Contents
Chinatown [4K UHD, Paramount Presents]
What is it? A film noir masterpiece from a shitty filmmaker.
Why watch it? Chinatown It remains one of the best movies, period. A mystery that leads down a very dark path, a raw commentary on greed and power no matter the cost, a surprisingly moving character piece about an indifferent man in an increasingly cruel world, the film is over two hours of pure brilliance. Jack Nicholson makes headlines as a private detective used to staying afloat with the desperate and the divorced, but his latest case finds him caught up in far more sinister things. The story captivates, whether it focuses on personal struggles or the bigger picture of the ever-widening divide between the rich and the rest of us, and it all builds to a finale that never fails to impact no matter how many times you’ve seen it. Faye Dunaway and John Huston co-star, and the film just kills. Paramount’s new 4K UHD delivers the kind of restoration any film would hope for: shadows envelop, colors pop, and the California sunlight takes over knowing that what it illuminates is pure evil. Simply an amazing film, worth watching and rewatching. And they even included the sequel directed by Nicholson on a second disc!
[Extras: New 4K transfer, featurettes, commentary, The Two Jakes on Blu-ray]
The best
Tied [4K UHD, Criterion]
Tied [4K UHD, Criterion]What is it? Two women find themselves caught in a romantic but criminal entanglement.
Why watch it? The Wachowskis made a name for themselves with Matrix movies, but Tied The first feature film of its kind arrived and immediately highlighted the brothers as filmmakers to be reckoned with. A smart, sexy little neo-noir, the film rips Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly head-on and lets the pair cook with sizzling interactions and sharp dialogue. Joe Pantoliano brings a different kind of heat, and together, the unlikely trio, along with flawless filmmaking, deliver a film that thrills, entertains, and surprises from start to finish. It’s an adventure film that checks many boxes, from stellar performances and engaging cinematography to a sharp script and deliriously enjoyable execution. The film has always looked good, already impressive for the budget and being the Wachowskis’ debut, but Criterion’s new 4K UHD brings home the details and remarkably crisp colors. This is a must buy for movie fans.
[Extras: New 4K restoration, commentary, video essay, interviews]
The Karate Kid [4K UHD]
The Karate Kid [4K UHD]What is it? A coming-of-age classic, with kung fu!
Why watch it? The Karate Kid made a huge splash in 1984, and the decades since have seen sequels, a remake, and even a Netflix streaming series following the ongoing rivalries of the now-adult characters and their own teenage children. It’s easy to see the current appeal, as underdog stories have enduring popularity, and this one nails the format right with a charismatic and likable lead (the immortal Ralph Macchio), some engaging supporting characters, and the kind of ending that has audiences cheering. The action is more charming than exciting, but that doesn’t take away from the film’s effect as a summer classic, an ’80s favorite, and an excellent family movie.
[Extras: New 4K transfer, commentary, deleted scenes]
Nowhere special
Nowhere specialWhat is it? A single father faces a major decision following a terminal diagnosis.
Why watch it? I’m not sure if this is the kind of movie you’d want to watch a second time (usually a factor when I’m deciding what falls under The Best rather than The Rest), but it’s so good that the choice was made for me. James Norton plays a single father who finds he only has a short time left to live, so he sets out to find a new family for his young son. It’s heartbreaking, sweet, gut-wrenching, honest, and heartbreaking, but it never feels like a dirty or cheap attempt to make you cry. Norton is fantastic, and you feel the pain of it all as much as the love. You’ll cry your way through these ninety minutes, and sometimes that’s a good thing.
[Extras: Interviews, featurette]
The rest
Anne Boleyn
What is it? A two-hour silent film about a very dysfunctional marriage.
Why watch it? Ernst Lubitsch is one of the greats, especially for his comedic career in the 1930s and 1940s, but there is also some interesting work from before that time. This 1920 silent film is a drama about the infamous Henry VIII and one of his ill-fated wives, and it is just that: interesting, but not a great film by any stretch. The material is thin, and while Lubitsch does find some interesting sequences at times, it seems like a real exception in his filmography. Fans should give it a chance, though.
[Extras: None]
Also available this week:
American Fiction, American Gigolo [4K UHD, Arrow]Robocop 2014 [4K UHD, Shout Factory]Robocop 2 [4K UHD, Shout Factory]Shotgun stories, Victims of sin [Criterion]
Source link