Release of the Week
The Human Condition (DVD only)
1993 Interview for Dir. Guild of Japan w/ director Masaki Kobayashi conducted by Masahiro Shinoda [13:43]
2009 Interview w/ star Tatsuya Nakadai [17:40]
2009 Interview w/ fellow director Masahiro Shinoda reflecting on the film [24:40]
My full review can be found here.
Masaki Kobayashi's nine and a half-hour epic (originally released in three parts) stands to this day as one of the great achievements in the history of Japanese cinema, both in ambition and execution. Now that I've had time to make it through the entire three-film feature and the included extras, I can state unconditionally that this set from Criterion is one of the most important DVD releases of the year. The film stars some of the biggest names in Japanese cinema of its day, and has grown considerably in esteem since its release. It finally stands the chance of wider viewing thanks to this, its first ever official home video release within the U.S.
The three films begin during WWII and continue following its idealist main character after Japan's fall in 1945. The Human Condition follows Kaji, an idealistic young man in his 20's who goes from being supervisor of a labor camp to an unwilling soldier to a POW in a work camp himself. Kaji ascribes to socialist views in contrast with the authoritarian fascist Japanese government of the time. The story told is more an indictment on radical views of any sort, whether far left or right.
The Human Condition is a truly great and rewarding film experience that will remain relevant until we as a species stop fighting wars and bickering in partisan politics. I don't expect either of those things to end in the near future.
New Release
Crank 2: High Voltage (Blu-ray & DVD)
Feature Commentary with writers/directors Neveldine/Taylor
Featurettes: Making Of Documentary, Crank 2: Take 2
Digital Copy
Theatrical Trailer
Blu-ray exclusives:
Crank'd Out Commentary with cast and crew w/ Bonus View Picture-in-Picture Mode
Gag reel
Wrap party
Bookmarks & Blu-line Time Slider
Lionsgate Live
Jason Statham is becoming his own closet industry. So the first one ended with what appeared to be Chev Chelios (Statham)'s untimely, spectacular demise. No, it turns out he survived a fall that would kill anyone in a movie where the laws of physics and biology apply. That doesn't describe either this sequel or the movie that came before. It's loud, goofy, and utterly insane...and for once, I'm completely fine with that. It wasn't screened for critics in first run, and then a whole ton of critics went nuts for it. Critics and fans alike cried loudly for a second sequel, and I'd be surprised if one didn't happen. There are three editions of this title (2 DVD and 1 Blu), and the Blu-ray has all the stuff people really want on it, particularly the Crank'd Out Commentary. The single DVD has the widescreen & pan-and-scan versions of the movie and that's it.
Valentino: The Last Emperor (Blu-ray & DVD)
This is a doc I missed but heard good things about.
Dance Flick (Blu-ray only)
I'm only mentioning this movie because it's part of the Blu-ray Assault of 2009. It's being released only on Blu for now, with DVD to follow later. So this means all of you out there dying to see this coming-of-age classic can rush out and buy a Blu-ray player to satisfy your hunger to see this masterpiece in 1080p.
New to Region 1
That Hamilton Woman
Feature Commentary with noted film historian Ian Christie
New video interview with author and editor Michael Korda
Theatrical trailer
Alexander Korda Presents, a 1941 promotional radio piece for the film
A booklet featuring an essay by film critic Molly Haskell
Now you, too can own Winston Churchill's favorite movie! Churchill allegedly wrote a passage of Lady Hamilton (as it's known in the UK) to drum up support for a war. Who'd have guessed a politician would do that? The pairing of Laurence Olivier and Vivian Leigh makes for a really wonderful period romance from director Alexander Korda.
Homicide
Feature Commentary with writer-director David Mamet and actor William H. Macy
New video program featuring interviews with recurring Mamet actors Steven Goldstein, Ricky Jay, J. J. Johnston, Joe Mantegna, and Jack Wallace
Gag reel and TV spots
A booklet featuring an essay by critic Stuart Klawans
At last, one of the most sought-after Mamet titles is available on DVD with some decent-looking extras from Criterion. This rocketed to the top of my catch-up list, so I hope to get my hands on it soon.
Catalog Reissue
Bedknobs & Broomsticks
Deleted Song "A Step in the Right Direction" [3:48]
Featurettes: The Wizards of Special Effects [8:07], Music Magic: The Sherman Brothers [11:27], "Portobello Road" Recording Session [1:01]
I covered this one here.
New to Blu
The New World: Extended Edition ($15)
The Quick and the Dead ($20)
Requiem For A Dream ($10)
Silverado ($20)
Over the Top ($15)
Creepshow ($15)
Dead Calm ($15)
Sphere
Freddy vs. Jason
The Postman
The studios are really ramping up the speed of catalog releases to Blu-ray, even if in many cases (the above included), they're really just ports of existing editions. I've listed the current Amazon price of these next to their title, because in a few cases, they're well worth grabbing while the prices stick. My order for The New World: Extended Edition is already in, and I'm contemplating Over the Top and Dead Calm on sheer impulse.
Disc Roundup is posted each week at some point, depending on how many discs I have to get through. If you think I've missed something, feel free to send me an email at the name of this column at gmail dot com.