Written and compiled by The Film Nest guest contributor “FightinIrish” (peep him in the Comments section)
Some big titles this week. Only three newly-released films, leaving the true quality to come in the form of catalog releases, but sometimes that’s all we need to be happy. We have one of the best trilogies in existence, which may not come to mind when you thing of “great trilogies,” but trust me, it deserves to be there. There are also two classic films from a recent filmmaking genius. Don’t sleep on these BDs.
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An interesting film starring the always funny, always British, Ricky Gervais and the always attractive Jennifer Garner. I must wonder how far I would go in a world where no one had lied and I knew the power that I held. Here’s our review for more.
Supplements: More Laughter: Corpsing and Outtakes, Prequel: The Dawn of Lying, Meet Karl Pilkington, A Truly “Honest” Making of Featurette with Ricky Gervais, Ricky and Matt’s Video Podcasts, Deleted Scenes
The original film in the great trilogy. When this came out I had a connection at a local theater and got to see a midnight screening of either this or We Were Soldiers. We chose Soldiers mainly with the reason that Bourne had started early. Sadly, I wish I had seen this instead. This, like the two sequels, is a re-release on Blu-ray, as individual titles. This is also the first coming of the long-awaited (but not anticipated) Universal “flipper” discs, AKA BD-59, one side being the Blu-ray, the other side being DVD. Check Clive Owen in one of his first US film debuts.
Supplements: Audio commentary with Doug Liman, Deleted and extended scenes, Alternate opening and ending, Featurettes, Moby music video, U-Control Picture-in-Picture, My Scenes, BD-Live
The second film in this series, but the first to be helmed by one of my new favorite directors, Paul Greengrass. This brought “shaky-cam” to the forefront. It always seems hard for the second film in a series like this to stand out when the first and third seem to be the more impactful of the two. Karl Urban shows that he is worthy of being more than just a supporting actor.
Supplements: Audio commentary with Paul Greengrass, Deleted scenes, Featurettes, U-Control Picture-in-Picture, My Scenes, BD-Live
The third film in this series, so far, and maybe the best of the three, but that’s debatable. If anyone wants to know how to make a great action film, look no further than this and its brethren. Greengrass took this series and made it one of the best trilogies in film history, in my mind. Let’s hope that if a fourth does come about everyone involved is back.
Supplements: Audio commentary with Director Paul Greengrass, Deleted scenes, Featurettes, U-Control Picture-in-Picture, My Scenes, BD-Live
Let’s just call this “Running Man 2010.” I’m a big fan of Gerard Butler. I feel that he is capable of being a top-notch actor in many genres, but reading some scripts before you sign on would be a good thing. Stick to more 300 and RockNRolla films and less of these pictures. The second film featuring both Chris “Ludacris” Bridges and Gerard Butler for those keeping score. Here’s our review for more.
Supplements: Audio commentary with the filmmakers and cast, Behind the scenes documentary, Cinematography featurette, Interactive I-Con viewing mode with expanded visual commentary, Scene-specific commentaries, Never-before-seen trailer, BD-Touch, Metamenu Remote, D-Box
Paul Thomas Anderson’s sophomore effort re-creates the 1970s porn revolution in Los Angeles and a sprawling epic worthy of being deemed one of the best films of all time. There are memorable scenes galore, fantastic performances and PTA’s ever-roving camera, all working to create cinematic art of the highest order, even if it’s subject matter is anything but.
Supplements: Commentary by Director Paul Thomas Anderson, Commentary by P.T. Anderson and Cast Members Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly, Don Cheadle, Julianne Moore, William H. Macy, and Heather Graham, The John C. Reilly Files, Deleted Scenes, Music Video, Trailer
This is PTA’s ode to chance and coincidence, surmising perhaps that those things don’t exist. Another portrayal of the San Fernando Valley told through the eyes of several interconnected characters. It’s third-act twist may throw some for a loop, but this film continues to latch onto your psyche with each subsequent viewing.
Supplements: Magnolia Video Diary — Covers the blossoming of a modern-day masterwork, Frank T.J. Mackey Seminar, Seduce and Destroy Infomercial, One and Save Me — Aimee Mann music videos, Theatrical trailers and TV spots
This must be “films with rappers in it” release week, with Common and the lovely Alicia Keys – even though technically she isn’t a rapper, she associates with them, dammit. This film was interesting and had some quality action set pieces, but in the end it didn’t quite live up to expectations. Now that it’s on Blu, maybe its time for a second go-round. If nothing more, you can see the new “James Kirk” in an earlier Chris Pine role.
Supplements: One Smoking Camera, Lock, Stock and Two F**cking Barrels, U Control – Picture in Picture, U Control – Assassin Tracker, BD Live – Basic Download Center, BD Live – Video Rotation, BD Live – On-Screen Ticker
Smokin’ Aces 2: Assassins’ Ball
A sequel to a film not really worthy of a sequel. Direct-to-disc and pretty soon direct-to-discount bins. Who knows, we may be surprised by this film, but I’ll take the under on it.
Supplements: Audio Commentary, Featurettes, Deleted Scenes, Gag Reel, BD-Live, News Ticker, pocket BLU, My Scenes, D-Box Enhancements
Many young people today go around rocking the Che Guevara t-shirts and such, but I wonder if they truly know who this man was and would they continue doing so if they knew? From my understanding, this film truly does look at him and tries its best to remove the glossy freedom-fighter image that’s improved his reputation and instead shows him for what he really was. Now enough political talk, this is a film directed by the homie Steven Soderbergh and starring Benicio Del Toro and it’s being brought to you on Blu-ray by Criterion. Those are some pretty strong reasons to look into it.
Supplements: Commentary by Historian Jon Lee Anderson (both parts), Deleted Scenes, The Making of ‘Che’, Trailer, End of a Revolution, Interviews from Cuba, Che and the Digital Camera Revolution
Saved the best for last? Hardly. This film is not really worth the time and effort other than seeing Kate Beckinsale’s beauty. However, it’s Antarctica and she’s wearing a giant blazer, so hardly the skin-tight leather we’ve come to hope for. My suggestion is go buy 1982’s The Thing on Blu-ray if you want to see a great Antarctic suspense film. You won’t be disappointed.
Supplements: Alternate Scenes, The Coldest Thriller Ever Story, Freeze Frame: From Page to Screen, Digital Copy
