thePULSEYou wanna see something really scary?
October 2003 – October is the month for scares on DVD!
Robert Newton, film writer for Worcester Magazine who can be heard on WTAG, NewsTalk 580 AM, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, shares some insider thoughts on what’s scary and new for October DVD viewing.
Really scary DVDs
Cronos
A 16th-century alchemist builds a device that offers eternal life to its user, and over 450 years later, a battle over its possession ensues. This 1993 film was written and directed by Guillermo del Toro, who later went on to create the acclaimed horror shows Mimic (1997) and The Devil’s Backbone (2001), as well as next year’s comics adaptation, Hellboy. (10/14)
The diary of Ellen Rimbauer
Stephen King fans who stayed awake during the author’s Rose Red, which was his first story written exclusively for television, will want to check out this follow-up, told from the POV of the ghost, like The Others, except we’re in on the gimmick from the start. (10/14)
The Eye
Anyone who got all white-knuckled over The Ring will want to partake in this Asian import. It tells the story of a blind girl (Angelica Lee) whose radical surgery allows her to see…the dead! Bwa-ha-ha-ha! The American remake rights to this creepy hit were acquired by Tom Cruise’s production company, so you can expect a big budget English-language treatment by next Halloween. (10/21)
28 days later
Like Stephen King’s The Stand, but without the incredible commitment of time required to watch it, Trainspotting director Danny Boyle again teams up with Alex Garland, writer of the botched landing that was 2000’s The Beach, for this tight apocalyptic thriller. A plague that leaves its victims incurably psychotic has swept the globe, and only a handful of people remain unaffected. Like in George Romero’s Dead trilogy, the survivors bunker-down and eke out a microcosmic, feudal state, a la Lord of the Flies, where much of the drama finds seed. (10/21)
Willard
Super-weird Crispin Glover (Charlie’s Angels) is a nebbish who finds deadly strength in the rats that have infested his home. As if Michael Jackson’s version of the theme song, “Ben”, wasn’t creepy enough – check out George McFly’s own version over the end credits. (10/7)
Wrong Turn
“Buffy” star and Boston native Eliza Dushku is stranded in the wilderness with some unsavory characters in this psychological thriller, best described as “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre meets Deliverance.” (10/14)
Two classic 1970s’ TV shows finally hit DVD
Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Epic Series
While Universal is giving this short-lived sci-fi series the grand treatment (the case to this entire run is a big, shiny Cylon head), audiences who were young when it first aired and revisit it now may realize that the unapologetic Star Wars-inspired ratings giant may have been best left a pleasant memory. This 6-disc set includes all 24 episodes, but not the 10-episode run of Galactica 1980, which was reviled by both critics and fans alike. (10/21)
The Incredible Hulk: the Television Series Ultimate Collection
While not a compendium of every “Incredible Hulk” episode ever made (there were 85 over 4 1/2 seasons), this 6-disc set features some of the best, including the two-part second pilot, “A Death In The Family” and the most expensive episode, the two-part “Prometheus”. The first pilot of this 1978-83 series which starred the late Bill Bixby and bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno is available separately on DVD, as is Ang Lee’s underperforming feature version, Hulk (2003). (10/21)
New Releases: October 7
The Chateau
Two very American brothers (Paul Rudd and Romany Malco) inherit a house in France in this low-budget digital feature from the producers of Igby Goes Down.
A Christmas Story: Special Edition
This modern-day holiday classic, based on the late, great storyteller Jean Shepherd’s novel, In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, delivers the priceless, childhood-ending line, “You’ll shoot your eye out!” when young Ralphie’s (Peter Billingsley) holiday quest for a Red Ryder BB rifle is thwarted at every turn. This nifty 2-disc set is loaded with extras and is presented in its original widescreen for the first time. This 1983 gem had a follow-up, My Summer Story (1994), and an even more little-seen predecessor, Ollie Hopnoodle’s Haven of Bliss (1988), both of which are currently VHS-only releases.
Down With Love
Overwhelmingly negative reviews of this retro comedy starring Ewan McGregor and Renée Zellweger may have scared a lot of people away during this under-performer’s theatrical run, but DVD is the perfect place to catch it now, guilt-free.
The Hard Word
Aussie dynamos Rachel Griffiths (“Six Feet Under”) and Guy Pearce (Memento) star in this unconventional heist flick.
Hollywood Homicide
Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett are cops trying to solve the execution-style murder of a rap group in this action-comedy directed by Ron Shelton (Dark Blue), who is best known for sports movies like Tin Cup and Bull Durham.
The In-Laws
The laughs in this Michael Douglas-Albert Brooks spy caper may be sparse, but at least you can check out the 1979 Peter Falk-Alan Arkin favorite on which it was based.
It’s A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
Not to be confused with the Muppets first post-Henson feature, A Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), this well-received made-for-TV movie pits the Muppets against an evil banker (Joan Cusack) in a struggle to save the Muppet Theatre.
The Italian Job
This special 2-disc edition of the Mark Wahlberg hit about a gold heist is released the same day as the 1969 Michael Caine original.
The Lion King: Platinum Edition
Disney’s biggest animated film ever finally comes to DVD in a beautiful 2-disc edition, which includes both the original theatrical version and the version that premiered in IMAX theatres earlier this year, featuring the nifty new song “Morning Report”.
The Man Without A Past
This ultra-dry comedy, a Finnish Regarding Henry, is from the makers of the cult hit, Leningrad Cowboys Go Amerika.
Unconditional Love
Kathy Bates is a housewife and music fan who teams up with the gay lover (Rupert Everett) of her idol (Jonathan Pryce). From the director of My Best Friend’s Wedding.
October 14
The Matrix Reloaded
This 2-disc, features-loaded special edition will surely thrill fans already gorged on repeat viewings of the 1999 original, the collection of animated shorts on The Animatrix and the butt-kicking large-format edition of this movie that debuted in IMAX theatres earlier this year. As star Keanu Reeves would say, “Whoa!”
Owning Mahowny
Versatile Philip Seymour Hoffman (Love Liza) is a compulsive gambler who bets millions of dollars that belongs to the bank at which he works. With Minnie Driver.
The Safety Of Objects
Four suburban families deal with the aftermath of the traffic death of a teenager in this compelling drama, which stars Glenn Close, Dermot Mulroney, Patricia Clarkson and Mary Kay Place.
October 21
The Adventures Of Indiana Jones: The Complete Dvd Movie Collection
What is likely to be the most-given gift on DVD this holiday season is a four-disc collection that includes the retroactively re-titled Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), with a bonus behind-the-scenes disc. Frank Darabont, the Shawshank Redemption scribe who penned most of the episodes of the short-lived “Young Indiana Jones Chronicles” TV series, wrote the fourth (and as-yet untitled) Indy movie, which is due for release in the summer of 2005.
Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle
It may be the result of a painfully simple formula, but there is no denying that Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and co-producer Drew Barrymore, this relentless action comedy’s three sexy stars earn their wings, as well as their paychecks. This time, they’re up against the evil former Angel, played by the long-absent Demi Moore, and despite the movie’s overall low-brain approach, it is still a lot of fun. A special unrated version of the DVD contains scenes not seen in theaters, and both versions are chock-full-o-cheeky fun extras.
It Runs In The Family
Three generations of Douglases – Kirk, Michael and young Cameron – star in this family family drama, which also stars Douglas look-alike Kieran Culkin, Kirk’s ex-wife Donna Douglas (who is Michael’s mother) and Bernadette Peters.
Respiro
This Italian treat stars Valeria Golino (Frida) as a harried mother of three whose empathetic young son tries to foil her husband’s plan to send her to a mental institution.
October 28, 2003
Blind Spot: Hitler’s Secretary
Hitler’s secretary for the three years prior to the dictator’s suicide in April 1945 spins historical in this no-budget documentary, which is very effective in demonstrating how a nation fell victim to the madman’s charms.
City Of Ghosts
Matt Dillon’s directorial debut is a noir thriller about a con man (Dillon) who travels to Cambodia in an attempt to locate his mentor (James Caan) so that he might go straight. With Stellan Skarsgård (Dancer In The Dark), Gérard Depardieu (CQ) and Natasha McElhone (Laurel Canyon).
Hulk
Defying expectations both good and bad is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon director Ang Lee’s misunderstood, multi-million dollar art film about a scientist (Eric Bana) with anger management issues. Jennifer Connolly (A Beautiful Mind), Nick Nolte (The Good Thief) and Sam Elliott (We Were Soldiers) co-star. 2 discs, loaded with extras.
The Looney Tunes Golden Collection (4-Disc Set)
While Disney has already dug deep into its vaults of animated shorts, this 4-disc set from Warner Brothers showcases 56 classic bits from Bugs, Daffy and Porky, uncut, remastered and featuring extensive audio commentary. A pitifully lean 2-disc set with only 28 shorts called The Premiere Collection is also available.
The Sopranos: Season Four
HBO non-subscribers can finally see what all the hubbub about the “hit” series’ previous season is all about, and while the premiere of Season 5 was delayed until next year due to star James Gandolfini’s recent walkout during production, the good news is that the arc may not be contained in the standard 13-episode package.
