CHARLIE CHAN COLLECTION DVD REVIEW

The Charlie Chan character had a twenty year run in films, from 1929 to 1949. Based on a series of novels by Earl Derr Biggers, the Asian detective, who was portrayed by several actors, and the films produced by several studios over the years, remained a familiar screen presence.

The films in the 1930’s, from Fox, are widely considered to be the best. When Fox retired the series, it was picked up by Monogram. Monogram was known for its low budget films. While Sidney Toler returned as Charlie Chan, the films aren’t seen as the best in the series.

Four of the Monogram films are now being released in a 4 DVD set from Warner Home Video as part of the TCM SPOTLIGHT.

The films in this set are:

DARK ALIBI (1946) - A man is wrongly convicted of a bank robbery / murder with his fingerprints being planted at the crime scene. Chan, along with “Number Three Son” (Benson Fong) and his driver Birmingham (Mantan Moreland) help him solve the case. This is probably the best film of the four.

DANGEROUS MONEY (1946) - On a cruise, a man is murdered. Chan, “Number Two Son” (Victor Sen Young) and driver Chattanooga (Willie Best) investigate.

THE TRAP (1946) - In Toler’s final appearance as Chan, he looks into a murder at a beach house. Number Two Son and Birmingham again appear. This film shows the low budget nature of the film, with most of the outdoor scenes being shot without sound and poorly dubbed.

THE CHINESE RING (1947) - Roland Winters takes over the role of Chan. In this film, a princess is murdered while waiting to meet with Chan, in his home. Number Two Son and Birmingham once again help him.

While none of these films are likely to change the critical opinion of the Monogram years, the films aren’t without interest. Each running a little over an hour, they are entertaining, even if the mysteries never seem to completely work.

One word of caution. Aside from the fact that you have non-Asians in Asian roles, even more troubling is Chan’s African American driver, whose fear in different situations is played for laughs. While Mantan Moreland is always a welcome appearance, there are some cringe worthy moments from watching this stereotypical character.

WHAT IS ON THE DVD?

There are no extras.

SHOULD I BUY IT?



While not the greatest years of the Charlie Chan films, fans of the series should enjoy having some of the Monogram years on DVD.

THE CHARLIE CHAN COLLECTION will be available on DVD on June 8, 2010 from Warner Home Video.

PEANUTS THE 1970's COLLECTION VOLUME 2 DVD Review

After years of the PEANUTS specials being released on DVD in random collections, Warner Home Video continues their definitive collection, releasing the series in chronological order.

They are now up to the second volume of the specials from the 1970’s. This is a two DVD set.

The specials on this set are:

DISC ONE

BE MY VALENTINE, CHARLIE BROWN - A 1975 Valentine’s Day special, with Charlie Brown and the Little Red Haired Girl

YOU’RE A GOOD SPORT, CHARLIE BROWN - Also from 1975, this Emmy winning special was about, of all things, motorcross! Snoopy appeared as “the Masked Marvel”

IT’S ARBOR DAY, CHARLIE BROWN - What Ever Happened to Arbor Day? Charlie Brown made a special about it, yet it isn’t even talked about any more. This 1976 special has Charlie Brown’s baseball team landscaping the baseball field, complete with a tree on the pitcher’s mound.

DISC TWO

WHAT A NIGHTMARE, CHARLIE BROWN - Released on DVD for the first time, this 1978 special has Snoopy dreaming of being a sled dog. This is mainly a Snoopy cartoon.

IT’S YOUR FIRST KISS, CHARLIE BROWN - A football themed special from 1977 with Charlie Brown having to kiss the Homecoming Queen, the Little Red Haired Girl.

YOU’RE THE GREATEST, CHARLIE BROWN - From 1979 comes this special with the gang competing in the decathlon.



There is one special feature on Disc Two

YOU’RE GROOVY, CHARLIE BROWN: A LOOK AT PEANUTS IN THE 1970’s (18:24) - A look at the creation of the cartoon, with Jean Schulz, the widow of Charles “Sparky” Schulz, gives a tour of his studio and talks about the licensing of the cartoon. There is a lot of great archival footage here.

SHOULD I BUY IT?

Another fine volume in the series that is well worth buying.

PEANUTS: 1970’s COLLECTION VOLUME 2 will be released June 1, 2010.

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO: LANCE GUEST

Lance Guest may be best known today for a film he made in 1984, which may still be his biggest role.

A couple weeks ago, I had someone raving to me about an actor they just saw. In looking who it was, I was surprised to see it was Lance Guest! I have to admit, I wasn't aware he was still out there.

Lance began acting in the early 80’s, in TV shows like DALLAS. This led to roles in films like HALLOWEEN II and I OUGHT TO BE IN PICTURES and on TV in LOU GRANT and ST. ELSEWHERE.


His breakthrough came in 1984, with THE LAST STARFIGHTER. A classic science fiction film for a generation, he starred with Catherine Mary Stewart and Robert Preston.

This led to a few more films, like the Kristy McNichol film JUST THE WAY YOU ARE, JAWS THE REVENGE, and THE WIZARD OF LONELINESS.

There was some TV work, recurring roles on KNOT’S LANDING and LIFE GOES ON, and an occasional episode of THE X FILES, JAG and NYPD BLUE.

But there was nothing at quite the level of STARFIGHTER.

SO, WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO HIM?

Lance never really went anywhere. He continues to act. There are several independent films and TV series from the past decade, so he is active.

But where he is working today is a lot more interesting.



Lance is playing Johnny Cash in the Tony Award nominated Broadway play MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET. Someone I know recently saw it and was raving about the guy who played Johnny Cash. When I read the Playbill, I saw his name. He has many other stage credits listed, so he has been very busy.

I was always a huge fan of STARFIGHTER. While a stage actor may not get the exposure worldwide that a film actor does, it is far more rewarding. I'm glad to see he is out there.

You can visit the Million Dollar Quartet website here.

FORGOTTEN FILM: WHEN MICHAEL CALLS (1972)

One of the strangest moments in my years in school came in 8th Grade, when my English teacher handed everybody a copy of the book WHEN MICHAEL CALLS by John Farris. It was the same cover as posted above. It was to be one of our assigned readings that year.

Almost thirty years later, I still have no idea why this book was assigned reading. It was a sleazy, trashy, psychological thriller. Sub Stephen King in the literary department. Today, the book is out of print and there is only a single one star review on Amazon, calling it a "bizarrely lazy thriller".

The class didn't get much out of the discussion, and I forgot about it over the years. The story had something to do with a woman getting phone calls from her nephew, who had been dead for 15 years (and I had to read some of the online reviews to even remember that). I remember the ending being ridiculous, involving hypnosis or something.

There was one thing I remember about the film, it was made into a 1972 TV movie. We watched part of it in class, on those big oversized pre-VHS school videotape machines. We only saw the first part as the second part had been taped over. It was no loss.

A pre-stardom Michael Douglas starred along with Elizabeth Ashley and Ben Gazzara. Director Philip Leacock had a long career in television. He worked on episodes of GUNSMOKE, FANTASY ISLAND, THE PAPER CHASE, EIGHT IS ENOUGH, FAMILY and more. He also directed a very good 1980 TV movie ANGEL CITY with an early performance by Jennifer Jason Leigh.

The film was adapted by James Bridges who would the next year adapt and direct the film version of THE PAPER CHASE and go on to make THE CHINA SYNDROME, URBAN COWBOY, MIKE'S MURDER and BRIGHT LIGHTS BIG CITY.

Because of Douglas, the film, which is often retitled SHATTERED SILENCE, was issued on VHS and DVD. It appears to now be out of print, which is no big loss. I also remember it airing on A&E in the late 80's and early 90's. I never cared enough to see the rest.

Considering all the authors that we never read in school, why we even bothered with this book, I will never know.

THE LION ROARS AGAIN (1975)

One of the many great things about Turner Classic Movies are the little shorts that air between films. Recently they showed THE LION ROARS AGAIN.

This is about the 1975 International Press Conclave. Press from around the world gathered at the MGM Culver City Studios to hear about the studio’s upcoming films.

1975 was a very different time. The President of the studio stood in front of the journalists at the podium with a cigarette in his hand. There were no laptops or cell phones to be seen. And, the buffet looked like it was made up of tomatoes and meat loaf.

Among the highlights, the journalists toured the set of the in production LOGAN’S RUN. There, they had a fashion show of the costumes for the film. The male model who wore Michael York’s costume? It was none other than David Hasselhoff!

Gene Kelly announced THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT 2. Fred Astaire and other MGM stars appeared at lunch to talk with journalists about it.

Next up was a look at a film called ALL AMERICAN GIRL that was just about to go into production. It was to be directed by Jerry Schatzberg and starring Stockard Channing. I didn’t think this was ever made, but it turns out, not only was it made, but it has already been featured here as a “Forgotten Film” under its other title, SWEET REVENGE.

There was a trip to a Beverly Hills Country Club where George Burns sang to promote THE SUNSHINE BOYS. And a Western set promoted the little known today Western HEARTS OF THE WEST with Jeff Bridges and Andy Griffith.

The night ended with a screening of the John Milius film THE WIND AND THE LION, with the cast and other luminaries (including Francis Ford Coppola and Richard Pryor) in attendance.

THE LION ROARS AGAIN is a time capsule of the way junkets used to be done. There were no internet critics, no one blogging each and every moment. Instead, there was just this 16mm film, preserved for the ages.

FORGOTTEN TV: PEARL (1996-1997)

After the end of CHEERS in 1993, Rhea Perlman took a couple years off before returning to sitcoms with her own series named PEARL in 1996.

Perlman played a middle aged woman who returns to college. Much of the show centered on her philosophy class where the Professor was played by Malcolm McDowell. Yes, the star of A CLOCKWORK ORANGE and CALIGULA was in a sitcom, and was very good too! Also in the cast were Lucy Liu and Carol Kane as Pearl's sister in law. To be honest, I had forgotten they were in the show.

I do remember two other cast members.

Kevin Corrigan was a student. This was in the mid 90’s when he was something of an indie film darling, the male Parker Posey. Also in the cast was Nikki Cox. According to some sources, she was only in two episodes, but I’m pretty sure she was in more than that. This aired while her other sitcom, UNHAPPILY EVER AFTER was on the air.

As far as sitcoms go, PEARL was a lot better than it might sound. It was smart, and very funny. From the creators of GOLDEN GIRLS, with writers from THE JOHN LARROQUETTE SHOW and MASH and even DANGER BAY and DOUBLE TROUBLE, it never really found its audience.

Proof that no one was watching came from this dialogue, from a discussion between Corrigan and Cox. They are in class, and are told to exchange tests and grade each others papers.

COX: Don’t flunk me.

CORRIGAN: Yeah, I’ll flunk you. (Quietly) I wouldn’t mind flunking you all night long.

I could never believe they got away with that line.

PEARL ran only 22 episodes on CBS. It went off the air in 1997 and hasn’t been seen since. It was never released on DVD.



Here is a Youtube clip from the series with Malcolm McDowell reteaming with his A CLOCKWORK ORANGE co-star Aubrey Morris.

IRON MAN 2 (2010)

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

The further adventures of Tony Stark / Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr). This time, he battles Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke). Scarlett Johasson joins in the fun. Gwyneth Paltrow returns as Pepper Potts.

WHO MADE IT?

Based on the comic book, it was written by Justin Theroux. Theroux is better known as an actor (MULHOLLAND DRIVE) but also wrote TROPIC THUNDER.

It was directed by Jon Favreau, director of the original as well as well as MADE and ELF. Favreau will always be best known to some as the star of SWINGERS.

IS IT ANY GOOD?

I saw IRON MAN 2 last weekend.

It is a week later and I am only now posting a review.

That kind of tells you what I thought of it.

The film was kind of fun. But, it was also very forgettable. A week later, I can only remember a few scenes from it.

If you liked the first, you have probably already seen it. If you haven't gotten out to see it yet, there really should be no rush. You can see it on DVD.

It isn't a bad film, just not very memorable.

VALENTINE'S DAY (2010) Blu-Ray Review

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

Set on Valentine’s Day in Los Angeles, the film follows a group of characters through various romantic misadventures.

The cast includes Jessica Alba, Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, Eric Dane, Patrick Dempsey, Hector Elizondo, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Topher Grace, Anne Hathaway, Ashton Kutcher, Queen Latifah, Taylor Lautner, George Lopez, Shirley MacLaine, Emma Roberts, Julia Roberts and Taylor Swift.

WHO MADE IT?

The film was written by Katherine Fugate, writer of the film THE PRINCE AND ME as well as the TV series ARMY WIVES. It was based on a story by Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein, the writers of HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU and NEVER BEEN KISSED.

It was directed by Garry Marshall, creator of HAPPY DAYS and LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY and director of films such as YOUNG DOCTORS IN LOVE, THE FLAMINGO KID, PRETTY WOMAN and THE PRINCESS DIARIES.

IS IT ANY GOOD?

In the late 70’s and 80’s, THE LOVE BOAT was a very popular series. Each episode had an all star (at least for TV) cast in various comic and romantic storylines. The show has been off the air for many years, but is still fondly remembered.

Last year, HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU opened. It followed a similar formula, multiple characters, a big name cast, and it did well at the box office. It did so well that the producers have created a companion film of sorts. This time, it is all set on Valentine’s Day.

Like HJNTIY, the stories are hit and miss. They are more miss than hit.

But, with the cast, many viewers aren’t likely to mind. Julia Roberts? Anne Hathaway? Ashton Kutcher? Even Taylor Swift (who is quite funny)? It makes for a rather inoffensive film.

Director Garry Marshall knows how to make an audience film. He may never become a favorite with critics, and this won’t do much to help him their either. At 125 minutes, it is a bit overlong.

But, I did love Julia’s final line during the credits.

WHAT IS ON THE BLU-RAY?

The Blu-Ray is a 2 disc set, the film on the Blu-Ray and a second DVD / digital file.

The extras on the Blu-Ray are

There is a commentary track by Garry Marshall.

BLOOPER REEL (5:47) - A nicely produced collection of bloopers and behind the scenes footage.

DELETED SCENES (14:45) - 14 deleted scenes, with an optional introduction by Marshall.  Garry's sister Penny gets a scene as well.

THE STARS CONFESS THEIR VALENTINE’S DAY STORIES (6:27) - The cast members talk about the day.

THE GARRY FACTOR (5:03) - The cast talks about Garry Marshall. Even his critics may agree, it is hard not to like him.

STAY HERE FOREVER Music Video by Jewel (3:10) - Not a bad song. Makes you wonder where Jewel has gone.

SNEAK PEEK: SEX AND THE CITY 2 (2:49) - Extended trailer for the film.

SHOULD I BUY IT?

If this sounds like your type of film, you are probably going to like it. If not, there is no reason to see it.

VALENTINE’S DAY will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray on May 18, 2010 from New Line / Warner Home Video. It will also be available On Demand and for Download.

FORGOTTEN FILM: SHORT TIME (1990)

In 1990, the film SHORT TIME was featured on one of the TV movie review programs. Watching it, I was surprised to see this film reviewed, and yet it didn’t open at any of my area theaters. How could a comedy with Dabney Coleman, with what seemed like a funny premise, not open?

It took 20 years, but I finally was able to see it.

Dabney Coleman plays Burt Simpson. Burt is part of that old movie cliche, a cop only days away from retirement. He is overly cautious, wearing double bullet proof vests. When going in for a blood test for an insurance exam, he is misdiagnosed as having a rare blood disease and only has days left to live.

Burt is estranged from his wife (Teri Garr) and son. He wants to leave them something. With a big insurance policy, that will only pay out if he is killed in the line of duty, he takes on double shifts to try to make this happen. He tries to take down the most dangerous criminals (including Joe Pantoliano as an arms dealer) so that he will be killed and his family will get the money.

Matt Frewer (MAX HEADROOM) plays Burt’s partner and Barry Corbin is the police captain. The film also uses Steve Winwood’s “Roll With It” as its theme song, with father and son singing along to it at one point.

While SHORT TIME is essentially a big cliche, it is actually kind of fun. There are some great chase scenes. The shifts in tone may be a bit much, from scenes of Coleman imagining the future of his family without him, to big explosions and such. But, for the most part, it works.

A big reason is because of the casting of both Dabney Coleman and Teri Garr. Both were big stars in the 1980’s, even starring together in TOOTSIE, but have been quiet lately. To see them again is to realize how much movie screens have been missing them. Coleman could play the whole smarmy wise guy perfectly. And Garr is as winning as she usually is.

The writers, John Blumenthal and Michael Berry would only have one other credit, the Martin Lawrence comedy BLUE STREAK released nine years later.

Director Gregg Champion, the son of Broadway legends Marge and Gower Champion, and stepbrother of the Sagal twins, began working in production on several John Badham films (WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY, BLUE THUNDER, to STAKEOUT, shots of which are used in SHORT TIME). He made his directing debut with SHORT TIME. Champion would go on to direct THE COWBOY WAY as well as a lot of TV.

Released theatrically by Fox, SHORT TIME has yet to make it to DVD. It was last released on VHS in the early 1990’s. It is available on DVD in the UK.

The GREASE 2 Question: What Happened To Michael?

GREASE 2 has long been one of my favorite films. I’ve probably seen it more than any other film. Thanks to its never ending run on cable one summer, I wouldn’t be surprised if I have seen it over 100 times.

That said, there is one thing that has always bothered me about it. One question I have always had. And, I think I finally have an answer.

If you remember the film, and I’m sure you do, near the end, Michael (Maxwell Caulfield) is dressed as the “Cool Rider” and goes to pick up Stephanie (Michelle Pfeiffer) at the Talent Show. Instead, he is driven off by the T-Birds, chased down the street before going off the cliff.

Stephanie thinks he has gone to “Biker Heaven” and sings “Love Will Turn Back the Hands Of Time” about her loss.

Michael isn’t seen again until the end, when he appears at the Luau to save the school from Balmudo and his friends.

What bothered me about this is:

What happened at the Talent Show?

Michael had played the piano for many acts during the auditions. During the song “Charade”, he is approached by several of them to play during the finals. He seemingly agrees.

Yet, when it comes to the talent show, none of the acts are saying “Where’s Michael?”

And, you can hear his piano during “Girl For All Seasons”. But, he is never seen.

Was Michael there? Did someone else play the piano?

After 100 times, this started to bother me.

The answer to what really happened can be found in a few different places.

There is a scene during the Luau, a crowd shot of the school around the pool. It lasts for only a second.

If you look closely at the lower right corner, you can see Michael standing and eating cotton candy!!

You can only notice this on the widescreen DVD if you hit pause.

Since 95% of the viewings I had are from the panned and scanned TV print, where this is cut off, I never even noticed this. But, I just read this on the Grease2.net website. The site also mentions that Michael is one of those who is carrying Stephanie and Johnny into the pool. I don’t know about this one, as the one guy who looks like him is only on screen for less than a second.

Another bit of evidence comes again from the Grease2.net website again. They have stills from a deleted scene where Michael helps Stephanie off the stage after “Love Will Turn Back the Hands of Time”.

And, in the novelization, which is based on the screenplay before it was filmed, there is a scene where Michael approaches Stephanie backstage at the Talent Show and tries to tell her his real identity. She is too distraught from thinking Cool Rider is dead and ignores him. Later in the book but not in the film, Michael and Frenchie have a talk at the Luau.

So, Michael was intended to be alive the whole time.

I think that it was a very smart move to eliminate these scenes. There IS a bit of suspense thinking “Is Michael gone?” . Showing him backstage at the Talent Show makes his rising from the top of the Luau booth at the end less dramatic.

Another thank you to Grease2.net for pointing this out to me. They were a big help when I planned the Grease 2 25 Anniversary Blogathon a few years ago and continue to be the best GREASE 2 site on the web.

LOUIS L'AMOUR WESTERN COLLECTION DVD Review

Louis L'Amour may not get the critical attention he deserves. His writing was primarily in the Western genre, not particularly a favorite of critics. And, he was always very popular. If people in airports are reading him, he can't be a serious writer, can he?

Because of this, he truly is one of the most underrated writers in the past century.

There are passages in some of his novels, especially in later works like his masterpiece THE WALKING DRUM, that are beautifully written. You could pick up virtually any of his books and find yourself entertained.

His books served as the basis for many films. From John Wayne's HONDO to plenty of cable films today, his films translated to the big screen well.

Now, Warner Home Video has packaged three films based on his works for THE LOUIS L'AMOUR WESTERN COLLECTION, a 4 DVD set. Two of the films are TV movies and the third is a theatrical feature. They have all been released previously, but this packages them at a lower price than even two of them bought individually.

CATLOW is the lone theatrical feature, from 1971. It followed a sheriff (Richard Crenna) trying to track down the title character (played by Yul Brynner in one of his lightest performances). Also looking for Catlow is a bearded (and even at one point naked) Leonard Nimoy.

This film features the original theatrical trailer, voiced by the great Ernie Anderson.

THE SACKETTS was a two part TV film from 1979. It was based on two of L'Amour's novels, THE DAYBREAKERS and SACKETT It starred Sam Elliot and Tom Selleck as brothers moving west, following them through gold prospecting and settling the west.

This is on two DVDs. With a supporting cast that includes Western legends Glenn Ford, Ben Johnson, Jack Elam, L.Q. Jones, Slim Pickens, Patt Buttram, and Buck Taylor, this has long been a favorite of Western fans.

1991's CONAGHER was another TV film starring Sam Elliott. This was the first film released after L'Amour's 1988 passing and the film is dedicated to him (his daughter also appears in the film).

Elliott stars with his real life wife, Katharine Ross (of BUTCH CASSIDY fame) in this story of a drifter who protects a widow from rustlers.

SHOULD I BUY IT?

For the L'Amour fan, this should be a fine addition to their DVD library.

THE LOUIS L'AMOUR WESTERN COLLECTION will be available on DVD May 18, 2010 from Warner Home Video.

EDGE OF DARKNESS (2010) Blu-Ray Review

WHAT IS ABOUT?

Mel Gibson plays a Boston detective. After his daughter is gunned down on his front porch, he has to find out if the killer was after him, or if it had something to do with his daughter’s work at Northmoor, a defense contractor run by Danny Huston.

WHO MADE IT?



It was adapted from the British miniseries by William Monahan (THE DEPARTED) and Andrew Bovell (LANTANA).

It was directed by Martin Campbell (GOLDENEYE, CASINO ROYALE) who also directed the original mini series.

IS IT ANY GOOD?

I should admit up front that I live in Western Massachusetts near where parts of EDGE OF DARKNESS was filmed. Being a movie fan, in an area where films aren’t normally shot, it is always fun to see the area on film. Even if the film itself isn’t very good.

I followed the filming of EDGE OF DARKNESS. Unfortunately, many of the scenes that were shot locally ended up on the cutting room floor.

The area is still shown in the film. Mel Gibson’s daughter lives in Northampton where a few scenes are set, and Danny Huston’s office is located atop an area mountain.

The film itself is messy but watchable.

It could have done without a lot of the sequences with Mel talking to his dead daughter along with the flashback sequences.  If it had kept to a straight police thriller it would have been better.

Danny Huston's character, with his mountaintop lair, is like something from a Bond film.  One sequence seems almost stolen from GOLDFINGER.   And then there is the ending that achieves high camp.

Mel is fine in the film. After his could-have-been-career-ruining-exploits he acquits himself well.

When I saw the film theatrically, it played well to the packed matinee crowd, all there to see the area on film. Shots of downtown Northampton caused murmurs in the crowd.  Seeing it in Springfield, a character saying they had to go to Springfield was well received.  One line “Everything is illegal in Massachusetts” got some laughs. 

One of the bad guys in the film is a Masschusetts Senator, a Republican. That would have been seen as a fantasy up until a few months ago. Although he seems to be doing a John Kerry accent.

WHAT IS ON THE BLU-RAY?

This is a 2 disc set. There is the Blu-Ray as well as a DVD / digital file combination disc.

The extras on the Blu-Ray are:

DELETED SCENES (5:23) - Four deleted scenes. Surprisingly, there were several scenes shot locally that were seen briefly in the trailer that are not among the deleted scenes.

MEL’S BACK (4:00) - Mel Gibson returns to the screen.

MAKING A GHOST CHARACTER REAL (3:32) - A discussion of one element of the film.

SCORING THE EDGE OF DARKNESS (3:29) - Howard Shore discusses composing the soundtrack.

REVISITING THE EDGE OF DARKNESS MINI SERIES (2:32) - Director Martin Campbell discussed his original mini-series.

ADAPTING THE EDGE OF DARKNESS MINI SERIES (3:32) - How the mini series was adapted to a feature film.

THOMAS CRAVEN’S WAR OF ATTRITION (4:48) - Discussing Mel Gibson’s character.

BOSTON AS A CHARACTER (2:57) - The crew discusses filming in Boston (NOTE: much of the footage shown in this featurette, including the shots of the streets, is actually of Northampton MA, 90 minutes to the West of Boston).

DIRECTOR PROFILE MARTIN CAMPBELL (3:21) - A look at the director.

EDGE OF YOUR SEAT (2:36) - More on the action elements of the story.

SHOULD I BUY IT?



Mel Gibson fans and residents of Massachusetts are sure to enjoy this a lot more than others. It has its moments however, no matter where you live.


EDGE OF DARKNESS will be available on Blu-Ray and DVD on May 11, 2010 from Warner Home Video.

Katharine Hepburn Stamp

The United States Postal Service has announced that Katharine Hepburn will be getting her own stamp.

It will be available on May 12th at your local post office, or you can pre-order it here.

Also on May 12, there will be a First-Day-of-Issue dedication ceremony at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook Connecticut. The ceremony, which will feature Sam Waterston and LION IN WINTER director Anthony Harvey, will be held at 11 a.m.

GAMERA - THE GIANT MONSTER (1965) DVD Review

In today’s world of hundreds of cable channels and on demand content, we are essentially depriving us of the variety of TV programming that was such a part of television even back in the late 70’s and earliest days of the 80’s. Don’t like what is on TV? There is always something else on.

Back thirty years ago there were only three or four channels. Sometimes, you didn’t have much choice. Because of that, you would often watch whatever was showing.

This was the time where the afternoon movie was popular. Before cable, films were often shown at 4 in the afternoon, after school. One of the big genres of films was the monster movie.

There were the Godzilla films. There was Mothra. And, there was Gamera. With the people in rubber suits, bad dubbing, and overall silliness, these were always fun to watch.

Gamera was a turtle like monster, breathing fire, that waged war against the countryside after having been woken by the crash landing of a nuclear bomber.

GAMERA: THE GIANT MONSTER is now being released on DVD for the first time in its original Japanese version, complete with subtitles and letterboxed for the first time. For the US release, American actors were added, increasing the running time, and it was dubbed into English.

To be completely honest, to many, the dubbed version may be preferable. Unfortunately, it isn’t available here. It is out on a cheap DVD of its own.

This version looks quite good. Too good, because you can now see every string pulling along the little miniature fighter planes and other models used in making the film.

Maybe that makes up for the lack of dubbing.

WHAT IS ON THE DVD?

The film has an audio commentary by a genre historian.  This is a very interesting talk about the film that tells you everything you wanted to know, even more than you wanted to know, about the film.

It contains a Japanese documentary on the series, A LOOK BACK AT GAMERA (23:11)

There is also a publicity gallery as well as the trailers for the film.

SHOULD I BUY IT?

For those that remember the film, it is fun to see it in the way it was originally intended too.

GAMERA: THE GIANT MONSTER will be available on DVD May 18, 2010 from Shout! Factory.

IRON MAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES and X MEN VOLUME 5 (1994-1996) DVD Reviews

Two new Marvel animated sets on the way from Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

With the IRON MAN films being incredibly popular, many be unaware that his story has already been told in animated form.

The animated series IRON MAN ran in syndication from 1994 to 1996. Robert Hays, of AIRPLANE fame, voiced Tony Stark / Iron Man. In each episode, he fought a series of enemies, Mandarin, Whirlwind, Hypnotia, Dreadknight and more. He is helped by a team that includes Spider Woman, Hawkeye and Scarlet Witch. Hulk even appears.

This 3 DVD set contains the entire 26 episode, two season run of the series on 3 discs. The show was retooled after season one, with the animation and characters changing slightly. Stark got longer hair and the suit was a bit different.

This isn't quite the same IRON MAN that we see in the films. For one, it is a bit too busy, with too many enemies and friends fighting with him. It lacks the focus of the films. But, this may make it more tolerable for younger audiences.

X MEN has always been one of the most popular of Marvel's heroes line. And, this series may be a bit better known. It aired on Fox from 1992-1997

This is Volume 5 featuring episodes 63-76. It is a 2 DVD set. In looking into it, the episodes appear to be in the air date order rather than production order. I wouldn't have known the difference, but some seem to be bothered by it.

The standout episode appears to be "Old Soldiers" featuring Captain America. The rest of the episodes in the set are taken from, for the most part, the final season of the series.

For both series, the animation may be a bit too 90's afternoon TV. But if you are looking to critique the series, you are probably too old for it.

SHOULD I BUY THEM?

The Marvel Superheroes continue to be popular with young audiences. These sets should be welcome additions to their library.

IRON MAN THE COMPLETE ANIMATED SERIES and X MEN VOLUME 5 will be available on DVD May 4, 2010 from Buena Vista Home Entertainment.