This week, Criterion continues its ongoing commitment to the films of Michael Powell, and an aging icon shoots his way onto DVD and Blu-Ray.
DVD of the Week: What else could it be but Criterion’s The Thief of Bagdad? This is probably the closest thing to a must-buy that’s coming along in months, and for so many reasons. As one of the great examples of forties-era Technicolor, Thief is a natural for DVD, especially once the wizards at Criterion are done sprucing it up for this release. But there’s a raft full of special features to enjoy as well- two commentaries (including one from a couple of obscure movie nerds named Scorsese and Coppola), a documentary about the film’s award-winning effects, a propaganda film commissioned by producer Alexander Korda on behalf of the British War effort, and much more besides. In other words, I know exactly what I’ll be spending my money on come Tuesday
Also of note is the crush of Rambo DVDs hitting shelves this week. Not only will there be two different standard-DVD versions of Stallone’s latest Rambo adventure (Lionsgate), but also a Blu-Ray edition, along with box-sets of the previous Rambo films in both standard and Blu-Ray. So if you like Rambo, there will be plenty of goodies for you to enjoy.
Pretty slow week for DVD releases otherwise, with new titles including Woody Allen’s Cassandra’s Dream (Genius Productions), Renny Harlin’s barely-released Cleaner (Sony), Nina Hartley’s Guide to Great Sex During Pregnancy (Pacific Media), and a DVD edition of Marguerite Duras’ 1972 film Nathalie Granger (Facets- ugh). And that’s about it, sadly.
Finally, look who’s back! That’s right, it’s your old pal David Huddleston, ready to bemoan the release of two new HD-DVDs from Warner Home Video. What are they, you ask? Why, they’re P.S.: I Love You (Warner) and Twister (Warner). Are you as excited as I am? Because if you are then it must be you I hear snoring. Seriously, could you knock that off? I'm trying to sleep here.
