Underworld: Awakening 3D (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

If you love vampires and werewolves and love popcorn action films, “Underworld: Awakening” will definitely interest you.  But the highlight is the fantastic 3D experience of this Blu-ray and its fantastic, immersive lossless soundtrack.  “Underworld: Awakening” is definitely one of the better live action 3D Blu-ray releases I have watched!

Images courtesy of © 2012 Lakeshore Entertainment Group LLC. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: Underworld: Awakening 3D

FILM RELEASE: 2012

DURATION: 89 Minutes

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (2:40:1), English 7.1 DTS-HD MA, French 5.1 DTS-HD MA, English – Audio Description Track, Subtitles: English, English SDH, French and Spanish

COMPANY: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

RATED: R (For Strong Violence and Gore, and for Some Language)

Release Date: May 8, 2012

Directed by Mans Marlind, Bjorn Stein

Screenplay by Len Wiseman, John Hlavin, J. Michael Straczynski, Allison Burnett

Story by Len Wiseman

Characters by Kevin Grevioux, Len Wiseman, Danny McBride

Executive Producer: David Kern, James McQuaide, Skip Williamson, Henry Winterstern

Produced by Gary Lucchesi, Tom Rosenberg, Len Wiseman, Richard S. Wright

Music by Paul Haslinger

Cinematography by Scott Kevan

Edited by Jeff McEvoy

Casting by Deborah Aquila, Tricia Wood

Production Design by Claude Pare

Art Direction by Martina Javorova, Gary Myers

Set Decoration by Shane Vieau

Costume Design by Monique Prudhomme

Starring:

Kate Beckinsale as Selene

Stephen Rea as Dr. Jacob Lane

Michael Ealy as Detective Sebastian

Theo James as David

India Eisley as Eve

Sandrine Holt as Lida

Charles Dance as Thomas

Kris Holden-Ried as Quint

Jacob Blair as Officer Kolb

KATE BECKINSALE returns as the ultimate vampire warrioress Selene in Underworld Awakening, the stunning new installment of the epic saga for the first time in 3D. Having escaped years of imprisonment, she finds herself in a changed world where humans have discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan clans and are conducting an all-out war to eradicate both immortal species. Now Selene must battle the humans and a frightening new breed of super Lycans to ensure the death dealers’ survival. Regular – KATE BECKINSALE returns as the ultimate vampire warrioress Selene in Underworld Awakening, the stunning new installment of the epic saga. Having escaped years of imprisonment, she finds herself in a changed world where humans have discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan clans and are conducting an all-out war to eradicate both immortal species. Now Selene must battle the humans and a frightening new breed of super Lycans to ensure the death dealers’ survival.

It has been nearly a decade since the release of the “Underworld” film.   The original film, directed by Len Wiseman (“Live Free and Die Hard”, “Underworld: Evolution”) and written by Danny McBride, the first film would receive mixed reviews from critics but would make over $95 million in the box office and would pave the way for two more films, a sequel and a prequel.

And now the fourth film, “Underworld: Awakening” directed by Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein (the duo who worked on the film “Shelter” and “Storm”), join Len Wiseman (who continues to write the films) and reuniting with actress Kate Beckinsale (“Aviator”, “Pearl Harbor”).

“Underworld: Awakening” was presented in theaters in 3D and brought in over $160 million in the box office, becoming the first film of 2012 to break $100 million.

And now the Blu-ray release (featuring both films in 3D and 2D) and DVD will be released in May 2012.

What is “Underworld” all about?

“Underworld” takes place during a time where the vampires and the Lycans (werewolves) are at war. In the past, the Lycans were used as slaves for centuries by the vampires but rebelled courtesy of their leader Lucian and have been in war since.

For vampire/Death Dealer, Selene (played by Kate Beckinsale), her job is to hunt down the Lycans. When she was young, her family was massacred by the Lycans and thus she was taken in by vampire leader Victor (played by Bill Nighy) and given immortal life by being transformed into a vampire.

So, she despises the Lycans and assassinates them. It is said that the Lycans were defeated many centuries ago when their leader Lucian (played by Michael Sheen) was killed and the Lycans that are remaining are survivors that must be eliminated.

But one day, as the vampires were hunting down the Lycans at a subway station, the Lycans fight back and the vampire/Death Dealer Rigel is killed. She tracks them down to their den and another vampire is killed by a Lycan named Raze. When Selene goes to investigate, she finds out that the Lycans have developed a new type of bullet to kill vampires.

When she arrives back to the vampire coven’s mansion, she goes to tell current vampire regent Kraven (played by Shane Brolly) what she discovered but is told to drop it. Selene doesn’t understand why they would drop such important developments and when she goes to do more research, she realizes that the Lycans are following a human named Michael Corvin (played by Scott Speedman).

At the Lycan headquarters, we learn that their scientist Singe is testing blood on kidnapped descendants of the ancient Corvinus family to find a pure source of their ancient and powerful bloodline. Selene wonders why they are pursuing the human and she decides to help him, but in the process, he is bitten by Lucian.

Selene brings the injured Michael back to the vampire’s coven, against Kraven’s wishes. When one of the vampires goes to check on him, she finds a bite by a Lycan and realizes that the human will turn into a Lycan during a full moon. Shocked by the encounter, Michael runs away from the Vampire’s coven.

When Selene continues her research about Lucian, she realizes that only one vampire has witnessed his death and it was Kraven. What if there is a conspiracy and that Lucian is definitely alive, that means Kraven can not be trusted.

Selene manages to help Michael once again but this time, locking him up at a vampire lab area. She explains to him about why she has hatred towards the Lycans and what they did to her family but also learns more about Michael’s history and tells what will happen to him during a full moon.

The relationship between Selene and Michael grows stronger and stronger and sure enough, both vampire and Lycan fall in love.  As the vampires want Michael dead and nearly get their way, Selene eventually saves Michael by biting him and thus, the combination of vampire and Lycan blood has turned Michael into a hybrid of both.  And in the process of protecting the man she loves, she goes against her coven, and kills the Vampire elders.

In “Underworld: Evolution”,  we learn the truth of the blood lines.  It is revealed that Marcus, not Viktor, is the first vampire and one of the three sons of Alexander Corvinus, the first immortal.  Markus was bitten by a bat and became a vampire, his twin brother William was bitten by a wolf and became a Lycan.  The third son, a human is responsible for a line of descendants including Michael, who had the anti-body and eventually become the first vampire-Lycan hybrid.

In the second film, Alexander Corvinus has given Selene his blood and thus given immortality.

Since then, both Selene and Michael have been on the run trying to protect each other from both vampire and Lycan who want them dead.

Which leads us to the fourth film, “Underworld: Awakening”.

After the events of “Underworld: Evolution”, the world now knows that vampires and Lycans exist.  And there is a massive cleansing (known as “The Purge”) as humans now try to exterminate vampires and Lycans.  Survivors have now moved underground, while both Selene and Michael have become the hunted.

Split off from each other, both try to come together during a standoff with the authorities but as Michael is shot and falls into the ocean, Selene goes after him and tries to save him.  But in the process, both are separated by a detonator.

Fast forward, 12 years later and during this time, “The Purge” has now been concluded as 95% of the vampires have been annihilated and the Lycans are considered as extinct.

Selene is being kept inside a cryogenic suspension by the medical corporation known as Antigen, which are trying to create an antidote for the virus which creates vampires and Lycans

Known as “subject 1″, someone has broken into the lab facility and have released Selene.  As Selene awakens and puts on her leather costume, she looks for Michael but is not sure where he is kept and thus she escapes Antigen facilities.

Meanwhile, murders are occurring in the city and while the normal judgment by police is to think that the vampires had committed the crime (since Lycans are thought to be extinct), Detective Sebastian (played by Michael Ealy), looking at how the body was murdered, doesn’t think so.  And he spots Selene, who quickly disappears.

But also spotting Selene is a young vampire named David (played by Theo James).  He goes to track down Selene, who is trying to find answers of where Michael may be.  When David tracks her down, he tells her the truth that the Lycans have been forced to live underground, no food, diseased and something has riled them up in order for them to go back up to the surface.  And he thinks Selene knows the answer to why the Lycans are back.

But Selene starts to see images, images that usually come from the bond that she has with Michael.  Thinking that Michael is in trouble and is being hunted by the Lycans, she and David fight them off but instead of finding Michael, she finds a young girl named Eve (played by India Eisely).

Why does girl have this power and why is Selene reacting to it?  As the three are pursued by the Lycans, Eve tells Selene that she was Subject 2 at Antigen and was responsible for setting her free.  She also revealed that she was in a chamber next to her mother…which would be Selene.  Needless to say, Selene is shocked because 12 years ago, she was with Michael.  Now when she awakens, instead of finding Michael, she finds out that both had a daughter.

We then learn from Dr. Jacob Lane (played by Stephen Rea), director of Antigen, that he is actually a Lycan and the antidote that they are working on is not for humans, but a drug designed to make Lycans immune to the deadly effects of silver on their species and to also heighten their abilities and size.  But since Eve is the child of a hybrid and a vampire, her genetic code is needed and thus, the reason why Antigen and the Lycans are after her.

Selene is determined to protect Eve and hopes to find Michael.  But the only way to find him is by going back to Antigen facilities, where she must fight the Lycans alone.

VIDEO:

“Underworld: Awakening” is presented in 1080p High Definition (2:40:1) aspect ratio and you have the option of watching the film in 3D or 2D.

With that being said, make no doubt about it, “Underworld: Awakening” is one of the better Blu-ray on 3D live action release.  Not only do you get the 3D depth but there are a number of moments where shattering of fragments, blood, artillery, debris and weapons are flying all over the place towards you.   And the great news is that the 3D is constant, it’s not like you will see a 3D effect every 20 minutes.  There is a lot of action in this film and there is no doubt that when “Underworld: Awakening” was made, there was an emphasis put on the action and making the 3D benefit from these action sequences.

With that being said, the video quality for this film is fantastic!  Sony hasn’t really disappointed anyone with their Blu-ray releases of late and “Underworld: Awakening” is a film that retains its cool, dark look with blues, grays and blacks.  Black levels are nice and deep, explosions showcasing lighter colors such as oranges and ambers are vibrant.  Detail is very well done, especially showcasing the vampire or Lycan transformations.  Both 3D and 2D versions look amazing and videophiles should be pleased with both versions.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“Underworld: Awakening” not only showcases magnificent visuals and 3D, the lossless soundtrack is also immersive and fantastic.  Presented in English 7.1 DTS-HD MA, French 5.1 DTS-HD MA and English -Audio Description Track, like the 3D that is constant, as with the action.  There is plenty of action from cars crashing into each other, Selene unleashing a parade of bullets, elevators crashing, bodies being swatted like flies and hearing the groans, the growls, you name it…the audio is coming from all over the place.

I was so pleased with this soundtrack and just hearing constant audio coming from the surround channels was a major plus for me and also, the music soundtrack also is utilized for the surround channels as well.

You get an immersive lossless soundtrack with “Underworld: Awakening” and dialogue is crystal clear, there is nothing bad to say about the soundtrack for this film.  Audiophiles will definitely be pleased!

Subtitles are presented in English, English SDH, French and Spanish.

SPECIAL FEATURES

“Underworld: Awakening” comes with the following special features:

• Filmmakers Commentary - Featuring directors Mans Marlind, Bjorn Stein, producers Richard Wright and Gary Lucchesi, Executive producer and visual effects supervisor James McQuaide, this audio commentary is very active and informative.
• Selene Rises – (12:14) A featurette about Kate Beckinsale reprising her role as Selene and also going into the costume and character development.
• Casting the Future of Underworld – (12:33) A featurette about the two new cast members, Theo James and India Eisley.
• Resuming the Action – (8:52) A featurette about the film’s action sequences, the stunts and the 3D technology used for the film.
• Building a Better Lycan – (10:20) A featurette on how they wanted to upgrade the visuals for the werewolves (Lycans).
• Previsualization Sequences – Featuring six pre-visualization sequences, including an alternate opening sequence: Alternate Opening Sequence (5:29), Car Chase in 3D (1:51), Coven Fight in 3D (1:58), Anitgen Attack – Part 1 (2:19), Antigen Attack – Part 2 (3:52), and Antigen Attack – Part 3 (6:05).
• Awakening a Franchise, Building a Brutal New World – (18:53) A featurette about the technology, special effects, set design for “Underworld: Awakening” and more.
• Blooper Reel – (3:21) Bloopers for “Underworld: Awakening”.
• “Heavy Prey” Music Video by Lacey Sturm feat. Geno Lenardo – (3:25) Featuring the music video “Heavy Prey”.

I have always looked at the “Underworld” films as your vampire vs. werewolf popcorn action film series.  With “Underworld: Awakening”, the writers were moving away from the “Twilight” mushy romance (or Romeo & Juliet romance, as I called the first two films).

This time around, Juliet (Selene) is separated from her Romeo (Michael) and the world has turned against them.  They are the hunted and she lost 12-years of her life, to find out that she has a child who may be the most powerful child with vampire and Lycan blood, and most importantly, having the blood of Alexander Corvinus, hence the immortality.

And what is quite interesting is the introduction of the two new characters, we have “Secret Life of the American Teenager” actress India Eisley playing Eve and a vampire named David (played by Theo James) as the next generation who will play an important role in the future of the films.

I admit that while “Underworld” films are typically popcorn action films, there was depth in the storyline as it focused on the war between vampires and Lycans and treachery that went on behind-the-scenes.  There was a sense of brooding darkness that followed the characters but this time around, since most of the vampires and Lycans have been massacred, the film changes from being vampire vs. Lycans film to now the humans vs. the vampires, Lycans and hybrids.

And there was no doubt that these films were now more action heavy, designed for 3D and the storyline, was made to be kept simple for those who have never watched the films in the trilogy.  And thus, the storyline is rather subjective.  Those who love the original storyline for its violent action but also romance, you can’t have a romance in “Underworld: Awakening” when Juliet has been separated from her Romeo. So, without the romantic angle which has been a big part of the film series, you’re left with the action and a storyline about being the hunted.

And once again,  it’s another popcorn action film and with actress Kate Beckinsale wearing a tight leather uniform but this time with upgraded visuals due to technology and a futuristic setting.  I felt that the makeup and creature design were fantastic for this film as with the visual effects, especially the 3D and fantastic lossless audio.

The video and the lossless soundtrack were absolutely amazing and these two have been the strong points of the “Underworld” films but this time, they have raised the bar of how things look and sound.  The 3D really makes a difference and the constant immersive audio was a major plus.   And to top things off, there are a good number of special features to keep “Underworld” fans busy.  Make no doubt about it, this is a Blu-ray release that Blu-ray 3D enthusiasts plus video and audiophiles will surely enjoy!

Overall, while “Underworld: Awakening” is not a film that focuses on a deep storyline, fans of the previous films know what to expect and that is a lot of bullets, a lot of deaths, non-stop action and Kate Beckinsale looking awesome a decade later in tight black leather.

A worthy continuation of the “Underworld” film series that leans very heavy on the action, even those who have never watched an “Underworld” film can watch this film and enjoy it (there is an explanation of the first two films at the beginning of the film).  And for those expecting a lot of blood and gore, you get some of that as well in “Underworld: Awakening”.

If you are looking for an all-out action film with vampires vs. werewolves, “Underworld: Awakening” will definitely appeal to you!  And for those who have been wanting better Blu-ray 3D experiences, “Underworld: Awakening” is one of the better 3D live-action Blu-rays that I have seen in a while.

 

Wings (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Review)

“Wings” is a magnificent Blu-ray release.  For silent fans who have wanted a reason to upgrade to Blu-ray, “Wings” can be added to that list for another reason why to upgrade.  A fantastic Blu-ray release that cinema and silent film fans will want to have in their collection!  It is a must-own!

Images courtesy of © 1927 Paramount Famouse Lasky Corp. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: Wings

FILM RELEASE DATE: 1927

DURATION: 144 minutes

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition, Color Tinted, Re-Recorded Score Composed by J.S. Zamecnik (orchestrated and arranged by Domink Hauser, Featured Pianist – Frederik Hodges with sound effects by Ben Burtt), 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, Pipe Organ Score composed and performed by Gaylord Carter, 2.0 Stereo Dolby Digital, Subtitles: French, Spanish, Portuguese

COMPANY: Paramount

RATED: PG (Some Language)

Release Date: January 24, 2012

Directed by William A. Wellman

Story by John Monk Saunders

Screenplay by Hope Loring, Louis D. Lighton

Titles by Julian Johnson

Associate Producer: B.P. Schulberg

Cinematography by J.S. Zamecnik

Edited by E. Lloyd Sheldon

Starring:

Clara Bow as Mary Preston

Charles “Buddy” Rogers as Jack Powell

Richard Arlen as David Armstrong

Jobyna Ralston as Sylvia Lewis

El Brendel as Herman Schwimpf

Ricahrd Tucker as Air Commander

Gary Cooper as Cadet White

Gunboat Smith as The Sergeant

Henry B. Walthall as David’s Father

Roscoe Karns as Lt. Cameron

Julia Swayne Gordon as David’s Mother

Arlette Marchal as Celeste

Director William A. Wellman’s masterpiece is the first film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.  Featuring a meticulous restoration and a newly recorded soundtrack based on the original score, Wings comes to Blu-ray for the first time.  This timeless story of love and loss follows two men who go to war and the girl they leave behind.  Popular Twenties “It” girl Clara Bow stars in this unforgettable World War I epic alongside Richard Arlen, Charles “Buddy” Rogers and the legendary Gary Cooper in a cameo appearance.  The aerial battle sequences still rank among the best in motion picture history.

As a silent film fan, you tend to accept that a lot of films are lost and those that are not lost, you tend to expect smaller companies releasing them on Blu-ray or DVD.

For many years now, there have been three silent films, epics, that I have been awaiting for a DVD video release for a long time.  The three films are Erich von Stroheim’s “Greed” (1924), King Vidor’s “The Big Parade” (1925) and William A. Wellman’s 1927 film “Wings”.

And I have to admit that I have felt that the studio have been dangling a carrot for silent film fans, teasing us over the years, watching a once in awhile airing on TCM and yet, not knowing when these films will ever see a video release at all.

That changed in 2012 as “Wings”, known as the first Academy Award winning film for “Best Picture” (at the time known as “Most Outstanding Production”) would receive it’s HD treatment with a Blu-ray release and also on DVD, after receiving extensive restoration.

And not only does William A. Wellman’s (known for directing “The Public Enemy”, “A Star is Born”, “The Ox-Bow Incident”) masterpiece look absolutely fantastic in 1080p High Definition, the inclusion of a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack with sound effects literally surprised me, as I was not expecting it.

And this is quite interesting as the film was once considered lost until a print was found at the Cinematheque Francaise film archive in Paris, in which the deteriorating nitrate film was transferred to safety film stock, and was re-released in theaters.

In 1997, “Wings” was selected for preservation in the United Stats National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.

“Wings” is based on the story by John Monk Saunders and the screenplay adaptation was written by Hope Loring and Louis D. Lighton.

The film is known as a war epic and love story, but is also known for its amazing aerial cinematography (which aimed at capturing realistic dogfights that two incidents took place, including a tragic crash).    The film was also made before there were rules were set of what a movie studio can not do in a film, so the film actually shows a few-second shot of a nude Clara Bow, nude men undergoing military physical exams in the background and a shared kiss between two male friends (as some people today would say, a “bromance” scene).

“Wings” is a film that takes place in a small American town.  Jack Powell (played by Charles “Buddy” Rogers) is working on his vehicle and the girl next door, Mary Preston (played by Clara Bow) has been in love with him for quite some time.

While a one-sided love affair, Mary helps Jack fix his car and call it the “Shooting Star” in which she paints an image of a shooting star on his car.  Expecting gratitude, hopefully with a kiss, instead Jack thanks Mary and drives off with his car to meet the girl that he likes, Sylvia Lewis (played by Jobyna Ralston), the popular girl from the city.

But as Jack arrives to meet with Sylvia, she is already with the guy she loves, the wealthy David Armstrong (played by Richard Arlen).  Both love each other, but Sylvia has not been able to tell David, in order to spare his feelings.

Needless to say, this sets up the rivalry between Jack and David.

The scene shifts to World War I and both young men join the Air Service to become combat pilots and are off to training.

For the loving son David, it’s difficult to depart from his mother (played by Julia Swayne Gordon) and his father (played by Henry B. Walthall).  But his mother finds the teddy bear he once played with as a child and David wants to keep it with him as a good luck charm. His mother wants to see David come back alive with the bear, as both parents worry about their son.

As for Jack, he’s all ready to go but first, he wants his own good luck charm and he goes to meet Sylvia for a picture. Meanwhile, Sylvia is planning to give David a picture of her, but instead Jack thinks it’s for him and takes it.  David arrives to see Sylvia with Jack and Jack leaves with a grin towards his rival.

Sylvia knows David is jealous but reminds him that Jack may have her picture, but David has her heart. Meanwhile, as Jack is about to leave for training, Mary gives Jack a good luck charm, a picture of herself.

For military training, both Jack and David try to excel in what they do and during their boxing match, both decide to let their rivalry be tested through a fight.  Jack doesn’t think much of David, since he’s from a wealthy family and doesn’t think he can fight.  And sure enough, Jack beats David with ease.  But at the same time, David earns Jack’s respect and the two become best friends afterward.

And the two go through extensive military training and prepare to be shipped off to France in order to go in aerial combat against the Germans.

Mary meanwhile wants to be involved in the war effort, so she takes a job and becomes an ambulance driver in hopes that she can be close to Jack.

But with World War II and the Germans prepared to show their aerial superiority, will Jack and David be ready for battle?  And will Mary be able to let Jack know that she loves him?

VIDEO:

When it comes to silent films on Blu-ray, I’m not very picky as many silent films have suffered from nitrate damage and neglect.    And the fact is that many companies can’t spend millions of dollars on restoration.  So, I have had this “take what you can get” attitude towards silent films on Blu-ray and DVD for a long time.

But when “The General”, “Modern Times” and “Metropolis” were released on Blu-ray, three films that did receive restoration, that’s when I have high expectations.  With “Wings”, it’s the same situation.  I know that there was a PhotoPlay restoration done awhile back, but the version featured is a Paramount restoration.

The film is presented in 1080p High Definition (1:34:1 aspect ratio), color tinted with black bars on the side.  I was absolutely pleased with the video as visually, this is best I have seen of the film, this is the best I have ever seen of Clara Bow on video and there were no nitrate damage, no warping. I didn’t see any scratches or dust which was surprising.  There is no doubt that there was considerable money spent to restore this film and it shows as the film looks clean and visually, stunning!

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“Wings” is presented in 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio (featuring a re-recorded score composed by J.S. Zamecnik (orchestrated and arranged by Domink Hauser, featuring pianist Frederick Hodges and sound effects by Ben Burtt).  There is also a Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 soundtrack featuring a pipe organ score composed and performed by Gaylord Carter.

It’s one thing for the film to look amazing in HD but for those with a home theater system, when you watch and have your audio setting set to the lossless version, audiophiles, you are in for a treat. I was absolutely floored by the 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio lossless audio. The sound effects…I was not expecting to hear it. But when the LFE (subwoofer) started to rumble and started to hear audio coming from all around me through the surround channels during the aerial dogfighting sequences, my first reaction was amazement and I was shocked because I was not expecting it at all.

And I can continue to gush about the lossless soundtrack, while others may not be so thrilled with sound effects and a new re-recorded score, as some absolutely love the Carl Davis score that was featured long ago.  But the expected Gaylor Carter pipe organ score was included (as many people are familiar with his score) and it also sounds good via lossless stereo.

So, I’m very pleased that Paramount had decided to include two soundtracks and also really do something different by incorporating the sound effects, what a surprise and I’m impressed!

Subtitles are also included in French, Spanish and Portuguese.

SPECIAL FEATURES

“Wings” comes with the following special features:

• Wings: Grandeur in the Sky - (25:56) A featurette that goes into the making of “Wings”, the challenges of aerial cinematography of the time and trying to make the film authentic with a $2 million budget (which was a lot at that time).  As well as looking into the success of the film.
• Restoring the Power and Beauty of Wings - (14:21) A featurette on the restoration of “Wings” including the re-recording score by J.S. Zamecnik and the sound effects by Ben Burtt
• Dogfight – (12:54) A featurette about the evolution of airplanes, especially those used in World War I.

EXTRAS:

“Wings” comes with a slipcover.

For so many years, I have wanted this film on DVD.  What was easily available and accessible were bad versions of the film available via public domain and suffice to say, the announcement of “Wings” on Blu-ray was incredible.

As a silent film fan, it’s amazing that in these last few years, we have seen the progress of having to see silent film in HD with amazing detail and clarity but most importantly, seeing generations of movie fans taking a chance on silent cinema and enjoying them.

While you have your loyal fans who will buy these videos, may they be in Blu-ray, DVD, LD, VHS or actual reels, the fact that Paramount has released “Wings” on Blu-ray is fantastic news because it leaves the possibility for other classic Paramount silents to be released on Blu-ray and DVD.

And with “Wings”, this is one film that has evaded video release for a long time and here we are now with the definitive version of the film to date.  The most beautiful version of the film to date and now, I must add, the re-recorded score with sound effects in lossless audio adds another dimension to this Wellman masterpiece.

I certainly didn’t know what to expect as I watched this film expecting better video quality but when you start hearing machine gun’s firing all around you, the engines of airplanes reverberating around your room via the surround channels and hearing that LFE kick in…this is something that you never expect from a silent film.

And why that makes me happy is that Paramount is reaching out to two sets of fans.  The hardcore fans who were familiar with Gaylord Carter’s pipe organ score (unfortunately, Carl Davis’ score was not included) but then also knowing that Blu-ray fans, especially for a silent film, you’re going to have to entice them with something extra in order for them to purchase this film.  And sure enough, these fans can enjoy this silent film with a fantastic lossless track with immersive sound effects.

And for the silent fans who still haven’t upgraded to Blu-ray, add “Wings” on the list for another reason why they should upgrade!

So, it’s one thing to have a wonderful visual presentation and soundtrack, but what about the film?

I absolutely enjoyed it as it has a good balance of drama, action and also comedy mixed in.    For Clara Bow fans, the truth is that “It” was a wonderful film that showcased Bow’s talents but in terms of accessibility, for one of the top actresses in America, it’s not easy to find films with Clara.  And “Wings” on Blu-ray not only shows us her emotional performance (the Blu-ray does bring out the details of the tears) but also her boundless energy.

Of course, Clara Bow, while receiving top billing on the Blu-ray case, the film is primarily featuring Charles “Buddy” Rogers and Richard Arlen.  Although I typically dislike this modern term to describe male friendship, yes…”Wings” is the ultimate “Bromance” film.  You get the camaraderie of best friends training to be pilots, knowing they are rivals but managing to get past that and become brothers, watching each other’s backs.  And to see how this friendship develops towards the end of the film.

Both men performed their roles magnificently and it was interesting to also be treated by a cameo featuring Gary Cooper as Cadet White, while not long at all and years before the actor became popular and would star in films such as  “High Noon”, “Sergeant York”, “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town”, “A Farewell to Arms”, to name a few, Cooper’s cameo definitely sets things into perspective that war is ugly and death can happen anytime.  It’s important to note that also that same year, for Clara Bow’s “It”, Gary Cooper had an uncredited cameo.

And while the film features wonderful performances by its three talent for this film (especially this era), there is no doubt that this epic engages its viewers through its visual setting as hundreds of men are engaged in war, while above, we are taken above to the sky with actual aerial cinematography that even makes me wonder how they pulled it off back in 1927.  It did help that director William A. Wellman, writer John Monk Saunders and actor Richard Arlen served in World War I as military advisors (in fact, Arlen would teach as a United States Army Air Forces flight instructor during World War II).  While Buddy Rogers would undergo flight training to prepare him for his role.  And for the most part, the training led to the efficacy of director Wellman trying to achieve authenticity for his film.

As for the Blu-ray release, as mentioned… this is the definitive version of “Wings” to own for now.  While I would have loved to hear an audio commentary track and see more special features included, as mentioned with my feeling towards silent films, many hardly come with special features and when they do, they are fairly short.  You get three special features that end up as around an hour worth of extra content and you take what you can get.  But it would have been nice to see an audio commentary track, perhaps lobby card and photo gallery.

Overall, “Wings” is a magnificent Blu-ray release.  For silent fans who have wanted a reason to upgrade to Blu-ray, “Wings” can be added to that list for another reason why to upgrade.  A fantastic Blu-ray release that cinema and silent film fans will want to have in their collection!  It is a must-own!

 

A Hollis Frampton Odyssey – The Criterion Collection #607 (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

“A Hollis Frampton Odyssey” is a wonderful collection of the best of Hollis Frampton (not a release of his complete work), but it’s a long awaited release that Frampton fans have wanted to see for a very long time.  For Frampton’s films, it’s about illusionist complexity as a whole and Frampton even said, “the trained eye and the trained mind will respond in the way that he indicates”.  Some may find these films redundant, didactic or effete, but others may find it complex, surreal and cerebral.  As a fan of avante-garde films, I was fascinated by its complexity and audaciousness.   These films are about how you interpret it on your own, through your own personal experience.  “A Hollis Frampton Odyssey” is highly recommended!

Image courtesy of © The Estate of Hollis Frampton. 2012 The Criterion Collection. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: A Hollis Frampton Odyssey – The Criterion Collection #607

MOVIE RELEASE: 1966-1979

DURATION: 24 Films (266 Minutes)

DVD INFORMATION: Color & B&W, 1:33:1 Aspect Ratio, Monaural, Subtitles: English SDH

COMPANY: The Criterion Collection

RELEASE DATE: April 24, 2012

Directed by Hollis Frampton

An icon of the American avant-garde, Hollis Frampton made rigorous, audacious, brainy, and downright thrilling films, leaving behind a body of work that remains unparalleled. In the 1960s, having already been a poet and a photographer, Frampton became fascinated with the possibilities of 16 mm filmmaking. In such radically playful and visually and sonically arresting works as Surface Tension, Zorns Lemma, (nostalgia), Critical Mass, and the enormous, unfinished Magellan cycle (cut short by his death at age forty-eight), Frampton repurposes cinema itself, making it into something by turns literary, mathematical, sculptural, and simply beautiful—and always captivating. This collection of works by the essential artist—the first release of its kind—includes twenty-four films, dating from 1966 to 1979.

Many Criterion Collection fans have wondered when the company would release more anthology collections featuring avante-garde filmmakers.

We have seen the release of films by Stan Brakhage via two anthology volumes on Blu-ray but yet, fans have hoped to see an anthology or special release showcasing the work of Maya Deren, Kenneth Anger, Ernie Gehr, Andy Warhol, Marie Menken, Pat O’Neill and Hollis Frampton, to name a few.

With the support from those who enjoyed the “Stan Brakhage Anthology” release, Criterion Collection has chosen some of the best work of avante-garde filmmaker Hollis Frampton,  in order to help introduce Frampton’s oeuvre to curious cineaste but also please a following who have wanted to see a more thorough collection of his hard-to-find films.

Hollis Frampton is one of the most unique and talented filmmakers, especially when you follow his career as a student at Harvard University and Western Reserve University who was looked at by his peers as a genius but at the same time, he was also the type that walked the beat of his own drum and while taking a lot of classes that he wanted to take, he never graduated.

But it’s the third of learning of art that inspired Frampton.  From his friendship with painters Frank Stella, sculptor Carl Andre to developing a correspondence with modernist poet Ezra Pound, Frampton would take an interest in photography documenting Carl Andre’s work.

And with his pursuit of creativity, Frampton would explore his ideas through filmmaking and showcasing his experimental use of film, audio and also digital art through the use of computers during that time of his life.

While creating a plethora of films, some to have been shown in museums and galleries, the film that he is best known for is his 1970 experimental film “Zorns Lemma” but like a painting, many have had their own take and perspective of Frampton’s work.  He would later follow up with the Hapax Legomena films and many more that would follow, including what would have hoped to be his magnum opus, the Magellan films.

But unfortunately, Hollis Frampton’s life was cut short at the age of 48 due to lung cancer and for many avante-garde and fans of Frampton’s work, his ultimate project “Magellan” would never be completed.  Yet, Frampton still leaves behind a body of work that is celebrated to this day.

“A Hollis Frampton Odyssey” features the following 24 films which were selected by film preservationist Bill Brand and Frampton scholars Bruce Jenkins and Michael Zryd, in consultation with Frampton’s former partner, Marion Faller:

EARLY FILMS

Hollis Frampton’s most successful film “Zorns Lemma” (1970) is included.
Manual of Arms (1966 • 17 minutes, 10 seconds • Black & White • Silent)
Process Red (1966 • 3 minutes, 37 seconds • Color • Silent)
Maxwell’s Demon (1968 • 3 minutes, 44 seconds • Color • Mono)
Surface Tension (1968 • 9 minutes, 30 seconds • Color • Mono)
Carrots & Peas (1969 • 5 minutes, 21 seconds • Color • Mono)
Lemon (1969 • 7 minutes, 17 seconds • Color • Silent)

Zorns Lemma (1970 • 59 minutes, 51 seconds • Color • Mono)

FILMS FROM HAPAX LEGOMENA

Within Frampton’s oeuvre, “Hapax Legomena” is the only multi-part set of films that was completed.
(nostalgia) (1971 • 36 minutes, 7 seconds • Black & White • Mono)
Poetic Justice (1972 • 31 minutes, 28 seconds • Black & White • Silent)
Critical Mass (1971 • 25 minutes, 11 seconds • Black & White • Mono)

FILMS FROM MAGELLAN

Hollis Frampton began working on his “Magellan” movie back in 1972 and would continue to work on it until his death in 1984.

The goal for Frampton was to create a film that was 36-hours long and it would be shown for 369 days (369 because the first two days of the cycle overlaps the last two days of the preceding calendar year and the last two days of the cycle overlaps the first two days of the following calendar year, source: Brian Henderson – “Propositions for the Exploration of Frampton’s Magellan”, note: You will also see the figure of 371 days used.).  At the time of his death, Frampton had completed around 7-8 hours.

The schedule was planned around Ferdinand Magellan’s annotated calendar and the film would feature 1,000 films, divided into 24 sections, some films would allow for a few minutes of screenings while longer works would be featured during equinoxes, solstices and other specialized dates.

The Birth of Magellan
The Birth of Magellan: Cadenza I (1977–1980 • 5 minutes, 41 seconds • Color • Mono)
Straits of Magellan
Pans 0–4 and 697–700 (1969–74 • 1-minute each • Color • Silent)
INGENIVM NOBIS IPSA PVELLA FECIT, Part I (1975 • 4 minutes, 48 seconds • Color • Silent)
Magellan: At the Gates of Death, Part I: The Red Gate 1, 0 (1976 • 5 minutes, 10 seconds • Color • Silent)
Winter Solstice (1974 • 32 minutes, 36 seconds • Color • Silent)
The Death of Magellan
Gloria! (1979 • 9 minutes, 36 seconds • Color • Mono)

VIDEO:

“A Hollis Frampton Odyssey – The Criterion Collection #607” is presented in Black and White and color.  And because a lot of these films were low-budget and experimental, quality varies for many of the films featured in this collection.

According to the Criterion Collection, the films are presented in their original aspect ration of 1:33:1.  These new high-definition digital transfers were created on a Spirit 2K Datacine from original 16 mm A/B/C/D rolls, internegatives and prints.

“Critical Mass”, “Gloria!”, “Lemon”, “(nostalgia)”, “Poetic Justice” and “Zorns Lemma” preservation film elements courtesy of Anthology Film Archives, New York.

“INGENIVM NOBIS IPSA PVELLA FECIT, Part I; Less; Process Red; The Birth of Magellan: Cadenza I” and” Winter Solstice” film elements courtesy of the Film-Makers’ Cooperative, New York.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“A Hollis Frampton Odyssey – The Criterion Collection #607″ showcases films that are silent or have audio.

According to the Criterion Collection, the original monaural soundtracks were remastered at 24-bit from original optical and magnetic tracks. Clicks, thumps, hiss and hum were manually removed using Pro Tools HD.  Crackle was attenuated using AudioCube’s integrated workstation.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“A Hollis Frampton Odyssey – The Criterion Collection #607″ on Blu-ray comes with the following special features:

• Hollis Frampton Interview - (20:08) 1978 interview by Adele Fried for the Video Data Bank at the School of Art Institute of Chicago.
• A Lecture - (23:04) A lecture given by Hollis Frampton on October 30, 1968 at a college in NYC.
• By Any Other Name – Featuring a gallery of artwork by Hollis Frampton.

Please note that the following narration or commentary is also included for the following films:

• Remarks by Frampton (Maxwell’s Demon) - (2:48)
• Remarks by Frampton (Surface Tension) – (:54)
• Commentary – 1977 Interview for TV series “Screening Room with Robert Gardner” (Lemon) – (7:17)
• Remarks by Frampton (Zorns Lema) – (5:58)
• Remarks by Frampton (Films for Hapax Legomis) – (2:32)
• Remarks by Frampton (nostalgia) – (2:56)
• Remarks by Frampton (Poetic Justice) – (2:47)
• Remarks by Frampton (Critical Mass) – (4:12)
• Remarks by Frampton  (Films for Magellan) – (2:17)

EXTRAS:

“A Hollis Frampton Odyssey – The Criterion Collection #607″ comes with a 46-page booklet with the following essays: “Nostalgia for an Age Yet to Come” by Ed Halter (critic and curator), “Early Films” by Bruce Jenkins (writer and media historian), “Zorns Lemma” by Bruce Jenkins (writer and media historian), “Hapax Legomena” by Ken Eisenstein (writing his dissertation on Hollis Frampton in the Department of Cinema and Media Studies at the University of Chicago), “Magellan” by Michael Zryd (teaches cinema and media studies in the Department of Film at York University in Toronto) and “Notes on Preserving and Presenting the Films of Hollis Frampton” by Bil Brand (owner-operator of BB Optics, which specializes in the preservation of films by artists).

“A Hollis Frampton Odyssey” is a fascinating collection of works from the avant-garde filmmaker Hollis Frampton.  Intellectual, witty and creative, there was no doubt that there was no limit to the creativity of Frampton’s work and perhaps the work on “The Magellan Films” would have been his magnum opus if he did not die from cancer.

But I do know that for years, there have been a group of Criterion Collection fans who absolutely adored the release of the “By Brakhage Anthology” and many have been clamoring for a release of may it be Maya Deren, Andy Warhol, Kenneth Anger and Hollis Frampton, to name a few.

And fortunately, the Criterion Collection will be bringing out 24 of his films on Blu-ray and DVD titled “A Hollis Frampton Odyssey”.

First, it’s important to note that “A Hollis Frampton Odyssey” and its films are not as easily reviewable for the public because it’s subjective.  What I find fascinating, it would be a disservice to say that these films are easily accessible especially those who are expecting films that they hope they can understand.

In fact, the beauty of Frampton’s work is that even if you look online, everyone including those who research Frampton’s work have their own perspective of what they think the film is about.  The good news is that there are “remarks by Hollis Frampton” giving insight to why he made the film.  But Frampton is not the type to tell people what the film is about, he can tell why and for what purpose but not how one should react to it.

Starting off with the “Early Films”, “Manual of Arms” is a black and white, gritty silent film as we see images of Frampton’s friends with various sources of lighting.  Then we see one smoking, one cutting his nails, one sitting down and fascinating editing of back-and-forth images, short images unlike Andy Warhol’s “Screen test” which fixates the camera on an individual for minutes and letting the individual play with the camera with a variety of emotions.  With “Manual of Arms”, it’s frenetic, gritty and this style of editing would be a signature style for Frampton for his films.

“Process Red” is a short three minute film which one can picture being shown via a loop at a museum or gallery.  Another silent film which goes from white images to red, but this time, instead of the back-and-forth imagery, it’s a loop of moving images, sped up and then repeated.

For “Maxwell’s Demon”, the film is another three minute short which has audio but it features buzzing to go along with the colors and a man exercising.  According to Frampton, this film was to pay homage to James Clerk Maxwell, the Scottish physicist and mathematician.  While known for his work on electromagnetism, Maxwell was also involved in teh field of optics and the study of color vision.  In fact, the first color photograph was taken by Maxwell and for Frampton, as a photographer and filmmaker, his goal was to create a short film based on the imaginary and pure energy of James Clerk Maxwell.

In the film “Surface Tension”, it’s a three part film that deals with the passage of time (a sped up film of a man playing with a clock while a telephone is ringing), the passage through space (featuring a sped up tour of the city but audio featuring a man speaking in a foreign language) and the third part, a disregard of time and space featuring a goldfish caught in an aquarium as the beach tides roll in, and titling is seen on the clip.

For the short “Carrots & Peas”, we see visual images of carrots and peas in this five minute short, while a voice is played backwards.  Where in “Lemon”, we see an image of a lemon as light goes around it and then focuses on the background, turning the lemon to a silhouette.  Interesting commentary included as Robert Gardner and Hollis Frampton discuss the lemon, while Gardner goes into discussion if the film is mean to be a symbol of eroticism.  Is the lemon a breast and the end, a nipple?  Once again, the beauty of Hollis Frampton films is one’s ability to have their own perspective and opinion.

Hollis Frampton’s most recognized work “Zorns Lema” is a 1 hour film in which Frampton came up with the idea of what he was unable to capture on actual photo stills while showing people, he can go in different order and loop through film.  So, what we have is moving images combined with video stills of titles, brands, etc.  I will say that when I first watched this film long ago, my perspective was a counterculture film about America being eaten away by corporations.  Money that is often spent towards corporation branding or material things.  So, that was my perspective when I first watched this film back then.  But it turns out that the film was an “open allusion” to alphabetization and the encyclopedic tradition.

This leads us to “Hapax Legomena”, where there are seven films, only three are presented.  According to Frampton, each film is interrelated but are detachable parts and my favorite shorts included on the Blu-ray and possibly the most accessible.

For “nostalgia” (the first film of “Hapax Legomena), this film is a story about Hollis Framptons photos.  Narrated by artist Michael Snow, each photo has a story behind it, and while Snow is telling the story, we see the photos being burned.

The second film of “Hapax Legomena” is “Poetic Justice”, a half hour film about a filmed script.  What we see on the table is a cactus, a cup of coffee and a script/screenplay and the pages changes.

The third film of “Hapax Legomena” featured is “Critical Mass” , this is a witty film made during the time that Hollis Frampton was teaching at the State University of New York, Buffalo.  He brought in two individuals who are great at improvisation and can be volatile in a story about a couple who live together, but the young man disappears for two days and returns.  What we get is a 25-minute argument but edited in a way that that each word is repeated and audio that plays in black and then we see video in which the video, similar to the audio is cut and replayed throughout the argument.

And the final films are “The Films of Magellan”, possibly the most complex work of Hollis Frampton that was not completed.  Broken down to “The Birth of Magellan”, “Straits of Magellan” and “Death of Magellan”, this was part of the work that was done by Frampton, worked on since 1972 up to 1984, the year he died.

Footage that ranges from a flickering cloud, a watch swinging back and forth to images of a naked woman walking, stretching, fiery embers leaving and returning and many more visual images.  These were films designed to be shown via a cycle of films for 369 days (or 371 days) with differing lengths, each day.  While the film ends with “Gloria!”, it was not supposed to be the final film but it was the latest film of the Magellan cycle to be completed.

But the film is not easy to be explained,  but for Frampton, the films were a study of the way humans perceive experiences, the relation of the mind and the “metahistory of film”.

And with that being said, this leads me to the question that I have been asked, “is ‘A Hollis Frampton Odyssey’” worth buying?  And it’s important to note that as a cineaste, I am intrigued and fascinated by avante garde works of filmmakers in various parts of the world.  I’m intrigued by the most abstract, complex, comprehensible and incomprehensible work, even if these films range from the 1890′s to the present, I watch these films to observe of what was the intention of the filmmaker.  Granted, earlier works were done for the sake of experimenting with new technology but with Hollis Frampton, this is an intellectual that saw life much differently than the average person.

He made his films not following any traditional path but creating films of his own accord, but with purpose.

I often hear a joke about artistic, avante-garde films that if one would throw a splatter paint on the wall, avante-garde cinema fans will have an interpretation of it.  And that is how I enjoy Frampton’s films, like a painting that I can sit and observe for many minutes at an art museum, “A Hollis Frampton Odyssey” is a release where one can sit and observe and come up with their own opinion.

And if Hollis Frampton was alive today and was able to continue his work, using today’s technology, I often wonder what kind of work he would create.  Similar to Chris Marker, Frampton would later incorporate digital artwork in his films, but with today’s Internet age, I wonder if he would be satisfied with the human experience through his film “Magellan” if completed.

I think of these things and once again, I’m rather fascinated by avante-garde films, may it be comprehensible, accessible, boring or fascinating, and yes…even incomprehensible and complex.  And by saying that, I know these type of films are not for everyone.

For Frampton’s films, it’s about illusionist complexity as a whole and Frampton even said, “the trained eye and the trained mind will respond in the way that he indicates”.  Some may find these films redundant, didactic or effete, but others may find it complex, surreal and cerebral.  As a fan of avante-garde films, I was fascinated by its complexity and audaciousness.  These films are about how you interpret it on your own, through your own personal experience.

Overall, “A Hollis Frampton Odyssey” is a wonderful collection of the best of Hollis Frampton (not a release of his complete work), but it’s a long awaited release that Frampton fans have wanted to see for a very long time.  Not only do you get 24 films but you also get a good number of include remarks by Frampton and fascinating special features as well.  On Blu-ray, as expected, various footage ranges in quality and for now, this Blu-ray release is the definitive version of Frampton’s work in one collection.

For avante-garde and Hollis Frampton fans, “A Hollis Frampton Odyssey” is highly recommended!

 

 

Late Spring – The Criterion Collection #331 (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

“Late Spring” is a fantastic film that captures the changing of Japanese family life and the clash between traditional and modern perspectives.  But it’s also a film, among many other Ozu films that shows us why Yasujiro Ozu is one of the greatest filmmakers of all time.  Captivating and powerful, “Late Spring” is a magnificent portrayal of the changing Japanese family and a film that I highly recommend!

Image courtesy of ©1949 Shochiku Co., Ltd. 2012 The Criterion Collection. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: Late Spring – The Criterion Collection #331 (Banshun/晩春)

MOVIE RELEASE: 1949

DURATION: 108 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: B&W, 1:33:1 Aspect Ratio, Monaural, Subtitles: English SDH

COMPANY: Janus Films/The Criterion Collection

RELEASE DATE: April 17, 2012

Directed by Yasujiro Ozu

Based on the novel “Chichi to Musume” by Kazuo Hirotsu

Screenplay by Kogo Noda, Yasujiro Ozu

Music by Senji Ito

Cinematography by Yuharu Atsuta

Edited by Yoshiyasu Hamamura

Art Direction by Tatsuo Hamada

Starring:

Chishu Ryu as Shukichi Somiya

Setsuko Hara as Noriko Somiya

Yumeji Tsukioka as Aya Kitagawa

Haruko Sugimura as Masa Taguchi

Hohi Aoki as Katsuyoshi

Jun Usami as Shuichi Hattori

Kuniko Miyake as Akiko Miwa

Masao Mishima as Jo Onodera

Yoshiko Tsubouchi as Kiku

Yoko Katsuragi as Misako

Toyo Takahashi as Shige

Jun Tanizaki as Seizo Hayashi

Ichiro Shimizu as Takigawa’s master

Youko Benisawa as Teahouse Proprietress

Manzaburo Umekawa as Shite

Nobu Nojima as Waki

One of the most powerful of Yasujiro Ozu’s family portraits, Late Spring (Banshun) tells the story of a widowed father who feels compelled to marry off his beloved only daughter. Eminent Ozu players Chishu Ryu and Setsuko Hara command this poignant tale of love and loss in postwar Japan, which remains as potent today as ever—and a strong justification for its maker’s inclusion in the pantheon of cinema’s greatest directors.

Yasujiro Ozu is one of the world’s beloved directors.  Having made many films since the 1920′s up to his final film “An Autumn Afternoon” in 1962, his works have been appreciated by viewers and critics for his family comedies but also his serious family storylines such as “Early Spring”, “Early Summer, “Tokyo Story”, “Floating Weeds”, “The End of Summer” (to name a few).

The Criterion Collection has been one of the major forces in America of bringing Ozu’s films stateside and now they are giving Ozu films the high definition treatment on Blu-ray starting with his 1949 drama film “Late Spring” (known in Japan as “Banshun”).

Based on the short novel “Chichi to Musume” (Father and Daughter) by Kazuo Hirotsu and featuring a collaboration with screenwriter Kogo Noda, “Late Spring” was written and shot during the Allied Powers Occupation of Japan and undergone many changes to fit official censorship requirements.

The film would star Chishu Ryu (who would star in other Ozu films sucha s “Early Summer”, “Tokyo Story”, “An Autumn Afternoon” and the popular “Tora-san” films of the ’70s and ’80s) and Setsuko Hara (“Early Summer”, “Tokyo Story”, “Late Autumn”).

Over 60-years since “Late Spring” was shown in theaters and winning the prestigious Kinema Jumpo critic’s award for “Best Film”, “Best Director”, “Best Screenplay” and “Best Actress”, the film has resonated strongly with Ozu fans all over the world.  Many have regarded “Late Spring” as one of Ozu’s masterpiece and the film has been listed in many “Greatest Films of All Time” polls.

“Late Spring” is also a film that showcases Japanese family tradition and the importance of marriage, but also how Japan would face the issue of tradition and modern views towards marriage and also divorce.  But for Ozu fans, who have watched his silent films and have seen the development of the Japanese family and most importantly Ozu’s honest portrayal of the Japanese family and the sacrifice of the parents for their children (and vice versa).

“Late Spring” is one of those honest films featuring wonderful performances by both Chishu Ryu and Setsuko Hara, as the father and daughter.

The story features a widower, Professor Shukichi Somiya (played by Chishu Ryu) who has a 27-year-old unmarried daughter named Noriko (played by Setsuko Hara).  In Japan, most women are usually married by their early ’20s but because of World War II and the fact that Noriko had ailing health from the work she had to do years earlier, if anything, Professor Somiya had let Noriko live her life and be happy.

And for Noriko, taking care of the household needs and taking care of her father makes her happy.

One day, as Noriko goes to Tokyo to do some shopping, she runs into her father’s friend, Professor Jo Onodera (played by Masao Mishima), who is a widower like her father but has remarried.  For Noriko, she sees remarriage as something as a bit distasteful and even jokes by calling Professor Onodera “filthy”.  But Onodera understands Noriko and both go back to Noriko’s home, so both Professors can talk to each other.

While Professor Onodera talks to Somiya, he brings the topic of marriage up, if there are plans of Noriko getting married.  And it’s something that Somiya has never thought about, as he feels that he never really pressured her to marry.  If anything, he just wants her to be happy.

But when Somiya’s sister Masa (played by Haruko Sugimura) convinces him that it’s time that Noriko gets married, Somiya realizes that it’s probably the right thing to do.  Especially now that he is getting older, Noriko doesn’t have a job and if anything, he wants to make sure she is taken care of.  And for Noriko’s Aunt Masa, she already has a man named Satake that they can have Noriko meet and marry.

And when Aunt Masa tries to tell Noriko that it’s time for her to marry, she doesn’t want to hear anything of it.  But then she tells him that she is trying to arrange for her father to marry a young widow named Mrs. Miwa (played by Kuniko Miyake) which upsets Noriko.

When both Noriko and her father attend a Noh performance, when she sees her father greeting Mrs. Miwa, immediately Noriko becomes jealous. As she goes to visit her friend Aya (who is divorced), she is also told by her friend that it’s time for her to get married which frustrates Noriko even more than everyone is trying to push her to marriage.  As for Noriko, she’s happy the way things are…taking care of her father and being happy.

And when she confronts her father about it, he tells her that he intends to marry Mrs. Miwa and that she should get married.  For a modern woman, will Noriko choose to marry the man that she has been arranged to meet?  And can she bare the thought of her father being remarried?

VIDEO:

“Late Spring – The Criterion Collection #331” is presented in Black and White (1:33:1 aspect ratio). Having owned the 2006 Criterion Collection DVD release, first it is important for me to say that the film does have its share of scratches and film damage (nothing that prevents a viewer from enjoying the film).  While the film does have scenes with missing frames and also occasional flickering, the film does look improved over the 2006 DVD release with much better contrast with the white and grays, but also the black levels are nice and deep.

According to the Criterion Collection, this high-definition transfer was created on a Spirit Datacine from a 35mm fine-grain master positive and a 35mm theatrical print. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, and warps were manually removed using MTI’s DRS while Image System’s Phoenix was used for small dirt, grain, jitter, and flicker.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“Late Spring” is presented in Japanese monaural (LPCM 1.0).  Compared to the 2006 DVD release, there appears to be much more clarity when it comes to dialogue.  While there are some moments of audio distortion on certain scenes, nothing detrimental and noticeable unless you are really looking for it.

According to the Criterion Collection, the original soundtrack was remastered at 24-bit from the film’s optical track. Viewers may notice significant distortion inherent in the original surviving soundtrack materials. Clicks, thumps, hiss, and hum were manually removed using Pro Tools HD. Crackle was attenuated using AudioCube’s integrated workstation.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Late Spring – The Criterion Collection #331″ on Blu-ray comes with the following special features:

• Audio Commentary - Featuring audio commentary by Richard Pena, program director of New York’s Film Society of Lincoln Center.  This was the original audio commentary from the 2006 DVD release and quite informative as Pena is very familiar with Ozu’s work.
• TOKYO-GA - (92 minutes) Wim Wenders 1985 documentary and tribute to Yasujiro Ozu, the documentary features interviews with Chishu Ryu and cinematographer Yuharu Atsuta.

EXTRAS:

“Late Spring – The Criterion Collection #331″ comes with a 22-page booklet with the following essays: “Home with Ozu” by Michael Atkinson (Village Voice writer), Ozu and Setsuko Hara by Donald Richie (author of many books on Japanese cinema) and Ozu and Kogo Noda, an excerpt from Yasujiro Ozu: The Person and His Art (1964) from Ozu, translated for the original 2006 DVD release of “Late Spring”.

As a person who loves and enjoys Yasujiro Ozu films, “Late Spring” has always been a favorite because of how it confronts Japanese perspective on the traditional marriage but now with a modern perspective, different from Ozu films which relied heavily on themes of the traditional Japanese family.

From the beginning of the film, we realize that the Somiya family are different compared to other families shown in previous Ozu films.  For one, Professor Somiya had not shown great pressure towards his daughter Noriko, possibly because she does so much in taking care of him and the house but yet remains very happy.  The other reason is because Noriko had health problems during World War II and as a father, having lost a wife, the last thing he wanted was to lose his only child and I believe that was his drive for not putting too much pressure on her.  She’s happy and that’s all that mattered.

But of course, what seemed natural to Professor Somiya, the more he started to see how others viewed Noriko being single at home.  This is where the traditional Japanese culture clashes with modernism.  In “Late Spring”, we see Aunt Masa giving her brother and also Noriko the third degree about being married.  It’s her duty to be married and be a happy wife.  But for Noriko, she’s happy the ways she is.

And this is where Noriko is unlike previous Japanese wives featured in Ozu’s films.  She is absolutely beautiful, stylish (in Western wear) and is not wearing a kimono.  She has her set way of thinking, the freedom to think that way as it has gone unchallenged until now…when it comes to marriage.  And with someone who is set in her ways…what can her father do?

And thus, the storyline becomes quite intriguing when we are told that Noriko’s father may be getting remarried to another woman.  And this is enough to set the happy Noriko off.  Remarriage has always been seen indecent to her but from this point on, we see the change that takes place between both characters.  The father submitting to the classic Japanese tradition, even though he was brought up in that tradition of arranged marriage, he himself had seen how his wife reacted to it earlier on.  So, as much as he wants Noriko to find the right man that she wants to marry, the pressure from his sister and others have led him to lead Noriko in the path to marriage.

And for Noriko, we eventually see the change in her, as her father getting married leads her to realize that she may need to get married now, because with her father having a new wife, perhaps she will no longer be needed.

If anything, it’s an intriguing juxtaposition of the Japanese family in 1949.  From traditional to modern, and with the modern, we see Professor Onodera having remarried, while Noriko’s good friend Aya has gotten a divorce (which was made legal in Japan a year prior).  And most intriguing is how Ozu manages to confront these changes in Japanese culture when it comes to marriage.

Bare in mind, postwar changes were in store for Japan after World War II and the most affected were women.  The social status of women was them being subservient towards their husband and after World War II, women not only were granted the right to a divorce, they were also allowed to join the workforce.  So, we started to see more freedom for women after World War II and the importance of family started to decline.  In fact, what I enjoy about “Last Spring” is how it is a time stamp of Japanese culture and the changing of family life which Ozu would feature throughout his career through his films.  And for those familiar with Japanese culture today, from the shrinking of the Japanese population to a country with the lowest birth rate in the world, the Japanese family has changed tremendously and we witness those changes through Ozu’s films.

As “Late Spring” will be an introduction to Ozu’s work for those viewing Criterion Collection films primarily on Blu-ray, another fascination that I have towards Ozu films is his camera technique, using low angle shots and also using non-traditional cinematic methods by avoiding panning, tracking and crane shots.  It’s what separates Ozu from Kurosawa and that the reliance of Ozu to use static compositions and also his use of pillow shots used in “Late Spring” and various shots of symbolism which intrigues me each time I read various historians and critics share their own perspective of what they think those shots are all about.

And as mentioned, the efficacy of this film relies on its characters.  It’s one thing to have a talented Chishu Ryu to play the father, but it’s Setsuko Hara, who absolutely shines in this film with her energy followed by her change of emotion.  For those who watch a lot of early Japanese cinema, you don’t see actresses such as Setsuko Hara play a character and is able to captivate the audience.

Overall, “Late Spring” is a fantastic film that captures the changing of Japanese family life and the clash between traditional and modern perspectives.  But it’s also a film, among many other Ozu films that shows us why Yasujiro Ozu is one of the greatest filmmakers of all time.  Captivating and powerful, “Late Spring” is a magnificent portrayal of the changing Japanese family and a film that I highly recommend!

 

You’ve Got Mail (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

Another delightful and enchanting pairing of Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in the 1998 Nora Ephron film “You’ve Got Mail”.  But fans of this romantic comedy will definitely want to upgrade and purchase the Blu-ray release as you also get the Ernst Lubitsch’s 1940 romantic comedy “The Shop Around the Corner” on DVD.  Two romantic comedies for under $10…what a fantastic deal and two films that are highly recommended!

Images courtesy of © 2011 Warner Bros., Inc. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: You’ve Got Mail

FILM RELEASE DATE: 1998

DURATION: 119 minutes

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (1:85:1), English 5.1 DTS-HD MA, Francois Dolby Digital 5.1, Espanol 2S, Subtitles: English SDH, French & Espanol

COMPANY: Warner Bros.

RATED: PG (Some Language)

Release Date: January 3, 2012

You’ve Got Mail

Based on the play “Parfumerie” by Nikolaus Laszlo

Directed by Nora Ephron

Screenplay by Nora Ephron, Delia Ephron

Executive Producer: G. Mac Brown, Julie Durk, Delia Ephron

Produced by Nora Ephron, Lauren Shuler Donner

Co-Producer: Donald J. Lee, Jr.

Associate Producer: Dianne Dreyer

Music by George Fenton

Cinematography by John Lindley

Edited by Richard Marks

Casting by Francine Maisler

Production Design by Dan Davis

Art Direction By Ray Kluga, Beth Kuhn

Set Decoration by Susan Bode, Ellen Christiansen

Costume Design by Albert Wolsky

The Shop Around the Corner

Directed by Ernst Lubitsch

Based on the play “Parfumie” by Miklos Laszlo

Screenplay by Samson Raphaelson

Produced by Ernst Lubitsch

Music by Werner R. Heymann

Cinematography by William H. Daniels

Edited by Gene Ruggiero

Art Direction by Cedric Gibons

Set Decoration by Edwin B. Willis

“You’ve Got Mail” Starring:

Tom Hanks as Joe Fox

Meg Ryan as Kathleen Kelly

Greg Kinnear as Frank Navasky

Parker Posey as Patricia Eden

Jean Stapleton as Birdie Conrad

Steve Zahn as George Pappas

Heather Burns as Christina Plutzker

Dave Chappelle as Kevin Jackson

Dabney Coleman as Nelson Fox

John Randolph as Schuyler Fox

Hallee Hirsh as Annabelle Fox

Jeffre Scaperrotta as Max Fox

“The Shop Around the Corner” Starring:

Margaret Sullavan as Klara Novak

James Stewart as Alfred Kralik

Frank Morgan as Hugo Matuschek

Joseph Schildkraut as Ferencz Vadas

Sara Haden as Flora

Felix Bressart as Pirovitch

William Tracy as Pepi Katona

Inez Courtney as Llona

Cara Seymour as Gillian QuinnThe stars (Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan) and director (Nora Ephron) of Sleepless in Seattle reteamed for this charming audience favorite. Greg Kinnear, Parker Posey, Jean Stapleton and more great co-stars add note-perfect support to this cinematic love letter in which superstore book chain magnate Hanks and cozy children’s bookshop owner Ryan are anonymous e-mail cyberpals who fall head-over-laptops in love, unaware they are combative business rivals. You’ve got rare Hollywood magic when You’ve Got Mail.

1998.  It was a time when more and more people would be using the Internet, a time when a lot of news showcased people who found love on the Internet.

Having enjoyed “The Shop Around the Corner” (which was an adaptation of the 1937 Miklos Laszlo Hungarian play “Parfumerie”) and the Broadway musical adaptation, “She Loves Me”,  writer/director Nora Ephron and producer Laura Schuler Donner wanted to create a modernized version featuring a romantic comedy centered around love found on the Internet but yet using elements from Ernst Lubitsch’s 1940 romantic comedy”.

And having struck gold with romantic comedies that starred actress Meg Ryan in “Sleepless in Seattle” and “When Harry Met Sally” and the amazing chemistry between Ryan and Tom Hanks in the 1993 film “Sleepless in Seattle” and the 1990 film “Joe Versus the Volcano”, the filmmaker would reunite the two talents for her 1998 romantic comedy “You’ve Got Mail”.

The film which can be seen as a sign of the times as it utilized then-popular Internet provider American Online (AOL) and it’s popular trademark e-mail greeting “You’ve Got Mail”, “You’ve Got Mail” would become a major hit in the box office as the $65 million film would earn over $250 million in the box office and would go on to also achieve success in the home video market.

And now both the original Ernst Lubitsch 1940 film “The Shop Around the Corner” via DVD and “You’ve Got Mail”  (via Blu-ray) was released together in January 2012.

“You’ve Got Mail” is a film that focuses on two characters.  Kathleen Kelly (played by Meg Ryan) is dating liberal postmodernist New York Observer journalist Frank Navasky (played by Greg Kinnear) and is a happy owner of the bookstore “Shop Around the Corner” which her mother started long ago.

While Frank is not so keen about technology, Kathleen has been communicating with a mystery man over e-mail via American Online using a screen name “Shopgirl”.  Both met in a chat room and enjoy their conversations through e-mail.  Because there is no personal discussion nor there is any personal contact, Kathleen is perfectly fine with the anonymous communication with this man, who she knows as his screen name “NY152″.

While Kathleen loves to spend her time communicating with NY152, she is often busy working at her bookstore along with her three store assistants, Birdie (played by Jean Stapleton), Christina (played by Heather Burns) and George (played by Steve Zahn).

Which leads us to the second character, Joe Fox (played by Tom Hanks) is a businessman who’s wealthy family are the owners of “Fox Books”, known for it’s chain of “mega” bookstores around the country and for its discounts and serving coffee.  Also, a threat to independent and smaller book stores who can’t compete with a megastore selling books with a discount.

But for the Fox family, it’s all business.  And the family is planning to open a new store, not far from the bookstore “Shop Around the Corner”, a place which Joe’s grandfather is familiar with and was smitten by the woman who once owned the bookstore but passed it on to her daughter.

Joe is currently dating Patricia Eden (played by Parker Posey), a woman that is the opposite of him.  Meanwhile with the creation of the new Fox Books in New York, he leaves it to branch manger Kevin (played by David Chappelle) to keep an eye on business.

And when he’s not busy with business, Joe loves to go online via American Online and communicate with a mystery woman known as “Shopgirl”, not knowing that she is Kathleen Kelly, the owner of the family bookstore that his own Fox Books will force to make them lose business and close.

One day, while Joe is taking his eleven-year-old aunt Annabel (played by Hallee Hirsh) and four-year-old brother Matthew (played by Jeffrey Scaperrotta) around town, Joe and the children decide to stop by the family bookstore Shop Around the Corner and Joe meets Kathleen Kelly.  Both individuals enjoy their short time with each other but Joe manages to keep it secret that he is the owner of the Fox Books store that will be opening several blocks away.

Needless to say, Kathleen eventually finds out that Joe is the owner of Fox Books and responsible for taking customers away from her store and through the help of “NY152″ who gives her advice to fight back, Kathleen goes on a media war campaign against Joe Fox and Fox Books, meanwhile maintaining communication with NY152 and enjoy those moments.

Eventually, Kathleen “Shopgirl” Kelly and Joe “NY152″, both who have no idea who each other are via e-mail decide to meet with each other for the first time.  But when Joe is about to meet Shopgirl at a restaurant, he finds out that she is Kathleen Kelly.  He then decides to not tell her he is “NY152″ and tries to get closer to her as Joe Fox.  But will she ever accept the man who may end up hurting her business?

Ernst Lubitsch’s 1940 romantic comedy “The Shop Around the Corner” is a film that stars James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan and Frank Morgan and has been well-regarded as one of the top romantic comedies of all time (#28 in the American Film Institute’s “AFI’s 100 Years…100 Passions”) and was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 1999 by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.

The film is set in Budapest where Alfred Kralik (played by James Stewart) is a top salesman at a gift shop owned by the wealthy Mr. Hugo Matuschek (played by Frank Morgan).

Alfred reveals to his friend Pirovitch (played by Felix Bressart) that he has been corresponding anonymously to an intelligent and cultured woman whose ad that he saw on the newspaper.  For Alfred, communicating with this woman is the light of his life.

Meanwhile, Mr. Matuschek expects all his employees at the gift shop to push sales, especially a cigarette box that plays “Ochi Chernye” when it is opened.  Alfred thinks the cigarette box is annoying and that Matuschek should keep away from it.  Meanwhile, a young woman named Klara Novak (played by Margaret Sullavan) who worked in sales for another store and is desperately looking for a job as a saleswoman at the gift shop.

Mr. Matuschek has no plans to hire anyone new and Alfred tries to tell Klara that his boss is not hiring.  But when Klara shows Mr. Matuschek that she can sell, by using the cigarette musical boxes as an example with customers and selling them.  She is eventually hired.

As both Alfred and Klara are now working together at the gift shop, unfortunately both do not get along at all and are often bickering with each other.

But for Klara, despite the aggravation she feels…nothing is going to ruin her day as the mysterious man that she is communicating with by mail has made her happy.  And she dreams that this man of her dreams will one day marry her.  But Klara doesn’t know the man she has been communicating with is Alfred Kralik and Alfred doesn’t know that the intelligent and cultured woman he is smitten with is Klara.

For Alfred Kralik, he has worked at the gift shop for many years and is the top salesman.  He hopes to ask Mr. Matuschek for a raise but lately, the relationship between Alfred and Mr. Matuschek have soured.  The reason is that Mr. Matuschek has an investigator following his wife, as he fears she is having an affair with one of his employees.  Mr. Matuschek thinks the only person that can do such a thing is Alfred Kralik, because he was the closest one to the family (when in reality, it’s another one of this male employees that is having an affair with his wife).

When Alfred goes to ask for a raise, instead he is fired by Mr. Matuschek and shocked by what has taken place (because he was the most trusted employee with the best sales record), Alfred knows that without a job, he probably should stop communicating with the mystery woman but he has made a promise to meet with her at a restaurant. So, he feels obliged to do just that.

So, along with Pirovitch, Alfred has Pirovitch check inside the restaurant to let him know how the mystery woman he is to meet, looks like.  And sure enough, Pirovitch tells Alfred that the woman that he has been communicating with all this time, is his former co-worker that he doesn’t get along with… Klara Novak.

But despite how Klara does not like Alfred, Alfred now knowing that Klara was the intelligent and cultured woman that he has been communicating with all this time, decides to keep his identity of the mystery man as a secret to Klara, but as Alfred Kralik, try to get close to her on his own.

But will Klara ever let someone like Alfred, a man she doesn’t like or care for, into her life?

VIDEO:

“You’ve Got Mail” is presented in 1080p (1:85:1 aspect ratio) and unfortunately it is a film that slightly shows its age, yet there is enough detail and better colors that makes this version much better than the previous DVD releases.

First the bad.  There are some moments where the film looks oversaturated and also soft and there are moments where you do see artifacts popping up once in a while.  While it shows up a few times, most people will probably not be bothered by it.  But for those expecting a pristine version of the film, it does have its issues which can be seen on a larger monitor/screen.

With that being said, the film still looks better than its previous DVD counterparts.  The colors tend to pop much more, you can see the skin pores on Tom Hanks’ face during closeups and while some areas look its age, some don’t and look very good.  So, for the most part, this is the best looking version of the film thus far.  It may not be the pristine picture quality that I was hoping for, but nevertheless, it does look much better than the DVD version.

As for “The Shop Around the Corner”, the film looks absolutely wonderful considering it is a 71-year-old film.  The contrast levels are good, the film source looks very good for its age and I didn’t detect any major problems with video quality at all.  Grays and whites are well-contrast, black levels are nice and deep and for the most part, the presentation of “The Shop Around the Corner” looks good on DVD.  Too bad, this classic film it was not converted to a Blu-ray release.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“You’ve Got Mail” is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Dolby Digital Francois and Espanol 2.0 stereo.

For this romantic comedy and like most films of the genre, most of the lossless soundtracks tend to be center and  front-channel driven with mild use of surround channels for ambiance.  The same can be said about “You’ve Got Mail”.  Primarily, everything is center and front channel-driven and dialogue and it’s musical soundtrack is crystal clear.

As for “The Shop Around the Corner”, the film’s dialogue is also clear and didn’t notice any more hiss or crackling during my viewing of the DVD.

Subtitles are presented in English SDH, Francois and Espanol.

SPECIAL FEATURES

“You’ve Got Mail” comes with the following special features:

• Audio Commentary - Featuring audio commentary by writer/director Nora Ephrone and producer Lauren Shuler Donner who discuss the film, the cast and more.
• Delivering You’ve Got Mail - (25:29) A 10th year anniversary interview with Nora Ephron and her two leads, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Also, featuring producer Lauren Shuler Donner, co-writer Delia Ephron and more.
• You’ve Got Chemistry – (26:18) A Warner Bros. featurette about iconic couples that appeared in Warner Bros. classic films including Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland, Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn, William Powell and Myrna Loy, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall and others.
• Isolated Score Track – Watch the film with only George Fenton’s musical score.
• First Look Television special – (14:19) The HBO preview for the film.
• Discovering New York’s Upper West Side – (10:09) Nora and Deliah Ephron talk about their favorite scenes in New York City featured in the film.
• Music Video – Featuring Carole King’s “Anyone at All” music video.
• Theatrical Trailer – The two original theatrical trailers for “You’ve Got Mail”: “The Best Way to Meet Someone” (1:24) and “They Couldn’t Stand Each Other” (1:26)

EXTRAS:

“You’ve Got Mail” comes with a DVD version of the classic Ernst Lubitsch 1940 romantic comedy, “The Shop Around the Corner”.

I’m not afraid to admit that I am a big fan of Meg Ryan’s hit romantic comedies and especially enjoy the chemistry and pairing of Ryan along with Tom Hanks.

Back in the 1930′s through the 1950′s, there were Hollywood couples that would light the screen in multiple films, for today’s modern films, there really hasn’t been American couple other than Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, two talents that viewers fell in love whenever they were together in a romantic comedy.

And like many people who couldn’t wait for “You’ve Got Mail” to be released in theaters, I was among the many who look forward to watching the film.  For one, I love Nora Ephron romantic comedies and how she is able to focus on character but also incorporate the city that a film is shot in.

She has an eye for location but also knows what she wants from her talents and Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan have discussed how Nora Ephron’s direction is much different than other filmmakers.  And for Ephron, her love for the Ernst Lubitsch classic “The Shop Around the Corner”, especially for her passion towards the Broadway musical “She Loves Me” would lead to romantic magic for “You’ve Got Mail”.

But back in 1998, this film was highly anticipated because I enjoyed watching Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan together, watching a Nora Ephron film but interesting enough, I also had a similar experience of meeting someone on the Internet with similar circumstances as the characters featured in the film.

And I was there to buy the first DVD release of the film and here we are 14-years later with a Blu-ray release of “You’ve Got Mail”.  And where films such as “When Harry Met Sally” and “Sleepless in Seattle” are not dated due to technology, “You’ve Got Mail” manages to date itself with old technology via modem connection, old product placement during a time when American Online (AOL) was on top of Internet providers and also during a time when mega bookstores were not threatened by the emergence of online bookstores such as Amazon.

But still, despite the older technology and the fads of the time, I was not turned off by it.  In fact, I was nostalgic of how things were back then.

But “You’ve Got Mail” still manages to captivate me as it did back then.  Sure, it was not my favorite Meg Ryan romantic comedy especially when compared to “When Harry Met Sally” and “Sleepless in Seattle” but there is a magic that exists in the film, because of the wonderful chemistry between Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.  The two can literally take on these characters and bring amazing life to them, making them believable and entertaining to watch.  And also Nora Ephron’s ability to make the locations and the music selections compliment the characters as well.

Also, the film managed to bring in a pretty enjoyable supporting cast with Parker Posey, Dave Chappelle, Steve Zahn, Heather Burns and Dabney Coleman.  But also “You’ve Got Mail” would feature actor Greg Kinnear (“As Good as It Gets”, “Ghost Town”, “Little Miss Sunshine”) and “Grey’s Anatomy” actress Sara Ramirez before they became popular.

Also, I was impressed at the time of how the Ephron sisters were able to modernize the film from its original predecessors.  I absolutely adore Ernst Lubitsch’s 1940 classic “The Shop Around the Corner” and I’m so glad “You’ve Got Mail” was not a remake.  Sure it incorporates certain situations that were seen in the original film, but for the most part, everything was new and everything worked.

“The Shop Around the Corner” is simply a wonderful romance film that is different in the fact that both lead characters work in the same gift shop but there is also a dramatic element as the shop owner thinks the lead character Alfred Kralik (played by James Stewart) is having an affair with his wife.  But this classic film is a wonderful feel-good romantic comedy that has managed to stand the test of time, even over 70-years-later…I’m still enjoying this film no matter how many times I have watched it.  And while not on Blu-ray but on DVD, the film still looks very good on DVD!

While the Blu-ray release of “You’ve Got Mail” and its video quality does show the film’s age due to softness and also some instances of artifacting, there is still a good amount of detail and beautiful colors that make this Blu-ray release worth owning and worth upgrading from the DVD release.  If you were an owner of the first DVD release, a lot of the special features do make it onto this Blu-ray, but also the inclusion of the 2008 10th anniversary reunion between Nora Ephron, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in the featurette “Delivering You’ve Got Mail” (which was released in a later DVD release of “You’ve Got Mail”).

Also, the biggest addition for me which I absolutely loved was the inclusion of Ernst Lubitsch’s 1940 romantic comedy, “The Shop Around the Corner”.  While a DVD, not Blu-ray…still you are getting two films when you purchase the “You’ve Got Mail” Blu-ray release and for hopeless romantics, the fact that these two films are included is fantastic!  And did I mention that you can find this Blu-ray release for under $10 on Amazon?  Awesome!

Overall, “You’ve Got Mail” is still as delightful and highly entertaining as when I first watched it in theaters back in 1998.  Sure, things have changed a lot in technology and also economic settings when it comes to the mega bookstores in today’s society, but Internet romance is much more prevalent today than it was back then and more and more people are discovering love online, so the film still has relevance today.

If you love romantic comedy films, you’re going to enjoy “You’ve Got Mail” on Blu-ray for the fact that you get two films for the price of one and if you enjoyed the film back then and owned the DVD, you’re definitely going to want to upgrade to Blu-ray.  It’s a wonderful deal and both films are highly recommended!

 

The Darkest Hour: Special Edition (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

“The Darkest Hour” is a popcorn alien infestation film with uninteresting characters, spotty acting and lackadaisical pacing.   There was too much sacrifice into making this film set in Russia to appeal to an American or International audience that the film would have been best being an all Russian film, as the characters and the us vs. them storyline would seem much more plausible and exciting.

Images courtesy of © 2011 Summit Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: The Darkest Hour: Special Edition

FILM RELEASE DATE: 2011

DURATION: 89 minutes

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (2:40:1), English 5.1 DTS-HD MA, Espanol Dolby Digital 5.1, Subtitles: English SDH, Espanol

COMPANY:Summit Entertainment

RATED: PG-13 (Sci-Fi Action and Some Language)

Release Date: April 10, 2012

Directed by Chris Gorak

Screenplay by Jon Spaihts

Story by Leslie Bohem, M.T. Ahern and Jon Spaihts

Produced by Timur Bekmambetov, Tom Jacobsen

Executive Producer: Monni Wills

Co-Producer: Iva Stromilova, Lulu Zezza

Music by Tyler Bates

Cinematography by Scott Kevan

Edited by Priscilla Nedd-Friendly, Fernando Vilena, Doobie White

Casting by Venus Kanani Mary Vernieu

Production Design by Valeri Viktorov

Art Direction by Ricky Eyres

Costume Design by Varvara Avdyushko

Starring:

Emil Hirsh as Sean

Olivia Thirlby as Natalie

Max Minghella as Ben

Rachael Taylor a Anne

Joel Kinnaman as Skyler

Veronika Ozerova as Vika

Dato Bakhtadze as Sergei

Yuriy Kutsenko as Matvei

Niolay Efremov as Sasha

Vladimir Jaglich as Boris

Artur Smolyaninov as Yuri

Anna Roudakova as Tess

Pyotr Fyodorov as Anton Batkin

The electrifying science-fiction thriller The Darkest Hour arrives on 3D Blu-ray™, Blu-ray and DVD April 10th from Summit Entertainment. Emile Hirsch (Speed Racer, Into the Wild), Max Minghella (Ides of March, The Social Network) and Olivia Thirlby (TV’s “Bored to Death,” Dredd) star in this story of five young people who find themselves stranded in Moscow and fight to survive in the wake of a devastating alien attack.

With Moscow’s classic beauty as the backdrop, The Darkest Hour features mind-blowing special effects from the minds of visionary filmmakers Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) and Chris Gorak (Fight Club, Minority Report).  The suspense never lets up as the invaders begin their assault on Earth, targeting the planet’s power supply.

The United States is known for creating their fair share of alien invasion films but this time around, with producer and filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov (“Wanted”, “Night Watch”, “Day Watch”, “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter”) involved, his goal was to create a Russian alien invasion film through a perspective by Russians.

But to make it a global film and with only a budget of $30 million, Bekmabetov would enlist Chris Gorak (art director for films such as “Minority Report”, “Fight Club”, “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”) to direct and Scott Kevan (“Underworld: Awakening”, “The Losers”, “Fame”) as cinematographer and the film woud utilize Bekmabetov’s studio and filming would take place in Moscow.

The film would star American talent Emile Hirsch (“Milk”, “Into the Wild”, “Speed Racer”), Olivia Thirlby (“The Wackness”, “Juno”, “No Strings Attached”), Max Minghella (“The Social Network”, “The Ides of March”), Rachael Taylor (“Transformers”, “Shutter”, “Bottle Shock”), Joel Kinnaman (“The Killing”, “Easy Money”, “Safe House”) and Russian talents Veronika Ozerova and Dato Bakhtadze (“Wanted”, “Crash”).

“The Darkest Hour” would earn $64 million in the box office and now the 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD will be released in April 2012.

“The Darkest Hour” begins with two American men, Ben (played by Max Minghella) and Sean (played by Emile Hirsch) who created a popular social media software, are traveling to Moscow in hopes of selling it.  But when they arrive, the two are upset that Skyler (played by Joel Kinnaman), a Swedish businessman along with the Russian team have sold it.

Upset about what had took place, both men head to a club where two American women, Natalie (played by Olivia Thirlby) and Anne (played by Rachael Taylor) are also present.  While both women are being hit on by Russian men, eventually both Sean and Ben start having a conversation with both women and as the four take a picture together, the lights inside the bar go off.

The four head outside and what they see is a orange rift in the night sky and glowing orange blobs of light descend towards the Earth.

As crowds gather around the light, a Russian police officer goes to confront it but is disintegrated upon contact.  The lights then begin to disintegrate anything in their way and Sean, Ben, Natalie, Anne and Skyler lock themselves in the storage room of the bar for several days.  When they come out, all that is left is ashes of the deceased and Moscow has literally been turned into a ghost town.

Knowing that the aliens are trying to kill all living beings, the group hopes to make it to the American Embassy and hopefully find a way to get back home.  But will these five individuals find a way to make it to the American Embassy and will they discover any more survivors?

VIDEO:

“The Darkest Hour” is presented in 1080p High Definition (2:40:1).  The cinematography definitely showcases the beautiful structures of Moscow, there is a good amount of detail when it comes to structures, clothing and because of the CG extra-terrestrials emitting this glowing orange, there are times of beautiful vibrant colors and for the most part, a good balance of digital cinematography with CG effects.

Black levels are nice and deep, skin tones look natural and I did not detect any banding or artifacts during my viewing of the film.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“The Darkest Hour” is presented in English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and Espanol Dolby Digital 5.1.  When it comes to audio, although this is not directed by Timur Bekmambetov, because it was produced by him, you expect a lot of action scenes and immersive audio.

The film utilizes the surround channels and LFE throughout the film, may it be the music and its bass, the sounds of disintegration courtesy of the aliens or even the many machine guns or shots at the aliens to the collapse of structures, the biggest positive of this film will be its lossless audio track.

Subtitles are presented in English SDH and Espanol.

SPECIAL FEATURES

“The Darkest Hour” comes with the following special features:

• Survivors - (8:10) A short film showcasing survivors from different countries using radio broadcasts from Tokyo in destroying the aliens.
• The Darkest Hour: Visualizing an Invasion - (12:09) A featurette about the visual effects of “The Darkest Hour”.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes – (4:48) Six deleted and extended scenes with optional commentary by director Chris Gorak.
• Audio Commentary – Director Chris Gorak talks about the cast, shooting in Moscow, using CG the challenges involved in the making of the film due to the Russian Wildfires of 2010.

EXTRAS:

“The Darkest Hour: Special Edition” comes with a slipcover.

As a sci-fi fan, especially fan of alien infestation films, there have been films that captures the horror of an alien infestation, may it be the 1996 film “Independence Day” or the 2011 film “Battle: Los Angeles”, part of the reason why these films succeed is the use of star power and a large budget dedicated to the films visual effects.

While there are alien infestation films that have been shot in a low budget and without star power such as the exciting 2011 UK film “Attack the Block”, at least the pacing of the film was consistent, it was funny and it was going somewhere.

Unfortunately, “The Darkest Hour” doesn’t seem to be going anywhere and the characters don’t grab you at all.

Part of the challenge that filmmaker Chris Gorak and Timur Bekmambelov had when making this film were scheduling delays (due to the Russian Wildfires), a budget of $30 million and the lack of major star power.  While Emile Hirsch has received attention for his roles in “Milk” and “Into the Wild”, unlike American alien infestation films with American bravado, this Russian film focused on survival of weak Americans who survived thanks to the Russian people.

The film is supposed to be a Russian perspective, a Russian version of an alien infestation film and while I didn’t mind the weakness and whining of the American characters, the film had forced dialogue that made things seem too unnatural and thus produced spotty acting.

But where the screenplay fails the viewer is that the storyline and its characters are not really going anywhere.  It’s a survival film that seems more like “Cloverfield”-Lite and because the characters are not so captivating, you just wonder to yourself of “how they will die?”.

There are also some problematic issues such as a blast that throws Sean and Natalie, who were standing next to each other, could have kept everyone within the same vicinity but for Natalie, somehow she has ended a half mile away.  There are scenes that showcase the relationship between Natalie and Anne and why they went to Moscow.  There are times you think the two are hiding something but yet nothing is ever mentioned.

Where the film does work well in a Russian perspective is showcasing the beautiful structures of Moscow, showing the CG devastation of Moscow, showing Russian heroes who will do what the can to help these Americans get to safety. If anything, the Russian characters seem to be much more intriguing and personally, “The Darkest Hour” could have been a much more enticing film if it was a full-on Russian alien infestation film utilizing an all Russian cast.  It’s one of the things that I have loved about Timur Bekmambetov’s “Night Watch” and “Day Watch” films, it’s Russian sci-fi with Russian talent.  It seemed more plausible, much more exciting.

But I can understand the producers wanting to make their money back by making this film more International by using an American cast with English dialogue.

As for the Blu-ray release, “The Darkest Hour” no doubt looks wonderful on Blu-ray and the lossless soundtrack is fantastic!  There are a few special features including the short story “The Darkest Hour: Survivors”, showcasing people of other countries fighting against the aliens.

Overall, “The Darkest Hour” is a popcorn alien infestation film with uninteresting characters, spotty acting and lackadaisical pacing.   There was too much sacrifice into making this film set in Russia to appeal to an American or International audience that the film would have been best being an all Russian film, as the characters and the us vs. them storyline would seem much more plausible and exciting.

While I can recommend this film to those who love alien infestation films, it’s simply not one of the better alien infestation films to be released in the U.S.

 

War Horse: 4-Disc Combo Pack (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

A beautiful, moving and wonderful film capturing a horse and its ability to bring out the human spirit with the many people it comes across.   “War Horse” is magnificent!

Images courtesy of © 2012 Dreamworks II Distribution Co. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: War Horse

FILM RELEASE DATE: 2011

DURATION: 146 minutes

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (2:40:1), English 7.1 DTS-HD MA (48 kHz/24-bit), French 7.1 DTS-HD HR, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound, Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish

COMPANY: Dreamworks Pictures/Touchstone Home Entertainment

RATED: PG-13 (For Intense Sequence of War Violence)

Release Date: April 3, 2012

Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Written by Lee Hall and Richard Curtis

Executive Producer: Revel Guest, Frank Marshall

Produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg

Co-Producer: Tracey Seaward, Adam Somner

Music by John Williams

Cinematography by Janusz Kaminski

Edited by Michael Kahn

Casting by Jina Jay

Production Design by Rick Carter

Set Decoration by Lee Sandales

Costume Design by Joanna Johnston

Starring:

Jeremy Irvine as Albert Narracott

Peter Mullan as Ted Narracott

Emily Watson as Rose Narracott

Niels Arestrup as Grandfather

David Thewlis as Lyons

Tom Hiddleston as Captain Nicholls

Benedict Cumerbatch as Major Jamie Stewart

Celine Buckens as Emilie

Toby Kebbell as Geordie Soldier

Patrick Kennedy as Lt. Charlier Waverly

Leonard Crow as Michael

David Kross as Gunther

Matt Milne as Andrew Easton

Robert Emms as David Luons

Eddie Marsan as Sgt. Fry

Nicolas Bro as Friedrich

Rainer Bock as Brandt

“War Horse,” the Academy Award®-nominated Best Picture, is a story of incredible friendship, loyalty, courage, hope and tenacity. Based on the Tony Award®-winning play, and set against the sweeping canvas of World War I, this deeply heartfelt tale begins with the remarkable friendship between a feisty colt named Joey and his young trainer Albert (Jeremy Irvine). When they’re forced apart by war, the film follows Joey’s extraordinary journey as he changes and inspires the lives of everyone he meets. No matter where they go or what they experience both boy and horse keep forging ahead, driven by devotion and the hope of returning home. Filled with spectacularly rich visuals, “War Horse” is one of the most powerful and moving stories of friendship and love ever filmed.

In 1982, Michael Morpurgo wrote the children’s fiction novel “War Horse”, a story set during the outbreak of World War I.

The book received its film adaptation courtesy of filmmaker Steven Spielberg and screenwriters Lee Hall and Richard Curtis and was released in theaters on Christmas day of 2011 and would earn over $173 million in the box office and in April 2012, the film will be released on Blu-ray and DVD.

“War Horse” would reunite Steven Spielberg with the top talents in the film industry such as cinematographer Janusz Kaminski (“Saving Private Ryan”, “Schindler’s List”, “Minority Report”), editor Michael Kahn (“Saving Private Ryan”, “Schindler’s List”, “Raiders of the Lost Ark”), sound designer Gary Rydstrom (“Saving Private Ryan”, “Minority Report”, “Terminator 2: Judgment Day”) and also reunited Spielberg with legendary composer John Williams (known for creating the soundtracks for the “Star Wars” films and “Harry Potter” films).

The film marks a new beginning for Steven Spielberg.  One, this is the first film in which Spielberg directed a film about a horse as the main character and portraying him at various stages of the horse’s life.  The film also marks Spielberg’s first time cutting the film digitally.

“War Horse” would go on to earn six Academy Award nominations including “Best Picture” and would win the American Film Institute Award for “Film of the Year 2011″.

“War Horse” is story about a thoroughbred named Joey, the horse was purchased by young Albert’s father Peter (played by Ted Narracott) during a drunken stupor and raised and trained by Albert (played by Jeremy Irvine), Joey would show amazing talents and the bond between Albert and his horse Joey was strong.

But with World War I, the cavalry was in desperate need of horses and because Albert’s family has always been struggling financially, his father sold Joey to the Calvary and shipped to France which would be in the care of Captain Nicholls (played by Tom Hiddleston).  Nicholls makes a promise to Albert that he will take care of his horse.

The film would then show how the horse journey through World War I and having been in the possession of many owners, including both opposing sides of the war.

Meanwhile, throughout the years, as young Albert has now grown up to become a young man that enlists in the British Army and will one day be reunited with his horse Joey.

VIDEO:

“War Horse” is presented in 1080p High Definition (widescreen 2:40:1).  When Steven Spielberg brought in cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, you get one of the best in the business.   A man who knows how to capture the shot and in this case, to capture the beauty of Dartmoor but also to capture the essence of peace and serenity via pre-war but also the darkness and fear during the war.  There are wonderful, breathtaking shots that are seen throughout the film with vibrant colors to lush greenery of the area.

There is also wonderful detail when it comes to the closeups of the horses and black levels were nice and deep.  I didn’t catch any banding, artifacts or any problems with the overall video.  If anything, picture quality for “War Horse” is outstanding!

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“War Horse” is presented in English 7.1 DTS-HD MA (48 kHZ/24-bit), French 7.1 DTS-HD HR and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound.  Dialogue is crystal clear and there is amazing use of the surround channels.  From the beginning as Joey is plowing the field to the use of music courtesy of John Williams.  But the film shows how wonderful it could sound via lossless once we get to the war.

As one would expect from a film with war scenes, the film is absolutely immersive as you hear machine guns, tanks, cavalries and their horses marching and stomping to bomb blasts via LFE.  There is good use of the rear surround channels and panning through the surround channels and I was quite impressed by how the overall mix was.  “War Horse” has an amazing lossless soundtrack!

Also, the musical soundtrack is wonderful.  The music is inspired by the serenity of the British landscapes and manages to capture that feel of adventure but also the horse as it goes through its adventures.  John Williams approach was to utilize brass instruments.

The brass is the key to the music of “War Horse”, creating emotion and feeling of the horse trough the ages.  Steven Spielberg said in the booklet notes of William’s composition, “I feel that John has made a special gift to me of this music, which was inspired not only by my film but also by my many of the picturesque settings of the poet William Wordsworth, whose vivid descriptions of the British landscape inspired much of what you’re going to hear.  I’m not sure what I can give John in return, other than a promise of more films to come…for as many more years as we both can imagine!”.

Subtitles are in English SDH, French and Spanish.

SPECIAL FEATURES

“War Horse” comes with the following special features:

DISC 1:

• War Horse: The Journey Home - (19:35) Featuring interviews with Steven Spielberg and the cast and a second roundtable interview with the creative team and crew.
• An Extra’s Point of View - (3:06) A featurette about extra Martin D. Dew and his involvement in the film.

DISC 2:

• A Filmmaking Journal – (1:04:13) A more in-depth featurette on the screen adaptation of “War Horse”, the casting and shooting on location.
• Editing & Scoring – (8:53) Editor Michael Kahn and composer John Williams discuss their involvement with “War Horse” and their longtime collaboration with Steven Spielberg.
• The Sounds of War Horse – (7:13) Gary Rydstrom talks about the sounds of “War Horse” and his goal to make the film sound authentic.
• Through the Producer’s Lens – (4:04) Producer Kathleen Kennedy talks about the photos she took on location during the filming of “War Horse”.

EXTRAS:

“War Horse” comes with a slipcover case, two Blu-rays (one for the film and the other for the special features), the DVD version of the film and a digital copy of the feature film.

“War Horse” is a film that captures the human spirit but most of all, Steven Spielberg ability to capture the relationship and emotions may it be an animal to an extra-terrestrial, it’s one thing that Spielberg has been wonderful in doing.

We have seen Spielberg create a heartfelt film with “E.T.”, we have seen him recently capture human and animal relationships through adventures with “The Adventures of Tin Tin”, but “War Horse” is a challenge that the filmmaker was ready to take on.

How would you be able to create a film based on a horse?  It’s one thing to get the actors to be emotional and caring towards a horse but you have to capture the horse being interested as the actions must seem natural to the viewer.  And sure enough, with amazing trainers, the reactions by Joey the horse as it goes through a lot during its adventures is nothing short of amazing.

“War Horse” is no doubt a collaborative film.  In order to make this film work, you would need a wonderful location, wonderful cinematography, costume and set design, music, sound design and talent and many extras in order to create this sense of dire during World War I.  Characters who come across the horse Joey and eventually are touched by it.  And of course, the trainers responsible in making the horse meet its mark (there are possibly over a hundred of horses used in this film, especially during the war scenes).

For one, “War Horse” is a gorgeous film.  Spielberg brought in his top guns for this film, cinematographer Janusz Kaminski and editor Michael Kahn.  They have had a long working relationship with Spielberg and part of the believability of this film is its look.  From the peaceful pre-war landscapes to the muddy trenches during World War I.  You have the cinematography and editing there, you have the look courtesy of Lee Sandales on set decoration and Joanna Johnston via costume design.  Every soldier on opposing sides have a uniform and you eventually get the sense of how grand this film is.

And of course, when it comes to emotion, to help tie the characters to Joey, you have the wonderful music of John Williams.  And also the sound courtesy of sound designer Gary Rydstrom is absolute amazing.  If you are an audiophile, you will literally hear how immersive this lossless soundtrack truly is on Blu-ray.  It’s one of the best lossless soundtracks that I have heard on Blu!

For the most part, everything came together for this film and I was quite impressed.

As for the Blu-ray release, the video and audio is absolutely magnificent.  There are many special features as well on two Blu-ray discs and you also get the DVD and digital copy version of the film with the 4-disc combo pack.

Overall, “War Horse” is a beautiful, moving and wonderful film capturing a horse and its ability to bring out the human spirit with the many people it comes across.    While it may not be as emotional as Robert Bresson’s 1966 film “Au hasard Balthazar” nor do we see the cruelty the horse must go through from owner to owner, the film is not about the cruelty of man towards horse.  Nor is “War Horse” a war film.  It’s about a horse that brings out the human spirit no matter who the owner is or whatever side the horse is being utilized.  The hope of one young man being reunited with his horse and that hope and even a bit of luck exists, even during dire circumstances.

Steven Spielberg and his crew once again has done a wonderful job and for those contemplating on this Blu-ray release, it really is magnificent.  Not just the film itself but its presentation, its picture quality and its fantastic lossless soundtrack.

“War Horse” is highly recommended!

 

Lost Keaton (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

If you are a fan of Buster Keaton, these 16 comedy two-reel talkies from the mid-30′s (his work with Educational Films) are hilarious, fun and enjoyable!   Definitely a Blu-ray recommended for Keaton fans!

Images courtesy of © 2012 Kino International Corp. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: Lost Keaton

YEAR OF COMEDY SHORTS: 1934-1937

DURATION: 16 Episodes (20 minutes per episode)

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition, LPCM Monaural

COMPANY: Kino Classics

RATED: Not Rated

Release Date: March 20, 2012

Directed by Charles Lamont, Mack Sennett, Raymond Kane, Al Christie

Starring:

Buster Keaton

Lona Andre

Myra E. Keaton

Louise Keaton

Dewey Robinson

“Bull Montana”

Warren Hymer

Dorothy Dix

Joe Young

William Worthington

Lloyd Ingraham

Leo Willis

Stanley J. Sanford

Kitty McHugh

Harry Bowen

Dorothea Kent

Vernon Dent

James Jones

Harold Goodwin

Marilyn Stuart

Dorothea Kent

Eddie Lambert

Gloria Brewster

Barbara Brewster

and many more…

For Buster Keaton, the era of the talkies was a tumultuous time. After signing with MGM, the quality of his ambitious, eclectic comedies began to decline, leading to a period of personal setbacks.  In 1934, he signed a contract with Earle W. Hammons¹s Educational Pictures which, despite its name, specialized in comedy short subjects (“The Spice of the Program”). Keaton’s move to Educational was a return to his roots, crafting a stream of two-reel comedies in rapid succession, as he had done in the early 1920s, when he first refined his cinematic craft.

The films Keaton made at Educational (all sixteen of which are collected here) pay homage to his earlier work (such as Love Nest on Wheels, which revives a number of gags from his very first film, The Butcher Boy), while exploring new possibilities for his recurring comic persona “Elmer”.

When we think about Buster Keaton, we think of one of the kings of slapstick comedy during the silent era.  The master of physical comedy, a talent known for his deadpan expression and his films, well-revered today as one of the best actors and directors of all time and beloved by many.

But in the late ’20s and early ’30s, Buster Keaton was at his all time low.   Due to an affair, he found himself divorced to Natalie Talmadge (of the popular Talmadge family and sister to actresses Norma and Constance), lost his wife, children and the money he had made during his career in silent films.

To make things worse, he learned from Joseph M. Schenk (the man in which Keaton was contracted to) would be taking the job as President of the new United Artists (created by D.W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks) and under his advice, he closed down his own film studio and was under contract with MGM.

That era was the worst decision he ever made in his life (according to Keaton), because he lost creative control of his films, the stunts he was known for had to be performed by a stunt double (as MGM had no intention of their lead actor getting hurt) and Buster Keaton continued his downward slope in his career and also his life as an alcoholic.  Despite his talkie films at Columbia being quite successful and profitable, his life behind-the-camera was not going so well at all.   His life was delaying production and several incidents took place behind-the-scenes that although Keaton would continue to work but focus on making films for Columbia in Europe in 1993-1934, MGM had no choice but to release him and no studio wanted to hire him.

But in 1934, Keaton did return to Hollywood when an old friend got him work at Educational Pictures ran by Earl (E.W.) Hammons.  What was originally a company that was going to focus on instructional films for schools, Hammons learned the profitability of comedies and he began releasing films and shorts.  For Buster Keaton, Keaton made his Hollywood comeback with 16 two-reel comedies and now these comedy shorts (which pay homage to his original work) have been released on a 2-disc Blu-ray release titled “Lost Keaton” courtesy of Kino International (note: These are the same episodes and special features from the 2010 DVD release of “Lost Keaton” but now presented in 1080p High Definition, LPCM 2.0).

The 16 two-reel comedies were budgeted at $20,000 each and $5,000 went to Keaton per episode, while $15,000 were budgeted for sets, props, costumes and supporting casts.  These were low-budget comedy shorts and a production schedule that were shot in 3-5 days and were shot very early in the morning to save money.

“Lost Keaton” features the following episodes (note: spoilerless summaries):

DISC 1:

• The Gold Ghost – (1934, 21 minutes)  Directed by Charles Lamont, Buster Keaton plays the character of Wattie, a man who is out of luck and love and decides to go to a place where he’s alone.  Wattie goes to a ghost town and becomes the sheriff but sooner or later, more and more people start to move in to town.
• Allez Oop – (1934, 20 minutes)  Directed by Charles Lamont, Buster Keaton debuts the role of his comic persona “Elmer”.  Elmer is a clock repairman and falls for a customer and the two go out on a date to a circus where she becomes smitten with one of the trapeze artists.  Can Elmer win her back?
• Palooka from Paducah – (1935, 20 minutes) Directed by Charles Lamont, Buster Keaton plays Jim Diltz, the son of a family of Hillbilly’s (played by his real life family) who need to make money for the family and thus, goes to the big city to support their son, Elmer (played by Dewey Robinson) who is wrestling for money.
• One Run Elmer - (1935, 19 minutes) Directed by Charles Lamont, Buster plays the character of Elmer who owns a gas station in the middle of nowhere.  When another man tries to build a gas station, right across his, the two compete against each other.  The film marks the appearance of actress Lona Andre.
• Hayseed Romance – (1935, 20 minutes) Directed by Charles Lamont, Buster plays Elmer Doolittle, who answers an ad to work at a farm and literally become the man of the woman who wrote the ad.  He first meets the beautiful Molly (played by Dorothea Kent) but finds out the ad is from the tough as nails Miss Green (played by Jane Jones).  Can Elmer escape?
• Tars and Stripes – (1935, 20 minutes) Directed by Charles Lamont, Buster plays the character of Apprentice Seaman Elmer Dolittle, a seaman who is constantly put in the brig because he keeps getting in trouble and is quite clumsy.  But what happens when his commanding officer (played by Vernon Dent) finds his girlfriend (played by Dorothea Kent) flirting with Elmer.
• The E-Flat Man – (1935, 20 minutes) Directed by Charles Lamont, Buster plays Elmer, a man who runs off with his girlfriend (played by Dorothea Kent) to get married.  The two don’t know that a duo of robbers are on the loose and somehow they are mistaken as the robbers and police start to go after both Elmer and his girlfriend.
• The Timid Young Man – (1935, 20 minutes) Directed by Mack Sennett and Buster Keaton (the only time the two have worked together), Buster plays a Milton who is through with women (because a bossy woman wants to marry him) and actress Lona Andre plays a woman (who doesn’t want to marry an old man that her father arranged for her) who is through with men and the two end up leaving town together and getting away from their troubles but somehow the two find trouble.

DISC 2:

• Three On a Limb – (1936, 18 minutes) Directed by Charles Lamont, Buster Keaton plays Elmer Brown, a man who wants to marry Molly (played by Lorna Andre) but her father wants her to marry the police officer Harold Goodwin (played by Homer) and her mother wants her to marry Oscar (played by Grant Withers).  Who will end up marrying Molly?
• Grand Slam Opera – (1936, 21 minutes) Directed by Charles Lamont, Buster Keaton plays the character of Elmer Butts, a man who wants to perform on the Grand Slam Opera radio show.  Considered by many as the best episode Buster Keaton did for Educational Films.
• Blue Blazes – (1936, 19 minutes) Directed by Raymond Kane, Buster Keaton plays Elmer, a fireman who can’t get anything right.  But when a fire takes place in an apartment, Elmer must save the tenants.
• The Chemist – (1936, 19 minutes) Directed by Al Christie, (in the only collaboration between both Buster Keaton and Christie), Buster plays the character of Elmer “Happy” Tripple, a scientist who is expected to develop the next big thing.  That big thing ends up to be a powder when combined with water, produces major blasts that make no sound, which catches the eyes of three robbers who want Elmer’s secret powder.
• Mixed Magic – (1936, 16 minutes) Directed by Raymond Kane, Buster plays Elmer “Happy” Butterworth, who tries out for a job to become a magician’s assistant, despite not knowing magic.
• Jail Bait – (1937, 19 minutes) Directed by Charles Lamont, Buster Keaton plays “The Office-Boy” who needs $98 to buy his girlfriend a ring but since he has no money, he runs into a thug who asks him to fake a crime, take the blame and he will get his $98.  But of course, by confessing a crime, the office-boy gets more than he is expecting.
• Ditto – (1937, 17 minutes) Directed by Charles Lamont, Buster Keaton plays the iceman who falls for a woman (which he doesn’t know are twins, played by Gloria and Barbara Brewster).
• Love Nest On Wheels – (1937, 18 minutes) The final Educational film starring Buster Keaton and directed by Charles Lamont, Buster Keaton plays the character of Elmer and stars Keaton’s family and friends.  Elmer and his family run a broken down hotel and a couple stop by in town to stay at the hotel, not knowing how bad of shape it truly is in.  But a man is demanding money or else he will close down the hotel, can Elmer and family raise enough money in time?

VIDEO:

The episodes in “LOST KEATON” is presented in black and white (1:33:1 aspect ratio) and in 1080p High Definition. It’s important for people to know that the Buster Keaton “Educational Films” were never in the best quality when compared to the full length films.   These were very low-budget films that were not cared for and with that beings aid, one can expect scratches and for a few episodes, missing frames.

According to Kino, the episodes were mastered in HD from 35mm negatives and fine grain master positives from Keaton’s personal collection and other archival sources by Raymond Rohauer.  Some films exist in less-than perfect condition, which is not atypical for low budget “orphan” films such as these.

The biggest question that I have been asked is how different the picture quality is compared to the DVD version release in 2010.  The picture quality is much more sharper and the contrast does bring out the black levels, whites and grays.  But is it a huge improvement, there is a slight upgraded in picture quality but it is not tremendous.

Overall, I’m quite pleased that these shorts which are nearly 80-years-old are in good shape.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

The episodes of “LOST KEATON” is presented in monaural via LPCM 2.0.  Dialogue is clear and understandable.  Audio does differ in each episode (the last two episodes are probably the two that come off with static), but for the most part, dialogue and audio can be heard.

Similar to the video, it is important to note that these Educational Films were low-budget “orphan” films and were not in the best condition if compared to Keaton’s films.  You will hear static and hiss, some popping but considering the source, this is probably the best we are ever going to hear from these episodes.

SPECIAL FEATURES

“LOST KEATON” comes with the following special features:

• Film Notes - The following features short notes about each episode and Buster Keaton’s involvement in those episodes.  Written by David Macleod, author of “The Sound of Buster Keaton”.
• Stills Gallery - Featuring still photography of Buster Keaton courtesy of David Macleod, Bruce Lawton and Douris UK Ltd.  Using your remote (or PC arrow buttons), viewers can cycle through each photo.
• “Why The Call Him Buster” – (1:11) A musical montage of pratfalls and stunts created to promote the upcoming release of KINO’s “Lost Keaton”.

This is the first time I have watched the Buster Keaton Educational Film shorts and I’m quite impressed with what the crew came up with considering the short budget they had, but if anything, Buster Keaton does a great job in showing us that many years after “The General” and “Steamboat Bill, Jr.” and countless other silent films that he had made, that he can still deliver in physical comedy.

In many ways, these shorts kind of remind me of the fun that I enjoyed while watching the Little Rascals shorts but without children, we have Buster Keaton.  In each episode, Keaton does say a few lines but for the most part, his physical comedy that he is known for is what is spotlighted in each episode.

Of course, when compared to his films that he did in the ’20s, there is obviously differences in budget but considering that these were short films on a low budget, the majority of the 16 shorts featured in “Lost Keaton” were quite hilarious and fun to watch.

I have quite a few favorites but I noticed that I enjoyed the pairing between Keaton and Lona Andre (who has this slight resemblance to Myrna Loy) and episodes such as “Three on a Limb” and “The Timid Young Man” but episodes where Buster Keaton does shine are episodes like “Grand Slam Opera” which was an amazing sight to see Keaton reacting and dancing to various music from other countries and he does a fantastic job in those scenes.  Another favorite was the short titled “Allez Oop” in which Buster plays a man who tries to show that he can do trapeze work (since the girl he likes falls for a trapeze artist) and “Hayseed Romance” as Buster is working at a farm and finds out that he may have to stay there by force.

But there are many fun episodes such as “The Gold Ghost”, “Tars and Stripes”, “The E-Flat Man”, “The Chemist” and many more.  As for shorts that aren’t that great, to tell you the truth, there is only one bad one which is “Ditto” (which seems fine at the beginning but has this unusual second half that made no sense).  If anything, I found all 16 episodes to be quite fun and hilarious.  It’s a shame that Keaton didn’t do more of these shorts at Educational Films but then again, Fox Film Corporation which distributed these shorts would end up withdrawing their support of Educational Films in 1937 and less than two years later, Educational Films would file for bankruptcy.

Keaton would go on to make ten more shorts for Columbia Pictures in 1939 but these were considered his weakest work and Keaton vowed to never “make another crummy two-reeler”.

If anything, Kino International has done a wonderful service for Keaton fans by releasing these 16 comedy shorts on Blu-ray.  I remember when the DVD was released and many Blu-ray fans were a bit ticked that Kino would release a Keaton collection, having been spoiled with simultaneous Blu-ray and DVD releases.  But now, the Blu-ray fans can enjoy these talkies.

Once again, picture quality is good for these nearly 80-year-old short low-budget films and audio quality is good, if anything, I wish there was a featurette, possibly interviews with Keaton scholars about his work at Educational Films or something extra included aside from the photo gallery and the same “Lost Keaton” one minute video that was featured on the “Steamboat Bill, Jr.” Blu-ray and DVD release.  But I did enjoy the inclusion of the film notes by David Macleod and now I’m very much interested in reading his book “The Sound of Buster Keaton”.

As for those who owned the previous DVD, is it worth the upgrade?  In terms of having an upgraded 1080p version with better contrasting, then yes.  Otherwise, it’s not a tremendous leap in terms of PQ or AQ when compared to the DVD release but for those who are seeking the best version, there is no doubt that these Educational Films featuring Buster Keaton looks the best on Blu-ray.

Overall, I’m sure silent film fans may find these comedy shorts too different than his silents but for me, I appreciate the work that Buster Keaton was able to do during the silent era and the sound era.  He doesn’t do much acting in terms of spoken dialogue but it works well because what makes the film so entertaining is his physical comedy and also seeing him partnered with leading ladies (who did a good job with their own style of comedy which complimented his physical comedy) in some of these episodes such as actresses Lona Andre and Dorothea Kent.

“Lost Keaton” is definitely a set worth owning and recommended for fans of Buster Keaton and those looking for humorous comedy based shorts from the mid-1930′s.  Definitely recommended!

 

The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride – Special Edition (a J!-ENT Children’s Blu-ray Disc Review)

If you were a big fan of the “The Lion King”, the sequel “The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride” continues the storyline with your favorite characters but also a passing of torch as we are introduced to Simba’s daughter Kiara.  A fun family film that looks and sounds even better on Blu-ray!

Image courtesy of © Disney. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: The Lion King 2: Special Edition

FILM YEAR OF RELEASE: 1998

DURATION: 76 Minutes

BLU-RAY INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (1:78:1), English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio,French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish Subtitles

COMPANY: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

RATED: G (for General Audiences)

Release Date: March 6, 2012

Directed by Darrell Rooney, Rob LaDuca

Screenplay by Flip Kobler, Cindy Marcus

Produced by Jeannine Roussel

Music by Nick Glennie-Smith

Edited by Peter Lonsdale

Art Direction by Fred Warter

Featuring the following voice talent:

Matthew Broderick as Simba

Neve Campbell as Kiara

Jason Marsden as Kovu

Suzanne Pleshette as Zira

Andy Dick as Nuka

Robert Guillaume as Rafiki

James Earl Jones as Mufasa

Moira Kelly as Nala

Nathan Lane as Timon

Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa

Lacey Chabert as Young Vitani

Cam Clarke as Simba (singing voice)

Edward Hibbert as Zazu

Michelle Horn as Young Kiara

Ryan O’Donahue as Young Kovu

The king of animated films reigns in this final chapter of The Lion King trilogy, now breathtakingly beautiful for the first time in a 2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack! Experience the power of “Upendi”—which means “love”— as Kiara, Simba’s strong-willed daughter, seeks adventure away from her father’s watchful gaze. Timon and Pumbaa can do only so much to protect her, especially when she encounters an intriguing rival, Kovu, a cub who is being groomed to lead Scar’s pride.

Disney has had many successes since Walt Disney created the popular animation studio back in 1923.

With the success of their live action films and their PIXAR 3D animated films, still to this day, “The Lion King”, the 32nd film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics remains as the most successful animated film for the legendary company earning over $862 million in the box office (created with a budget of $45 million) and in terms of overall animation, it’s the fifth highest grossing animated film of all time and the #1 highest grossing film when it comes to hand-drawn animation.

The film earned two Academy awards plus a Golden Globe for “Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy” and is the #4 animated film on the American Film Institute’s “10 Top 10″ list.

“The Lion King” made its debut on Blu-ray (2-disc) courtesy of a Diamond Edition on Oct. 4, 2011, as well as a 3D Blu-ray (4-Disc) and also an 8-disc “The Lion King” trilogy box set which included both direct-to-video films “The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride” and “The Lion King 1 1/2″.

And now in March 2012, both films will be released on Blu-ray separately.

“The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride” is the 1998 direct-to-video sequel to “The Lion King” and begins with the announcement to all the animals in Pride Land of the birth of Kiara, the daughter of Simba and Nala.

We then see how Nala grows older and becomes more curious about life outside the Pride Lands and overprotective towards his daughter, Simba has Timon and Pumbaa watch over and make sure she doesn’t enter the “Outlands”.  But Nala manages to escape from Timon and Pumbaa and meets another young lion named Kovu (who has a resemblance to Scar).

The two start to tease each other and have fun but immediately, their fun is halted when Zira (the wife of Scar) comes.  But immediately, Simba and a group of lioness from the Pride Lands are there and as Simba tries to get his daughter, he reminds Zira and her pack that they are exiled from the Pride Lands and they should not be in their area.  She tries to argue that they have hardly any food but Simba refuses to listen, and thus Zira’s thirst for revenge toward Simba for Scar’s death (note: events from the first film).

We learn that Kovu was hand picked to be Scar’s successor and since he was young, he has been trained to hate Simba.  But seeing how Kovu has developed a friendship with Simba’s daughter Nala, this may be the opportunity her pack needs for revenge.

The story then progresses years later when Kiara is now an adult and she is on her first solo hunt.  When Nuka and Vitani (Scar’s children) tries to trap Nala in a fire, Kovu rescues Kiara from danger.

Despite not wanting anything related to Scar back into the Pride Lands, he is indebted to Kovu for saving his daughter and thus, Kovu is allowed into the Pride Lands.  But while Kovu is allowed into the Pride Lands, Simba is bothered with nightmares of his father dying but also Kovu betraying him and leading him to his own demise.

And immediately, Kovu starts to learn from Nala about having fun but also learning about “love”, something he never knew about in the Outlands.  Meanwhile, and Nuka and Vitani are spying on Kovu and seeing if he will attack Simba, he doesn’t and this begins to cause concern for Zira.

Seeing overtime how Kovu treats Kiara with kindness and love, he begins to soften up to Kovu.  And the day he decides to let Kovu into his life (after the two take a long walk), Zira and her pack surround Kovu.  She thanks Kovu for trapping Simba and Simba feels that Kovu has betrayed him and his family.  Kovu tries to explain that he has nothing to do with it but it’s too late as the pack begin their attack on Simba.

Will Simba live through the ordeal?  What will happen to Kovu and his relationship with Kiara?  Find out by watching “The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride”.

VIDEO:

“The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride” is presented in 1080p High Defiition (1:78:1) and this 1998 direct-to-video sequel holds up well in 2012.

Each time I have watched a Disney animated classic on Blu-ray, suffice to say, there are no disappointments. Each release has been spectacular when it comes to picture quality and with the Blu-ray release of “The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride”, we are in somewhat different territory.  Where the original “The Lion King” was a film (and had a much higher budget and more people assigned to the film), the film looked incredible on Blu-ray and the third direct-to-video film, “The Lion King 1 1/2″ benefited for being a much more recent release (using recent technology and thus having more detail when it comes to the CG artwork), “The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride” looks good especially when it comes to the grass and surroundings.

But for the characters, they are less detailed.  Colors are still vibrant and for a direct-to-video sequel, the 1998 animation still holds up very well today, but it is quite evident that the film has its share of a little banding and less detail when compared to the other two films.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride” is presented in English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and also includes a French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital.  Similar to the first and third film in video, the second film doesn’t have a mix that is totally immersive but there is enough going on in action that there is a good use of LFE and surround channels.  There is no doubt that this sequel tend to use much more music than the previous two films but I felt the music was not as strong or memorable compared to the original film.  Again, this is a direct-to-video sequel, so I was not expecting Elton John to return, but for the most part, dialogue is crystal clear and the overall lossless soundtrack is OK.

The soundtrack is also presented in French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital.  Subtitles are presented in English SDH, French and Spanish.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride: Special Edition” comes with the following special features:

• Timon & Pumbaa’s Insectapedia - (5:30) New to Blu-ray is this segment as Timon and Pumbaa talk about the insects in the wild.
• Only One – (5:42) An animated and musical short featuring a young African community who begin making kites.
• Timon & Pumbaa: Find Out Why - (7:33) Pumbaa explains to Timon of “Why is there lightning and thunder? Why do we sneeze? Why don’t pandas live in the desert? Why is there wind? And why does an airplane fly?”
• Proud of Simba’s Pride - (15:02) A short featurette featuring the crew and the cast about the sequel and the development of “The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride”.
• “Love Will Find a Way” Music Video - A Music video of “Love Will Find a Way” featuring Kenny Lattimore and Heather Headley.

EXTRAS:

“The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride: Special Edition” comes with a slipcover case and a DVD version of the feature film. The DVD is presented in widescreen 1:66:1 aspect ratio, English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and subtitles in English SDH, French and Spanish.

For those who grew up watching “The Lion King” and enjoyed the film and are now adults with their own children, “The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride” is a fun family film as it continues the storyline of Simba and friends.

Rarely do we see Disney creating sequels for their popular animated films but in 1998, knowing how successful “The Lion King” was, it was a no-brainer for Disney to create a film, albeit a direct-to-video film with the characters.

When I first watched “The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride”, I found the film to be enjoyable and entertaining.  But this was the first time I watched it since 1998 and for the most part, the film manages to hold up very well, but I felt some of the music felt a bit aged and also was not as memorable as the first film.  But I suppose that it’s hard to complain since this is not a theatrical film but a direct-to-video film.  And compared to other direct-to-video animated films, you have to give credit to Walt Disney Studios for going all out in creating a film that looks gorgeous, featuring plenty of music but also a film that features the characters that fans of the first film will remember and will be excited to see.  But most importantly, a passing of the torch to a new generation as the film focuses on Simba’s daughter, from child to young adult and her finding her first love, Kovu.

While both “The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride” and “The Lion King 1 1/2″ were released as part of a Blu-ray set last year, I’m actually happy that Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment has decided to release these two direct-to-video films on Blu-ray individually. And I am quite pleased of how gorgeous the film looks on Blu-ray. Typically one doesn’t put too much stock into direct-to-video animated films but in the case of “The Lion King 1 1/2″, the film looks absolutely vibrant and beautiful look at. Granted, the losless audio is not as active and pronounced as the original film but it’s still very good.

Overall, “The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride – Special Edition” is an enjoyable family film, while not as great as the first film, the direct-to-video sequel manages to hold up quite well on its own.

And for those who were fans of the original film who never saw the direct-to-video films and were in awe of the Blu-ray release of “The Lion King”, I definitely recommend purchasing the other two direct-to-video films as they look great on Blu-ray but also are important to have for collector’s wanting to own the trilogy.

“The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride – Special Edition” is recommended!

 

The Lion King 1 1/2: Special Edition (a J!-ENT Children’s Blu-ray Disc Review)

If you thought the original “The Lion King” looked amazing on Blu-ray, the second direct-to-video film “The Lion King 1 1/2″ looks vibrant and gorgeous in HD!  While it is not essential to watch this film, it’s still a fun family film focusing on Timon & Pumbaa and life before and after they met Simba.

Image courtesy of © Disney. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: The Lion King 1 1/2: Special Edition

FILM YEAR OF RELEASE: 2004

DURATION: 76 Minutes

BLU-RAY INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (1:66:1), English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio,French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish Subtitles

COMPANY: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

RATED: G (for General Audiences)

Release Date: March 6, 2012

Directed by Bradley Raymond

Screenplay by Tom Rogers, Roger Allers, Irene Mecchi, Raymond Singer, Evan Spiliotopoulos

Produced by George A. Mendoza, Jason VanBorssum

Associate Producer: Michael Paxton

Music by Don Harper

Edited by Joyce Arrastia

Production Design by Dennis Greco

Art Direction by James Gallego

Featuring the following voice talent:

Nathan LAne as Timon

Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa

Julie Kavner as Mom

Jerry Stiller as Uncle Max

Matthew Broderick as Adult Simba

Robert Guillaume as Rafiki

Moira Kelly as Nala

Whoopi Goldberg as Shenzi

Cheech Marin as Banzai

Jim Cummings as Ed

Edward Hibbert as Zazu

JAson Rudofsky as Flinchy

Matt Weinberg as Young Simba

Hilarity reigns in the motion picture comedy-adventure that takes you waaay back to the beginning before Simba’s tale began…now more fabulous than ever for the first time in a 2-disc Blu-ray Combo Pack!

From their uniquely hysterical perspective, Timon and his windy pal Pumbaa—the greatest unsung heroes of the savanna—reveal where they came from, how they helped Simba save the Serengeti and what really happened behind the scenes of The Lion King’s biggest events.

Disney has had many successes since Walt Disney created the popular animation studio back in 1923.

With the success of their live action films and their PIXAR 3D animated films, still to this day, “The Lion King”, the 32nd film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics remains as the most successful animated film for the legendary company earning over $862 million in the box office (created with a budget of $45 million) and in terms of overall animation, it’s the fifth highest grossing animated film of all time and the #1 highest grossing film when it comes to hand-drawn animation.

The film earned two Academy awards plus a Golden Globe for “Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy” and is the #4 animated film on the American Film Institute’s “10 Top 10″ list.

“The Lion King” made its debut on Blu-ray (2-disc) courtesy of a Diamond Edition on Oct. 4, 2011, as well as a 3D Blu-ray (4-Disc) and also an 8-disc “The Lion King” trilogy box set which included both direct-to-video films “The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride” and “The Lion King 1 1/2″.

And now in March 2012, both films will be released on Blu-ray separately.

“Lion King 1 1/2″ is the third film of “The Lion King” series, made in 2004 and focuses primarily on Timon and Pumbaa.  Because this is a direct-to-video film and previous voice talent have gotten older since the making of the original “The Lion King”, a few changes were made for casting such as Matt Weinberg as young Simba instead of Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Rowan Atkinson as Zazu.

Created in a “Mystery Science Theater 3000″ style, both Timon and Pumbaa are watching a film of “The Lion King 1 1/2″ as it features their back story before and after they met Simba.

The film begins with Timon wanting more responsibility as a meerkat but because he tends to get into trouble, he nearly gets his meerkat group killed when he fails to alert them that hyenas have arrived to their village.  While his mother is quite supportive of him and his Uncle Max tends to be quite critical of him, Timon becomes an outcast to the other meerkats.

Timon meets a mandrill named Rafiki who tells him that he must find his place in the world via Hakuma Matata and next thing you know, Timon goes to Pride Rock where he meets Pumbaa for the very first time.

Both Timon and Pumbaa have no family and thus, they become best friends to each other.

As the two are able to find a new home and live life via Hakuna Matata, the storyline then shifts to when both Timon and Pumbaa meet Simba for the very first time and begin to raise him.

The film shows a connection to the original “The Lion King” film but also shows how Timon is not so appreciative of Nala coming in and taking away Simba from them.  As Simba heads back to the Pride Lands to confront his uncle Scar, will his good friends Timon and Pumbaa be there with him?

VIDEO:

Each time I have watched a Disney animated classic on Blu-ray, suffice to say, there are no disappointments. Each release has been spectacular when it comes to picture quality and with the Blu-ray release of “The Lion King 1 1/2″, once again viewers are receiving a quality product as this film looks fantastic on Blu!

Forget the fact that this is a direct-to-video film, the detail of this animated film is impressive, vibrant and beautiful!

Presented in 1080p High Definition (1:66:1), the first thing you will noticed about “The Lion King 1 1/2″ is how vibrant the film is. The colors are spectacular, the black levels are nice and deep and the colorful visuals are just breathtaking. There were times where I was expecting to see some banding, especially the gradient pink to purples in the background but for the most part, the film looked awesome with no problems whatsoever.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“The Lion King 1 1/2″ is presented in English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and also includes a French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital. If you thought the video was awesome for “The Lion King 1 1/2″, the lossless soundtrack was good.  I’ve noticed a good use of the LFE and also the surround channels, but compared to “The Lion King”, it’s not as active and pronounced.   A big difference is that there was good use of ambiance of the Pride Lands in the original film, for “The Lion King 1 1/2″, most of the audio comes to play during the action and music sequences.  But for the most part, the audio for  “Lion King 1 1/2″ was OK but not super active compared to the first film but is expected as this is a direct-to-video release.

Subtitles are presented in English SDH, French and Spanish.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“The Lion King 1 1/2: Special Edition” comes with the following special features:

• Timon & Pumbaa’s Vacation Safari - (4:57) Featuring Timon and Pumbaa showcasing video of animals that live in the wild.
• Deleted Scenes – (11:44) Director Bradley Raymond and Producer George Mendoza explain the segments that did not make the final cut.  Note: The seven deleted scenes are presented as sketches or artwork.
• Timon: Behind the Legend – (4:04) Peter Graves does a mockumentary of Timon’s childhood and features interview with Timon, his mother, Uncle Max and Pumbaa.
• Before the Beginning: The Making of Lion King 1 1/2 - (15:02) Director Bradley Raymond and Producer George Mendoza give viewers a chance to see the making of “The Lion King 1 1/2″ with interviews with the crew who were responsible in making the film.
• “Grazin’ in the Grass” Music Video  - (3:12) A Music video of “Grazin’ in the Grass” sung by Raven Symone.

EXTRAS:

“The Lion King 1 1/2: Special Edition” comes with a slipcover case and a DVD version of the feature film. The DVD is presented in widescreen 1:66:1 aspect ratio, English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and subtitles in English SDH, French and Spanish.

For those who grew up watching “The Lion King” and enjoyed the film and are now adults with their own children, “The Lion King 1 1/2″ is a fun family film as it focuses on the two crazy characters of the original film, Timon and Pumbaa!

The film goes into the past of how these two characters met, but how Timon’s life was prior to meeting Pumbaa and Simba, but also showing the audience of what took place during the time Simba lived with both of them.

While it is a direct-to-video film and is not essential to watch, if you are a fan of “The Lion King”, it’s a wonderful addition to the series and also giving fans more storylines involving the characters from the first “The Lion King” film.

While both “The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride” and “The Lion King 1 1/2″ were released as part of a Blu-ray set last year, I’m actually happy that Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment has decided to release these two direct-to-video films on Blu-ray individually.   And I am quite pleased of how gorgeous the film looks on Blu-ray.  Typically one doesn’t put too much stock into direct-to-video animated films but in the case of “The Lion King 1 1/2″, the film looks absolutely vibrant and beautiful look at.  Granted, the losless audio is not as active and pronounced as the original film but it’s still very good.

Overall, “The Lion King 1 1/2″ is a great family film and for parents looking for an animated film on Blu-ray for their children to watch. Also,”The Lion King 1 1/2″ Blu-ray release also comes with the DVD version of the film.

And for those who were fans of the original film who never saw the direct-to-video films and were in awe of the Blu-ray release of the original film, what best now to watch the two than on Blu-ray!

“The Lion King 1 1/2: Special Edition” is recommended for children and families!

 

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