Quick Thought: Is there an older female detective film?

Quick thoughts: When I have a quick question or idea about story telling.

Today’s quick thought: The trailer to the new Liam Neeson movie came out yesterday, A Walk Among Tombstones. And it actually looks pretty good.

Hoping this one will be more near “The Grey” and less “Taken.” And it looks that way, solid cast, based on a book by Lawrence Block, written by Scott Frank who’s returning to the director’s chair after “The Lookout.” This trailer got me thinking about how much I do enjoy the older detective (or in this case Private Investigator) film. Doing their job, looking for clue in a dark underbelly of the city, uncovering something unsavory, it’s quite procedural. Love it.

But this got me thinking and I throw the question out to you guys. Is there a female version of this film? I’m honestly asking because I had trouble thinking of any. At least in film, in literature there are many. But I’m racking my brain here and coming up blank? Even a foreign film? I hope there is, I’d love to watch em. If you can think of any please send em my way.

If there’s not… well I may have an idea to add to my ever growing list of “Gotta write that movie.”

Blu-Rays/DVDs worth getting May 27th, 2014

Every week new Blu Rays come out, I like to high light what I think may be worth, at least a rental if not a straight up purchase.

Every once and a while a week comes up where there’s not much, that’s not to say there’s nothing, in fact there can be some great stuff, but there isn’t a ton. And sometimes not even a new release, just stuff coming to Blu-Ray for the first time. This is one of those weeks, but still, some great stuff.

1. Scream Factory continues to be the Criterion of horror!

In their continuing push to become the best in cult horror release. Scream Factory is releasing the infamous “Sleep Away Camp.” A movie famous for it’s ending, an ending that if you don’t know, I won’t give away here. It’s pretty damn memorable. It was also the subject of a great episode of the movie podcast, “How Did This get Made” which needs to be heard. On top of restored picture and sound, and three commentaries, there’s a nearly hour long retrospective look at the film.

2. Also in cult horror…

From MPI, we get another 80s cult horror film Death Spa. Like Sleep Away Camp, Death Spa is another 80s Cult Film. Featuring gory practical effects work. And like Sleep Away, the film comes with remastered video and sound, a commentary track and nearly hour long retrospective documentary.

3. Since we mentioned Criteron…

Two big Criterion releases coming out today, one that’s been in the collection for sometime that’s finally coming to Blu Ray, which is Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

The only film from Anderson that was yet to be released on Blu Ray, Zissou comes out with all the original features from the two disc set ported over. If you’re an Anderson fan, this is a must get.

In addition to that, Criterion has a new film coming to the collection, and that’s Howard Hawk’s classic “Red River”

Red River comes to Blu Ray with two versions of the film, the original theatrical cut (which was Hawk’s preferred cut) and an extended cut of the film. The picture has been beautiful restored by Criterion. With Special Features we have Peter Bogdanovich discussing Red River, and an excerpt from an interview Bogdanovich did with Hawks back in the 70s. There’s also a Radio Theater production of Red River featuring John Wayne. And more…

Blu-Rays/DVDs worth Getting! May 6th 2014

Every week new Blu Rays come out, I like to high light what I think may be worth, at least a rental if not a straight up purchase.

This week is fuller then most, hopefully your wallets are full this week.

1. Hitchcock stand-a-lones.

If you didn’t buy the giant Hitchcock set a few years back, then good news, the films are being released one by one now. On top of re-releasing Psycho, we’re also getting The Birds, Rear Window, and Vertigo!

2. Under Appreciated Spielberg

Whenever a Spielberg film is released on Blu-Ray it’s usually an event, from Jaws to Jurassic Park and E.T. When the Blu-Rays came out, there was much fanfare. Not so much with these films it would seem, but for a select few, it’s Spielberg, so it’s worth seeing remastered on Blu. And we have not just one, but two Spielberg films. Amistad and The Terminal

3. They Say he’s got to go GO-Go Godzilla!

With the new Godzilla film being released in a few short weeks, we’re seeing a deluge of Godzilla titles coming to Blu Ray for the first time. As someone who grew up on TNT’s Monstervision Godzilla weekends, this is huge for me.

We have Godzilla vs. The Smong Monster, On Monster Island, vs. The Sea-Monster, vs King Ghidorah/vs. Mothra, vs. Destoroyah / Godzilla vs. Megaguirus, Final Wars/ Tokyo S.O.S, Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla II / Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla.

The slash means it’s a double pack. So pay attention to that. I highly recommend Smong Monster (Vs. Hedorah). It breaks many of the rules set up in Godzilla films and is kind of a weird trippy film, but it’s pretty fun.

4. TV on Blu Ray

If you’re a fan of classic TV then today is quite the day for you. You have the classic Honeymooners Original 39, and along with that the first season of “I Love Lucy” which has been remastered. And to round it out Season two of “Little House on the Prairie” is also out for a very low price, going nicely with it’s equally lower priced and beautifully remastered first season

5. Criterion of the Week:

The Billy Wilder classic Ace in the Hole comes to Blu-Ray.  There are many “must sees” in Billy Wilder’s filmography. This is certainly one of them.

 

That’s it for this week, see ya next week, hopefully all our wallets survive.

The DVDs/Blu Rays to get: September 20th, 2011

Last week was a pretty big week for DVD/Blu-Rays. This week is a little lighter, but that doesn’t mean it’s not just as good. So let’s get started.

-Bridesmaids

The surprise comedy hit of the summer. “Bridesmaids” comes with two versions. The Rated and Un-Rated versions. Along with all other Apatow films we have Deleted Scene, “Line-O- Rama” and many more. Most of the features being alternate takes since all major cast members are improve comics. The break out being recent Emmy winner Melissa McCarthy. Also featuring commentary from the director Paul Feig and all the women above.

-Modern Family

Recent Emmy Winner for “Best Comedy Series.” Modern Family’s 2nd season comes to Blu Ray with making of feature, bloopers, a table read and more. If you’re a fan of this show. It’s a must get.

Blu-Ray Upgrade of the week

The Others

One of the better creepy house movies of the last few years. The Others finally comes to Blu-Ray. It’s all a port from the recent two disc DVD edition of the film. So if you already own that, there’s nothing new here. But if you don’t then I’d get this Blu-Ray. Great visuals, an overall creepy film, and if you don’t know the ending, it might get to you. A must get.

Classic release of the week

Breakfast At Tiffany’s: Anniversary Edition

A classic in the truest sense of the word. “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” is perhaps best known for the style images of Heburn as the main character, or Andy Rooney as his… character. But if you haven’t seen this film. Now is the time. Special Features include commentary from the producer of the film. Retrospective features include “Henry Mancini: More then Music.” A 20 minute documentary on Mancini and his career. A making of feature, A look at Hepburn as a style icon. And perhaps the most interesting feature Mr. Yunioshi: An Asian Perspective: An interview with several Asian speakers and their views on the role.

 

That’s all for this week, a small week. But a good week. See you next week with more films to buy.