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Less filling than our full-length reviews but still informative, our DVD capsule reviews offer technical and supplemental information for each release, along with a quick look at whether the title is any good and/or entertaining or enjoyable.
BATMAN THE MOVIE
Long before Tim Burton, Michael Keaton and a whole slew of technicians and artists gave the Caped Crusader a big budget update and spawned too many sequels, Adam West, Burt Young and a terrific collection of guest stars envisioned Batman in an entirely different light in the campy TV series that ran from 1966 to 1968 (with two episodes per week). Designed to entertain kids and adults alike, the series was a hit, re-created a cultural comic book icon, and even spawned a feature length movie that hit the big screen after the end of the first TV season. With a bigger budget look and more cool bat gadgets - some of which made their way back into the TV show - the film opened up the story potential beyond what a half-hour show could provide. Yet, in this case, bigger and longer doesn't necessarily translate into better and the 20-some minute episodes of the show proved that a little bit of kitsch and camp do indeed go a long way. Several times that length does begin to wear a bit thin, and trying to sustain the charm of the TV show for 105 or so minutes is a bit of a chore. Nevertheless, die-hard fans of the show will probably enjoy what's offered here, as the little seen film provides just more of what they found entertaining in the series, including the action and unique humor that everyone now associates with the show.
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Length: 124 minutes
Screen Formats: 1.85:1, 16x9 Languages: English, French Subtitles: English Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 Sides: 1 |
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Nominated for 6 Academy Awards and winner of 4 (Best Picture, Director, Supporting Actor and Adapted Screenplay), this 1980 big screen version of author Judith Guest's novel easily could have been the stuff of TV soap opera melodrama. Fortunately, it mostly avoids that, thanks to Alvin Sargent's screenplay and actor Robert Redford's accomplished first turn behind the camera.
Yet, there's nothing terribly complex about the story or its execution and the film may seem rather boring and incredibly slow to many of today's moviegoers weaned on more visually stimulating or at least faster moving stories. That said, the performances are all first-rate - with Mary Tyler Moore being an inspired choice for the icy mother part since it played so against her type at the time - and if given the time, the film does become more intriguing and engaging as it unfolds.
Ordinary People is now available for purchase by clicking here.
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Length: 118 minutes
Screen Formats: 1.85:1, 16x9 Languages: English, French, Spanish Subtitles: English, French, Spanish Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Sides: 1 |
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That prisoner is Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant, but demented cannibal who agrees to help Starling if she'll feed his morbid curiosity with details of her own complicated life. But as their relationship develops, Starling if forced to confront not only her own hidden demons, but also an evil so powerful that she may not have the courage, or strength, to stop it.
Setting the gold standard for all serial killer flicks and inspiring a slew of inferior imitators and rip-off pictures, this film earned both critical and popular acclaim, as well as 7 Oscar nominations (winning for Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Adapted Screenplay).
Based on Thomas Harris' novel and the sequel, of sorts, to his earlier work, "Manthunter" and the Michael Mann adaptation of it, the film features standout performances from Foster ("Anna and the King," "Contact") and Hopkins ("Hannibal," "Meet Joe Black"), a terrific screenplay by Ted Tally ("All the Pretty Horses," "The Juror") and superb direction from Jonathan Demme ("Beloved," "Philadelphia"), all of which elevate the material to a higher status than was previously associated with the genre. In lesser hands, the film easily could have sunken into exploitative cheap thrills or camp, coming off as mundane or even silly.
Yet, most everything about it works, and the film certainly benefits from the brilliant interplay between Hopkins and Foster's vastly different characters. They represent what's arguably the best antagonistic pairing every put on film. The dual plotline - the young FBI rookie dealing with the canny prisoner while trying to track down and capture the at-large serial killer - certainly and constantly keeps things intriguing and engaging from start to finish.
Simply put, if you enjoy terrific and intelligent work both in front of and behind the camera, you won't be disappointed with this brilliant film or its presentation on DVD with its many informative supplemental materials.
The Silence of the Lambs is now available for purchase by clicking here.
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Length: 84 minutes
Screen Formats: 1.85:1, 16x9 Languages: English Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 Sides: 1 |
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Open auditions result in a talented local cast including Dr. Pearl, the dentist (Eugene Levy), travel agents Ron and Sheila Albertson (Fred Willard and Catherine O'Hara), Dairy Queen counter girl Libby Mae Brown (Parker Posey), a local mechanic (Matt Keeslar), and a retired taxidermist (Lewis Arquette).
Under the eyes of a documentary crew that is capturing the "sesquicentennial" events, Corky has designed a show that will salute Blaine's historical highlights - the founding of the little town with a big heart, its reputation as the Stool Capital of the World and, not to be forgotten, Blaine's UFO encounter/potluck dinner of 1946. As the various participants pin their hopes on being discovered, the big question is when will Guffman arrive?
Like writer/director Christopher Guest's more popular and recognized follow-up film, "Best in Show," this 1996 mockumentary focuses on the day to day activities and eccentricities of a diverse collection of people brought together for a big event. As was the case in "Show," the fun stems from the inspired, witty and often goofy and/or quirky performances from the likes of Guest ("This is Spinal Tap"), Levy (the "American Pie" films), Willard ("Best in Show") and Posey ("Josie and the Pussycats"), among many others.
Yet, it also comes from the fact that they take the main event - in this case, the 150th anniversary of their town - quite seriously, and make us believe, in a comedic fashion, of course, that it's a near life or death deal for them. Cute, charming and occasionally quite funny, these films prove that Guest has nailed this particular comedy sub-genre. For those who like comical, slice of small town Americana spoofs, you won't go wrong with this picture.
Waiting for Guffman is now available for purchase by clicking here.
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