Witness for the Prosecution [KL Studio Classics]
What is it? A celebrated barrister takes on the protection of a person accused of homicide.
Why see it? Billy Wilder is a filmmaker finest recognized for quite a few movies as everybody has their very own favourite. Sunset Boulevard, The Apartment, Some Like It Hot, Double Indemnity, Sabrina, Ace within the Hole, The Seven Year Itch, The Lost Week-End, Stalag 17… like I mentioned, everybody could have their very own favourite. Just pretty much as good, if not higher, than most of these is 1952’s brilliantly witty courtroom thriller, Witness for the Prosecution. The nice Charles Laughton performs the barrister who takes the case reluctantly given his poor well being, and the script — co-written by Wilder and primarily based on an Agatha Christie play — strikes like a wildly entertaining wildfire. Nearly two hours, the movie by no means drags and as a substitute flies by because the case and characters are launched main rapidly into the trial itself. Even at over half a century later, the movie nonetheless packs a wallop with its partaking story, quick-witted dialogue, and sharp ending. We actually don’t get nice courtroom thrillers a lot nowadays, so classics like these are all the time definitely worth the choose up.
[Extras: Commentary, featurette]
The Best
The Big Country [KL Studio Classics]
What is it? A very epic western.
Why see it? Westerns are available in all sizes and shapes, and whereas there are many nice ones delivering sharp thrills in a good bundle, there’s one thing particular concerning the epics. From Once Upon a Time within the West to Dances With Wolves, massive, sprawling westerns succeed by means of an exploration of each the bodily geography and the expanse of the human psyche — each pulling on the numerous tropes, visuals, and conflicts anticipated by the style. William Wyler’s late 50s entry options the gun fights and land grabs whereas additionally concerning class, the unstoppable march of time, masculinity, and the concept regardless of how massive the ego, we’re little greater than fleas on a canine. Wyler’s movie can also be a Technicolor marvel with huge landscapes and richly detailed character popping on the display screen. Gregory Peck, Charlton Heston, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker, and Burl Ives all do nice work bringing the large story to life.
[Extras: Commentary, documentary, interviews, featurette]
Burnt Offerings [KL Studio Classics]
What is it? A household strikes right into a home that isn’t too completely happy to have them.
Why see it? A horror movie that includes Oliver Reed, Karen Black, Bette Davis, and Burgess Meredith? From the director of Trilogy of Terror, Dead of Night, and The Night Strangler? This gem is a PG-rated chiller that delivers terrific environment, some electrical performances, and quite a lot of real scares constructing to a top-notch 70s ending. Whispers, screams, and a home that appears alive, this adaptation of Robert Marasco’s novel is considerably underappreciated however deserves extra love. Black and Davis are all the time nice in style fare, and Reed is a barely contained blast, all anger and concern, and the ending brings all of it to an unsettling finale.
[Extras: Commentaries, interviews]
The Rest
The Road to Shame
What is it? A person’s seek for his girlfriend opens onto a world of traffickers.
Why see it? Sex trafficking stays one of many extra heinous problems with our time, and as this late 50s story reveals, it’s sadly not a brand new downside. It’s performed right here for dramatic thrills, all nicely and good, besides our protagonist is a little bit of an unlikable and uninteresting jerk. “Heroes” don’t have to be likable, however he’s only a dullard. The villains aren’t all that extra memorable with the specifics of their crimes feeling a bit extra organized and clear than the true world would recommend, however taken as a complete there’s sufficient to warrant a watch given the interval and French locales.
[Extras: New restoration, commentary]
The Sting of Death [Radiance]
What is it? A pair’s distress sees them metaphorically bleeding to dying.
Why see it? Some motion pictures about depressing folks, {couples} who’ve misplaced all semblance of affection for one another and whose curiosity in life is equally void, nonetheless finds an attention-grabbing angle. Tastes will differ, however this Japanese drama from 1990 simply can’t discover it. The husband makes an attempt to reconcile, in a means, after dishonest on his spouse, however her descent into melancholy envelops the movie in oxygen-draining methods. Director Kohei Oguri makes some stylistic decisions right here that make it stand aside from a easy drama, however the inventive efforts solely work to create more room between viewers and the characters. Credit to Radiance for bringing the movie to house video with a robust launch.
[Extras: Documentary, interview]
The Thomas Crown Affair [KL Studio Classics]
What is it? A grasp thief goes face to face (innuendo!) with a artful investigator.
Why see it? This could go in opposition to the grain, however I’m of the opinion that John McTiernan’s 1990 remake is way superior to Norman Jewison’s unique. Jewison was a robust filmmaker, and there’s no arguing along with his leads (Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway), however the decisions made right here work in opposition to the movie’s try at pacing and emotion. There are highlights, however stretches of the movie have such an artfully constructed (through enhancing), carefree really feel that they work in opposition to the human connection and suspense you’d hope to search out. It’s an attention-grabbing movie, and the 2 leads are by no means lower than charming, however the entire appears like a bit a drag.
[Extras: Commentaries, interviews, featurette]
Also out this week:
Bloodrayne [4K UHD], Funeral Home [Scream Factory], McCabe & Mrs. Miller [4K UHD, Criterion], The Terminal Man [Scream Factory]
