When looking for redemption, Colonel Aldo Raine with his little basterds troop are not done yet with the Nazis. Having already terrorized them on movie screens, they are now about to scalp them on DVDs and Blu-rays. And he wants those scalps! Quentin Tarantino’s criticized by still very talented Inlglourious Basterds, will be available in various video editions from December 15th. Should one of you friends be given “jewish bear” as nickname or if your brother speaks Italian with a strong Texan accent, then no doubt it’s the perfect gift for them!
In Nazi occupied France, young Jewish refugee Shosanna Dreyfus witnesses the slaughter of her family by Colonel Hans Landa. Narrowly escaping with her life, she plots her revenge several years later when German war hero Fredrick Zoller takes a rapid interest in her and arranges an illustrious movie premiere at the theater she now runs. With the promise of every major Nazi officer in attendance, the event catches the attention of the “Basterds”, a group of Jewish-American guerilla soldiers led by the ruthless Lt. Aldo Raine. As the relentless executioners advance and the conspiring young girl’s plans are set in motion, their paths will cross for a fateful evening that will shake the very annals of history.
Both editions will present their share of bonuses, giving the opportunity to fans and amateurs to learn more about this bloody movie. Other than cut scenes and a different version to the Nazi’s propaganda feature (Nation’s Pride, realised by Eli Roth), the various editions will of course also offer a making of, an audio comment and some additional extras (The original Inglourious Basterds, Rod Taylor on Victoria Bitter, Quentin Tarantino’s Camera Angel…). Nazis deserve no mercy!
Micheal Mann passes as multi talented to most movie fans, as he seems just as much able to direct low budget psycho thrillers or typical Hollywood blockbusters. His filmography speaks for itself! In his latest feature, Public enemies, which is to be released in DVD and Blu-ray on December 8th, Heat’s director has settled for rough direction and hand-held filming, resulting in a very realistic show, close to documentary style. Though a little zip lacking from time to time, it is only fair to salute Johnny Depp’s talent for playing John Dillinger’s outlaw character to perfection.
This is the story of the last few years of the notorious bank robber John Dillinger. He loved what he did and could imagine little else that would make him happier. Living openly in 1930s Chicago, he had the run of the city with little fear of reprisals from the authorities. It’s there that he meets Billie Frechette with whom he falls deeply in love. In parallel we meet Melvin Purvis, the FBI agent who would eventually track Dillinger down. The FBI was is in its early days and Director J. Edgar Hoover was keen to promote the clean cut image that so dominated the organization through his lifetime. Purvis realizes that if he is going to get Dillinger, he will have to use street tactics and imports appropriate men with police training. Dillinger is eventually betrayed by an acquaintance who tells the authorities just where to find him on a given night.
Now let’s have a quick overview of the various available video editions. The basic one comes with a small feature called Larger than Life: Adversaries, as well as an audio comment. The special edition offers a making of and three documentaries concerning Dillinger’s life and the Blu-ray one will provide on top of that many interactive bonuses. Though fans might be a little disappointed no to find any other version of the movie (there has been rumours of a director’s cut existence), still the many extras should make up for it… at least while waiting for more??
Though Wes Craven wasn’t very lucky lately concerning his last productions, he is a little more fortunate with recent remakes from his work. After the well-made The Hills Have Eyes (remake from Alexandre Aka, a French director emigrated to the US), the remake directed by Dennis Iliadis from his “rape and revenge” called The Last House on the Left, available in DVD and Blu-ray since last August 18th, turns out to be as good as his 1972 original.
Shortly after their arrival at a remote lakehouse, Mari is abducted by an escaped convict and his accomplices. After hearing of her terrifying story, her family seek to take revenge on the murderous fugitives.
The steady pace prevents us from getting bored and enables the whole to be slightly superior than usual. Though the acting is sometimes a little narrow, the plausible scenario will lead us to a few good surprises thanks to its good directing (some very good ideas from time to time). Fans of the genre must definitely see the movie at least once; others might find it a little more debatable. The video edition will give you access to the unrated version as well as a few cut scenes. In a word, The last house on the left could be a nice movie shelter while waiting for Wes Craven’s masterpiece remake from Nightmare on Elm Street…
Released more than 20 years ago, one of Carpenter generation’s cult movies has recently received the privilege to be upgraded to Blu-ray. Fans of Jack Burton’s adventures in Big Troubles in China probably already know that this edition will give a third life to the movie, which was totally ignored at the time it came out and which finally succeeded when released in VHS and further in DVD. No doubt that this edition will, as usual, meet a new audience who will once again discover the story of Jack Burton (the great Kurt Russel) fighting evil powers.
Action fantasy tale about a wise-cracking trucker who attempts to rescue his friend’s fiance from a 2000 year-old magician who lives beneath San Francisco’s Chinatown. He must battle demons, goblins and other terrors as he makes his way through the magician’s dark domain.
To celebrate the latest video release from this legendary movie, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment offers nice bonuses. In addition to director John Carpenter’s and his favourite actor’s voice over comments, fans will appreciate nine cut scenes in total as well as a new editing regarding the ending. All this will be rounded out with old school features, music clips of the original soundtrack, an exclusive interview from Richard Edlund (filmmaker) and various trailers promoting the movie at that time… Should you have never heard of this movie before or if you wish to discover it again, you sure know what to do best!
