Revisiting THE CROW in 4K (SteelBook)

THE CROW - 30th Anniversary Edition (4K UHD SteelBook)

1994 / 102 min

FROM PARAMOUNT

Review by Pepper the Poopy😺

Paramount has been putting out some of the cooler SteelBooks lately, with creative packaging and vivid new artwork. Recent examples include the elaborately designed packaging and art for Event Horizon, Cloverfield and Halloween H2O (which was far more impressive than the movie itself).

You can add the 30th Anniversary 4K SteelBook of The Crow to that list. Like those others, the slipcase is part of the artwork…the transparent silhouette of a crow revealing Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) in full goth garb and a guitar hanging off his shoulder. On the back of the SteelBook itself is the film’s most iconic promotional image. 

Those looking to upgrade will also like the transfer, with an overall 4K picture that nicely preserves the film’s bleak aesthetic, particularly the black levels. There was always something inherently appealing about The Crow’s (deliberate?) artifice, such as the numerous POV “flyovers” of a run-down city that’s obviously an elaborate model. The intricate details of the set design really stand out here. The DTS-HD Master Audio track is excellent as well.

When Mimes Attack.

Considering many 4K releases simply throw in previously released bonus content, longtime Crow fans might appreciate the inclusion of two new features, especially a three-part look at the film’s unique production design. The other feature is fairly superfluous…a 13 minute piece about Sideshow Collectibles’ new Eric Draven figurine. 

As for the movie itself…The Crow remains a darkly entertaining piece of comic book action, though certainly a product of its time. And at the risk of raising a few hackles among its fans, the knowledge that Brandon Lee was tragically killed on-set (just as his career was taking off) is arguably the main reason the film resonates emotionally…even 30 years later. Setting that context aside - if possible - The Crow has always been more style than substance, with a familiar revenge story colorful-but-perfunctory characters. Even Draven is painted in broad strokes.

Still, The Crow boasts great action sequences, loads of indelible imagery and an antihero that has since become somewhat iconic (enough that purists are already crying foul at the upcoming remake). The movie itself doesn’t quite live up to its legend, but its sizable cult following will undoubtedly love this 4K upgrade.

EXTRA KIBBLES

NEW FEATURES - Shadows & Pain: Designing The Crow is a three-part retrospective featuring production designer Alex McDowell; Sideshow Collectibles has host Paul Hernandez and producer Edward R. Pressman discussing the new Eric Draven figurine.

FEATURETTES - Behind the Scenes; A Profile on James O’Barr (O’Barr created the original comic).

2 AUDIO COMMENTARIES - 1) By director Alex Proyas; 2) By producer Jeff Most & co-screenwriter John Shirley.

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THE MASK OF FU MANCHU: Starring Danny Trejo's Doppelganger

THE MASK OF FU MANCHU (Blu-ray)

1932 / 69 min

FROM WARNER ARCHIVE COLLECTION

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😼

Man, it seems like Danny Trejo has done it all…escaped a life of crime, mentored others to avoid the same fate, all while parlaying his tough guy image into a prolific movie career. He’s also appeared in video games, was a contestant on The Masked Singer and wrote a memoir that became a bestseller. 

Now we can add time travel to the man’s list of accomplishments, transporting himself all the way back to 1932 to play the evil Dr. Fu Manchu in…

…what? That’s Boris Karloff? I coulda sworn it was Danny Trejo.

At any rate, Karloff is unrecognizable under all that make-up, playing the titular villain in The Mask of Fu Manchu. He’s not the only white actor being passed-off as Asian, either. None other than Myrna Loy shows up as Fu Manchu’s temptress daughter. But hey…the film was made during different times, so let’s not hold that against it. But it also means we’ll need to overlook the frequent use of words like ‘Chinaman’ and one character admonishing Fu Manchu as a ‘hideous yellow monster.’

When the meds kick in.

Viewed in the context of when it was made, the film offers some goofy fun, featuring such pre-Code shenanigans as Loy appearing to be aroused by the whipping of another man. Elsewhere, there’s a scene where a character is lowered into an alligator pit, and it sure as hell looks like the actor is stepping & stumbling among real gators. And it’s hard to completely dismiss any movie climaxing with a death ray that kills hundreds of extras.

The basic plot is remarkably similar to that of Raiders of the Lost Ark, with Dr. Fu Manchu is trying to find an ancient sword & mask belonging to Genghis Khan, which will give him power to destroy the white race. Hoping to grab it first are British Secret Service agents led by Nayland Smith (Lewis Stone). Tagging along is Sheila Barton (Karen Morley), the daughter of an agent who’s been kidnapped and tortured by Fu Manchu (rather sadistically, I might add). While obviously no Raiders, there’s plenty of action and death along the way.

Certainly a product of its time, The Mask of Fu Manchu is an interesting little curio…a pre-Code relic made back when caricaturing an entire group of people was a-okay. Though probably never mistaken for a great movie, it’s still kinda fun - sometimes at its own expense - with Karloff having a high ol’ time as Danny Trejo’s doppelganger. 

EXTRA KIBBLES

2 WB CARTOON SHORTS - “Freddy the Freshman” and “The Queen Was in the Parlor.”

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By historian Greg Mark.

NIGHT FALLS ON MANHATTAN: More Cop Corruption from Sidney Lumet

NIGHT FALLS ON MANHATTAN (Blu-ray)

1996 / 112 min

FROM ARROW VIDEO

Review by Mr. Paws😺

Late in his legendary career, Sidney Lumet revisited his favorite subject (corrupt cops) one more time, writing and directing Night Falls on Manhattan. While not quite as compelling as Serpico, the woefully underappreciated Prince of the City or Q&A, the film is a nice capper to what could be considered his Corruption Quadrilogy (which would make a pretty cool boxed set, if you asked me).

The protagonist in this one is idealistic young lawyer Sean Casey (Andy Garcia), who wins a high-profile case that puts cop-killing druglord Jordan Washington behind bars. Though the case is essentially a slam dunk, the victory boosts his career enough to be elected New York’s District Attorney. Afterwards, the defense lawyer Sean faced in the case, Sam Vigoda (Richard Dreyfuss) reveals to him the real reason he chose to defend Washington in the first place…to attack corruption in three different police precincts, where he suspects dirty cops were on Washington’s payroll.  

Sean’s professional ethics are put to the test when he suspects his own Dad (Ian Holm), a career cop who was shot trying to nail Washington, might have lied on the stand during the trial, thus denying him due process. However, since the results of the trial put-away an irredeemable, cold-blooded murderer, does Sean still uphold the law regardless, even if it might destroy his own father? It raises an interesting quandary.

Sean coaxes a guilty plea with sheer will.

The narrative is essentially divided into two halves. The first is the incident with the clash between Washington and the police, followed by the trial. The second involves Sean’s investigation and the unexpected gray areas regarding the law, along with an inconsequential romantic subplot between he and one of Vigoda’s attorneys, Peggy (Lena Olin). The first half is grittier and more focused (and features the only real action), while the rest is a little more meandering, with a comparatively anti-climactic final act. Still, I can’t imagine anyone actually being disappointed with the denouement.

As usual for Lumet’s films, the performances are generally excellent, Garcia arguably giving one of his career best. Holm is also affecting as Sean’s dad, while Dreyfuss, though a little underused, makes the most of the few scenes in which he appears. Though it doesn’t rank among the director’s classics, Night Falls in Manhattan is a solid late-career effort that revisits one of his favorite themes.

For its Blu-ray debut, the film has been given a nice 2K remaster and comes with two audio options. But somewhat surprisingly (for Arrow Video, anyway), there are no new bonus features. All the supplemental material, while interesting, is over twenty years old (most presumably from DVD releases).

EXTRA KIBBLES

NOTE: Free Kittens Movie Guide was provided with a promo disc for review purposes. Physical supplemental material included with the final product (booklets, artwork, inserts, etc) were not available for review.

THE DIRECTORS - From 2002, this hour-long episode from the series chronicles director Sidney Lumet's long career up to that point, featuring interviews with Lumet and many actors he worked with over the years. Great stuff.

INTERVIEWS - Made during production, this is a series of short on-set interviews with director Sidney Lumet and actors Andy Garcia, Richard Dreyfuss, Lena Olin, Ian Holm & Ron Leibman.

MAKING-OF FEATURETTE

2 AUDIO COMMENTARIES - 1) By director Sidney Lumet; 2) By actors Andy Garcia & Ron Leibmen, producers Josh Kramer & Thom Mount.

SUPPLEMENTAL BOOKLET, REVERSIBLE COVER & POSTER (not reviewed).

THE POOP SCOOP: Boats, Books & the Best Movie of the Year (so far)

THE BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR (so far) IS COMING TO 4K AND BLU-RAY ON JULY 9 FROM LIONSGATE.

 

🕮AMERICAN FICTION Arrives on Blu-ray June 18 from Warner Bros. Discovery.

The critically acclaimed, Oscar nominated American Fiction, from Amazon MGM Studios’ Orion Pictures, will be available for purchase on Blu-ray on June 18. American Fiction is Cord Jefferson's hilarious directorial debut, which confronts our culture’s obsession with reducing people to outrageous stereotypes. Jeffrey Wright stars as Monk, a frustrated novelist who’s fed up with the establishment profiting from “Black” entertainment that relies on tired and offensive tropes. To prove his point, Monk uses a pen name to write an outlandish “Black” book of his own, a book that propels him to the heart of hypocrisy and the madness he claims to disdain. Also written by Academy Award winner Jefferson (TV’s “Watchmen”), the film is produced by Ben LeClair, Nikos Karamigios., Cord Jefferson and Jermaine Johnson. American Fiction was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Jeffrey Wright), Best Supporting Actor, Best Score and winning for Best Adapted Screenplay.

 

📺ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY Celebrates 20th Anniversary With 4K Ultra HD Release July 2nd from Paramount.

It’s kind of a big deal. ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY marked the feature directorial debut of Adam McKay and was written by McKay and Will Ferrell, who stars as the titular, mustachioed hero.  The film features a veritable pantheon of comedic talent, including Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, David Koechner, and Fred Willard, along with a cavalcade of cameos. Endlessly quotable and enduringly hilarious, ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY is widely considered to be one of the greatest comedies of all time. The 20th Anniversary 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray set includes the remastered theatrical version of the film in sparkling 4K Ultra HD, plus two Blu-ray Discs with more than two hours of legacy bonus content, including cast auditions, deleted scenes, bloopers, an “Afternoon Delight” music video, and much, much more.  In addition, fans can enjoy both the theatrical and extended cuts of the film on Blu-ray, as well as WAKE UP, RON BURGUNDY: THE LOST MOVIE, a 92-minute film featuring outtakes and unused storylines from the original movie.

🛥THE BOYS IN THE BOAT Arrives on Blu-ray and June 25 from Warner Bros Discovery.

The Boys in the Boat is a sports drama based on the #1 New York Times bestselling non-fiction book written by Daniel James Brown. The film, directed by George Clooney, is about the 1936 University of Washington rowing team that competed for gold at the Summer Olympics in Berlin. This inspirational true story follows a group of underdogs at the height of the Great Depression as they are thrust into the spotlight and take on elite rivals from around the world. This inspirational true story from Amazon MGM Studios will be available for purchase on Blu-ray on June 25. The Boys in the Boat stars Joel Edgerton (“Loving”), Callum Turner (The “Fantastic Beasts” films), Peter Guinness (“Sleepy Hollow”), Jack Mulhern (TV’s “Mare of Easttown”), James Wolk (TV’s “Mad Men”), Hadley Robinson (“Anyone But You”), and Courtney Henggeler (TV’s “Cobra Kai”).

MEAN GIRLS (2024) (4K): Good Thing It's a Musical

MEAN GIRLS (Blu-ray)

2024 / 112 min

FROM PARAMOUNT

Review by Pepper the Poopy😼

I should state upfront that I’ve never seen the original Mean Girls. Even though the film is 20 years old and considered a modern classic, its appeal was decidedly outside of my particular demographic. So with no basis for comparison, I’m assessing this new version on its own merits…

…which is fine because it isn’t a remake in the purest sense. Sure, Tina Fey wrote this one, too, and returns to play the same character, as does fellow alum Tim Meadows. However, Mean Girls 2024 is a musical, based on the successful Broadway production. Maybe if more classics were reimagined as musicals, curmudgeons wouldn’t be so quick to condemn every remake as a cash crab. 

That being said, it’s a good thing the new Mean Girls is a musical, because the numbers are easily the best part of the movie. Bouncy, funny and occasionally sweet, not only are they well-integrated into the narrative, they’re arguably more effective in providing character exposition than the actual screenplay. The story isn’t nearly as engaging whenever someone isn’t belting out a snarky song, perhaps because we've seen it in plenty of other teen-centric movies and TV shows. 

"Oh...there's Waldo."

Now that I think about it, maybe that’s not a completely valid criticism because, for all I know, it’s those very same teen-centric movies & shows that are aping the original Mean Girls. Still, while the dialogue is occasionally clever and satirical, those scenes don’t have the same energy as the musical moments.

Overall, the performances are decent. As main protagonist Cady Heron, Angourie Rice does a good job taking the character from friendly new kid to one of the Plastics and back again. Regina Rapp is fitfully amusing as Regina, the bitchy leader of the Plastics. Of course, most of these characters are exaggerated caricatures, which is obviously intentional. Sometimes they’re funny, sometimes annoying. 

But again, that could just be the old man in me talking. 2004’s Mean Girls wasn’t aimed at Boomers, so it’s no surprise that this one isn’t either. As such, this updated take on the same story (you know...with cell phones & everything) should amuse the younger crowd, while reworking it as a musical might pique the curiosity of those who carry a nostalgic torch for the original.

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTES - A New Age of Mean Girl; Song and Dance; The New Plastics.

SING-ALONG OPTION - For certain songs.

MUSIC VIDEO - “Not My Fault,” featuring Renee Rapp & Megan Thee Stallion.

GAG REEL

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KINDS OF AMERICAN FILM COMEDY: A Serious Study of Funny Stuff

KINDS OF AMERICAN FILM COMEDY: SIX CORE GENRES AND THEIR LITERARY ROOTS (Book Review)

By Wes D. Gehrig

2024 / 234pp

FROM MCFARLAND & COMPANY

Review by Mr. Bonnie (the Bookworm)😺

To be honest, I’d never heard of Wes D. Gehrig, and since this book doesn't include an About-the-Author page (though the forward by Ashley Donnally speaks fondly of him), I did a little quick digging on my own. Gehrig is a film scholar who’s written a few dozen books on the subject over the past 40 years, mostly related to the comedy genre, as well as some of its legends.

One thing is certain…in reading this book, it's obvious he knows his stuff (though I did detect a few inconsequential errors related to certain films). With Kinds of American Film Comedy: Six Core Genres and Their Literary Roots, Gehrig appears to be trying something a bit different from some of his other work. He’s written entire books on some of these particular genres before, but here, he traces their origins back to the writings of various humorists, from Jonathon Swift to Mark Twain and plenty in between, both famous and comparatively obscure.

Following a lengthy introduction on the origins of literary humor, subsequent chapters discuss Personality Comedians, Crackerbarrel Populism, Parody, Screwball Comedy (which is not the same as slapstick), Romantic Comedy and Dark Comedy. Each chapter follows the same pattern: Gehrig’s definition of the genre, which he supports with numerous examples from classic and modern films (though I sense a particular affinity for the former). He frequently breaks each genre down into various subgenres before connecting it all to assorted written works, many written before anyone even knew what a moving picture was.

Academic without being pretentious, Gehrig’s writing reflects deep knowledge of his subject and an exhaustive amount of research. Some chapters are obviously more interesting than others, which largely depends on the reader’s personal preferences. Hence, I found the chapters on Parody, Screwball & Dark Comedy more engaging than Crackerbarrell Populism or Romantic Comedy. Along the way, Gehrig makes many intriguing assertions…some I concur with, others I don’t. But hey, where’s the fun in reading a critical analysis if you spend the entire time nodding in agreement?

Though this is not a movie guide of reviews and recommendations, readers will undoubtedly be intrigued enough to check out some of these films themselves, or revisit old favorites from a more analytical perspective. Perhaps some will even feel encouraged to explore the genre’s literary roots. Whatever the case, this book offers a serious study of funny stuff.

Revisiting the OCEAN'S TRILOGY in 4K

OCEAN’S TRILOGY (4K UHD)

2001-2007 / 364 min (3 movies)

FROM WARNER BROS / #InPartnershipwithWB

Review by Stinky the Destroyer😺

Though it doesn't happen very often, I appreciate the effort to remake a film that wasn't all that great in the first place. The original Ocean's 11 was more notable for its cast than the story…a Rat Pack party shot in their adopted hometown, the cast putting the cigarettes down just long enough to commit a heist.

Not that the new version isn’t a similarly high-concept product built around an all-star cast. But at least George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Julie Roberts, Elliot Gould et al aren’t simply playing extensions of themselves. These are pretty well conceived characters, while the motive, planning & execution of the elaborate casino heist is genuinely engaging (if a bit implausible). 

Slickly directed and aesthetically flashy, Ocean’s Eleven is one of those movies that was never destined rack-up a ton of awards or end up on anyone’s Top 10 list, but had enough universal appeal that box office success was all but guaranteed. Sure enough, two sequels and a spin-off followed in subsequent years, all driven by the fun the cast seems to be having (which is admittedly infectious).

Ocean’s Eleven, Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen are now available in 4K UHD, either as individual SteelBooks or this three-disc set. While not as creatively packaged as the SteelBooks, it’s certainly a lot easier on the wallet if you’re seeking to add or upgrade all three in your collection. Not having seen them on Blu-ray, I can’t state whether or not the upgrade is significant, but the transfers are really good. The overall video image is sharp and clean, with excellent contrasts and vivid color (particularly noticeable in the first & third films, which make use of glitzy Vegas locations). Each film also features an excellent DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track.

"You heard me...go fish."

As for the movies themselves, Ocean’s Eleven remains the best of the trilogy. In addition to the fun of being introduced to the team, this one is more fluidly paced and boasts the most interesting plot, which has recently paroled Danny Ocean (George Clooney) immediately going to work planning the massive robbery of three casinos owned by Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia), who not-only forced one of Ocean’s buddies out of the business, his girlfriend, Tess (Julia Roberts), is Danny’s ex-wife.

Ocean’s Twelve is the longest and most meandering of the series, taking its sweet time even getting to the primary conflict, that of an international master thief known as the Night Wolf challenging Ocean’s team to steal a priceless Faberge egg from a museum. And even then, the plot is overly complex, somewhat hampered by juggling too many new characters (and a few pointless cameos). Still, the congenial performances save this one. 

The most outlandish - and cartoonish - of the three is Ocean’s Thirteen, which returns the team to Vegas to bring down ruthless casino tycoon Willy Bank (Al Pacino). This one tests the limits of plausibility, with a few plot turns that are almost embarrassingly silly. But overall, it’s a lot of fun, certainly more enjoyable than the previous film and a nice send-off for these characters. 

None of the films are classics, but all three are an improvement over the original that inspired them. But other than technical upgrades, the Ocean’s Trilogy 4K set offers nothing else new (unless you count the digital copies). All the bonus features are carried over from previous Blu-ray/DVD releases. Still, this is a good collection for fans who want the best possible picture and sound.

EXTRA KIBBLES

DIGITAL COPIES

OCEAN’S ELEVEN:

FEATURETTES - Are You In or Out? The Making of Ocean’s Eleven; Pros & Cons - Inside Ocean’s Outfit; The Style of Steal; The Look of the Cons; Original Ocean’s, Original Cast.

2 AUDIO COMMENTARIES - 1) By director Steven Soderbergh & writer Ted Griffen; 2) By actors Andy Garcia, Brad Pitt & Matt Damon.

OCEAN’S TWELVE:

FEATURETTES - Ready, Jet Set, Go: The Making of Ocean’s Twelve; HBO First Look: Twelve is the New Eleven.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By director Steven Soderbergh & writer George Noifi.

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OCEAN’S THIRTEEN:

FEATURETTES - Third’s a Charm: The Making of Ocean’s Thirteen; Ahab with a Piggyback: The Means & Machines of Ocean’s; Jerry Weintraub Walk & Talk; Master of the Heist.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By director Steven Soderbergh & writers David Levien and Brian Koppelman.

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