How to Spend $20
By Les Winan
October 18, 2005
Taking a look ahead at the week's DVD releases is always dicey for your wallet. Nearly every week, there's a disc that would fit nicely into any size collection. When it comes time to decide what to buy, there are really two determining factors: how much you love the content and the quality of the extra features on the disc. The unreleased studio (film and television) back-catalogue means that every week there's likely something for you.
For mildly clever names of DVD special editions: Saw (Uncut Edition) (2004)
For me, the most memorable part of the Saw era was the preview, which was both intriguing and enough to make me realize I have no interest in seeing the movie. The notion of Cary Elwes having to cut off his own leg with a saw, well, that's worth it for anyone who sat through Hot Shots 2. If you haven't already bought a copy of this film on DVD (and I'm sure this isn't the last special edition of this film), you'll enjoy the newly remastered alternate cut; an on-set preview of Saw 2 (the quickie sequel being released in the near future/the real reason for this DVD release); featurettes; storyboards; art gallery and the original short film. It's not a bad package for a film that was a surprising success. If nothing else, the graphics on the DVD packaging are impressively gory.
For people who have the bird flu nearby: Land of the Dead (Unrated Widescreen) (2005)
I don't know about you, but the only thing that scares me more than the notion of some sort of bird flu is what we'd do if all the members of the media trying to scare us about the bird flu were to tragically die of the bird flu and then we'd have to find out about the bird flu in a calm, sensible manner that educated the public. Maybe zombies. That would be more scary. You know, unless they were funny zombies. I have no reverence for George Romero but apparently we are all supposed to. Personally, I would prefer to re-watch Shaun of the Dead than check out Land of the Dead, but if a new, un-funny zombie movie is your thing, Land of the Dead is a nice DVD. Included on the disc are an audio commentary Romero, Producer Peter Grunwald and Editor Michael Doherty; a making-of featurette; on-set, makeup, storyboard, casting and effects featurettes; deleted scenes and other assorted features.
For enjoying an overwrought Prince soundtrack: Batman (2-Disc Special Edition) (1989)
While Michael Keaton was a fine Batman and Jack Nicholson a terrific Joker, the most interesting piece of Keaton – Batman news recently is the rumor that Keaton may play the Joker in the sequel to Batman Begins. That said, the Tim Burton-directed "original" modern Batman movie is the best of the four in the original franchise. While some of Burton's choices drive/drove the comic nerd community crazy, Burton gets the darkness and atmosphere that would disappear from the franchise in the latter two movies (the Schumacher era). It will be intriguing to watch the basic origin stories as told by Burton and "new" franchise director Christopher Nolan back-to-back, with Nolan's film telling the origin in a more straight-forward, true-to-comics manner, but Burton tying the death of Bruce Wayne's parents into his film's lead villain (and leading me to occasionally mutter "have you ever danced with the devil by the pale moonlight" more frequently than is healthy).
Ultimately, Burton's Batman ends up being a story about the Joker, simply due to Nicholson's complete command of the screen and willingness to be completely and totally insane. It's a terrific movie, except for the insanity of Prince having 37 songs on the soundtrack. Now, given that Prince really wanted to play Batman, I guess we should consider ourselves lucky (the man is, after all 5' 3" and about 95 pounds), but I'd still prefer not to hear Batdance ever again. Released both as part of a larger box set of the "original" franchise's four films or alone, Batman comes in a two-disc special edition that is, believe it or not, actually special. While I will likely avoid the latter three films in the series, it is tempting to check out Batman and Robin, simply for the fact that Joel Schumacher actually apologizes for the film during the audio commentary.
If you just buy Batman, you'll enjoy an audio commentary with Burton; and a ton of featurettes: On the Set with (Batman creator) Bob Kane, a history of Batman – the comic as reinvented and reinterpreted over nearly seven decades, a history of the filmed versions of Batman, and featurettes on set design, production, the Batmobile, props, the Batsuit, Nicholson's transformation, the music of Batman (the only thing I still think should have been brought along to Batman Begins); ridiculous music videos by Prince for his songs Batdance, Partyman and Scandalous; a profile on Batman-related heroes and villains; a Robin storyboard feature; and a new transfer of the film's audio and video presentation.
For everyone wondering who the winner of this week's "Screwed by the man"award is: The Big Lebowski (Widescreen Collector's Edition) (1998)
The latest entry in the "new edition of a previously released DVD being re-released with no extra features to screw the fans" sweepstakes is quite possibly the winner. Fans, you're screwed. Don't buy this. Keep your original version and then just hope that the Coens come to their senses and release a real special edition of their classic, indescribable, brilliant film about a shiftless layabout with the same name as an upstanding member of society and the hijinks that occur (including Tara Reid in her most true-to-life role prior to Taradise) when there's a big misunderstanding. The "special features" on the disc are an introduction by Mortimer Young; a gallery of Jeff Bridges' Photography; and a making of featurette. For shame, Joel and Ethan Coen, for shame.
For the newest great superhero movie: Batman Begins (2-Disc Deluxe Edition) (2005)
Superhero films, now more popular than ever, have been lucky enough to attract the involvement of some extremely talented writers, directors and actors. Hot on the heels of the outstanding X-Men 2; Spider-Man 2 and Fantastic Four (kidding), Christopher Nolan's Batman origin story is, above all things, a wonderfully well-made film. Not movie, film. If the sequel-improving-on-the-original pattern that the X-Men and Spider-Man franchises have had holds, we're going to be really lucky with Nolan's next Bat-film. Add in the fact that Bryan Singer moved over from the X-franchise to helm the new Superman movie and, well, it's a good time for superhero movies. In fact, a simple look at Batman Begins' BOP Tickermaster listing and staff Big Boards will show the esteem this film is held in by BOP staff.
Writing and directing, Nolan is blessed with a cast who can actually bring his script to life. Boasting actual actors (rather than the performers of the most recent attempt at a Bat-franchise), Nolan adds previously unseen depth to the characters of Alfred (Michael Caine), the erstwhile butler of Bruce Wayne; Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman), and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), all of whom are important parts of the history of the character but, in the cases of Alfred and Commissioner Gordon, had been largely unimportant to the previous Bat-films. Here they are used as crucial parts of the formation of Bruce Wayne and Batman. It's a subtly deft touch that Nolan uses to beef up the film. Add in actors like Cillian Murphy, Ken Watanabe and Tom Wilkinson, and it's an outstanding array of talent.
When you add in the deep and rich Batman mythology, the groundwork is there for a great film. Which is exactly what Nolan delivers. Based partially on Frank Miller's classic Batman: Year One origin story and using elements of Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's The Long Halloween, Batman Begins covers the well-trod ground of Batman's history with a fresh eye, using the famous murder of Bruce Wayne's parents to not only provide a catalyst for the birth of Batman, but also to provide the theme of fear and loneliness to the film. Christian Bale brings jaw-clenching gravitas to the Bruce Wayne/Batman role, giving the movie a presence to build a film around. The main difference between this "new" Batman and the original franchise is that Batman is the star of the show, not just a premise for stunt casting huge stars as villains. It's the best entry in the Batman film canon and an outstanding foundation for the future of the franchise.
Also outstanding is the DVD set fans will purchase in droves. While it's disappointing to not have a commentary track from Nolan (an odd missing piece given Nolan's commentaries on all three of his previous films), there's plenty more to make up for it. Included on the discs are featurettes on creative concepts, story development and casting; Christian Bale's transformation into Batman; the reinvention of the Batmobile; production design; miniatures, CGI, and effects; a look at the influences on the film; facts and story points not in the film; the new Batsuit; filming in Iceland; photo galleries and a collectible comic book featuring Batman comics that influenced the story. There are also a variety of theatrical trailers and DVD-rom features (including video game demos). It's an outstanding package and the DVD Pick of the Week.
October 18, 2005
Avalanche: Nature Unleashed (2004)
Batman & Robin (2-Disc Special Edition) (1997)
Batman (2-Disc Special Edition) (1989)
Batman Begins (Full Frame) (2005)
Batman Begins (Widescreen) (2005)
Batman Begins (2-Disc Deluxe Edition) (2005)
Batman Forever (2-Disc Special Edition) (1995)
Batman Returns (2-Disc Special Edition) (1992)
The Batman vs. Dracula Animated Movie (2005)
The Big Lebowski (Full Frame Collector's Edition) (1998)
The Big Lebowski (Widescreen Collector's Edition) (1998)
Blood of Beasts (2003)
The Care Bears: Big Wish Movie (2005)
A Christmas Carol: The Musical (2004)
CSI New York: The Complete First Season (7-DVD Set) (2004)
Dark Harvest 2: The Maize (2005)
Day of the Dead 2: Contagium (2005)
Dot the I (2005)
The Emperor's New Groove (New Groove Edition) (2000)
Eternal (2004)
FernGully: The Last Rainforest (Family Fun Edition) (1992)
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (Limited Edition) (1988)
Hostile Takedown (2004)
House of Voices (2004)
The Hollow (2004)
Jacqueline Hyde (Rated R) (2005)
Jacqueline Hyde (Unrated) (2005)
Land of the Dead (Full Frame) (2005)
Land of the Dead (Unrated Full Frame) (2005)
Land of the Dead (Unrated Widescreen) (2005)
Lifeboat (Special Edition) (1944)
Love in Thoughts (2004)
Ma Mere (2004)
Mad Hot Ballroom (2005)
MPD Psycho III (2000)
Omagh (2004)
Samurai 7: Volume 2 (2004)
Saving Face (2004)
Saw (Uncut Edition) (2004)
Season of the Witch (1973)
Strange as Angels (2005)
Sword of the Beast (Criterion Collection) (1965)
Tell Them Who You Are (2005)
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