Austin360 blogs > Austin Movie Blog > Archives > 2009 > June > 15
Monday, June 15, 2009
Noteworthy DVDs released 6/16/09
TOP PICKS
“The Diary of Anne Frank” (Fox): The grade-school literary fave got a ’50s movie adaptation courtesy of director George Stevens, who was then fresh from “Shane” and “Giant.”
“The Seventh Seal,” “Bergman Island” (Criterion): Criterion reissues one of the first titles they put on DVD, with both a two-disc standard DVD and a very welcome Blu-ray; “Island,” a recent doc, is available packaged with the reissue or as a standalone disc.
“Strange One” (Sony): The feature-film debut of Ben Gazzara, set in a military school, is remembered for homosexual overtones considered quite daring in 1957.
“My Breakfast with Blassie” (MVD): Beating Criterion’s “My Dinner With André” into stores by a week, this cult favorite finds Andy Kaufman hanging out in a diner with pro wrestler Classy Freddie Blassie. No Algonquin references here, folks, but plenty of bizarro energy.
“Scott Walker: 30th Century Man” (Oscilloscope): One of pop music’s great mysterious introverts gets his documentary due.
NEW ON BLU-RAY
“Dr. Strangelove,” Ghostbusters” (Sony); “Generation Kill,” “John Adams” (HBO); “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” “Lost” Seasons 1 and 2, “Miracle” (Walt Disney); “Kickboxer” (Lions Gate); “Spaceballs” (MGM); Three “Visions of…” titles, focused on France, Italy and the British Isles (Acorn Media)
FRESH FROM THE MULTIPLEX
“Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes To Jail” (Lions Gate); “What Goes Up” (Sony)
ARTHOUSE/FOREIGN
“L’Important C’Est D’Aimer” (Mondo Vision)
DOCUMENTARIES
“Morning Light” (Walt Disney); “Nerdcore Rising” (Virgil Films)
BEST OF TV
“Burn Notice” Season 2, “Family Guy” Season 7, “Saving Grace” Season 2 (Fox); “Everwood” Season 2, “Tom and Jerry’s Greatest Chases, Vol. 2” (Warner Bros.); “House of Payne” Season 4 (Lions Gate); Four “Nature” titles: “America,” “Kilauea - Mountain of Fire,” “The Dragon Chronicles,” “The Wolf That Changed America” (Questar); “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” Season 2 (Walt Disney); “The Three Stooges Collection” (1949-1951) (Sony); “Transformers” Season 1 (Shout! Factory)
REISSUE/REPACKAGE
“Essential Art House Vol. 3” (Criterion); Four “Friday the 13th” flicks, including “A New Beginning,” “Jason Lives,” “The Final Chapter,” and this year’s remake.
STRAIGHT(ISH) TO VIDEO
“Body Armour” (Image); “The Cell 2” (New Line)
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: DVDs
New tenant at Austin Studios raises eyebrows
Austin Studios is glowing about its possible new tenant Soundcheck Austin, which is in negotiations to ink a five-year lease on Stage 4. Soundcheck Austin specializes in ” full production rehearsal, tour prep services, set and equipment storage, cartage and backline” for bands.
Not everyone is so sanguine about it, despite the fact that the Studios need the business badly during a harsh filmmaking drought.
“In recent days the Austin Film Society has learned that this move has brought consternation to members of the local film community, from UPMs to craft guild members,” say Studio honchos.
“The concern we hear is that now that film incentives are in place, Austin’s film crew is finally going to get some business, only to lose a key facility that gives Austin a competitive edge when fighting for business, and makes it a pleasure to film in Austin.”
Ergo, they are holding an open forum from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, June 25 at the Austin Film Society/Austin Studios campus, 1901 E. 51st St. (Phone: 322-0145)
RSVP for the forum HERE.
Read the Film Society’s FAQ about Soundcheck Austin HERE.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Austin Film Society
