New Year DVD Round-Up
Okay, the tree is down and the parties are over but that doesn't mean you can't curl up with your BFFs and check out some DVDs. In this round up we offer one classic and one new Sci-Fi thriller and another season of a teen fave TV series.
From 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Sunshine: Widescreen Edition
It's later in our century and our sun is dying. A ship was sent to re-start the star with a nuclear device but never made it. Now the Icarus II is on its way to do the task and save Earth from a life-killing ice age. The crew is worried about the fate of their predecessors, especially when they find the ship abandoned and apparently lifeless. Then, they start to turn on each other and deal with a strange entity from the other ship.
Video/Audio: I got the screener version of the DVD and it wasn't as crisp as it could have been but the DVD is coming out in Blu-Ray as well and the finished product should look great. The over-bright scenes came through as well as the dark corridor shots and exterior spacecraft shots. Dolby Digital sound was good but I missed some of the dialogue.. Okay overall.
Special Features: You get a pretty informative commentary with director Danny Boyle with lots of inside info and a commentary with a University professor adds info on a real no-sun possibility. You get "Deleted Scenes" that may expand your understanding of the movie. "Web Diaries" are laid back and kinda fun behind-the-scenes stuff. Oddly, Boyle includes a couple of "Shorts" just to spread the word on them and "Dad's Dead" and "Molehills" are really quite good. Cool extras!
Wrapping Up: This isn't your usual sci-fi monsterfest or inter-galactic shoot 'um up. It's really a psych thriller set in space with great acting, some evocative ideas and a lot to say about the sacrifices we'll all make for the common good. The visuals are great. Cuties Cillian Murphy and Chris Evans play totally opposite personalities on the crew and Michelle Yeoh, as an earth mother type, is engrossing to watch. Really worth a rent if not a buy.
From Warner Brothers Home Entertainment
Bladerunner: 4-Disc Collector's Edition
This 1980's classic starring a younger Harrison Ford, set the bar for dark, futureworld, sci fi dramas and turned the tide of filmed sci-fi in general while influencing a whole generation of filmmakers. Based on a famous story by Philip K. Dick entitled "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" and directed by Ridley Scott, Bladerunner focuses on a depressing 2019 earth where cyborgs called "Replicants" are doing tasks mankind doesn't want to do. However, they are really physically strong and have decided that their pre-programmed 4-year lifespan isn't enough. "Bladerunner" Rick Deckard (Ford) is a cop sent out to kill 4 rebelling Replicants. The complication; he falls in love with one of them; a new "model" with human memories who has no idea she isn't human. (Note: we got the 4-disc set with an add-on 5th disc of the original film's workprint).
This DVD set is HUGE! There are four versions of the movie included in this DVD package.. five if you count the extra-disc workprint: "The Theatrical Cut" featuring Rick Deckard narrating and a happy ending scene. "The International Cut" has more little scenes all through it, more violent fight scenes and a little more hot Deckard and gal-pal action. "The Director's Cut" omits the narration, doesn't have a happy ending and has less violence. "Final Cut" is director Scott's latest version with some more modern additions (CGI) to the 1982 effects, some minor dialogue changes, some fixes but no narration or happy ending scene. "The Work Print" is an early cut shown to test audiences.
Video/Audio: Video is all widescreen and all versions of the movie have been beautifully restored with the Final Cut appearing more colorful. These versions all look really new and great! The sound on all versions is Dolby Digital surround. "The Final Cut" is especially well-balanced throughout your speakers with no distorting noises or dialogue misses. Great!
Special Features: A load! On Disc One: there are three commentary tracks; Director Ridley Scott talking about why he made certain decisions in look, casting, music, etc. Very candid and good. Lots of film secrets. A second commentary includes writers and producers and it's pretty laid-back with comments on script changes, dialogue and characters. Good to really get into the story. A third track is about futurist artist Syd Mead with the production designer, art director and Special Effects guys talking about the technical side of creating the visuals; a little 'techie" but interesting. Scott also does a short intro to the film explaining why this is the cut he prefers.
On Disc Two: you get the documentary "Dangerous Days: The Making Of Blade Runner" and it's great and very extensive, looking at all production departments in eight chapters. Really super interesting. In "Inception Date - 1980: Screenwriting and Dealmaking" you learn from the cast and crew about the origins of the story and its evolution to screen and see some cool behind-the-scenes footage. This includes film clips, photos, storyboards etc. "Blush Response: Assembling the Cast" zeros in on casting the film and how Ford wasn't really the first choice. Everybody thought about using Dustin Hoffman. Harrison does talk about his popularity at the time as a sci-fi actor due to Star Wars. Everybody talks about Ford and his performance. Rutger Hauer, Sean Young and Daryl Hannah reminisce and we see some screen test footage. Really cool and interesting.
In "A Good Star: Designing the Future" we learn about the unique art direction and set design and how all were built with photos and a chat with Scott and various artists who talk about designing this dark version of the future from cars to props etc. Super interesting. You see the old models being built and tested etc. "Eye of the Storm: Production Begins" is more about pre-production then what it was like on set and the problems faced when actors and director didn't agree. Some really good insider "dirt"! Loved it. Lots of outtakes you'll never see anywhere else. "Living in Fear: Tension on the Set" goes further into the problems on set including actors and production execs. Really lets you know that it was a miracle this film came out so well! Lots of personal stories!
"Beyond the Window: Visual Effects" talks about how, right after this film, more computer-generated effects started taking over in movies and we see how the pros handled creating this amazing world. Very worth watching. "In Need of Magic: Post production Problems" goes through all the editing and changes forced on the film by the studio, etc. A long road to release. Again, a real lesson on the filmmaking process including comments by Ford. "To Hades and Back: Release and Resurrection" is another big documentary on how cool this movie was and how it influenced a lot of filmmakers. Guillermo Del Toro talks about it changing his life and how groundbreaking it was on many fronts. Again, very interesting.
On Disc Three you have the Theatrical Cut, the International Cut and the Director's Cut and each have a brief audio intro by Scott.
Disc Four gives us "The Electric Dreamer: Remembering Philip K. Dick" which talks about the author of the original story and his wild themes and personal challenges. Very engrossing and personal. "Sacrificial Sheep: The Novel vs. The Film" examines the differences between the novel and the movie story with chats on how alike and yet different they are. Dick also talks about his feelings on the film and the differences. Interesting. "Philip K. Dick: The Blade Runner Interviews" are fourteen audio recordings made by author Paul Sammon as he did research on the author and story. Very interesting to hear the author's feelings on the film and Ford, etc. "Signs of the Times: Graphic Design" is a more detailed look at the designs on everything from I.D. cards to ads on buildings. Lots of artwork here. Very neat!
In "Fashion Forward: Wardrobe & Styling" we get a look at the futuristic but yet retro wardrobe in the movie and how Scott was involved in the choices. In "Screen Tests: Rachel & Pris" Casting director Mike Fenton talks about two film tests for the actresses trying out for these two parts but since the audio has been lost for Sean Young and Daryl Hannah's tests, we hear from the "losers" Nina Axelrod and Stacey Nelkin. We see how differently these women would have played the roles. "The Light That Burns: Remembering Jordan Cronenweth" is a tribute to the film's now-deceased master cinematographer. Very touching . "Deleted and alternate scenes" really gives you a ton of new stuff and we see how the film could have played out differently with plot points better explained etc. A nice bonus to add to your understanding of the movie. Very enjoyable!
The "1982 Promotional Featurettes" give you a look at some old interviews shot during the making of the movie with key cast and filmmakers. You get more on the set stills as well. You also get some of the original trailers and TV ads for the film. In "Promoting Dystopia: Rendering the Poster Art" you see the story behind the posters for the film. In "Deck-A-Rep: The True Nature of Rick Deckard" Scott and Ford voice differing opinions on whether lead character Rick Deckard was actually a Replicant as well. Other writers weigh in. A very interesting discussion (I still don't think he was).
In "Nexus Generation: Fans & Filmmakers", the many filmmakers who were influenced by this landmark movie voice their love of the film. Interesting. On Disc Five you get a super interesting look at actress Joanna Cassidy coming back after 25 years to re-shoot her action scenes where a stuntwoman's face was previously visible. Harrison Ford's son comes in to double for his dad and re-do some dialogue. Really fun to see!
Wrapping Up: Okay, I admit it. This is one of my favorite films and this DVD set is awesome!! Whether you've seen Bladerunner on TV or on a previous DVD or tape, this set in the final word about this landmark film. If you haven't seen it, you simply have to rent it. Then, decide if you want to add this groundbreaking film to your collection. For me, it's a must buy!
One Tree Hill: The Complete Fourth Season
As the new season is starting.. time to check out last season... It's graduation time at Tree Hill High and life will never be the same. Finally the Lucas, Peyton and Brooke triangle with be short one member and Keith's memory or "ghost" effects Lucas and Nathan but haunts Dan.
There are pregnancies and stalkers and questions. The team has a last chance for the state championship.
Video/Audio: all episodes are in a matted, widescreen format and look as good or better than they did on TV. Sound is balanced with dialogue and ambient sounds coming through fine.
Special Features: You get an episode guidebook and 30 minutes of unaired scenes, a commentary on three episodes by series creator Mark Schwahn and some cast and crew, a funny "Gag Reel" and "One Tree Hill in Your Town" which is a good behind-the-scenes look at taking the show to the town of a fan winner where they filmed "It Gets The Worst At Night" with cast, crew and the lucky fan! "Tree Hill's Charity Basketball Game Highlights" shows you the charity basketball game that James Lafferty, the "Ravens" basketball team and the OTH cast hosted in Wilmington, Delaware where the show is filmed. Enter the "Tree Hill High Time Capsule" and you take a retro-trip to the making of four seasons worth of the show with comments by cast and crew.
Wrapping Up: This Complete Fourth Season is a must for fans since it was a transitional year with a lot of character development and evolution. A must for your collection if you like the show!
***
Lynn Barker is a Hollywood-based entertainment journalist and produced screenwriter.
