Video Views & News: From Bats to Brendan, Ellen Page to Leg Lamps
For reasons that are pretty obvious at this point, this week Warner Brothers rereleases Batman Begins on DVD and gives the film its first Blu-ray treatment, with options of a single-disc edition and a Limited Edition Gift Set. We'll have details later this week in a special roundup of recent and forthcoming Batman-related titles on DVD and Blu-ray.
Already posted for your pleasure are our up-close and personal looks at some of this week's DVDs such as Batman: Gotham Knight,
The X-Files: Revelations (Chris Carter's clever primer for the upcoming movie), and Superhero Movie. More DVD reviews of
Among the other new DVDs hitting shelves this week, look for:
Even though The Tracey Fragments, an offbeat Canadian film starring Ellen Page, was made before the wildly successful Juno, it was only after viewers and critics were left dumbfounded by the actress's spot-on, deadpan performance in the latter film that Tracey could get a theatrical (and a subsequent DVD) release in the US.... Both cinematically and emotionally daring, watching Tracey is an intense experience.
The DVD tin will go for $39.99 SRP. Plus, the Blu-ray edition ($49.99 SRP) will add a string of leg lamp holiday lights. Both releases are coming November 4.
It'll put someone's eye out.
Over at The Digital Bits' "Rumor Mill," we learn that "industry sources have checked in" on a number of upcoming DVD and Blu-ray releases. Among the titles are:
Oh, speaking of the new Batman franchise, Cinema Retro has a DVD review of the 1969 Michael Caine commando-raid movie Play Dirty. "From minute one, the uppercrust Caine finds himself in charge of a motley crew that makes the Dirty Dozen look like a boy's choir." Now we know how Alfred got so badass.
Fritz Lang's science-fiction masterpiece Metropolis. It's big, big news in fan circles around the web. Our friends at Greencine Daily (a daily destination indeed) have been doing a fine job keeping us updated with info and opinions.
Meanwhile Greencine Daily's latest DVD report points to a number of recommended discs you aren't likely to find face-out at the nearest Target.
Speaking of Glenn, at his DVD Savant site he reports that
...for Angelenos and those who can get here, the Cinematheque at the Egyptian will be having an all-Toho Giant Monster night on Sunday, August 3. Besides showing 35mm 'Scope prints of War of the Gargantuas and Mothra in American, English-dubbed versions, the evening will premiere a new docu about Kaiju Eiga, Bringing Godzilla Down to Size. It's narrated by Alex Cox and Savant correspondent Steve Ryfle had a big hand in its production. Classic Media will be releasing a DVD boxed set of War of the Gargantuas, Rodan, and Bringing Godzilla Down to Size on September 9.