Cool stuff on DVD today: Cassavetes and more
Well, this is the best Tuesday we've seen in a long time, with tons of fantastic films and special releases ready to tickle our brains. Empty those wallets:
Release o' the week: John Cassavetes: Five Films . Years ago, my husband picked up this set from Criterion, and it quickly became one of the best DVD investments we've ever made. Today the company reissues it on Blu-ray.
In the box, you'll find Shadows, Faces, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, Opening Night and one of my all-time favorite movies, 1974's stunning A Woman Under the Influence. (Gena Rowlands' performance cannot be topped.) Bonus materials include the full-length, in-depth documentary A Constant Forge, new interviews and so much more you should consult this page to see it all. I can't recommend it highly enough.
- Morrissey: 25 Live. The musician/memoirist celebrates his 25th anniversary as a solo artist with this concert. As you may recall, I posted exclusive video of one performance, and it's fantastic.
- Shepard & Dark. As I've mentioned before, this compelling doc focuses on the longtime friendship between Sam Shepard and Johnny Dark.
- Vincent Price Collection. Add this set to your must-buy list: It includes several of Price's best movies that he made with Roger Corman, like The Masque of the Red Death and The Pit and the Pendulum. It's perfect for October viewing!
- Before Midnight. I know I'm just chock full o' raves today, but I truly loved the third installment in Richard Linklater's series. Though we may see another one in about a decade, I think it ranks up there with the best film trilogies of all time.
- The Way, Way Back. This coming-of-age comedy feels like a cross between Little Miss Sunshine and Adventureland (not that that's a bad thing). Sam Rockwell gives a standout performance as an energetic water park employee.
- Only God Forgives. Ryan Gosling re-teams with director Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive) for this controversial thriller.
- The Internship. Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson star in this rollicking comedy about ... oh, who am I kidding? Save yourself some pain and watch any other movie on this list instead.
Also out: Bruce Lee: The Legacy Collection, Free Samples, Necessary Evil: The Villains of DC Comics, Just Like a Woman, I Give It a Year, As Cool As I Am, The Conjuring, Nikita: The Complete Third Season, The Uninvited (Criterion), 100 Bloody Acres
Related news: The excellent Big Star documentary, Nothing Can Hurt Me, comes out on DVD/Blu-ray Nov. 26.
Next week: Look out for Monsters University.