DVD Mania

[Slant]

 DVDs these days are just incredible, what with all of the special stuff that is being added to them.  The one that has me taking notice right now is the 20th anniversary edition of Tron that was recently released.  Not only is the film digitally remastered and a true joy to see on the screen, but it comes with a very cool scene originally deleted from the movie, has like a bajillion production sketches of the development of all of the characters, and comes with a teaser for a supposed TRON 2.0 which may or may not be in development.  Even if you don't want to add this one to your collection, make sure to rent it.

Also, please rent City of Lost Children.  It's a little French film made in the mid-90's; a surreal urban fantasy starring Ron "No, it's not prosthetics; I really do look like this" Perlman.  This movie is just too freaky-deaky to pass up.

Sooo, what are some other DVDs worth noting?

[Tage]

I got that Tron DVD when it came out, and I loved it. By far one of the finest "special edition" DVDs to hit the market.

The Abyss DVD is also jam-packed with goodies, as is (although I'm sure everyone knows this) the new Fellowship of the Ring DVD. I've heard that the "Red Curtain Trilogy" with Moulin Rouge, Romeo+Juliet, and that other one, is a very cool one as well.

[Prometheus]

Does anyone know if a DVD release date for Spirited Away is out yet? If so, when?

[Slant]

I haven't heard anything about a dvd for Spirited Away, but I DO know that the graphic novels are readily available in bookstores all over the USA.

[Nicadymus]

I truly enjoyed the Tron Special Edition DVD. The digital remastering and added scene were excellent.

[Slant]

Has anybody seen The Devil's Backbone DVD yet?  It was directed by the same bloke who is doing Hellboy and it was pretty cool, even though it was all in Spanish.  Hell, aren't there any decent American films left anymore?

[Slant]

These past few weeks I've been picking up a lot of Asain cinema releases and find them highly entertaining.  I just finished Hidden Fortress (the movie George lucas always claimed inspired Star Wars) and it is incredible.  Other Asain films of note include Seven Samurai, RAN, Killer, Hard Boiled, A Better Tommorow (parts I and II), Heroic Trio (superheroes done RIGHT), Assassin (cool beyond words) and Naked Killer (no, it isn't a porno).  Any other of you have any Asian favorites you'd like to recommend?

[Tage]

The only one of those I've seen is Seven Samurai, which was pretty darn good. Other than that, my experience with Asian cinema is limited to Jackie Chan and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

[Kid_Kilowatt]

If you like Kurosawa, you should check out some other Japanese directors from that era that are unfairly placed in his shadow.  Kenji Mizoguchi's samurai movies are brilliant, particularly "Sansho the Bailiff", "Tales of Ugetsu", and "The 47 Ronin."  Yasujiro Ozu's more modern movies are touching and beautiful, similar to Kurosawa's wonderful "Ikiru".  Check out "Tokyo Story" or "Equinox Flower" if you can find them.

I've found a few really good Korean movies as well, particularly the police comedy-drama "Nowhere To Hide" and the romance "Chunhyang."

And speaking of great Japanese cinema, someone asked on this thread a couple weeks ago about "Spirited Away" on DVD.  The latest buzz from Disney is that they'll put out "Kiki's Delivery Service", "Spirited Away" and their previously unreleased version of "Castle In The Sky" in April.  I wonder if they'll have subtitle options or just dubbing.  

[Spriggan]

Sprirted Away had an offical Release date of late may early april when it was out in the theater.  I'll have to look around to see if that's still the plan.

[Slant]

We saw Cyborg 2 tonight on dvd.  It's the follow-up to the old Van Damme film Cyborg (duh), but it doesn't have Van Damme in it.  Instead it stars a 19-year-old Angelina Jolie!!  Oh yeah, Jack Palance is in it too as a good guy (very rare for him).  This movie isn't anything ground-breaking or original, but it DOES have a young Angelina, so it is well worth the search.

[Slant]

Two more DVDs of note:

Mad Max: Kicks butt.  Greatest highway film ever.  Special edition has a documentary on the whole Mad Max phenomenon, plus original commercials and international movie posters.

Dogma:  Lots and lots of extras for one of the funniest films ever.  Far better than Mallrats and a bit better than Chasing Amy, this is one great film.  Matt Damon as the Angel of Death has to be one of the best casting choices Kevin Smith ever made. I thought that haveing Alanis Morrisette as god was a nice touch, though personally I would have gone with Tori Amos.

[Fellfrosch]

Speaking of Mad Max, I learned today that Mad Max IV, starring good old Mel, will begin shooting in May. Break out the party hats!

And speaking of Mel, I finally saw The Patriot (on TBS). What a frustratingly goofy movie. I was not surprised to see that it was directed by the same people who made Independence Day and Godzilla. (No offense to people who liked ID, Godzilla, and The Patriot. Well, no offense other than to say, "you're insane.")

[Slant]

They should never have allowed Americans to make a Godzilla (or Gogira, to give him his actual name) movie.  As for Patriot, it was goofy fun.  No historical accuracy at all, but not terrible.  I am sort of dreading a fourth Max film.  He was 21 when he did the first one and, like a host of other big-name action stars, he isn't a kid anymore.

[Spriggan]

its gojira in japanese slant.  may not seam like a difference to us, but it is.