Category Archives: Blu-Ray

Apr 19 2012

Bridesmaids

Viewed – 18 April 2012  Blu-ray

On first hearing of this, I passed it off as a cash-in on the success of The Hangover movies, but from a female perspective.  And although during the awards season this was getting almost as much press as the likes of The Artist and Hugo, I still wasn’t convinced.  Kristen Wiig (Paul, Saturday Night Live) plays a down-on-her look woman who is given the responsibility of being the Maid Of Honour at her best friend’s upcoming wedding.  Taking the role on with passion, she soon finds her life turned upside down as a result, and events quickly start to spiral out of control.

Now what surprised me with this one, was that going into it I was expecting a mildly funny, tiolet-humour based comedy with lots of swearing and crude gags.  It has all that in spades, but what it also has is genuine heart and emotion, mostly down to Kristen Wiig’s character’s rocky love life and the heart-warming friendship she has with the bride to be, that are both touching and believable.  This is a movie that is much more than the sum of its parts.  It’s not just a comedy, it’s not just about a wedding … it’s incredibly feel good, well acted and full of great lines, great characters and great moments (the dress fitting, anyone?).  Supporting cast members Chris O’Dowd and Rose Byrne especially shine, and Wiig continues to be one of the best female comedy stars around, carrying the movie with real panache.

Of course it’s not perfect, with a pointless Matt (Little Britain) Lucas cameo and some of the comedy gets a tad OTT, but as a movie that gave me the impression it was one thing, then turned out to be so much more – I came away shouting its praises to anyone willing to listen.  Simply brilliant.

Verdict:  5 /5

Apr 14 2012

Bad Teacher

Viewed – 13 April 2012  Blu-ray

Cameron Diaz for me has always been a rather underrated comedy talent.  Her break-out role in Jim Carrey’s The Mask remained memorable for more than just her perfect body in a figure hugging dress … and she cemented this glimpse of comedy in two Charlies Angels movies and of course There’s Something About Mary.  Yet this is one of her few leading roles, so can she carry a comedy by herself?  Let’s see…

She plays a junior-high school teacher who quits her job to marry a millionaire and is seemingly set for life.  That is until she is dumped on the eve of her wedding and has to return to teaching with her tail between her legs.  Hell bent on bagging the next rich man she can find, she soon attracts the jealousy of a rival teacher, and a battle of wits ensues.

Cameron is a foul-mouthed, pot smoking car-crash of a character and her mission is both sad and funny.  Her surrounding cast members (including Justin Timberlake) all play rather bizarre caricatures of squeaky clean teachers and fail to be anywhere approaching real.  Which of course makes Diaz’s character stick out like a sore thumb, firing off some quality comedy-swearing that often made me laugh out loud.  However, the story is nothing we haven’t seen done before and the likable gym-teacher love interest (Jason Segel) causes the story to become very predictable.  Yet this is energetic and fun, crude in places but also quite charming at times.  I wouldn’t say hurry to watch … but if you’re stuck for something, this passes the time well enough.

Verdict: 3 /5

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Apr 12 2012

Born On The Fourth Of July

Viewed – 12 April 2012  Blu-ray

During the eighties and early nineties, movies exploring the Vietnam war became a genre all of their own.  Some of the finest examples of cinema came out of such an uprising, most notably Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, Robert DeNiro classic The Deer Hunter and also this often forgotten gem from Oliver Stone (Platoon, JFK, Natural Born Killers).

Tom Cruise plays real-life war veteran Ron Kovick, who after being injured in combat, went on to become a much celebrated activist for the ending of the war in Vietnam, which had claimed thousands of lives through the late sixties and early seventies.  Unlike some of the best ‘Nam movies though, this doesn’t focus on the conflict, but more on the people affected by it, especially Kovick whose life was turned upside down by his injury and his beliefs.  Stone’s movie is powerfully put together with an unforgettable score from John Williams and a career best from Cruise.  It packs a helluva punch too, heart-breaking and utterly absorbing, with an attention to detail Stone has become famous for (nabbing an Oscar for his efforts).  He remains possibly the best director of American history and tells it without glamour or rose-tinted glasses, but as it was, warts and all.  Surrounding cast members, such as Willem Dafoe, Kyra Sedgwick and the much underrated Frank Whaley are all very convincing too, even if its clear from the outset, Cruise is the star.

Perhaps in this age of CGI and amazing effects, some of the make-up and aging looks a tad weak, and at times the sentimental tone is hammered home a bit too strong.  Also I’d have liked more Vietnam action, but that’s a personal preference.  That being said, this is a movie that excels in its emotion and story, and has a draining but also uplifting quality that for me, makes it a classic.  Highly recommended.

The Blu-ray I am glad to report has an excellent picture.  Detail throughout is very good.  Grain does get a little heavy in darker scenes, but this retains the crisp quality of the image so I’m not complaining.  The movie’s soundtrack also has a good thump to it, and John William’s score as well as plenty of music all help create a good experience.  Extra’s consist of some archive news footage and a commentary from the director, which if you have ever listened to Oliver Stone talking you through a movie, is worth its weight in gold.

Verdict:

(the movie) 4 /5

(the Blu-ray) 4 /5

Apr 7 2012

Cronos

Viewed – 06 April 2012  Blu-ray

Special Edition

I have long been an admirer of Mexican director Guillermo del Toro, whose style of fantasy horror has led to such genre classics as Pan’s Labyrinth, Blade II and the Hellboy movies.  He has a great eye for action, creepy imagery and comic-book excess, and would have been an ideal choice to direct the forthcoming Hobbit movies if it weren’t for production difficulties causing him to jump ship.  Thankfully we have a rich back-catalogue of movies to enjoy, none more notable than this 1993 debut.

Jesus Gris is an elderly man who owns an antiques shop, who comes into possession of an Archangel figurine, and unknowingly discovers an ancient mechanical device hidden inside.  He learns the device can grant him youth if he allows it to latch onto him, but soon discovers one major drawback – it turns the user into a vampire.  At the same time, a wealthy tycoon on his death-bed has been searching for the device for years, and when he learns of the man’s discovery, a battle erupts for who will claim the device for their own.

Co-starring del Toro regular Ron Perlman as the tycoon’s nephew (and hired muscle) this is a gripping and unusual take on the vampire myth, boasting a quality performance from Frederico Luppi (The Devil’s Backbone) as well an enjoyable turn from Perlman.  Yet this is largely Guillermo’s show and his artistry and imagination is shown off brilliantly in some great camera work, set design and imaginative, how-did-they-do-that make-up effects.  For a horror movie it may lack shock moments or jump scares, but is still undeniably freaky, feeling very Edgar Alan Poe in its atmosphere.  I was also surprised by how effective some of the moments between the old man and his granddaughter were, proving quite moving at times.  For a debut it also proves that del Toro was a real talent from the off.

The Blu-ray boasts a very nice picture, that although lacking in fine detail, is clean and free of artificial enhancements.  Sound-wise the Spanish and English dialogue is clear and precise and the haunting soundtrack is delivered fittingly.  This isn’t a brash, noisy movie but quite subtle, yet is still very effective.  This special edition from Optimum has a wealth of extras, including interviews, a director’s commentary (always a plus from the enthusiastic del Toro), a making-of and various stills galleries.  An impressive treatment for a classic of the genre.

Verdict:

(the movie) 4 /5

(the Blu-ray) 4 /5

Apr 2 2012

Pretty Woman

Viewed – 01 April 2012  Blu-ray

For all the gory horror movies and violent gangster films I may watch, every now and then I sure can appreciate a chick flick … and as far as chick flicks go, this is one of the all time classics.  Julia Roberts, in her breakthrough performance (if you don’t count Mystic Pizza) stars as a hooker who gets picked up by hotshot business tycoon Richard Gere, who then pays her to spend the week with him.  Now this could have been a 9 and a half weeks style sleaze fest, but turns out to be a great example of the fish out of water, as Roberts finds herself thrown amongst the L.A. rich crowd and has to find a way of fitting in, and quick – usually with very funny and highly memorable results.

This is a movie that starts out like on thing, perhaps a sexy date movie, then turns into a really heart-warming love story about two people lost and lonely in their subsequent lives, who find escape in each others arms.  Awww.  Roberts is great and incredibly likable, whilst Gere proves more than his usually ladies man beds them all stereotype, with a surprising amount of depth.  Support from the likes of Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander (playing  seriously against type) and the always enjoyable Laura San Giacomo (Sex, Lies and Videotape) prove more than set dressing also.  Yet this is Roberts & Gere’s show and their chemistry is convincing and well observed.  Also for a movie about a prostitute, the story is mature enough not to gloss over the oldest profession of them all, and knows when to hit the viewer when necessary.  Add to this a great soundtrack (especially Roy Orbinson’s title track) with colourful direction and plenty of personality – this remains one of the defining movies of the era.

The Blu-ray, whilst not a complete let down does suffer from that eighties / early nineties soft-focus look, but still appears fairly vibrant, especially during out door daytime scenes.  Close-ups have a fair amount of detail too, but it is still clear the movie would benefit from a complete remastering.  Thankfully, the soundtrack is clear, the music jumps out of the speakers, and dialogue is clear throughout.  Extras-wise we get an audio commentary, a featurette, some footage from the movie’s wrap party, a music video and a trailer.  Not too shabby.

Verdict:

(the movie) 5 /5

(the blu-ray) 3 /5