The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford

Warner : Drama : 2.35:1 : AC3 5.1 : Rated MA15+ : DVD-9 : PAL : 2007 : 153 mins

The Film

Andrew Dominik's follow up to Chopper is a lyrical, daring take on the western. It follows the last days of the Jame's gang, a rag-tag bunch of no-hopers lead by Jesse (Brad Pitt) and Frank (Sam Shepard). They take on a newcomer, Robert Ford (Casey Affleck), who slowly goes from hero worshiping fan to obsessed stalker to disillusioned psychopath across the passage of the film, and Affleck's performance is haunting and convincing. Pitt and Dominik's portrayal of Jesse James as gentleman killer is strong and anchor's the film against Affleck's Ford.

While the film has the trappings of the traditional western, The Assassination of Jesse James (as it was known in markets with shorter attention spans) shares more in common with Sam Pekinpah's Patt Garrett and Billy The Kid that it does with any of John Ford's work. This is a film makers film - carefully constructed, deliberately paced and visually stunning. Even the score, provided by Nick Cave, is off-kilter yet fitting. Roger Deakins, best know for his work with the Coen Brothers, picked up his second Oscar nomination for 2007 (the other being for No Country For Old Men) for his incredible work here, and it is well deserved.

This is not a film to watch if you want a fast paced actioner or something to fill a quick 90 minutes. At almost 3 hours it requires some input from the viewer. However the viewer that is willing to put in a little effort is richly rewarded. My only complaint is that there is obviously quite a lot of footage and story missing, especially in the latter parts of the film, that does lead to characters appearing that obviously have more back story that we have not been made privy to. Given Andrew Dominik wrestled with the editing of this film for over 12 months, and had an original cut of some four hours, this is not surprising.

The DVD

Disappointing first release of this film, with a bare bones 16:9, 5.1 AC3 DVD 9. No features, no commentary. Yes, as is to be expected from major studio releases this is a pristine print, but so it should be. With the long edit time there is surely a Director's cut in the offing, and a commentay from Dominik, Deakins, Pitt and Affleck (in any combination) would be well worth a listen. However given the disappointing box office I won't be holding my breath.

Film : 4.5/5 DVD : 1/5 (This film deserves a Special Edition with a Director's Cut and commentaries at the very least. C'mon Warner Bros.)

Lone Wolf and Cub Volumes 1 - 3

Eastern Eye/Toho Films : Horror/Action : 1.85 (Anamorphic) : 2.0 mono : Rated R : DVD-9 : PAL : 1972 : 83 mins, 85 mins, 83 mins

The Film(s)
The Lone Wolf and Cub films are legend, however for many years they were only seen outside asia in the bastardised form of Shogun Assassin, a compilation of the first two volumes produced by Roger Corman. They had woeful dubbing, an ugly eltronic music track, and were censored beyond recognition. Finally we can see them intact, in Japanese, and nicely presented.

The films (these are the first 3 of 5 films that also spawned a comic book and television series) were created as a vehicle to turn producer Shintaro's brother into a star. He plays the Shogun's Executioner, the second to those who face the Sepukku ritual suicide. His job is to preserve their honour by beheading them before they show weakness. At this he is a master, however when a rival clan moves to replace him, and kills his wife, he takes to the road in exile with his infant son, living as demons - the assassin known as Lone Wolf and Cub. The first three films have been released by Eastern Eye - Sword of Vengence, Baby Cart at the River Styx, and Baby Cart into Hades, and are true blood brothers of Sergio Leone's westerns with Clint Eastwood. Sword of Vengence is a bloody opera, full of tragedy and betrayal. It is ingenious in it's bloodshed, but poetic in it's vision. Released three montsh later, Baby Cart at the River Styx is a ballet of violence, beautiful to behold. Heads are cleft, bodies pieced to shower geyers of blood. A direct line of heritage can be drawn fron here to Volume One of Tarantino's Kill Bill. But these are not gratuitous films in the vein of horror films to come. These are truely art. By comprison, Baby Cart into Hades is a much more staid, and in some ways disjointed, affair. This is because of it's rather checkered history. It was made in 1969, but held by the censors for three years. When it was finally released, it was minus two major fight scenes, and had to be recut to avoid retelling the back story that had been remade in Sword of Vengence. The subsequent films continued the downward trend before giving way to a very popular television series.

The DVD
Eastern Eye have again done a great job on these disks. The picture and audio quality is extraordinary for the age and history of the films. The audio is Japanese only, with English subtitles. The subtitles show the versitility of the DVD format but also including explainations of important names, places and facts that come up in dialogue. They appear at the top of screen as required to fill in the gaps. Very handy. You also get trailors for all five films (although volumes four and five have yet to appear), and a multi-page historical essay that sheds light on the culture and the politics of the time. It is worth a read as political intrigue is very much the motivation behind these dastardly doings. All in all, good solid offerings.

Film(s) : 4/5 (volumes one and two, 2.5/5 Volume 3) DVD : 4/5

Citizen Kane

Warner : Drama : 1.33 : AC3 1.0 : Rated PG : DVD-9 x 2 : NTSC : 1941 : 119 mins

The Film
Is Citizen Kane, Orson Welle's masterwork, the greatest movie ever made ? Many surveys and polls suggest it might be. I don't believe it is, however I do believe it is one of the most important and influential films ever committed to celluloid. It is a tour-de-force of ego and brilliance, and the arrogance of a young film maker who had been given unprecedented autonomy for his feature debut. The film is a thinnly disguised attack on newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, portrayed here as Charles Foster Kane. It tells of Kane's rise from poverty, through a lazy adolescence to become one of the most powerful men in America, before falling from grace and dying alone. The story begins at the moment of his death, and is told through flashbacks. The script is solid, Welle's portrayal of Kane is astounding (moreso given his age at the time), and the supporting cast of players rounds out the talent nicely. The techniques and style are so far ahead of the times that it was years before many of them wre used in regularly in mainstream, cinema. The films is not without it's flaws however. It is pretentious at times, and often apears to the work of a man who knows he is a genious, but has not matured enough to be modest about it. The camera setups of some scenes, while inarguably effective, also scream 'look at me, aren't I clever ?'.

The DVD
The print is as clean as you are going to see it. Restored for it's 60th anniversary, this is the best it has looked. The audio is clear, but mono, so don't expect the surround system to get a workout - it's not that kind of film. You get wto commentaries - Roger Ebbert on one, Peter Bogdadovich on the other. A newsreel of the 1941 Premiere, storyboards, ads, posters and a phto gallery round out disk one.

The story of the making of Citizen Kane is almost as extraordingary as the film itself. Catpured in a two part documentary (disk 2 of this set) "The Battle for Citizen Kane" is riviting viewing for film buffs as it chronicles the journey of Welle's and the film. It also explains why Welle's would never again be able to make a film unfettered by studio interference, and why some many of his subsequent works suffered so atrociously.

If you have never seen this landmark film, go out and get it now. It is a s powerful and important as they come. If you have seen it on some tatty public domain budget video, go and get this excellent double disk set and add it to your collection. This is where modern cinema began.

Film : 5/5 DVD : 5/5 (The perfect release, given Welle's isn't around for a commentary)

Evil Dead (Book of the Dead Edition)

Anchor Bay : Horror : 1.85 (Anamorphic) : AC3 5.1, DTS 5.1, AC3 2.0 : Rated R : DVD-9 : PAL : 1983 : 82 mins

The Film
The auteur horror film of the 80's (although started in '79), Evil Dead still stands out for it's energy and bravado. Shot on a shoestring over a number of years, this wild and often humorous film set a benchmark that few managed to meet for the rest of the decade (for one who did rise to the challenge, the my Re-Animator review). A group of college kids head into the woods to spend the weekend at an old cabin. They find a tape recorder, and upon playing back it's contents release an ancient demon. Possession, axes, chainsaws, wierd voices and oversexed trees all play their part in this 82 minute rollercoaster of a film. It has so far spawned two sequels (Evil Dead 2 - Dead by Dawn, a virtual remake of the original, and Army of Darkness). Bruce Campbell attained cult status through his portrayal of Ash in this and the subsequent films, and has turned up in some role on all of Sam's films since.

The DVD
OK. This is a special one. Yes, the disk is the same as the special edition released to locals stores. Two commentaries (one from director Sam Raimi and producer Bob Tappert, one from Bruce Campbell), an informative making of which tells the story of how it got sold and became a cult hit, a Bruce Campbell documentary of the wierd life of fans, trailer etc. The print has been THX'd, and while soft and grainy in parts, is the best it has ever looked. Certainly better than any of the numerous VHS versions I have owned over the years. The audio has also be remixed, and comes as a DTS, AC3 5.1 or Pro-logic mix. While the surround is nice, and punches up the volume, it's not the most immersive mix ever laid down. So what makes this special ? This edition is the Book of the Dead edition. Instead of the standard amray case, you get a latex bound book of the dead from the film. Inside are copies of the original Tom Sullivan art work from the film version of the book, a blurb from Tom, a mini book on the history of the film, and the DVD itself. Very cool. Thsi can be found in a few import and mainstream stores, to shop around or put it on order. If you are a fan, you gotta have it. (Note : there is no region 4 release of this edition. The import edition is region 2, so make sure you can play it)

Film : 5 / 5 (this is perfect horror) DVD 4.5 / 5

Re-Animator (Millennium Edition)

DVD Australia : Horror : 1.85 (Anamorphic) : AC3 5.1, DTS 5.1, AC3 2.0 mono : Rated R : DVD-9 : NTSC : 1985 : 86 mins

The Film
This is a seminal horror film from the 80's. To date the best adaption of a H. P. Lovecraft story, this is a wild and adventurous little film. Shot on a low budget with mostly unknown actors, and a first time director and producer, Re-Animator gets by on smart writing, clever special effects, and sheer audacity. This ranks along side the original Evil Dead for guts and glory film making - what the best 80's horror was all about. Herbert West brings the dead back to life, but they aren't always as grateful as you'd expect.

The DVD
This is how it's meant to be done. A 2 disk set exploding with goodies. First, disk one has a new print, spit-shined by the THX process. You have never seen it look so good. This is accompanied by a DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mix, as well as the original 2 channel mono track. Then you get two commentaries, the first with Brian Yuzna (Producer), the second with Stuart Gordon (co-writer/director) and the main cast. To top it all off, an isolated 5.1 mix of the music track. And this is just disk one. Disk two kicks of with a deleted scene and 16 extended scenes. These add a little more character, as well as an entire sub-plot regarding Dr. Hill's power of mind control (which explains some of the strange shots left in the film). There are a series of extended interviews and discussions with the producer and director, the writer, and the composer. These are low key affairs, shot over a coffee, but have respectable running times and divulge a lot of behind the scenes information. Patience is a virtue in this case. Finally it rounds off with the usual trailer, photo gallery and bios. This is what DVD is meant to be.

Note to Australian distributors - this was out in the states for over 12 months before anyone picked it up here, and then it was released at an outrageous price. I got mine for less than half on import long before the local release.

Film : 4.5 / 5 DVD : 4.5 / 5

A follow up. This year (2008), Starz Home Entertainment pickup the local distribution rights to Re-Animator for the Anchor Bay edition. While it contains effectively the same package as the Millennium Edition, including the same basic print (although PAL this time), audio tracks, commentaries and extras, it also bundles a new, 70 minute documentary "Re-Animator Resurrectus". Every living member of the cast and many of the crew participate to recall the making of this landmark horror film.

Even if you have the Millennium Edition, it is worth digging this one out of the budget bin, just for the new doco.

Film : 4.5 / 5 DVD : 5 / 5

Gorky Park

MGM : Thriller : 1.78 (Anamorphic) : 1.0 mono : Rated M : DVD-9 : PAL : 1983 : 123 mins

The Film
Directed by Michael Apted from a Dennis Potter script from a Martin Cruz Smith novel, this is a solid thriller. Lee Marvin, in one of his last roles, plays it tough in his scenes, but for the most part it is William Hurt and a predominantly British cast that carry the film. While there is nothing particularly memorable about the film, there is little to fault it either. It is what it is.

The DVD
Like the US release, this disk is bereft of extras. Even a director's commentary would have been nice. The Australian release is also given a single channel mono audio track, whereas the US got a 2 channel stereo track. Why ? The case say that the disk is presented in an aspect ratio of 1.85, however it is resolutely 1.78. Is this the next level of appeasment to the anti-widescreen luddites ? I hope this does not become a trend. Aside from that, we do have a good, solid transfer. Minimal grain, nice colours, a little noise in some of the snow scenes, but it looks good for a 20+ year-old film. The audio, while single channel, is clear and serviceable.

Film : 3 / 5 Disk : 3 / 5

Hammer Horror Collection (MRA Entertainment)

MRA / Hammer Films : Horror : 1.85 (Anamorphic) : 2.0 mono : Rated R : DVD-5 : PAL : 1971 : 84 mins, 85 mins, 83 mins

The Film
This is the second box set of Hammer films. The first being the Warner release of the original Frankenstein, Dracula and Mummy films. The Warner release showed Hammer at the beginning of it's reign as horror king. This new boxset, from budget outfit MRA, finds Hammer at the end of it's reign. The three films, Vampire Circus, Hands of the Ripper and Twins of Evil, show that Hammer was not going to go down without a fight. Vampire Circus breathes new life into the vampire myth, while also including some of the more gory violence that Hammer's competiters were using. A strong entry into a dying cycle. Hands of the Ripper is one of the top three Ripper based films, the others being Bob Clarke's Murder by Decree, and Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde. Intelligent, and carefully directed by Peter Sasdy. The last in the box is Twins of Evil, the last of the so-called Karnstein Trilogy. While Peter Cushing is as strong as ever, this is the weakest of the trilogy, and the weakest in the box. All-in-all, a great collection, especially as it is a snap-shot of Hammer at a point in time (all three films were made is 1971).

The DVD
All three disks have been sourced from pretty clean material. The audio is functional, and allows Hammer's usual bombastic soundtrack enough room to move. Given the originals were mono, who is to complain. The colour is good and even throughout. Hands of the ripper is perhaps a little soft, but this is preferable to it being over sharpened. Grain is reasonable for the time. Each disk has a trailer for the film included.

This release shows that a budget outfit can deliver the goods. MRA Entertainment should be proud of what they have done here, and Force Entertainment should sit up and take notice.

Film : 4 / 5 DVD : 4 / 5

Andy Warhol Presents Flesh for Frankenstein

Force Entertainment : Horror : 2.35 (Letterbox) : Mono : Rated R : DVD-5 : PAL : 1973 : 95 mins

The Film
Flesh for Frankenstein was the first of two very camp horror movies to come out of the Warhol stable. The second, Blood for Dracula (naturally) was a more polished affair, but this one is not without it's charms. In FFF, the Baron is now a mad Serbian, attempting to start a new Serbian super race by mating hiw two perfect creations. Incest, sex, violence and really poor acting all play a part in the insanity of the proceedings. Originally filmed using a 3D process, so endless shots of entrails being thrust oddly toward the camera add to the charm.

The DVD
Unfortunately, Force Entertainment have produced one of the poorest DVDs I have ever viewed. Aside from the 1.0 mono audio, and the blatant lie on the cover (this is not a 16:9 release), the visual quality looks like the disk was sourced from a 16mm print, compressed with Xvid by a monkey, then decompressed and resized for DVD release. Force Entertainment have so far managed one good release (the 2 disk edition of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre), and one middling release (the uncut version of the under-rated American Gothic, Dead and Buried). This release shows that TCM was the exception that proves the rule - Force Entertainment are crap. There are no extras on the disk..

That this is the first time the un-cut version has been released in Australia making the very poor quality of this release even more unforgiveable.

Film : 3.5 / 5 DVD : 0 / 5