24 February 2014
23 February 2014
Masters Of Cinema Blu-ray Review - Roma (1972)
Genre:
Comedy, Drama, World Cinema
Distributor:
Eureka! Entertainment
BD Release Date:
24th February 2014 (UK)
Rating:15
Director:
Federico Fellini
Cast:
Britta Barnes, Peter Gonzales Falcon, Fiona Florence
buy: ROMA (Masters of Cinema) (Blu-ray)
Roma is one of Fellini’s most ambitious films but also one of his most narratively lacking, which at times can be extremely frustrating. It was released the year before the similar but more narrative led Amarcord, which is considered among his finest and rightfully so. Both films however deal with the rise of fascism in Italy during the 30s and both present a snapshot of the place it’s set.
Roma is a fragmented and at times surrealistic look at the city of Rome. Half of the narrative deals with young Fellini arriving in Rome during the Mussolini years. The other half is set during present day, which concerns Fellini (played by himself) making a film about the city of Rome. This is not untypical of Fellini’s films especially 8 ½, which is one of the great examples of film being an imitation of the director’s life.
The film’s lack of narrative can be confusing at times which can become irritating, but Fellini is one of those director’s whose images are so hypnotic that it somehow works. Fellini is also one of the most compassionate directors and he loves every character in his films greatly, no matter the social circumstances of them. Fellini’s films are often called grotesque but I’ve always found they just reflected his reality. It’s always worth noting Fellini was a cartoonist and that shaped how he saw the world, not unlike his obvious successor Terry Gilliam.
It’s Fellini in his most indulgent but even that is much better than most other people’s films, and it’s a fun satirical romp though Rome. The comparison between the Catholic fashion show and the brothel is one of Fellini’s finest moments in a career of many. The disc boosts a great transfer and an interview with Chris Wagstaff (lecturer in Italian cinema) along with roughly 20 minutes of deleted scenes and Italian and international trailers.
Ian Schultz
22 February 2014
Blu-ray Review - The Killers (1964)
Genre:
Thriller, Crime
Distributor:
Arrow Academy
Rating: 18
BD Release Date:
24th February 2014 (UK)
Director:
Don Siegel
Cast:
Lee Marvin, Angie Dickinson, John Cassavetes
Buy:The Killers [Blu-ray]
Ernest Hemingway’s The Killers has been adapted into 3 films for the silver year, first by Richard Siodmak in 1946, the second by Andrei Tarkovsky as a student film and finally by Don Siegel in 1964. They were all masters of cinema in their own way and all 3 films are very different. The Siodmak version is noted as the only adaptation of his work Hemingway admired before his eventual suicide.
The plot is about as basic as you can get: two hit men - Charlie (Lee Marvin) and Lee (Clu Gulager) - are hired to kill a teacher Johnny North (John Cassavetes). They are shocked when he tries to flee the scene and accepts his fate quite calmly. The two hit men investigate to find out why he accepted his fate and Johnny’s story is told in a series of flashbacks.
The Killers is probably most well known for two reasons. The first is it was set to be the very first TV movie and Arrow has kindly included widescreen and full screen aspect ratios in this release. The Killers, however, was deemed too violent for television so it was originally released theatrically in Europe where it was a bit of hit; Lee Marvin won a joint Bafta for his work on this and the overrated Cat Ballou. It was eventually released in the US but a few years after Europe.
It’s also widely known for being Ronald Reagan’s last ever film before he decided to go into politics which eventually lead to his election as President. Reagan plays a mobster and absolutely hated the fact he agreed to be in the film because he slaps Angie Dickinson’s character. In reality it was basically the only role Reagan could get because everyone realised he was a pretty woeful actor then. During the early to mid 80s, a famous shot of Reagan with a gun was used numerous times for flyers and posters for loads of hardcore punk gigs.
The early 60s to mid 60s in American cinema was a fascinating time for film despite what many critics might say. The remnants of film noir were still in the air and it can be argued that it didn’t fully stop till the death of JFK. It is rumoured that Angie Dickinson heard the news during the shooting of The Killers and she supposedly had a bit of a fling with him as well. Films were starting to become more violent and explicit and The Killers was one of the first before the so-called ground zero moment of Bonnie & Clyde in 1967, along with some films such as Shock Corridor, Seconds and the work of Roger Corman.
Lee Marvin had been in supporting roles for most of his career before The Killers so he was eager for a meatier role and he considered it one of his best. It can be said his great performance in this could be considered a dry run for his cooler than ice character of Walker in the 1967’s masterpiece Point Blank. John Cassavetes, who had already started directing his independent films that he became better known for, gives one of his finest on screen performances as Johnny North.
The Killers has become something of a minor cult classic over the years and rightfully so: it’s a great slice of neo-noir coming at the tail end of film noir. Lee Marvin is as cool as you can get. Don Siegel’s direction is spot on as usual and it’s always a riot to see Ronald Reagan’s performance as mob boss Jack Browning. The disc also includes 3 interviews - one on Lee Marvin’s career, one on Reagan’s acting career and archive one with Mr. Siegel himself.
Ian Schultz
20 February 2014
Blu-Ray Review - Phantom Of The Paradise (1974)
Genre:
Fantasy, Horror, Comedy
Distributor:
Arrow Video
Rating: 15
Director:
Brian DePalma
Cast:
Paul Williams, William Finley, Jessica Harper
Buy: Phantom of the Paradise Steelbook [Blu-ray]
Phantom of the Paradise came out after Brian De Palma’s Sisters which was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock and Georges Franju. It also predated the glam rock meets horror film musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show in which comparisons can easily be made. It’s also one of De Palma’s finest films to date; only some of the later films like Carrie, Blow Out (his masterpiece) or his most widely known film Scarface transcend it.
It’s partly inspired by Phantom of the Opera, but what’s probably a more noticeable inspiration is the old tale of Faust. Cinema has been retelling the story of Faust since the early days of film- from Murnau’s film of Faust to Terry Gilliam’s Dr. Parnassus. It’s also a biting satire on the music business with the Devil incarnated as Paul Williams, the record label boss of Swan, who also wrote all the film’s songs.
William Finley - who has been working with De Palma since his student film days - plays the Phantom. The Phantom starts out life as a Randy Newman, an Elton John type character or indeed any early 70s singer/songwriter type named Winslow Leach. Swan likes Randy’s music, and in turn decides to steal it because he needs a catalyst to open his new venue The Paradise. Winslow objects and is thrown into jail but escapes and attempts to destroy the record label's pressing of the cover of his song. Following Winslow's disfiguration from his accident, he becomes the phantom and begins to seek revenge.
It would be unfair not to mention Gerrit Graham’s stellar performance as Beef; the ridiculously camp rock n roll diva who is set to headline The Paradise. One of the film’s greatest gimmicks are the band’s that Swan manages, changing names and styles throughout - from the Juicy Fruits (50s nostalgia band) to The Undead (Alice Cooper esq. rock) – they are all the same band. Jessica Harper, who actually starred in the quasi sequel to Rocky Horror Shock Treatment, plays the young singer the Phantom is trying to pursue.
Jack Fisk, who is one of the most well respected production designers in the business, designed the film. He is married to Sissy Spacek (who is credited as a set dresser on the film) and has worked with Terrence Malick, PT Anderson, David Lynch et el. It’s beautifully designed with bright colourful sets, and it’s also one of the best shot films of De Palma’s career with great use of fish eye lenses, long takes and split screen - all techniques of which De Palma made his name, while it even includes one if not the best on-screen parody of the shower scene in Psycho.
Phantom of the Paradise was very ahead of its time, coming out before Glam Rock became big in the US due to massive success of Kiss, who have been accused of ripping off the Undead’s makeup. Over the years it’s gained a rabid cult following with notable fans including Quentin Tarantino and Guillermo Del Toro. It’s also one of the most scathing attacks on the music business in film history. The reception and the film’s lack of commercial success may be due to the its tone, which is extremely zany in a Sam Raimi-esque way, but the next scene can be a slice of gothic horror.
The disc includes a great documentary on the film, which was previously only available on the French special editions (where the film was a big hit). The biggest new extra is a fantastic 70-minute interview with Guillermo Del Toro interviewing Paul Williams. Typically of Arrow, the transfer and sound is top notch.
Ian Schultz
19 February 2014
Eureka! Entertainment Welcome Lindsay Anderson’s If.... To Masters Of Cinema Family
Eureka! Entertainment have announced the release of IF...., Lindsay Anderson’s quintessential tale of rebellion and winner of the 1969 Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Starring Malcolm McDowell (Clockwork Orange), IF.... was voted the 12th greatest British film ever in BFI’s Top 100 British Films poll. IF....will be released for the first time on Blu-ray in the UK, as part of Eureka!’s award-winning The Masters of Cinema Series on 21 April 2014
Legendary director Lindsay Anderson expanded on the social outrage and intense character focus of his debut This Sporting Life with this combustible tale of teenage insurrection. Winner of the 1969 Palme d’Or at Cannes, If…. was a popular triumph and instantly recognised as a classic.
A caustic portrait of a traditional boys’ boarding school, where social hierarchy reigns supreme and power remains in the hands of distanced and ineffectual teachers and callously vicious prefects. But three junior pupils, led by Mick Travis (played by Malcolm McDowell in the role that would catapult him to becoming one of Britain’s most iconic actors), decide on a shocking course of action to redress the balance of privilege once and for all.
Packed to bursting with its director’s customary passion and experimentation, If…. remains one of cinema’s quintessential tales of rebellion, a radical snapshot of late 60s’ change, and one of the towering achievements of British film in any era. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present this masterpiece in a new Blu-ray edition.
Check out the original theatrical trailer for If....
• New 1080p high-definition restoration
• Commentary with David Robinson and Malcolm McDowell
• More on-disc extras to be announced closer to release!
• 36-PAGE Booklet featuring a new and exclusive essay about the film by David Cairns, rare archival imagery, and more!
“Amongst the greatest British films of the post-war years” – Film 4
“Punchy, poetic pic that delves into the epic theme of youthful revolt” – Variety
“A classic, a movie of real authority” - Philip French, The Observer
As per usual we will be reviewing If.... so stay tuned for that review.
13 February 2014
Movies Scored by Famous Musicians (Her Feature)
Often, a movie’s score goes unnoticed by an audience, but it can have major effects on the mood and setting of a film by subtly changing a viewer’s perception. If the score is not chosen wisely, it can hinder a film, or even worse, clash with the fundamental themes underlying it. In order to achieve the correct mood, it has become a recent trend for Hollywood film makers to collaborate with famous musicians. For Her, director Spike Jonze worked closely with Arcade Fire to create a sublime score that sweeps and swoons in alignment with Theodore’s (Joaquin Phoenix) emotions. In honour of Her’s February release, we’re taking a look at some of the best collaborations between famous musicians and film makers in recent memory.
Grizzly Bear/ Blue Valentine (2010)
Usually scores are inspired by the films they are created for, but in the case of Blue Valentine, the opposite is true. Director Derek Cianfrance worked for over 7 years to perfect his Blue Valentine script, but it wasn’t until he found the Grizzly Bear band that he hit his writing stride. As he wrote, he often listened to their music, fusing their melodic rhythm into the pacing of his writing. In 2007, he reached out to the band and asked if they would score his film. They obliged, and together with Cianfrance, were able to create two separate moods—one of romanticism for flashbacks and another highlighting tension for present day scenes—that defined the pacing of the film.
Alex Turner/ Submarine (2010)
The lead singer for the Arctic Monkeys took a brief hiatus in 2010 to work alone for the soundtrack of Submarine. In order to highlight this coming of age story, Turner put down his usual habitual rock style, and created six different acoustic songs. His soundtrack was critically acclaimed, and Turner used the experience to expand the sound of the Arctic Monkeys.
Trent Reznor/ The Social Network (2010)
While it’s hard to imagine The Social Network without its award winning soundtrack, Trent Reznor’s score almost didn’t happen. When David Fincher Initially offered Reznor the gig, he turned it down to take a break from music. Thankfully for the film however, Reznor changed his mind at the last minute, and joined forces with Atticus Ross to create a score that Roger Ebert called an “urgent composition that drove the film's headlong momentum.” After the credits finished, Reznor’s score kept on driving, taking the film to the academy awards where it was nominated for eight Oscars and won three including best original score.
Daft Punk/ Tron: Legacy (2010)
Before winning the Grammy for best album of the Year, the French duo took on the Disney remake of Tron in 2010. Their electric-pop vibe was a natural selection for the digital world, and the soundtrack for the film was a huge success, moving all the way to No. 4 on the Billboard top 200 list.
Karen O/ Where the Wild Things Are (2009)
To bring this beloved work of Maurice Sendak to life, Spike Jonze enlisted the help of Karen O, lead singer of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and at the time, his current girlfriend. She lent her voice for several songs, including the Grammy nominated song All is Love, and helped to write the score, which was nominated for best original score at the Golden Globe awards.
John Greenwood/ There Will Be Blood (2007)
For There Will Be Blood, Radiohead’s guitarist John Greenwood accented Daniel Day Lewis’ performance with orchestral sounds to give the film a sinister, unsettling tone. Although his score was ultimately snubbed by the academy awards because of its use of previously recorded material, it was nominated for a Grammy in the category of “Best Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media".
Arcade Fire/ Karen O/ Her (2014)
For Her, Spike Jones collaborated with Arcade Fire to produce the score, and once again Karen O to sing an original song. Arcade Fire’s score has been nominated for best score by the academy awards, and Karen O’s “The Moon Song” has been nominated for Best Original Song. The film is also in the running for three more Oscars, including Best Picture.
HER IS RELEASED IN UK CINEMAS ON 14 FEBRUARY 2014
12 February 2014
Eureka! Entertainment To Give Blu-Ray Release Of Classic Adventure The War Lord Starring Charlton Heston
Eureka! Entertainment have announced the blu-ray release of THE WAR LORD. One of the finest historical adventure films ever made, The War Lord dramatises with uncommon intelligence and integrity the brutality, difficulties and injustices of the Middle Ages.
Charlton Heston stars as Chrysagon, an honoured knight who takes over a castle tower in the swampland of Normandy to strengthen his duke's authority. But his struggles to maintain power in the face of Pagan villagers, barbarian attackers and his brother's jealous counsel are shaken by his growing weariness with bloodshed in a cruel world.
Never before released in high definition anywhere in the world, this collaboration between director Franklin Schaffner (Patton) and the legendary Charlton Heston, three years before their iconic reunion on Planet of the Apes, is a gripping saga of ferocious battles, heartfelt emotion and powerful storytelling.
'A fascinating, literate and rather disturbing excursion into the past. Four Stars.' - Radio Times
THE WAR LORD will be released on Blu-ray by Eureka! Entertainment on 14 April 2014.
• Gorgeous 1080p transfer the film in its original aspect ratio
• Optional English SDH
• Isolated music & effects track
• Original theatrical trailer
• More on disc extras to be announced close to release
• BOOKLET with a new essay, and rare archival imagery
Pre-order / Buy The War Lord on:The War Lord (Blu-ray Edition)
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