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"BOOGIE NIGHTS" BLU-RAY Review by Kevin Carr MOVIE: ***** (out of 5 stars) DVD EXPERIENCE: ***** (out of 5 stars) Rated R Available on Blu-ray January 19 www.WarnerBlu.com Studio: Warner Bros. Back to DVD Review Home |  |
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
The life and times of 70s-era porno superstar Dirk Diggler (Mark Wahlberg) are chronicled in this sophomore feature from writer/director P.T. Anderson. In the film, Eddie Adams is just a high school drop-out with a 13-inch penis who finds his calling as the new star – the newly renamed Dirk Diggler – for adult film director Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds). This bittersweet story shows Dirk’s rise to the top of adult films, then his downfall in a mess of drugs and violence, against the backdrop of the video revolution and what it meant to the free swinging industry.
WHAT I LIKED
I love “Boogie Nights.” I have loved “Boogie Nights” ever since I first saw it on video in the late 1990s. There’s something passionate behind the film, telling a surprisingly tender story of a hardcore industry. It is one of my favorite films of the 1990s, and it was one of the first DVDs I ever owned. (True story... my grandmother bought it for me from a Christmas list I gave her, not knowing anything about the film.)
“Boogie Nights” is a feat in moviemaking, not just because of its unflinching yet caring look at an industry that is popularly shunned by the mainstream. It is brilliant because of the crisp and powerful cinematic techniques done by P.T. Anderson. Some might say that “There Will Be Blood” is his best film, but he struck a chord with “Boogie Nights” that he has yet to duplicate.
So much of the acting was unexpected at the time – from Mark Wahlberg’s brilliant turn as Dirk Diggler to 70s icon Burt Reynolds reinventing his career as the porn director. Of course, excellent actors like Julianne Moore and Don Cheadle also give fantastic performances. And this was also the first chance many of us had to see John C. Reilly and Philip Seymour Hoffman in perfect form. The entire cast has gone on to do bigger and better things. Like Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing,” “Boogie Nights” was a career maker for so many.
What I found so awesome about this movie was the strange sense of community that was built around a seedy group of people. I really grew to love the characters by the end, and it has a bizarre level of family that works.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Nothing. This is one of the most perfect movies that came out in the 1990s.
BLU-RAY FEATURES
The Blu-ray has all the special features from the previous DVD releases, including a director’s commentary and the cast commentary from the special edition. There are plenty of deleted scenes that fill in some gaps that you’ll hear Anderson talk about in the commentary, and there is also the theatrical trailer and Michael Penn’s music video for “Try.”
Finally, the feature that is the most fun are “The John C. Reilly Files,” which include outtakes and extended footage of Reed Rothchild at his best.
Oh, and then there’s the thrill of seeing the last scene of the movie in high definition, which should leave an impression on anyone.
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
Anyone who likes a strong character drama about a taboo subject.
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"MAGNOLIA" Blu-ray Review by Kevin Carr MOVIE: ***1/2 (out of 5 stars) BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: **** (out of 5 stars) Rated R Available on Blu-ray January 19 www.WarnerBlu.com Studio: Warner Bros. Back to DVD Review Home |  |
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Rather than a traditional story, “Magnolia” sets out to present a dozen lives as they collide in a bizarre way. A man dying of cancer, a misogynistic self-help guru, a male nurse, an LAPD officer, a drag addicted wife, a former quiz kid, a coke-head prostitute and many others find themselves strangely connected against the backdrop of Biblical proportions.
WHAT I LIKED
P.T. Anderson followed up his masterpiece “Boogie Nights” with this film, and both movies have certain things in common. Like “Boogie Nights,” “Magnolia” utilizes some innovative filmmaking techniques, including long, tracking shots and multiple storylines. I have a cinematographer friend who was blown away by this movie, but that’s mainly for its ability to push the audience to experience the film through the camera.
The biggest compliment that I can give “Magnolia” is that it does not feel like it has a running time north of three hours. It runs long, but for a film that has relatively few things happening in it, it has a good pace.
Ultimately, “Magnolia” is an acting spotlight for the ensemble cast. Everyone gets their due to make an impression as an actor, and there are some interesting twists in the many storylines. I enjoyed “Magnolia,” particularly as a follow-up to “Boogie Nights,” and it’s my second favorite P.T. Anderson film. Sadly, he’s grown away from these kinds of movies in recent years.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
The biggest sin that “Magnolia” commits is a result of Anderson’s ego. There’s a lot of breathing room in this feature, and it falls into a realm of bizarre – especially near the end. For the most part, this ending works, but it will confuse an audience that looks for a meaning to be spelled out.
BLU-RAY FEATURES
The Blu-ray includes a feature-length slate of video diaries, Aimee Mann’s “Save Me” music video, the theatrical trailer and TV spots. Of course, the best special features are the Frank T.J. Mackey’s infomercial and his video seminar, starring Mary Lynn Rajskub from “24” of all people. Of course, don’t try calling the number 1-877-TAME-HER any more. It no longer rings through to Tom Cruise in character. Sadly, it’s just a phone number for a fitness center in L.A.
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
Fans of P.T. Anderson’s early work.
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"LOST: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON" Blu-ray Review by Kevin Carr MOVIE: ***** (out of 5 stars) BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: ****1/2 (out of 5 stars) Not Rated Studio: ABC Studios Back to DVD Review Home |  |
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
The insane drama of the mysterious island where the survivors of Oceanic flight 815 landed kicks it up quite a few more notches as the Oceanic 6 find their way back. Forget flashbacks and flash forwards. This season, everyone’s going through time... literally. Some survivors find themselves with the Dharma Initiative in the 70s while others are in present day with a pending showdown between Benjamin Linus and the mysterious Jacob.
WHAT I LIKED
I have been a fan of “Lost” ever since the show premiered in 2004. It’s odd to think back to its early days when the story was just about a group of people stranded on an island. By this fifth season, the show has become so much more than that.
What’s awesome about this season is that all the easter eggs and extra bits from the previous four seasons seem to be making sense now. There are still plenty of mysteries to uncover, but we’re finally getting some answers as to what secrets the island holds.
“Lost” continues to be one of the most smartly-written shows on television. And with the next season to be the final one, it looks like some storylines are starting to be wrapped up.
I love the characters in this show, for the most part. I could take or leave Jack, but folks like Hurley, Sawyer and Juliet, we’ve got plenty of heroes to continue to root for. Of course, the tenuous relationship between Benjamin and Locke continues to be the most intriguing part of the story.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Not a whole lot. There are always some episodes that run a tad long, and there are secondary characters that I don’t find as interesting as others. However, this season of “Lost” offers the same excellent series that we’ve seen in recent years, and I really have no complaints.
But for God’s sake... if you start watching the show, go back to the beginning. Otherwise, you’ll be utterly confused.
BLU-RAY FEATURES
The five-disc Blu-ray set includes basic features, such as the behind-the-scenes look at “Lost on Location,” a tour of the “Lost” offices with “Building 23 & Beyond,” a day-in-the-life segment with Nestor Carbonell (who plays the ageless Richard Alpert), a “Lost 100” celebration commemorating the 100th episode of the series and “Making Up for Lost Time” in which the showrunners discuss some of their theories behind the show.
A neat Blu-ray exclusive to this set is the “Lost University,” which allows the viewer to connect to the BD-Live community to enroll, take classes and immerse themselves in the secrets behind the show. This is an extensive Blu-ray feature that has some really great depth and detail.
Finally, the best feature in the set is the faux retro 80s-era TV special “Mysteries of the Universe: The Dharma Initiative,” which examines this mysterious organization with a tongue-in-cheek homage to “In Search Of...” Granted, this isn’t as awesome as the conspiracy video about the Oceanic Six from the Season Four set, but it’s still pretty great.
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
Fans of the show.
