Month: September 2009 (Page 3 of 29)

Blu Tuesday: The Wizard of Oz: 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition

September 29, 2009 /

When it comes to movie classics, there is none more beloved than Victor Fleming’s 1939 musical, “The Wizard of Oz.” Based on the popular children’s book by L. Frank Baum, the film has been featured on numerous “best of” lists and continues to captivate people of all ages to this day. In celebration of its 70th anniversary, Warner Home Video is releasing the movie for the very first time in high definition in a special collector’s set designed exclusively for the hardcore “Oz” fan. This four-disc box set includes over 16 hours of bonus material, a 52-page commemorative book about the making of the film, a reproduction of the original 1939 campaign book, a replica of the film’s budget sheet, and a limited edition watch.

Of course, the main draw of the set is the film itself, and while many have logged complaints about the film’s new hi-def transfer following the one-night special engagement in theaters across the country, there’s no truth behind any of them. Though a movie as old as “The Wizard of Oz” is never going to look as pristine as one from the last decade, the hours of work that went into restoring the film for its Blu-ray debut can be appreciated the minute Leo the MGM Lion comes on screen. It’s not perfect, mind you, but when compared to the many reissues over the years, this version is hands down the best one yet. Colors pop off the screen without looking oversaturated, while the sepia-toned segments look sharper than ever.

As expected with a movie as legendary as “The Wizard of Oz,” Warner Bros. has crammed as many special features onto the four-disc set as possible — to the point that it’s almost overkill. Granted, one of those discs only contains a digital copy of the film, but the other three more than make up for it. Disc One features the movie, as well as a new audio commentary by “Oz” historian John Fricke and a sing-along track. The previously released TV special, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic,” hosted by Angela Lansbury also appears, as do featurettes on music, costumes and production design (“The Art of Imagination”) and the legacy of the film (“Because of the Wonderful Things It Does”).

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External Movie DVDs, Movie DVDs, Movies

Michael and Roman

September 28, 2009 /

In an ironic bit of counterpoint I only now noticed, just as word of Roman Polanski’s arrest in Switzerland was spreading, the 3,000 tickets available for the Los Angeles of preview “Michael Jackson’s This is It” sold out within two hours. I’m not sure what to make of this, except to say that there’s nothing like death for obtaining forgiveness from the American public for sins both real and imagined.

Anyhow, it’s no surprise at all that much ink has been spilled already on the case. David Hudson at the Auteurs Daily has done a terrific job of rounding up the coverage. He points out that one person who hasn’t been shy on weighing in on the matter is actress Debra Winger (“Terms of Endearment”) who happens to be president of the Zurich Film Festival which found itself the bait in the trap that caught Polanski.

He also points us to fairly exhaustive collation of blospopheric opinion on the matter conducted by Carl Franzen of the Atlantic Wire. I will say that the only thing that really bothers me about anyone’s reaction to the news is the way some want to make this highly complicated case extremely simple and act as if there’s no difference at all between statutory rape, forcible rape, and child molestation/rape — as if confessing to one makes you guilty of all.

Though just exactly how bad it was will never be known to anyone who wasn’t there, there’s no question but that what Polanski did was reprehensible. However, lots of people do reprehensible things and they don’t all go to jail for it, nor should they always. Just because someone may be a great artist doesn’t grant them any kind of moral license, but at the same time we should not judge anyone solely by their very worst actions.

I still can’t watch this scene without seriously covering my eyes a little.

External Entertainment, External Movies, Movies, News

Your high holiday Hollywood update

September 28, 2009 /

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It’s Yom Kippur in Los Angeles today and that means a few people will be fasting (no water, either!) and going to temples and synagogues, some will be using the day as an excuse to play hooky, and even more will be enjoying the smaller amount of traffic. Still, it’s not the kind of town that ever takes a complete day off. Intriguingly, for a day of atonement, issues of crime and punishment are definitely on the table.

* Parts of the ‘net are already in hyperdrive about the suddenly revivified Roman Polanski case and even I’ve been drawn into a couple of ‘net flame wars already at other sites. There does seem to be definite split between Europeans and Americans and also between those connected with show business and not. The short version is that a lot of people still want Polanski’s head on a platter. Never mind the only crimes that were proven was the Californian equivalent of statutory rape, “unlawful sex,” and giving drugs to a minor.  Anyhow, Polanski is reported to be resisting extradition. Apparently I’m not the only one in a “fighting mood.”

* This legal morass probably won’t get people’s blood boiling nearly as much, but Anne Thompson points us in the direction of a New York Post story stating that peripatetic celebrity film critic Elvis Mitchell has a $500,000 IRS lien put on him. This follows a 2008 incident in which he was caught at the Canadian border with $12,000 in undeclared cash and some contraband Cuban cigars. Nice to know someone in this movie critic business has made enough to justify that level of IRS interest.

* Kim Masters wonders if John Travolta’s admission that his late son had autism could signal his impending departure from Scientology.

* In the wake of a second strong #1 week for “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” Steven Zeitchik comments on a fiscal milestone for animation.

* Amy Kaufman has more on the fiscal problems and solutions of the group that owns the rights to the “Terminator” franchise, which is seemingly as hard to kill as an actual Terminator. As Nikki Finke reminds us, they also have a “first look” deal on the works of science fiction great Phillip K. Dick. What I don’t get is why you need a “first look” at the works of a writer who’s been dead for 27 years.

* Because I’m a few episodes behind (life in the DVR age), I’m also deliberately behind on Jason Zingale’s blogs on “Entourage,” lest I be spoiled. However, the aforementioned Nikki Finke couldn’t resist turning the gag about her in last night’s show into a headline.

Entourage, External Entertainment, External Movies, Movie Comedies, Movies, News, Sci-Fi Movies

Curb Your Enthusiasm 7.2 — Vehicular Fellatio

September 28, 2009 /

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To the adroit fan, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” often presents itself as a complex puzzle one can attempt to solve before an episode’s conclusion. Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld perfected the art of interweaving multiple story lines during “Seinfeld’s” nine-season run. There are rarely any cracks in the output, but once in a blue moon you could cite something as a “stretch.” With “Curb,” the two that come to mind are 1) the surgeon shaving Jeff’s head in Season 6 and 2) the doctor taking a soda out of Larry’s fridge without asking in the premiere of Season 7. Considering how beautifully consistent “Curb” has been over time, I always let it slide.

Larry and company took a year off before tackling this new season. It looks like that was a wise decision as it’s been hilarious thus far. In the premiere, Larry was still living with the Blacks, hoping his girlfriend Loretta Black (Vivica A. Fox) wouldn’t be diagnosed with cancer. At the end of the episode, everyone involved receives the bad news. Larry is devastated, but not because of his compassion for Loretta. After running into his ex-wife Cheryl at a restaurant, it’s clear they miss one another. The scene hints at the potential “Seinfeld” reunion audiences are expecting. In “Vehicular Fellatio,” Larry quickly realizes he doesn’t have the patience or love to deal with Loretta’s cancer. While blending a shake for Loretta, Larry notices a cancer specialist on “Dr. Phil.” The specialist, a pioneer in the field, is promoting her book that instructs cancer patients to leave their partners/spouses if they are unsympathetic, self-obsessed, and petty — all qualities Larry with which identifies. The show’s themes and possible story arcs are already evident. Richard Lewis, his new girlfriend, Jeff, Suzie, and Larry all go out dinner. Upon arriving, Jeff informs Larry that the girlfriend gave Richard a blowjob on the way to restaurant. Larry promises not to say anything, opting to avoid any physical contact with her during dinner. Larry’s actions inevitably end Richard’s relationship. At the same time, the themes of “hugging” and “fellatio” have been firmly planted.

Larry and Loretta soon meet with the cancer specialist and Larry tries as hard as possible to be the most annoying man in the world. The schtick appears to work as he’s sent outside. Larry can sense freedom! When the couple is driving to the doctor’s lecture, Larry’s plans are temporarily derailed. Larry notices the doctor’s husband in the car in front of him (easily spotted because of his full head of hair). However, the doctor’s head emerges from his lap. While Larry is amused, Loretta is horrified and orders Larry to take her home. Later on, Larry must return to the doctor’s office to pay for another patient’s glasses after Larry innocently broke them. There, he bumps into the specialist. She’s disappointed that he and Loretta didn’t attend the lecture. After much poking and prodding, Larry admits that they didn’t attend because he saw her giving her husband fellatio in the car. The doctor proceeds to attack Larry, hitting him over the head with her bestselling book. Oh, the visual themes are tying the episode together so nicely.

It’s the show’s final scenes, however, that confirm its genius. Loretta’s cousin, and one of Larry’s numerous housemates, Leon, has been having an affair with his friend Alton’s wife. When Larry returns home, Leon has her over. Unfortunately, the suspicious Alton has showed up. As he storms through the house, the girl hides under the passenger seat in Larry’s car. Alton is soon convinced that his wife and Leon aren’t sleeping with each other and leaves. But this is quite the yarn we’re spinning and the best is yet to come. As Loretta pulls into the driveway, Alton’s wife appears from an awkward position next to Larry. Of course, Loretta assumes fellatio and like that, the Blacks are gone and Larry is free to pursue Cheryl.

Thankfully, Leon, an L.A. native, is going to stay on as Larry’s rommate. I won’t spoil the final scene for any of you reading since it purely exemplifies the comedic bliss David has provided over the years. On a night where “Entourage” and “Bored to Death” provided some strong comedy, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” once again came out on top.

Nevertheless, were there any inconsistencies to this tightly woven story? I spotted one and you guys can tell me if you feel the same way. In the beginning of the episode, Loretta pressures Larry into driving her everywhere. She claims her doctor advised her not to operate a vehicle. So why was she driving when she found Larry in the car with Alton’s wife?

Anyway, I thought this episode was great. Stay tuned, because the “Seinfeld” reunion takes place next week!

Curb Your Enthusiasm, TV, TV Comedies

Mad Men 3.7 – Another Day Older and Deeper in Debt

September 27, 2009 /

There was always going to be a very good chance that this week’s episode would in no way live up to the level of excitement set by last week’s episode. I mean, really, how do you top the de-foot-ification of a British ad exec? Even taking that into consideration, however. tonight’s “Mad Men” still seemed pretty slow.

Not bad, just slow.

Mad Men - Don Draper in hat

When we first see Don Draper, he looks like he’s been through the wringer, but when we next see him, he’s getting spiffed up for work. There was a brief moment where I thought it was a case of quick recovery, but, no, we were flashing back to see the path that led him to this point. After a momentary stop in the living room to offer up his complete indifference to Betty’s plans for the living room (but still nonetheless throw in a suggestion that the interior designer apparently didn’t see herself), Don was off to work, where he was surprised to find that Conrad Hilton was already waiting for him. It was hilarious to see the guys at Sterling-Cooper giddy as schoolgirls about Hilton’s presence, but Hilton was all business, indicating his disappointment in the lack of a Bible and family photos in Don’s office. Despite these issues, Don still found himself on the fast track to handle accounts for the Waldorf Astoria, New York Hilton, and Statler Hilton…but not, however, until he signed a new contract with Sterling-Cooper. Although Don’s insistence in remaining without a contract may have ostensibly been a business move, I couldn’t help but notice his comments about how he gave his word to Hilton. Wow, remember the days when a man’s word could actually serve as his bond without any contracts needing to be signed to back it up?

Betty and her gaggle of gal pals in the Junior League, meanwhile, were tackling environmental concerns, leading Betty to contact her close personal friend Henry Francis in an attempt to get him to help them with their cause. The two of them had a lovely luncheon, but it wasn’t until the closing moments of their time together – when Henry put his hand over Betty’s eyes to keep her from looking at the eclipse – that a spark really went off with Betty. Interesting…

Don spent a lot of time in the office deflecting questions about the Hilton situation, even enduring Pete trying to get his mitts on the account, but when Peggy tried to get her foot in the door to assist…man, talk about shitting on someone’s parade. I’m not saying that his comments were completely and totally what led her to sleep with Duck, but they sure as hell didn’t hurt. Their close encounter was one which I didn’t see coming, but I think it’s fair to say that Peggy’s starting to get the hang of using her feminine abilities to get what she wants in the business world. I’m not saying it’s right, I’m just saying that she might be able to use them to her advantage.

A few random comments:

* Betty once again proved what a grouch of a mother she is, yelling at her son for hanging up the phone, even though he did exactly what she told him to do. Be more specific next time, Betty. He’s only a kid, for God’s sake!

* I don’t know what to make of this thing with Don’s teacher, except to observe that it’s hard to believe Don’s going to hold out much longer without acting on her obvious attraction to him.

* I’m probably supposed to have been fascinated and enthralled by the surrealistic scene of Don picking up the high hitchhikers, only to take a couple of reds, see a joke-telling hillbilly, and get punched in the face, but I just thought it was weird, personally.

For me, the best moment of tonight’s episode was the one-on-one scene between Don and Cooper, when Cooper subtly but pointedly brought up his knowledge of Don’s identity as a way of hinting that it might be a good idea to sign the contract. Hey, it worked, didn’t it?

Here’s hoping next week’s “Mad Men” is more exciting than this week’s…

External Entertainment, External TV, Mad Men, Reviews, TV, TV Dramas

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