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Observer Showbiz DVD & Blu-Ray Recommendations
â—? Robert Downey Jnr as the legendary Sherlock Holmes and Jude Law as Dr Watson return in the fun-filled action-adventure Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows FILM: SHERLOCK HOLMES - A GAME OF SHADOWS: Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, Stephen Fry. Genre: Crime/Action/Adventure. Year: 2012. Rating: M. Running Time: 129 Minutes. Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: **** Verdict: Rousing follow-up to the 2009 box office hit this time has our delightfully eccentric super sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson join forces to outwit and bring down their fiercest adversary, Professor James Moriarty. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law punch a hole right through the screen, clearly having a great time and as a result everything clicks right into place, an outrageously fresh, funny, energetic, stylish tour-de-force that will not disappoint fans of the original thanks to the extraordinary and visually breathtaking and exhilarating imagination of director Guy Ritchie (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch and Rocknrolla). Supporting cast are all superb, most notably Noomi Rapace (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) and a scene stealing performance from Stephen Fry as Sherlock Holmes brother, Mycroft Holmes. Flawless set and production design, spectacular action sequences and effects all seamlessly combine to deliver an intelligent, thrilling, edge-of-your-seat, eye-popping adrenaline-pumping adventure full of thrills and punch that explodes with shattering impact from the first frame to the last. a wild ride, and will shake, rattle and rock your senses right to the core. Don't miss this one, it's a blast! FILM: 5 FINGERS: Cast: James Mason, Michael Rennie, Danielle Darrieux. Genre: Drama/Thriller. Year: 1952. Rating: PG. Running Time: 108 Minutes. Format: DVD. Stars: **** Verdict: Screen legend James Mason gives a compelling performance in this outstanding thriller based on an extraordinary true story set during WWII of an ambitious and highly efficient valet for a British ambassador who tires of being a servant and devises a plan to promote himself, with the help of a refugee Countess, by selling top secret information to the Nazis, after which he plans retire with the Countess as his wife. James Mason gives a breathlessly balanced and seemingly effortless performance that ranks with his best including North by Northwest, A Star is Born, Lolita and his masterpiece Odd Man Out. Superb direction by legendary eight time Oscar nominee and two time winner Joseph L. Mankiewicz (The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, All About Eve and Sleuth, to name a few) from a standout screenplay by Oscar winner screenwriter Michael Wilson (A Place in the Sun, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia and Planet of the Apes, among others) all come together make this is one of the most intelligent, captivating and enjoyable spy thrillers ever made! FILM: SHANGHAI: Genre: Drama/Mystery/Romance. Cast: John Cusack, Ken Watanabe, Chow Yun Fat, Gong Li, Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Year: 2010. Rating: MA15+. Running Time: 105 Minutes. Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: *** Verdict: An atmospheric 1940's period piece which revolves around an American who returns to Shanghai shortly before the attack on Pearl Harbor only to become embroiled in a corrupt political Japanese occupied Shanghai and discover the suspicious death of a friend, and while trying to unravel the mysteries of the death, in the seedy underbelly of the city he discovers a much larger secret that his own government is hiding. This is a well executed contemporary film-noir reflective mix in the vein of such classics as The Third Man, Casablanca, Odd Man Out, and many others, but sadly, misses the mark and does not reach anywhere near the status of those, however, it does have plenty to offer and should not be passed by. From mysterious clandestine meetings, dark rainy streets, spies and an impending world war, Shanghai has an excellent cast who all deliver with great vigour (it's great to see Japanese and Hong Kong screen legends Ken Watanabe and Chow Yun Fat on screen together), a beautifully filmed romantic-war-drama with well staged period detail, exciting action sequences, a good solid mix of thrills and chills, and sting in its tale.
Melbourne Observer - www.MelbourneObserver.com.au - Page 57
Movies, DVDs
With James Sherlock
Reviews by Aaron Rourke
THE DEVILS
â– (R) (1971). 107 minutes. Two Disc Special Edition available through BFI on U.K Region 2 DVD. Explosive in its subject matter and dazzling in its execution, The Devils is one of the most cinematically enveloping experiences ever made, created by a visually flamboyant filmmaker working at the peak of his powers. Causing outrage when released in 1971, the film, after long studio and censor battles which still continue to this day, has finally been given a deluxe DVD release, allowing moviegoers to see what is undoubtedly a masterpiece. Set in 17th-century France, we are introduced to a turbulant time in the country's history, where church and state united to destroy the authority of smaller local governments, so they could have almighty, unquestioned control of the nation. The church meet resistance in the town of Loudun, where Father Urbain Grandier (Oliver Reed) uses his newly appointed power to stop their protective walls from being pulled down. Locking horns with Officer of the Crown Baron de Lanbardemont (Dudley Sutton), who is working for Cardinal Richelieu (Christopher Logue), Grandier (who has also been abusing his position for self-gain) will see his career, life, and faith changed forever, especially when convent head Sister Jeanne (Vanessa Redgrave), obsessed with the handsome priest, is used by the Church and Crown to bring the increasingly honourable Father down, making Loudun an easy target. Working from the highly acclaimed play The Devils by John Whiting and the meticulously detailed 1952 historical novel The Devils Of Loudun by Aldous Huxley, screenwriter/director Ken Russell (Billion Dollar Brain / Women In Love / The Music Lovers / The Boy Friend / Altered States) has combined period fact with wild-eyed style and flair to incredible effect, allowing us to experience the complete hysteria that surrounded these welldocumented events. Showing political and religious corruption, how people can be brainwashed and manipulated, and seeing one person rise above his own failings to find an honest voice, Russell intertwines these themes beautifully, making a richly textured story that works on both a personal and political level. Only previously available on VHS in a terrible pan-and-scan transfer, this new DVD release is a revelation, showing viewers what a lavishly mounted production The Devils actually is. Presented in its proper aspect ratio of 2.35:1 with a clean, clear transfer, the look of the film is truly eye-popping (the extraordinary stain-glass lighting in some scenes is completely lost in the video version). The massive sets (which took up the entire backlot at Pinewood Studios) designed by the late Derek Jarman (who became a director himself, helming films such as Edward II and Jubilee), are majestic and imposing, vividly bringing this world to life, but also perfectly working in with Russell's surreal atmosphere. Being able to see these sets in their entirety helps make the director's
large-scale vision feel satisfyingly complete. Also standing out are the costumes by Shirley Russell, an exquisite blend of vibrants colours and striking blackand-white. All this is exceptionally well-captured by cinematographer David Watkin, whose brilliant work can now be fully appreciated with this release. An immersive, highly effective score by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, and split-second perfect editing by Russell regular Michael Bradsell is work of the highest order, making this one of the most magnificently crafted films to ever come out of Britain. Performances are outstanding, with Reed in career-best form, and Redgrave is easily as good here as she was in Julia (1977), for which she won her Oscar. The only downside is that this is not the complete, uncut version originally envisioned by Ken Russell. While noticeably longer (by several minutes) than the butchered U.S version, this is still shorn of two scenes that were re-instated in the restored Director's Cut, which was screened in the U.K in 2004 (there is also footage missing that Russell had to cut back before the movie was released in 1971). However, to have the film at least back in its original U.K theatrical version is a blessing in itself, and it will definitely do until we are able to see Russell's 2004 cut. BFI deserve special mention for getting this version released at all, and enormous praise for the quality of the film's presentation, as well as for the large number of extras. These include an entertaining audio commentary from director Russell (who sadly died in November 2011), U.K presenter Mark Kermode, editor Bradsell, and documentary filmmaker Paul Joyce; an involving 1971 making-of running 22 minutes; 8mm footage showing the construction of the massive sets which runs 8 minutes; an excellent 2002 documentary (made by Joyce and presented by Kermode) that goes into thorough detail about the film's production and subsequent controversy, running 48 minutes; a 12 minute Q & A session between Russell and Kermode filmed before the screening of the 2004 Director's Cut; and both the U.K and U.S theatrical trailer, showing two very different advertising campaigns between the two countries. There is also a 26-minute short film made by Russell in 1958 entitled Amelia And The Angel, which deals with religious themes in a much sweeter and whimsical manner. Also included is an informative 40page booklet. One of the most unfairly criticised and attacked films in cinema history, The Devils has finally received the kind of DVD release it deserves, and can now be seen in a wonderful transfer accompanied by numerous, well-detailed extras. Once maligned, this truly artistic film should now be regarded as a genuine classic. All we need now is for the Director's Cut (along with all the footage cut from the film as a deleted scenes extra) to be released on BluRay. (Note : A multi-region DVD player is required). RATING : ***** - Aaron Rourke
Melbourne
Observer
Top 10 Lists THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. THE AVENGERS. 2. THE LUCKY ONE. 3. THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL. 4. THE HUNGER GAMES. 5. AMERICAN PIE: REUNION. 6. BATTLESHIP. 7. DR. SEUSS' THE LORAX. 8. TITANIC 3D. 9. WISH YOU WERE HERE. 10. SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN. NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: MAY 3: ACT OF VALOR, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 3D, DELICACY, KING OF DEVIL'S ISLAND, LAST REEF 3D, MY AMERICA, THE FIVE YEAR, ENGAGEMENT, THE WOMAN IN THE FIFTH, W.E. MAY 10: ANTON CHEKHOV'S THE DUEL, DARK SHADOWS, IRON SKY, SAFE, TRISHNA. THE DVD TOP SELLERS: 1. WAR HORSE [Drama/War/Jeremy Irvine, Peter Mullan, Emily Watson]. 2. WE BOUGHT A ZOO [Drama/ Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson]. 3. THE ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN [Family/Animated/Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig]. 4. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL [Action/Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner]. 5. STRAW DOGS [2011/Crime/ Drama/James Marsden, Kate Bosworth]. 6. THE IRON LADY [Drama/Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent]. 7. HAPPY FEET TWO [Family/Animated/Robin Williams, Elijah Wood, Matt Damon]. 8. THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN - Part One [Drama/ Fantasy/Robert Pattinson]. 9. TOWER HEIST [Action/Comedy/ Matthew Broderick, Ben Stiller, Casey Affleck, Alan Alda]. 10. PUSS IN BOOTS [Animated/ Family/Antonio Banderas, Selma Hayek]. Also: REAL STEEL, ATTACK THE BLOCK, DRIVE, THE EYE OF THE STORM, DOLPHIN TALE, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, MONEYBALL, THE IDES OF MARCH, MACHINE GUN PREACHER, MELANCHOLIA. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD THIS WEEK: SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS [Adventure/Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law]. SHERLOCK HOLMES + SHERLOCK HOLMES: A Game of Shadows. THE DESCENDANTS [Drama/Comedy/George Clooney, Amara Miller, Shailene Woodley]. SHANGHAI [Drama/John Cusack, Kem Watanabe, Chow Yun Fat, Gong Li]. THE BANG BANG CLUB [Action/ Ryan Phillippe, Taylor Kitsch]. NEW & RE-RELEASE CLASSICS ON DVD HIGHLIGHTS: THE FIVE FINGERS: [Mystery/ Crime/Drama/James Mason]. THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES: [4 Movies + entire 39 Episode U.S. TV Series/Crime/Mystery/Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce]. Turn To Page 63