Armchair Commentary

A Tensome of Terror: The Best Horror DVD and Blu-ray Releases from 2012

Following is Armchair Commentary's round-up of the best horror titles released on DVD and Blu-ray in 2012. As in past years, the films here may not reflect all tastes in the genre, which offers a dizzying array of styles, sub-categories and degrees of intensity. The ten films in this list, as well as a handful of honorable mentions, were selected because they met one (or more) of three important criteria: the overall quality of their stories and direction, their packaging and presentation for home video, and (most importantly), the level of terror they raised.

1. Kill List Director Ben Wheatley skillfully manipulates genre expectations in this indie-styled UK thriller about a pair of hitman who discover, far too late, that the trio of individuals they are assigned to kill are part of a vast and sinister network. Wheatley's Chinese box plot is punctuated by moments of heart-stopping violence that culminate in a finale that echoes The Wicker Man in its shocking sledgehammer impact.

2. The Pact  A young woman discovers that the ghosts of the past, both figurative and unsettlingly literal, hold the key to a terrible family secret in this atmospheric feature debut from writer/director Nicholas McCarthy. The film's largely female cast - a rarity for the genre - is capably led by Caity Lotz (Mad Men) in a physically demanding role, though Haley Hudson also stands out as a blind medium whose unearthly fragility that seems more supernatural than the picture's restless spirit.  

3. Cabin in the Woods Though audiences were divided over its meta-take on horror tropes, co-writer/producer Joss Whedon and director Drew Goddard's tribute/critique of the genre's rules and foibles was one of the most clever and energetic releases of the year.

4. Eclipse Series 37: When Horror Came to Shochiku The latest release from Criterion's budget line is a quartet of eye-popping '60s-era horror and science fiction titles from Japan's venerable arthouse studio. Late-night TV habitues may remember the startling alien invasion chiller Goke, Body Snatcher from Hell and the thoroughly out-to-lunch kaiju The X from Outer Space, but the set's real discovery is The Living Skeleton, a macabre mash-up of supernatural revenge, Expressionistic shadows and pulp weirdness.

5. Universal Monsters: The Essential Collection As its title rightly states, this Blu-ray presentation of Universal's most iconic horror films - Dracula, Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The Invisible Man, The Mummy, the '41 Phantom of the Opera and Creature from the Black Lagoon (presented in 2-D and 3-D formats), all remastered with stunning audio and video - belongs in the collection of every horror fan.

6. The Innkeepers A pair of bored clerks (Sara Paxton and Pat Healy) at a crumbling New England inn turn amateur ghost hunters to investigate the building's history of supernatural phenomena in director Ti West's underrated haunted house thriller. West, who paid tribute to '80s horror excess with House of the Devil, also takes a tip from the past by evoking the slow-building, special effects-light shudders of '70s supernatural efforts like The Legend of Hell House. 

7. The Woman in Black Daniel Radcliffe makes a capable transition to mature roles in this extremely effective Victorian ghost story about a widowed solicitor who becomes embroiled in a small village's legend of the titular spirit, which is connected to a string of children's deaths. The film's Gothic-steeped, funereal atmosphere pays homage to England's legendary and recently resurrected Hammer Films, which released the picture (along with two of the best horror films of the last five years, Let Me In and Wake Wood).

8. The Snowtown Murders A relentlessly bleak dramatization of an Australian murder spree carried out by a self-styled and utterly psychotic vigilante, played with chilling conviction by Daniel Henshall, that also does much to strip away the glamour of infamy from a killer's base, animalistic acts. 

9. Jaws Not the perfect presentation of this still-potent horror-adventure - it lacks several of the supplemental features that were included in previous anniversary DVD editions - but the gorgeous restoration to picture and sound, as well as a pair of exceptional (and exhaustive) making-of documentaries still make this an essential purchase for fans.

10. Mario Bava on Blu-ray Kino Classics brings four of the Italian horror pioneer's most enduring nightmares - the landmark Black Sunday with Barbara Steele, the hypnotic Lisa and the Devil (paired with its grittier re-edit, House of Exorcism), the delirious psycho-slasher Hatchet for the Honeymoon and Baron Blood with Joseph Cotten and Elke Sommer - to Blu-ray in extraordinary remastered editions.

Also worth mentioning: Eduardo (The Blair Witch Project) Sanchez''s Lovely Molly; the surprisingly effective '80s creature feature The Boogens; the five-disc Complete Hammer House of Horror; Lucky McKee's potent cannibal chiller The Woman; A Serbian Film (Uncut), an even more punishing version of the controversial exercise in excess; and V/H/S, an uneven but frequently disturbing anthology of "found footage" horror by a cadre of independent filmmakers, including Ti West, Adam Wingard and David Bruckner. 

Which horror DVD releases made your 2012 best-of list? -- Paul Gaita

 

 

Best DVDs of 2011: Kids and Family

You could say that 2011 was the year of the book in the kids and family DVD genre. There were Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Mr. Popper's Penguins, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, and Winnie the Pooh--all movies based on childrens and young adults books. It was also the year of the unexpected--writers took a Shakespearean romantic tragedy and made it into high comedy and called it Gnomeo and Juliet, mashed the genres of animation and spaghetti Western together in Rango, completely reinvented a bunch of classic fairytale characters in Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil, and added a whole new back story to the classic Rapunzel fairytale and renamed it Tangled. The end result for viewers is a comfortable familiarity juxtaposed with a sense of the impending unexpected that keeps the entire family guessing. Check out my top ten kid and family picks for the year below and then head over to the Best of 2011 in Movies & TV store to see the best of lists in other categories.

 

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2: Though I hesitate to put a film rated PG-13 at the top of a best of list for children, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 was far and away the best film released on DVD in 2011.  And while the Harry Potter films are certainly not appropriate for the very young, families with older children have grown and bonded over the Harry Potter films for a full decade. This final chapter in the series is a masterful mix of romance, adventure, and magical effects that stays true to the author's intent, is visually stunning, and, most importantly, provides a satisfying ending to a truly epic journey.
2. Rango: A chameleon starring in an animated Western is one strange idea, but clever writing, skilled animation, and great voice talent combine to produce a film that's highly entertaining for both kids and adults--on two completely different levels, of course. 
3. Kung Fu Panda 2: Sequels often fall short of their predecessors, but Kung Fu Panda 2 is funny, well animated, and full of action. Po has definitely grown up in this second film, but he hasn't lost his most lovable qualities, or his penchant for steamed buns, and when he and the Furious Five wage a fierce battle against a mysterious and deadly new weapon, it keeps everyone on the edge of their seat. Equally interesting is Po's quest for inner peace, which really just boils down to dealing with his own insecurities.
4. Tangled: Not your typical imprisoned princess, the impulsive and maybe even a bit schizophrenic Rapunzel leaves her tower to embark on a quest that will forever change the lives of herself, Flynn Ryder, and the entire kingdom--not to mention the way viewers think about this classic fairytale character.
5. Megamind: An interesting look at a villain whose destruction of the world's last hero also destroys his own sense of purpose and happiness.
6. Mars Needs Moms: An intriguing adventure with some interesting characters and a message that speaks to both kids and adults--even if the story is rather far-fetched and the characters act a bit predictable at times. The motion-capture technology is pretty cool too.
7. Rio: While this film doesn't really offer anything new plot-wise, it's a visual feast of color that pits cute, lovable characters with the best of intentions against some not-so-smart bad guys in a battle that spans from a dingy back room to the streets of Rio de Janeiro and even the middle of a Carnaval parade. Throw in a little romance, some fun Brazilian music, and a little self-discovery and you've got a recipe for family fun.
8. Mr. Popper's Penguins: While the script writers and filmmakers took some serious liberties with the  original book, Jim Carrey did a great job of capitalizing on the comic possibilities of caring for a flock of penguins in the middle of New York City. This movie is funny, heartwarming, and has a great message about the value of family.
9. Gnomeo and Juliet: Garden gnomes acting out the Shakespearean play Romeo and Juliet is absolutely ridiculous, but somehow the film actually works. Romantic tragedy turns comedy thanks to a heavy dose of humor and a commitment to pushing everything way over the top. Tons of famous voice talent doesn't hurt either.
10. Winnie the Pooh: Because who doesn't love a Winnie the Pooh film? Especially one that's as well done as this one.

What are your favorite kids and family DVD picks for 2011?

--Tami Horiuchi

 

First Trailer: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"

It feels like we've been blogging about Harry Potter movie trailers forever, but it's just occurred to me that this the LAST first trailer of a Harry Potter movie we are ever going to talk about. (And this is the only one in 3D.) This is the one everything has been building up to, and we can't believe it's almost over. --Ellen

 

 

The Best Movies & TV of 2011... So Far

We took votes, we debated those votes, we butted heads. But in the end, all that's left standing is the Amazon.com Movies & TV editors' picks for the Best of 2011... So Far on DVD, Blu-ray, and Instant Video. (Applies to titles released between Jan. 1 and Apr. 30, 2011). Here's a peek at some of our picks:

Tangled (No. 9 for DVD, No. 6 for Blu-ray): Not everyone expected to be delighted by this hilarious take on Rapunzel, but thanks to great comic timing (courtesy of a horse and an oft-used cast-iron pan) and perfectly cast Mandy Moore as the voice of the captured princess who yearns to know what's outside her sheltered world/tower, Tangled became an indelible part of the Disney lore.

Mad Men: Season Four (No. 3 for DVD, No. 5 for Blu-ray): If there's a year this show deserves the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series, it's this season. Jumping off from the previous season's game-changer, the AMC series has reinvigorated itself, and Jon Hamm does his finest acting yet as a man who sinks to his lowest of lows (yet) and makes baby steps toward respecting himself again. (Don't miss the standout episode of the season, "The Suitcase")

Inside Job (No. 8 for DVD): For anyone who knows nothing about economics or real estate, this a documentary that aims to spell out exactly how the financial crisis happened and who's to blame. For anyone who understands economics or real estate, it's like a horror film you can't believe is real.

Piranha 3D (No. 18 in Blu-ray): We're not all highbrow on this list (clearly). Alejandre Aja's remake of the Roger Corman B-movie made the list not just for its Blu-ray 3D effects (much to the chagrin of James Cameron, who decried that films like these are "not what we should be doing" with 3D) but because what it does--deliver cheesetastic gore to the max without pretending to be anything else--it does well.

and finally, our No. 1 pick on DVD and Blu-ray:

The Social Network: We over here think this film deserved Best Picture (Fincher, you wuz robbed!), but no one can argue is that its DVD and Blu-ray features are a Best in Class on how to use your medium. (Not that we considered The King's Speech small beans either; it also made the top 5 in DVD). But between the strength of the film itself; its commentaries by the cast, writer Aaron Sorkin, and director David Fincher; and its feature-length documentary (not to be missed, it's a must for all film buffs); this is the Best DVD or Blu-ray to come out in 2011... So far.

See the rest of our Top 25 on DVD and our Top 25 on Blu-ray, as well as the Top 10 on Instant Video. What are your picks? --Ellen

Extraordinary Teens Before "Number Four"

When it comes to depicting the emotional and physical upheaval that is becoming a teenager, the movies have usually relied on dramas and comedies to tell that story. But aren't the fantasy, science fiction and horror genres equally well equipped to show the trials and tribulations of teenage-dom? After all, don't the intense physical and chemical changes that run riot through teens' bodies sound like nothing less than a science experiment gone completely amuck? Comic book fantasies like Superman, Spider-Man and Smallville have all equated the growth from adolescent to teen with new-minted superheroes discovering and learning to control their powers, and scores of sci-fi and horror films have revolved around teens with unearthly abilities.

The latest in this list is I Am Number Four, starring Alex Pettyfer as one of nine alien children on the run from extraterrestrial hunters. It joins a long list of films about extraordinary youngsters, some of which we've listed here for your perusal.

(Please note: you'll note the absence of such notable films as Children of the Damned, The Last Mimzy and the Harry Potter franchise. For the purposes of this list, we're focusing on films about teens only.)

The Tomorrow People (1973) Well-loved British TV series about a group of children who develop a vast array of psionic abilities as they blossom into teens; their arrival represents the next stage of human evolution - the "homo superior," which David Bowie later referenced in his song "Oh! You Pretty Things."  

Carrie (1976) Sissy Spacek's sheltered high schooler dispatches her tormentors (including John Travolta and Nancy Allen) through devastating acts of telekinesis in Brian De Palma's still-terrifying adaptation of Stephen King's early novel. De Palma revisited the idea of young people with powerful psychic abilities in The Fury (1978). 

New Year's Resolutions You Can Keep: Watch This!

Sure, getting fit and eating better are great New Year's resolutions. But this year, why not focus on resolutions that will be easy to keep? That's right: this year, let's resolve to get caught up--or catch up our good friends--on the top buzzed-about films and TV series. You don't have premium cable? Overlooked some of the little gems on screens large and small? 2011 will be the year to set all that right:

1. Dexter -- Michael C. Hall is spellbinding as the serial killer with a conscience in Showtime's series, one of the best-written dramas in recent memory. If you don't have premium cable, don't sweat it--Dexter is great to catch up on via disc, when you can watch several episodes in a row. Each season has topped the previous, and it's best to start at the beginning of Season One. Watch for great (and dastardly) guest appearances by the likes of Jimmy Smits and John Lithgow. It's the most fun you'll have being super-creeped out.

2. The Kids Are All Right -- Lisa Cholodenko's little gem got great critical reviews but only so-so box office. But now that awards season is in full swing, more people are taking notice, and rightly so. Annette Bening, who hasn't graced movie screens in a long while, and Julianne Moore are terrific in this portrait of a family that's different, but full of love, and fully functional. (Follow it with The Who's The Kids Are Alright just for the name symmetry--and for another definition of  "all right.")

3. Breaking Bad -- Don Draper and Mad Men's  retro hipness have been in AMC's spotlight--rightly--this year. But AMC has been cranking out some other seriously great series, including Breaking Bad and the zombie-fest The Walking Dead. In Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston is outstanding as a desperate middle-aged dad whose life is crumbling around him, so he takes up dealing meth to earn money. It's a harsher, more real and human version of Showtime's Weeds, and Cranston is a knockout.

4. The Stieg Larsson Trilogy Films -- Everyone spent most of 2010 reading The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. And Hollywood has naturally gotten its mitts on rights to remake the original Swedish films. But don't wait to see if the U.S. versions can possibly measure up; take your time with the moody, eloquent originals and immerse yourself in the spooky calm of the Swedish countryside--and deep mysteries solvable only by the fiercest heroine in recent memory.

5. Big Love--The HBO series about modern-day polygamists has been compuslively watchable--but now its producers have announced this coming season will be its last. So get caught up on the goings-on in Sandy, Utah, with Bill Hendrickson (the excellent Bill Paxton) and his many merry mates.

6. Friday Night Lights--A critical favorite, Friday Night Lights still struggles in its viewership, and every season in the last few has threatened to be its last. Don't let this little gem about Texas high school football--and the lives that surround it--get away from you this year.

7. Biggest Loser: Power Walk--OK, so you would like to get in shape in 2011? You can do that, too, with some help from your favorite TV pals. The new Biggest Loser workout, Power Walk, is approachable and doable for every fitness level. No expensive equipment to buy, just that great feeling that if the motivated folks on the TV series can do it, so can you.

Happy New Year!

--A.T. Hurley

 

 

 

TV trailer #2: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I

Here's the second TV trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I, which opens in theaters on November 19, 2010. Less than four weeks to wait! --David

 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I will be 2D only

This press release just arrived: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I will open in theaters on November 19, 2010, in 2D only instead of 3D. The complete text from Warner Bros.:

Warner Bros Pictures has made the decision to release Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 in 2D, in both conventional and IMAX theaters, as we will not have a completed 3D version of the film within our release date window. Despite everyone's best efforts, we were unable to convert the film in its entirety and meet the highest standards of quality. We do not want to disappoint fans who have long-anticipated the conclusion of this extraordinary journey, and to that end, we are releasing our film day-and-date on November 19, 2010 as planned. We, in alignment with our filmmakers, believe this is the best course to take in order to ensure that our audiences enjoy the consummate Harry Potter experience.

Producer David Heyman said, "For 10 years, we have worked alongside Alan Horn and the studio, whose priority has always been to preserve the integrity of Jo Rowling’s books as we have adapted them to the screen, and this decision reflects that commitment."

Director David Yates continued, "This decision, which we completely support, underscores the fact that Warner Bros. has always put quality first."

As scheduled, on July 15, 2011, we will deliver to conventional and IMAX theaters our final installment of the film franchise, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2, in both 2D and 3D formats.

So there you have it. I did see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in IMAX 3D, and the 3D portion was only about the first 10 minutes--it was cool, and I would have liked to see the whole thing in 3D, but it's not like the rest of the movie was ruined for me because it was only 2D.  I wonder if bad reviews of Warner Bros.' converted 3D release of Clash of the Titans played any part in the decision. Somehow it reminds me of another Harry Potter press release I blogged, when the sixth movie was moved back eight months. At least we'll still be able to see the movie as scheduled. --David

 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I posters

New character posters for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I, which opens in theaters on November 19, 2010. --David

Trailer #3: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I"

This just in: The third trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I, which opens in theaters on November 19, 2010. --David