Discland
edited by Jonathan Doyle
Cloverfield [BLU-RAY] (Paramount Home Entertainment, 6.3.2008) Disguised under deliberately goofy, yet deliciously edible-sounding, aliases such as Cheese and Slusho, Matt Reeves' Cloverfield was produced and rushed into theaters under an equally appetizing shroud of secrecy. From last year's incredibly elusive Super Bowl ad to the film's viral marketing campaign, Cloverfield had everybody scratching their heads and drooling in anticipation. Aside from the as-yet untitled title and the Blair Witch-ian visual style, the film's biggest appeal was the enigmatic creature who was last (un)seen hurling the decapitated head of the Statue of Liberty onto the crowded streets of New York City. All we knew about the mysterious beast was that it was big and angry. Now that the highy-anticipated project has come and gone, one question has fortunately been answered: Cloverfield was a major success. (continued)

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October 17

The Elephant King

Filth and Wisdom

Mary

Max Payne

Morning Light

The Secret Life of Bees

Sex Drive

True Loved

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What Just Happened

October 22

Fear(s) of the Dark

Stranded, I Have Come From a Plane that Crashed on the Mountains

October  24

Changeling

Dalton Trumbo's Johnny Got His Gun

High School Musical 3: Senior Year

I've Loved You So Long

Let the Right One In

Passengers

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Saw V

Synecdoche, New York

The Universe of Keith Haring

October 29

The First Basket





Discland Archive

The Agony and the Ecstasy

(Fox Home Entertainment, 2.22.2005)

Having just reviewed the less than stellar (to say the least) Fox Studio Classics release Return to Peyton Place, I found myself wondering why on earth The Agony and the Ecstasy got such barebones treatment. Both DVDs contain excellent transfers, which is evident in their restoration demonstrations. However, that (and a couple trailers) is as far as Fox goes for this elegant classic. Surely, they could've scrounged together some decent extras (ahem, commentary), original artwork, and voila.

Still, this is an adequate release. No major complaints here. But it pains me to see a superior Fox classic, from a much superior filmmaker (Carol Reed), get inferior treatment to said Studio Classics dud.

In case you're wondering, The Agony and the Ecstasy is about Michelangelo's (Charlton Heston) struggle to complete his vast painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, as commissioned by Pope Julius II (Rex Harrison). What plays out is not so much a story about a guy painting a wall but rather an insightful struggle of faith and the harrowing position of the artist as servant.

Michelangelo isn't presented as either pure or virtuous. He is a flawed man who oftentimes flies off the handle, even going temporarily blind and insane. To paraphrase a line from Pope Julius II, Michelangelo doesn't have blood in his veins, he has paint.

The cinematography is spectacular, bursting with sumptuous colors and extravagant framing. It's no wonder that the film was nominated for a cinematography Oscar. The set design is also quite remarkable and utterly epic in scope.

Thankfully, the DVD transfer is very strong, presenting the film in 2.20:1 anamorphic widescreen. This complements the film's attractive visuals with clear and sharp contrast. We get a 5.0 upgrade but, for purists, there's also the original Mono track. Good stuff.

Indeed, the a/v presentation is what makes this release a keeper. As well, it was a nice touch preserving the film's intermission and exit music. It doesn't hurt that the disc is dirt cheap (around ten clams). But, then again, aren't the Studio Classics cheap, as well? -- Neil Karassik