RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Prometheus and Rock of Ages
Also, a subpar murder mystery, a couple of Hitchcock movies, and a Spielberg classic.
We know, we know; a lot of you were looking forward to a lot more than what you were given in Prometheus. Well, if you want to rewatch it and rehash it with your friends, it's finally out on video this week. But while Prometheus was one of the most anticipated, most talked-about movies of the year so far, there are some other items of note, like a rock musical, a couple of Hitchcock movies on Blu-ray, and a magical film by Steven Spielberg. Click through for the full list!
Prometheus
74%
Sci-fi fans rejoiced when Ridley Scott announced he'd be returning to the genre with a kinda-sorta prequel to the Alien franchise, and even when he stated Prometheus wasn't directly related to his earlier masterpiece, anticipation still remained high. The final product, which follows a space crew on a fact-finding mission with dire implications for humanity, didn't resonate as strongly with audiences as one might have expected, but delivered stunning visuals and top notch performances from its cast, including Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace, and Idris Elba. Critics felt the film left a few too many of its big-idea questions unanswered, but found the rest of the film compelling enough to grant it a Certified Fresh 73% on the Tomatometer.
Rock of Ages
41%
It's a little unfair to expect a whole lot from a big screen adaptation of a jukebox stage musical built around rock hits from the 1980s; it feels rather like a kitschy attempt to capture the fleeting glory of that decade's recent hipster cred, padded out with big names like Paul Giamatti and Alec Baldwin. But, oh, that Tom Cruise! His performance alone was reportedly almost worth the price of admission. The story here is a relatively straightforward romance between small-town girl Sherrie (Footloose's Julianne Hough) and barback Drew (Diego Boneta), who both dream of stardom, but to hear most people tell it, the moment Tom Cruise (as rock god Stacee Jaxx) steps on screen, it's his show. At 41%, Rock of Ages is just a little stale and a little too long to justify its jump from Broadway to Hollywood, but you might get a kick out of watching Cruise strut his stuff.
The Raven
23%
John Cusack has seldom appeared particularly happy, so it was only a little bit of a stretch for him to play the legendarily macabre Edgar Allan Poe in The Raven, a relatively underwhelming murder mystery that opened earlier this year. The setting is 19th century Maryland, where a series of grisly murders are found to have been committed in ways described in Poe's literary works. Hoping to get an edge on the killer, Detective Emmett Fields (Luke Evans) enlists the help of the author himself, whose own beloved (Alice Eve) becomes a target. Critics found the film too formulaic, its characters insufficiently fleshed out, and its plot devoid of the clever twists and turns one might expect from a story about Edgar Allan Poe, leaving it with a disappointing 22% Tomatometer.
Strangers on a Train - Blu-Ray
98%
With the Alfred Hitchcock biopic set to open next month, Warner Bros. is releasing two of his popular classics on Blu-ray; the first one we'll discuss here is Strangers on a Train, one of the legendary director's perhaps more accessible films. Beleaguered tennis star Guy Haines (Farley Granger) meets mysterious stranger Bruno Anthony(Robert Walker) -- who suggests each murder someone for the other -- during a train ride; when Bruno assumes Guy has agreed to this dark pact, it results in the death of Guy's wife and a slew of problems for Guy himself. The Blu-ray comes with a number of featurettes and an impressive commentary, as well as the "Preview Version" of the film that Hitchcock modified into the final cut.
Dial M for Murder - Blu-Ray
84%
The second Hitchcock film being released this week is a wee bit of an oddity. Based on Frederick Knott's successful play, Dial M for Murder features a limited setting (the play took place on a single set) and, at the behest of the studio, was shot in 3-D. Like Strangers on a Train, Dial M revolves around a tennis star (Ray Milland) with an unfaithful wife (Grace Kelly), who he then blackmails an old acquaintance (Anthony Dawson) to murder. Things do not go according to plan, of course, and the panicked husband must deal with the consequences. This Blu-ray release only contains a theatrical trailer and a previously released 21-minute background featurette with people like Peter Bogdanovich and M. Night Shyamalan talking about the film, but just in case you were really curious, you can watch it in 3D as well.
E.T the Extra-Terrestrial - Anniversary Edition Blu-Ray
98%
A sci-fi family film that would help define an entire generation's childhood, as well as influence all "friendly alien" movies that would follow it, Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial opened 30 years ago in June of 1982. Universal is celebrating this anniversary by releasing the film on Blu-ray for the first time, so that all of you who grew up loving the film can now show it to your own little ones in crisp, shiny high definition. Though many of the bonus features have been ported over from previous releases, there are a couple of new items of note: "The E.T. Journals" is about an hour's worth of vintage on-set footage, providing a rare glimpse at the filmmaking process, and "Steven Spielberg and E.T." is a recently recorded interview with the director. This is one of those films fans have been waiting for on Blu-ray, and it's finally here.
Also available this week:
- The campy psychological thriller What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, is available in a new Blu-ray this week.
- The Director's Cut of the 1986 Little Shop of Horrors remake arrives on Blu-ray.
- The indie dramedy The Giant Mechanical Man, starring Pam Beas-- excuse me, starring Jenna Fischer, also arrives on Blu-ray this week.
- The original 1984 version of Red Dawn is available on Blu-ray for the first time.
Christopher Kulik
PROMETHEUS: I liked it a lot, and I wasn't bothered by the fact it didn't answer all of its questions. To be honest, part of my enjoyment was in watching it as a non-fan of the ALIEN franchise (don't worry: first 2 are classics, second 2 meh, and I passed on that AVP dreck); the visuals and performances were also more than enough to compensate. In other words, you ALIEN fanboys really need to cool it and give it another chance; and watch to the very end this time too! Oh, and as far as I'm concerned, the surgery scene was so AWESOME it was alone worth the price of admission.
ROCK OF AGES: Not interested in Cruise's films nowadays (he's still in Mel Gibson crazyland as far as I'm concerned), and while Hough was cute in the FOOTLOOSE remake it's not enough for me to watch. I'm also not a huge fan of 80's music, and if I wanted to listen to these songs I'll just listen to them by the original artists. Definite pass!
THE RAVEN: Even if this has a lower Tomatometer than ROCK OF AGES, I would be much more interested in this because I prefer period pieces and have always liked Cusack, even though his best work seems to be behind him. It's a shame: Poe's life is full of so much mystery you could probably make a movie about his life with the mood of say, the Hughes Brother's FROM HELL which came out over a decade ago. Maybe when it comes on Netflix.
STRANGERS ON A TRAIN/DIAL M FOR MURDER --- Two GREAT Hitchcock films, though I shall stick to my regular DVDs.
E.T. THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL --- A must-buy, though I'm going to wait until the first price drop by the studio. I still can't believe Spielberg made all those changes to the 2002 DVD; I rented it and hated how he went all George Lucas on his masterpiece, with the stupid bathtub scene, no shotguns. Oh by the way: I guess that story of Spielberg having shot a scene with an uncredited Harrison Ford as Elliot's principal (a scene which would have naturally sometime after the frog sequence) is just that: a story. Any and all verification would be appreciated.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE?: Have to admit I still haven't seen it despite its strong reputation. Has it aged well?
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS: Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, YES! Now this is a real classic, probably the greatest movie musical of the 1980s (any challenges?) While the 1960 version should not be overlooked, this version has a better cast (Rick Moranis, Steve Martin, Bill Murray, John Candy, Ellen Greene), terrific special effects...and a moronic ending which has now been replaced with director Frank Oz's original cut, retaining the climax of the off-Broadway 1980 show its based on. (I'm just a mean green mother from outta space/I'm a mean green mother from outta space/Going to trash yo ass, going to rock this place/I'm MEAN and GREEN, and I am BAD!!!) Hey, that song was nominated for an Oscar, so shaddup!
RED DAWN: Don't care for the movie but what the hell---WOLVERINES!
Oct 8 - 05:56 PM
Anthony Thompson
Kulik: Is Cruise in "crazyland" because he happens to subscribe to a different religion than you, homeboy?
Oct 8 - 07:42 PM
Big Brother
Scientology, not a religion. B Grade Sci-Fi at best. If Scientology had a real God, he's the worst ever for punishing us with Battlefield Earth. I'll take a plague of locust's any day.
As for Rock of Ages, what was the best thing about it i.e. Tom Cruises performance was what doomed it to mediocrity. The story was never meant to be about Stacey Jaxx, he was meant to be the back-up villain and partial comedy relief. Also didn't help that so much of Rock's appeal is the rock concert atmosphere and audience interaction you get at the stage show.
Oct 8 - 08:04 PM
Dave J
Some people love the "Battlefield Earth" book but upon seeing the film some didn't know that it covered only the first half of the book- some thought that the film was basically covering everything which I must admit even failed in addressing that as well!
Oct 9 - 02:32 PM
Total Stranger
Whoa. Battlefield Earth was a dynamite book IMO...And sweet Xenu above, a plague of locusts!? No tree or plant would remain!
Oct 11 - 06:11 AM
Tall Cool One !
Haha. You said "real god". Funny.
Oct 13 - 09:13 AM
Big Brother
Who would give E.T. a negative review?!? You gotta be dead inside.
Oct 8 - 08:06 PM
Janson Jinnistan
I thought the same thing. It's Don McKeller, and he is. Spielberg's feel-gooditude reacted to McKeller's traumatic childhood as (his words) a "queasy false-memory syndrome". I dunno, maybe he was probed. But it sure sounds like a totally vibrant human being would say something like that, right?
Oct 9 - 12:17 AM
Gordon Terry
Big Brother, you must be BRAIN DEAD to continue to associate yourself with The Republican Party, a political party whose candidates (again) compare The First Lady to a Gorilla AND say that Rape doesn't cause pregnancy. SEXISM, RACISM, and CAPRICIOUS INTOLERANCE reside at the heart of The Republican Party's resolve and you still continue to support The Repubican Party's political ideals . . . SHAME ON YOU BIG BROTHER (it is you who is dead inside for PROMOTING RACISM AND SEXISM via your Political affiliation!)
Oct 9 - 09:15 PM
Infernal Dude
Because every Republican believes in those ideals, right? Another grand over generalization by Gordon! Now THATS reasoned discourse!
Oct 10 - 02:00 AM
Big Brother
Yep and that Racist/Sexist made your candidate look like a stumbling 5th grader at the debate without his teleprompter. What does that say about the Democratic party? I would have loved to have voted for a Democrat the last 12 years, but you guys just make it sooooo damn hard with the people you pick to represent you. It's like most protest movements. Even if I agree with the cause I don't want to be associated with 80% of the people there. You're a classic example of that Gordon, the fact that you're a Democrat and you're level of discourse is the best advertisement the Republican Party could ask for. BTW, I don't associate myself with either political party as I've stated repeatedly for those with the comprehension skills to understand. I vote for the person I believe best suited for the job. Bill Clinton was actually the first guy I ever voted for for President. One of these years you guys will figure it out. At least to the parties credit Obama was electable. I would have voted for him over Bush or probably Romney 4 years ago. Unfortunately as the last 4 years have shown and the debate underlined he's more style than substance. I make the personal choice not to stay the course this time. P.S. you can stop with the recruitment drive as well, I already sent in my absentee ballot. The die are cast for me.
Oct 10 - 05:46 AM
Janson Jinnistan
Cruise is in "crazyland" because he was on a magazine cover last week talking about how he's coping with being lonely. Does that sound like something sane people do? Call up the publicist, hire some photogs, bite his lip on cue and narcissistically suck the celebrity teat?
Oh, but sure, he does believe in galactic overlords with nukes too.
Oct 9 - 12:13 AM
Infernal Dude
And he consistently makes good films.
Oct 9 - 12:49 AM
Janson Jinnistan
Lots of crazy people make good films.
Oct 9 - 12:51 AM
Infernal Dude
My point exactly.
Oct 9 - 12:54 AM
Christopher Kulik
Dark Overlord of the Universe? That must be quite a responsibility.
Oct 9 - 07:27 AM
Janson Jinnistan
@ID, but it wasn't my point, which is that Cruise's "crazy" is more related to his megalomania than to his religion. Most Catholics wouldn't kick a priest out of their home for supporting the Vatican II reforms, like Mel Gibson did. Megalomania is the delusion of a missionary sort, which usually manifests in religion. Cruise has used his ego-insanity to sell Scientology; Gibson wanted to use his "Maccabee" movie to convert the Jews to Christianity. Crazy is the cake, the religions are just icing for flavor.
Oct 9 - 12:33 PM
Big Brother
I'm gonna borrow "Crazy is the cake" line all the time now.
Oct 9 - 05:50 PM
Infernal Dude
Right, right. I understand what you're saying. Its just I don't read a lot of gossip and beyond the Vanity Fair article I know little about Cruise's Scientology shit and frankly don't care. I just think the guy makes good movies and am willing to look past his personal life. A lot of times crazy is all an artist has, without it they would just be a regular schmuck like you and me.
Oct 10 - 01:38 AM
Dave J
Just out of curiousity out of the last 5 movies Cruise has been in what else had you seen besides "Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocal" because as I recall some of his previous films weren't that appealing particularly "Rock Of Ages", "Lions For Lambs" and "Knight And Day"!
Oct 10 - 12:05 PM
Janson Jinnistan
Regular schmucks think Art=Crazy. I'm afraid I don't qualify.
Oct 10 - 12:07 PM
Infernal Dude
Did I say art=crazy? No, I said many artists are crazy and IMO that is what gives them a unique perspective and way of thinking. Get off your high horse.
And Dave, Collateral, Tropic Thunder, M4, and Valkyrie were all good films. I didn't even think K&D was as bad as everyone though it was. Plus Minority Report, Rain Man, A Few Good Men, Born on the Fourth of July, Magnolia. Should I go on? Who has a resume like that?
Oct 10 - 08:38 PM
Janson Jinnistan
"I said many artists are crazy and IMO that is what gives them a unique perspective and way of thinking."
So..."many" but not all. That's clarifying. But you're still citing the mental illness as the source of the creativity. I could claim that regular joes suffered from a neurosis of conformity, but I wouldn't be so presumptuous about something I don't understand.
Oct 11 - 10:53 AM
Infernal Dude
I certainly think you're crazy. ;)
Oct 11 - 01:30 PM
Infernal Dude
My problem(s) with Prometheus (Though I still recommend it!):
1. Characters actions contradicted their previous character traits to serve the plot and/or monster movie checklist. I.e. the biologist guy being afraid of petrified aliens THEN embracing the living alien, snake thing. This was just plain dumb.
2. The DVD ads are using the tagline, "questions will be answered". No they won't. Thats one of the major criticisms of Prometheus by so many, that the big questions implied are swept away by monster movie cliches. Its kind of insulting, eh?
I recommend watching the Half In The Bag review for shits and giggles. Here it be. SPOILERS!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-x1YuvUQFJ0#!
Oct 9 - 12:45 AM
Janson Jinnistan
Funny you should mention "From Hell" in comparison to "The Raven". I also made the comparison, except very unfavorably. Cusack's fun to watch (always?), but the film has no originality.
Oct 9 - 12:50 AM
Brad Hadfield
Here's the ET principal scene. Can't see Ford's face, but it's definitely his voice, which I guess is what Spielberg thought would be too distracting. It's an odd scene, I think, and cutting it made sense. Don't know why this wasn't included on the 20th anniversary DVD.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs8PxiYT8Z0
Oct 9 - 09:17 AM
Christopher Kulik
Thanks, Brad appreciate it. Should have just made a YouTube search, although I naturally assumed it was an internet rumor (read it off IMDb years ago) while also convinced it didn't exist after viewing the 20th anniversary DVD edition. According to the YouTube comments, it was evidently on the Laserdisc version.
This scene is so warped it's unbelievable. It's what I like to call a WTF?! scene: when Ford says the line, "the pot, the pills, the angel wings...sure, it's a cruel world out there...deceit, treachery"...all the time I'm thinking, WHAT??? Ah whatever, no explanation is necessary as to why the scene was cut.
Oct 9 - 05:33 PM
Brad Hadfield
Yeah, it's very weird, and his office is so damn dark. Not surprising that Elliot RUNS out of there when Ford says he's dismissed.
Oct 10 - 05:57 AM
Sean James
Don't watch, Raven. You don't know the meaning of a bad movie until you've seen THIS!
Oct 9 - 02:02 PM