It’s Tuesday, and that can mean only one thing: more goodies for all you couch potatoes out there. Post Hallowe’en the run-up to Christmas begins in earnest, and this week sees lots of new content with which to fill those stockings in 8 1/2 weeks time. So what have we got in our fun filled sack today?
First up is Michael Mann’s excellent gangster movie Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp and Christain Bale. The movie is set during the Great Depression, a time rife with glamour and violence, and follows the true story of FBI agent Melvin Purvis’s attempt to stop criminals John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, and Pretty Boy Floyd. The film is an adaptation of Bryan Burrough’s non-fiction book Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933–34. Batman himself, Christian Bale plays FBI agent Purvis, while Hollywood heartthrob and all-round legend Johnny Depp plays Dillinger. Support comes in the shapely form of Oscar winner Marion Cotillard as Dillinger’s girlfriend Billie Frechette, and Stephen Graham as Nelson, and Channing Tatum as Floyd. Mann is no stranger to crime movies, having directed the truely magnificent Heat, and while this doesn’t reach those heights it is a great movie none-the-less. Technically the movie is a stand-out, with crisp HD visuals and epic sound, the only gripe being that it suffers from some pacing issues and lacks oomph at times. It remains, however, a must have for any crime, action or drama aficionado, including myself. Available on DVD and Blu-Ray.
Second up is Last Chance Harvey, a romantic drama film written and directed by Joel Hopkins. Dustin Hoffman plays Harvey Shine, a music writer for advertisements, who is in London for the weekend of his daughter’s wedding. Long separated from his wife, his daughter closer to her step-father than him and with a boss eager to cast him aside, Harvey is a mess. Kate Walker, played by Emma Thompson is unmarried,and has been set up by friends on a blind date when she happens across Harvey in the Heathrow bar. What will become of this unlikely pairing? Now this movie sounds schmaltzy but is actually quite good. People of an older generation than mine will get a lot from it, but even for me it was a touching and affectionate look at two people falling in love. Nice Sunday evening TV viewing but I won’t rush to buy. Available on DVD.
That’s it as far as new movies are concerned by some classics have been upgraded to Blu-ray so I’ll look at them here too.
First up is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the classic Disney animated movie. Snow White is historical for many reasons, not least for being the first full-length cel-animated feature in motion picture history, as well as the first animated feature film produced in America, the first produced in full color and the first to be produced by Walt Disney. The story sees the beautiful Princess Snow White flee from the Wicked Witch who wants to kill her. Taking refuge with seven noble and hard-working dwarves, Snow White attempts to live an ordinary life, until the Wicked Witch finds her and puts a curse on her. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is one of the greatest animated movies ever made and one of the rare few to stand the test of time. It should look magnificent on Blu-ray and I’m anxiously waiting for the postman as we speak. The Blu-ray contains numerous features, and a DVD copy of the movie.
Second up is Braveheart, the Academy-award winning fantasy-action-drama produced, directed and starring Mel Gibson. Gibson plays the legendary Scot, William Wallace, who gained recognition when he came to the forefront of the First War of Scottish Independence by opposing Edward I of England. After Wallace’s love is publicly executed by the village sheriff he leads a band of his fellow villagers against the English garrison. As his fame spreads more Scots go to his side and an all-out confrontation with the English becomes unavoidable. This is a superb movie with one of the greatest movie battles in cinema history. Granted it’s not the most historically accurate portrayal of events it is still a worthwhile look at a begone era. The theme of the movie, English occupation, resonates strongly with an Irish audience and it helps explain why the movie did so well at our box-office. The battles should stand up well in hi-def and I will be adding this to my collection is due course.
Third up is the legendary 1939 musical-fantasy film, The Wizard of Oz, directed by Victor Fleming. For anyone who hasn’t seen it (and there can’t be many) the film follows 12-year-old farm-girl Dorothy Gale, played by Judy Garland, who lives on a Kansas farm with her Aunt and Uncle, but dreams of a better place “somewhere over the rainbow.” After being struck unconscious during a tornado, Dorothy dreams that she, her dog Toto and the farmhouse are transported to the magical Land of Oz. There, the Good Witch of the North, Glinda, advises Dorothy to follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City and meet the Wizard of Oz, who can return her to Kansas. During her journey, she meets a Scarecrow, a Tin Man and a Cowardly Lion, who join her on her journey. Now I absolutely adore The Wizard of Oz, it easily sits in my Top 50 of all-time. The movie contains some of the best music, quotes and visuals ever captured on-screen. Although it’s constantly aired on TV, audiences never tire of it and the transfer to Blu-Ray should make the visuals pop even more. The package includes a sing-along version for all this devoted fans.
The fourth movie re-released on Blu-Ray is the heart-warming Christmas film It’s a Wonderful Life. The movie takes place in the fictional town of Bedford Falls and stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a man whose imminent suicide on Christmas Eve gains the attention of his guardian angel, who is sent to help him in his hour of need. A staple of Christmas television around the world, the movie is easily one of the most inspirational ever made. Stewart made this shortly after serving in World War II and the depth of emotion he conveys is nothing short of magical. Blu-Ray should help the look but the true quality is in the story and acting. Only a grinch wouldn’t like this.
On the TV front we have:
Family Guy - Season 8: The epic adventures of Quahog’s first family continue with some truely shocking yet hilarious stuff. This season sees Peter turn gay, adopt a retarded horse and return to school, while Brian and Stewie go back in time to Nazi Germany. If you like Family Guy then you’re in for a treat, if not avoid.
Supernatural - Season 4: The show centres on two Brothers Sam and Dean Winchester, who fight demons and the paranormal. Season 4 follows the brothers as they work with angels to stop Lilith’s plan of breaking the 66 seals, which would let Lucifer walk free once again. It’s a good show but yet again it’s only for fans.
Peep Show - Season 6: The show is a British comedy starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb. I honestly have never seen an episode, but 6 seasons, heading for 7 would seem to indicate that it’s popular.
This is my first visit here.
You had me at “fun filled sack”.
I’m John Dillinger. I rob banks.
Great film. Underrated, I feel.
Niall, you owe it to yourself to watch at least one episode of Peep Show.