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This Week on DVD & Blu-ray (08-02-11)

August 2, 2011
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If you look close enough at this week’s list, you’ll see a handful of similarities to new Blu-ray releases to movies that are either now in theaters or will soon be this month! Could it be that new “Conan” and “Spy Kids” movies are around the corner? Sadly (most likely), yes. Is there currently a high-concept Western out in theaters right now? Might as well give folks an example of quality Westerns then with some Sergio Leon and “The Magnificent Seven”. As for mainstream family films, you can ruffle your feathers with “Rio” or sink your teeth into “Soul Surfer” (released during “Shark Week”, nice touch). Out of all these titles, I am anticipating finally catching up with both “The Music Never Stopped” and “Stakeland”, two films that received solid reviews, yet barely made a blip on any theatrical radar.
As usual, reviews (or in this case review) are highlighted and linked below.
Enjoy the Rundown….

There ya have it! Now go forth and conquer your friendly-neighborhood rental or purchasing outlet!
But, before you go….we all need a good laugh, right? Here’s a Keeping It Reel Retro Reel to coincide with this John Milius classic:
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5 Comments leave one →
  1. Matthew Gramith permalink
    August 2, 2011 10:59 pm

    “If…” is out on Blu-ray!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love this film! I’ve seen it many times on crappy VHS (and once on 16mm). This will be the first Blu-ray I buy!
    “If…” is a great film, set in a prestigious boarding school. See it if you haven’t. It won the Grand Prix at Cannes in ’68. The acting is as confident as the filmaking. It is widely considered the best film by director Lindsey Anderson, the philosophical center of the British Free Cinema Movement which evolved into the British New Wave. Stanley Kubrick saw Malcolm McDowell in this film (his first) and knew he had his Alex for “A Clockwork Orange”. Interesting facts – blah, blah, blah…but I would love this film if I new nothing about it.

    Reply
    • David J. Fowlie permalink*
      August 3, 2011 8:10 am

      I remember it from the Angry Young Men marathon that Adam & Matty did on filmspotting (check out their podcast) and was had it on my radar since. What I recently learned is that it is the first of a trilogy. Anderson & McDowell reteamed for two other films, one in the 70s and one in the 80s. I look forward to seeing all of them, eventually.

      Reply
  2. Matthew Gramith permalink
    August 3, 2011 9:19 am

    I’ve seen the 2nd one – “O’ Lucky Man”, and it’s ridiculous but fun. it’s the same character, but set in a different universe (then again, “If… may be set in more than one universe. At a point in “If…” there is an unusual tone change, that somehow works). I’ve never seen “Britania Hospital” – couldn’t find it for the longest time, but thanks for the reminder! Just put in in my Netflix queue!

    Reply
  3. Matthew Gramith permalink
    August 3, 2011 9:28 am

    And I will check out that podcast. The Angry Young Men/Kitchen Sink films are great! Really. They all feel a bit like some of the best work of Cassavettes or Kazan, or some of the low budget indies from the 90’s. “Saturday Night and Sunday Morning”, “A Room at The Top”, “This Sporting Life”, “A Taste of Honey”, “The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner”, “Look Back in Anger”, “Billy Liar”…these are all great films. Most come across as very raw. I think I’ll revisit them all soon.

    Reply
    • David J. Fowlie permalink*
      August 3, 2011 9:52 am

      Some of those were on the list of films they reviewed/discussed on the filmspotting podcast. I believe that marathon was last year.

      Reply

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