Blu-ray and DVD Review Round-Up: Alexsei German, Albert Serra, and Louis Malle movies were some of the movies that were under the limelight. But if you missed the highlight of the movie, here it is.
Aleksei German was a renowned Russian filmmaker celebrated for his uncompromising and intellectually demanding approach to cinema.
Throughout his career, German crafted visually arresting and thought-provoking works that often delved into historical and societal themes, leaving an indelible mark on cinema.
Albert Serra, an innovative filmmaker, is known for his distinct style of historical fiction, which captivates audiences with its distinctive and visually striking narratives.
Serra’s films often blur the lines between reality and abstraction.
Louis Malle, a versatile and influential director, made significant contributions to cinema with his diverse body of work.
From thought-provoking dramas to captivating documentaries, Malle’s films showcased his ability to delve into a wide range of subjects with depth and sensitivity.
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Blu-ray and DVD Review Round-Up: André Gregory & Wallace Shawn: 3 Films My Dinner with André (1981) Vanya on 42nd Street (1994) A Master Builder (2014) The Criterion Collection
Criterion has released a box set that includes the previously available Vanya on 42nd Street Blu-ray, an upgraded My Dinner with André, and the newly released A Master Builder, showcasing the creative partnership of Wallace Shawn and André Gregory.
My Dinner with André, although not an adaptation of a play, could easily be envisioned as a stage-bound two-person performance steeped in the era’s New York independent theater scene.
Directed by Louis Malle, the Film presents a captivating snapshot of artistic and intellectual ideas at a specific point in American history, retaining its vitality and originality throughout the decades.
Meanwhile, Vanya on 42nd Street, Malle’s final film, immortalizes a privately workshopped production of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya, blurring the boundaries between actor, character, rehearsal, and the play’s events, offering a unique take on art creation.
Similarly, A Master Builder, featuring an adaptation of the Ibsen play arising from actors’ workshops, brings a fascinating portrayal to the screen, mainly through Lisa Joyce’s performance as a mysterious young woman.
The box set includes high-definition digital restorations, interviews, and a new program featuring Gregory, Shawn, and Fran Lebowitz in conversation.
Each Film is also available separately, with Vanya and André retaining their previous extras, while the A Master Builder disc contains additional conversations and interviews.
On a scale of Excellent, Good, Fair and Poor, Criterion’s My Dinner with André Blu-ray rates:
The Film (out of ****): ***1/2
Film Elements Sourced: ***
Video Transfer: ***1/2
Audio: ***
New Extra Features: N/A
Extra Features Overall: ***
On a scale of Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor, Criterion’s Vanya on 42nd Street Blu-ray rates:
The Film (out of ****): ***1/2
Film Elements Sourced: ***1/2
Video Transfer: ****
Audio: ***
New Extra Features: N/A
Extra Features Overall: **
On a scale of Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor, Criterion’s A Master Builder Blu-ray rates:
The Film (out of ****): ***
Film Elements Sourced: **1/2
Video Transfer: ***
Audio: ***
New Extra Features: ***
Extra Features Overall: ***
Hard to be a God (2013) Kino Lorber
The final Film by the Russian filmmaker Aleksei German, created in the years leading up to his passing, is an intellectually and emotionally demanding piece of art.
It represents the culmination of German’s decades-long planning and reflects an immense labor of love evident from the outset.
“Hard to be a God” stands as an exceptional example of world-building in cinema, immersing the audience in a visceral environment characterized by mud, decay, and unrelenting brutality.
Adapted from the sci-fi novel by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, the Film is set on the planet Arkanar, which is entrenched in a particularly savage medieval period.
While Kino’s Blu-ray release offers a high-quality transfer and soundtracks, an upcoming Arrow Video UK edition is anticipated to surpass it in terms of supplementary content.
It includes a behind-the-scenes documentary and an extensive introduction by co-screenwriter Svetlana Karmalita.
The package also features a booklet containing a director’s statement by German and essays from his son and a critic.
On a scale of Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor, Kino Lorber’s Hard to be a God Blu-ray rates:
The Film (out of ****): ****
Film Elements Sourced: ****
Video Transfer: ***1/2
Audio: ***1/2
New Extra Features: **1/2
Extra Features Overall: **1/2
Story of My Death (2013) Second Run DVD
Albert Serra employs his distinct approach to historical fiction in “Story of My Death” (Història de la meva mort), merging the legends of Casanova and Dracula to illustrate a pivotal shift between the 18th and 19th centuries.
Serra’s Film, characterized by baroque and austere elements, features lavish digital compositions that linger in a style reminiscent of slow cinema.
The narrative initially follows a recognizable structure before evolving into a series of highly abstracted scenes marked by the arrival of Count Dracula, symbolizing the transition from Rationalism to Romanticism.
Vicenç Altaió’s portrayal of Casanova reflects an aging libertine unashamed of his licentious tendencies, depicted unapologetically in various aspects, including bodily functions.
Serra’s adeptness at capturing compelling imagery using lower-grade digital cameras is evident throughout the Film, transitioning from philosophical dialogue to an almost wordless mood piece.
Second Run’s presentation of the 2.35:1 Film strongly represents its digital photography, accompanied by 2.0 stereo and 5.1 surround sound options.
The release includes extras such as Serra’s 2013 short film “Cuba Libre” and a booklet featuring an engaging conversation between Serra and Ben Rivers.
On a scale of Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor, Second Run’s Story of My Death DVD rates:
The Film (out of ****): ***
Film Elements Sourced: **1/2
Video Transfer: ***
Audio: ***
New Extra Features: **1/2
Extra Features Overall: **1/2
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Miss Osbourne (1981) Arrow Video
After unveiling the ambitious Camera Obscura: The Walerian Borowczyk Collection in 2014, Arrow Video has swiftly followed up with another film by the enigmatic Polish filmmaker, now available in editions in the UK and the newly established U.S. line.
This adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson novel, often misconstrued as an exploitation piece in some markets, presents an unconventional, captivating portrayal of the madness of desire.
Set during the engagement party of Henry Jekyll and Fanny Osbourne in a Victorian house, the Film delves into themes of rape and murder, offering an intriguing exploration of the motivations behind these acts.
Dr. Jekyll and Miss Osbourne, previously unavailable on DVD or Blu-ray, has undergone a meticulous 2K restoration, resulting in an outstanding 1.66:1, 1080p transfer with impressive image depth and color reproduction.
The release includes uncompressed mono versions of the original French track and an English dub, reflecting the Film’s French-West German co-production.
The comprehensive extras encompass a lengthy introduction, a commentary track featuring interviews with cast and crew, multiple interviews with cast and admirers, and featurettes on the Film’s music and the filmmaker’s silent cinema influences.
While the Film may provoke differing opinions, this release offers a compelling case for its atmospheric horror.
On a scale of Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor, Arrow Video’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Miss Osbourne Blu-ray rates:
The Film (out of ****): **1/2
Film Elements Sourced: ****
Video Transfer: ****
Audio: ***
New Extra Features: ****
Extra Features Overall: ****
U Turn (1997) Twilight Time
Oliver Stone’s film “U Turn” is praised for its strong lead performances and stylish visual elements, although the final act is deemed as the weakest section.
The Blu-ray release by Twilight Time is lauded for its excellent A/V quality and valuable new bonuses.
The Film’s cinematography, shot on reversal film stock, is highlighted for its striking visuals in the 1080p transfer.
At the same time, the DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio mix is commended for its immersive quality.
The release includes insightful special features such as an introduction by Stone, audio commentaries, and an isolated music track.
The Film is described as a darkly comic fantasy with a relentless, but sometimes miscalibrated, sense of humor, featuring a lesser Ennio Morricone score and impressive shots of Arizona’s open spaces.
Despite its flaws, “U-Turn” is portrayed as an entertaining film.
On a scale of Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor, Twilight Time’s U-Turn Blu-ray rates:
The Film (out of ****): **1/2
Film Elements Sourced: ***1/2
Video Transfer: ***1/2
Audio: ****
New Extra Features: **1/2
Extra Features Overall: **1/2
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