Dvd releases for 5/28

[Guest]

Well, it's that time again. Not as much this week as last, but some decent genre picks (if you like that kind of thing).

 

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone:

 

What can I say, I really enjoyed this film. A lot of people are taking the "it's a mainstream, kids film" approach, but I found it to be a great fantasy film for children and adults (at 150+ minutes, it may be too long for kids). It's a very faithful adaptation of the book, and I can't wait for Chamber of Secrets this November. The DVD itself is okay, with a good transfer, but very weak extras.

 

Starship Troopers:

 

One of my guilty pleasures, and a much needed replacement DVD. The original disc of this film really blew, and this one comes with even more extras and the important thing, anamorphic widescreen.

 

Graveyard Shift:

 

Hey look, another guilty pleasure. This film is hated by most, but I liked it, especially for it's sleazy, sweaty atmosphere. Plus, Brad Dourif is great in his role as the exterminator.

 

Silver Bullet:

 

Like I said, a lot of genre titles this week. This is actually one of my favourite werewolf movies, and one of the better Stephen King adaptations. The F/X are dated, but I still enjoy it, plus it's the films first widescreen release.

 

Traffic:

 

This is the Criterion version, so you know it will be good. The disc is loaded of course, including commentaries plus much more. If you really liked this film, you may want to spend the extra cash to get this one.

 

'Till next week.

[Guest]

traffic fuckin blew, that was the most overrated movie I ever saw.

 

--Rob

[Guest]

traffic fuckin blew, that was the most overrated movie I ever saw.

 

--Rob

I thought it was an alright movie. All of the Michael Douglas segments, I could have done without. Having to take a piss and holding it throughout 3/4 of the movie is probably hindering my opinion, though. ;p

[Guest J*ingus]

What "blew" about Traffic?  I thought it was a wonderful movie.  

 

Philosopher's Stone?  I thought it was a Sorceror's Stone?!  WAAAAH, my tiny ignorant American brain is short-circuiting!

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

traffic fuckin blew, that was the most overrated movie I ever saw.

 

Finally, someone agrees with me.

 

My thoughts on Traffic.  It contains essentially three stories, so I will comment on them accordingly.

 

1)  Benicio Del Toro Plot - It was great and he fully deserves that Oscar.  No complaints here.

 

2)  Michael Douglas Plot - Boring and predictable.  Nothing we haven't seen a hundred times before.  To top it off, Douglas looked unmotivated.

 

3)  Catherine Zeta-Jones Plot - Horrible.  Dennis Quaid was mildly amusing, but that's about it.

 

1 for 3 is not a passing grade in my book.

 

 

BTW, Harry Potter is the best kids movie since Willy Wonka.

[Guest areacode212]

I think it was "Philosopher's Stone" in Canada, and pretty much everywhere else but here in the U.S.

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

I forgot to complain about the editing in Traffic.  At one point we go so long without seeing the Zeta-Jones plot, that I forgot what was going on in it.

[Guest J*ingus]

I know about the name change areacode, I was just trying to make a point.  

 

As for Traffic, I thought that Douglas did some of his best work in that movie, much better than some of his way-overrated turkeys like Romancing The Stone or The Game.  I enjoyed the whole thing thoroughly (except for Don Cheadle, who I've never liked), though I would agree that Benicio's was the best part.

[Guest Black Lushus]

traffic fuckin blew, that was the most overrated movie I ever saw.

 

Finally, someone agrees with me.

 

My thoughts on Traffic.  It contains essentially three stories, so I will comment on them accordingly.

 

1)  Benicio Del Toro Plot - It was great and he fully deserves that Oscar.  No complaints here.

 

2)  Michael Douglas Plot - Boring and predictable.  Nothing we haven't seen a hundred times before.  To top it off, Douglas looked unmotivated.

 

3)  Catherine Zeta-Jones Plot - Horrible.  Dennis Quaid was mildly amusing, but that's about it.

 

1 for 3 is not a passing grade in my book.

 

 

BTW, Harry Potter is the best kids movie since Willy Wonka.

what about Don Cheadles part?  it kind of intertwined with Zeta-Jones yet stood alone at parts as well...that dude is nails in pretty much every movie i've seen him in and I wish he would get recognized in the "great black actors of our current time" talks that sprout up now and then.  he was great in Ocean's 11...

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

what about Don Cheadles part?  it kind of intertwined with Zeta-Jones yet stood alone at parts as well...that dude is nails in pretty much every movie i've seen him in and I wish he would get recognized in the "great black actors of our current time" talks that sprout up now and then.  he was great in Ocean's 11...

 

I liked Cheadle, but he didn't do too much, and he was stuck in the convoluted Zeta-Jones plot.

[Guest starvenger]

>what about Don Cheadles part?  it kind of intertwined with Zeta-Jones yet stood alone at parts as well...that dude is nails in pretty much every movie i've seen him in and I wish he would get recognized in the "great black actors of our current time" talks that sprout up now and then.  he was great in Ocean's 11...

 

He's one of those guys who I see in a different role each movie.  I still like Delroy Lindo better though...

[Guest areacode212]

Yeah, I've noticed that too. He was a lawyer on Picket Fences, a porn star w/ a cowboy gimmick in Boogie Nights, some angel-type dude in The Family Man, a kung-fu master in Rush Hour 2, a cop in Traffic, and probably a million other things. I agree that he's a pretty good actor who's kind of overlooked, even though he's in seemingly EVERYTHING.

[Guest evenflowDDT]

I agree about Traffic being awful and boring.  As anyone can tell by the movies I watch and review, I don't care if a movie is awful, but boring? That's a cardinal sin... movies are about ENTERTAINMENT!

 

Where does Criterion get off wasting their talents on a film like Traffic? Sure, it won Oscars, but so did Gladiator, and by no means is either film a classic.  Plus, it's not even old... 2000? WTF? I'm not against Criterion doing relatively new films (Rushmore was a great quirky comedy and they did a great job on that disc), but I am against them doing relatively new crap, overrated films.  What's next, a Blair Witch Project Criterion disc? Gimme a break...

[Guest]

Yeah, where is the long awaited, eagerly anticipated Criterion edition of C.H.U.D. on DVD?

[Guest evenflowDDT]

Yeah, where is the long awaited, eagerly anticipated Criterion edition of C.H.U.D. on DVD?

First we have to wait for their upcoming releases of Chopping Mall (yes!) and ... though this is just a rumor ... Grim.  I usually don't upgrade, but I'll buy the Grim disc for the commentary track.  Not sure who's on it, I think the guy in the suit, and... well, who else do you need on commentary?!

 

CRITERION R0X0RZ MY S0X0RZ!

 

Actually, how is Anchor Bay's C.H.U.D. disc?

[Guest]

Yeah, where is the long awaited, eagerly anticipated Criterion edition of C.H.U.D. on DVD?

First we have to wait for their upcoming releases of Chopping Mall (yes!) and ... though this is just a rumor ... Grim.  I usually don't upgrade, but I'll buy the Grim disc for the commentary track.  Not sure who's on it, I think the guy in the suit, and... well, who else do you need on commentary?!

 

CRITERION R0X0RZ MY S0X0RZ!

 

Actually, how is Anchor Bay's C.H.U.D. disc?

Chopping Mall?  You mean other's loved robots shooting that chick in the ass? I LOVE that movie. YES YES YES YES

[Guest evenflowDDT]

Yeah, where is the long awaited, eagerly anticipated Criterion edition of C.H.U.D. on DVD?

First we have to wait for their upcoming releases of Chopping Mall (yes!) and ... though this is just a rumor ... Grim.  I usually don't upgrade, but I'll buy the Grim disc for the commentary track.  Not sure who's on it, I think the guy in the suit, and... well, who else do you need on commentary?!

 

CRITERION R0X0RZ MY S0X0RZ!

 

Actually, how is Anchor Bay's C.H.U.D. disc?

Chopping Mall?  You mean other's loved robots shooting that chick in the ass? I LOVE that movie. YES YES YES YES

Yea... I wish there really was a Chopping Mall DVD.  That's one of my favorite movies, and the movie that introduced me to "bad" films.  Actually, there's one in Japan, and were it not for the fact that it's so expensive, out of print, and the wrong region, I'd have it by now.

 

Interestingly enough, the cast and director recorded a commentary track for the disc in 2000, but it's unclear of who owns the rights to American distribution so a DVD release was scrapped.  Dammit! If I ever decide to gamble, I'd borrow money and find out who the funk owns the rights to this movie and the commentary and license both and start my own Midnite Movies/Something Weird-ish line of b-movie DVD releases.  

 

...and while I'm at it, I'd like a pony.

[Guest]

I don;t know which week it was re-released, I think it was recently but I just bought apocalypse now redux and it is the shit.  Definitly worth the money to sound and video quality is untouched.  I know its sort of off topic but you guys should definitly pick it up.

 

--Rob

[Guest]

Actually, how is Anchor Bay's C.H.U.D. disc?

It's great. Considering what a big fan I am of the film (obviously) I was super pumped for the DVD release. As for the details, I can't complain considering that we're talking about a relatively unknown little movie here.

 

Anamorphic Widescreen (1.77:1)

Remastered Sound (Mono, but sounds fine)

Production Stills

Audio Commentary by the director, screenwriter and the 3 main stars John Heard, Daniel Stern and Christopher Curry.

 

And to make it even cooler, the version on the DVD is the original director's cut, which has extra footage and a different ending (the original ending now appears halfway through the film). The extra footage explains a lot more.

 

If you like the movie, you can't go wrong with this DVD.