Ongoing: Ron's Blu-Ray Discoveries Thread (renamed) (1 Viewer)

[Bernard McNair]

Ron, in my opinion "The Professionals" is a great Western and I have watched it in excess of 30 times since it was first released. You might also try "Bite The Bullet"; an outstanding Blu from TT with the great Gene Hackman and James Coburn.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Ron,

That's a difficult question for me to answer as I have so many favorites. John Wayne's my guy, but tough guys like Lancaster, John Garfield, Bogart and Cagney are right up there with the Duke. I also have an affinity for Robert Ryan, an underrated actor in my opinion. Also, I can't forget my homeboy, Robert Mitchum. Many of my favorites were also the favorites of my old man because I started watching films with my Dad that many of those actors where in, back in my childhood.

Speaking of Mitchum....

There is a famous scene of him as a villain where he has L O V E written across his knuckles

What film is that and should I get it?

 

[Walter Kittel]

Mitchum has the words LOVE and HATE tattooed on his fingers in the film Night of the Hunter from 1955. I think it is a great film, particularly in terms of its cinematography, art design, and visual motifs, but honestly I'm not sure if you would care for it or not. It is in black and white and has a somewhat surreal or dream like quality. Certainly worth experiencing at least once, but I would suggest more research before a blind buy as it is unconventional enough that it might not resonate with you (or you may love it!) I have no idea.

- Walter.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Thanks for the honest reply, Walter.

I think that scene has been parodied so many times, and I have never seen the original.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Speaking of Mitchum....

There is a famous scene of him as a villain where he has L O V E written across his knuckles

What film is that and should I get it?

IMO, his acting performance in The NIght of the Hunter is one of the best ever captured on film. Unlike Walter, I think you'll enjoy it as it's a film that will stay with you for a long time. When I first viewed it as a kid, it scared me, but I would always watch it again, whenever, it came on TV.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Sunday, February 15, 2016

Now for something new....

I have always been the odd man out when it comes to my favorite James Bond films. I usually, somehow, like the ones that everyone else doesn't. For instance, my favorite Roger Moore Bond, "The Man With The Golden Gun," is probably one of the most disliked films in the series.

So, perhaps it won't be too odd when I say that "SPECTRE" is my favorite Bond film in the Daniel Craig series. I know it's an entry that many Bond films have already criticized, feeling it's one of the weaker titles over the past few years.

What I love about this film is that it's a great throwback to everything I like about Bond films. It has some terrific over-the-top action including one of the best Bond film opening sequences of all time. I love Christoph Waltz as Blofeld -- a terrific Bond villain. The references to Judy Dench and her role as "M" are most welcomed, and best of all....most absolutely best of all...the gun barrel opening sequence has returned.

The Blu-ray looks incredible, and sounds even more spectacular. Watching this on a home projected screen was riveting at times.

I hope this isn't Craig's last Bond film. However, if it is, he really went out with a BANG!



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[Ronald Epstein]

IMO, his acting performance in The NIght of the Hunter is one of the best ever captured on film. Unlike Walter, I think you'll enjoy it as it's a film that will stay with you for a long time. When I first viewed it as a kid, it scared me, but I would always watch it again, whenever, it came on TV.

It's a pretty pricey Criterion title at the moment.

If I can get it for $20, consider it a done deal.

 

[RMajidi]

IMO, his acting performance in The NIght of the Hunter is one of the best ever captured on film. Unlike Walter, I think you'll enjoy it as it's a film that will stay with you for a long time. When I first viewed it as a kid, it scared me, but I would always watch it again, whenever, it came on TV.

Robert Mitchum is one of my favourite actors too, and I recall he considered this his favourite role.

Night of the Hunter was Charles Laughton's one and only directorial turn. It got a cool reception on release and he never directed again, but over time it's gained a reputation as a master work. A huge loss of latent filmmaking talent!

I have the UK Arrow Blu-ray edition, which is very nice. I presume it's from the same master used for the Criterion transfer.

 

[Matt Hough]

I reviewed Night of the Hunter and like others think it a masterwork. It has some of the most haunting images in any movie (Shelley Winters in the car: I won't say any more, but you'll know it when you see it), and it truly will resonate with you long after you finish watching it. It's a very unsettling movie.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I reviewed Night of the Hunter and like others think it a masterwork. It has some of the most haunting images in any movie (Shelley Winters in the car: I won't say any more, but you'll know it when you see it), and it truly will resonate with you long after you finish watching it. It's a very unsettling movie.

Yes, indeed! Imagine seeing that as a kid or other scenes in which MItchum was really out there.

 

[Dr Griffin]

Robert Mitchum is one of my favourite actors too, and I recall he considered this his favourite role.

Night of the Hunter was Charles Laughton's one and only directorial turn. It got a cool reception on release and he never directed again, but over time it's gained a reputation as a master work. A huge loss of latent filmmaking talent!

I have the UK Arrow Blu-ray edition, which is very nice. I presume it's from the same master used for the Criterion transfer.

We'll never know what Laughton would have done with other genres, but he certainly had an eye for the macabre.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Wednesday, February 17th

I have never seen a film with so much betrayal

Shot entirely in Mexico, VERA CRUZ takes place just after the Civil War and the start of the Mexican Revolution. Lancaster and Cooper decide to escort a Countess and her sums of gold to the port of Vera Cruz.

This seems to be the most fun Burt Lancaster has had in any film. He's ill-mannered, full of greed and lust, and he'll take the worst that can be handed to him with a huge smile on his face. Cooper plays his role more straight, respectful Southern gentleman. How the two come to meet and work with (or against) each other is part of this fun story that moves along briskly for its 94 minute length.

What makes this film a captivating watch is that at any time, the game seems to change. Nobody can be trusted when it comes to dealing with a large cache of gold. Some great character actors in this film, too, including Ernest Borgnine, Caesar Romero and Jack Elam (who I wish had a bigger part).

My favorite scene takes place in the palace courtyard where Cooper, Lancaster and the King all take part in target practice.

The Blu-ray is a disappointment. For a movie filmed in technicolor, it comes across as dull and drab. It's not very sharp, though I do give credit for there being a substantial amount of film grain still intact. Some splotches here and there, and short quick sequences that are dark and blurry.

Otherwise, a terrific western. For the price of $13, which I paid, I would highly recommend this as a blind purchase.

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[Robert Crawford]

You keep forgetting Charles Bronson.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Was he in the film? I thought it looked like him, but there was a quick shot and one single line out of his mouth, if I remember correctly.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Was he in the film? I thought it looked like him, but there was a quick shot and one single line out of his mouth, if I remember correctly.

He was using his real name then, Charles Buchinsky.

 

[BarryR]

Another vote for NIGHT OF THE HUNTER. It could be called an often nightmarish, dreamlike cousin of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD as a childhood adventure, especially with its black & white cinematography. Very stylized in parts, definitely one of a kind.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Saturday February 20th

I just can't get enough of these westerns -- and they keep getting better.

THE COWBOY is another "must own" western that is highly, highly entertaining due to the fact that it stars Glenn Ford and Jack Lemmon as the unlikeliest of "partners" who herd cattle from Chicago to Mexico.

There's a great supporting cast, including Dick York (who would go on to do "Bewitched") and Strother Martin, who I wish had a bigger role in this film.

The transfer is immaculate. This is another stunning release from Twilight Time. It's always great to see a Technicolor film where you can appreciate the colors. The print is free of dirt and has its grain intact. Certainly better than Vera Cruz, which I talked briefly about above.

I just can't stop praising this film. It's such a delight to see a tough guy like Glenn Ford pair up with a meager hotel clerk played by Jack Lemmon, then put them both on a tough, dangerous and dirty trail. It's men learning to be men.

Make this a "must purchase" on your Twilight Time shopping list.

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[Robert Crawford]

Cowboy has been a favorite western of mine for many, many years. I will be viewing my BD tomorrow of it. I believe the film is based on an actual story, but I'm sure some artistic liberties were taken with this film. Today, I watched The Big Heat BD with the audio commentary of Nick and Julie.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

I can see why you love this film so much, Robert. I am just so amazed at these westerns. They are really, really, good.

You guys have recommended some great stuff to me.

I am going to watch THE BIG HEAT, WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS and SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF this weekend.

Never saw WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS. Hoping it is as good as I hear.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Sunday February 28th

Leaning...Leaning....

A single image of a preacher, with his hands upon the post of a railing, knuckles spelling out the word L-O-V-E.

It's one of the most iconic images of all time. I have seen it throughout my life. I have seen it parodied in many films. Yet, I have never known the source of this image until I recently asked my fellow film enthusiasts about it.

After all these years, I finally had the opportunity to watch the film from which that iconic image came from.

Wow! NIGHT OF THE HUNTER is one of the finest films I have ever seen. To think, for its time, what an incredible revelation this was to movie audiences. It is so expertly directed, so cunningly photographed, and so ahead of its time that's it's mesmerizing to watch even today. Most of all, the film has lost none of its effect more than 60 years later. It is as creepy and haunting to watch today as it must have been back then. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the film. It's very rare that I get chills from a horror movie --- but this story was so masterfully told that it builds up hair-raising suspense.

Robert Mitchum is incredible to watch. He's the ultimate bogey man for the ages -- a homicidal preacher who stalks two children in hopes of learning their darkest secret. The story unfolds like a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Between its horror, there are moments of fantasy that are quite captivating to watch. Director Charles Laughton should be praised for his imaginative approach to the film's narrative.

The Blu-ray transfer is faultless. Shot in Black and White to enhance its impact, the images look astounding. Most of all, there is plenty of film grain present. This is another stellar release from Criterion.

After doing some research, I am very surprised the film did badly upon its release in 1955 and that Laughton never directed anything since. I think NIGHT OF THE HUNTER was way ahead of its time, though most of it was rooted in the imagery of the silent years of cinema. It seems to me that most of the appreciation for this film came decades after its release.

This is certainly one of the finest films ever made. I was completely blown away by my viewing this morning. I think I will be watching this movie many times over in my remaining lifetime.

Beware False Prophets!


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