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“PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL ‘PUSH’ BY SAPPHIRE”
Blu-ray widescreen and DVD widescreen, 2009, R for child abuse including sexual assault and pervasive language
Best extra: “From Push to Precious,” a look at how the novel by Sapphire became a Golden Globe and an Oscar-winning movie
FOR A MOVIE about the evils of life, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” oozes with hope. But before you can get to that uplifting feeling, be prepared to shed a lot of tears.
The wonderful thing about bonus features, and all of these are in high-def, is the perspective it can shine on a story about a monster mother, a felonious father and tenacious teenager, especially when you have several extras with the author who wrote the novel.
While director Lee Daniels’ commentary is fine, the interaction he has with Sapphire in “A Conversation with …” brings out more of Daniels’ love for this movie and Sapphire’s admiration for how Daniels interpreted her book and brought it alive on screen. If anyone watched the Oscars, they saw Gabourey Sidibe sitting among legends for her best-actress nomination for playing Precious Jones; this was her first movie role.
On the Blu-ray, you get to see the real Gabourey, a smiling, happy, educated woman who dove deep to portray the molested, abused teen in the movie. Viewers also get to see her audition tape (she skipped a college class, by the way, to audition for the part).
Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of actress Mo’nique on the disc. The comedian turned actress won the best supporting actress Oscar for her portrayal of Precious’ verbally and physically abusive mother. She gives one heck of a performance. Other bonuses include a look at the ensemble cast; a talk with Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry, who saw the movie and had to become a part of its intense message; a deleted scene; movie trailer; and Sidibe, Daniels and actress Paula Patton stating one message they hope the film imparts. Each had a different message – proving the film hits many layers and speaks to many people.
— Toni Guagenti
Blu-ray widescreen and DVD widescreen, 2009, R for language and brief nudity
Best extra: Commentary by director/co-writer Jason Reitman, is hands-down one of the best you'll come across
PART 1940’S SCREWBALL comedy, part modern-day morality tale, "Up in the Air" – a best-picture nominee at this year's Oscars – clicks for any number of reasons: Its witty, Oscar-nominated screenplay; the performances of Oscar nominees George Clooney, Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick; its clever cinematography, sharp editing and perfect soundtrack.
But the common denominator is director Jason Reitman (he was up for an Oscar, too), and Exhibit A is the commentary he cut for the story of Ryan Bingham, a hired gun who crisscrosses the country to downsize the staffs at companies that don't want the dirty work. Why did Reitman rework the script to reflect the economic facts of life? Why switch from choreographed crane shots to a handheld camera? Who came up with the scene about joining the Mile-High Club? And what's with Jason Bateman's beard?
Reitman ("Juno"), who shares the mic with cinematographer Eric Steelberg and assistant director Jason Blumenfeld, both longtime compadres, answers those questions and lots more. To say his enthusiasm is contagious is to sell it way short; this is the antidote for all those dreary tracks that play like contractual obligations.
The other extras are good, too: Deleted scenes with optional commentary by Reitman; a short feature on the outfit that did the wonderful opening title designs and a prank that Reitman and Clooney pulled on American Airlines.
"Up in the Air" also gets a considerable lift from its high-def presentation. In his commentary, Reitman says his job is to create authenticity. Same goes for the Blu-ray picture. The image is sharp and the colors are true, with a nice filmic grain tying it all up. And kudos to the folks in the sound lab. Big chunks of the story unfold inside and outside of working airports, with passengers boarding and disembarking and jets roaring overhead. There isn't a line of dialogue that goes unnoticed.
Near the end of his commentary, Reitman says he's asked a lot about the fate of Bingham. Staring at a massive flight board, does he return to an endlessly cyclical life above the clouds or has he come to realize the rewards of one that is more grounded? Reitman doesn't provide the answer, but he does say that hearing the question told him that he did his job.
Did he ever.
— Craig Shapiro
Blu-ray widescreen and DVD widescreen, 2009, R for some language
Best extra: Extras consist of 11 deleted and extended scenes (all in HD).
”When I was a kid, I wanted to be a priest,” says filmmaker Michael Moore, who was moved as a child by Jesus’ timeless teaching, “That the first shall be last and the last shall be first.” Angered by America's reckless greed and consumerism, Moore feels that “Jesus got hijacked, by people who believe the son of God was sent here to create heaven on earth for the well-to-do. I must have missed that part of the Bible where Jesus became a capitalist.”
“Is Capitalism a sin?” That’s the question Moore poses in his latest documentary, arguably his most convincing and accomplished, which focuses on the 2007-2010 financial crisis. It is common knowledge that the top one-percent of the population have more financial wealth than the bottom 95 percent combined, but few have explained how things got this way better than Moore does. Beginning by drawing striking comparisons between the Roman Empire and America, Moore then takes viewers on a journey through American history, from the glory days following World War II through the present day. As with his previous docs, Moore exposes some shocking facts, interviews experts and everyday Americans, and builds a compelling case.
“Capitalism” comes to Blu-ray with a faithful transfer. As with all of Moore's films, much of what you see is stock footage so quality varies. The fresh HD interview footage looks quite good. The uncompressed audio is excellent and while this is mostly a dialogue-driven affair, there is a fair amount of music used as well.
The religious component Moore uses in the film makes it his most interesting and personal to date and, while extras are rather light, with only 11 deleted and extended scenes, this is certainly recommended for those who enjoy political features.
— Josh Boone
Blu-ray widescreen and DVD widescreen, 2009, PG for some mild rude humor
Best extra: Feature-length commentary with director Walt Becker, producer Andrew Panay and screenwriters David Diamond and David Weissman
ELLA BLEU TRAVOLTA makes her film debut with daddy John Travolta, mommy Kelly Preston and veteran actor/comedian Robin Williams in a story about two middle-age men who built a super sports marketing business while escaping the trappings (or so they think) of family and fatherhood.
But, of course, that all changes in Disney’s “Old Dogs” when Dan (Williams) discovers he has twins from a one-night marriage he had seven years previously with Vicki (Preston), who has to drop them off with their daddy when she has to spend two weeks in jail for protesting. With some help from Charlie (Travolta), Dan finds out what he’s been missing.
There is no denying Travolta and William’s on-screen chemistry during the movie, which has its funny moments. Amazingly, this is the first time the two superstars have been in a movie together.
You can find out more about what it took to make the movie from the commentary, where the principals use the words “went for it” a lot to describe many of the actors, including Matt Dillon, Justin Long and Ann-Margret. The other high-definition bonuses are quite short and include an interview with Travolta and Williams by Ella and her co-star/on-screen twin Conner Rayburn (Zach), two music videos (a song from Bryan Adams and one from Travolta and Ella Bleu herself); bloopers; deleted scenes and BD Live features. Digital and DVD copies round out the three-disc set.
For those who love New York City, a lot of the filming was actually done in the Big Apple, and shows brilliantly in high def. Finally – some scenes shot on location without a ton of green-screen, digital enhancement.
—Toni Guagenti
Blu-ray widescreen and DVD widescreen, 2009, PG for mild sci-fi action and suggestive humor
Best extra: “Life on Planet 51,” a short making-of, high-definition featurette that provides perspective from its actors, directors, writer and producers
THIS IS A reverse invasion movie. Chuck the astronaut (Dwayne Johnson) lands on Planet 51, where the green inhabitants live a 1950’s lifestyle, complete with be-bop songs and full skirts. He thinks he’s the first to set foot on the planet, but discovers a world of aliens who want to study his brain. Of course, he finds a sympathetic alien named Lem (Justin Long) who helps Chuck find his way back home.
The movie, which was produced and made in Madrid, Spain, by Ilion Animation Studios (with Sony Pictures Animation and HandMade Films) has decent animation with plenty of creativity – the world is quite small-town U.S.A. with a round flair. You get a tour of the “sets” during “The World of Planet 51,” a panorama of the film’s digital settings with one of the movie's hip songs.
Viewers also get to the meet the voice talent used in the movie. There are quite a few big names in addition to Johnson and Long, including Jessica Biel (Neera), Seann William Scott (Skiff), Gary Oldman (General Grawl), John Cleese (Professor Kripple) and Alan Marriott (Glar). Although some of the dialogue is a bit trite and predictable, Chuck has “the right stuff” (Get it?) The characters are entertaining, especially for the younger viewers.
Other high-def bonus features include three extended scenes, a music-video montage, progression reels from raw computer video to final product, and the exclusive-to-Blu-ray “Target 51” game, where players get a chance to take out the bad guys in your own space ship. This game has an optional iPhone controller app that can be downloaded from iTunes.
You also get a DVD and digital copy in the same Blu-ray pack.
— Toni Guagenti
Blu-ray widescreen and DVD widescreen, 2009, G for everyone
Best extra: “A Bond of Loyalty: The Making of ‘Hachi: A Dog’s Story’”
ANYONE WHO’S BONDED with a companion animal will love this film. Just be sure to keep a box of tissues nearby while it plays. You’re going to need it.
The making-of feature tells us “Hachi” is based on a true story. Back in 1923, Hachiko, an Akita, was the beloved pet of a Tokyo University professor, Dr. Eisaburo Ueno. The dog would meet his person every day when he returned home at the Shibyua Train Station. When the professor died suddenly at work in May 1925, Hachiko continued to make his way back to the train station and wait – for the next nine years until he died in March 1934.
It’s a story every Japanese knows and, at the end of “Hachi,” we get to see the bronze statue that now sits at Shibyua Train Station, an example of the undying loyalty between animals and their humans.
Richard Gere plays the professor in this film from Sony Pictures and he’s just great – as are the three Akitas who play the older Hachi. (The puppy found by Gere’s character is a Shiba Inu, a smaller and easier to train related breed.) We learn something about Akitas in the film and in the making-of: That they are the dog of the samurai and of royalty in Japan, that they are strong-willed and dignified, very particular about their relationships. Apparently, Akitas are not prone to games of fetch.
Directed by Lasse Hallstrom (“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” “The Cider House Rules”), Gere is joined by excellent co-stars including Joan Allen, Jason Alexander and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa. Filmed on the east coast, we witness a dramatic change of seasons, all beautifully captured in HD. This is a wonderful film to watch on Blu-ray. “Hachi” himself is a gorgeous dog and the detail is so fine, you’ll be tempted to reach into the screen and give him a hug – if he’ll let you. The DTS-HD soundtrack ably supports the dialogue and music-driven film.
What a shock this fine movie went direct to Blu-ray and DVD. It is every bit as good as “Marley & Me,” yet maintains its own unique sensitivity. The story is not overly sensationalized and there are many scenes that play out quietly. We certainly see how people feel about Hachi, but many scenes are filmed from the dog’s point of view as well. Blu-ray features also include BDLive and MovieQ, for those whose players are connected to the internet.
— Mike Reynolds
DVD widescreen, 2009 R for drug content, pervasive language and brief nudity
Best extra: Interview with Tao Ruspoli and Shawn Andrews
AFTER WINNING A bunch of awards at film festivals, “Fix” is out on DVD.
The characters are documentary filmmakers on a mission. Director and writer Tao Ruspoli plays Milo, whose brother Leo (Shawn Andrews) has 15 hours to get from jail to drug rehab or he goes to prison for three years. The brothers and Milo’s girlfriend (Olivia Wilde) have to raise $5,000. And what do you do in Los Angeles when you need $5,000 on short notice? You sell a pound of weed, of course.
In an interview with Ruspoli and Andrews, they explain work they’ve done to promote the film, even handing out fliers on the street. The movie’s style is filled with choppy, flustered sequences, helping it grab a special hype.
“It’s gone beyond our wildest dreams … Two days ago we opened NASDAQ, which was the most bizarre and random, but wonderful exposure,” Ruspoli says in the interview.
Extras also include the “Making of Fix” and commentary with the actors or the filmmakers. Ruspoli explains how he took a style of making small films and applying it to a longer narrative.
The movie includes lots of California scenery, including cool cars. While filming in Watts, an editor was robbed at gunpoint of a laptop. The risks give the film an edge.
— Patrick Wilson
“THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE”
DVD widescreen, 2009, R for sexual content, brief nudity, some drug material and language
Best extra: Interviews with Robin Wright Penn, Alan Arkin and Blake Lively
FILLED WITH BIG-NAME actors, Robin Wright Penn brings to life a housewife going through a midlife crisis in a film packed with drama, romance and, surprise, touches of humor.
Wright Penn plays the likable Pippa, who is married to an older man, a publisher (Alan Arkin). Her troubled past includes growing up with a mother who was addicted to speed. The story’s focus is about Pippa finding what she truly wants.
“I just think it’s such an authentic ride through someone’s life, through someone’s diary and evolution of the new shape that they become,” Wright Penn says of her character in her interview on the DVD.
“Pippa” is based on a novel by director Rebecca Miller, a painter before she got into film. Her background is apparent in, for example, the film’s use of light. The movie has played in a handful of theaters, including in New York, Florida and California.
Extras are limited to brief interviews with the lead actors. The DVD also includes commentary with Wright Penn and Miller.
— Patrick Wilson
“MAKE WAY FOR TOMORROW: THE CRITERION COLLECTION”
DVD full-frame, Black & White, 1937, not rated
Best extra: A video interview with historian and critic Gary Giddins, who talks about director/screen writer Leo McCarey’s work and the political and social context of the film.
ORSON WELLES LOVED this film, Peter Bogdanovich says in one of the special features. So did a lot of directors, actors and writers although you may have never heard of it.
It wasn’t a hit and the studio scrapped it quickly as a dark and unhappy film made to appease a popular award-winning, money-making director. See, McCarey was the guy who originally paired Laurel and Hardy. He made “Duck Soup” with the Marx Brothers, one of their best films. “Going My Way” and “The Bells of St. Mary’s,” both starring Bing Crosby, demonstrate his perfect blend of drama and humor. “An Affair to Remember” with Carey Grant and Deborah Kerr is ranked as one of the best romantic films of all time.
Yes – that Leo McCarey.
Watching this masterpiece is a little like watching déjà vu play out. The story is so current it could have been made today although it would be difficult to say how it could be made better.
With little fanfare or sentiment, McCarey presents a story about a couple who are losing their home to the bank. They’ve been married 50 years and raised children, who are now married and on their own. But now that Ma and Pa need help, no one quite knows what to do. An accountant, Pa’s out of work; new employment is unlikely. Ma (Beulah Bondi) ends up going to live with one child while Pa (Victor Moore) stays with another and no one quite fits anywhere.
This is another excellent presentation from Criterion. Extras include two mini-documentaries, one with Giddins and one with Bogdanovich, who each deliver tales of old Hollywood with very little crossover. A small booklet includes more critical and historical coverage as well as photo stills. Highly recommended!
— Mike Reynolds
“SCARECROW AND MRS. KING: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON”
DVD full-frame, 1983-84 unrated
Best extra: None
WHERE DO TV shows go when they die?
After a short run in syndication, many are ending up revived on DVD.
Luckily the wait is over for any “Scarecrow and Mrs. King” fans lingering out there. The first of four seasons is now in a 5-disc, 21-episode set. The picture is crisp and color tones are rich – much better than anything you would have seen on your TV set in 1983.
The whole series is “Murder She Wrote” meets “James Bond” with a little “Charlie’s Angels” thrown in. There’s plenty of mystery, action as well as a touch of romance to keep everyone in the family watching.
Somewhere between the wholesome June Cleaver of “Leave it to Beaver” and today’s oversexed, scandal-ridden “Desperate Housewives,” there was Mrs. King. Played by Kate Jackson, who is perhaps best known for her role as Sabrina Duncan in “Charlie’s Angels,” Amanda King starts one day as a single mother just trying to raise her two boys in suburban Washington D.C.
Soon, after getting mixed up in spy-business at the train station, she finds herself drawn into the Agency (a government body resembling the FBI). Before long she’s dodging bullets, foiling criminal plots and putting everything on the line to save her partner.
Lee “Scarecrow” Stetson, played by the handsome Bruce Boxleitner, has been with the Agency for years. A self-proclaimed loner, he’s happy with his workaholic lifestyle and few friends. When a twist of fate pairs Stetson with King, he often acts encumbered by the burden of the amateur spy. Yet, eventually, he warms to the idea of working with her after being saved by King time after time. The two end up as a good team and, over the duration of the series, become romantically involved.
There is something tidy and wholesome about “Scarecrow and Mrs. King.” It beckons back to the time when a complete story was told from beginning to end during an hour-long television episode. There is little need for the audience to keep up with plots from week to week – and thank goodness for that; nobody had Hulu in 1983 after all.
— Olivia Hubert-Allen
Blu-ray widescreen and DVD widescreen, 2009, PG-13 for some crude humor
Best extra: Twenty-one minutes of standard-def mini-docs, found only on the Blu-ray, offers bizarre humor and interesting … stuff.
IF YOU LIKED the weird and awkward humor of “Nacho Libre” and “Napoleon Dynamite,” chances are you’re going to like “Gentlemen Broncos,” also co-written and directed by Jared Hess.
Teen Benjamin Purvis (Michael Angarano) gets a chance to go to a writers’ convention where he gets to meet his favorite science fiction author, Ronald Chevalier (Jemaine Clement). Chevalier, experiencing deadline and writer’s block problems, plagiarizes Benjamin’s work – but it’s Benjamin who has to prove he’s been wronged.
Movies-within-the-movie – “Yeast Lords: The Bronco Years” and “Brutus and Balzaak” – provide cringe-worthy accompaniments to the battle between Benjamin and Chevalier.
There’s some interesting color and detail – depending on which aspect of the movie you’re watching – in this Blu-ray presentation. The end result is, we know Hess is having us on; viewers are left to love-it or hate-it. Don’t look for much in the way of spectacular sound in the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. What’s there is decent, just not in a “Transformers” explosive way.
Additional extras include deleted scenes, outtakes, a scattered commentary, pre-menu trailers (funny!) and a featurette, “One Nutty Movie: Behind the Scenes of 'Gentlemen Broncos'” in HD.
— Mike Reynolds
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