Mmmm. Controversy already dogs Universal's Aug. 7 issue of Flash Gordon: Saviour of the Universe Edition (1980), with some fans complaining its extra features don't match those of the European (region 2) edition.
See, this is why I'm such a fan of getting a "region free" DVD player so you can get the edition YOU want and not be held hostage to the whims of the studios, or contract problems that prevent some documentaries being shown in different countries.
Another example: The Warner Bros. special box set of Errol Flynn classics issued a few years back includes a nice documentary on Flynn's debauched life in the North American version (The Adventures of Errol Flynn), whereas the European set has no documentary, but does have an extra movie (Divebomber).
I'll post my review of the Flash Gordon flick on my Website in a couple of days (andysdvdreviews.com)
Meanwhile, check out my 2 earlier blogs about region free DVD.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Film Noir DVD gems
Film Noir, the genre of dark, atmospheric crime dramas of the 1940s and early 1950s, spawned some memorable movies that are now available on DVD.
The quality of the DVD picture and sound from studios such as 20th Century Fox, MGM and Universal, is a world away from the old VHS tapes fans had to put up with and many come in special editions.
Universal's Double Indemnity (1944) is credited by many as being the first and best Film Noir project.
Directed by the great Billy Wilder, it tells the story of a seductive wife (Barbara Stanwyck) snaring a lovestruck insurance salesman (Fred MacMurray) into a plot to kill her husband for a bundle of life insurance. The recent 2-disc edition features a fine documentary on the making of this landmark film. Nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture, it garnered just one for Best Score.
Fox's Laura was issued the same year and won the Oscar for Best B/W cinematography. By the way, the superb black and white pictures and shadow effects of these movies is one of the reasons they still hold up. Color would just have cheapened these projects.
Laura begins with a bang: a beautiful woman (Gene Tierney) has been brutally murdered at her posh apartment. A tough detective (Dana Andrews) finds his heart melted by the dead woman's portrait, leading to, an unusual dream...
The new edition of Laura features some great extras on the making of the movie and its stars.
MGM has recently issued some superb Film Noir titles, notably The Stranger (1946), directed by the great Orson Welles, who also plays a suspected Nazi war criminal living quietly in a small American town. Edward G. Robinson does another fine job as the government agent trying to expose him.
Robinson also stars in another little gem, The Woman In The Window (1944), the story of a respected, married university professor whose innocent flirtation with a beautiful young woman leads to murder and a desperate attempt at a cover up. It features a fine plot twist.
Check out my Website for reviews of some of these movies andysdvdreviews.com
The quality of the DVD picture and sound from studios such as 20th Century Fox, MGM and Universal, is a world away from the old VHS tapes fans had to put up with and many come in special editions.
Universal's Double Indemnity (1944) is credited by many as being the first and best Film Noir project.
Directed by the great Billy Wilder, it tells the story of a seductive wife (Barbara Stanwyck) snaring a lovestruck insurance salesman (Fred MacMurray) into a plot to kill her husband for a bundle of life insurance. The recent 2-disc edition features a fine documentary on the making of this landmark film. Nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture, it garnered just one for Best Score.
Fox's Laura was issued the same year and won the Oscar for Best B/W cinematography. By the way, the superb black and white pictures and shadow effects of these movies is one of the reasons they still hold up. Color would just have cheapened these projects.
Laura begins with a bang: a beautiful woman (Gene Tierney) has been brutally murdered at her posh apartment. A tough detective (Dana Andrews) finds his heart melted by the dead woman's portrait, leading to, an unusual dream...
The new edition of Laura features some great extras on the making of the movie and its stars.
MGM has recently issued some superb Film Noir titles, notably The Stranger (1946), directed by the great Orson Welles, who also plays a suspected Nazi war criminal living quietly in a small American town. Edward G. Robinson does another fine job as the government agent trying to expose him.
Robinson also stars in another little gem, The Woman In The Window (1944), the story of a respected, married university professor whose innocent flirtation with a beautiful young woman leads to murder and a desperate attempt at a cover up. It features a fine plot twist.
Check out my Website for reviews of some of these movies andysdvdreviews.com
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Harryhausen thumbs up for DVD colorization
Special effects legend Ray Harryhausen has given the controversial process of colorizing old movies a huge boost.
His early classic, 20 Million Miles To Earth, is just out in a 50th anniversary edition containing the original black and white print and the new colorized version.
In an interview on this two-disc edition, Harryhausen reveals he wanted to shoot the movie in color in 1957, but simply couldn't afford the budget. He was consulted during the colorization process and says the results are amazing, right down to the right shade of green for the space monster.
While Harryhausen says he wouldn't want to see classics like Citizen Kane colorized, he does see a role for the process and is looking forward to seeing the results on several more of his own films.
As Harryhausen notes, colorization technology has advanced significantly in the past 10 years, so much so it's hard to tell if you're seeing original or artificial color.
Check out my review of 20 Million Miles To Earth (under science fiction/fantasy) at andysdvdreviews.com
His early classic, 20 Million Miles To Earth, is just out in a 50th anniversary edition containing the original black and white print and the new colorized version.
In an interview on this two-disc edition, Harryhausen reveals he wanted to shoot the movie in color in 1957, but simply couldn't afford the budget. He was consulted during the colorization process and says the results are amazing, right down to the right shade of green for the space monster.
While Harryhausen says he wouldn't want to see classics like Citizen Kane colorized, he does see a role for the process and is looking forward to seeing the results on several more of his own films.
As Harryhausen notes, colorization technology has advanced significantly in the past 10 years, so much so it's hard to tell if you're seeing original or artificial color.
Check out my review of 20 Million Miles To Earth (under science fiction/fantasy) at andysdvdreviews.com
Friday, July 27, 2007
Indiana Jones 4
The Indiana Jones 4 shoot is into its sixth week and I really hope it won't be a letdown like Oceans 13.
It's an interesting issue - how far can you go with sequels before you make a bomb?
For example, I really enjoyed watching the first two Bourne movies on DVD this past week and I hope they stick to their word by making the upcoming The Bourne Ultimatum the last in the series to wrap up all the loose ends.
Having said that, The sixth Rocky movie (Rocky Balboa) was surprisingly good after the flabby third, fourth and fifth outings.
And that's the problem. If Indy 4 is half decent and makes a pile of dough, there will be a mighty chorus demanding Indiana Jones 5...6...7 By which time Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford could be pushing Zimmer frames.
I kinda like the philosophy of John Cleese, who stuck to his guns in refusing to make any more Fawlty Towers TV episodes or even a Fawlty Towers movie after two highly successful seasons on BBC/PBS. Those shows are still in rerun, still brilliant 30 years later and Cleese says the magic simply couldn't be sustained beyond a certain point. (The DVDs coming with some great extras and cast interviews, by the way).
I certainly hope Indy 4 is great - the potential is definitely there with a cast that includes Ford, Cate Blanchett, Jim Broadbent, John Hurt and Ray Winstone.
It's gonna be a long wait until this one hits theatres May 22, 2008.
Meanwhile, check out my recent reviews at andysdvdreviews.com
It's an interesting issue - how far can you go with sequels before you make a bomb?
For example, I really enjoyed watching the first two Bourne movies on DVD this past week and I hope they stick to their word by making the upcoming The Bourne Ultimatum the last in the series to wrap up all the loose ends.
Having said that, The sixth Rocky movie (Rocky Balboa) was surprisingly good after the flabby third, fourth and fifth outings.
And that's the problem. If Indy 4 is half decent and makes a pile of dough, there will be a mighty chorus demanding Indiana Jones 5...6...7 By which time Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford could be pushing Zimmer frames.
I kinda like the philosophy of John Cleese, who stuck to his guns in refusing to make any more Fawlty Towers TV episodes or even a Fawlty Towers movie after two highly successful seasons on BBC/PBS. Those shows are still in rerun, still brilliant 30 years later and Cleese says the magic simply couldn't be sustained beyond a certain point. (The DVDs coming with some great extras and cast interviews, by the way).
I certainly hope Indy 4 is great - the potential is definitely there with a cast that includes Ford, Cate Blanchett, Jim Broadbent, John Hurt and Ray Winstone.
It's gonna be a long wait until this one hits theatres May 22, 2008.
Meanwhile, check out my recent reviews at andysdvdreviews.com
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Even if you hate Kung Fu movies . . .
I can't stand Kung Fu movies, but the exception proves the rule with Kung Fu Hustle, which is kick-Axe brilliant.
The story of the notorious Axe Gang tangling with a seeming bunch of poor nobodies living in a slum, the movie mixes cartoon-style comedy with great action and characterization.
And yes, the Kung Fu fights are pretty amazing, too.
Co-writer, director and star Stephen Chow breathes new life into the genre in this 2004 classic which now comes in the aforementioned "Axe-Kickin' Edition". That means a new bunch of great extra features on the making of the movie.
The high definition transfer is admirable and the amusing sound effects (a pinball machine PINGS! when the bad guys are thrown around) adds to the freshness of this flick.
I'll post a review soon to my Website andysdvdreviews.com
The story of the notorious Axe Gang tangling with a seeming bunch of poor nobodies living in a slum, the movie mixes cartoon-style comedy with great action and characterization.
And yes, the Kung Fu fights are pretty amazing, too.
Co-writer, director and star Stephen Chow breathes new life into the genre in this 2004 classic which now comes in the aforementioned "Axe-Kickin' Edition". That means a new bunch of great extra features on the making of the movie.
The high definition transfer is admirable and the amusing sound effects (a pinball machine PINGS! when the bad guys are thrown around) adds to the freshness of this flick.
I'll post a review soon to my Website andysdvdreviews.com
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Elvis on DVD
Is there really any point in reissuing four movies featuring Elvis Presley unless they come with some interesting extra features?
Definitely not, but MGM has done it anyway with its box set Elvis: MGM Legends Collection. It includes Follow That Dream (1961), Kid Galahad (1962), Frankie and Johnny (1966) and Clambake (1967).
There are no Oscar winners here, just an excuse to show Elvis with lots of pretty girls singing a harmless song or two. However, in Kid Galahad Elvis does show some decent acting ability that could have been harnessed in more serious fare had he been given the chance. It's the story of a G.I. returning to his hometown looking for work - and discovering he has some raw boxing ability. Co-stars Gig Young and Charles Bronson help give the production some authority.
Despite the lack of features, these colour movies are in good shape and ain't it the truth that the camera just loved Elvis?
For more DVD reviews check out my Website andysdvdreviews.com
Definitely not, but MGM has done it anyway with its box set Elvis: MGM Legends Collection. It includes Follow That Dream (1961), Kid Galahad (1962), Frankie and Johnny (1966) and Clambake (1967).
There are no Oscar winners here, just an excuse to show Elvis with lots of pretty girls singing a harmless song or two. However, in Kid Galahad Elvis does show some decent acting ability that could have been harnessed in more serious fare had he been given the chance. It's the story of a G.I. returning to his hometown looking for work - and discovering he has some raw boxing ability. Co-stars Gig Young and Charles Bronson help give the production some authority.
Despite the lack of features, these colour movies are in good shape and ain't it the truth that the camera just loved Elvis?
For more DVD reviews check out my Website andysdvdreviews.com
Monday, July 23, 2007
Special edition alert: Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Fans of the 1978 cult favourite Invasion of the Body Snatchers are in for a treat with the release on Aug. 7 of a two-DVD edition featuring new bonus features.
Still scary after all these years, Invasion of the Body Snatchers tells the story of residents of San Francisco quietly being killed and replaced by clones. Two health workers - Matthew (Donald Sutherland) and Elizabeth (Brooke Adams) - discover it's the creepy masterplan of alien invaders . . . and the battle in on to save the human race.
The great cast also includes Leonard Nimoy and Jeff Goldblum, with a great script from Philip Kaufman (The Right Stuff).
New interviews with cast and crew and features on the making of the movie are among the extras.
Can't wait to take the wrapper off this baby!
The special edition DVD comes ahead of the Aug.17 theatrical release of the latest version of this story, The Invasion. It boasts a powerhouse cast including Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig and Jeremy Northam.
Meanwhile, check out my Website - andysdvdreviews.com
Still scary after all these years, Invasion of the Body Snatchers tells the story of residents of San Francisco quietly being killed and replaced by clones. Two health workers - Matthew (Donald Sutherland) and Elizabeth (Brooke Adams) - discover it's the creepy masterplan of alien invaders . . . and the battle in on to save the human race.
The great cast also includes Leonard Nimoy and Jeff Goldblum, with a great script from Philip Kaufman (The Right Stuff).
New interviews with cast and crew and features on the making of the movie are among the extras.
Can't wait to take the wrapper off this baby!
The special edition DVD comes ahead of the Aug.17 theatrical release of the latest version of this story, The Invasion. It boasts a powerhouse cast including Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig and Jeremy Northam.
Meanwhile, check out my Website - andysdvdreviews.com
Sunday, July 22, 2007
DVD gold for Jason Bourne fans
As fans of the Jason Bourne franchise eagerly await the release of the latest instalment in early August - The Bourne Ultimatum - Universal has released an excellent three-DVD set on the story so far, packed with more facts than a CIA file.
Cleverly assembled in a box marked "Classified", The Bourne Files contains The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy, both loaded with extra features, PLUS a third disc containing 45 minutes of all-new features AND a sneak preview of The Bourne Ultimatium.
Based on what I've seen, The Bourne Ultimatum promises to be just as kick-ass a movie for action fans as the first two.
Matt Damon really owns the role of reluctant CIA killing machine Jason Bourne and he's surrounded by an excellent cast in both movies.
Check out my review at andysdvdreviews.com
Cleverly assembled in a box marked "Classified", The Bourne Files contains The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy, both loaded with extra features, PLUS a third disc containing 45 minutes of all-new features AND a sneak preview of The Bourne Ultimatium.
Based on what I've seen, The Bourne Ultimatum promises to be just as kick-ass a movie for action fans as the first two.
Matt Damon really owns the role of reluctant CIA killing machine Jason Bourne and he's surrounded by an excellent cast in both movies.
Check out my review at andysdvdreviews.com
Friday, July 20, 2007
Cult sci-fi classic coming to DVD
Long before "Honey I shrunk the Kids" was . . . Land of the Giants.
Dating from the Star Trek era, Land of the Giants ran for 51 episodes from 1968-1970 and fans have long awaited its arrival on DVD.
Well, 20th Century Fox has finally served up the complete tale of the spaceship Spindrift, which crashes on an Earth-like planet whose inhabitants are giants.
Available in a 9-DVD special box set, this release features dozens of extras, including cast interviews, production features and more.
It's a fondly remembered show, but the price is provoking giant howls of protests from fans: $150 and up in the U.S. to a "suggested" retail price of $349 Cdn!! (Amazon has been advertising a special price of $244.99 Cdn).
Early indications are that the remastered picture and sound is excellent, even though the special effects look very lame by today's computer-generated standards.
Fans (most 50-plus) will want it, but the problem for Fox is that it won't sell in big quantities to the younger generation who've never heard of it. Hence the steep price.
Watch for my review of this set shortly at my Website andysdvdreviews.com
Dating from the Star Trek era, Land of the Giants ran for 51 episodes from 1968-1970 and fans have long awaited its arrival on DVD.
Well, 20th Century Fox has finally served up the complete tale of the spaceship Spindrift, which crashes on an Earth-like planet whose inhabitants are giants.
Available in a 9-DVD special box set, this release features dozens of extras, including cast interviews, production features and more.
It's a fondly remembered show, but the price is provoking giant howls of protests from fans: $150 and up in the U.S. to a "suggested" retail price of $349 Cdn!! (Amazon has been advertising a special price of $244.99 Cdn).
Early indications are that the remastered picture and sound is excellent, even though the special effects look very lame by today's computer-generated standards.
Fans (most 50-plus) will want it, but the problem for Fox is that it won't sell in big quantities to the younger generation who've never heard of it. Hence the steep price.
Watch for my review of this set shortly at my Website andysdvdreviews.com
Thursday, July 19, 2007
DVD lemons
Sometimes a bargain-priced DVD isn't the bargain you think it is.
I refer particularly to vintage movies starring the likes of Cary Grant, or TV shows from the 1950s and 1960s.
The problem is many of the rights lapsed into the public domain - meaning any company could issue them on DVD, no matter what poor condition the print was in.
Some examples: His Girl Friday, the 1940 Cary Grant/Rosalind Russell comedy classic. I've seen some dreadful incarnations of this movie in which frames are missing, the picture is jerky and dirty and the soundtrack has more loud pops than Gen. Custer's last stand. The ONLY edition of this movie to have is from Columbia (now part of Sony), the company that originally made it. The 2000 special edition was restored from the original negative and boy does it show. I paid $35 for mine and have had endless pleasure from it. (You can get it a lot cheaper now).
Example 2: Sherlock Holmes movies starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. This great team made two classics for 20th Century Fox in 1939 (The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Adventures of Sherlock Homes), then 12 lower budget, but still very enjoyable flicks for Universal in the 1940s. The latter dirty dozen have frequently shown up on cheap DVDs (not from Universal) with poor picture and sound.
Again, there's only one set of these movies to buy - from MPI Home Video, featuring stunning restorations of all 14 movies.
Sure, "15 Westerns" or "10 Classic Comedies" for $15 sounds inviting, but I urge you to avoid impulse buying and do your research. Remember, a DVD is supposed to look a lot better than a crappy VHS tape...
I'll recommend some great restorations of old flicks in future blogs. Meanwhile, check out my reviews at andysdvdreviews.com
I refer particularly to vintage movies starring the likes of Cary Grant, or TV shows from the 1950s and 1960s.
The problem is many of the rights lapsed into the public domain - meaning any company could issue them on DVD, no matter what poor condition the print was in.
Some examples: His Girl Friday, the 1940 Cary Grant/Rosalind Russell comedy classic. I've seen some dreadful incarnations of this movie in which frames are missing, the picture is jerky and dirty and the soundtrack has more loud pops than Gen. Custer's last stand. The ONLY edition of this movie to have is from Columbia (now part of Sony), the company that originally made it. The 2000 special edition was restored from the original negative and boy does it show. I paid $35 for mine and have had endless pleasure from it. (You can get it a lot cheaper now).
Example 2: Sherlock Holmes movies starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. This great team made two classics for 20th Century Fox in 1939 (The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Adventures of Sherlock Homes), then 12 lower budget, but still very enjoyable flicks for Universal in the 1940s. The latter dirty dozen have frequently shown up on cheap DVDs (not from Universal) with poor picture and sound.
Again, there's only one set of these movies to buy - from MPI Home Video, featuring stunning restorations of all 14 movies.
Sure, "15 Westerns" or "10 Classic Comedies" for $15 sounds inviting, but I urge you to avoid impulse buying and do your research. Remember, a DVD is supposed to look a lot better than a crappy VHS tape...
I'll recommend some great restorations of old flicks in future blogs. Meanwhile, check out my reviews at andysdvdreviews.com
Region free DVD (part 2)
As I mentioned in my last post, most computers will play DVDs from anywhere in the world because they are free of the irksome Region Code.
So, what about regular DVD players?
Good news - region free models are out there and some of them are astoundingly cheap. For example, I picked up a Norcent player for less than $50 Canadian from Wal-Mart and it lasted three years, happily playing PAL discs from Europe and NTSC discs from North America.
I got an even better deal with my latest region free model: I picked up an Accura (made by Citizen) player in a fire sale at a big box grocery store for an amazing $29.99 Cdn!!
These cheap players will do an excellent job, but if you are willing to pay more for an upconverting player for superior picture I can also recommend the LG brand.
Toshiba, Philips and Daewoo are some of the other companies offering region free DVD players.
If you hadn't planned to change your current player, do a Google search on it to see if a hack is available. This is usually as simple as using your remote to open the disc tray and punching in a series of numbers to get the factory setting display. This allows you to change the region code to 0 - and play whatever discs you like.
Hacks aren't available for every player - Sony and Panasonic are two of the hardest brands to crack - but you might be lucky.
You might not think this is a big deal, but I believe it is. Guaranteed, if you travel outside North America you are going to see must-have DVDs at great prices. If they're not NTSC (Region 1) and you don't have a region free player at home, you are gonna fume!!
Check out the latest DVD releases on my site andysdvdreviews.com
So, what about regular DVD players?
Good news - region free models are out there and some of them are astoundingly cheap. For example, I picked up a Norcent player for less than $50 Canadian from Wal-Mart and it lasted three years, happily playing PAL discs from Europe and NTSC discs from North America.
I got an even better deal with my latest region free model: I picked up an Accura (made by Citizen) player in a fire sale at a big box grocery store for an amazing $29.99 Cdn!!
These cheap players will do an excellent job, but if you are willing to pay more for an upconverting player for superior picture I can also recommend the LG brand.
Toshiba, Philips and Daewoo are some of the other companies offering region free DVD players.
If you hadn't planned to change your current player, do a Google search on it to see if a hack is available. This is usually as simple as using your remote to open the disc tray and punching in a series of numbers to get the factory setting display. This allows you to change the region code to 0 - and play whatever discs you like.
Hacks aren't available for every player - Sony and Panasonic are two of the hardest brands to crack - but you might be lucky.
You might not think this is a big deal, but I believe it is. Guaranteed, if you travel outside North America you are going to see must-have DVDs at great prices. If they're not NTSC (Region 1) and you don't have a region free player at home, you are gonna fume!!
Check out the latest DVD releases on my site andysdvdreviews.com
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Region free DVD
Some of you might have encountered a very irritating problem with DVDs acquired from countries outside North America: DVD Region Codes.
You might have come back from Europe, for instance, with the latest James Bond flick - or a fascinating tourist documentary on the Rhine Valley - only to find your DVD player displaying the message "Wrong Region". This is because most of Europe is on the PAL system while DVD players here are designed to play only NTSC discs.
Short of using said DVD as a Frisbee, you've just wasted a bunch of Euros (or pounds).
I think the whole region coding issue (there are six different regions!!) is a gigantic scam perpetrated by the movie industry. The studios want to control when DVDs will be released in different parts of the world and they also want to stop YOU picking up a bargain while on your travels. For example I've seen the three Jurassic Park movies in a box set for less than $20 U.S. while visiting England.
But it goes beyond that. Some material, like documentaries or rare films will NEVER be available in North America. What about the rights of the consumer - why shouldn't you be able to buy what you like and bring it home to use here?
The good news is that you can. For a start, virtually every computer DVD player is Region Free - meaning it will play anything. With wide screen monitors and kick ass sound, you can enjoy DVDs from all over the world at your desk.
Regular DVD players are a bit trickier - in my next blog I`ll tell you how to get around the problem.
Meanwhile, check out my DVD review site andysdvdreviews.com
You might have come back from Europe, for instance, with the latest James Bond flick - or a fascinating tourist documentary on the Rhine Valley - only to find your DVD player displaying the message "Wrong Region". This is because most of Europe is on the PAL system while DVD players here are designed to play only NTSC discs.
Short of using said DVD as a Frisbee, you've just wasted a bunch of Euros (or pounds).
I think the whole region coding issue (there are six different regions!!) is a gigantic scam perpetrated by the movie industry. The studios want to control when DVDs will be released in different parts of the world and they also want to stop YOU picking up a bargain while on your travels. For example I've seen the three Jurassic Park movies in a box set for less than $20 U.S. while visiting England.
But it goes beyond that. Some material, like documentaries or rare films will NEVER be available in North America. What about the rights of the consumer - why shouldn't you be able to buy what you like and bring it home to use here?
The good news is that you can. For a start, virtually every computer DVD player is Region Free - meaning it will play anything. With wide screen monitors and kick ass sound, you can enjoy DVDs from all over the world at your desk.
Regular DVD players are a bit trickier - in my next blog I`ll tell you how to get around the problem.
Meanwhile, check out my DVD review site andysdvdreviews.com
DVD movies: should they be colorized?
If colorizing an old black and white movie is what it takes to get young people to watch it I'm all in favour.
New example: I have in my hot little hands an advance review copy of the 50th anniversary edition of 20 Million Miles to Earth, the sci-fi classic about a monster brought back from a space flight by American astronauts.
Sony has put together a very nice two-disc package loaded with extra features.
But more importantly, the movie comes in the original black and white AND a colorized version.
I'm looking forward to checking it out and I'll post a review to my Web site andysdvdreviews.com soon, but I have absolutely no objection to colorized movies if it is done properly. That means no green faces (unless you're a space monster) or purple shirts.
Think about it: if Beethoven were alive today he'd use the latest technology to present his music - a modern piano, for example, instead of the tinny keyboards available in his day.
I've seen a lot of colorized movies and some of them look great (It's a Wonderful Life didn't).
All I'm saying is that if it's handled properly and detailed costume and set research is done, it's OK.
Just make sure I have the original black and white version, too. Because I really do think Casablanca and Citizen Kane look better in black and white...
New example: I have in my hot little hands an advance review copy of the 50th anniversary edition of 20 Million Miles to Earth, the sci-fi classic about a monster brought back from a space flight by American astronauts.
Sony has put together a very nice two-disc package loaded with extra features.
But more importantly, the movie comes in the original black and white AND a colorized version.
I'm looking forward to checking it out and I'll post a review to my Web site andysdvdreviews.com soon, but I have absolutely no objection to colorized movies if it is done properly. That means no green faces (unless you're a space monster) or purple shirts.
Think about it: if Beethoven were alive today he'd use the latest technology to present his music - a modern piano, for example, instead of the tinny keyboards available in his day.
I've seen a lot of colorized movies and some of them look great (It's a Wonderful Life didn't).
All I'm saying is that if it's handled properly and detailed costume and set research is done, it's OK.
Just make sure I have the original black and white version, too. Because I really do think Casablanca and Citizen Kane look better in black and white...
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Best DVD movies
In an era of blockbuster movie schlock it's no surprise the American Film Institute has again chosen a 66-year-old black and white flick as the best American movie EVER.
If you haven't seen Citizen Kane, check it out ASAP. It towers over most of the crap Hollywood produces today.
Directed by the then-24-year-old Orson Welles in 1941, Kane tells the story of the rise and fall of an arrogant media mogul. It still resonates today because so little has changed - sensational stories about celebrities and criminals still fill the pages of our newspapers and magazines.
And money and power are still revered in our society.
The Kane DVD, like so many classic films of this era, has been remastered to perfection.
Catch my review at andysdvdreviews.com
If you haven't seen Citizen Kane, check it out ASAP. It towers over most of the crap Hollywood produces today.
Directed by the then-24-year-old Orson Welles in 1941, Kane tells the story of the rise and fall of an arrogant media mogul. It still resonates today because so little has changed - sensational stories about celebrities and criminals still fill the pages of our newspapers and magazines.
And money and power are still revered in our society.
The Kane DVD, like so many classic films of this era, has been remastered to perfection.
Catch my review at andysdvdreviews.com
Monday, July 16, 2007
Free DVDs
Heard about Prince giving away thousands of free copies of his latest CD with the Daily Mail newspaper in England?
Here's an even bigger scoop: Almost every week English newspapers GIVE AWAY free movies!!
I'm talking everything from Hollywood hits like Silkwood, Sophie's Choice, Prizzi's Honor and The Fourth Protocol to PBS detective shows like Inspector Morse.
Currently, the Daily Mail is giving away the entire documentary series The World At War on more than a dozen DVDs!!
Here's the snag: You can't get this stuff unless you can get to England to buy a newspaper OR you have a relative or friend living over there who can collect them for you.
Also, you'll need a DVD player that can handle Region 2 discs (Pal). More on that in a future posting.
I have family collecting these freebies for me - there are about 80 in a box!!
OK, so who do you know....
Check out my Website, andysdvdreviews.com
Here's an even bigger scoop: Almost every week English newspapers GIVE AWAY free movies!!
I'm talking everything from Hollywood hits like Silkwood, Sophie's Choice, Prizzi's Honor and The Fourth Protocol to PBS detective shows like Inspector Morse.
Currently, the Daily Mail is giving away the entire documentary series The World At War on more than a dozen DVDs!!
Here's the snag: You can't get this stuff unless you can get to England to buy a newspaper OR you have a relative or friend living over there who can collect them for you.
Also, you'll need a DVD player that can handle Region 2 discs (Pal). More on that in a future posting.
I have family collecting these freebies for me - there are about 80 in a box!!
OK, so who do you know....
Check out my Website, andysdvdreviews.com
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