Blithe Spirit – The Criterion Collection #606 (as part of the “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” DVD Box Set) (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

Delightful, fun and charming!  While Noel Coward and David Lean had their own personal opinions about this comedy, of the four films in the Criterion Collection “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” set, this is a fun comedy that is highly entertaining and worth watching!

Image courtesy of © A Noel Coward Cineguild Production 1945. © 2012 The Criterion Collection. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: This Happy Breed – The Criterion Collection #605 (as part of the “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” DVD Box Set)

FILM RELEASE DATE: 1945

DURATION: 96 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Color, Monaural , 1:37:1 Aspect Ratio

COMPANY: Janus Films/The Criterion Collection

RELEASED: March 27, 2012

Directed by David Lean

Adaptation by Anthony Havelock-Allan, David Lean, Ronald Neame

Produced by Noel Coward

Music by Richard Addinsell

Cinematography by Ronald Neame

Edited by Jack Harris

Casting by Irene Howard

Art Direction by C.P. Norman

Set Decoration by Arthur Taksen

Costume Design by Rahvis

Starring:

Rex Harrison by Charles Condomine

Constance Cummings as Ruth Condomine

Kay Hammond as Elvira Condomine

Margaret Rutherford as Madame Arcati

Hugh Wakefield as Dr. George Bradman

Joyce Carey as Violet Bradman

Jacqueline Clarke as Edith

Blithe Spirit, David Lean’s delightful film version of Noël Coward’s theater sensation (onstage, it broke London box-office records before hitting Broadway), stars Rex Harrison as a novelist who cheekily invites a medium (Margaret Rutherford) to his house to conduct a séance, hoping the experience will inspire a book he’s working on. Things go decidedly not as planned when she summons the spirit of his dead first wife (Kay Hammond), a severe inconvenience for his current one (Constance Cummings). Employing Oscar-winning special effects to spruce up Coward’s theatrical farce, Blithe Spirit is a sprightly supernatural comedy with winning performances.

Noel Coward and David Lean would embark on a four-year film collaboration and to celebrate this unique collaboration, the Criterion Collection will be releasing the four films that the two have worked together: “In Which We Serve” (1942), “This Happy Breed” (1944), “Blithe Spirit” (1945) and “Brief Encounter” (1945) as part of the “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” Blu-ray and DVD Box set.

With the success of the first two films of their collaboration, the next play that Noel Coward wanted to see a film adaptation was for his play “Blithe Spirit”.

Running in theatre as a play, it was a film that David Lean did not want to direct and film critics were a bit upset mainly because the theme of the film revolves around death and ghosts and during World War II, a film about dead people is not exactly what people would want to see in the theater.

But Lean was eventually cajoled into making the film but unlike “The Happy Breed” where setting was incorporated almost like it’s own character, Lean didn’t do as much research into the play and just worked on the film based on the script.

The biggest difference between the play and the film is that the main character was to be a middle-aged man, but in the case of the film adaptation, a reluctant Rex Harrison (“Tho Ghost and Mrs. Muir”, “My Fair Lady”, “Doctor Dolittle”, “Cleopatra”) was cast.  Also, cast for the film was Constance Cummings (“Movie Crazy”, “The Criminal Code”), stage actress Kay Hammond and Margaret Rutherford (“Murder at the Gallop”, “Murder Most Foul”, “Murder She Said”).

While the film did well in the box office, Noel Coward was not pleased by the outcome but felt that he and David Lean could work on a more realistic drama for their next film titled “Brief Encounter”.

“Blithe Spirit” is a film about novelist Charles Condomine (played by Rex Harrison) who wants to do research on the occult for his next crime novel.  So, he and his wife Ruth (played by Constance Cummings) and the Badman’s invites a medium named Madame Arcati (played by Margaret Rutherford) to their home to perform a seance.

Charles and the others feel that Madame Arcati is a weird woman and what she is doing is fake but during the seance, the spirit of Charles’ first wife, Elvira communicates with him.  Shocked by what he hears and no one else hearing it, he quickly stops the seance and sends Madame Arcati back home.

But when Charles is alone in his study, Elvira (played by Kay Hammond) shows up in physical form and communicates with her husband.  Surprised about her appearance, the two start having a conversation and when he tries to explain to his wife that he is talking with his deceased wife, she thinks he is going crazy.

Thinking that Charles is putting a bad prank in order to make her think that she is crazy, needless to say, their relationship starts to sour.  Even, Elvira doesn’t like Ruth and wonders why Charles would marry such a woman.

But when Ruth comes back and tries to make amends, Charles asks Elvira to prove that she is there and suddenly, Elvira lifts objects in their living room and scaring Ruth.  Ruth doesn’t want to believe it is true but she knows what she saw actually happened and now has gone back to Madame Arcati and ask her to send Elvira back to where she belongs.  But during their conversation and Madame Arcati feeling that Elvira has used her for her husband’s project, she refuses to help.

Meanwhile, unbeknown to Charles is that Elvira has messed with his automobile and planning to have her husband die.  But when Ruth borrows his car, she ends up getting into an accident and dies.

And as Elvira’s presence as a ghost starts to pester Charles (and he growing tired of her), a deceased Ruth is now taking her revenge on Elvira and beating her.

Growing tired of Ruth and her conversations with Charles, she wants to go back where she belongs.  So, the only way to do that is to bring Madame Arcati back into the home and try to send Elvira to where she belongs.  But will it work?

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Blithe Spirit” is presented in a brand new high-definition digital transfer of the BFI National Archive’s 2008 restoration. With that being said, because this film has been restored, if you want the best version of this film to date, you definitely want to pick up the Blu-ray release of the “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” box set.

As for the DVD, “Blithe Spirit” is presented in technicolor (1:37:1 aspect ratio). It’s important to note that the film was shot in Technicolor.  Picture quality for an early Technicolor film is very good.  There are some specks that do show up a few times but for the most part, for something this old, it looks rather good on DVD and no film warping or any major blemishes.

As for the picture quality, according to Criterion, the picture has been slightly windowboxed (for the DVD version) to ensure the maximum image is visible on all monitors. The new high-definition digital transfer was created in at Technicolor Creative Services in London on a Spirit Datacine from the restoration internegative and was produced from the original YCM negatives.

As for the audio, the audio is presented in Monaural. Dialogue is crystal clear and I heard no hiss or any audio problems during my viewing.

According to the Criterion Collection, the monaural soundtrack was restored from a sound print made from the original nitrate track negative. Click, thumps, hiss and hum were manually removed using Pro Tools HD. Crackle was attenuated using AudioCube’s integrated workstation.

English subtitles are presented in English SDH.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Blithe Spirit” comes with the following special features:

• Barry Day - (11:09) Featuring an October 2011 interview with Barry Day, author of “Coward on Film: The Cinema of Noel Coward” discussing “Blithe Spirit”.
• The Southbank Show: Noel Coward – (50:39) A 1992 episode of “The Southbank Show” hosted by Melvin Bragg and covers the life of Noel Coward and his career in theater, film and music.  Featuring archival footage and interviews with actors John Gielgud, Daniel Massey and John Mills.
• Trailer – (2:27) The original theatrical trailer for “Blithe Spirit”.

EXTRAS:

• 46-Page booklet – “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” comes with a 46-page booklet with essays for each film. For the “Brief Encounter” portion, the essays are all brand new. For “Blithe Spirit”, the essay “Present Magic” by Geoffrey O’Brien (editor-in-chief of “Library of America”) is included.

“Blithe Spirit” is a an interesting comedy directed by a filmmaker who had no desire to create a comedy film.

It’s been said before how actor Rex Harrison said that David Lean was a director with “no sense of humor” and even Noel Coward said an expletive of what David Lean had done to the film adaptation of his favorite play.

And sure, film critics felt it was bad taste to release a film about death when there was death happening by the thousands each day during World War II.  Needless to say, people at the time had their opinions about the film back then but for me, watching it today, I just felt it was a charmingly, fun comedy.

It’s a film that works because of its talents.  Margaret Rutherford as the wacky medium Madame Arcati simply steals the show as the medium who believes in her craft, while everyone thinks she is a bit nutty.  The others are more or less playing off each other as Charles Condomine (played by Rex Harrison) can’t believe his deceased wife Elvira (played by Kay Hammond) is back.  Both two bicker like no other and both start to realize if their marriage was even good.  Meanwhile, his latest wife Ruth (played by Constance Cummings) can’t believe him when he tells her that he is talking to Elvira and refuses to acknowledge it.

There is just a lot of humor within these four characters and having not seen this film, you just don’t know how things would progress when Elvira resides in the home.  Nor do you think she would do anything to ensure these two would die.  Granted, it could have been wicked, but Noel Coward handles these characters with humor and never seeks to make the storyline macabre.

Of the four films that David Lean and Noel Coward have worked on, this film despite it dealing with dead people is possibly the most humorous and fun film of them all.  Granted, “This Happy Breed” has its moments of fun and laughter but the film showcases a variety of emotions and David Lean really went all out in trying to make the film standout.  This film, David Lean was a reluctant as this type of film was not what he wants to do.  Fortunately, both men worked together one final time despite how they felt about “Blithe Spirit” the film and ended up creating one of the most memorable romantic films of all time with “Brief Encounter”.

As for the DVD, the new digital transfer looked fantastic and this older Technicolor film looked good, no blurriness, no fading and BFI did a wonderful job on the restoration.  Technicolor did a wonderful job in bringing this film to hi-def, but definitely if you want to experience the best version of this film, Blu-ray is the way to go.  Also, the special features are quite good on this DVD especially “The Southbank” retrospective on Noel Coward’s career.

Overall, “Blithe Spirit” is a enjoyable and fun comedy.  And considering that Noel Coward thought David Lean messed this film up and that David Lean was not so into making this film, somehow it ended up to be a fan favorite among cineaste who have followed David Lean’s work.  Mainly because “Blythe Spirit” is not a type of film he would go on to direct.  But he did and in the end, it actually worked despite the criticism people felt about the film at the time.

Delightful, fun and entertaining, “Blithe Spirit” is a wonderful film that is part of the Criterion Collection’s wonderful release of “David Lean Directs Noel Coward”.  Highly recommended!

 

This Happy Breed – The Criterion Collection #605 (as part of the “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” DVD Box Set) (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

A touching, charming and fascinating film!  “This Happy Breed” is David Lean’s film adaptation of Noel Coward’s play about a British family from 1919-1939 and the enjoyable and tragic moments the family has faced in their life.  A wonderful film included in the Criterion Collection Blu-ray and DVD set for “David Lean Directs Noel Coward”.

Image courtesy of © Carlton Film Distributors Limited 1942. © 2012 The Criterion Collection. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: This Happy Breed – The Criterion Collection #605 (as part of the “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” DVD Box Set)

FILM RELEASE DATE: 1944

DURATION: 111 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Color, Monaural , 1:37:1 Aspect Ratio

COMPANY: Janus Films/The Criterion Collection

RELEASED: March 27, 2012

Directed by David Lean

Based on the Play by Noel Coward

Adaptation by Anthony Havelock-Allan, David Lean, Ronald Neame

Producer: Noel Coward

Cinematography by Ronald Neame

Edited by Jack Harris

Art Direction by C.P. Norman

Starring:

Robert Newton as Frank Gibbons

Celia Johnson as Ethel Gibbons

Amy Veness as Mrs. Flint

Alison Leggatt as Aunt Sylvia

Stanley Holloway as Bob Mitchell

John Mills as Billy Mitchell

Kay Walsh as Queenie Gibbons

Eileen Erkskine as Vi

John Blythe as Reg Gibbons

Guy Verney as Sam Leadbitter

Betty Fleetwood as Phyllis Blake

Merle Tottenham as Edie

David Lean brings to vivid emotional life Noël Coward’s epic chronicle of a working-class family in the London suburbs over the course of two decades. Robert Newton and Celia Johnson are surpassingly affecting as Frank and Ethel Gibbons, a couple with three children whose modest household is touched by joy and tragedy from the tail end of the First World War to the beginning of the Second. With its mix of politics and melodrama, This Happy Breed is a quintessential British domestic drama, featuring subtly expressive Technicolor cinematography by Ronald Neame and a remarkable supporting cast including John Mills, Stanley Holloway, and Kay Walsh.

Noel Coward and David Lean would embark on a four-year film collaboration and to celebrate this unique collaboration, the Criterion Collection will be releasing the four films that the two have worked together: “In Which We Serve” (1942), “This Happy Breed” (1944), “Blithe Spirit” (1945) and “Brief Encounter” (1945) as part of the “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” Blu-ray and DVD Box set.

With the success of the first film “In Which We Serve”, both director David Lean and cinematographer Ronald Neame knew that they wanted to work with Noel Coward once again.

But this time, Noel Coward was busy with his plays.   Since 1942, Noel Coward’s plays “This Happy Breed” (which was completed months before “World War II”), “Present Laughter” and “Blithe Spirit” were being performed.  Noel entrusted David Lean to direct his play “The Happy Breed” and this film would become the solo directorial debut for Lean.

Because Coward was playing the character Frank Gibbons on stage and was expecting to reprise the role on screen, Lean felt the character for the play should be different onscreen.  Because of Coward’s public persona, audiences will probably not accept him as the role of Gibbons and thus, actor Robert Donat was brought in to perform the character.  Cast for the matriarch role was Celia Johnson who starred in “In Which We Serve”.

Another major decision made by David Lean for the film adaptation of “This Happy Breed” was to film it in three-strip Technicolor stock.

The film was well received by critics and “This Happy Breed” would earn Celia Johnson a “Best Actress” award by the National Board of Review.

Sixty-four-years since the theatrical premiere of the film, the British Film Institute would undergo a near three-year restoration effort of “This Happy Breed” and 68-years later, “The Happy Breed” will be released in the US via its new restored version as part of the Criterion Collection’s “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” Blu-ray and DVD Box Set.

“This Happy Breed” is a film about the Gibbons family and their lives from 1919-1939.  The storyline broken down to three acts.

The first act features the family moving into their new home and their children now become adults.  The second act features their children as adults and making difficult decisions and what happens to the children 12-years later.  The third and final act takes place during the mid-to-late ’30s as both Frank and Ethel Gibbons are now older and no one left at the home but them two.  What will happen to the married couple and how will they live their lives from here on in?

The film begins shortly after World War I (the summer of 1919) and the Gibbons family have moved into their new home in Clapham, South London.  The family consists of family patriarch and former army soldier Frank Gibbons (played by Robert Newton), his wife Ethel Gibbons (played by Cecilia Johnson) and their three children Reg (played by John Blythe), Vi (played by Eileen Erskine) and Queenie (played by Kay Walsh).  Also, living in the house is Frank’s widowed sister Syliva (played by Alison Leggatt) and Ethel’s mother, Mrs. Flint (played by Amy Veness).

While moving in, the family is greeted by their neighbor Bob Mitchell (played by Stanley Holloway), who is a former serviceman that served the army along with Frank.

In 1925, during Christmas dinner, we get to learn more about the Gibbons children.  VI, the eldest daughter is very close to the family, while youngest daughter Queenie is dating serviceman Billy Mitchell (played by John Mills), son of Fred’s friend (and neighbor) Bob.  Queenie is starting to dislike living at home, tired of her parents and her siblings.  And because Billy is going off on duty, she doesn’t know if she can bare the thought of him leaving.  She also tells him that she hates suburban life that she doesn’t think she can be a good wife.

Meanwhile, the only boy in the family, Reg has been hanging out with socialist Sam Leadbitter (played by Guy Verney) and now preaches against the injustice of the rich towards the poor and is often arguing with his sister Queenie, who doesn’t respect his ideals all that much.

Fast forward to 1926 and Fred and Bob continue to drink a lot of to Ethel’s displeasure.  But as for Reg, his striking has now got him injured and Vi confronts Sam about how he has changed her son and no longer wants him at their home.  As Frank goes to talk with his son, we get to see a moment where the two talk about their ideals.  Frank is more of the traditionalist, while Reg is more of an idealist.  But most important, father respects that his son has his own opinion.

The film then fast forwards to 1931 and this year would change for the Gibbons as a child gets married, a child leaves home, a child is disowned and a child dies tragically.

The final third act shows us how the Gibbons Family are twenty years since they moved into the home.  What will happen to both Frank and Ethel as they are the only two left in the house and what has happened to the children and the family members.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“This Happy Breed” is presented in a brand new high-definition digital transfer courtesy of the BFI (British Film Institute) National Archive’s 2008 restoration. With that being said, because this film has been restored, if you want the best version of this film to date, you definitely want to pick up the Blu-ray release of the “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” box set.

As for the DVD, “This Happy Breed” is presented in technicolor (1:37:1 aspect ratio).  It’s important to note that while this film was shot in three-strip Technicolor, director David Lean did not want this film too look like a standard Technicolor film.

As for the picture quality, according to Criterion, the picture has been slightly windowboxed (for the DVD version) to ensure the maximum image is visible on all monitors. The new restoration was created in at Technicolor Creative Services in London on a Spirit Datacine from the restoration internegative and was produced from the original YCM negatives.

As for the audio, the audio is presented in Monaural. Dialogue is crystal clear and I heard no hiss or any audio problems during my viewing.

According to the Criterion Collection, the monaural soundtrack was restored from a sound print made from the original nitrate track negative. Click, thumps, hiss and hum were manually removed using Pro Tools HD. Crackle was attenuated using AudioCube’s integrated workstation.

English subtitles are presented in English SDH.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“This Happy Breed” comes with the following special features:

• Barry Day - (14:55) Featuring an October 2011 interview with Barry Day, author of “Coward on Film: The Cinema of Noel Coward” discussing “This Happy Breed”.
• The Golden Age – (44:03) A 2010 interview with cinematographer/producer/screenwriter Ronald Neame who talks about the making of the four Noel Coward/David Lean films and things that took place behind-the-scenes and his feelings towards those films.
• Trailer – (2:36) The original theatrical trailer for “This Happy Breed”.
• Re-Release Trailer – (2:20) The re-release trailer for “This Happy Breed”.

EXTRAS:

• 46-Page booklet – “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” comes with a 46-page booklet with essays for each film. For the “Brief Encounter” portion, the essays are all brand new. For “This Happy Breed”, the essay “Home Truths” by Farran Smith Nehme (writer for the blog “Self-Styled Siren”) is included.

“This Happy Breed” is the second collaboration between Noel Coward and David Lean.  This time around because Coward was busy with several plays on stage, David Lean would get the opportunity to make his solo directorial debut.

Written by Noel Coward and even starring Coward in the play version, David Lean wanted to make some important decisions. One, Coward would not play the role of family patriarch Frank Gibbons as movie audiences would probably not accept them as they do on stage and because of his public persona and two, the film would be shot in Technicolor.

“This Happy Breed” is a British film about life for a British family.   While in today’s modern cinema and telefilms, we have seen films that showcase families over the span of several years and to the point where films have been made every five years to actually show the real-time growth of characters,”This Happy Breed” was a film that was easily accessible to audiences at the time.

Audiences were touched and fascinated with a film about a married couple who moved to South London not long after World War I and then we see the changes that the family, the parents, the children and relatives during this period of 20-years (from 1919-1939).

Back then, this film was seen as important as Noel Coward had covered a British family in his saga “Cavalcade” (featuring a London family from 1899 through 1933).  As Cavalcade was a film that featured an upper class family during the Second Boer War, the death of Queen Victoria, the sinking of the Titanic and World War I, “This Happy Breed” would focus on a middle class family life after World War I, the General Strike of 1926, ex-king Edward VIII’s abdication broadcast and the Munich Pact.

Both films accomplished the goal by Coward of showcasing the joy and grief of families and how that process can be equally fascinating drama.

But what I enjoyed about this film are its performances but also the makeup and set design showing how these people along with their belongs age during that 20-years.  This is the reason why David Lean wanted this film to be shot in technicolor because it had to show the process of aging between the characters and the home they lived in.

First the performances, Celia Johnson is an amazing actress and in this film, she nails it!  While she will be best known for her role in the David Lean/Noel Coward film “Brief Encounter”, the way she played Ethel is fantastic!  Notice the moments where she gets upset with her husband for drinking too much but also dealing with her daughter Queenie.    For each of those moments of seeing this mother go through various emotional states, the final scene alone involving her and her daughter literally made me shed some tears.

And what is very intriguing, while watching the special feature “The Golden Age” with cinematographer Ronald Neame, he even explains the cast was in tears while shooting the mother and daughter scene and when they said cut, while everyone was in awe of their performance, Celia had to go catch her train ride back home.  She is an actress that can literally transform herself on the big screen and her age progression of her character and how she plays the role was very intriguing, fantastic and convincing.

As for actor, Robert Newton who plays Frank Gibbons.  He played the calm father, often drunk father.  But I was surprised to find out that the actor was drunk quite often in the set to the point that he frustrated the staff immensely due to his drunken tirades.  While most films would have fired the actor, it’s interesting that they kept with him and perhaps the role we see Robert Newton playing, especially the drunken scene was not too far off from reality as he was drunk on set.

And while there are other notable performances by the cast, it’s the storyline that moves audiences.  The storyline is accessible because all families have gone through amazing highs and devastating lows.  May it be the death of a family member, families can always remember these significant moments during their lifetime and possibly know how family members reacted to certain situations.  It’s a part of life and “This Happy Breed” happened to cover a time and era that a lot of us never knew but are fascinated by it.

As for the DVD, the picture quality is very good and I can only imagine how much more beautiful and more detailed the film would be on Blu-ray.  This disc, like the other discs feature a featurette by Coward historian Barry Day but most importantly, an interview with cinematographer Ronald Neame who talks about working with Coward and Lean for all four films.  It was great to hear from his lips of his experience of working on the films and with both men, especially some interesting facts in regards to the talents of each film.

Overall, “This Happy Breed” is another notable film included in Criterion Collection’s wonderful box set “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” and another film that I highly recommend watching!

 

In Which We Serve – THE CRITERION COLLECTION #604 (as part of the “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” DVD Box Set) (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

“In Which We Serve” is a valiant British patriotic war film that brought together the playwright Noel Coward, editor David Lean and cinematographer Ronald Neame together for the very first time.  And while the award-winning film was important for Coward in giving back to Britain, it would also be the start of a wonderful collaboration for both Coward and Leane for the next four years.  The first film featured in Criterion Collection’s “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” box set and a set that I highly recommend getting!

Image courtesy of © Carlton Film Distributors Limited 1942. © 2012 The Criterion Collection. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: In Which We Serve – THE CRITERION COLLECTION #604 (as part of the “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” DVD Box Set)

FILM RELEASE DATE: 1942

DURATION: 114 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Black and White, Monaural , 1:37:1 Aspect Ratio

COMPANY: Janus Films/The Criterion Collection

RELEASED: March 27, 2012

Directed by Noel Coward and David Lean

Written by Noel Coward

Produced by Noel Coward

Associate Producer: Anthony Havelock-Allan

Music by Noel Coward

Cinematography by Ronald Neame

Edited by Thelma Connell

Art Direction by David Rawnsley

Starring:

Noel Coward as Captain E.V. Kinross R.N.

Derek Elphinstone as No. 1

Michael Wilding as Flags

Robert Sansom as Guns

Philip Friend as Torps

Chimmo Branson as Midshipman

Ballard Berkeley as Engineer Commander

Hubert Gregg as Pilot

James Donald as Doc

Michael Whittaker as Sub

Kennedth Carten as Sub-Lieutenant R.N.V.R.

John Varley as Secco

Bernard Miles as Chief Petty Officer Hardy

Caven Watson as Brodie

John Mills as Ordinary Seaman Blake

Geoffrey Hibbert as Joey Mackeridge

Frederick Piper as Edgecombe

Lionel Grose as Reynolds

Leslie Dwyer as Parkinson

Charles Russell as Fisher

John Singer as Moran

Robert Moreton as Coombe

John Boxer as Hollett

Kenneth Evans as Posty

Johnnie Schofield as Coxswain

Franklyn Bennett as Commander Spencer

Charles Compton as No. 1 “Tremoyne”

Walter Fitzgerald as Colonel Lumsden

Gerald Case as Jasper

Celia Johnson as Mrs. Kinross/Alix

Daniel Massey as Boby

Ann Stephens as Lavinia

Joyce Carey as Mrs. Hardy/Kath

Kay Walsh as Freda Lewis/Freda

Kathleen Harrison as Mrs. Blake

Dora Gregory as Mrs. Lemmon

Penelope Dudley-Ward as Maureen

In the midst of World War II, the renowned playwright Noël Coward engaged a young film editor named David Lean to help him realize his vision for an action drama about a group of Royal Navy sailors (roles that would be filled by Coward himself, Bernard Miles, and John Mills, among others) fighting the Germans in the Mediterranean. Coward and Lean ended up codirecting the large-scale project—an impressive undertaking, especially considering that neither of them had directed for the big screen before (this would be Coward’s only such credit). Cutting between a major naval battle and flashbacks to the men’s lives before they left home, In Which We Serve (an Oscar nominee for best picture) was a major breakthrough for both filmmakers and a sensitive and stirring piece of propaganda.

Noel Coward, known as one of the most versatile playwrights to from the UK.

At a young age, Noel Coward would be enchanted by entertainment as a young child.  Attending a dance academy which led to Noel being cast in a play, this would introduce Noel Coward to the world of acting and cast in several plays throughout this younger years through his teenage years.

A grandson of a Captain of the Royal Navy, Coward was drafted into the Artists Rifles but was discharged because of health related reasons.   While he used the time to focus on writing stories to help his family out financially, and eventually writing plays, deep inside, Noel Coward wished he had some involvement in the military.

In fact, during World War II, Coward abandoned the theatre in which he was one of the highest paid entertainment writers in Britain at the time.  Known for creating many plays and musical hits, he was now working for the British propaganda office in Paris and using his status to help Britain.   In fact, the Nazi had Coward high on their list as well-known people of Britain that they wanted arrested and killed if Germany invaded Britain.

But when his London home was destroyed by German bombs in 1941 and seeing the fears that his countrymen were facing, it would lead Noel Coward to write a patriotic film titled “In Which We Serve”.

But while Coward was known as a writer, a singer and composer, he was no director.  But there was one person who was wanting to become a director and his name was David Lean.  Having edited the film productions of George Bernard Shaw plays “Pygmalion” and “Major Barbara” and also editing Powell & Pressburger’s “49th Parallel” and “One of Our Aircraft is Missing”, Lean was given a chance to direct.

And together, Noel Coward and David Lean would embark on a four-year film collaboration.

In celebration of this unique collaboration, the Criterion Collection will be releasing the four films that they have worked together: “In Which We Serve” (1942), “This Happy Breed” (1944), “Blithe Spirit” (1945) and “Brief Encounter” (1945).

Their first collaboration was “In Which We Serve”, a 1942 British patriotic war film created with the assistance of the Ministry of Information (so the film could be used as a form of propaganda showing unity in the British military).  The story was inspired by the exploits of Captain Lord Louis Mountbatten, who commanded the destroyer HMS Kelly which was sunk by German bombers during the Battle of Crete.

The film would star Noel Coward as the captain and starred John Mills, Bernard Miles, Celia Johnson (who he would feature in several of his films) and the screen debut of Richard Attenborough.

“In Which We Serve” would receive favorable reviews from film critics for its depiction of human emotion due to the cruel realities of war.  While the film did receive two Academy Award nominations for “Best Picture” and “Best Original Screenplay”, Noel Coward was presented with an Academy Honorary Award for his “Outstanding Production Achievement”.

“In Which We Serve” begins with the construction of the HMS Torrin and seeing the crew of the HMS Torrin leaving to take on German transports during the Battle of Crete in 1941.

The HMS Torrin is then under attack by German bombers but the crew manage to engage in a fierce fight and managed to shoot all bombers down except one.  Unfortunately, the one bomber is able to destroy the HMS Torrin and as more than half were killed, some managed to survive and a group of survivors are holding onto a Carley float along with Captain Kinross (played by Noel Coward).

As they hope and wait for someone to rescue them, the single bomber continues to attack them from high above.  Meanwhile, we are taken through flashbacks of the memories of the men clinging on to the float.

Through these memories, we learn how the men respect Captain Kinross who wants nothing but a happy and an efficient ship.  But because they are expecting the Nazi’s to declare war, they must prepare to take part in battle.  We see how the HMS Torrin fought in a battle off the coast of Norway and how the group managed to survive their last battle.

We then see memories of some of the survivors such as seaman “Shorty” Blake (played by John Mills) who thinks about how he and wife Frida were married and now waiting for a baby.  We learn that Freda is related to Chief Petty Officer Walter Hardy (played by Bernard Miles) and when Blake and Hardy went on duty, how both of their wives worried about them.

But we also see how the German’s took part in a nightly Blitz on British towns, one of those towns is where Freda and Hardy’s wife and mother-in-law were living.

As the German bomber continue to strafe at the survivors and manages to kill a few, who will survive throughout this entire ordeal and for their loved ones worried about them at home and have received news that their ship was capsized, will these wives get good news or bad news regarding their husbands?

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“In Which We Serve” is presented in a brand new high-definition digital transfer courtesy of the BFI (British Film Institute) National Archive’s 2008 restoration. With that being said, because this film has been restored, if you want the best version of this film to date, you definitely want to pick up the Blu-ray release of the “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” box set.

As for the DVD, “In Which We Serve” is featured in black and white (1:37:1 aspect ratio) and for a film that was created back in 1942, this 70-year-old film looks absolutely fantastic on DVD.   Grain is noticeable, contrast is wonderful. Black levels are nice and deep, whites/grays are vibrant and clear but I can only imagine how much sharper and pronounced the quality is in HD via Blu-ray.

As for the picture quality, according to Criterion, the picture has been slightly windowboxed (for the DVD version) to ensure the maximum image is visible on all monitors. The new restoration was created in 4K resolution on an Oxberry 6400 liquidgate scanner at Cineric, New York, from the original nitrate negative and sections of the nitrate fine-gran master.

As for the audio, the audio is presented in Monaural.  Dialogue including Noel Coward’s score is well-heard and heard no hiss or any audio problems during my viewing.

According to the Criterion Collection, the monaural soundtrack was restored from a sound print made from the original nitrate track negative. Click, thumps, hiss and hum were manually removed using Pro Tools HD. Crackle was attenuated using AudioCube’s integrated workstation.

English subtitles are presented in English SDH.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“In Which We Serve” comes with the following special features:

• Barry Day - (16:08) Featuring an October 2011 interview with Barry Day, author of “Coward on Film: The Cinema of Noel Coward” discussing “In Which We Serve”.
• A Profile of “In Which We Serve” – (24:27) A short documentary produced in London in 200 for Carlton International Media featuring interviews with cinematographer Ronald Neame, actor John Mills and associate producer Anthony Havelock-Allan, among others.
• Coward and Attenborough at the NFT – (1:04:57) An audio recording from Dec. 1969 featuring actor and director Richard Attenborough and playwright Noel Coward onstage at London’s National Film Theatre to discuss Coward’s career and his work on “In Which We Serve”.
• Theatrical Trailer – (1:18) The original theatrical trailer for “In Which We Serve”.

EXTRAS:

• 46-Page booklet – “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” comes with a 46-page booklet with essays for each film. For the “Brief Encounter” portion, the essays are all brand new. For “In Which We Serve”, the essay “Battle Stations” by Terrence Rafferty (author of “The Thing Happens: Ten Years of Writing About the Movies”) is included.

For many people who are familiar with Noel Coward’s work, quite often people are mystified that the famous playwright had worked on a British patriotic film.

But this film was personal for Noel Coward.  Having a grandfather who as a Captain of the Royal Navy and being rejected due to health reasons during the draft, during that time, while everyone else is fighting for your country and all you can do is write plays and music may seem that Coward was successful in dodging military service.  But deep inside, he felt that he wasn’t doing enough.  He had to do something.

Also, Coward was inspired to create the film after the experience of his friend Captain Lord Louis Mountbatten, who commanded the destroyer HMS Kelly which was sunk by German bombers during the Battle of Crete.

He briefly left his career that paid him handsomely in order to work in British intelligence and even tried to talk to Winston Churchill in giving him more access (which Churchill was not exactly a big fan of the playwright’s flamboyant lifestyle).

But with his contacts at the Ministry of Information, Coward would make an opportunity happen and he knew well that he had once chance of making it work.  So, not only was he the co-director, writer, star and composer, in other words, he had total control, he needed someone that could pull off the editing, something he did not do.  Also, with directing, he needed someone to take on a directorial role for sequences he did not want do deal with the action scenes.  So, what best than to bring the editing genius, David Lean and give him a chance to be co-director.  But also, a collaboration with cinematographer Ronald Neame, who had directed over 20 British films within a decade.

So, “In Which We Serve” was a great opportunity for all three men.

“In Which We Serve” is indeed a “patriotic” war film and considering it was made and released during World War II, when no one knew how long the war would last and who would be the victors, the film was important in that it could be used as propaganda to showcase unity among the military.  Everyone was on the same page as the Captain and everyone was proud of their role serving the military and the British Royal Navy.

The war film was created not to show the “us vs. them” but that people had a Britain worth fighting for.  Fighting for your land, fighting for your family, fighting for tomorrow but also fighting for those who have died in battle or died during the blitz bombings by the Germans.

“In Which We Serve” is an action film for its first half hour, but as the HMS Torrin is destroyed, is sinking and taking many of its men with it, the film focuses on the men who are alive and their memories while clinging to a float as a German bomber continues to shoot at them.

You just don’t find war movies like this.   A combination of war action but also focusing on the lives of the serviceman during happier times.  From dates to an event or going outdoors with the family and then shifting to a more somber time when a serviceman finds out that his wife and mother-in-law were among the casualties during a blitz bomb attack.

There is a combination of emotions that this film has, on top of the action sequences and this is what I enjoyed about “In Which We Serve”.  Sure, some people may feel like many World War II films made during that time, that it doesn’t hold up in today’s world and can be seen as blatant propaganda, but for me it, it was a film fit for that time and a film that Coward had to create and give back to the British people and show that although he could not fight in the war, he could at least bring hope and showcase unity in his war film.  And he did succeed at it.

While “In Which We Serve” was just the first collaboration between Noel Coward and David Lean, it was off to a good start for both men as they would go on to create three more films together.

And for David Lean or Noel Coward fans, these four films on Blu-ray or DVD courtesy of the Criterion Collection’s “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” box set is worth owning.

Highly recommended!

 

Brief Encounter – THE CRITERION COLLECTION #76 (as part of the “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” DVD Box Set) (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

An endearing romance classic about a doomed love affair.  “Brief Encounter” is filmmaker David Lean’s film adaptation of Noel Coward’s play “Still Life” and their final collaboration together.  Featuring great performances by Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard, “Brief Encounter” is indeed the highlight of the “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” DVD Box Set!

Image courtesy of © A Noel Coward – Cineguild Production 1945. © 2012 The Criterion Collection. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: Brief Encounter – THE CRITERION COLLECTION #76 (as part of the David Lean Directs Noel Coward DVD Box Set)

FILM RELEASE DATE: 1945

DURATION: 86 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Black and White, Monaural , 1:37:1 Aspect Ratio

COMPANY: Janus Films/The Criterion Collection

RELEASED: March 27, 2012

Based on the play “Still Life” by Noel Coward

Directed by David Lean

Produced by Noel Coward

Cinematography by Robert Krasker

Edited by Jack Harris

Art Direction by Lawrence P. Williams

Starring:

Celia Johnson as Laura Jesson

Trevor Howard as Dr. Alec Harvey

Stanley Holloway as Albert Godby

Joyce Carey as Myrtle Bagot

Cyril Raymond as Fred Jesson

Everley Gregg as Dolly Messiter

Marjorie Mars as Mary Norton

Margaret Barton as Beryl Walters, tea room assistant

From Noël Coward’s play Still Life, legendary filmmaker David Lean deftly explores the thrill, pain, and tenderness of an illicit romance in the dour, gray Britain of 1945. From a chance meeting on a train platform, a middle-aged married doctor (Trevor Howard) and a suburban housewife (Celia Johnson) enter into a quietly passionate, ultimately doomed love affair, set to a swirling Rachmaninoff score.

For four straight years, filmmaker and David Lean have had a wonderful collaboration in British cinema.  In celebration of this unique collaboration, the Criterion Collection will be releasing the four films that they have worked together on: “In Which We Serve” (1942), “This Happy Breed” (1944), “Blithe Spirit” (1945) and “Brief Encounter” (1945).

For their final collaboration, “Brief Encounter” would be a major accomplishment for both men as it would win the “Grand Prize” at the 1945 Cannes Film Festival.  The film would also earn Celia Johnson an Academy Award nomination for “Best Actress” in 1947.

Needless to say, this film would bring recognition to David Lean’s work as he would go on to work on two Charles Dickens film adaptations afterward and continue to work on many award winning films in the future (such as “Hobson’s Choice”, “Summertime”, “The Bridge on the River Kwai”, “Lawrence of Arabia”, “Doctor Zhivago”, “A Passage to India” to name a few) and cement his status as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time.

As for English playwright Sir Noel Coward, he would go on to continuing what he had done all along.  Working on a plays, musicals, cabaret shows, theater and eventually returning to film  with hits such as “Around the World in 80 Days”, “Our Man in Havana”, “Bunny Lake is Missing” and the “Italian Job”.

Both men would benefit from working together and boosting their careers.

“Brief Encounter” is a film adaptation of “Still Life” by Sir Noel Coward and directed by David Lean.  The film was originally released on DVD courtesy of the Criterion Collection back in 2000 but has been re-released on Blu-ray and DVD utilizing a new high definition transfer from the BFI National Archive’s 2008 restoration.

The film revolves around a suburban housewife named Laura Jesson (played by Celia Johnson, “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie”, “I Believe in You”, “Play for Today”) who says goodbye to a man in a tea house who leaves by train, as the two are having a conversation, Laura is interrupted by an old friend and for some reason, we see the anguish in her face.  A sense of desperation as she returns home with such sadness.  We see Laura return to her husband but it is then she tells us her story.  She is a woman who has had an affair with another man.

We learn from Laura that she was an ordinary woman, with an ordinary life.  Happily married with two children, she goes on with her daily life riding the train into town and checking out a book to read at a local store, going to lunch with friends and enjoying a picture.

While she goes to the tea house at the train station, while waiting for a train one evening, some grit gets into her eyes.  That is when she meets Dr. Alec Harvey (played by Trevor Howard, “Ghandi”, “To Catch a Spy”, “Battle of Britain”) who helps remove the grit from her eye.

It started off quite innocently as the two would see each other while she was on her way to some engagement and Alec, a general practitioner going to his work at the hospital.  But one day, while she is eating alone at a restaurant, Alec joins her (since the restaurant was full of people and had no open seats).  The two have a great discussion and we learn that Alec is happily married with children.  Laura showing her kindness for helping her with removing the grit in her eye, the two go to catch an event at the Palladium.

But the two start to realize they enjoy each other’s company.  They would meet with each other, while she would lie and call her husband that she was out with a girlfriend.  But both start to realize that they are falling in love with each other and know what they are doing are wrong but their hearts tell them not to deny their love and spend time with each other in secret.  But for Laura, emotionally it is so difficult because she is married with children and knows it is wrong.  But to make things worse, her female friends start to see her having lunch with another man, making Laura feel guilty and stressed that they are talking about her being with another man.

Both know that they can’t keep this fling hidden but now is the time that they must decide whether or not to follow their hearts and stay in love with each other or to say goodbye and go on with their own lives.

 

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Brief Encounter” was previously released on DVD back in 2000 by the Criterion Collection.  But this transfer is brand new as it is the new high-definition digital transfer of the BFI National Archive’s 2008 restoration.  With that being said, because this film has been restored, if you want the best version of this film to date, you definitely want to pick up the Blu-ray release of the “David Lean Directs Noel Coward” box set.

As for the DVD, “Brief Encounter” is featured in black and white (1:37:1 aspect ratio) and for a film that was created back in 1946, this 66-year-old film looks absolutely fantastic on DVD.  Compared to the 2000 DVD edition, the restoration has a good amount of grain which is intact, back then, quite a bit of DNR was used but the grain is noticeable.  The contrast is wonderful.  Black levels are nice and deep, whites/grays are vibrant and clear but I can only imagine how much sharper and pronounced the quality is in HD via Blu-ray. Also, there is less flickering in this DVD version compared to the 2000 DVD release.

It helps that the cinematography and the shots and camera positioning was well-done and captured the various mood of Laura.  May it be her making a phone call to Alec or running through the rain, cinematographer Robert Krasker (“Romeo and Juliet”, “Alexander the Great”, “The Running Man”) did a wonderful job in capturing the emotion of this film.

As for the picture quality, according to Criterion, the picture has been slightly windowboxed (for the DVD version) to ensure the maximum image is visible on all monitors.  The new restoration was created in 4K resolution on Spirit Datacine at Cineimage, London, from the best surviving duplicate safety negatives.  Pixel Farm’s PFClean was used for flicker correction.

As for the audio, the audio is presented in Monaural and dialogue is Dolby Digital 1.0 and the Rachmaninoff score  is center channel driven.

According to the Criterion Collection, the monaural soundtrack was restored from a sound print made from the original nitrate track negative.  Click, thumps, hiss and hum were manually removed using Pro Tools HD.  Crackle was attenuated using AudioCube’s integrated workstation.

English subtitles are presented in English SDH.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Brief Encounter” comes with the following special features:

• Audio Commentary – Featuring the original 2000 Criterion Collection audio commentary by film historian Bruce Elder who discusses the film and also the career of David Lean, Joyce Carey, Celia Johnson and Stanley Holloway.  Also, the adaptation of “Still Life” to cinema.  There is one section and this relates to Elder talking about a scene with Dr. Alec Harvey and his colleague which I totally agree with him and how that scene was a bit abrupt to the film.  Interesting enough, how this abruptness was an inspiration for director Billy Wilder for his film “The Apartment”.   But for the most part, an informative commentary track.
• Barry Day - (16:14) Featuring an October 2011 interview with Barry Day, author of “Coward on Film: The Cinema of Noel Coward” discussing “Brief Encounter”.
• A Profile of “Brief Encounter” – (24:14) A short documentary produced in London in 200 for Carlton International Media featuring interviews with screenwriter/producer Ronald Neame, actress Margaret Barlon and actress Celia Johnson’s daughter Kate Fleming and more.
• “David Lean: A Self Portrait” – (57:56) Featuring the 1971 documentary “David Lean: A Self Portrait” by Thomas Craven featuring an extensive interview with Lean about his work and approach to filmmaking.
• Theatrical Trailer – (3:01) The original theatrical trailer.

EXTRAS:

• 46-Page booklet - ”David Lean Directs Noel Coward” comes with a 46-page booklet with essays for each film.  For the “Brief Encounter” portion, the essays are all brand new.  Included are “Riskiest Thing I Ever Did” (Notes on “Brief Encounter” by Kevin Brownlow.

An endearing romance classic about a doomed love affair.  “Brief Encounter” is filmmaker David Lean’s film adaptation of Noel Coward’s play “Still Life” and their final collaboration together.

It’s quite interesting to watch a film such as “Brief Encounter” because we see extra-marital affairs in film as common place in cinema.  But we don’t really see a film that focuses on the actual affair and how one deals with it emotionally.  In this case, through the eyes of Laura Jesson as she takes the viewer from the beginning of the relationship and seeing how it matured, to talking about the female friends that she has and just the emotional turmoil she goes through of knowing she has a family but knowing that she loves Alec so much.

Both know they love each other but they have significant others and children and they are behaving inappropriately that it starts to take its toll on her.  For Alec, he could care less…he’s very much in love with Laura but for Laura, it’s the lying and hiding that starts to break her each and every day.  She knows its wrong but her heart continues to tell her to go for love and she is torn between her conflicting emotions.

It’s also important to emphasize that back in the mid-1940′s, extra-marital affairs was not as significant as they are today.  Sure, divorce rate is high now, extra-marital affairs seem to be commonplace in cinema and people tend to go for personal happiness while family was emphasized heavily during that time.   But Laura’s life was mundane and like many housewives, a common routine of taking care of the husband and children and it was a repetition of the same things over and over again.  She was an ordinary woman that did not expect this to happen to her.

We definitely get two different perspectives of the wife and her obligation to family with Noel Coward’s “Brief Encounter” and “Easy Virtue”.  Both female leads are torn with what they should do with their situation as married wives but with Laura, there is nothing to gain by pursuing personal happiness.  For Laura, it is a different time, a different era and she has more to lose.

Both Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard provide a fantastic performance.  I enjoyed the cinematography and the use of “Piano Concerto no. 2″ by Sergei Rachmaninoff (played by Eileen Joyce) throughout the film.

As mentioned earlier, if you want the best version of “Brief Encounter” or any of the David Lean/Noel Coward films, I highly recommend going with the Blu-ray version of this set.  Otherwise, if you are only interested in DVD, this set is simply worth owning.

The biggest question asked is if one owns the original 2000 Criterion Collection release of “Brief Encounter” and they plan to purchase this 2012 box set, “Should they get rid of their original 2000 Criterion Collection DVD release?”.  Coming from the collector’s perspective, it depends.  The 2000 DVD release featured a two-page insert and an essay written by British Film critic Adrian Turner and the special features had the restoration demo and color bars.

Otherwise, that’s about it.  If those features are important to you, then keep it.  The audio commentary by film historian Bruce Elder from the 2000 DVD release is included in the 2012 release and you get more special features and a much better HD transfer with this newer release.

Overall, “Brief Encounter” is an enjoyable film that keeps things simple.  No need to stretch the film past its 86 minutes and despite one scene that the historian Bruce Eder points out in the commentary, for the most part this film is very well done.  A romantic film showing us how love can happen unexpectedly but how love can easily be lost.  “Brief Encounter” is definitely worth watching.

 

A Dangerous Method (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

Featuring beautiful cinematography and music, and a wonderful performance by its talent.  “A Dangerous Method” does make for intriguing cinema, but I do hope that viewers know to discern that this is not a film based on fact, but a fictional tale based on the lives of Sabina Spielrein and Carl Jung.

Images courtesy of © 2011 RPC Danger Limited, Lago Film GmbH and Talking Cure Productions Limited. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: A Dangerous Method

DURATION: 99 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: 1:85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, English 5.1 Dolby Digital, Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish

COMPANY: Sony Pictures Classics

RATED: R (For Language)

RELEASE DATE: March 27, 2012

Directed by David Cronenberg

Based on the book “A Most Dangerous Method” by John Kerr

Based on the Play “The Talking Cure” by Christopher Hampton

Screenplay by Christopher Hampton

Executive Producer: Karl Spoerri, Thomas Sterchi, Peter Watson, Matthias Zimmerman

Produced by Jeremy Thomas

Co-Producer: Martin Katz, Marco Mehlitz

Associate Producer: Tiana Alexandra, Richard Mansell

Music by Howard Shore

Cinematography by Peter Suschitzku

Edited by Ronald Sanders

Casting by Deirdre Bowen

Production Design by James McAteer

Art Direction by Anja From, Nina Hirscherg, Frances Soeder, Sebastian Soukup

Set Decoration by Gernot Thondel

Costume Design by Denise Cronenberg

Starring:

Keira Knightley as Sabina Spielrein

Viggo Mortensen as Sigmund Freud

Michael Fassbender as Carl Jung

Vincent Cassel as Otto Gross

Sarah Gadon as Emma Jung

Andre Hennicke as Professor Eugen Bleuler

Arndt Schwering-Sohrney as Sandor Ferenczi

From acclaimed director David Cronenberg (A History of Violence) comes a dark tale of sexual and intellectual discovery, featuring two of the greatest minds of the 20th century. Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender, Shame) has just begun his psychiatric career, having been inspired by the great Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen, The Lord of the Rings trilogy). When a mysterious and beautiful woman (Keira Knightley, Atonement) goes under Jung’s care, Jung finds himself crossing the line of the doctor/patient relationship, causing great conflict with his mentor and making Jung question his own morality in the process.

From filmmaker David Cronenberg  (“The Fly”, “Eastern Promises”, “A History of Violence”) comes his latest film “A Dangerous Method” based on the 1993 non-fiction book by John Kerr and a screenplay by Christopher Hampton, who wrote the original 2002 play “The Talking Cure” which was based on the book.

The film has been in development for nearly a decade.  The film adaptation was to feature Julia Roberts but as time went on, Chris Hampton’s play would be the first to be done but as time had passed and scheduling conflicts came in the way, by 2010, a film would be made and would star Viggo Mortensen (“The Lord of the Rings” films, “The Road”, “A History of Violence”), Michael Fassbender (“Inglorious Basterds”, “300″, “X-Men: First Class”), Keira Knightley (“Pirates of the Caribbean” films, “Pride & Prejudice”) and Vincent Cassel (“Black Swan”, “Shrek”, “La Haine”).

And now, “A Dangerous Mind” will be released on Blu-ray and DVD in March 2012 courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

“A Dangerous Method” is a fictional film that is set in the early 1900′s and would begin with a hysteric Sabina Spielrein (played by Keira Knightley) being admitted to Burgholzli mental hospital near Zurich.  A mental hospital where psychiatrist Carl Jung is working (played by Michael Fassbender).

While treating Sabina, Jung wants to try a method known as “The Talking Cure” invented by his mentor Sigmund Freud (played by Viggo Mortensen).

As Jung would send his letters to Freud on how the method is working, Jung learns from Sabina that she has always wanted to become a doctor but feels she would never have a chance.  But because assistants are short at the hospital, Jung gives Sabina a chance to become his assistant but also as a way for him to treat her.

At first, while treating Sabina, he was thinking that perhaps she may have been molested but during treatment, he learns that Sabina, was kept unaware of her sexuality and each time she was spanked by her father on her bare behind, she would not hate it but be excited, so Sabina would think that she was demonized because of the sexual feelings that she had whenever she felt humiliated when in fact she was feeling sadist emotions, sexual gratification through physical pain and humiliation.

Meanwhile, as a favor to Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung is asked to treat Austrian psychoanalyst Otto Gross (played by Vincent Cassell), the son of famous criminologist Hans Gross.

For Gross, he was very big on anti-psychiatry and also sexual liberation.  Through his treatment with Carl Jung, Gross actually turns the table by trying to get Jung interested in having sexual relationships with his patients.  It would be a breach of professional ethics but yet, it’s something that Gross is not interested in and tries to get Carl Jung to consider it.

Sabina had gotten better and would pursue her dream of becoming a psychoanalyst and eventually becoming one.  She continued to have a sexual relationship with Carl Jung, but meanwhile Sigmund Freud knows there is something going on between the two.

As Sigmund Freud hoped that Carl Jung would collaborate with him and help validate and spread his ideas, unfortunately Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud would have a divergence in psychoanalytic theories (both had differing concepts of the unconscious).

But because his affair with Sabina continued, keeping it a secret had become problematic for Jung and thus he has to end the relationship immediately.

But what will happen to Carl Jung once he ends his relationship with Sabina and with a woman scorned, how will she get her revenge back at him?

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“A Dangerous Method” is presented in 1:85:1 anamorphic widescreen and audio in English 5.1 Dolby Digital. Before I continue, it’s important to note that this film will be released on Blu-ray, so if you want the best picture and audio quality, I recommend watching it on HD.

With that being said, “A Dangerous Method” is a film that utilizes a lot of outdoor scenes and locations.  So, there are time that we see vibrant colors and overall lighting was good and while watching the film, I admit that in my mind, I was thinking how awesome a lot of these scenes would look in HD.  And along with the wonderful location shots and cinematography, the film features beautiful costume design and also set design as well.  As for the picture quality of DVD, overall picture quality is good but once again, if you want the detail and clarity, go for the Blu-ray version.

As for audio, dialogue is clear and there are moments where ambiance such as Sabina being taken to the mental hospital, you can hear the sounds of her kicking things around inside the carriage through the surround channels.  But the film is primarily a center and front-channel driven film.

The music from Howard Shore is quite impressive and Richard Wagner’s “Sigfried Idyll” performed by Lang Lang and arranged by Howard Shore is absolutely beautiful.  One again, this is a beautiful soundtrack that would probably sound much better via lossless on Blu-ray but on DVD, overall dialogue and audio is clear with no problems that I can see or hear.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“A Dangerous Method” comes with the following special features:

“A Dangerous Method” is an intriguing form of fiction based on the lives of Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud and Sabina Spielrein.

For anyone who has studied psychiatry or are familiar with the people featured in the film, reading into the lives of Carl Jung and Sabina Spielrein seems like an emotional and intellectual drama.   And it doesn’t surprise me that a film was made on them.

For Carl Jung, so far it has been a few who have asserted that Jung and Spielrein have had a sexual relationship.  Afterall, it is known that Carl Jung had a long-time affair with Toni Wolff, a Swiss analyst who was also a patient of Carl Jung and had a relationship with his wife and Wolff simultaneously.  While with Sabina Spielrein, there have been books since 1980 written about the relationship between Jung and Spielrein from 1904-1910 and that he did constitute an ethical breach of doctor-patient boundary while treating Spielrein.

In 1994, letters and diaries were found in the Claparede archive in Geneva and these letters show that their relationship was non-sexual but more of a therapeutic nature.

Needless to say, no one will ever know the truth if these two individuals did have a sexual relationship but we do know that Carl Jung did have an impact in the life of Sabina Spielrein.  We do know that Carl Jung contacted Sigmund Freud for advice in treating Sabina and that moment of time, both Jung and Freud became intellectual confidants.

As for the rift that drove them apart, we know that Sabina had nothing to do with it, but it was two men with two different theories and both men being well-known in their field and doing all they can to have supporters of their ideas, the clash between both men were inevitable.

So, while watching “A Dangerous Method”, I did find Christopher Hampton’s screenplay based on John Kerr’s novel to be an intriguing take on this long-rumored interaction but also what caused the rift between Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud.

The more you research Carl Jung, especially with the release of “The Red Book” in 2009 (a manuscript that he written right after his falling out with Jeung and was forbidden for public viewing by his family until a family heir decided to publish it a few years ago) which you realize that Jung was man who had dreams, an active imagination one would say and these were further explored in his book.

And as for his relationships with his patients, while Tony Wolff was known to be his mistress, Sabina to be rumored as a woman he had an affair with for years, I did find it quite intriguing of how the storyline incorporated Otto Gross, who was a disciple of Sigmund Freud but treated by Carl Jung and is known as the founding grandfather of 20th Century Counterculture.  A free spirited manic depressive who was an extrovert addicted to sex.  Was it Otto Gross that helped lead Jung astray?  I found that intriguing.

I’m not a Freud or Jung erudite, but I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed the performances by Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender and Keira Knightley are fantastic.  How exact it is to their original counterparts, I don’t know.  But Keira Knightley did a wonderful job in portraying a hysterical woman.  It’s a performance that I have never seen by Knightley and in fact, whenever she did go into hysterics, I was freaked out a little as she would do this elongating of her jaw.  Needless to say, it was visually affective in portraying the character.

Mortensen’s Sigmund Freud was rather well-done.  Very stoic and serious, while Fassbender’s performance of Carl Jung was very good, but it made me wonder if an intellectual like Jung was also a suave ladies man?  I felt that maybe he looked too cool, but then again, maybe Carl Jung was a classy, cool, suave intellectual.

The cinematography by Peter Suschitzky (“Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back”, “Eastern Promises”, “A History of Violence”) was absolutely beautiful and vibrant and it helps to have a talented crew providing wonderful costume and set design as well. Also, I give credit to Howard Shore for providing beautiful, emotional, chaotic music to support what we see onscreen.

As for the DVD, fans of David Cronenberg will enjoy his AFI interview but also his audio commentary which he really delves into the characters and his interested in doing a film about Freud.

But as I did enjoy the performances, the cinematography and music, I do have a problem with the film’s storyline overall.

Once again, this film is fiction based on assertions that Sabina Spielrein and Carl Jung had a sexual relationship.  But if letters were found to show that it was factual, I wouldn’t be surprised because we know that Jung had an affair and a relationship with Tony Wolff, a former patient of his and a future analyst.

But I enjoyed the film for giving attention to Sabina Speilrein, as she was the first person to introduce the idea of death instincts (best known for her published work “Destruction as the Cause of Coming into Being”), a concept that Sigmund Freud would incorporate into his own theory.  She was also known to introduce psychoanalysis to Russia and was an inspiration to future psychoanalysts, including Swiss developmental psychologist Jean Piaget.

Always known as a footnote in Sigmund Freud’s book and considered as a “forgotten pioneer of psychoanalysis”, unfortunately Sabina Speilrein’s life in reality was cut short and her two children were killed by a German SS Death Squad.  But her contributions as a psychoanalysis should have been shown.  This woman’s work have been forgotten and now that she has been brought back to the masses, she is not seen for her accomplishments but her sadistic needs.

It is known that Spielrein had wrote about masochism and the sadistic component of sexual drive as a “destructive drive” but does it mean she was a woman who loved to be spanked by Carl Jung?  Those scenes I found a bit worrisome as people will see her more as Carl Jung’s sexual exploit rather than her contributions as a psychoanalyst.

Overall, “A Dangerous Method” is an exploitative, sensational and intriguing take on Carl-Gustav Jung and Sabina Spielrein, and Jung’s his split with his intellectual confidant Sigmund Freud, but I do admit that I found the treatment of Sabina Speilrein’s life to be troubling and misleading. It’s bad enough that her career as a psychoanalysis was never recognized (possibly because in that era she was a woman in man’s world and not taken seriously by her peers) but to summarize her life as a character that is always craving for attention and wanting to be spanked, I found it the most unfortunate.  And like Freud’s footnote to credit her career, Cronenberg also ends with a title of Spielrein’s accomplishments and tragic death.

For so long, many have hoped for Speilrein to be known for her work and no longer be “forgotten”.  Unfortunately, “A Dangerous Method” is a film that no only hurts her reputation and paints nothing more but a hysterical love toy but also is a film that is possibly quite damaging to the legacy of Carl Jung.

While “A Dangerous Method” does make for intriguing cinema. I do hope that viewers know to discern that this is not a film based on fact, but a fictional tale.

 

The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

Based on the popular Belgian comic book series, “The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch” will appeal to audiences wanting a straightforward popcorn action film.  Nothing more, nothing less.

Images courtesy of © Southport Music Box Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch

DURATION: 108 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Widescreen (2:35:1), French and English 5.1 Dolby Digital, Subtitles: English

COMPANY: Music Box Films

RATED: N/A

RELEASE DATE: March 27, 2012

Directed by Jerome Salle

Screenplay by Julien Rappeneau, Jerome Salle

Comic by Jean Van Hamme, Philippe Francq

Producer: Nathalie Gastaldo, Philippe Godeau

Line Producer: Eric Zaouali, Chen On Chu

Assistant Executive Producer: Geoffrey de Boissezon

Music by Alexandre Desplat

Cinematoraphy by Denis Rouden

Edited by Richard Marizy

Casting by Gigi Akoka, Toby Whale

Production Design by Michel Barthelmy

Art Direction by Benoit Bechet, Ino Bonello, Yann Megard

Costume Design by Khadija Zeggai

Starring:

Tomer Sisley as Largo Winch

Kristin Scott Thomas as Ann Ferguson

Miki Manojlovic as Nerio Winch

Melanie Thierry as Lea/Naomi

Gilbert Melki as Freddy

Karel Roden as Mikhail Korsky

Steven Waddington as Stephan Marcus

Anne Consigny as Hannah

Radivoje Bukvic as Goran

Nicolas Vaude as Gauthier

Benedict Wong as William Kwan

Gerard Watkins as Cattaneo

Wolfgang Pissors as Attinger

Theodore Thomas as Greenfield

David Gasman as Alexander Meyer

Elizabeth Bennett as Miss Pennywinkle

When billionaire financier Nerio Winch (Miki Manojlovic) and head of the W Group is murdered, his second in command (Kristin Scott Thomas) must locate his only heir — a heretofore unknown adopted son, Largo (Tomer Sisley). But first the heir — a twentysomething adventurer — must overcome an onslaught of drug traffickers, assassins, corporate raiders and double-dealing insiders to fulfill his destiny in this twisty, fast-paced corporate thriller.

For decades, many people in Europe grew up reading the “Largo Winch” novels (by Jean Van Hamme) or the Belgian comic book series (by Philippe Francq and Jean Van Hamme) have been intrigued by this character and its action-packed storyline.

The novels would lead to a TV series in Germany in 2001 and in 2008, a French film titled “Largo Winch” was released, followed by a sequel titled “Largo Winch II: The Burma Conspiracy” in 2011. Directed by Jérôme Salle (writer of “The Tourist”, “Duplicity” and “Anthony Zimmer”),  “The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch” would be nominated for “Best International Film” at the 2012 Saturn Awards and now, the first film titled “The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch” will be released on DVD courtesy of Music Box Films in March 2012.

“The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch” begins with the murder of Nerio Winch (played by Miki Manojlovic, “Underground”, “Irina Palm”), the owner of the huge corporation Group W.  But the murder is concealed and the cause of death was due to natural reasons and now Group W is in a disarray.

As Nerio Winch was the leader and with no leader in place, many of the senior executives start to discuss who will lead Group W now?    Executive and Winch confidant Ann Ferguson (played by Kristin Scott Thomas, “The English Patient”, “Gosford Park”, “Four Weddings and a Funeral”) tells the executives that Nerio planned what to do in case he dies and that is for his son to take over.

But the executives are not aware of a son.  Ann tells them that he has an adopted son named Largo Winch.

We are then taken to a Brazil where we see Largo Winch (played by Tomer Sisley, “Nativity Story”, “Sleepless Night”) getting a tattoo, but while getting the tattoo, he hears screams from a woman being hassled by a group of soldiers.  When Largo comes to her rescue, a soldier starts roughing him up.  Which then sends Largo to a frenzy and manages to defeat all soldiers.

He then gets closer to the young woman named Lea (played by Melanie Thierry) and after a night of passion, while he is sleeping, Lea uses a syringe and knocks him out cold.  By the time he wakes up, he is busted by the police for narcotics possession and receives jail time.  As he is beaten by authorities, a guest named Freddy (an assistant of Nerio Winch, played by Gilbert Melki) appears to have arranged for his release but instead of walking out of his prison cell nicely, he beats up the guards and after alluding the police through heavy gunfire, he and Freddy escape.

Largo is then told about his father’s death and is also told by the coroner that a second autopsy was done and the death of Nerio may have been foul play.

Meanwhile, the executives are briefed by Ann about Nerio’s son Largo and are told how Nerio adopted the boy in Yugoslavia.  Largo was raised by a couple and then taken to an Academy at a young age.  He then started to learn about the corporation through his father and despite the two having a rocky relationship, Largo was selected by Nerio to inherit and run the company.

When Largo arrives to meet with the corporate executives, he learns that no one believes he is the adopted son of Nerio Winch and that he must prove it.  To their shock, Nerio knows every secretive detail about each member of the corporation.  Meanwhile, an unknown businessman intervenes in the corporate meeting to meet with Largo as it is urgent.  But the man is shot and killed by an unknown assailant.

We then learn that there are individuals within the corporation such as Russian arms trader Mikhail Korsky (played by Karel Roden) that want control and will do anything they can to have Largo killed.

And for Largo, he is not a “business man” who will stay in an office.  He plays by force and will do all it takes to find the people responsible for killing Nerio.

VIDEO, AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

The DVD  screener I received is not the official DVD for retail (this is a straight run DVD with Music Box Films ownership titles on print, no menu, no special features DVD).  So, I can’t say how the PQ and AQ is for this DVD but I will say that the film is presented in widescreen 2:35:1 and presented in French and English 5.1 Dolby Digital with English subtitles.  I can say that “The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch” is shot outdoors in many sequences and the colors are absolutely vibrant and there is a ton of action that this is a film that deserves to be seen on Blu-ray.

While the film has been released on Blu-ray in other countries, as of now, Music Box Films will be releasing “The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch” on DVD.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

The copy I received is a screener and did not come with the special features.  According to the case, the DVD comes with a special digital comic of “Largo Winch” Issue #1 “The Heir”, the Making of Largo Winch featurette and the theatrical trailer.

Note:  The review is for the film as the screener DVD is not the finalized DVD release.

While watching “The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch”, there is no doubt that this French film was a major attempt to create an action thriller along the lines of “Bourne Identity”, “Die Hard”etc.

First the good news.  The good news is that for action fans, what you get with “The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch” is a straight-up popcorn action film.  A lot of vehicles are totaled, a lot of firearms are fired and a lot of fighting.    Also, because the eponymous Largo Winch is not your average protagonist and is rough around the edges, he’s definitely a character that kicks a lot of ass!

Now the not so good news.

It’s formulaic and overly predictable.  But the worst offender is the spotty acting in this film.

“The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch” had intriguing potential but according to fans, the French film strays away from the comic books too much for its own good.  Among the criticisms is that Largo Winch is to supposed to live in the New York at the Winch Building but instead, he operates from a yacht near Hong Kong and not all characters are represented in this first film.

The film has an international flavor, which is great!  Unfortunately, the acting is quite weak and while the English conversations will work on most countries outside of the United States, for me, some characters don’t seem natural enough in their dialogue and it really makes this film out to be more of a B-film.  Most of the time, I was hoping Kristin Scott Thomas would come back on screen because at least she is actress that can deliver and possibly save the scene.

Along with Kristin Scott Thomas, I did enjoy seeing Tomer Sisley as Largo Winch.  I know the character may be too different from what people have read and seen of the character in the original comic book series, but I felt he did a good job playing Largo Winch.  He doesn’t have the typical muscles-bulging action hero, if anything, he seemed like a stoic, carefree free spirit doing whatever he wants and he fit that mold perfectly.

And also, it was great to see “Babylon A.D.” actress Melanie Thierry playing the double role of Lea/Naomi and although her scenes were limited to a sex and massage scene and few other minor shots, the actress also had wonderful chemistry with actor Tomer Sisley onscreen.

Overall, I really wanted to enjoy “The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch” and really hoped to see an action thriller with the comic book hero Largo Winch and if anything, show that Europeans can make excellent action thrillers based on a comic book character.  I was hoping to watch a film with not just attention to the action but overall storyline but “The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch” became too simplistic and banal.

After all, with the corporate backstabbing and your not so clean cut protagonist, this could have been a film that would rival James Bond, Jason Bourne or John McClane.  And while the film started off with a lot of excitement, with plenty of action and a passionate sex scene all within the first 20-minutes of the film, unfortunately the pacing starts to go way off, the storyline and acting starts to spiral downward and all that is left is the film’s action sequences which were good but not awesome!

In the end, “The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch” will appeal to audiences wanting a straightforward popcorn action film.  Nothing more, nothing less.

 

Jane by Design: Volume One (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

I have to say that I’m impressed with “Jane by Design”. The characters, the storyline, the set and costume design, even the various locations that this series is shot, it’s working and I hope they can continue this synergy.  Delightful, captivating and fun, “Jane by Design: Volume One” is definitely recommended!

Images courtesy of © 2012 ABC Family. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: Jane by Design: Volume One

DURATION: 10 episodes (Duration: 435 Minutes)

DVD INFORMATION: Widescreen (1:78:1), Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

COMPANY: ABC Family

RATED: TV 14DSLV

RELEASE DATE: March 20, 2012

Directed by Phil Traill

Written by April Blair, John A. Norris

Producer: David Hartle

Executive Producer: Gavin Polone, April Blair, John Ziffren

Co-Executive Producer: Michael Lange, John A. Norris

Line Producer: Michael Cedar

Supervising Producer: Emily Fox

Music by Gabriel Mann

Cinematography by Mark Doering-Powell

Edited by Mitchell Danton, Amy E. Duddleston

Casting by Barbara Stordahl, Angela Terry

Production Design by Greg J. Grande

Art Direction by Richard J. Ramirez Jr.

Costume Design by Olivia Miles

Starring:

Erica Dasher as Jane Quimby

Nick Roux as Billy Nutter

Rowly Dennis as Jeremy Jones

India de Beaufort as India Jordain

Matthew Atkinson as Nick Fadden

Meagan Tandy as Lulu Pope

David Clayton Rogers as Ben

Andie MacDowell as Gray Chandler Murray

Ser’Darius Blain as Carter

Smith Cho as Rita Shaw

Karynn Moore as Harper

Rob Mayes as Tommy Nutter

Christopher B. Duncan as Judge Bentley Pope

ODed Fehr as Beau Bronn

Brookle Lyons as Birdie

When mistaken for an adult, sixteen year-old Jane (Erica Dasher) finds herself working for a high-powered executive (Andie McDowell) at a hip fashion house.  From classes to couture, relive all the drama, romance and non-stop excitement as Jane juggles her life as a regular teenager and her job in the cutthroat world of fashion…all while trying to keep her true identity a secret.  Bring home ABC Family’s Jane By Design: Volume 1, available on DVD March 20th, just two weeks after the season finale!

What happens when a teenager lands her dream job to work in the fashion industry by accident?

This is the premise of the new ABC Family series “Jane By Design” created by April Blair (“Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous”, “Lemonade Mouth”) and starring Andie MacDowell (“Groundhog Day”, “Short Cuts”, “Sex Lies and Video Tape”, “Four Weddings and a Funeral”) and featuring actress Erica Dasher(“The Lake”).

The series revolves around teenager Jane Quimby (played by Erica Dasher), intelligent and dreams of working in the fashion industry after high school. But Jane and her best friend Billy Nutter (played by Nick Roux, “Lemonade Mouth”, “Wizards of Waverly Place”) are looked at as the odd balls in high school and quite often, Jane is ridiculed for her fashion sense by the most popular girl at school, Lulu Pope (played by Meagan Tandy, Miss Califoria 2007).

Jane lives with her older brother Ben (played by David Clayton Rogers), who quit his dream to become a professional baseball player in order  to raise his younger sister.  But unfortunately due to the tough economy, Ben has had difficulty in finding a full-time job and now they are behind on bills.

For Jane, she knows that her older brother is having a difficult time and she doesn’t want them to lose the house.  So, knowing that she needs to raise money, she figures that since it’s her final year in high school, she should prepare in looking for a job, but while she is still in high school, she can intern for a company in the fashion industry for now.

Jane applies for an internship at Donovan Decker and during her interview, human resources unfortunately mixes her up with an application for an internship for a job as an assistant to work for Gray Chandler Murray (played by Andie MacDowell), a world famous designer at Donovan Decker.  So, Jane Quimby is mistaken as a qualified adult applicant as the assistant for world famous designer, receives a salary of $34,000 and working the dream job…illegally.

An immediately, Jane’s presence at Donovan Decker has been nothing but good luck to Gray and Donovan Decker..

But as Jane tries to live a double life, she finds herself trying to maintain her high grade point average, starting to develop a close relationship with the star baseball pitcher in high school and also trying to take part in school activities, but at the same time having to balance this secret life working at Donovan Decker, in which Gray is quite demanding and expects a lot from Jane.  Which includes leaving school and home to take on activities and even traveling around the world.

But how long can Jane Quimby keep up the charade before people start to find out?

“Jane by Design” features the following characters:

• Jane Quimby (played by Erica Dasher) – The main protagonist.  A high school teenager who lives a double life and is keeping her life as a fashion assistant to world-famous fashion designer Donovan Decker as a secret.  The only person she trusts is her best friend Billy Nutter.
• Billy Nutter (played by Nick Roux) – Jane’s best friend who is known for his spiked up hair and black leather jacket. who also has a secret.  While always assisting Jane whenever she is in trouble keeping her double life in sync, he is also secretly dating the one person that Jane doesn’t really like, her bully, Lulu Pope.  Billy’s mother ran out and lives at home with his brother Tommy, a convicted felon.
• Ben Quimby (played by David Clayton Rogers) – The big brother of Jane.  He quit his dream of becoming a professional baseball player in order to raise his younger sister.  Ben eventually gets a job at her high school as an assistant coach and has fallen for guidance counselor, Rita Shaw.  Ben is unaware of Jane’s double life but he is becoming suspicious as she is coming home late and is starting to slack off in school.
• Rowly Dennis (played by Jeremy Jones) – A famous fashion designer at Donovan Decker and has an off-an-on relationship with India.  But Jeremy also starts to take a liking towards Jane.
• India Jourdain (played by India de Beaufort) – Jane’s colleague who is gunning for the top at Donovan Decker, thus is not trusted by Gray Chandler Murray.  Because Jane often is good at solving problems, she is despised by India and appears to be sabotaging Jane’s efforts with Gray.
• Lulu Pope (played by Meagan Tandy) – Lulu is the popular girl at school and daughter of a strict judge.  She is also having a secret relationship with Billy Nutter.  She doesn’t like how Billy puts Jane first in his life and since they were children, she has always had a disdain towards Jane.
• Gray Chandler Murray (played by Andie MacDowell) – The world-famous designer and Donovan Decker.  She is strict, blunt and is very demanding towards Jane.  Gray expects Jane to be her beck-and-call but respects her from pulling her out of jam numerous times.
• Nick Fadden (played by Matthew Atkinson) – The star high school baseball pitcher that Jane likes.  Nick wants to get closer to Jane and grow their relationship but her double life prevents her from meeting with him.
• Rita Shaw (played by Smith Cho) – The guidance counselor at Jane’s high school.  When she was a high school student, she was teased by Jane’s older brother, Ben despite liking him a lot during that time.  She often gives advice to Jane, Billy, Lulu and even Ben.

“Jane by Design: Volume One” features the following episodes (spoilerless summaries):

DISC 1:

• EPISODE 1: Pilot - Jane Quimby is mistaken as a qualified adult applicant as the assistant for world famous designer Gray Chandler Murray at Donovan Decker and is hired.  Needing money, Jane lives a secret life as a high school teenager and an adult employee.
  
• EPISODE 2: The Runway – Can Jane attend the winter formal and also attend an important company preview party on the same night?
• EPISODE 3: The Birkin – Gray gives Jane a “to-do” list and good news for her big brother Ben.
• EPISODE 4: The Finger Bowl – Jane must help Jeremy win over a demanding fashion editor that could help or destroy his career as a fashion designer.
• EPISODE 5: The Look Book – Gray instructs Jane to keep a look-out book in her possession and not let go of it, but also to deliver it to her in Paris.  But how can Jane do it if she has school?

DISC 2:

• EPISODE 6: The Image Issue – When India tries to come up with fashion for high school students, Gray has Jane work on the same project.  Meanwhile, Billy tries out a new look in order to please Lulu’s father.
• EPISODE 7: The Teen Model – Jane is in charge of taking care of a teen model named Piper Grace (played by Lili Simmons).  But what happens when Piper finds out Jane’s secret?
  
• EPISODE 8: The Wedding Gown - When socialite Charlotte Whitmore comes to Donovan Decker for a wedding dress, Jane is assigned to help Jeremy out.  But what happens when India swipes her design and takes credit for it.
• EPISODE 9 – The Getaway – It’s time for the high school camping trip but Lulu feels that Billy puts Jane on top instead of her, meanwhile Nick feels that Jane puts her job first.  Meanwhile, Ben is not liking the change in Jane and the fact that this internship is consuming all of her time.
  
• EPISODE 10 – The End of the Line - Ben confronts Jane about her illegal job and wants her to quit.  But this is Jane’s dream to work in the fashion industry.  Meanwhile, Tommy decides to rob a business and Billy gets dragged into it.  Meanwhile, there is a mole at Donovan Decker, supplying secrets to another design company.  Who is responsible?

VIDEO, AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“Jane by Design: Volume One” is presented in widescreen (1:78:1) and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. I have to say that “Jane by Design” is possibly one of the most impressive looking ABC Family drama series out there.

For one, there are a lot of outdoor scenes, also…you don’t really get to see the stars leaving a set to go to Paris and video being shot in those locations.  Because so many fashion icons have cameo appearances in “Jane by Design” (as they interact with Gray supposedly in other countries), it made me wonder if the series tries to film a lot of these industry professionals during various fashion week locations.

But “Jane By Design” is the best looking and stylish ABC Family series I have seen thus far.  From location shots (the set for Donovan Decker is cool), the runway set, the costume and set design, everything really comes together for this series and it’s a quality you expect from a major network.  But pleasantly surprised to see how much ABC Family has put into this series and it works!

Nevertheless, the set design is pretty awesome and overall, picture quality is great as one can expect on DVD.  Audio is understandable, clear and heard no hiss or any audio problems whatsoever.  If anything, this is a solid DVD set that I wish it was released on Blu-ray, because it looks good.

Subtitles are in English SDH.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Jane by Design: Volume One” comes with no special features.

EXTRAS:

“Jane by Design: Volume One” comes with a slipcover case.

A delightful drama series that captivated me from its stylish presentation, it’s clever and enjoyable storyline, its cool characters but also in ABC Family style, manages to maintain that family aspect with the world of fashion.

At first, I was skeptical about “Jane by Design”.  For one, it’s a big stretch when the storyline revolves around a high school teenager mistakenly hired to become an assistant for a world-famous designer.  But the more I watched the episodes of this series, I found quite a bit of positives of why this drama is working and why I couldn’t stop watching it.

For one, the series manages to capture locations, set design, costume design very well.  The addition of Andie MacDowell is a plus, as the model/actress brings some depth and maturity to the series, but also to make things feel a bit more believable is the number of cameo appearances by those who work in the fashion industry.  You see this often in film, but for a network TV series, not often.  And for an ABC Family series, I was surprised about how much was put into the actual style, design and overall look to this series.

I enjoyed the chemistry between the characters, best friends Jane and Billy, these two almost act like a couple, but they’re not. Erica Dasher and Nick Roux definitely bring a synergy to this series.  Also, it was great to see actress/singer India de Beaufort (of “Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire”) in this series and she does a great job of playing the co-worker rival at the workplace and also enjoyed the quirkiness of Jane’s big brother Ben (played by David Clayton Rogers).  And as the series develops, we are starting to see more and more characters being developed.

Also, a major plus is the fact that characters are able to explore other worlds, where many other ABC Family series tend to focus within a circle.  I love the fact that this series often introduces a new character, may it be a socialist, a party rockin’ teenage fashion model, etc.  Also, I love the fact the series also features characters of various ethnicities, also that these characters actually have an impact on the series and are not just there for politically correctness.  I enjoyed the Ben and Rita storyline and also the Lulu and Nick storyline as well.  But it’ll be interesting to see how these characters come into play for the second half of the first season (and future seasons).

Another thing I love about the series is its featuring of a variety of locations.  Typically when you watch an ABC Family series, there is a banality of where shots usually take place.  Often inside a home, a gymnasium, at a school and while “Jane By Design” does retain that, we get to see these characters outdoors or at variety of locations.   I was surprised to see Jane in Paris, I was surprised to see how much attention to detail when it came to creating the set for runways and even the office of Donovan Decker, I was surprised to see a diner location, a restaurant location, hotel location, etc.

And so far, I have enjoyed each of the ten episodes of “Jane by Design”.  They are well-written, the characters are fun and I absolutely love the drama that is featured and that it gives various characters their own storyline which is allowed to develop overtime., instead of being support characters that have no impact on the show or its overall storyline.  It’s been a criticism of mine when it comes to ABC Family series, in the fact that you have so many characters, why not utilize them?  Fortunately, “Jane by Design” and “The Lying Game” are two series that are able to utilize their ensemble cast effectively and I like that a lot!

But where an ABC Family series such as “The Lying Game” is able to extend various mysteries of its many characters overtime, for “Jane by Design”, how long can this charade last for Jane Quimby?  It’s one thing to see her balance this secret life and being a high school teenager but it can only last so long.  While I can see this double life existing for the protagonist for another season, it’s not something that can be stretched out for many years.  So, it will be interesting to see how writers contend with this in the future.

I also want to emphasize that this no TV version of “The Devil Wears Prada”.  Sure, there is a protagonist who runs around running many errands and has a straightforward boss and yes, it has its share of “backstabbing” but it does maintain the ABC Family standard of teen life, teen relationships, family relationships and so on.

As for the DVD, PQ and AQ are good as one can expect on DVD.  It’s one of series that I wish it was on Blu-ray but for what its worth, the DVD looks and sounds very good and fans of the series, or those curious should be happy with the overall quality.

There are no special features, which is surprising as many ABC Family drama series do come with a featurette or some sort of special feature include on DVD.  But  considering this is volume one of “Jane by Design” and another second half of episodes still left to air on television, I’m really enjoying this series so far.

Overall, I have to say that I’m impressed with “Jane by Design”. The characters, the storyline, the set and costume design, even the various locations that this series is shot, it’s working and I hope they can continue this synergy.

Delightful, captivating and fun, “Jane by Design: Volume One” is definitely recommended!

 

Victorious: The Complete Second Season (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

Enjoyable, fun and crazy! If you enjoy Nickelodeon’s “iCarly”, definitely check out “Victorious: The Complete Second Season” featuring 12 fun episodes!

Images courtesy of © 2012 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. NICKELODEON, VICTORIOUS and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. TM, ® & Copyright © 2012 by Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: Victorious: Season Two

DURATION: 12 episodes (Duration: 312 Minutes)

DVD INFORMATION: Full Screen Format, Dolby Digital (English Stereo), Closed Caption

COMPANY: Nickelodeon/Paramount

RATED: G

RELEASE DATE: March 18, 2012

Directed by Steve Hoefer, Adam Weissman

Series Written by Dan Schneider, Jake Farrow, Matt Fleckenstein

Producer: Sean Gil, Joe Catania, Bruce Rand Berman

Associate Producer: Aline Robey, Irene Oncley, Erin Braun

Executive Producer: Dan Schneider

Music by Michael Corcoran

Cinematography by Mike Spodnik

Edited by Nancy Morrison, Andrew Hirsch, Patricia Barnett

Casting by Krisha Bullock, Leslie Zaslower

Production Design by Harry Matheu

Set Decoration by Jason Howard

Series Costume Design by Kristin Dangl

Starring:

Victoria Justice as Tori Vega

Leon Thomas III as Andre Harris

Matt Bennett as Robbie Shapiro

Elizabeth Gillies as Jade West

Ariana Grande as Cat Valentine

Avan Jogie as Beck Oliver

Daniella Monet as Trina Vega

Michael Eric Reid as Sinjin

Eric Lange as Mr. Sikowitz

Lane Napper as Lane

Season 2 of Victorious shines even brighter as the students re-audition for their spots at Hollywood Arts, get ready for their first-ever prom, and drive a giant cupcake through the streets!  Put your hands together for more music, more drama, and hilarious behind-the-scenes bloopers!

In 2010, from the executive producer of “Drake & Josh”, “iCarly”, “Kenan & Kel” and “Zoey 101″ came a new Nickelodeon series titled “Victorious”, starring actress/singer Victoria Justice (known for her role as Lola Martinez on “Zoey 101″) as Victoria “Tori” Vega.

“Victorious” focuses on Victoria “Tori” who has been accepted at Hollywood Arts High School, after taking her sister Trina’s (played by Daniella Monet) place in a showcase. While Trina is known more for her drive to become an actress, her sister “Tori” has talent that she is not too conscious about and now trying to fit in her new school.

“Victorious” features the following characters:

• Tori Vega (played by Victoria Justice) – Tori is a normal high school teenager who didn’t know she had much talent until she was discovered and now taken into the prestigious Hollywood Arts High School.  She has since become a big heart of her group and participating in many activities.
• Trina Vega (played by Daniella Monet) – Tori’s older sister who doesn’t have much talent, is seen as unusually weird, vain and very outspoken.
• Andre Harris (played by Leon Thomas III) – Andre is Tori’s musical partner and good friend.  An accomplished musician and dancer, he is often helping out Tori with her problems and working with her in creating songs.
  
• Robbie Shapiro (played by Matt Bennett) – Robbie is often seen as the unusual nerd because he hangs out with a dummy named Christopher Cane.  As many think he is an expert ventriloquist, he talks to his dummy as if it’s a real person and it appears his dummy has a mind of its own and treats Robbie badly.
• Jade West (played by Elizabeth Gillies) – Jade is Tori’s viral and gets very jealous when Tori usurps her in auditions or affects her events.  Jade is also into dark things and likes seeing people in misery.  She hangs out with the group but often seen mocking Tori.  Tori is dating Beck.
• Cat Valentine (played by Ariana Grande) – Cat is a naive girl and her mind is often in lala land.  She is a good singer but often surprises her friends because she’s often in her own world.
• Beck Oliver (played by Avan Jogia) – The cool member of the group that is dating Jade.  He is often the person that has to calm Jade down when she is bad.

Other Characters:

• Mr. Sikowitz (played by Eric Lange) – A hippie teacher at Hollywood Arts High School.
• Lane (played by Lane Napper) – The logical minded adult at Hollywood Arts High School.
• Sinjin (played by Michael Eric Reid) – A student who does the lighting and helps out the group during their performances.  Often seen trying to get closed to the girls and often rejected.

With the DVD release of “Victorious: Season Two”, included are 12 episodes featuring Tori Vega as she continues to embrace her musical and acting talent at Hollywood Arts High School.  Watch as the rivalry between Tori and Jade starts to heat up.  What happens when a guy that Tori likes, uses her?  And what happens when the students at Hollywood Arts tries to win a Ke$ha contest?

It’s another crazy, fun and entertaining season of Nickelodeon’s “Victorious”.

“Victorious: Season Two” features the following episodes (spoilerless summaries):

Note: Episodes listing on this DVD is not going by episode series #, but is going by production code #.

DISC 1:

• EPISODE 22: Beck Falls for Tori – Tori auditions for a film but finds out later that it is for a stunt double.
• EPISODE 28: Helen Back Again – Hollywood Arts High School has a new principal and it’s Helen (from “Drake & Josh”) and she wants to redo student auditions at Hollywood Arts. Special Guest: Yvette Nicole Brown
• EPISODE 26-27: Locked Up (TV Movie) – Tori and the group are invited to perform at Festus’ home country in Yerba, but unknown to the group is that Yerba is a very dangerous country.
• EPISODE 30: Tori Gets Stuck - Tori and Jade compete in getting a role in the play “Steamboat Suzy”.  Meanwhile, Robbie is rushed in the hospital and the only person that can donate blood is Tori.  Will she jeopardize her role to help him?
• EPISODE 30: Tori Tortures Teacher - It’s Sikowitz’s 10th year anniversary teaching at Hollywood Arts but as Tori tries to celebrate the occasion, she may be making him more depressed.
• EPISODE 31: Jade Gets Crushed - Is Andre developing a crush for Jade?  What are these feelings he is having?

DISC 2:

• EPISODE 29: Who Did It Trina? – Trina is hurt during a performance and it may be sabotage.  The members of the group are interrogated by Lane. Special Cameo Appearance by “iCarly” actor Nathan Kress.
• EPISODE 21: Beggin’ On Your Knees - Tori falls for Ryder Daniels, a popular guy known for using girls at Hollywood Arts High School.
• EPISODE 23: Ice Cream for Ke$ha - It’s an ice cream contest and whoever can spell Ke$ha will win a special concert at their school. Special Guest: Ke$ha
• EPISODE 25: Prom Wrecker – When Jade’s performance is canceled due to prom, Jade wants revenge by sabotaging the prom (which Tori is the coordinator of).
• EPISODE 32: Terror on Cupcake Street - The group are taking part in a cupcake float for a parade, but the float gets stuck in the bad part of town.
• EPISODE 34: Blooptorious - Featuring the puppet Christopher Cane interviewing the stars of “Victorious” and showcasing their bloopers.

VIDEO, AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“Victorious: The Complete Second Season” is presented in full screen, Dolby Digital (English Stereo). The series is shot via Digital and the picture quality is very good on DVD. I didn’t notice any major artifacting or digital noise. But for the most part, fans should be pleased with the video and audio.

There are no subtitles but closed captions are included.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Victorious: The Complete Second Season” comes with the following special features:

• “Seven Secrets” with Victoria Justice - (22:40) Learn more about the actress who plays Tori Vega on “Victorious”.  Victoria Justice talks about coming from Hollywood, Florida to Hollywood, California and having her own show.  Many more fun facts about the actress!
• Behind The Scenes - (:54) Behind-the-scenes of the cast of the “Victorious” two-episode special “Locked Up”.

A fun and entertaining series, the second season of “Victorious” has definitely improved since the first season and actress Victoria Justice continues to shine!

When I saw Victoria Justice appearing on “iCarly” last year, I had the feeling that Nickelodeon or even Dan Schneider was planning to use the actress for a new show and I was right. Victoria Justice who had starred on “Zoey 101″ and had short roles in various Schneider-related series has her chance to not just showcase her acting but also singing.

And here we are with “Victorious” season two.  The cast has since gotten better with their chemistry and Victoria Justice is much more confident playing the lead character and more comfortable in her performance this time around.

The episodes are still fun, silly and enjoyable.  I do enjoy the way the writers integrate the characters in each episode and for the most part, the writing has gotten better.  For the majority of this season, “Victorious” focuses a lot on Victoria Justice taking on a variety of roles.  May it be a singer, a prom coordinator, writing her own play, making her own music, there was definitely a great utilization of the lead actress, while the supporting cast also have plenty of scenes as well.

As for parents who are wondering if this is fine for children, for older children, I can say yes as there is no scenes that caused me to rethink of having my own son watching the series. But the series does focus on teenagers and it’s a teen-driven comedy series. I didn’t see any violence but kids who like to mimic what they say on TV, it’s up to parent if they feel that the show is appropriate.

There are some questionable scenes that parents may object to.  One features Cat Valentine accidentally receiving emergency calls on her cell phone and in her naive way, she loves the attention from the calls but doesn’t really call 911 to get them help.  Another scene that parents may not want their children to watch is “Tori Gets Struck” which features Tori donating blood and when Robbie accidentally drops the bag, the blood explodes on both characters.  Definitely something that may freak out younger viewers.

But I personally didn’t find anything wrong with older children watching “Victorious” and they may enjoy the music especially the comedy presented in the series. For the most part, these episodes are safe and are intended for young teens or older children.

And as for the series, this is not a musical show in the sense of shows like “Glee”.  It’s a different type of series that takes on teen issues, friendships and wacky situations.  The show is primarily about Tori Vega and while others may display their musical or acting chops, its a series about Tori and friends. No one breaks out in song or dance unless the situation calls for it but if anyone is doing any singing, it’s Tori Vega and sometimes her very crazy sister Trina.

I found the series to be fun and wacky at times. You have the teen drama, the teen angst and crazy moments, especially when it features ventriloquist Robbie Shapiro and his bad attitude dummy, the spaced out Cat Valentine or Tori’s bratty older sister Trina.  I did notice that this second season featured less of Beck Oliver and shorter appearances by Tori’s sister Trina and the episodes tend to focus on storylines that revolve around Tori, Andre, Jade, Robbie and Cat.

As “Victorious” is on its third season, it’s important to note that this is the complete second season of “Victorious” (whereas the first season was released in two DVD volumes).

Overall, “Victorious” is a fun and enjoyable series and with the second season, the episodes continue its fun, crazy hijinks and good music. Victoria Justice has really developed to be a pretty solid actress with a solid voice.  So, I pretty much like how her character has been developed in these last two seasons.  Also, with the other characters itself, although I felt the writers are playing the naivety of Cat Valentine a bit too much and when there are no laughs but silence, it seems quite a bit awkward.  But the acting is much better for this second season, especially as the talent are now settled in.

If you are a fan of “Victorious”, this DVD of “Victorious: The Complete Second Season” is recommended!

 

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

Magnificent!  David Fincher’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” is a thriller that I was literally absorbed by the wonderful performances by Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara.  While I enjoyed the Swedish version of the film a lot, I do enjoy how this version of the film incorporated more of the book.  Overall, this film is highly recommended!

Images courtesy of  © 2011 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

DURATION: 158 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: 2:40:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, English and French  5.1 Dolby Digital, English Dolby Surround, English-Audio Deescription Track,, Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish

COMPANY: Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

RATED: R (For Brutal Violent Content including Rape and Torture, Strong Sexuality, Graphic Nudity and Language)

RELEASE DATE: March 20, 2012

Directed by David Fincher

Screenplay by Steven Zaillian

Based on the novel “Man som hatar kvinnor” by Stieg Larsson

Produced by Cean Chaffin, Scott Rudin, Soren Stermose, Ole Sondberg

Executive Producer: Anni Faurbye Fernandez, Ryan Kavanaugh, Mikael Wallen, Steven Zaillan

Co-Producer: Berna Levin

Associate Producer: Jim Davidson

Music by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross

Cinematography by Jeff Cronenweth

Edited by Kirk Baxter, Angus Wall

Casting by Laray Mayfield

Production Design by Donald Graham Burt

Art Direction by Frida Arvidsson, Linda Janson, Pernilla Olsson, Tom Reta, Patrick Rolfe, Kajsa Severin, Mikael Varhelyi

Set Decoration by K.C. Fox

Costume Design by Trish Summerville

Starring:

Daniel Craig as Mikael Blomkvist

Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander

Christopher Plummer as Henrik Vanger

Stellan Skarsgard as Martin Vanger

Steven Berkoff as Dirch Frode

Robin Wright as Erika Berger

Yorick van Wageningen as Nils Bjurman

Joely Richardson as Anita Vanger

Geraldin James as Cecilia Vanger

Goran Visnjic as Dragan Armansky

Donald Sumpter as Detective Inspector Gustaf Morell

Ulf Friberg as Hans-Erik Wennerstrom

Bengt C.W. Carlsson as Holger Palmgren

Tony Way as Plague

Per Myrberg as Harald Vanger

Josefin Asplund as Pernilla Blomkvist

Eva Fritjofson as Nna Nygren

Moa Garpendal as Harriet Vanger

Disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) accepts an invitation to surreptitiously investigate a forty year old unsolved murder on behalf of the victim’s uncle, Swedish industrialist Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer). Meanwhile, tattooed hacker Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), hired to investigate Blomkvist, discovers the truth behind the conspiracy that led to his fall from grace. Thrown together by fate, the unlikely duo uncovers a secret history of murder and sexual abuse festering beneath the veneer of Sweden’s industrial past, all the while drawing closer to a quiet evil waiting to engulf them both.

Stieg Larsson is known in Sweden for his contribution to sci-fi fandom but to the outside world, he is known posthumously for his “Millennium” trilogy especially with the novel “Män som hatar kvinnor (Men who hate women)” aka “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”, the first novel of the trilogy and a novel based on manuscripts by Larsson written  but unpublished until after his death in 2004.

In 2008, Larsson became the second best-selling author in the world and the trilogy had sold 27 million copies in more than 40 countries.

In 2009, the film received its Swedish adaptation and the film which was created for $13 million would go on to earn $102 million worldwide and with the success of the novels and the Swedish film, it was no surprise that Hollywood would come knocking and create an English version of the popular storyline.

The 2011 version of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” was directed by award-winning director David Fincher (“Fight Club”, “Se7en”, “The Social Network”, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) with a screenplay by veteran writer Steven Zaillian (“Schindler’s List”, “American Gangster”, “Gangs of New York”).

The film would feature the cinematography of Jeff Cronenweth (“Fight Club”, “The Social Network”, “One Hour Photo”) and music by Trent Reznor (“The Social Network, “Se7en”, “Lost Highway”) and Atticus Ross (“The Social Network, “Twilight”, “Limitless”).

Starring in the film are Daniel Craig (“Casino Royale”, “Quantum of Solace”, “Cowboys & Aliens”), Rooney Mara (“The Social Network”, “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, “Youth in Revolt”), Christopher Plumber (“A Beautiful Mind”, “The Sound of Music”, “Beginners”), Stellan Skarsgard (“Good Will Hunting”, “Thor”, “Mamma Mia”) and Robin Wright (“Beowulf”, “Unbreakable”, “Moneyball”).

The film was quite successful in the box office earning over $229 million and also winning and being nominated for a plethora of awards worldwide.  Including an Academy Award for “Best Film Editing” (Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter).

“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” revolves around a man named Mikael Blomkvist (played by Daniel Craig).  Mikael is a hard-working journalist who writes for the publication “Millennium” and in the process of going after a billionaire named Hans-Erik Wennerström and unveil his shady business practices of supporting gun runners and illegal criminal activity, he was set up and now he finds himself in a losing libel case which has ruined his reputation as a journalist.

With only six months of freedom left, he receives a call from Dirch Frode (played by Steven Berkoff), lawyer for very wealthy industrialist Henrik Vanger (played by Henrik Vanger) and arranges a meeting for both men.  When Mikael goes to meet with Henrik, Henrik Vanger knows of Mikael’s determination and persistence as a journalist and briefs him on a disappearance of a woman named Harriet Vanger, a former babysitter for Mikael when he was younger.

Mikael learned that 30 years ago, something happened to Harriet and with no lead to her disappearance (and everyone thinks she is dead), Henrik wants Mikael to find her killer.  Also, when Harriet was alive, she would send Henrik an artwork of a flower every year for his birthday and even after her disappearance, someone is sending Henrik this artwork (Henrik suspects it may be the person who has murdered her). But what makes the investigation quite interesting is that someone from Vanger’s family may be the person responsible for murdering her and Henrik’s brothers were also people who were loyal to the Nazi party and some who have hidden secrets in their personal life that they may not take so kindly that someone is looking into the past.

But because Henrik has also been keeping files on Hans-Erik Wennerström, he tells Mikael that no only will he be paid double for his work, he will also receive these files on Wennerström after he looks into the case of Harriet.

So, want to escape the public scrutiny, Mikael agrees to take on this case and temporarily move closer to Henrik’s home to find anything he can that is related to Harriet’s disappearance

Meanwhile, a goth-like young woman Lisbeth Salander  (played by Rooney Mara), who is a pro computer hacker, a photographer for hire, who had been hired by Frode to study and learn what she can about Mikael Blomkvist.   Although her spying on him is done,  there is something about Mikael that interests Lisbeth and she enjoys hacking his computer to dig up information of what he is doing in his personal life (or what he is investigating).

Although it seems that Lisbeth seems to be having fun hacking and spying on people, her life is not as great as she has a tough life.  As a person who lived in a ward for an unknown crime that she committed when she was younger, a government official that oversees her money is using Lisbeth’s weakness as a way for him to get sex.  Lisbeth is unwilling but the government official threatens her that if she doesn’t do what he says, he can make her life inconvenient.  So, she feels that she must perform for this government official in order to get any money that she earns from her job.

As Mikael’s investigation seeming as if he has hit a dead end, he discovers a code that his daughter has felt it was biblical-related.  The code was written on a bible by Harriet and no one, including the police have been able to crack the code.  But needing some help with the case, Frode decides to bringing the right person for the job and sure enough, both Mikael and Lisbeth will be working together.

Lisbeth, who is very intelligent (and also has a photographic memory), knows what the code means and maybe able to help Mikael with his research.  Will these two complete opposite people be able to work together?  And with the multiple murders that has happened in the area, is it connected to Harriet’s disappearance?

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” is presented in 2:40:1 anamorphic widescreen and presented in English and French 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Dolby Surround plus an English audio descriptive track.  It’s important to note that “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” will be released on Blu-ray and this is one of those films that are shot in a variety of locations, beautiful cinematography that would look absolutely fantastic on Blu!

I didn’t notice any compression artifacts or any major PQ problems.  Personally, I was impressed by the cinematography that I actually am looking forward in picking this film up on Blu-ray and watching it via HD.  It’s a stunning film that the David Fincher and David Cronenweth really did a wonderful job in bringing Stieg Larsson’s novel to life.

As for audio, once again, this is where audiophiles would opt for Blu-ray for its lossless soundtrack.  On DVD, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s music sounds clear and there are moments of action scenes such as a rifle shot and explosion, but it’s a film where ambiance plays a big role in the film and what you hear the most through the surround channels.

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

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” comes with the following special feature:

• Commentary by Director David Fincher – Featuring an in-depth audio commentary by director David Fincher.   From discussions of the cast, the characters, locations, stunts and overall making of the film

My first foray into “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” came from my wife.  Her family members have loved the novels and my wife was going crazy reading all three novels and then watching the film.  She has told me many times to read the novels in the trilogy but with so many books in my reading queue, I figured, why not see what the hype is all about and watch this film for myself.

When I watched the Swedish version of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, I was drawn in by the performances of Michael Nyqvist and Noomi Rapace.  Their performance was magnificent, as was the cinematography by Jens Fishcer and Eric Kress.  Just the amount of footage shot in various weather conditions and locations was quite impressive but most of all, bringing the novel to life (as my wife would say).

I also knew there would be a David Fincher version of the film but I was skeptical at first because I enjoyed the Swedish version so much.  When it was revealed that veteran Steven Zaillian would be writing the screenplay version and that Daniel Craig was hired to play Mikael Blomkvist, I figured, let’s see how things go.

Similar to the Swedish version of the film, I absolutely enjoyed Fincher’s version of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”.

This film was not only suspenseful but it literally sent chills down my spine.  The film is not for the weak at heart when it comes to violence and torture.  The film has many graphic moments of people who have been murdered, people who have been raped and I’m not going to sugarcoat things… this film is violent.

But the film is also a suspenseful, haunting thriller that not only grabs your attention, you literally root for these characters that are completely opposite but they take you on an amazing ride with quite a bit of twists and turns along the way.   I have no problems saying that “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” is one of the best modern suspense films that I have watched in long while.  And I’m talking about overall acting, cinematography, pacing and how well the story is conceived.  It’s a fantastic film!

Personally, these characters are what I loved about the film.  The character of Mikael Blomkvist is an experienced writer who is taking on a billionaire and now having to face a serious libel charge that he libeled him due to false information he was given.   While I was skeptical of Daniel Craig at first, he managed to do a fantastic job playing the character. But the character I was the most skeptical is Lisbeth.  Noomi Rapace was fantastic and when I saw pictures of Rooney Mara prior to her playing Lisbeth, I was not sure how this would play out, but she instantly transformed herself into a new breed of Lisbeth.  Different from Rapace’s version but still effective.    As for the character of Lisbeth Salander,  to see her as an anti-social, goth-like computer hacker brought another dimension to this film.

But what works is the slight changes that were made to this 2011 American version of the film from the original Swedish version of the film.  The American version actually incorporates more of the book to its storyline than the Swedish version.  For one, Blomkvist is not a character that has to be worried of going to prison.  This impacts Blomkvist in the Swedish version of the film, in the American version, he does not have to worry about prison time at all.

Another major difference is that the book focused more on the relationship between Mikael’s Millennium Magazine partner Erika Berger and this is more evident in the American version.  Also, in the book, Mikael’s daughter had importance and in the Swedish version, she was barely mentioned. In the U.S. version, Mikael’s daughter is a major key to the discovery of deciphering the code made by Harriet.

There are also quite a bit of differences involving Lisbeth Salander, such as the Swedish version has her mugged by a gang of men, not the case of the US version.  Also, the introduction between Mikael and Lisbeth are very different between the two films.  But most importantly, the relationship of both Mikael having to work with Lisbeth and how it affects the characters to the final scene of the film.  Which I actually enjoyed from the American version over the Swedish version of the film.

While I enjoyed the Swedish version a lot, in many ways I also enjoyed the American version even more.  Mainly for its attention to details from the book that was incorporated into the film, although I enjoyed Noomi Rapace’s version of Lisbeth Salander even more, Rooney Mara’s version actually works much better.  But I do enjoy both films a lot, it’s just that the 2011 version, they were able to incorporate more of the book and tweak the storyline a bit more.

I suppose it’s a bit more subjective to the viewer familiar with the Swedish film and the book but if I wished there was two things that weren’t changed in the American version, it would revolve around Blomkvist’s problems with prison time and a scene revolving Lisbeth and the assailant, which I enjoyed from the Swedish version even more.

If there was one subject that I feel may touch a nerve with viewers is a rape scene (well, actually there are others who have been raped and tortured) but there is one graphic scene that may turn people off.  I for one, dislike disturbing scenes like this in a film especially if was done for shock value.  In the case of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, although a film that contains a lot of violence, I felt that the violence was not gratuitous and was appropriate to the story but again, this is subjective as I’ve read those who felt it was appropriate and others who felt it was bit too much for their taste.

As for the DVD, the DVD doesn’t come with a lot of special features but an audio commentary by David Fincher.  As mentioned, if you want the best version of the films, go for the HD release as I’m sure the film will look and sound incredible on Blu-ray.  A movie this good, demands to be seen on Blu!

“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” is a fantastic film featuring an awesome performance by the talent, a chilling screenplay adaptation and wonderful cinematography and music.   It’s a film that will no doubt send shivers towards your spine but you will feel that you are captured by the film by the solid performances courtesy of Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara.  These two were absolutely wonderful and felt that Steven Zaillian and David Fincher did a magnificent job in including more of the book to this adaptation of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”.  And I can only hope the two work together again for the second film and see if they can fix some of the problems that the Swedish version of the film was criticized for.

Overall, I absolutely loved this film and if you have not watched this film yet, I absolutely recommend one putting this on their must-buy list for 2012.

“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” is highly recommended!

 

Carnage (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

Roman Polanski’s “Carnage” film adaptation of the popular Yasmina Reza play is hilarious, chaotic and features magnificent performances by Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly.  Overall, “Carnage” is a film that is full of intense emotion and yet, I found this film to be quite captivating and enjoyable.  Recommended.

Images courtesy of © © 2011 SBS Productions, Constantin Film Produktion GmbH, SPI Film Studio, Versatil Cinema, S.L., Zanagar Films and France 2 Cinema. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: Carnage

DURATION: 90 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: 2:35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, English and French 5.0 Dolby Digital, Subtitles: English, English SDH, French

COMPANY: Sony Pictures Classics

RATED: R (For Language)

RELEASE DATE: March 20, 2012

Directed by Roman Polanski

Based on the play “Le Dieu du carnage” by Yasmina Reza

Screenplay by Yasmina Reza, Roman Polanski

Translation by Michael Katims

Produced by Said Ben Said

Co-Produced by Oliver Beren, Martin Moszkowicz

Music by Alexandre Desplat

Cinematography by Pawel Edelman

Edited by Herve de Luze

Casting by Fiona Weir

Production Design by Dean Tavoularis

Set Decoration by Franckie Diago

Costume Design by Milena Canonero

Starring:

Jodie Foster as Penelope Longstreet

Kate Winslet as Nancy Cowan

Christoph Waltz as Alan Cowan

John C. Reilly as Michael Longstreet

Elvis Polanski as Zachay Cowan

Eliot Beerger as Ethan Longstreet

CARNAGE is a razor-sharp, biting comedy centered on parental differences. After two boys duke it out on a playground, the parents of the “victim” invite the parents of the “bully” over to work out their issues. A polite discussion of childrearing soon escalates into verbal warfare, with all four parents revealing their true colors. None of them will escape the carnage.Directed by Roman Polanski (The Pianist), Carnage stars Academy Award®-winner Kate Winslet (Best Actress, The Reader, 2008) and Academy Award®-winner Christoph Waltz (Best Supporting Actor, Inglourious Basterds, 2009) as husband and wife Nancy and Alan Cowan, opposite Academy Award®-winner Jodie Foster (Best Actress, The Silence of the Lambs, 1991; Best Actress, The Accused, 1988) and Academy Award®-nominee John C. Reilly (Best Supporting Actor, Chicago, 2002) as Penelope and Michael Longstreet.

Roman Polanski’s “Carnage” is hilarious, comedic chaos at its very best!  A wonderful performance by Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly.

In France, Yasmina Reza’s 2006 successful play “Le Dieu du carnage” (God of Carnage) is widely acclaimed.  Having received multiple awards and productions all over the world, the play received its film adaptation in 2011 courtesy of Roman Polanski (“The Pianist”, “Rosemary’s Baby”, “Chinatown”).

The film stars  Jodie Foster (“The Silence of the Lambs”, “Panic Room”, “Contact”), Kate Winslet (“Titanic”, “Revolutionary Road”, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”), Christoph Waltz (“Inglorious Basterds”, “The Green Hornet”, “Water for Elephants”) and  John C. Reilly (“Magnolia”, “Boogie Nights”, “The Aviator”, “Step Brothers”).

The film would earn a Golden Globe nomination for “Best Actress” for Jodie Foster and Kate Winslet, including a Cesar Award nomination for “Best Writing – Adaptation” for Roman Polanski and Yasmina Reza.

“Carnage” is set in New York City and we see a confrontation between two boys at the park.  One of the boys grabs a stick and slams it into another one’s face.

We then watch the parents of both boys discussing the matter.  The parents of the boy with the stick, investment broker Nancy Cowan (played by Kate Winslet) and her husband, corporate attorney Alan Cowan (played by Christoph Waltz) visits the home of the parents of the boy that was struck, writer Penelope Longstreet (played by Jodie Foster) and salesman Michael Longstreet (played by John C. Reilly).  The Longstreet’s child has been on codeine and may have lost a tooth permanently.

At first the conversation between the parents was cordial, the Cowans admit their son did something wrong and they apologize for their son’s actions. The Longstreet’s try to be good hosts as they provide apple and peach cobbler and some coffee.

As the meeting is about to end, things begin to escalate when Penelope feels the Conway’s son had disfigured their child’s face. Alan Cowan is shocked by Penelope’s use of words because she is saying that their son disfigured their child (which he didn’t).

As Michael tries to calm his wife down, the discussion then goes off on a tangent as Penelope talks about their daughter and how they had to get rid of her hamster.  Michael talks about how he left the hamster in its cage on the street curb.  Immediately, this sets Nancy Cowan off as she feels that what Michael did is inhumane.  Immediately, Nancy Cowan starts painting Michael as a murderer and this sets Michael off.

As the Conways try to leave the apartment once again, Alan gets a call from work about a possible lawsuit against a pharmaceutical company he represents.  And they are unable to leave and this sets Nancy off about how her husband is constantly working and on the phone.   Then more arguing ensues as Alan is upset that his wife is bringing out her anger about him to the Longstreet’s.  This time Nancy vomits all over the living room table on top of Penelope’s books (and also on her husband Alan).

As the Cowan’s try to clean off the vomit off their clothes, the Longstreet’s try to rescue Penelope’s “hard to find” books that were vomited on by using a hairdryer and perfume.  Meanwhile, as Longstreet’s talk badly about their guests, Alan Cowan overhears them and how they are mocking their “pet names” used for each other.  Trying to repair the situation, Michael tells them they also have dumb pet names and call each other “Darjeeling”.

Meanwhile, Penelope pushes the Cowan’s buttons even more by telling them that she wants the boys to meet and the Cowan’s son to apologize and know what he did is wrong.  Alan tells her that she can try but he’s 11-years-old and knows that what he did is wrong but not sure what the repercussions are because he is young.

This leads to a conversation of what the two boys were arguing about and we find out that the boy struck the Longstreet’s son because he was not allowed to join their gang.   This leads to Michael and Alan talking about their younger years and how they had their own gangs which upsets Penelope.  Next thing you know, it’s Penelope vs. her husband Michael and the two argue against each other in front of the Cowan’s.  This leads to Michael breaking out the alcohol and as the two men start drinking, it becomes a conversation about wives vs. husbands and arguments continue to escalate.

It becomes a full-on verbal warfare and all the flaws of each person is brought out.  Will the parents who are behaving like children accomplish anything positive through this meeting?

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Carnage” is presented in 2:35:1 anamorphic widescreen and audio in English, French 5.0 Dolby Digital.  Before I go on, it’s important to note that this film will be released on Blu-ray, so if you want the best picture and audio quality, I recommend watching it on HD.

With that being said, “Carnage” is a film that takes place entirely in a set featuring a living room, bathroom, hallway and computer room.  Most of the scenes of the film are in the living room.  So for those expecting a variety of scenes taking place in multiple locations, this is not one of those films.  “Carnage” is a film that focuses on characters, emotion and full-on verbal assaults.

On DVD, picture quality is good but of course, I’m sure you will see much more clarity and detail from the Blu-ray version.  As for the audio, dialogue is clear and heard no hiss or any problems at all.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Carnage” comes with the following special features:

Roman Polanski’s “Carnage” film adaptation of the popular Yasmina Reza play is hilarious, chaotic and features magnificent performances by Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly.

I absolutely enjoyed this film to see how a simple conversation became complex and the intensity of the verbal assaults was hilarious and the performances, so powerful!   I have watched many films of conversations between individuals and there are some films such as “My Dinner with Andre” that focuses on a conversation but yet, becomes so witty and hilarious that you can’t help but appreciate the film.

The same goes for “Carnage”.  While I have not seen the play, what I enjoyed about this film is how these four talents were able to transform their characters from civilized parents discussing their children to this breakdown of their characters as all gloves are off and the worst comes out of their mouths not just against the other parents, but couples start to fight each other.  It becomes wife vs. husband, wife vs. wife, husband vs. husband, wives against the husbands, it’s just amazing how these adults lose control and I found the whole exchange quite hysterical.

While a short film compared to other Roman Polanski films, as always with Polanski, it’s attention to detail and subtlety and the way he was able to showcase the talent is amazing.  And you can’t go wrong when you have Academy Award winning talent cast in your film.  I enjoyed the performances by Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly but I just have to say that Jodie Foster in this film was absolutely fantastic!

When you literally can see and feel the anger coming off Foster’s character, it feels real, it looks real.  Her performance was amazing and I have no doubt that the other talents fed from that.  Not only did Foster deliver, you can see the anger in her face, the tension in her skin, the veins literally about to pop out, her performance was absolutely amazing!

If anything, I was more curious about John C. Reilly as he was cast opposite of Foster. At first I thought that the chemistry was good, but then when you find out that the two traveled through Africa, the credibility of the two as a couple felt a bit off.   Nevertheless, the actor also held his own and also brought a more calming effect towards the beginning of this film.  Also, his role required a little bit more action of having to clean up the vomit and having to use the hairdryer quite a bit.

And speaking of vomit, for those with a low-tolerance to films that showcase vomit, I just want to warn you right now that you’re going to see some vomit chunks in this film.

As for the DVD release, you get a hilarious Q&A segment with John C. Reilly and Christoph Waltz, plus the talent talking about their characters and also seeing them on the red carpet.  As mentioned, for those who want better PQ and AQ, definitely go for the Blu-ray release but as for the DVD is concerned, the film looks and sounds very good on DVD and because most of the entire film is shot inside a living room and the film relies on character performance, some may feel that the DVD will be good enough.

As for the film’s title, “Carnage”, it has to do with the incident involving the children.  Jodie Foster as Penelope Longstreet rejects violence and wants civility, while Alan Cowan believes that his son and the use of physical force is part of humanity.  To see this mental breakdown among civilized people.

For example, Penelope is the writer who has covered Africa.  In the beginning, she is civil but once her beloved books have vomit all over them, we start to see her change.   We also see her change and side with Nancy Cowan on Michael’s treatment of the hamster.  We saw Michael being the calm one of the bunch but when his wife starts to unleash her anger towards him, we realize this conversation between these four adults is going nowhere.  But for the audience, it’s the intensity of their exchange, the escalation of the verbal assaults that become quite hysterical and amusing.

“Carnage” is a film that captivates you through escalating verbal assaults that lead to a chaotic disintegrating meeting between four adults who discuss their children’s incident.   While I have heard that the play has much more than the film adaptation, on its own, you can’t help but be amused by the wonderful performances by the talents.  Was it perfect?  Not at all, but the film does work and you can’t help but laugh at what you see happening before your eyes.  I found it absolutely amusing.

But of course, for some cinema fans, Roman Polanski taking on a dark comedy such as this, may seem like a step backwards or not in par compared to other films in his oeuvre.   It may not be one of his more memorable films but I do applause Roman Polanski trying something different.

Overall, “Carnage” is a film that is full of intense emotion and yet, I found this film to be quite captivating and enjoyable.  Recommended.

 

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