Rest in Peace, Powers Boothe

Powers Boothe (1948-2017)

Blu-Ray Review: THE GODFATHER and THE GODFATHER PART II

THE GODFATHER

Starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, John Cazale, Talia Shire, Gianni Russo, Richard S. Castellano, Abe Vigoda, Al Lettieri, Sterlng Hayden, Lenny Montana, Alex Rocco, Morgana King, Al Martino. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola. (1972, 177 min).

PARAMOUNT

THE GODFATHER PART II

Starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, John Cazale, Talia Shire, Lee Strasberg, Michael V. Gazzo, G.D. Spradlin, Bruno Kirby, Richard Bright, Morgana King, Tom Rosqui. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola. (1974, 200 min).

PARAMOUNT

The following review is for the handful of misguided movie fans who have somehow managed to make it this far in life without The Godfather in their collection. You really have no more excuses.

There are a few films so historically iconic that when you actually come across a someone who says they've never seen them, you simply offer a deadpan stare and reply, "You're kidding, right?"

The list of such films is pretty damn short...Star Wars, Jaws, Casablanca, to name a few. More than just classics, those films' cultural impact is so massive they transcend generations. It goes without saying that The Godfather is also high on this list. Not only the mother of all gangster epics, the film is one of the greatest ever made...in any genre.

"I thought I told you to flea-dip the cat."

The Godfather remains endlessly quotable and compulsively watchable (no matter how many times you've seen it), not-to-mention thematically & aesthetically timeless. It made stars out of Al Pacino, Robert Duvall & James Caan, and was arguably the pinnacle of Marlon Brando and director Francis Ford Coppola's careers. Movies just don't get much better than this.

And when I speak of The Godfather, I'm referring to both the 1972 original and 1974's The Godfather Part II. Nobody really thinks of them as two separate movies anymore. Unlike any other franchise in history, you can't have one without the other. Each film is made even richer and more rewarding by the existence of the other. While the belated Godfather Part III is much better than its maligned reputation suggests, it's the one that actually plays most like a traditional sequel, and as such, the law of diminishing returns certainly applies.

But anyone who reveres these films know all this and undoubtedly already have them in their collection. Who the hell is content to watch them only once?

"This is my lucky chair, Kay. It ain't going anywhere."

The Godfather saga has been frequently released in various formats and editions for years, both separately and as collections. The Coppola Restoration Blu-Ray boxed set, released in 2008, remains the best bet for collectors and completists, with impeccable picture & sound and a plethora of comprehensive bonus features. So why repackage and release them yet-again, with almost none of the extra goodies offered on previous discs?

Well, this is the 45th anniversary of the original, which is surely worthy of some kind of commemoration. And at a list price of less than ten bucks a pop, it's also the cheapest they've ever been made available on Blu-Ray, the perfect opportunity for those who may have invested in the first DVD boxed set - which was also loaded with extras - but simply want upgraded picture and sound (well worth it, by the way).

But most importantly, if you've never gotten around to seeing The Godfather or including it in your collection, there's never been a better time to remedy that problem. To quote an obscure old film I vaguely recollect, it's an offer you can't refuse.

EXTRA KIBBLES

AUDIO COMMENTARIES: Both films feature the same audio commentaries by writer/director Francis Ford from previous releases, which are exceptionally entertaining, comprehensive and loaded with behind-the-scenes .anecdotes

DIGITAL CODE FOR A MOBILE APP GAME

KITTY CONSENSUS:

MEOW! MEOW! MEOW!

Blu-Ray News: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (2017) Arrives June 6

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the live-action adaptation of the studio’s animated classic, brought the story and characters audiences know and love to spectacular life and broke box-office records. The release invites viewers to get up close and personal with the filmmakers and cast to see how this beloved animated film was transformed into a new live-action classic, from the first enchanted table read to a fascinating look at how the film was brought to life utilizing lavish sets, elaborately designed costumes and props, and state-of the-art technology. A feature on the amazing women behind the enchanted tale hosted by Emma Watson; and over 10 minutes of deleted scenes along with musical extras, including the “Beauty and the Beast” music video starring Ariana Grande and John Legend, Celine Dion’s heartfelt take on the new song “How Does a Moment Last Forever,” and jump directly to all you favorite unforgettable songs. Bring home the timeless tale beloved by generations on Digital HD, Blu-ray, Disney Movies Anywhere, DVD, and On-Demand on June 6.

VIEW THE NEW TRAILER

Blu-Ray News: RUNAWAY TRAIN & HELL IN THE PACIFIC - Two Forgotten Classics Coming in June

Director: Andrei Konchalovsky
Starring: Jon Voight, Eric Roberts, Rebecca De Mornay, John P. Ryan, Kenneth McMillan, T.K. Carter

Tearing up the tracks at 100 miles-per-hour, Runaway Train features hair-raising footage and spectacular Oscar-nominated performances by Jon Voight (Coming Home, Deliverance) and Eric Roberts (Star 80, The Pope of Greenwich Village). Manny (Voight) is the toughest convict in a remote Alaskan prison who, along with fellow inmate Buck (Roberts), makes a daring breakout. Hopping a freight train, they head full steam for freedom, but when the engineer dies of a heart attack, they find themselves trapped, alone and speeding towards certain disaster. Until, that is, they discover a third passenger, beautiful railroad worker, Sara (Rebecca De Mornay, Risky Business, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle), who's just as desperate and just as determined to survive as they are. Beautifully shot by Alan Hume (For Your Eyes Only), with top-notch direction by Andrei Konchalovsky (Siberiade, Tango & Cash) and based on a screenplay by Akira Kurosawa (The Seven Samurai). Co-starring John P. Ryan (Cops and Robbers, Avenging Force) and Kenneth McMillan (True Confessions, Ragtime). COMING JUNE 13 FROM KINO LORBER

Director: John Boorman
Starring: Lee Marvin, Toshiro Mifune

From John Boorman, the director of Deliverance and The Emerald Forest comes this gripping adventure about two wartime enemies trapped alone on a deserted island. Screen legends Lee Marvin (Prime Cut, Monte Walsh, The Dirty Dozen) and Toshiro Mifune (Yojimbo, The Challenge) deliver striking and well-etched performances in this searing psychological drama that packs plenty of action and excitement. From the instant they meet, a marooned American soldier (Marvin) and his Japanese counterpart (Mifune) have the same objective: to kill each other. But it soon becomes apparent that the only way they will survive is by forging an uneasy truce and cooperating with each other. Can they rise above the hatred that divides them long enough to stay alive? Two of the film's best features are the terrific color photography by the great Conrad Hall (In Cold Blood) and original musical score by the legendary Lalo Schifrin (Bullitt). COMING JUNE 27 FROM KINO LORBER

Rest in Peace, Michael Parks

Michael Parks (1940-2017)

Blu-Ray Review: THE SPACE BETWEEN US

Starring Asa Butterfield, Britt Robertson, Gary Oldman, Carla Gugino, B.D. Wong, Janet Montgomery, Colin Egglesfield. Directed by Peter Chelsom. (2017, 121 min).

UNIVERSAL

With the prospect of going to Mars being a trendy topic of late, the basic premise of The Space Between Us is quite intriguing. Too bad it eventually shoots itself in the foot by aiming for a different audience than it probably should have. I sort of knew that going in, but was still somewhat disappointed to see the whole thing playing out exactly as I suspected.

It begins with the mother of all implausibilities, that NASA would somehow remain completely unaware that one of the astronauts they just sent into space to colonize Mars is pregnant. Considering every astronauts' health is under constant meticulous scrutiny from the moment they're scheduled to fly, that's an enormous pill to swallow.

But there's nothing wrong with suspending a bit of disbelief for the sake of a good story. The child ends up being born on Mars. Because of the effects of Mars' lighter gravity on his bones and organs, he would be unable to survive on Earth. After his mother dies during childbirth, he's more-or-less raised by Kandra (Carla Gugino), one of the other colonists. Flash-forward sixteen years, and Gardner (Asa Butterfield) is a restless teenager who is internet pals with Kendra (Britt Robertson), a cynical foster child from Colorado (Wi-Fi technology apparently increases about a billion-fold in the near future).

"I take it there's no Listerine on Mars."

Then NASA develops a surgical method to strengthen his frame that allows him to come back, much to the chagrin of Shepherd (Gary Oldman), the scientist who planned the original mission. He fears the long-term effects of Earth's environment on Gardner's health. Sure enough, staying for any prolonged period could be fatal. Gardner doesn't want to return to Mars, however, so he escapes NASA's medical facility and heads out on a cross country journey to find Kendra.

Up until now, The Space Between Us is an interesting - albeit far-fetched - sci-fi tale of a young man discovering the wonders of Earth for the first time. Then it's as if someone suddenly decided they needed to appeal to the young adult crowd (and the movie was marketed as such). The second half turns into a sappy love story straight out of a Nicholas Sparks novel. Kendra and Gardner become two star-crossed young lovers on the run, boosting cars along the way in an effort to find Gardner's father while outsmarting Shepherd and the authorities.

The performances are good (especially Oldman, who gives more of himself than the role really requires) and Gardner is certainly a charming, likable character. I'll even concede that the film, despite repeatedly pushing the envelope of believability, is certainly watchable, especially if you're part of the teen demographic it's geared at. It's just a damn shame that what starts off as something akin to The Martian ultimately ends up as A Walk to Remember.

EXTRA KIBBLES

"LOVE" FEATURETTE - Very brief behind-the-scenes interviews

ALTERNATE ENDING

DELETED SCENES

AUDIO COMMENTARY (by director Peter Chelsom)

DVD & DIGITAL COPIES

KITTY CONSENSUS:

NOT BAD...LIKE CAT CHOW 

Blu-Ray Review: RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER

Starring Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Iain Glen, Shawn Roberts, Ruby Rose, William Levy, Eoin Macken, Lee Joon-gi, Fraser James, Rola, Ever Gabo Anderson. Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson. (2017, 107 min).

SONY

Fifteen years and six movies since the original Resident Evil offended zombie & video game purists everywhere, the franchise's final (?) chapter has finally arrived. To tell the truth, I'm actually sort-of disappointed it's coming to an end. None of the films are high art, and sure, they're often pretty derivative. But with the possible exception of Resident Evil: Apocalypse, none have been truly terrible (the third film, Extinction, even approaches greatness at times). I've always found them to be fast-moving, bloody fun with a more amusing kick-ass heroine than the aesthetically similar series, Underworld.

Revisiting Project Alice every few years is like catching up with an old friend and raising a pint or two. The company & conversation is light & congenial, never too deep, no real surprises or revelations. You bring each other up-to-speed and have a good time for a few hours before leaving the bar with a comfortable buzz, never giving that person second thought until they call you out of the blue again in a few years.

The Final Chapter picks up right after the last film, Retribution. Alice (Milla Jovovich) learns from the Red Queen - the Umbrella Corporation's malevolent computer program - that there's only a few thousand uninfected humans left on Earth, and the company's megalomaniac founder, Dr. Isaacs, plans on wiping them out, too. To stop him, she needs to return to Raccoon City and venture back into The Hive, where the outbreak started and an antivirus still exists. When released, it will kill anyone infected with the T-virus, which, logically, would include Alice.

Milla Jovovich's Smith & Wesson Workout

One of the main criticisms of the Resident Evil franchise is that it tends to ignore the stories of the original video games. Since I've never played any of them, I couldn't care less, though The Final Chapter probably plays more like a video game than any other film in the series. That's not really intended as a criticism, since this also means the movie is loaded with hyperkinetic action and seldom slows down for anything resembling character development (but other than Alice, do we really care, anyway?). Still, a few characters from previous films return - sometimes too conveniently - to either help or hinder Alice's mission.

As usual, there are plot revelations along the way, such as Alice's origins and Umbrella's ultimate agenda. Though none of them come as any real surprise, the way things play out is interesting. Still, the story takes a backseat of acrobatic gunplay, gravity-defying fights, flying body parts and imaginatively-rendered CGI creatures. Even the staunchest critics have to admit the one area where this franchise has always shined is the elaborate production design. This one is no different, especially once the dwindling cast ventures into what's left of The Hive.

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter isn't likely to win over any converts and, despite being touted as the end, the door is left open for more sequels...just in case. That suits me fine. These movies aren't made to challenge the intellect or break new cinematic ground. Like the rest of the franchise, The Final Chapter is simply entertaining, undemanding fun.

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTES - "Stunts & Weaponry"; "Explore the Hive"; "The Bad Ass Trinity of Resident Evil"

RETALIATION MODE - Allows the viewer the option of watching director Anderson and Jovovich discussing various production details during the movie

SNEAK PEEK: RESIDENT EVIL: VENDETTA - Trailer for the upcoming film in the CG franchise

DIGITAL COPY

KITTY CONSENSUS:

PURR-R-R...LIKE A FAMILIAR SCRATCH BEHIND THE EARS

Rest in Peace, Don Gordon

Don Gordon (1926-2017)

DVD Review: SHARK WEEK: SHARK N' AWE COLLECTION

Various Directors. (2017, 1374 min).

LIONSGATE

23 hours of shark docs? Count me in.

Shark Week remains the only time of year the once-great Discovery Channel is worth watching. Though the "science" of some of the recent documentaries are occasionally dubious (The Monster Shark Lives, anyone?), who doesn't love watching these creatures in their natural habitat (and the men & women who enjoy taunting them)?

Many episodes and collections have popped up on DVD before, but content-wise, Shark n' Awe is the mother of all of them, 32 episodes on six discs. Now any week can be Shark Week, and freedom from commercial interruption really is the best way to watch these docs, especially since nearly every scheduled break is an obnoxious cliffhanger.

"Staring contest...GO!"

There are a lot of good episodes, including another in their ever-popular "Air Jaws" series and a second go-round by the Mythbusters gang to test the plausibility of the scuba tank explosion in Jaws. I could have done without the three "Sharksanity" episodes, which are simply collections of 'best-of' moments from previous shows (some of which appear in this same set). On the other hand, we're spared most of Discovery's lousy psuedo-documentaries claiming megalodons still exist.

Best of all, the whole thing is priced at just under twenty bucks (and available exclusively at Walmart). Even with no bonus features, how can you go wrong with a DVD set like this? For shark lovers, this is a great binge-a-thon.

EXTRA KIBBLES

None 

KITTY CONSENSUS:

PURR-R-R...LIKE A GOOD SCRATCH BEHIND THE EARS 

Blu-Ray Review (by my cat): A DOG'S PURPOSE

Starring KJ Apa, Britt Robertson, Juliet Rylance, Luke Kirby, Dennis Quaid, Peggy Lipton, voice of Josh Gad. Directed by Lasse Hallstrom. (2017, 100 min).

UNIVERSAL

Reviewed by STINKY (pictured below)*

A Dog's Purpose? Isn't that an oxymoron? Anyone of reasonable intelligence can attest that dogs serve no actual purpose. But even though I've never been much of a science fiction fan, I'm an open minded enough to accept a dog as a protagonist.

GUEST REVIEWER: STINKY

I'll say this much: A Dog's Purpose starts off great, when a puppy gets snatched-up by dogcatchers, hauled to the pound and gets what's coming to him. Serves him right for having the audacity to be a dog. Even though one of the people I allow to share my sofa looked surprised and saddened, I briefly thought this was the greatest film of all time. Phenomenally short, maybe, but a rich viewing experience. Purring contently, I prepared to jump off the sofa to go partake in a few hours of much needed grooming. No need to sit through the end credits; I didn't care who played this stupid dog.

But the end credits didn't come. The movie wasn't over after all, and what could have been the greatest cinematic achievement of all time took a major turn for the worse. This dead dog comes back as another dog, still looking for his purpose, which he stupidly thinks is spending his life as some dumb kid's loyal companion. Really?

As a feline film critic, I'm willing to suspend disbelief for the sake of a story, so long as it doesn't insult my intelligence. But, come on, everyone knows only cats have nine lives; dogs are too inherently dumb to deserve more than one. For example, this pooch, named Bailey, runs into a burning house to rescue his boy. How stupid does an animal have to be to selflessly come to his master's aid when it's far safer to simply take off and find a new one? This idiotic animal even sticks around after the boy's dad becomes an abusive drunk. 

On the plus side, Bailey dies, too, though I don't believe for a second the entire family would gather around to comfort him, then mourn his passing. These are the same people who unceremoniously buried their dead cat in the backyard without shedding a single tear, just so Bailey could dig her back up and bring her into the house for a cheap laugh. Ha-ha...very funny.

I shot a glance to my own person. He actually looked sad Bailey died. Geez, did he cry when the shark in Jaws exploded, too? While we're on the subject, why is it that when a dog dies in a movie, it's tragic, but when a cat does, it's exposition? Meh!

Cujo II

Anyway, this dog comes back again...and again...and again, still looking for his stupid purpose, always dying before he finds it. Talk about persistence. Judging from my person's face, these moments are supposed to be bittersweet, but for me, this was like watching Jason Voorhees repeatedly coming back in those Friday the 13th movies. I won't spoil the ending for you, but let's just say it's more far-fetched than Independence Day and as depressing as the climax of Seven. My person, however, actually had a smile on his face. Sick bastard.

Still, I concede I'm likely not the primary audience for a movie like this. As hard as it is to fathom, there's apparently lot of dumb people who actually love dogs. For them, A Dog's Purpose is probably a charming, sweet film, made more so by narration from some guy named Josh Gad, who voices Bailey's thoughts (though everyone knows if a dog could think in human language, the only word they'd be capable of is "duh"). As for you normal folks reading this, you're better off dusting off your old copy of Harry & Tonto.

*The views and opinions expressed by Stinky in this review do not necessarily reflect those of her owner. She's always been a grumpy little hairball who purred when Old Yeller died. While A Dog's Purpose is a bit too cloying for some tastes, dog lovers should enjoy it.

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTES:

"Lights, Camera, Woof" - A making of featurette, narrated from one of the dogs' perspective;

"A Writer's Purpose" - Interview with the novel's author, W. Bruce Cameron.

DELETED SCENES & OUTTAKES

DVD & DIGITAL COPIES

KITTY CONSENSUS:

NOT BAD...LIKE DOG CHOW 

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