The next few months sees a great collection of movies being released on DVD and Blu-ray from the Arrow Academy and Arrow Video with several being released for the first time in the UK, from comedy to horror, so we thought we would check some of them out.
April sees a selection of Woody Allen releases, so for fans of his movies you really have something to look forward to.
Crimes and Misdemeanours stars Allen as an idealistic filmmaker who’s offered a tempting fee to shoot a flattering portrayal of his completely loathsome brother-in-law (Alan Alda). Meanwhile, Martin Landau’s (nominated for an Oscar for his role here) is about to be exposed by his vengeful mistress (Anjelica Huston) and must choose whether to take the advice of his rabbi (Sam Waterston) or his more practical mobster brother (Jerry Orbach). Allen skillfully balances his characters’ serious moral dilemmas with laugh-out-loud comedy as he explores how far people will go to protect their so-called integrity.
Alice, which was nominated for the Best Original Screenplay Oscar upon its original release. A return to Allen’s rom-com roots, Alice takes a more fantastic approach as Mia Farrow’s titular character must choose between a loveless marriage to her wealthy husband (William Hurt) and true love with an impoverished jazz musician (Joe Mantegna). When her acupuncturist gives her ancient herbs with supernatural powers, she finds her dilemmas are made even more complicated.
In Shadows and Fog, Allen pays homage to the German Expressionist filmmakers, making use of Carlo di Palma’s gorgeous cinematography to illustrate the rich narrative. Allen plays Kleinmann, a coward recruited by a vigilante mob in search of a serial killer, who winds up involved with a circus troupe. One of the most star-studded films Allen has ever made, Shadows and Fog features performances by Kathy Bates, John Cusack, Mia Farrow, Jodie Foster, Julie Kavner, Madonna, John Malkovich, Donald Pleasence and Lily Tomlin.
As we move into May there are lots more releases for movie fans.
Revisiting the film that put director Lass Hallström on the map more than 30 years ago, the first of the month’s releases is My Life as a Dog, an arthouse favourite based on Reidar Jönsson’s autobiographical novel. It follows young Ingemar as he is sent to live in the Swedish countryside during the 1950s, away from his terminally ill mother, and embarks on adventure and new friendships.
The 4 Marx Brothers at Paramount 1929-1933 – a stunning Blu-ray box set covering the classic Paramount-era that saw Chico, Groucho, Harpo and Zeppo release their most enduring comedies. The set includes five films from The Cocoanuts (1929) to Duck Soup (1933) and shows the Brothers at their finest – all in beautiful high definition, transferred from original film elements by Universal, allowing you to witness the controlled chaos like never before.
Following this is a much more recent film from 2016 – but one that is already assured cult status. The Untamed comes from director Amat Escalante and deftly weaves social commentary with Lovecraftian-style science fiction. Winning acclaim including the Silver Lion at the prestigious Venice Film Festival and Best Director at Austin’s Fantastic Fest, the film has been described as “ferociously intelligent” (Jonathan Romney, Screen) and “brilliant, frightening” (Rory O’Connor, The Film Stage).
Last, but by no means least, is Spotlight on a Murderer, the lesser-known third feature from Georges Franju (Eyes Without a Face, Judex). It’s a delightfully playful romp through Agatha Christie and Gothic territory, constantly playing up to the clichés and tropes of the murder mystery genre. The story follows the heirs of a wealthy count who are told they will not inherit for at least five years after he vanishes without a trace. They set about to transform the family château into a tourist attraction in order to pay for its upkeep in the meantime, but are beset by a series of tragic, seemingly accidental, deaths.
Looking further forward to June
Klown, a cult comedy from Denmark that sees comedians Frank Hvam and Casper Christensen (hosts of the Danish version of Shooting Stars) play extreme versions of themselves in a comedy-of-embarrassment that could be described as what you’d get if Lars von Trier directed The Inbetweeners. Based on the hit Danish sitcom, we can’t really tell you too much more about it as it’s far too crude to write up here!
Next up, Arrow Video brings you the classic video nasty Madhouse, a terrifying bloodbath so gruesome that it was outlawed by the UK authorities. Directed by Ovidio Assonitis (The Visitor, Piranha II: The Spawning) this Italian production was shot entirely on location in Savannah, Georgia and blended the OTT excesses of Italian horror with the traits of the US slasher movie trend. A must-view for fans of grisy cinema.
June’s Limited Edition release comes in the form of Dario Argento’s acclaimed directorial debut, The Bird With the Crystal Plumage. This is the film that redefined the giallo genre and began Argento’s golden era of filmmaking. With the Dual Format release gorgeously showing off Vittorio Storaro’s sumptuous cinematography and Ennio Morricone’s seductive score, the film has never looked or sounded better as it does here with its brand new 4K restoration.
Last but not least is a treat for fans of Japanese cinema with the release of Kinji Fukasaku’s Doberman Cop. Never before released on video outside Japan, this oddity is based on a popular manga and was released just as the popularity of the yakuza movie was waning. Starring Shinichi “Sonny” Chiba, this American-style crime film is an action-comedy that’s one of Fukasaku and Chiba’s most enjoyable films as Chiba channels a Japanese Dirty Harry. A real missing link in 1970s Japanese cinema.
Also in June!
Marcel Ophuls’ magnificent four-and-a-half-hour documentary, The Sorrow and the Pity. Originally made for French television, the documentary took such an unflinching look at the German occupation of Clermont-Ferrand between 1940 and 1944, that the broadcasters would not show it for more than a decade. Beautifully nuanced and complex, The Sorrow and The Pity is charts the fall of France and the rise of the Resistance, all while demolishing self-serving national myths.
Out on the same day is Seijun Suzuki’s Taisho Trilogy, made up of Zigeunerweisen, Kagerozaand Yumeji – marks the first time these films have been released together on Blu-ray outside Japan. Considered as Suzuki’s masterpieces, these supernatural dramas are a far cry from his usual output of cops and gangsters. In fact, The Taisho Trilogy is defined by its lush exoticism and its hypnotic, haunting, flamboyant style. A must for fans of Japanese cinema and for those seeking something a bit different.
Mid-June comes the Dual Format release of One-Eyed Jacks in a gorgeous 4K restoration by Universal Pictures and The Film Foundation in consultation with Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese. This strange Western stars Marlon Brando and is also the actor’s first and only stint behind the camera as director. Critics and audiences didn’t know what to make of it upon its release, but it has since become a cult classic and can be seen here as was originally intended with the addition of a raft of special features.
Last on the slate is the delightful Aquarius, featuring a tour-de-force performance by Sonia Braga as Clara, a 65-year-old widow and retired music critic. Clara is the last resident of the Aquarius, an apartment block mostly acquired by a company who want her to move out so that they can demolish it. Clara, however, has other ideas and engages in a sort of cold war with the company in a confrontation that’s equal parts mysterious, frightening and nerve-wracking, and that gets Clara thinking about her past and her future.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
