DVD/Blu-ray DISCussion (New for 5.31.11)

By: | Movie News | May 31, 2011

Stanley Kubrick fans rejoice: The Stanley Kubrick Collection is coming out onto Blu-ray this week. If you only want some of Mr. Kubrick's films three of them are being released as separate Blu-rays, including a 2-Disc re-release of A Clockwork Orange. Other classics coming to Blu-ray are the Western classic Once Upon A Time in the West and the George Lucas film American Graffiti. If you want something new, there is either the depressing Spanish film Biutiful or Drive Angry with Nicolas Cage.

First Releases
- Drive Angry (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Biutiful (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Passion Play (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Kaboom (DVD)

Re-Release
- A Clockwork Orange (Blu-ray)
- Barry Lyndon (Blu-ray)
- Lolita (Blu-ray)
- Once Upon A Time in the West (Blu-ray)
- American Graffiti (Blu-ray)
- Legend (Blu-ray)
- Cat O’Nine Tails (Blu-ray)
- The Stanley Kubrick Collection (Blu-ray)

Drive Angry (DVD and Blu-ray)

What's the Deal?
Because of Nicolas Cage’s much widely reported tax problems, it was believed that he was willing to do any project, hence why audiences thought he starred in Drive Angry. Canadian director Patrick Lussier (My Bloody Valentine) shot Drive Angry in 3D, but his B-Movie was a box-office flop. Amber Mead (The Ward, Zombieland) and William Fichtner (Heat) also star in this film.

John Milton (Cage) is a criminal who breaks out of hell after his daughter is murdered and his infant granddaughter is kidnapped by a Satan-worshipping biker gang, led by Jonah King (Billy Burke from the Twilight series). Milton teams up with a feisty witness, Piper (Heard), but the two end up getting chased by the Accountant (Fichtner), a powerful emissary of Satan sent to Earth to retrieve Milton.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 45% (average)
Player Affinity Score: 6.7/10

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: How To: Drive Angry; Milton’s Mayhem; Audio Commentary with Filmmakers Patrick Lussier & Todd Farmer; Deleted Scenes with Filmmaker Commentary

Amazon Price: $14.99 (DVD), $18.99 (Blu-ray), $24.99 (3D Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A

Biutiful (DVD and Blu-ray)

What's the Deal?
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu really knows to make how to make a depressing film: his filmography includes the likes of 21 Grams and Babel. His latest tells the story of Uxbal (Javier Bardem in an Oscar-nominated performance), a criminal middleman who is diagnosed with cancer. He sets out to make amends for he past deals, ensure his children are cared for after he dies and help illegal Chinese workers in this bleak version of Barcelona. Biutiful was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 64% (good)
Player Affinity Score: 8.5/10

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: "The Making of Biutiful" documentary; Theatrical trailer

Amazon Price: $17.99 (DVD), $25.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): Content 3 stars, Video 4 stars, Audio 4 stars, Extras 3.5 stars, Replay 0 stars (out of 5). Rent It.

Passion Play (DVD and Blu-ray)

What's the Deal?
Ever since Megan Fox called Michael Bay a Nazi her career has been on the decline, starring in critical and commercial flops Jennifer’s Body and Jonah Hex. Now she has starred in a film met with a horrid reception at the Toronto Film Festival and only made $2,000 per screen in its limited release. Mitch Glazer (writer of The Recruit and the producer of Lost in Translation) makes his directing debut and the film features Bill Murray and Rhys Ifans (Harry Potter and the Deadly Harrows Part 1). Mickey Rourke also stars in the film and has been vocal with his criticism of it.

Nate Pool (Rourke) is a washed-up jazz musician who ends up betraying a sinister gangster, Happy Shannon (Murray). Nate is giving the chance to make amends if he can deliver a beautiful exotic dancer, Lily (Fox). But both are forced on the run, with Happy wanting the young woman for himself.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 4% (awful)
Player Affinity Score: N/A

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: N/A

Amazon Price: $14.99 (DVD), $15.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A

Kaboom (DVD)

What's the Deal?
Kaboom premiered last year at Cannes, earning itself a special award, the Queer Palm because of its look at the subject of homosexuality. Sadly for Gregg Araki (Mysterious Skin), his latest film is only a straight-to-DVD release. Thomas Dekker (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) stars in this comedy as Smith, an 18-year-old college freshman living with his straight roommate, Thor (Chris Zylka from 10 Things I Hate About You) and his best friend Stella (Haley Bennett) is a lesbian. Smith tries to decide whether it possible to like boys and girls.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 55% (average)
Player Affinity Score: N/A

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: N/A

Amazon Price: $21.49 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A

A Clockwork Orange (Blu-ray)

What's the Deal?
A Clockwork Orange is one my favorite films; I could shout from the rooftops about the love I have for this film. Directed by the great Stanley Kubrick as several film releasing today were, A Clockwork Orange stars Malcolm McDowell in his greatest role as the teenage delinquent Alex Delarge. Based on a novel by Anthony Burgess, A Clockwork Orange was very controversial upon its release because of its level of violence: it was given an "X" rating in America and questions were asked in the British Parliament. There were copycat attacks and Kubrick self-banned it in Britain. It was only re-released in Britain after Kubrick’s death.

Set in a dyspotic version of Britain, youth violence is at extraordinary high levels. Alex is a teenager and gang leader whose favorite activities include theft, drugs, rape and a bit of the old ultra-violence. But after Alex is arrested and sent to prison, he volunteers to go participate in an experiment asking the audience the question is it better to be good but have no real choice or have free-will but be bad.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 91% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: 8.4/10

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: Malcolm McDowell Looks Back: Malcolm McDowell reflects on his experience working with legendary director Stanley Kubrick on one of the seminal films of the 1970s; Turning like Clockwork: Considers the Film's Ultra-violence and its Cultural Impact; Commentary by Malcolm McDowell and historian Nick Redman; Documentary Still Tickin': The Return of Clockwork Orange; Great Bolshy Yarblockos!: Making A Clockwork Orange; Theatrical Trailer; Jan Harlan's Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures (Harlan is a world renown film producer and the brother of Christiane Kubrick, Stanley Kubrick's widow). Kubrick's career comes into sharp focus in this compelling documentary narrated by Tom Cruise. Fascinating footage glimpses Kubrick in his early years, at work on film sets and at home, augmented by candid commentary from collaborators, colleagues and family; Career Profile O Lucky Malcolm! Featuring Malcolm McDowell

Amazon Price: $25.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): Content: 5 stars, Video 3.5 stars, Audio 4 stars, Extras 4.5 stars, Replay 5 stars (out of 5). Recommended.

Barry Lyndon (Blu-ray)

What's the Deal?
Before this film, Stanley Kubrick began work on a Napoleon project, often considered one of the greatest films never made: Kubrick did a lot of research for the film, but after the box-office failure of Waterloo (which is a good film), Kubrick’s financers pulled out. To ensure that research on the 18th Century did not go to waste, Kubrick decided to adapt the William Makepeace Thackeray novel The Luck of Barry Lyndon and made sure Barry Lyndon was a revolution for cinematography.

Barry Lyndon stars Ryan O'Neal as Redmond Barry, a Irishman who falls in love and has his heart broken, gets robbed, joins the British and Prussian armies and basically lies, cheats and steals to rise to the top of British society.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 94% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: 8.0/10

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: Theatrical Trailer

Amazon Price: $13.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A

Lolita (Blu-ray)

What's the Deal?
Vladimir Nabokov’s novel Lolita was very controversial when it was published because of themes of paedophilia and under-age sex. So of course Kubrick’s adaptation was also very controversial. Kubrick was able to attach a great cast: James Mason (North by Northwest), Peter Sellars, Shelley Winters (Alfie) and Sue Lyon.

Humbert Humbert (Mason) is a British professor who moves to New Hampshire to teach in America. He moves in with a widow, Charlotte Haze (Winters) who has a room to let and has an attractive 14-year-old daughter, Dolores (Lyon). Humbert is immediately attached to the girl and he finds the best way to get close to her is by marrying Charlotte.

Lolita is a dark, twisted and strangely funny.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 97% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: 7.0/10

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: Theatrical Trailer

Amazon Price: $14.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A

Once Upon A Time in the West (Blu-ray)

What's the Deal?
To many, including Quentin Tarrantino, Sergio Leone is considered one of the greatest directors to ever live. Once Upon A Time in the West is also considered one of the best Westerns ever made and features an assemble cast, Charles Bronson, Henry Fonda, Claudia Cardinale (8 ½) and Jason Robards (All the President’s Men).

On the very edges of the American West in Utah, a psychopathic criminal, Frank (Fonda) kills a family, wanting the land they live on. The new bride of the father, Jill McBain (Cardinale) inheritances the land and is thrown in the middle of a battle of outlaws and corrupt politicians. Jill's best hope of protection is Harmonica (Bronson), a gunslinger who has his own demons.

A little footnote: Italian talents Dario Argento and Bernardo Bertolucci co-wrote the story.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 98% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: 9.0/10

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: Commentary with Contributions from Directors John Carpenter, John Milius & Alex Cox, Film Historians Sir Christopher Frayling & Dr. Sheldon Hall and Cast & Crew; An Opera of Violence; The Wages of Sin; Something to do with Death; Railroad: Revolutionising The West; Locations Then & Now; Production Gallery; Theatrical Trailer HD; Easter Egg – New Trailer

Amazon Price: $15.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A

American Graffiti (Blu-ray)

What's the Deal?
Before George Lucas made Star Wars, he wrote and directed a little film that was an intentional comedy, American Graffiti. Made with a budget of $775,000, American Graffiti is one of the most profitable films of all time and earned four Oscar nods. Lucas was able to get a then-young cast for his teen comedy: Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, Candy Clark and Mackenzie Phillips.

In a small California town in the early '60s, four friends have just graduated high school and about to go on their separate ways. Following them during the course of one night Curt (Dreyfuss) is trying to decide whether he should go to college and tries to find a mysterious blonde. Steve (Howard) is in the middle of an on-again, off-again relationship with Laurie (Williams). Terry “the Toad” (Smith) attempts to impress a young woman Debbie (Clark). Rebel John (Le Mat) ends up stuck with a young tennybopper, Carol (Phillips) whilst a rival racer (Harrison Ford) wants to challenge him.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 97% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: 7.8/10

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: Picture in picture video commentary with director George Lucas; The music of American Graffiti - Instantly indentify the songs heard while watching the film, create a custom playlist of your favorites and even them from iTunes; BD-Live; Pocket BLU app; The making of American Graffiti - An original documentary featuring interviews with cast and crew; Screen Tests - Never before-seen screen tests with Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, Cindy Williams, Mackenzie Phillips, Paul Le Mat and Charles Martin Smith

Amazon Price: $24.49 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): Content: 4.5 stars, Video 4 stars, Audio 4.5 stars, Extras 4.5 stars, Replay 4.5 stars (out of 5). DVD Talk Collector Series.

Legend (Blu-ray)

What's the Deal?
Sir Ridley Scott is one of the great genre hoppers, able to turn his hand to anything. In the mid-'80s he proved he was a top director, making The Duellist, Alien and Blade Runner. But in 1985 his fantasy film Legend was released and it was a rare dud by him, though it has become a cult classic.

Set in a fantasy world filled with unicorns, fairies and goblins, the Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry) instructs his goblin servant Blix (Alice Playten) to kill or capture the last two unicorns in the forest. Their protector Jack (Tom Cruise) starts to fall for Princess Lily (Mia Sara), but when one the goblins kills one of the unicorns, Jack and the creatures of the forest have to unite to stop the ultimate evil from winning.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 50% (average)
Player Affinity Score: 4.0/10

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: Feature commentary with director Ridley Scott (Director's Cut); Isolated music score by Tangerine Dream (theatrical); Creating a Myth: The making of Legend; Lost scenes including alternate opening; Bryan Ferry "Is Your Love Enough" music video; Photo gallery

Amazon Price: $18.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A

Cat O'Nine Tails (Blu-ray)

What's the Deal?
Dario Argento is a cult filmmaker from Italy and director of Deep Red, Suspiria and Opera. His second film as a director was Cat O’Nine Tails, a horror crime mystery.

Franco Arno (Karl Malden) is a blind ex-journalist with a knack for solving mysteries. After over-hearing a strange conversation, a guard at a medical lab is murdered. Franco teams up with a journalist, Carlo Giordani (James Franciscus), to investigate a series of murders involving a genetic research facility.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 83% (very good)
Player Affinity Score: N/A

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: "Tales Of The Cat" - Interviews with Writer/Director Dario Argento, Co-Writer Dardano Sacchetti, and Composer Ennio Morricone; Theatrical Trailers; TV Spots; Radio Spots; Radio Interviews with Stars James Franciscus and Karl Malden

Amazon Price: $15.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A

The Stanley Kubrick Collection (Blu-ray)

What's the Deal?
I love Stanley Kubrick and the films he made. Now nine of the 13 films he directed have been released in a giant blu-ray box-set, all ready for your enjoyment. Kubrick made a wide range of films, making historical epics, dark sci-fi, edgy dramas, political satire and horror. His films are smart, thematic and critically acclaimed and if you not have any of his films, buy this box-set!

Spartacus
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 96% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: 8.2/10

Lolita
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 97% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: 7.0/10

Dr. Strangelove: Or How I Learn to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 100% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: 9.0/10

2001: A Space Odyssey
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 96% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: 9.6/10

A Clockwork Orange
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 91% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: 8.4/10

Barry Lyndon
Critic Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 94% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: 8.8/10

The Shining
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 88% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: 8.8/10

Full Metal Jacket
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 96% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: 8.6/10

Eyes Wide Shut
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 77% (very good)
Player Affinity Score: 8.3/10

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: SPARTACUS: Deleted Scenes; Archival Interviews with Peter Ustinov and Jean Simmons; Behind-the-Scenes Footage; 5 Vintage Newsreels; Image Galleries Including: Production Stills, Concept Art, Costume Design, Storyboards and Print Ads; DR. STRANGELOVE: The Cold War: Picture-in-Picture and Pop-Up Trivia Track; No Fighting in the War Room: Dr. Strangelove and the Nuclear Threat; Inside the Making of Dr. Strangelove; Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and Dr. Strangelove; The Art of Stanley Kubrick from Short Films to Strangelove; An Interview with Robert McNamara; Original Split-Screen Interviews with Peter Sellers and George C. Scott; 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY: Commentary by Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood; Documentary 2001: The Making of a Myth; Standing on the Shoulders of Kubrick: The Legacy of 2001; Vision of a Future Passed: The Prophecy of 2001; What Is Out There?; 2001: Conceptual Artwork; Look: Stanley Kubrick!; Audio-Only Bonus: 1966 Kubrick Interview Conducted by Jeremy Bernstein; A CLOCKWORK ORANGE: 40th Anniversary Edition: Malcolm McDowell Looks Back: Malcolm McDowell reflects on his experience working with legendary director Stanley Kubrick on one of the seminal films of the 1970s; Turning like Clockwork Considers the Film’s Ultra-violence and its Cultural Impact; Commentary by Malcolm McDowell and historian Nick Redman; Documentary Still Tickin’: The Return of Clockwork Orange; Great Bolshy Yarblockos!: Making A Clockwork Orange; Theatrical Trailer; Jan Harlan’s Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures; Career Profile O Lucky Malcolm! Featuring Malcolm McDowell; THE SHINING: Commentary by Steadicam inventor/operator Garrett Brown and historian John Baxter; Vivian Kubrick’s Documentary "The Making of the Shining" with Optional Commentary; View from the Overlook: Crafting The Shining; The Visions of Stanley Kubrick and Wendy Carlos, Composer; FULL METAL JACKET: Commentary by Adam Baldwin, Vincent D’Onofrio, R. Lee Ermey and critic/screenwriter Jay Cocks; Full Metal Jacket: Between Good and Evil; EYES WIDE SHUT: Three -Part Documentary The Last Movie: Stanley Kubrick and Eyes Wide Shut; Lost Kubrick: The Unfinished Films of Stanley Kubrick; Interview Gallery Featuring Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and Steven Spielberg; Kubrick’s 1998 Directors Guild of America D.W. Griffith Award Acceptance Speech

Amazon Price: $104.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A

DVD/Blu-ray DISCussion (New for 5.31.11)

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