A DVD can be a double-edged sword, and trust me, you’re not the only ones with some not-so-choice choices collecting mildew in your closets. But we offer help by way of an answer to the decade-old conundrum, “How many times are you really gonna watch that?”
This week’s releases
The Interpreter
Part au courant agitprop, part high-stakes drama, the film focuses on a U.S. Secret Service agent (Sean Penn), assigned to investigate a translator (Nicole Kidman) who claims to have overheard plans of an assassination plot.
Total box office: $72.5 million
Extras! Aside from the who-cares-about-those extras (alternate ending, deleted scenes), there are the what-the-heck-is-that? extras (“Interpreting Pan & Scan vs. Widescreen?). Most of the interesting stuff here stems from the U.N.-themed featurettes, including “A Day in the Life of Real Interpreters” and “The Ultimate Movie Set: The United Nations.” Both sound worthy of your time.
When it was relevant: The allure of megastars and an acclaimed director, Sydney Pollack, didn’t translate into anything more than unspectacular numbers at the box office. It was easy to see how The Interpreter sat pretty on the page, but the main characters were grossly miscast and somewhat overacted, even by superb Oscar winners. Sometimes even with all the greatest talent in the world attached, a movie can fail.
Worthy DVD purchase? Not quite. Even though the film is not all bad, The Interpreter didn’t leave anyone walking away with a smile. The relative few who enjoyed it were more struck by its star wattage than anything else. For that, it doesn’t deserve a spot on your DVD shelf, with space being as tight as it is with other better Pollack films, such as Tootsie or Out of Africa.
All things considered: C-
The Amityville Horror
Based on the “true story” of the terror that enveloped an upstate-New York house circa 1974. After a family is brutally murdered, George and Kathy Lutz (Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George) take up house in what turns out to be a demonic haven. They are quickly plagued by whatever hasn’t yet vacated the premises, affecting George Lutz the most.
Total box office: $64.3 million
Extras! There are a few good ones here, mainly intriguing by the whole based-on-a-true-story factor. Walking through the set of the foreboding house that had to be recreated, makes for a crash course on set design. To reconstruct such a well-recognized–and real–setting is a genuine achievement in this under-appreciated and painstaking art. Plus, the featurette on detailing the original family’s slayings is fascinating, giving insight into the mystery.
When it was relevant: “Based on a true story” before the title of a horror film always helps. Amityville didn’t break records when released, but it managed to scare up a pretty penny thanks to its “true story” assets and some good acting. Speaking of which, it was hard to imagine wisecracker Reynolds–he of frat-favorite National Lampoon’s Van Wilder–frightening us, but he turned a few heads here.
Worthy DVD purchase? Yes, and don’t seem so surprised. We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again–you can’t have too many horror DVDs in your library. Amityville may be wrapped up in neat little package, with its scares contrived and calculated ad nauseam, but it passes our grade for being decent fun.
All things considered: B
Cinderella (Disney’s Special Platinum Edition)
As if you don’t know the fairy tale, young Cinderella’s wretched stepmother and stepsisters scoff at her plans to attend a ball designed for only the chicest of chic. Cinderella, with the aid of delectable rodents and a fairy godmother, goes to the ball anyway, loses a glass slipper and gets Prince Charming in the process.
Total box office: $34.1 million
Extras! It’s ‘Rella’s first-ever release on DVD, so you just know Disney won’t let any new extras or dusty holdovers from its ’95 laserdisc release go to waste. As with any excessive amounts of extras, there are bound to be hits (the making of Cinderella) and misses (a shameless plug for a Disney subsidiary, the “ESPN Classic’s Cinderella Stories”). The real prize to come out of these mostly ho-hum extras, though, is a tribute to Disney’s famed Nine Old Men–the mad minds behind the Mouse House’s once-feverish animation team.
When it was relevant: In 1950, the year Cinderella was released, President Truman announced plans to develop the hydrogen bomb, the Korean War was in full swing and Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were arrested for being spies. In other words, Cinderella is old! Still, Disney had firmly established himself as the master of animation and people came out in droves to see the film. Its $34.1 million take was considered a certifiable blockbuster back then. And after a half-century since its release, its still being anointed as one of the most enduring animated film of all time.
Worthy DVD purchase? I don’t really want to say yes, but…yes? First-time Cinderella viewers of the younger set will no doubt be enthralled by it. It seems today’s newborns are seemingly emerging from their mothers’ womb already pre-wired to love the Disney classics. And as for adults who like to remember how it felt to watch those movies, Cinderella is a treat. Its extras don’t really make it anything better than anything it already is, but that doesn’t matter because it’s a true testament to how influential Disney has been–and will always be.
All things considered: A-
Re-Releases
Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection
Comments: The Master of Suspense is back! Undoubtedly one of the most well-known, respected and influential filmmakers of all time gets his masterpieces released in one expansive collection. All that you’ve hoped for is included, with exception of a few noticeable omissions: North by Northwest, Strangers on a Train, Dial ‘M’ for Murder and Spellbound. But it doesn’t matter, because by the time you’re done with this set–and going through all of its extras (see below)–the dawn of a new decade will be upon us. Then you’ll turn around and watch them again.
Extras!: You’d pony up the dough even if each of the 14 films included here didn’t contain mind-blowing extras for each film, wouldn’t you? Well we would too! But now there’s more of a reason, because each of Hitchcock’s masterpieces has a slew of extras to marvel at when you’re done with the film. There are far too many to even touch upon, of course, but the unthinkable has happened with this unveiling–negligible extras, such as theatrical trailers and production notes, have become gems. Any minor glimpse into Hitchcock’s works are certain to shed a whole new light on something so arcane and brilliant. Then there are the others, ranging from film-specific documentaries and featurettes to commentary from those fortunate enough to have at one point worked with the genius. Finally, there’s an extra disc with bonus features including an AFI salute, pieces on Psycho and The Birds and more. It’s hard to go wrong with this. For more info about this collection, read on.
All things considered A
