Scarecrow is a bit of a gem, one that I honestly never heard of though I guess it’s easy to get lost amongst the 1970s classics like The Godfather, Rocky, Taxi Driver and A Clockwork Orange just to name a few. Hopefully with this Blu-ray it will be re-discovered.
It is quite the time we live in for media, even if the physical is on the decline, as now after decades where it lived only on the bootleg forum, we finally get to see Superman: The Movie – Extended Cut aka the TV Version, restored in HD and although I’ll be sticking with the other version.
While not exactly an obscure movie from the ‘70s, Night Moves has been largely forgotten or lost amongst the classics of what was arguably the best decade for cinema. Hackman is, per usual, amazing.
Unforgiven is probably one of the best westerns ever made and it’s a movie that transcends audiences so if you’re like me and don’t normally watch those kinds of movies, give this one a shot: it features fine performances, fine direction and a story that is compelling from beginning to end.
Eureka is a bit of a forgotten film from the 1980s, one that is doubtful to be mentioned amongst Gene Hackman’s greats with an uneven story that goes from an adventurous first half, the best part, to a Citizen Kane-like story for the second and a third act playing out like a bad episode of “Law & Order”.
No Way Out was a pleasant surprise of a thriller featuring good suspense and a solid performance by Kevin Costner with honorable mention to Will Patton. To cap things off, the ending had a nice and unexpected twist.
Hawaii is a lengthy but entertaining epic drama featuring solid performances from its core cast including Richard Harris, Julie Andrews and Max von Sydow as well as a small early role by Gene Hackman (only his third feature film). The Blu-ray released through Twilight Time is rather basic with few bonus features but the audio and video transfers are both well done.
Downhill Racer is a well done crafted, and fantastically shot (the first-person view from the skier is exhilarating), sports movie with excellent performances by Robert Redford and Gene Hackman.
Heartbreakers is an entertaining and all around fun crime-comedy featuring good performances all around but especially Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt who are wonderful together and the sole reasons this movie still works today going on 14 years.
Mississippi Burning is a very well made movie with top notch performances by Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe to go along with a story that, in some instances, resonates with the news of the day. The Blu-ray released by Twilight Time has good audio/video transfers but is on the disappointing side features-wise.
The Birdcage is a wonderfully hilarious comedy headlined by Robin Williams and Nathan Lane and holds up as well today as it did some 10+ years ago when I last saw it. The Blu-ray offers up good video/audio transfers but only has a trailer and no new features making it a quick catalogue release for the studio.
Unforgiven is probably one of the best westerns ever made and it’s a movie that transcends audiences so if you’re like me and don’t normally watch those kinds of movies, give this one a shot: it features fine performances, fine direction and a story that is compelling from beginning to end.
Lionsgate has announced the date and released artwork for the classic drama/thriller, The Conversation starring Gene Hackman, featuring Harrison Ford in one of his earlier roles and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Click on the link below or image to the left to check out the features and artwork for the Blu-ray.
The Superman: The Complete Anthology is a fine set for sure and while the features are certainly comprehensive between vintage featurettes and multiple expansive documentaries and commentaries, but in particular the video has much to be desired. This isn’t to say they don’t look good but compared with the work Fox did with their Alien complete set, this one pales by comparison.
The Firm is a top notch and taut legal thriller showcasing why Tom Cruise was a superstar in the ‘90s with a great supporting cast who fit their roles perfectly, avid readers of the novel will disagree, however. The Blu-ray itself has a nice video transfer and an acceptable audio while failing in the features depart, although it’s no surprise Paramount wouldn’t spring for new features.