| I remember a time when it would take more than two years for a movie to come out on video. Now it can be as fast as two months. To make up for it, Hollywood is reissuing a whole load of classics. Whatever your preference, there are a lot of new releases to check out.
· Arakimentari (2005, dir. Travis Klose, Genius Products Inc.) – This documentary explores the world of visionary and controversial Japanese photographer Nobuyoshi Araki.
· Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969, dir. George Roy Hill, 20th Century Fox) – This iconic revisionist western gave us the name of the pre-eminent indie film fest and the song "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head." Paul Newman and Robert Redford set the bar for buddy westerns as this two-disc reissue takes you behind the scenes.
· Cache (Hidden) (2005, dir. Michael Haneke, Sony) – With all of Haneke’s previous work reissued last month, you should be primed for his latest misanthropic thriller. When a family gets mysterious videotapes of themselves in the mail, their relationships start to implode. Unflinching, brilliant cinema.
· Cemetery Man (1994, dir. Michele Soavi, Anchor Bay) – This cult splatter flick sees Rupert Everett killing off zombies as they rise from the grave. Sexy, gory, goofy fun.
· Dave Chappelle’s Block Party (2005, dir. Michel Gondry, Focus) – Fans of this colourful music documentary featuring The Roots, The Fugees and Kanye West might want to check out this unrated version.
· Equinox (1970, dir. Jack Woods, Criterion) – This one has Video Vulture written all over it. Originally a student film for future Star Wars special effects god Dennis Murien, this cult horror classic was made for $6,500 as a tribute to classic monster movies.
· Heart of Gold (2006, dir. Ward Serrill, Miramax) – Seven years in the making, this documentary about a girl’s high school basketball team from Seattle became a film fest favourite. Narrated by Chris "Ludacris" Bridges.
· The Hills Have Eyes (2005, dir. Alexandre Aja, 20th Century Fox) – If this remake of Wes Craven’s classic thriller about a band of hermit desert killers didn’t have enough gore for you in the theatre, here is the unrated version.
· À nos amours (1983, dir. Maurice Pialat, Criterion) – The film debut of Pialat, known as the John Cassavetes of French cinema, is a tender and violent story of sexual awakening and coming of age.
· Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005, dir. Shane Black, Warner Bros.) – The writer of The Last Boy Scout makes a comeback with this critically acclaimed mystery featuring outstanding performances by odd couple Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer.
· The Omen (1976, dir. Richard Donner, 20th Century Fox) – If the big screen remake just didn’t cut it, the original tale of Damien the devil spawn gets a two-disc reissue. But no amount of re-mastering can fix one of the cheesiest onscreen decapitations, or Gregory Peck’s hair.
· The Princess Bride: Dread Pirate Edition (1987, dir. Rob Reiner, MGM) – Inconceivable. This tale of love, adventure and rodents of unusual size became a sleeper hit. This version features multiple commentaries and loads of behind- the-scenes footage. Plus it’s Carey Elwes’s only good performance.
· The Searchers (1956, dir. John Ford, Warner Bros.) – The ultimate Ford western gets a double-disc treatment. John Wayne goes hunting for a kidnapped girl and loses himself in the process. Features a brand new transfer, commentary by Peter Bogdanovich and a disc of documentaries. Keep an eye out for a Ford box set from Warner, too.
· Seu Jorge: Live at Montreux (2005, Red Distribution) – Remember the guy who did all those David Bowie covers in Portuguese in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou? This is him.
· Slings and Arrows: Season One (2004, Acorn) – This little seen but acclaimed Canadian series takes a behind-the-scenes look at a dysfunctional theatre troupe. Starring Paul Gross, Don McKellar, Mark McKinney and a then-unknown Rachel McAdams.
· The Three Burials of Melquiadas Estrada (2005, dir. Tommy Lee Jones, Sony Pictures Classics) – Another revisionist western, this one by first-time director Jones. He stars with the always-masterful Barry Pepper in this tale of vigilante justice in an untamed frontier.
· Ultraviolet (2006, dir. Kurt Wimmer, Screen Gems) – Did you wonder why Milla Jovovich’s futuristic action flick disappeared from theatres? For fans of Resident Evil: Apocalypse – both of you.
· Why We Fight (2006, dir. Eugene Jarecki, Sony Pictures Classics) – If you missed this compelling doc in theatres, do yourself a favour and watch it now. Jarecki deftly examines a half-century of American military policy in an attempt to answer the titular question. The thinking person’s Fahrenheit 9/11. |
Copyright ©2006 FFWD. All rights reserved.