Some of the Blu-Ray And DVD Review Round-up. Delve into a world of compelling storytelling as these acclaimed filmmakers’ works come to life, offering an enriching and captivating viewing experience for cinephiles everywhere.
Hu Bo, a visionary Chinese filmmaker, left an indelible mark on cinema with his acclaimed work “An Elephant Sitting Still.”
His profound storytelling and masterful direction brought to life a poignant narrative that resonated deeply with audiences worldwide.
Billy Woodberry, known for his groundbreaking film “Bless Their Little Hearts,” has carved a distinguished path in cinema with his thought-provoking exploration of African American life and culture.
His evocative storytelling and keen insight into the human experience have earned him widespread acclaim.
Josef von Sternberg, a trailblazing filmmaker of the classic Hollywood era, redefined the visual language of cinema with his iconic collaborations with Marlene Dietrich in films such as “The Blue Angel” and “Morocco.”
His unparalleled directorial prowess and innovative approach to storytelling elevated the art of filmmaking.
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An Elephant Sitting Still (大象席地而坐, 2019) KimStim
It’s inconceivable to divorce the art from the artist when experiencing Hu Bo’s “An Elephant Sitting Still,” a poignant testament to the late director’s artistic prowess and inner turmoil, culminating in his tragic suicide at the young age of 29.
Within this elegant and resolute masterpiece, the characters’ lives intertwine in a web of despair, mirroring Hu’s own struggles, with the film’s somber tone permeating every frame.
Despite occasional glimpses of light, their rarity amplifies their impact, underscoring the overwhelming darkness that engulfs the narrative.
While Hu’s insistence on the film’s nearly four-hour length clashed with the producers, it proved indispensable to its thematic depth.
Rather than feeling like a test of endurance, Hu’s graceful long shots infuse the film with a compelling warmth, drawing viewers into the characters’ repetitive yet gripping predicaments.
Through the intertwined stories of Wei Bu, Yu Cheng, Huang Ling, and Wang Jin, Hu skillfully navigates themes of bullying, gang dynamics, domestic turmoil, and familial abandonment, weaving a tapestry of human struggle and resilience against a backdrop of unrelenting despair.
The film revolves around the tale of an unyielding elephant in the Mongolian city of Manzhouli, enduring relentless mistreatment without flinching.
Hu’s depiction of modern China is unrelentingly bleak, a world where familial cruelty, unreliable friends, and the callous indifference of strangers converge to create an oppressive environment.
This pervasive miserablism weighs heavily on the four protagonists, who stoically accept their harsh reality while exhibiting occasional cracks in their façades.
The film’s most despairing shot, a haunting tour through a desolate nursing home, encapsulates its unflinching portrayal of human suffering, reflecting the artist’s willingness to bare his soul.
KimStim’s Blu-ray release presents the film in a 1080p, 1.78:1 transfer, albeit with some compression artifacts inherent to the source, particularly noticeable in low-light shots and monochromatic surfaces.
Filmed digitally on an Arri Alexa Mini using available light, the film maintains clarity and detail despite these issues.
The release includes Hu’s short film “Man in the Well” (2017), a theatrical trailer, and a substantial booklet featuring an essay by Eliza Ma, an interview with the director of photography Fan Chao, and Hu’s original short story that inspired the film.
Both 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks are provided, enhancing the viewing experience of this profound cinematic work.
The Emperor’s Naked Army Marches On (Yuki Yukite, Shingun, 1987) Second Run
In Kazuo Hara’s gripping verité documentary, “The Emperor’s Naked Army Marches On,” the narrative revolves around a shocking premise.
The revelation of murder and cannibalism within Japanese troops stationed in New Guinea following Japan’s surrender in WWII.
However, the film’s actual intensity lies in its portrayal of veteran Kenzo Okuzaki, a complex figure with a tumultuous past.
That included imprisonment for charges ranging from manslaughter to the distribution of controversial material featuring Emperor Hirohito.
Initially presenting Okuzaki as a righteous crusader seeking confessions from officers accountable for soldiers’ deaths, the documentary swiftly unravels into a more intricate character study.
Okuzaki’s confrontations with these elderly officers, often with bereaved family members present, reveal a disquieting manipulation of their politeness.
Despite their evasiveness, the officers remain accommodating, even in the face of Okuzaki’s relentless and at times aggressive interrogation.
As the deceased soldiers’ family members withdraw from Okuzaki’s pursuit, he resorts to enlisting others, including his seemingly long-suffering wife, to feign involvement in his relentless quest for justice.
Kazuo Hara’s revolutionary documentary, “The Emperor’s Naked Army Marches On,” is a masterclass in challenging the audience’s emotions, from the enigmatic persona of protagonist Kenzo Okuzaki to the very essence of the film itself.
The documentary captivates viewers by constantly defying expectations, with Okuzaki’s raw emotions seemingly magnified by his charismatic demeanor in front of the camera, despite his offscreen actions lacking restraint.
The film’s trajectory remains unpredictable, leaving audiences in perpetual anticipation.
Second Run’s Blu-ray rendition boasts a remarkable 1080p, 1.55:1 transfer, significantly elevating the visual quality compared to previous releases.
The restoration effectively reduces damage and enhances clarity, a commendable feat for a film shot spontaneously.
While the desaturated look is maintained, the colors remain authentic, and the level of detail is satisfactory.
The 2.0 LPCM mono track, while bearing the typical challenges of on-location documentary shooting, delivers a commendable overall audio experience.
The Blu-ray extras include a new interview with Hara himself, along with his 2018 appearance at the Open City Documentary Festival.
Furthermore, the accompanying booklet features insightful essays by distinguished critics Tony Rayns, Jason Wood, and Abé Mark Nornes, enhancing the viewer’s understanding of this groundbreaking documentary.
3 Silent Classics by Josef von Sternberg Underworld (1927) The Last Command (1928) The Docks of New York (1928) Criterion Collection
Criterion’s von Sternberg box set, comprising three remarkable films, is a testament to the pinnacle of silent cinema.
These visually stunning works exude a captivating atmosphere and abound with stylistic innovation, with “Underworld” in particular laying the groundwork for the gangster genre through its dynamic Ben Hecht script and von Sternberg’s deft direction.
Even before his renowned collaboration with Marlene Dietrich, von Sternberg showcased his directorial prowess and an eye for expressive stars.
George Bancroft delivers compelling performances as a boisterous kingpin in “Underworld” and a world-weary coal stoker in “The Docks of New York,” alongside Betty Compson’s poignant portrayal of a yearning dancehall girl.
Meanwhile, Emil Jannings commands the screen with his towering presence in “The Last Command,” effortlessly capturing the melodrama of a former Russian general turned Hollywood extra.
“The Last Command” intricately weaves between the Russian Revolution and the filming of a related movie, at times reminiscent of proto-Aleksei German with its densely populated frames.
While the film verges on self-parody in its exaltation of the protagonist, Jannings’s unparalleled emotive power and von Sternberg’s directorial finesse elevate the narrative to an enthralling display of high emotion and cinematic artistry.
Criterion’s highly anticipated re-release of its 2010 DVD box set presents all three films in 1080p, 1.33:1 transfers.
While the transfers are from the same scan/source as the DVD set, the upgrade is still noteworthy, enhancing depth, clarity, and grain presentation.
However, the quality of the source materials does impose limitations on the transfers, with persistent but mostly unobtrusive damage and a soft image that can cause the grain to resemble noise.
Despite these issues, the Blu-ray set is a significant improvement, mainly due to the absence of windowboxing. Additionally, the set offers two pristine 2.0 uncompressed stereo scores for each film.
The extras remain consistent with the DVD set, featuring video essays by Janet Bergstrom and Tag Gallagher, a 1968 von Sternberg interview, and a substantial booklet containing essays by Geoffrey O’Brien, Anton Kaes, and Luc Sante.
The booklet also includes Hecht’s treatment for “Underworld” and an excerpt from von Sternberg’s autobiography.
Bless Their Little Hearts (1984) DVD Milestone Films
Billy Woodberry’s Bless Their Little Hearts is a cornerstone of the L.A. Rebellion film movement, embodying American Neorealism at its finest.
Each line delivery and meticulously crafted scene within the film transcends its apparent simplicity, bearing profound significance.
Written and lensed by Charles Burnett and complemented by Archie Shepp and Horace Parlan’s jazz renditions of traditional blues and spirituals, the film resonates with a poignant, soul-searching essence.
There, he portrayed the emotional toll of financial hardship and deteriorating relationships.
Protagonist Charlie Banks, portrayed by Nate Hardman, grapples with sporadic employment as a day laborer, providing meager sustenance for his family, compounded by his extramarital affair.
Kaycee Moore’s portrayal of Andais, Charlie’s wife, poignantly encapsulates the weight of her responsibilities and her husband’s unreliability etched onto her countenance.
Moore delves deep into the degradations of shouldering the burden in their relationship, delivering a compelling performance marked by sudden outbursts of anger and poignant moments of silent resignation.
In contrast, Hardman’s portrayal initially appears oblivious to these struggles until a pivotal, unbroken shot captures the couple’s simmering issues forcefully surfacing, serving as a defining moment in the narrative.
The film “Killer of Sheep” depicts the poignant self-sufficiency of the couple’s three children, portrayed by Burnett’s own kids, in everyday moments, emphasizing their resilience amidst hardship.
These subtle details, such as leaving the oven door ajar for warmth and resourcefully fixing a sink tap, are integral to the film’s emotional impact, adding weight to the characters’ struggles.
While the 2K restoration of the film by the UCLA Film & Television Archive has not seen a Blu-ray release, its first-ever home video release is warmly received.
The restoration, presented on Milestone’s DVD, showcases commendable clarity and minimized damage, although the nuances of the 16mm photography’s grain could benefit from a high-definition treatment.
Furthermore, the DVD release includes substantial extras, such as an audio commentary by NYU professor Ed Guererro, a newly restored version of Woodberry’s debut short “The Pocketbook” (1980), and an Indiana University workshop with Woodberry.
Additionally, interviews with Woodberry, Burnett, and Guererro are featured, alongside set photos and a booklet containing essays by Cornell professor Samantha N. Sheppard and Allison Anders.
The Mountain (2019) Kino Lorber
Rick Alverson, known for his thought-provoking and controversial films, delves into the unique American compulsion to prove one’s worth, even in the face of failure, in “The Mountain.”
The film quietly examines the male condition in the 1950s, a time when lobotomies were falling out of favor as a treatment for schizophrenia.
The story revolves around the character Dr. Wallace Fiennes, portrayed by Jeff Goldblum, drawing parallels to the real-life controversial doctor Walter Freeman.
The film reveals the emotional toll of lobotomies, with Goldblum’s portrayal mirroring Freeman’s eccentric and showy nature.
The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of Andy, played by Tye Sheridan, who becomes entangled in Fiennes’s world after losing his father.
As the story progresses, the film explores the bleak inspiration behind its premise, offering a mature and reflective vision devoid of Alverson’s previous provocative tendencies.
Alverson’s shift towards a more traditional dramatic approach in “The Mountain” prompts contemplation regarding the depth of his exploration into the emptiness of the American dream, devoid of the layers of irony associated with his previous works.
The film presents a nuanced portrayal of the bitter hollowness of the American dream, laying bare Alverson’s penchant for anti-mythologizing while delving into the emotional complexities of its characters.
In this disquieting portrayal of 1950s America, Dr. Fiennes and Andy embark on a disturbing journey across the country, with Andy assuming the role of photographer and assistant.
Alverson’s fixed camera captures a pervasive sense of collective passivity as guardians readily submit to Fiennes’ unorthodox methods.
Sheridan’s portrayal of Andy reinforces this unsettling atmosphere, suggesting a pre-existing state of mental numbness.
Amidst this unsettling backdrop, Goldblum’s portrayal of Dr. Fiennes initially exudes a charismatic sincerity before revealing a chilling lack of empathy once his ulterior motives come to light.
Denis Levant’s compelling performance also oscillates between drunken fury and spiritual hunger as he seeks Fiennes’ treatment for his daughter.
The film’s mesmerizing tone envelops the audience in a dreamlike stupor, prompting a deliberate avoidance of unraveling its enigmatic thematic elements, including the recurring motif of hermaphroditism.
“The Mountain” is another enigmatic addition to Alverson’s body of work, eliciting complex and conflicting reactions yet leaving room for continued contemplation of his future endeavors.
Kino’s Blu-ray release presents Alverson and cinematographer Lorenzo Hagerman’s visually captivating yet subtly toned photography in stunning 1080p, 1.37:1 transfers.
The image quality is exceptional, showcasing fine details with clarity, even in the film’s numerous overhead shots. Both 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks are included, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
The Blu-ray extras encompass an insightful commentary track by Alverson, an interview with the ever-enthusiastic Goldblum, a brief deleted scene, and a trailer, providing viewers with a comprehensive and immersive exploration of the film.
Journey to the Beginning of Time (Cesta do pravěku, 1955) Second Run
Second Run continues showcasing Karel Zeman’s films with “Journey to the Beginning of Time,” one of his earliest works.
While it may not boast the fantastical animation design of “The Fabulous Baron Munchausen” or “Invention for Destruction,”.
It stands as an exemplary children’s film, seamlessly blending educational elements with inventive modeling and animation techniques to craft a captivating, live storybook experience.
The film’s narrative is framed around a simple yet charming premise: four Czech boys embark on a journey back in time, propelled by their desire to witness extinct creatures firsthand.
Their backward voyage through history, sailing on a raft, unfolds with minor moments of peril and consistent curiosity.
As they meticulously document their encounters with prehistoric wonders, from woolly mammoths and saber-toothed cats to dinosaurs and trilobites.
In contrast to Zeman’s later singular sci-fi and fantasy works, “Journey to the Beginning of Time” exudes a quaint charm, accentuated by the earnest yet stiff acting of its young protagonists.
However, the film’s ingenuity shines through its design, pulsating with creative energy. Particularly captivating are the scenes featuring miniature models of the boys and their raft, adding a delightful dimension to the storytelling.
While the film maintains an unwavering focus on its educational objectives, its visual inventiveness ensures an engaging and enchanting cinematic experience.
Second Run’s 1080p, 1.37:1 transfer of a new 4K restoration presents a visually stunning rendition of György Fehér’s masterpiece, “Twilight.”
The restoration, supervised and approved by cinematographer Miklós Gurbán, showcases impressive levels of fine detail, crucial for appreciating the intricate model work within the film.
Although the film exhibits a slightly muted look, the images are sharp and clean, contributing to a captivating viewing experience.
The 2.0 LPCM mono audio maintains a reasonably dynamic quality and is devoid of significant issues.
The Blu-ray release offers a wealth of extras, including the English-dubbed version of the film, providing an added layer of appreciation for Zeman’s approach.
Additionally, the release features an appreciation by filmmaker John Stevenson, a restoration demonstration, a making-of featurette, an image gallery, and a booklet containing an essay by Michael Brooke.
This comprehensive package ensures an immersive exploration of the film’s artistry and restoration process.
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