Bill Kelley
12-28-07, 08:41 AM
The Virginian-Pilot newspaper/online review the following Blu-ray discs.
The Virginian-Pilot
© December 28, 2007
“RUSH HOUR 3”
HD and standard-def widescreen, 2007, PG-13 for language, irreverent humor
Best extra: The deleted scenes and an alternate ending all available in hi-def. Both can be seen individually or all together (with or without commentary by director Brett Ratner and screenwriter Jeff Nathanson).
CHRIS TUCKER AND JACKIE Chan are back. Well, to a point. Tucker (Detective James Carter) has been demoted to simple traffic cop, while Chan (Inspector Lee) protects Chinese Ambassador Han (Tzi Ma reprising his role, from the first movie). Han speaks to an international criminal court, which could bring down the Triad mafia. The planned revelation is thwarted by an assassination attempt. Tucker forces himself into the situation, and, by now, you get the picture. Yes?
The Blu-ray disc includes top-notch picture and sound, but an unimpressive video commentary with Ratner and Nathanson – featuring only a few storyboards and behind-the-scenes footage.
The second disc is loaded with hours of extras all taped in HD. “The Making of Rush Hour 3” documentary runs for 90 minutes, divided into chapters, from writing to post-production. A 60-minute “Production Diary” highlights the action thriller from start to finish in Paris and Los Angeles, and, “Visual FX Reel” demonstrates the Eiffel Tower fight sequence, with plenty of seamless CGI.
The “Rush Hour” franchise continues as disposable, fun action flicks with enough stunts and gun battles to keep you from falling asleep.
— Cliff Redding
“THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION”
HD widescreen, 1974, 1976, 1994, unrated
Best extra: Vintage TV special “50 Years of MGM,” with the famed roll-call gala portrait featuring dozens of song-and-dance superstars that made MGM the dream factory.
GENE KELLY, FRED ASTAIRE, Judy Garland, James Stewart, Clarke Gable, Spencer Tracy, the Marx Brothers, Lana Turner, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Cyd Charisse, and the list keeps going and going – all in hi-def? That’s amazing.
The grand musicals of the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s were wasting away in their vaults. Hoping to bring some attention to the studio’s 50th anniversary, a documentary was planned for TV. After viewing thousands of miles of footage, the original concept was scrapped and the studio decided to release the greatest highlight reel onto the big screen.
From the genesis to Elvis, MGM gives it all – starting with “Hollywood Revue of 1929” with “Ukulele Ike” belting out “Singin’ in the Rain,” which became the studio’s theme song. Hosting the extravaganza of MGM’s stars: Kelly, Astaire, Stewart, Taylor, Debbie Reynolds and more introducing dozen of classic moments – which we’ve come to love. Yes, there’s Garland singing “Over the Rainbow,” Kelly swinging on the lamppost in “Singin’ in the Rain,” Astaire dancing on the ceiling in “Royal Wedding” and more for the next two hours in HD.
Many of the old black-and-white clips reveal excess film grain in hi-def, but the Technicolor classics “Gone with the Wind,” “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Singin’ in the Rain,” are spectacular. We can only hope Warner Bros. – that owns the rights to the MGM library – will release them in HD. They should be – good to go.
In 1974, moviegoers couldn’t get enough of “Entertainment,” so two years later, “That’s Entertainment II.” Astaire and Kelly dust off their dancing shoes for a fabulous number before introducing another great clip in HD. This time there are some nonmusical moments with Tracy and Hepburn, Greta Garbo, Gable, and the Marx Brothers in their funniest skits.
For a bonus, “Entertainment II,” features excerpts from “The Mike Douglas Show” with the host interviewing the superstars on MGM’s Stage 27, the home for the Vincente Minnelli’s 1954 musical “Brigadoon.”
Twenty years later, MGM released “That’s Entertainment III,” loaded mostly with outtakes and deleted songs. The disc features, 16 jukebox outtakes with Reynolds, Jimmy Durante, Horne, Jane Powell, Mel Torme, Sinatra and Garland.
This collection shouldn’t be missed – especially in HD (Blu-ray and HD DVD).
— Bill Kelley III
“THE LEGEND OF ZORRO”
HD widescreen, 2005, PG for sequences of violence, peril and action, language and a couple of suggestive moments
Best extra: Commentary from director Martin Campbell (“Casino Royale”) and cinematographer Phil Meheux. Entertaining and you’ll learn things, too.
THE CHEMISTRY IS still there between Antonio Banderas (Zorro) and Catherine Zeta-Jones (Mrs. Zorro). Adrian Alonso makes a fine young Zorro Jr. The stunts are cool and the brilliant Mexican scenery is great, especially on this HD (Blu-ray) presentation. The story is just a bit lame. It’s a fine family film but doesn’t quite stand up as a sequel to “The Mask of Zorro.”
Campbell tells us in commentary that fans have asked why Anthony Hopkins didn’t return for the sequel. The easy answer: Hopkins’ character died in the first film. “We thought about doing a kind of Obi Wan Kenobi type of thing,” he says.
“But it was just too much.”
Good choice, guys. The biggest problem here is an over abundance of plot. The Zorros get divorced? Nonsense! Maybe we should wait for “The Mask of Zorro” to come out on HD.
— Kay Reynolds
“MASTERS OF HORROR: SEASON ONE – VOL. IV”
HD widescreen, 2005-2006, contains mature content including graphic images of torture, gore, violence, nudity and sex. Not for children
Best extra: Audio commentaries with writers and directors for each film.
THERE ARE HORROR FILMS – and then there is the material found on Starz’s series, “Masters of Horror.” We finish the first season on Blu-ray with the final four films on Volume Four. It starts with “Imprint,” genuinely disturbing material from Takashi Miike. There are moments of surreal beauty contrasted with images and a story of unrelenting revulsion. No matter how much you want to, it’s impossible to look away. Case copy advises that cable network refused to air this episode. That’s believable.
The story tells of an American, Billy Drago, who returns to Japan to find a prostitute, Michie Ito, he fell in love with. He arrives too late to save her from a terrible fate, learning of the nightmare ending from another brothel girl, Youki Kudoh. Effects are incredible up until the end. Still, this tale is shocking enough to stay with you a long, long time.
The presentation concludes with a tale written and directed by Mick Garris, creator of “Masters of Horror.” “Chocolate” is a strange and absorbing little tale starring Henry Thomas and Matt Frewer. Thomas, a lab rat who helps develop flavors for a food company, begins to experience the sensation of being someone and somewhere else. The mystery will keep viewers guessing and makes a splendid bookend.
Two other features include “Homecoming,” one of MoH’s best from Joe Dante (“Gremlins”) and “Haeckel’s Tale,” directed by John McNaughton (“Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer.” It’s based on a Clive Barker zombie story. George Romero was originally scheduled to direct, but Dante does a great job here.
— Kay Reynolds
The Virginian-Pilot
© December 28, 2007
“RUSH HOUR 3”
HD and standard-def widescreen, 2007, PG-13 for language, irreverent humor
Best extra: The deleted scenes and an alternate ending all available in hi-def. Both can be seen individually or all together (with or without commentary by director Brett Ratner and screenwriter Jeff Nathanson).
CHRIS TUCKER AND JACKIE Chan are back. Well, to a point. Tucker (Detective James Carter) has been demoted to simple traffic cop, while Chan (Inspector Lee) protects Chinese Ambassador Han (Tzi Ma reprising his role, from the first movie). Han speaks to an international criminal court, which could bring down the Triad mafia. The planned revelation is thwarted by an assassination attempt. Tucker forces himself into the situation, and, by now, you get the picture. Yes?
The Blu-ray disc includes top-notch picture and sound, but an unimpressive video commentary with Ratner and Nathanson – featuring only a few storyboards and behind-the-scenes footage.
The second disc is loaded with hours of extras all taped in HD. “The Making of Rush Hour 3” documentary runs for 90 minutes, divided into chapters, from writing to post-production. A 60-minute “Production Diary” highlights the action thriller from start to finish in Paris and Los Angeles, and, “Visual FX Reel” demonstrates the Eiffel Tower fight sequence, with plenty of seamless CGI.
The “Rush Hour” franchise continues as disposable, fun action flicks with enough stunts and gun battles to keep you from falling asleep.
— Cliff Redding
“THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION”
HD widescreen, 1974, 1976, 1994, unrated
Best extra: Vintage TV special “50 Years of MGM,” with the famed roll-call gala portrait featuring dozens of song-and-dance superstars that made MGM the dream factory.
GENE KELLY, FRED ASTAIRE, Judy Garland, James Stewart, Clarke Gable, Spencer Tracy, the Marx Brothers, Lana Turner, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Cyd Charisse, and the list keeps going and going – all in hi-def? That’s amazing.
The grand musicals of the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s were wasting away in their vaults. Hoping to bring some attention to the studio’s 50th anniversary, a documentary was planned for TV. After viewing thousands of miles of footage, the original concept was scrapped and the studio decided to release the greatest highlight reel onto the big screen.
From the genesis to Elvis, MGM gives it all – starting with “Hollywood Revue of 1929” with “Ukulele Ike” belting out “Singin’ in the Rain,” which became the studio’s theme song. Hosting the extravaganza of MGM’s stars: Kelly, Astaire, Stewart, Taylor, Debbie Reynolds and more introducing dozen of classic moments – which we’ve come to love. Yes, there’s Garland singing “Over the Rainbow,” Kelly swinging on the lamppost in “Singin’ in the Rain,” Astaire dancing on the ceiling in “Royal Wedding” and more for the next two hours in HD.
Many of the old black-and-white clips reveal excess film grain in hi-def, but the Technicolor classics “Gone with the Wind,” “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Singin’ in the Rain,” are spectacular. We can only hope Warner Bros. – that owns the rights to the MGM library – will release them in HD. They should be – good to go.
In 1974, moviegoers couldn’t get enough of “Entertainment,” so two years later, “That’s Entertainment II.” Astaire and Kelly dust off their dancing shoes for a fabulous number before introducing another great clip in HD. This time there are some nonmusical moments with Tracy and Hepburn, Greta Garbo, Gable, and the Marx Brothers in their funniest skits.
For a bonus, “Entertainment II,” features excerpts from “The Mike Douglas Show” with the host interviewing the superstars on MGM’s Stage 27, the home for the Vincente Minnelli’s 1954 musical “Brigadoon.”
Twenty years later, MGM released “That’s Entertainment III,” loaded mostly with outtakes and deleted songs. The disc features, 16 jukebox outtakes with Reynolds, Jimmy Durante, Horne, Jane Powell, Mel Torme, Sinatra and Garland.
This collection shouldn’t be missed – especially in HD (Blu-ray and HD DVD).
— Bill Kelley III
“THE LEGEND OF ZORRO”
HD widescreen, 2005, PG for sequences of violence, peril and action, language and a couple of suggestive moments
Best extra: Commentary from director Martin Campbell (“Casino Royale”) and cinematographer Phil Meheux. Entertaining and you’ll learn things, too.
THE CHEMISTRY IS still there between Antonio Banderas (Zorro) and Catherine Zeta-Jones (Mrs. Zorro). Adrian Alonso makes a fine young Zorro Jr. The stunts are cool and the brilliant Mexican scenery is great, especially on this HD (Blu-ray) presentation. The story is just a bit lame. It’s a fine family film but doesn’t quite stand up as a sequel to “The Mask of Zorro.”
Campbell tells us in commentary that fans have asked why Anthony Hopkins didn’t return for the sequel. The easy answer: Hopkins’ character died in the first film. “We thought about doing a kind of Obi Wan Kenobi type of thing,” he says.
“But it was just too much.”
Good choice, guys. The biggest problem here is an over abundance of plot. The Zorros get divorced? Nonsense! Maybe we should wait for “The Mask of Zorro” to come out on HD.
— Kay Reynolds
“MASTERS OF HORROR: SEASON ONE – VOL. IV”
HD widescreen, 2005-2006, contains mature content including graphic images of torture, gore, violence, nudity and sex. Not for children
Best extra: Audio commentaries with writers and directors for each film.
THERE ARE HORROR FILMS – and then there is the material found on Starz’s series, “Masters of Horror.” We finish the first season on Blu-ray with the final four films on Volume Four. It starts with “Imprint,” genuinely disturbing material from Takashi Miike. There are moments of surreal beauty contrasted with images and a story of unrelenting revulsion. No matter how much you want to, it’s impossible to look away. Case copy advises that cable network refused to air this episode. That’s believable.
The story tells of an American, Billy Drago, who returns to Japan to find a prostitute, Michie Ito, he fell in love with. He arrives too late to save her from a terrible fate, learning of the nightmare ending from another brothel girl, Youki Kudoh. Effects are incredible up until the end. Still, this tale is shocking enough to stay with you a long, long time.
The presentation concludes with a tale written and directed by Mick Garris, creator of “Masters of Horror.” “Chocolate” is a strange and absorbing little tale starring Henry Thomas and Matt Frewer. Thomas, a lab rat who helps develop flavors for a food company, begins to experience the sensation of being someone and somewhere else. The mystery will keep viewers guessing and makes a splendid bookend.
Two other features include “Homecoming,” one of MoH’s best from Joe Dante (“Gremlins”) and “Haeckel’s Tale,” directed by John McNaughton (“Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer.” It’s based on a Clive Barker zombie story. George Romero was originally scheduled to direct, but Dante does a great job here.
— Kay Reynolds