BLUE MAG

Here’s a list of new and notable DVDs this week (3/27/07) that you might not of heard of or might of missed when they were in the theater.

Children of Men — Not nearly enough people saw this movie due to a massive publicity fuck up on the part of Universal. This is by far the best movie that came out last year which is saying a lot for a year that included “The Departed.” I urge everyone to check this film out and try to give it a second life on DVD (where most of the money is made anyway.) Extras include the featurette “The Possibility of Hope” with comments from several futurist scholars (27 min.), “‘Children of Men’ comments by Slavoj Zizek,” a philosopher and cultural critic (5 min.), “Under Attack” with a look at the film’s long takes (7 min.), “Theo and Julian” (4 min.), “Futuristic Design” (8 min.), “Visual Effects: Creating the Baby” (3 min.), and a deleted scenes reel (3 min.).

Early Bergman — This is the first title from Criterion’s new Eclipse imprint and looks like a promising start to the new line featuring: “Torment” “Crisis” “Port of Call” “Thirst” and “To Joy.” All of these films were rare and largely unseen so the is kind of a treat at $10 a movie.

Kill … Baby Kill – Mario Bava’s really weird and creepy 1966 Gothic classic is finally on DVD. Not a movie for everyone (The Japanese poster below should tell you if this is your movie or not) but for those who like something with a lot of atmosphere and style but not much logic or plot this is for you. I know that doesn’t sound like much of a recommendation but trust me this movie is great and visually amazing! Check it out and if you really like it wait for the Bava box set due out in a couple weeks.

The Shield Season 5 – One of the best shows on television. Adding Oscar winner Forrest Whitaker to the cast made this my favorite season yet and I can’t wait for April when what promises to be the final season starts. The DVDs come packed with commentaries by the stars and creators and behind the scenes docs too!

The Tempest (1982) — With a cast featuring John Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands, Susan Sarandon, Molly Ringwald, and Raul Julia you just can’t go wrong. Director Paul Mazursky updates Shakespeare and comes up with something pretty fantastic. Again, not for people trying to get out of reading the original but looking for something a little different.

School for Scoundrels (1960) — The original version of the film remade last year is a great example of the British one-upmanship tradition (made famous by Steven Potter’s books). Terry Thomas, Ian Carmichael and especially the great Alastir Sim round out a wonderful cast of Brit comedians at the top of their game. If you don’t know who any of these people are you should check out this film. It’s funny and will make you laugh.

Keoma — A new Blue Underground edition of this Italian western from the 70s is much improved compared to the previous transfer. Again (like “Kill … Baby Kill”) not for everyone but if you like “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and violent stylized westerns this is for you. Be warned it is an amazingly, ridiculously, Mel Gibsony violent film complete with a crucifixion and enough slow motion to make Sam Peckinpah look like a little girl.