THE PLOT THUS FAR

Tyrone Power stars as the daredevil bandit who galloped out of the Ozarks and into American folk history with his guns blazing. Jesse James is forced outside the law after ruthless agents for the coming transcontinental railroad kill his mother and steal his family’s land. Together with his brother Frank (Henry Fonda), Jesse forms a gang of masked outlaws to strike back at the railroad company and the banks that swindle oppressed farmers.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

Power gives an outstanding performance as Jesse James, to whom he brings an intensity that seethes beneath his rugged good looks and determined attitude.  Like Beatty did with Clyde, Power makes Jesse an outlaw you can’t help but like, and actually admire.  Because the James Power presents is nothing more nor less than a good man seeking reparation for the injury visited not only upon himself, but upon his family, to whom he feels justice is now due.  It’s a very credible and believable portrayal, though under close scrutiny his Jesse may come across as somewhat idealistically unflawed.  Then again, within the time frame of this story, we are seeing a man adamant and single-minded of purpose, and the depth Power brings to the character more than accounts for what may be construed as a flawless nature.

There is no denying that James was a criminal. But to be fair, the Federal Government and the Pinkertons did not behave well either. Keep in mind, in 1870 Federal intervention in the states was limited to the Reconstruction policies, not to policing action. But Ulysses Grant, although from Ohio, had lived in Missouri for years, and took a personal interest in the James Gang. He was willing to use the Pinkertons as his agents, including one incident where a bomb-like device was used against Jesse’s mother’s family, injuring several and killing his half-brother. So furious was Jesse about this, for a couple of months he was in Chicago seeking a chance to attack and kill Allan Pinkerton.

The DVD comes with a trailer and Movie-Tone News as the only special features. The A/V Quality is strong with a robust 1080p transfer. Plus, you get a bombastic DTS-HD 5.1 master audio track and a closer to source material DTS-HD mono track. That’s pretty amazing for a classic release. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.

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THE PLOT THUS FAR

Dorothy Dandridge delivers a star-making performance in the title role, as a femme fatale who seduces a handsome soldier (Harry Belafonte), setting in motion a classic tale of betrayal and jealousy. With the music of Georges Bizet and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, this musical feast sets the screen on fire with passion.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

The adaptation of the opera sets the film in the South. We are taken to a military base during the war. The local people work in the factory, attached to the base, making parachutes and other war related equipment. Carmen Jones, is the sultry young woman who sticks out from the rest of her co-workers, not only by her beauty, which was obvious, but by the way she can reduce men to servitude, which is what happens to Joe, the man who is being promoted until fate intervenes and Carmen renders him useless.

Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge give great acting performances though it’s kind of strange to hear other voices coming from the mouths of two good singers. Their voices weren’t operatic though, yet the singers dubbing them matched well with the personalities of both the leads. And Dandridge had Marilyn Horne, you can’t do much better than that. The whole thing originates from the French novelist’s Prosper Merimee’s story of the ill effects of passionate love.

The Blu-Ray comes with a trailer. The A/V Quality sports a very strong and restored 1080p transfer. The DTS-HD 4.0 master audio track shows FOX’s commitment to cleaning up the original audio channels and presenting them in the best manner possible. It’s enough to make me hunt down Preminger’s other movies on Blu-Ray. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.

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THE PLOT THUS FAR

Tyrone Power and Maureen O’Hara cross romantic swords in this epic OSCAR®-Winning* swashbuckler. Reformed pirate Jamie Boy (Power) is supposed to be helping the new governor of Jamaica rid the Caribbean of black-hearted buccaneers. But when he falls head over keel for Lady Margaret (O’Hara) he kidnaps her and sets sail for the adventure of a lifetime.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“The Black Swan” runs true to form, with Maureen O’Hara exchanging insults with Power and telling him how much she despises him, so you know they were meant for each other. There is a strong tongue in cheek element of the characters and dialogue, with everything larger than life. Laird Cregar does a splendid job as the highly theatrical Sir Henry Morgan, buccaneer turned colonial governor, tempted to return to his past life of piracy. Thomas Mitchell is a rascal of the classic type, and Anthony Quinn shows up complete with a black patch over one eye.

Unfortunately, the chemistry of Power and O’Hara together is nowhere near as magical as the chemistry between Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. The fights scenes are minimal and they look awkward and obviously sped-up when performed, therefore leaving me with a cold feeling instead of a feeling of excitement. Time has not been kind to the Oscar-nominated special effects and only a few of the effects shots are convincing. However, Alfred Newman’s score is memorable and rousing and makes up for the lulls in the film along the way.

The Blu-Ray comes with a trailer and commentary. The A/V Quality is strong with an appropriate DTS-HD 1.0 master audio track that represents the original audio channel. Plus, the 1080p transfer is cleaned up to showcase that Oscar winning cinematography. The Vote Your Choice 2013 contest has been a success for fans of Classic Fox Cinema. I hope that keep it going in 2014, as we need more classic titles available on Blu-Ray.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!

THE PLOT THUS FAR

Jack Thornton has trouble winning enough at cards for the stake he needs to get to the Alaska gold fields. His luck changes when he pays $250 for Buck, a sled dog that is part wolf to keep him from being shot by an arrogant Englishman also headed for the Yukon. En route to the Yukon with Shorty Houlihan — who spent time in jail for opening someone else’s letter with a map of where gold is to be found — Jack rescues a woman whose husband was the addressee of that letter. Buck helps Jack win a $1,000 bet to get the supplies he needs. And when Jack and Claire Blake pet Buck one night, fingers touch.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

Struggling gold prospector Jack Thornton and his goofy sidekick Shorty Houlihan travel around the Yukon in the 19th Century, searching for an elusive gold strike that will make them richer than rich. They are helped in their adventures by a St Bernard dog named Buck. Also busily scouring the land for gold is the sinister English-man Smith, a cruel rival who has a mysterious past and even a little history with Thornton’s dog. During their wanderings, Jack and Shorty come across a woman called Claire Blake whose husband has gone missing in the snowfields and could be dead. Claire teams up with Jack, Shorty and Buck, but it isn’t long before she finds herself falling for Thornton’s roguish charm, even though she cannot be sure if her husband is dead or alive.

I thought the novel was mainly about the dog, but, while the dog, who Clark is attached to, does have some screen time, the film doesn’t feel like a dog film. The producers were probably thinking that would alienate some viewers, so they centered on pairing attractive leads Clark and Loretta together and Jack Oakie’s one-liners. While I liked the film on the whole for Loretta’s loveliness, memorable love scenes between her and Clark, and Reginald Owen’s credible contribution to the film, I still feel it misses the mark for a completely fulfilling movie experience.

The Blu-Ray comes with a commentary and trailer. You get a stunning 1080p transfer and an amazing DTS-HD master audio track. The original mono track is saved in this mix and it never sounded better. If you only have the Clark Gable Collection from the mid 00s, I’d recommend upgrade. It’s worth it!

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!

THE PLOT THUS FAR

Journey of the Universe is an epic documentary exploring the human connection to Earth and the cosmos, from producer-directors Patsy Northcutt and David Kennard director of Carl Sagan’s Cosmos and Hero’s Journey: The World of Joseph Campbell. Big science, big history, big story, this one-of-a-kind film was created by a renowned team of scientists, scholars, and award-winning filmmakers, led by co-writers Brian Thomas Swimme, the acclaimed author and evolutionary philosopher, and Yale University historian of religions Mary Evelyn Tucker. They weave a tapestry that draws together scientific discoveries in astronomy, geology, biology, ecology, and biodiversity with humanistic insights concerning the nature of the universe.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“Journey of the Universe” is a pretty amazing documentary that covers material that almost feels like it belongs in a Reggio film. Through beautiful location shots, stunning cinematography, and sophisticated graphics and effects one is left with the very real sense of our fragility as a species, and our delicate relationship with our planet. The most up-to-date scientific findings are presented in molecular biology, astrophysics and other areas to propose that we are blessed by our existence here and should with pious and humble respect accept our obligation to protect the delicate balance of life on our planet.

What is rare about this film is that the creators have been able to tell the story from many different perspectives in a seamless and coherent way, using them to enhance our understanding, but also our appreciation of what we don’t understand. The story of what we have learned about the universe is our ultimate story, one of extraordinary achievements and wondrous potential.

The DVD comes with no special features. The A/V Quality is sharp enough for standard definition. You even get back channel action on the Dolby track. I just wish I could say it was more impressive. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase to fans of science documentaries.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!

THE PLOT THUS FAR

Sam and George strike gold in Alaska. George sends Sam to Seattle to bring George’s fiancé back to Alaska. Sam finds she is already married, and returns instead with Angel. Sam, after trying to get George and Angel together, finally romances Angel, who, in the meantime, is busy fighting off the advances of George’s younger brother, Billy. Frankie is a con man trying to steal the partner’s gold claim.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

Sam McCord, George Pratt and Billy Pratt are partners in a rich Alaskan gold mine in 1900. They have just struck it rich and go to the local saloon to celebrate. There, a raucous saloon brawl breaks out, played more for its comedy aspects than for real. Now that he has struck it rich, George can finally send for his long suffering fiancé Jenny who lives in Seattle. Before he leaves he meets scheming gambler Frankie Cannon with whom he will tangle at a later date.

North to Alaska is divided into two halves, covering respectively Sam’s sojourn down south, then his return to Nome, Angel in tow. The broad comedy of romantic embarrassment so characteristic of the film is contained in the second half. That this is the most enjoyable part is no coincidence. Removed from his eager beaver partner, and with an absence of any cutting-back to Alaska during these scenes, while Wayne and Cappucine work well as an acting couple, their characters Sam and Angel need more context than they get to be effective dramatically. Angel’s initial rejection at the social by the lake, then her response, does suggest the self possession of her character, which acquires a calm strength of its own.

The Blu-Ray comes with a trailer and MovieTone News. The A/V Quality is strong with an appropriate DTS-HD 4.0 master audio track that represents the original four channels. Plus, the 1080p transfer is cleaned up. The Vote Your Choice 2013 contest has been a success for fans of Classic Fox Cinema. I hope that keep it going in 2014, as we need more classic titles available on Blu-Ray.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!