How goes the eternal struggle that is life? Not too crushing and melancholic I trust? Are you watching lots and lots of DVDs to fill that never-ending void deep within your souls?
Actually what am I talking about? It's summer! (kind of) and the sun is shining! (sometimes) But despite this I'm still buying and renting DVD's at a frantic rate and consuming a huge amount of media. Recently I've taken a foray into Criterion DVDs from the American Amazon. I was always a bit dubious about doing so before because of customs charges and the like, and it was never really clear how much you would end up paying. I've worked it out from various sources that most of the time there is no extra charge at all - great! However every now and then they kind of clamp down and charge an extra duty fee. I was actually unlucky this first time (what were the chances eh?) but it only came to an extra £15, not too obscene. So instead of finding a parcel delivered I received a card saying "erm.. you have to pay more!". Anyway the prices are so low on Amazon at the moment that I couldn't really refuse. See the Criterion prices here). Some editions are more expensive than others, but when you consider just how good they are, then it really is worthwhile.
I decided to buy several films that I had always wanted to own but had never got round to doing so. As it turns out, they're both by Terry Gilliam - I guess he doesn't appreciate us Region 2-ers much eh?
The first was Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas which I've always always wanted to own on Criterion. The film is totally insane, off the wall, batshit crazy, and this set has so many excellent special features on it that I just can't wait to start attacking it. This comes from someone who's a fan of the book as well, so I'm especially interested to hear anything from Hunter S. Thompson. Check it out:
We can't stop here - this is bat country!- - Disc One: The Movie
- - Digital transfer, approved by director Terry Gilliam and enhanced for 16x9 televisions
- - New Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 sound mixes
- - Three audio commentary tracks: director Terry Gilliam; stars Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro, and producer Laila Nabulsi; and author Hunter S. Thompson
- - Deleted scenes, with commentary by Terry Gilliam
- - English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired
- - Optimal image quality: RSDL dual-layer edition
Disc Two: The Supplements - - Collection of storyboards and production designs
- - Stills gallery
- - A selection of Hunter S. Thompson correspondence, read on-camera by Johnny Depp
- - Hunter Goes to Hollywood, a short documentary video by filmmaker Wayne Ewing
- - A look at the controversy over the screenwriting credit
- - Original trailer and TV spots
- - Rare materials on Oscar Zeta Acosta, the inspiration for Dr. Gonzo
- - Collection of original artwork by illustrator Ralph Steadman
- - Excerpt from 1996 Fear and Loathing audio CD with Maury Chaykin, Jim Jarmusch, and Harry Dean Stanton
- - Fear and Loathing on the Road to Hollywood: A 1978 BBC feature documentary with Thompson and Steadman
The second film I got was the equally fantastic Brazil, which is a kind of cross between 1984 and Monty Python, which is both oppressive and dark, but with injections of pure fantasy and bizarre humour. I already own this on Region 2 (Going for £3.98 on Amazon.co.uk) which is a two disc set, but it absolutely pales in comparison to the Criterion edition, which has extra documentaries, the two different cuts of the film, additional artwork, and last but not least - a commentary by Mr. Terry Gilliam. Check it out:
Braaaziiiiiil - Dah dah dah dah dah daaaah!- - DISC ONE: THE MOVIE
- - All-new, restored high-definition digital transfer, supervised and approved by director Terry Gilliam, with a remastered Dolby stereo surround soundtrack—NOW IN ANAMORPHIC!
- - Remastered Dolby stereo surround soundtrack
- - Audio commentary by Gilliam
- - English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired
- - DISC TWO: THE PRODUCTION NOTEBOOK:
- - What Is Brazil?, Rob Hedden's 30-minute on-set documentary
- - The Battle of Brazil: A Video History, an original 60-minute Criterion documentary by Jack Matthews
- - Screenwriters Tom Stoppard and Charles McKeown on the script
- - Production designer Norman Garwood on the look of Brazil
- - Costume designer James Acheson on the couture of fantasy and fascism
- - Storyboards for Gilliam's original dream sequences, many of which didn't make it into the film
- - Composer Michael Kaman unveils the sources of his score
- - A study of the special effects, including raw footage of unfinished effects
- - Theatrical trailer, plus publicity and production stills
- - DISC THREE: THE "LOVE CONQUERS ALL" VERSION:
- - The 94-minute cut of Brazil includes all the changes that Gilliam refused to make, from the alternate opening to the controversial happy ending
- - Audio commentary by Gilliam expert David Morgan
I watched the "Battle for Brazil" this morning which was brilliant, and hilarious. Just to hear from Gilliam's mouth himself, and to realise just how much audacity he had when he took the fight to the studio's. He comes across as a bit of a maverick, and a bit antagonistic, but ultimately he saved this film - and with this edition you can see the cut of the film that the studio's wanted, which basically changes the whole point and feeling of the film.
So while I clearly love these two editions, I'm going to try and stay away from any additional Criterion DVDs for a bit. I found myself looking on films like Videodrome, which I think is a good film, but I don't feel like I necessarily need to own it.. and yet, just look at this artwork..
It's absolutely gorgeous, how can I not want to own that?? So yeah, I'll try and restrain myself from now on.. Then again, Wes Anderson has got some very nice Criterion editions.. like the Rushmore one with the map.. and the Royal Tenenbaums one.. and the Bottle Rocket one when that comes out... arrrgggghhh!!!
I'm gonna go before I log back into Amazon - I think I'll boot up that Fear and Loathing disc - Farewell you fiends!
- Jimmy
edit: Ok I may have to buy Videodrome afterall, how wicked is this trailer?
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