Catalogue Blu-ray Releases For February 2012

January 26, 2012     

Hard to believe as it may be, the month of February is fast approaching. With that in mind, I present my regular column that shines the light on older and, in some cases, classic films that are making their way to the high definition video format known as Blu-ray for the first time. Many of these titles don’t receive the same amount of fanfare reserved for the glut of newer films crowding the marketplace and my purpose here is to clue film fans in to the great releases you might miss. Without further introductions here is a look at what you will find coming your way on Blu-ray next month.

For starters, the 1966 James Bond spoof, Casino Royale, will be making its hi definition debut, much to the delight of the film’s fans. While I personally find it to be wildly uneven, you can’t help but have some affection for a film spoof that features such varied cast members as Woody Allen, Orson Welles, David Niven, George Raft, and William Holden. By the way, it is one of the few films to have five (!) directors listed in the credits.

Director Stephen Frears’ engaging 1988 film, Dangerous Liaisons, centering around an unscrupulous and manipulative woman and taking place in 18th century France, will be issued on Blu-ray by Warners. The film has only been issued once on DVD and that was back in 1997. It goes without saying that a digital facelift was long overdue.

Disney continues its trend of issuing its classic animated fare on Blu-ray with the release of Lady and the Tramp. Incidentally, the film is also one of the few animated releases from Disney to be released in theaters in an ultra widescreen format and is sure to look fantastic in its new home video incarnation.

Glenn Close and Uma Thurman in Dangerous Liaisons, 1988

Paramount has announced that it will be issuing one classic film from its catalogue each month on Blu-ray during the calendar year of 2012. The company’s January release was the silent classic Wings and in February the studio will see fit to release the 1970 box office behemoth Love Story, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Many critics have correctly noted that the plot of the current film The Artist follows the same trajectory of the classic film A Star is Born. Perhaps, just for that very reason, the original 1937 version of the film will be issued on Blu-ray in February as well. Since the film has not been issued in quite some time, a digital restoration will be a welcome sight for most film fans.

Speaking of films of the 1930s, the classic anti-war film All Quiet on the Western Front will be issued by Universal during the month. The film, centering on the experiences of German servicemen during World War I, nabbed the best picture Oscar for its year and time has not diminished the power of its pacifist message.

The 1986 crowd pleaser about a robot with a mind of its own, Short Circuit, will be issued along with the lesser 1988 sequel Short Circuit 2 in a two-for-the- price-of-one Blu-ray set. Steve Guttenberg has the lead in the original, while  Fisher Stevens leads the cast in the sequel.

Criterion continues on with their pattern of releasing certifiably classic films on Blu-ray. February will see them issuing the 1959 film Anatomy of a Murder. The plot revolves around a drunken lawyer (Arthur O’Connell) who is inspired by one of his contemporaries (James Stewart) while going through the motions of a murder trial. George C. Scott also appears as a prosecuting attorney. It is certainly one of the best courtroom dramas in the history of film, if nothing else.

Briefly, Lionsgate will be issuing the 1979 comedy Meatballs, while director Louis Malle’s final film, Vanya on 42nd Street, finally gets its due on Blu-ray.

That’s it for this month. Hopefully, everyone will find something worth checking out. Next week I’ll have a report on the Oscar nominations. 

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