John Wayne's belated Oscar came for 1969's "True Grit," a rousing entertainment that didn't stand quite as tall as, say, "Red River" or "The Searchers." Paramount Home Entertainment rereleased the the old favorite in a double-disc DVD set as part of the studio's 100th-year Wayne promotion with Warner Home Video. The Duke plays one-eyed bounty … [Read more...]
‘Viva Pedro: Pedro Almodovar Classics’
"Volver" was snubbed by the Oscars in the best foreign-language category, not much of an oversight in my book: It's a good film -- with some terrific performances from Penelope Cruz, Carmen Maura and Chus Lampreave -- but it's not among director Pedro Almodovar's best. The best can be found in "Viva Pedro: Pedro Almodovar Classics Collection," … [Read more...]
‘Body Heat’: The language of noir
"You're not too smart, are you?" the femme fatale of "Body Heat" says to the fall guy. "I like that in a man." Can't boil down film noir any better than that. The line comes from Lawrence Kasdan, circa 1980, who had bet big on the mostly forgotten genre for his first directing project. Kasdan was holding aces after writing "Raiders of the Lost … [Read more...]
‘Jayne Mansfield Collection’ on DVD, ‘Some Like It Hot’
Fox's "Jayne Mansfield Collection" celebrates an artist whose bold films of the mid-'50s have mostly faded from cinematic consciousness -- obscured by lesser movies that followed and the hangover from an unfair reputation. That artist was Frank Tashlin, the crazy-cool director of "The Girl Can't Help It" and "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" … [Read more...]
‘Phil Silvers Show’ saluted on DVD
Count your fingers and check your wallet after opening "The Phil Silvers Show" box set. Hear that strangled cry, kind of like a drill sergeant caught in a bear trap? It means the con is on. The fix is in. Master Sgt. Ernest G. Bilko is back in the game. The show opens in mythical Fort Baxter, Kan., circa 1955. The Army base has a commander, but … [Read more...]
