) – This is footage of the filmmakers and Hicks’home move down 10 family as they take to the film festival circuit and screen the documentary in various cities. We get glimpses of the Q&A sessions, some press interviews, and audience reactions.

Bill’s Family visit Abbey Road (HD, 4 min) – This featurette shows Hicks’ family touring the famous Abbey Road recording studio in England. While there they bring some rough musical recordings Hicks made while on the road to be remastered for commercial release.

UK 15th Anniversary Tribute (HD, 8 min) – This is a look at a special tribute held in England in honor of Bill Hicks which features clips of his routines and live stand-up from contemporary comedians. There isn’t really much of interest here.

Comedy School (HD, 19 min) – These are some extended interviews with Dwight Slade and James Ladmirault focusing on the art and psychology of stand-up comedy. Some information is repeated from the main feature, but most is new and does offer some worthwhile insight into the addictive and complicated nature of comedy.

Dwight in London (HD, 6 min) – This is a brief interview with Dwight Slade discussing the differences between performing in the states and in the UK that features some footage of his mildly amusing stand-up act.

Making of Arizona Bay (HD, 19 min) – In this featurette, Kevin Booth discuses the making of Hicks’s comedy album along with some interesting home video footage of the two of them working on the recordings.

The Ranch (HD, 8 min) – This is a tour of Kevin Booth’s ranch where he and Hicks used to hang out and experiment with mushrooms. Booth goes on to describe how it was like a safe haven for them, and offers a few more insights on his deep friendship with Hicks.

Deleted Scenes (HD) – Seven very brief deleted scenes are presented here. They include some extra bits about Hicks’s ultra low budget karate comedy ‘Ninja Bachelor Party’, Hicks’s rock performance at a high school talent show, and writing for Rodney Dangerfield.

Early and Alternate Scenes (HD) – Seven short early and alternate cuts of material featured in the main film are included here. Frankly, these are pretty disposable and don’t offer much value.

Rare Clips (HD, 30 min) – This is about a half hour’s worth of rare stand-up material and other footage broken up into eighteen clips. There are some real funny bits here spanning Hicks’s career and the trailer for ‘Ninja Bachelor Party’ is definitely a highlight.

Audio Journals – Three audio recordings of Hicks are included here with no subtitle options. They are titled: Bill Lonely in LA 1981 (3 min), Bill Leaves New York for LA 1992 (4 min), and a Rare Interview with Nick Doody 1992 (28 min). The first two recordings offer some brief, but interesting insight into Hick’s emotional state during some important parts of his life and the interview features a pretty comprehensive conversation that covers everything from Hicks’s influences, to his attitude toward his audience, view on politics, and even his interest in UFOs.

Audience Reactions Trailer (HD) – A trailer for the film focusing on reactions to screenings by audience members.

ANOTHER YEAR (BLURAY+DVD)

A little yet wonderful film starring the amazing actor Jim Broadbent and directed by Mike Leigh. This film reminded me a lot of ‘The Station Agent’ in that it is a film about a few characters and their interactions and love for one another of the course of a small period of time. It is truly heart warming and just wonderful. Loved every bit of it. Definitely worth picking up.

EXTRAS

Audio Commentary — Mike Leigh and Lesley Manville are the commentators on this track. Leigh is a talker. He really takes control of this commentary and shares a load of information for everything from the characters and their motivations to the actual shooting of the film. One of the most interesting parts of the commentary comes when Manville and Leigh talk about what it’s like trying to act drunk instead of actually being drunk. Manville discusses the rigors of trying to act drunk when she actually is only drinking apple juice. The entire commentary is filled with these types of anecdotes that really make it a must listen if you love the film like I do.

Making of ‘Another Year’ (SD, 12 min.) — This standard, and all-too-short making of documentary features Mike Leigh and the actors giving interviews about the movie and what it was like making it. It’s rather hilarious to hear from Leigh’s own lips what the movie is about. He lists off around 20 or so ideas that could be taken from watching ‘Another Year’.

The Mike Leigh Method (SD, 12 min.) — This featurette could have been absorbed into the making of featurette. Here Leigh’s crew talks about what it’s like working with Leigh and how he works on films.

BILLY MADISON (BLURAY)

Adam Sandler’s first big feature film that brought him to super stardom. “Adam Sandler stars as Billy Madison in the outrageous comedy where the subject is always fun. 27-year-old Billy Madison must repeat all 12 grades of school – in just 24 weeks – to earn his father’s respect and prove he has what it takes to run the family’s multi-million dollar empire. Along the way, Billy falls for his 3rd grade teacher (Bridgette Wilson), gets kicked out of school and must face-off with his nemesis…not to mention a pesky penguin. With hilarious appearances by Chris Farley, Norm MacDonald and Steve Buscemi, this comedy hit gets an A+ for laughs!” This is still funny and a great blast from the past to watch. Highly recommended. Looks and sounds better than the previous DVD release.

EXTRAS

Feature Commentary with Director Tamra Davis

BREAKING BAD: COMPLETE THIRD SEASON (BLURAY)

The complete 3rd season to the hit award winning AMC series, Breaking Bad does not disappoint. “ Even though his cancer’s in remission, chemistry teacher-turned-meth maker Walter White still can’t catch a break. his wife has filed for divorce, his DEA agent brother-in-law is out to bust him and a Mexican cartel just wants him dead. But with his family’s future still at stake Walt cooks up a deal that will make him a fortune, a scheme with a terrible price.” Do it.

EXTRAS

Commentaries

Aaron Paul Answers Fan Questions

The Cast on Season 3

The Breaking Bad Family Photo Album

AMC News Visits the Breaking Bad Writer’s Room

The Opening of Season 3

Unused Footage & Deleted scenes

The Music of Breaking Bad

Gag Reel

Bryan Cranston Answers Fan Questions

BURIAL GROUND: THE NIGHTS OF TERROR (BLURAY)

An 80’s zombie film. That’s all you really need to know. “The fun begins when a fatally curious professor unseals a mysterious crypt and a veritable army of shambling, rotting, flesh-hungry zombies rises, marching into the night in search of prey. Nearby, a hapless group of socialites is enjoying a quiet weekend retreat. Unfortunately for them, their lavish rural villa is right in the monsters path!” Definitely worth getting if you can find it. Made to order.

DAS BOOT: DIRECTOR’S CUT (BLURAY)

A very powerful and well respected foreign film about submarines at war. Might be one of the better submarine films ever. “It is 1942 and the German submarine fleet is heavily engaged in the so called “Battle of the Atlantic” to harass and destroy English shipping. With better escorts of the Destroyer Class, however, German U-Boats have begun to take heavy losses. “Das Boot” is the story of one such U-Boat crew, with the film examining how these submariners maintained their professionalism as soldiers, attempted to accomplish impossible missions, while all the time attempting to understand and obey the ideology of the government under which they served.”

DEATH AT A FUNERAL (BLURAY)

One of the best comedies of the last decade. Hilarious. “Chaos ensues when a man tries to expose a dark secret regarding a recently deceased patriarch of a dysfunctional British family.” Definitely worth the upgrade from the DVD to bluray. Frank Oz really knocked it out of the park with this one.

EXTRAS

Commentary with Director Frank Oz

Commentary with Writer Dean Craig and Actors Alan Tudyk and Andy Nyman

Gag Reel

GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD KNIGHTS (BLURAY+DVD+DIGITAL COPY)

An anthology of The Green Lantern and Co. policing the world and ridding the universe of evil and crime. Kind of like Gotham Knights. The story plots are top notch and everything from the animation to the voice acting is just badass. Definitely worth getting and it will definitely get you pumped up for the big screen version of Green Lantern.

EXTRAS

Sneak Peak at Batman: Year One (HD, 11 min) – This is a behind the scenes look at DC Animation’s latest project, an adaptation of Frank Miller’s celebrated take on Batman’s origin. Though no actual finished animation is shown, we are treated to some character designs, storyboards, and interviews with the filmmakers and cast, which includes Bryan Cranston, Eliza Dushku, and Katee Sackhoff. Considering the source material and the talent involved, this is definitely a project to look out for.

Sneak Peak at All-Star Superman (HD, 11 min) – Presented in 1080i, this is a similar look at the already released ‘All-Star Superman’ animated feature. Panels from the comic, storyboards, and interviews with the filmmakers and cast are included.

Trailers – Two useless trailers for a DCU Application and Matty Collector.

Filmmaker Commentary with Geoff Johns and Dan DiDio – DC Comics Chief Creative Officer (and notable Green Lantern scribe) Geoff Johns is joined by DC Co-Publisher Dan DiDio for this commentary track. The two spend most of the time talking about the actual comic book, touching on the history of the character and some of the major events done in recent years. They also detail how several issues from the comic were adapted to screen. While the pairs’ passion for the characters is palpable and they both seem quite knowledgeable, there isn’t a great deal of information to be gleamed from this.

Only The Bravest: Tales of The Green Lantern Corps (HD, 32 min) – This is a decent examination of the Green Lantern mythology with an emphasis on bravery. Many creators involved with the comic including Geoff Johns and Dan DiDio as well as other authors, professors, and psychologists are interviewed providing their own insights into the comic’s examination of overcoming fear. Most of the talk focused on the actual source material is good, but some of the broader parallels drawn to society and history can come across as a little pretentious and unnecessary.

Why Green Lantern Matters: The Talent of Geoff Johns (HD, 18 min) – This is a pretty interesting and comprehensive look at the history of the character in comics and features more interviews with Geoff Johns, Dan DiDio, and other creators. Lots of artwork and panels from the books are showcased with an emphasis on the events which brought Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps back as main aspects of the title.

Bruce Timm’s Picks (HD) – In a nice little bonus an actual full episode of the animated series ‘Batman: The Brave and The Bold’ is included. Titled ‘Revenge of The Reach’ (23 min) the story features the Green Lantern Corps teaming up with Batman and the Blue Beatle to fight off an evil enemy known as The Reach. In addition there is a short excerpt from another episode titled ‘The Siege of Starro!, Part 1’ (3 min). Though more geared toward children, the stories are solid and the animation style is wonderfully vibrant with a fun retro feel.

Green Lantern Virtual Comic (HD) – The first ten pages of a Green Lantern issue titled ‘Airborne’ are included as a slideshow.

From Comics to Screen: Abin Sur (HD, 3 min) – A detailed look at the history of the character who paved the way for Hal Jordan, told through narration, sound effects, and select panels and artwork from the comics.

Beautiful… But Deadly – From Comics to Screen: Laira Omoto (HD, 4 min) – Like the previous feature, a detailed look at the history of the character through narration and select panels from the comics.

HAIR 1979 (BLURAY)

The rock musical that changed everyone. “Brimming with the energy, passion and music that rocked a nation, Hair is an entertaining and powerful tribute to the turbulent spirit of the ’60s. Brilliantly recreated by OscarÂ(r)-winning* director Milos Forman and screenwriter Michael Weller (Ragtime), this vibrant screen version of the Broadway phenomenon ranks “among the best film musicals” (The Hollywood Reporter)! Fresh from the farm, Claude Bukowski (John Savage, The Thin Red Line) arrives in New York City for a date with the Army Induction Board, only to walk into a hippie “happening” inCentral Park and fall in love with the beautiful Shelia (Beverly D’Angelo, American History X). Befriended by the hippies’ pacifist leader, Berger (Treat Williams, Mulholland Falls), and urged to crash a formal party in order to declare his love for Shelia, Claude begins an adventure that lands him in jail, Central Park Lake and, finally, in the army. But Berger’s final effort to save Claude from Vietnam sets in motion a bizarre twist of fate with shocking consequences.” Definitely worth picking up.

HAPPY GILMORE (BLURAY)

Another funny film from Adam Saandler. This time he plays a hockey player turned against his will to a golfer. What makes this film so funny is Gilmore’s anger. It is hilarious. “Adam Sandler stars as Happy Gilmore in the over-the-top comedy that scores a hole in one for hilarity. After his dream of stardom on the hockey ice melts Happy Gilmore discovers he has a gift that could bring him glory on the greens. Trouble is with his hot head and hard-hitting drives Happy doesn’t just play golf…he destroys it. With the help of a retired golfer (Carl Weathers) and hot publicist (Julie Bowen) can Happy perfect his game and tame his temper to win the tournament prize money? With unforgettable appearances by Bob Barker Christopher McDonald and Kevin Nealon this comedy favorite features non-stop laughs that are par for the course!” Pretty funy and a must have if you enjoy Sandler films.

EXTRAS

Deleted scenes

Outtakes

RUBBER (BLURAY)

A fucking insane but awesome film. You have NEVER seen a film like this before. A movie about a rubber car tire that kills animals and people with telepathy. “RUBBER is the story of Robert, an inanimate tire that has been abandoned in the desert, and suddenly and inexplicably comes to life. As Robert roams the bleak landscape, he discovers that he possesses terrifying telepathic powers that give him the ability to destroy anything he wishes without having to move. At first content to prey on small desert creatures and various discarded objects, his attention soon turns to humans, especially a beautiful and mysterious woman who crosses his path. Leaving a swath of destruction across the desert landscape, Robert becomes a chaotic force to be reckoned with, and truly a movie villain for the ages. Directed by legendary electro musician Quentin Dupieux (Steak, Nonfilm), aka Mr. Oizo, RUBBER is a smart, funny and wholly original tribute to the cinematic concept of “no reason.” This movie is so badass. Buy it. See it. Watch it. Love it.

SANCTUM (BLURAY 3D+BLURAY2D+DIGITAL COPY)

Haven’t seen this film but James Cameron had quite a bit to do with this film. It got mixed reviews, but what can you expect. “Conceived and shot in 3D! From executive producer James Cameron (Avatar) comes a thrilling underwater adventure based on true events. Master diver Frank McGuire leads a team—including his 17-year-old son—to explore the largest, most beautiful and least accessible cave system on Earth. But when a tropical storm cuts off their only escape route, the team must work together to find their way through an uncharted and dangerous underwater labyrinth to make it out alive. With time running out, can they survive, or will they be trapped forever? Discover why critics are calling this incredible journey “mind-blowing & jaw dropping” – Sandie Newton, CBS-TV.” Take a chance maybe??? Sure why not. It is going to be demo worthy audio and video for sure.

EXTRAS

Audio commentaries

Deleted and extended scenes

Sanctum: The Real Story– A look at the terrifying real-life adventure that inspired the film, plus a look behind the scenes of the making of Sanctum (in HD)

Nullarbor Dreaming: a documentary that follows a team of cave divers and their fateful exploration of a giant cave system in Western Australia (in HD)

THE STUNTMAN (BLURAY)

An often forgot about excellent 80’s film. “It defied all odds to become the most unexpected and acclaimed cult hit of the 80s, and it remains one of the most slyly subversive and thrillingly original action/comedy/drama motion pictures of all time. The legendary Peter O Toole in his iconic Oscar® nominated performance stars as director Eli Cross, a deliciously megalomaniacal madman commanding a film-set circus where a paranoid young veteran (Steve Railsback) finds himself maybe replacing a dead stunt man, possibly falling for the beautiful leading lady (Barbara Hershey), and discovering that love, death and the mayhem of moviemaking can definitely be the wildest illusions of all. THE STUNT MAN now features a stunning HD transfer supervised by Oscar® nominated producer/director Richard Rush, plus new interviews and commentaries with Rush, Peter O Toole, Steve Railsback and Alex Rocco, all in the ultimate edition of the classic that the Los Angeles Times calls as innovative today as Citizen Kane was in its time!” PICK THIS UP. AWESOME!! Amazing hi-def transfer on everything.

EXTRAS

Audio Commentary with Richard Rush, Peter O’Toole, Steve Railsback, Barbara Hershey, Alex Rocco, Sharon Farrell, and Chuck Bail – This commentary gets off to a rocky start with director Richard Rush basically reading quotes from good reviews of the film and pieces of his own self-serving over analysis of the major themes and deeper meaning of the story. Fortunately though, Rush eases up on the pretentious self gratification and once other participants start to chime in, the track finds a nice groove. The material seems to be a combination of recordings made with some of the participants together and separately. As expected, the sections which feature the talent together play the best as the group seems to be quite friendly with one another and they share nice chemistry. Though some information and stories are repeated in the other various featurettes, a lot of the information provided here is unique to the commentary and includes some entertaining anecdotes and trivia on the production and dangerous stunts. Despite the annoying segments of Rush analyzing his own film, this is a strong track that fans of the movie should enjoy.

The Sinister Saga of Making The Stunt Man (HD, 2 hr) – Forget the main feature, this is the real masterpiece. Presented in upscaled 1080i, this vintage making of documentary is an often bizarre look at the troubled production history of the film. Filled with incredibly cheesy and dated editing transitions, effects, and chroma key work (apparently shot in 2000, it actually looks like it was made at least a decade earlier) the majority of this doc features director Richard Rush spoon feeding the themes and meaning of his movie while engaging in an assortment of unrelated activities, like flying an airplane, speaking to a clone of himself, riding an elevator up and down, running around an indoor track, and eating a Caesar salad while sitting on the floor under a table. So in other words, this is pure genius. In between all these strange shenanigans are some actually worthwhile insights on the entire difficult process of getting the film made and eventually distributed, including interviews with the cast and crew. Despite its eccentricities, this is a pretty comprehensive doc, though Rush’s endless stories can get a bit tedious toward the end.

The Maverick Career of Richard Rush (HD, 34 min) – This is a recently conducted interview with Rush as he discusses his entire filmography with clips from his movies cut in between. Unfortunately, most of the information relating to ‘The Stunt Man’ was already covered in the previous feature. Still, fans of the director may find the information on his previous efforts of interest.

Peter O’Toole Recounts The Stunt Man (HD, 19 min) – This is exactly what it sounds like, and features a recently conducted interview with the actor about this film. Most of the info here is repeated, but O’Toole does share a few new bits and seems to be really fond of the picture and his experience on it.

Devil’s Squadron – Exclusive New Featurette with Steve Railsback &Alex Rocco(HD, 19 min) – The two actors from the film sit down for this recent interview to recount their experiences on the movie. The most entertaining aspect about this feature comes from the fact that Railsback and Rocco are apparently best friends, and their still going strong bromance shines through as they compliment and make fun of each other. While again, most of information is repeated from the commentary and doc, there are some new bits peppered throughout.

Barbara Hershey on Nina Franklin (HD, 14 min) – Here actress Barbara Hershey reflects on her role in the film. Unfortunately, almost all of this information was already covered, in some cases word for word.

Deleted Scenes (HD) – Two deleted scenes are presented here, Sand Pile and Police Station. The first scene features a fairly interesting exchange between O’Toole and the screenwriter character lamenting about their film within a film’s outdated subject matter. The second scene is a truly strange and over the top sequence which sees O’Toole and company pick up his leading man from jail.

Trailers (HD) – The film’s teaser, theatrical, and Spanish language trailer are included.

Severin Trailers (HD) – Three more trailers for other Severin releases including ‘Inglorious Bastards,’ ‘Shopping,’ and ‘Santa Sangre.’

The Stunt Man at The New Beverly (HD, 17 min) – This is footage of a Q&A conducted at a special 30th anniversary screening of the film held at The New Beverly Theater. Participants include Richard Rush, Barbara Hershey, and Steve Railsback. Again, as there really is only so much information about this movie to go around, most of the topics touched upon were already covered in other featurettes.

SUPERMAN: THE MOTION PICTURE ANTHOLOGY (BLURAY)

This the ultimate Superman collection to come out yet. It’s extensive, full of extras, and has one hell of a beautiful transfer in audio and video. Packed on 8 discs you will get:
Superman The Movie
Superman The Movie: Expanded Edition
Superman II
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut
Superman III
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
Superman Returns

Plus an extras disc with over 20+ hours of bonus material for your viewing pleasure. Everything about this release is amazing. I wil be posting my epic extensive review shortly with everything outlined and detailed.

EXTRAS

DELUXE 8-DISC SET WITH OVER 20 HOURS OF BONUS FEATURES!
Disc #1
· Superman: The Movie, Original Theatrical
· Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler (Original Theatrical Version)
· The Making of Superman: The Movie [1978 TV special]
· Superman and the Mole-Men [1951 feature]
· Warner Bros. Cartoons
Super-Rabbit [1943 WB cartoon]
Snafuperman [1944 WB cartoon]
Stupor Duck [1956 WB cartoon]
· Trailers
Disc #2
· Superman: The Movie, Expanded Edition
· Commentary by Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz (Extended Version)
· Taking Flight: The Development of Superman
· Making Superman: Filming the Legend
· The Magic Behind the Cape
· Screen Tests
Superman
Lois Lane with Optional Commentary
Ursa
· A Selection of Restored Scenes
· Additional Music Cues
Main Titles
Alternate Main Titles
The Council’s Decision
The Krypton Quake
More Mugger/Introducing Otis
Air Force One
Can You Read My Mind (Pop Version)
· Music Only Track (Donner Cut)
Disc #3
· Superman II, Original Theatrical
· Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler (Original Theatrical Version)
· The Making of Superman II [1980 TV special]
· Deleted Scene
· First Flight: The Fleischer Superman Series
· Fleischer Studios’ Superman
Superman
The Mechanical Monsters
Billion Dollar Limited
The Arctic Giant
The Bulleteers
The Magnetic Telescope
Electric Earthquake
Volcano
Terror on the Midway
· Theatrical Trailer
Disc #4
· Superman II – The Richard Donner Cut
· Commentary by Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz (Donner Cut)
· Introduction by Richard Donner
· Superman II: Restoring the Vision
· Deleted Scenes
· Famous Studios’ Superman
Japoteurs
Showdown
Eleventh Hour
Destruction, Inc
The Mummy Strikes
Jungle Drums
The Underground World
Secret Agent
Disc #5
· Superman III Theatrical Version
· Commentary by Iilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler
· The Making of Superman III (1983 TV Special)
· Deleted Scenes
· Theatrical Trailer
Disc #6
· Superman IV The Quest For Peace Theatrical Version
· Commentary by Mark Rosenthal
· Superman 50th Anniversary Special (1988 TV Special)
· Deleted Scenes
· Theatrical Trailer
Disc #7
· Superman Returns
· Requiem for Krypton: Making Superman Returns
Pt. 1 Secret Origins and First Issues: Crystallizing Superman
Pt. 2 The Crystal Method: Designing Superman
Pt. 3 An Affinity for Beachfront Property: Shooting Superman- Superman on the Farm
Pt. 4 An Affinity for Beachfront Property: Shooting Superman- Superman in the City
Pt. 5 An Affinity for Beachfront Property: Shooting Superman- Superman in Peril
Pt. 6 The Joy of Lex: Menacing Superman
Pt. 7 He’s Always Around: Wrapping Superman
· Resurrecting Jor-El
· Deleted Scenes including the never-before-seen original opening to Superman Returns
· Bryan Singer’s Journals – Video production journals
· Trailers
Disc #8 Additional Bonus Material
· Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman [Hi-Def]
· You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman
Pt. 1- Origin
Pt. 2- Vision
Pt. 3- Ascent
Pt. 4- Crisis
Pt. 5- Redemption
· The Science of Superman [Hi-Def]
· The Mythology of Superman
· The Heart of a Hero: A Tribute to Christopher Reeve
· The Adventures of Superpup [1958 TV pilot]

TRUE GRIT (BLURAY)

I really loved this film. The writing was one of the best things about it. In addition to the writing and dialogue to the Coen’s ‘True Grit’ being amazing, the actors were even better. Jeff Bridges literally became on screen Rooster Cogburn. Just amazing. And Hailee Steinfeld playing the 14 year old girl who hires Rooster to kill her father’s assassins is a one of kind performance. She is going places. “Jeff Bridges stars as Rooster Cogburn, an irascible U.S. Marshal hired by a 14-year-old girl (newcomer Hailee Steinfeld) to bring her father’s killer (Josh Brolin) to justice. Matt Damon is an overzealous Texas Ranger who is also tracking the killer, hoping to capture him and bring him to trial for another murder.” Sadly, there is no Coen commentary, but there is wide variety of extras. Plus it looks great.

EXTRAS

Mattie’s True Grit HD
From Bustles to Buckskin – Dressing for the 1880s HD
Colts, Winchesters & Remingtons: The Guns of a Post-Civil War Western HD
Re-Creating Fort Smith HD
The Cast HD
Charles Portis – The Greatest Writer You’ve Never Heard Of… HD
The Cinematography of True Grit HD
True Grit Theatrical Trailer HD

That’s it for this week. That was a HUGE week wasn’t it? Stay tuned for next week where we will have Battle: Los Angeles, Hall Pass, Red Riding Hood, plus much much more.

By Bryan Kluger

Former husky model, real-life Comic Book Guy, genre-bending screenwriter, nude filmmaker, hairy podcaster, pro-wrestling idiot-savant, who has a penchant for solving Rubik's Cubes and rolling candy cigarettes on unreleased bootlegs of Frank Zappa records.

Film News

ByBryan Kluger

By Bryan Kluger

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