Easy Rider is a film that deserves its place amongst the "top 100" american films of all times lists, often cited by film critics.  Not that it's a perfect film, in fact it has many flaws.  But, it does capture a sense of time probably as well as any other great film has.  I remember my parents(conservatives by the way) telling me of the impact that the film had on them, all the while remembering to state their disgust with the main characters' drug use.  The film's message works.  While many may see the film as pro-drug, anti-establishment, it's more accurately honestly capturing a certain movement taking place in America and a sub-culture.  While its main characters are drug pushers, the true villains of the film are the rednecks choosing to kill them for no other reason than the way they look! 

Easy Rider is also important because of what it achieved on a very low budget.  As Director/co-writer Dennis Hopper states in the great audio commentary, the film had a great deal of improvisation, not due to a love of "The Actors Studio" style, but because of the possiblilities which presented themselves as the film crew travelled, equipment in hand, across the country.   As their characters come upon new locations and possibilities, so do the actors and filmmakers! 

The actual film quality varies due to the natural and problematic lighting scenarios presented to the film crew on a low budget film.  Still, the dvd is generally quite sharp, and a major improvement over the letterboxed laserdisc last offered from COLUMBIA TRISTAR.  There is good detail, although colors are slightly subdued at times. The film does show signs of aging, probably due to low budget limitations.

The film has received dolby digital 5.1 remastering, which benefits the film's soundtrack in some instances.  While the quality of the songs varies, some of the selections sound terrific, with great bass!  There's no directional effects to speak of.

In addition to an audio commentary with Dennis Hopper, there's a terrific new documentary "Easy Rider:Shaking the Cage".

The commentary is insightful, although there are "long" silences throughout the film, and it's frustrating at times.  It would have been better if we had chapters indicating wherein commentary exists, that's how infrequent it gets at times.

The documentary is outstanding!  Hopper, Fonda, Karen Black and others are on hand, sharing their recollections as to how the film was put together, in a surprisingly open atmosphere.  We've actually watched the documentary more times than the film now!!!  

"Heavy Metal" has finally received its due with the splendid new "Special Edition" dvd release it's been given from COLUMBIA TRISTAR.  I'll have to admit, I wasn't a fan of the film when I first saw it in the same rough-cut version, actually offered here as an option.   There's actually a letterboxed(1.85:1) theatrical version as well as the rough cut version offered in full frame.  The film follows the style and content of the cult-magazine,  blending images of science fiction with action and busty barely clad women.   The narrative structure is fairly loose, offering various mini-tales with no real connection other than a "slight" tie to a green orb that is supposed to unleash weird powers and circumstances. 

Extremely uneven, the film tries to combine rock 'n' roll music with innovative animation and offbeat humor.  While the film suffers as a whole, each story has some great moments, and our favorite story, set around a B 52 bomber whose murdered crew comes to life haunting the lone survivor, creates an atmosphere tense enought to cut with a knife.  Unfortunately, even this great story fizzles out by its conclusion.

High school audiences will probably enjoy the film more than adults, largely due to the story involving a geek given the chance to hook up with a buxom beauty and prove heroic abilities in a mysterious transformation.

The transfer is nothing short of magnificent!!!  The colors and contrast to this presentation are flawless!  There  is no artifact present, and color values are as strong as any we've ever seen!  The newly enhanced dolby digital 5.1 track manages to add more definition to the directional effects, but we actually enjoyed the musical selections more on the 2.0 soundtrack.

In addition to the high quality presentation, fans will be reveling in the massive(and we mean "masssive" supplementary section!

As previously mentioned, a rough-cut version of the film with some modest time-line alterations, is offered in full screen, with the option of either 1.0 soundtrack or with commentary from "Heavy Metal"  afficianado Carl Macek.

Additionally, Macek also offers commentary throughout the theatrical version of the film, differing from the rough cut version.  A new 35 minute documentary, "Imagining Heavy Metal" combining interviews, and a background explaining the writing process of the film.  Not enough!!!!  Well, there's also a deleted scenes segment.  One of which provides an alternate framing time-line, that is certain to become a preference for some viewers.

"This is My Father" is not to be  missed!!!!   What a welcome surprise!!!  Aidan Quinn, James Caan, and John Cusack star in this moving, ultimately gut-wrenching drama of lost love and inspiration.    Complex in its narrative structure, director/writer Paul Quinn weaves together the tale of a tired school teacher(Caan) going back to Ireland to explore the secret relationship which his Alzheimers-ridden mother had with another man, played in flashback by Aidan Quinn.  The film works brilliantly on many levels.  The focus of the film is in the past, offering great detail to what life was like in small villages of Ireland pre-WW2, but even it's shorter modern day narrative is powerful.    All of the performances are magnificent(no kidding!).

The dvd transfer is excellent, with the 16:9 enhancement offering much more clarity to the image on a 16:9 screen.  The landscapes and fleshtones have excellent detail.   The dolby digital 5.1 sound offers excellent directional effects where necessary, but is used mostly to boost the musical score, also magnificent.

An audio commentary is offered with the brothers Quinn candidly discussing the film as they watch it together for the first time.  Obviously best listened to after watching the film, fans will appreciate their descriptions of what sacrifices had to be made to bring the heart of the intended story to the screen.  They often seem most annoyed at problems with the musical pop selections they couldn't afford to get, REM, etc.   Still, we wouldn't have changed anything about the film, it's outstanding as it is!!!!

Director Russel Mulcahy, the man responsible for the original "Highlander" film, as well as the overlooked "Razorback", offers audio commentary on the new dvd presentation of his latest film, "Resurrection".  It obviously tries to emulate "Se7en" in theme and style, but isn't in the same league by any measure.   Christopher Lambert and his partner Leland Orser are on the trail of a serial killer, whom we find out (way ahead of the rest of the cast)is trying to create a super evil by using parts of his victims in recreating the body of Christ!     While the film's not exactly horrible, it doesn't offer "anything" above average in quality.  However, it's a pleasant surprise to see actor Leland Orser in a normal role.  It's a unique coincidence to find Orser having a part in another serial killer film currently in theaters, "The Bone Collector". 

An audio commentary with Mulcahy is included, but offers little insight into the filmmaking process.  He offers such musings as  "that mirrored window was actually built for the set" or "you'll notice a gradual change in color progression  until the film ends up having a noticeable green look to it by the end."  He's right about the color imagery, but he doesn't offer any explanation as to "why" he chose to do this!  And, there's only so much we can take in his pointing out the mundane!  Who cares what scenery or props were built or pre-existed???

The transfer looks sharp, with fine color values and the 16:9 enhancement offers noticeable improvement in definition quality.   The dolby digital 5.1 sound mix offers numerous directional and atmospheric effects.

"The Last Picture Show" is one of the only two good films from Director Peter Bogdanovich(the other being Paper Moon).  Adapted from the excellent novel by Larry McMurtry by the author and Bogdanovich, the film creates a portrait of the hopes, dreams, and lost desires of the inhabitants of a small town.  It's truly brilliant in its use of restraint and subtext: the old drive-in movie theater setting helps make its own nostalgic statement, still powerful today! 

The cast is also outstanding.  Jeff Bridges, Ellen Burstyn, Ben Johnson, and Cloris Leachman give what may be their finest performances ever.  In fact, Leachman and Johnson received awards!  Cybill Shepherd(with the exception of "Heartbreak Kid" has never looked or acted better! 

The transfer looks impressive as well.  While its black and white cinematography often varies in terms of contrast, it's intentional and helps create a moving poignant atmosphere.  The aspect ratio seems less than the 1.85:1 credited on the box cover.   The mono sound is intelligible and non-problematic, but is generally unremarkable.

Supplements include trailers for several Jeff Bridges films, "Starman", "Arlington Road", and "The Last Picture Show".  Also included are a brief featurette,  offering Bogdanovich's insight into the film.  Even at less than two minutes, he's a real bore!  The documentary offered is much better, with more cast involvement, although Cybill Shepard is not whom we would have preferred as the main cast member with commentary.  

One of our favorite fantasy films "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad" will entertain new audiences with this great dvd presentation from COLUMBIA TRISTAR.  While Ray Harryhausen's effects may seem archaic by today's standards, this reviewer's children got a great thrill watching the outstanding battling skeleton sequences, as did the adults!!!   Sinbad's voyage to save a princess from an evil magician is contstantly thwarted by one monster after another along the way allowing for Harryahusen's "dynamation" to offer some unforgettable moments.

The transfer looks sharper than we've ever seen, but there's still a fair amount of graininess throughout the film, especially in effects sequences.  The mono sound is fine, although there's some hissing apparant in quieter moments.

Thankfully, TRISTAR has included several short documentaries:  "A Look Behind the Voyage", while entertaining, offers too little too fast. It's very short, and we were disappointed to see so little of Kerwin Mathews, Harryhausen and others discuss the film's production.

Director and Harryhausen fan John Landis helps present the featurette "Jason & the Argonauts" , offering a variety of clips from both films to discuss the various process shots, etc.

"This is Dynamation" is a brief overview of how Harryhausen's stop-motion effects are utilized.

The best offering is "The Ray Harryhausen Chronicles", an hour length documentary narrated by Leonard Nimoy, exploring Harryhausen's initial efforts in the world of "Stop-motion" animation with clips from his earliest works, as well as interviews with those that have been influenced by him.  It's fascinating!!!