Going up in flames?

About 10 years ago, I could not imagine a world without video disks of movies. Over several years I had amassed a vast collection of movies (lost cost) on DVD. Then along comes BluRay. GEEZ, now I have to start replacing all of my favorite DVDs into this new, high-definition format.

What’s a girl to do? 

Well over the past several years, what has happened is not what I expected to happen – I have not replaced that many of my DVDs; in fact my DVD purchasing has very nearly ground to a screeching halt. Why?

After giving this question some thought I have come up with the following reasons:

1. Most of my movies in my DVD collection were not shot in the high-definition format thereby making purchasing them in HD a moot point.
2. Economics – as I have gotten older, the economics of purchasing movies is no longer as feasible as it once was. My discretionary income is now divvied up into other categories.
3. Death of bricks and mortar – let’s face it – the “see me, by me” retail model really does have an impact on your decision to purchase merchandise.
4. (more importantly) I have discovered various alternative means of acquiring my video content. Whether it is via streaming, digital downloading or a host of other products and services made available, I just have not been purchasing or ordering video disks of movies in any form lately.

In honor of Mother’s Day 2011, I decided to put together a list. Granted, my list has no particular order and while my goal was to I tried to cap it at a nice, even interval (5 or 10) I landed on 6 classic films that feature moms in various shades of gray.

Imitation of Life (1959): I could not have a mother’s day film list without including this one. It personally resonates with me because it is one of the few classic films that my mother would always reference. In fact she is the one that introduced me to this Douglas Sirk/Lana Turner weepie melodrama. I know there is a 1934 version out there, which I have yet to see, but for me, this one is IT. Granted, you have to get past some of the “less than PC” references as they relate to racial identity and race relations. But overall it really is an enjoyable, guilty-pleasure watch, especially if you are into Sirkian soap operatics.

I Remember Mama (1948): I think I have only seen this film once, love this film for several reasons – it is based in turn of the century San Francisco, is directed by the great George Stevens and features Irene Dunne and Miss Ellie from Dallas (Barbara Bel Geddes). It is a touching screen adaptation about the nostalgia of looking back reminiscing about a time long ago and far away.

To Each His Own (1946): This is a film about a mother who lost, found, lost (again) and finally found at last the son she longed for.

Psycho (1960): Switching gears (a bit), in Psycho, we have a film about what happens when a son has severe “mommy issues.” The results are unsurprisingly not good.

Gypsy (1962): The life of burlesque legend Gypsy Rose Lee brought to life on the screen by Rosalind Russell and Natalie Wood. A must-see for all aspiring stage moms.

Mildred Pierce (1945): I really enjoyed the Winlset-led HBO adaptation but this 1940′s version starring Joan Crawford and Ann Blyth are stylized in a way that only came out of films during this period of time.  The Crawford version is very crisp and stylized and just wonderful and camp in its own way. I love the story of a mother blinded by an obsessive devotion to an unappreciative, vindictive and dare I say – evil child.

READERS: Do you have any recommendations?

Criterion Titles

Check out this limited time offer! Usually these disks run in the forty dollar range, so being able to get them at 20 bucks is a fantastic opportunity! I have already indulged and may go back for more ….

Click here for more on the Criterion Collection.

You may be wondering why film fans are clamoring for such a special deal. Criterion DVDs and Blu Rays go beyond the standard issue disks not only in the quality of the digital transfer, but also in the meticulous detail that goes into developing the special features. Not only do the folks at Criterion get noted film scholars and filmmakers  to provide commentary and/or essays, but their producers have apparently scoured the world to get any existing information out there in the public domain pertaining to a particular title.

Take my Criterion Blu Ray version of “The Third Man;” Here are just a few of the listed Special Edition Features:

- Two audio commentaries (by Steven Soderbergh and Tony Gilroy) and one by film scholar Dana Polan

- Abridged recording of Graham Greene’s treatment, read by Richard Clarke

- A 2005 documentary on the making of the film

- Joseph Cotten (Holly Martins’) alternate opening voice-over narration for the U.S. version of the film

- Booklet featuring an essay by critic Luc Sante

…. and much much more!

As you can see, if you are a particular fan of a title that Criterion offers, owning one of these disks is like having a master class in that movie. I cannot recommend them enough.

Actually this is a movie pick – it is currently on a loop on cable television. But I recommend a DVD purchase for posterity.

Introduction

Admittedly the movie that I was anticipating view when I saw it in January is not the film I experience after I left the theater nearly two hours later.

Initially I sat there flummoxed at all the images was flashing across the screen. Literally there is a lot to take in … your visuals are assailed (and assaulted) from the very beginning.

At the conclusion of my first viewing, I was aware that I had not seen a bad film but had been witness to something different than I had experienced in quite some time. It was only after my recent second viewing that I felt comfortable giving my opinion and (a minimal degree of) insight into what my cinematic experience was.

Visually it is a remarkable film – a certain credit to the fine cinematography (thank goodness Mr. Emmanuel Lubezki received an Oscar nomination for his efforts).

Also great credit goes to the director, Alfonso Cuaron, who has helmed pictures such as Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (my personal favorite book AND film of the series) and Y Tu Mama Tambien, a film that I must admittedly go back and re-watch because frankly, I was left scratching my head on that one too.

The Story

I will spare everyone the literary background and source material for the film – since I have not read the P.D. James source material of the same name, but the basic premise is that we are in a world (London in particular) in the very near (and way too familiar) future. The world is in shambles – chaos is the order of the day and only Britain soldiers on. As an additional layer to the film you have the matter of the world’s population no longer able to reproduce, thus ensuring the future of mankind. The reason why we never get an explanation for, but that doesn’t matter. It is only important because it drives the plot forward of what is an Odyssey-story at which the end game is the possible redemption of mankind. Here I choose my words carefully because “redemption” and words of heavily spiritual/religious implication runs consistent with yet another theme of the film (faith/chance). The religious allusions are hitting you from every angle which is why you may suffer from sensory overload in many parts of the film.

The Acting

The acting by all principle and supporting actors was superb. Of particular note is the bombastic and yet still restrained tone of Michael Caine’s performance as the aged hippie/hermit who still seems to find hope in the human condition. Also of note:

• Clive Owen (one of my favorite actors) did not fail in his portrayal of the reluctant and ultimately resigned protagonist.
• Chiwetel Ejiofor continues to leave me in awe as to his dynamic range and to surprise me and the audience.
• The young woman who is at the center of the plot’s action, Claire-Hope Ashitey (as Kee), is amazing in only her second film role. Her first film, Shooting Dogs (UK)/Beyond the Gates (USA), was another great performance. I will review that one at a later time.

Summation

And a repeat viewing – while the action goes by faster – it still engaging and compelling during the scenes of high tension and “chase” I still felt my heart racing.

During this second go around I watched it with my brother – who like many people – did not like the ambiguity of the ending. I beg to differ – that is the intent of the film. The future is up to all of us to decide.

Additional Resources

Do not take my word for it; for an in-depth and very well articulated insight into this film, pick up a copy of the January/February 2007 edition of Film Comment magazine (http://www.filmlinc.com/fcm/fcm.htm). Back issues are available for purchase.