The Rebound Blu-ray and DVD Reviews
“The Rebound” sat on the shelf in the U.S. for a reason. Read more »
Sid and Nancy Blu-ray Review
“Sid and Nancy” is a tough film to watch. Easy to admire, but an ordeal to sit through, even after all these years of legendary stories of Sid and the Sex Pistols.
Of course, we all know it established Gary Oldman as arguably one of the greatest character actors of all time (who else could be totally convincing as Sid Vicious, Lee Harvey Oswald and Commissioner Gordon in just one career?). And, for awhile, it convinced legions that Alex Cox was a new generation filmmaker to be reckoned with, adding a punk aesthetic with which to connect with a younger audience. While Cox’s career sort of fizzled (and really, wasn’t his best film “Repo Man?” I mean, come on!), Oldman is the sole reason to revisit “Sid and Nancy” at this point. I mean, the guy disappears into his roles. Throughout the film, he are totally convinced he is the troubled Sex Pistols’ replacement bassist (that’s right…Sid never appeared on the only proper Sex Pistols’ album).
Yet, at good as Oldman is (as well as co-star Chloe Webb, equally good as Sid’s partner-in-crime/victim Nancy Spungen), “Sid and Nancy” is not the type of film one is likely to find entertaining. We watch in wonder, and sometimes revulsion at the action on the screen, and the movie itself is often an excruciating ordeal. In fact, it may be the rock music version of “Schindler’s List.”
This is one of those films that you may admire, which isn’t the same as saying you enjoyed it.
Extras:
For the Love of Punk
Junk Love
Trailer
Rebecca Blu-Ray Review
Rebecca may not be one of Alfred Hitchcock’s most infamous films, but it is arguably one of the more important ones in his long career. It was his first American film, and his work earned him the first of six Oscar nominations for Best Director. He didn’t win, though. In fact, it is still unfathomable that the man many consider to be one of the greatest directors of all time never won an directorial Oscar himself.
The movie itself won the 1940 Best Picture Oscar, the only one of Hitch’s 50+ films to do so. Did it deserve such an award? Arguably not, since both The Philadelphia Story and The Grapes of Wrath, released the same year, were far better pictures. Still, the movie is somewhat of a milestone. Without its critical accolades, who knows if Hitch would have been given the opportunity to helm such later classics as Notorious, north by Northwest, Vertigo or Psycho?
The movie itself isn’t bad at all. In fact, it’s extremely enjoyable and worth multiple viewings, especially for Hitchcock fans. This story of a newlywed woman being haunted by her obsessive husband’s previous wife is a good one, and definitely worthy of the Hitchcock treatment. I just don’t think it ranks right up there with his greatest achievements. Then again, I still champion Rope as his best film, a movie hardly anyone seems to appreciate as much as I do.
Blu-Ray extras:
Commentary by critic Richard Schickel
Music & effects track
The Gothic World of Daphne Du Maurier
Making of Rebecca
Screen tests
Radio plays
Hitchcock interviews
Original trailer
Heaven’s Lost Property Season 1 Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Review
“Heaven’s Lost Property” is an obnoxious anime series. Read more »
Top Gear Season 17 Blu-ray Review
The seventeenth season of “Top Gear” proves the show has not lost any of its charms. Read more »
Harakiri and The Moment Of Truth Blu-ray Reviews
“Harakiri” and “The Moment Of Truth” are two lesser known gems from Criterion. Read more »
Take Shelter Blu-ray Review
“Take Shelter” is an eerie drama that boasts an incredible performance by Michael Shannon. Read more »
Annie Hall and Manhattan Blu-ray Reviews
“Manhattan” is one of Woody Allen’s best films.
While original, the universal acclaim for “Annie Hall” is downright baffling. Read more »
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Authors
David
nicklyons1
Robert Ham
Andrea
dmanderson
