Classic Blu-ray Releases

July 2010

July 8, 2010
    

Once again it’s time to spotlight classic films making their way to the hi definition DVD format, Blu-ray. I would like to remind readers that this column is restricted to the release of only classic films on Blu-ray simply because so many older films making their way to the format receive little to no fanfare. So, with that knowledge in mind, here is a look at classic Blu-ray releases for the month of July.

Predator
After Arnold Schwarzenegger came to fame as a champion body builder courtesy of the 1977 documentary, “Pumping Iron,” the would be actor from Austria would spend the better part of the next decade trying to carve a niche for himself as a Hollywood actor. He finally became a certified pop culture icon and bankable movie star with the success of the 1987 film, “Predator.” The film-directed with great flair by John McTiernan, who would go on to helm two of the “Die Hard” films, concerns Arnold and his SWAT team being menaced by a faceless enemy while on a South American rescue mission. The film is peppered with great characters portrayed by such actors as future Minnesota governor, Jesse Ventura and Carl ‘Apollo Creed’ Weathers. Actor Kevin Peter Hall portrays the ‘predator’ and was a seven foot tall actor who appeared as Bigfoot in another summer of 1987 film, ‘Harry and the Hendersons.” Sadly, Hall died of AIDS just a few years later.

Rambo    
Speaking of action film stars of the eighties, Lionsgate is reissuing all four Rambo films on Blu-ray in a new box set entitled “The Rambo Legacy.” These films have been available on Blu-ray before but what is different this time is that the fourth entry in the series is being issued in a longer version and includes previously unseen footage. Everything else in the box pretty much remains the same.

Photo: Arnold in Predator

Horror    
Two guilty pleasure horror movie pleasures from the 80s and 90s are being issued on Blu-ray. Blue Underground will be issuing the 1981 slasher opus, “The Prowler,” while Warners will be issuing “Dr. Giggles” from 1992. “The Prowler” is atypical of the slasher films of the early eighties as a WWII vet returns home to kill his girlfriend with a pitchfork and then resumes his homicidal tendencies 3 ½ decades later. The main attraction of the film are the ingeniously gruesome makeup effects by veteran F/X artist Tom Savini (Dawn of the Dead, Friday the 13th.)

In the 92 film, “Dr. Giggles,” character actor Larry Drake (Darkman) stars as an insane physician who laughs when nervous, hence the film’s title. The good doc then goes on a killing after escaping from an asylum. The film is worth seeing for Drake’s over the top lead role if nothing else.

The Getaway    
The classic 1972 film, “The Getaway,” is being paired with the less thrilling 1994 remake on a two for the price of one release from Warners. Both film’s plots feature a husband and wife on the lam after a botched robbery attempt. In the ‘72 film, Steve McQueen and Ali Mcgraw star as the couple while Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger weakly fill the roles in the remake. The original is much preferred due to the inspired helming of master action director, the late Sam Peckinpah.

Witch Fest    
Speaking of two for the price of one Blu-ray packages, Warners is also pairing  “The Witches of Eastwick” with the Nicole Kidman starrer, “Practical Magic.” Though the latter film is generally not considered a classic the aforementioned 1987 ‘Witches’ has certainly attained that status due to repeat exposure on cable and home video. The tale of three love starved women in a New England town who, unaware of their magical powers, conjure up the perfect man, only to discover he’s really Satan himself and looks a lot like Jack Nicholson, is based on a novel by John Updike and directed by George Miller (Mad Max, Babe).

Photo: McQueen & McGraw in The Getaway

Jason and the Argonauts
Special effects maestro Ray Harryhausen’s 1963 classic, “Jason and the Argonauts,” is being issued by Sony on Blu-ray. The story-the title character’s search for a golden fleece-plays second fiddle to Harryhausen’s impressive ‘dynamation’ creature creations.

Dancing Queen
Finally, Criterion is issuing the classic Michael Powell directed film, “The Red Shoes.” It is the tragic tale of a ballerina who is torn between two obsessive and equally creative men. Jack Cardiff’s incredible color cinematography is only one of the reasons why this film has legions of fans. If you aren’t familiar with it then check it out in its beautifully restored Blu-ray debut.

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