Bonnie & Clyde plus others on Blu-ray 25th March 2008

Bonnie & Clyde (Blu-ray)

Warner Home Video / 1967 / 111 Minutes / Rated R
Street Date: March 25, 2008

Overall Grade Superb collection. One of a kind.





Genres: Classic, American Cinema, Action-thriller

Starring: Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway
Director: Arthur Penn

Plot Synopsis: One of the landmark films of the 1960s, Bonnie and Clyde changed the course of American cinema. Setting a milestone for screen violence that paved the way for Sam Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch, this exercise in mythologized biography should not be labeled as a bloodbath; as critic Pauline Kael wrote in her rave review, "it's the absence of sadism that throws the audience off balance." The film is more of a poetic ode to the Great Depression, starring the dream team of Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway as the titular antiheroes, w ho barrel across the South and Midwest robbing banks with Clyde's brother Buck (Gene Hackman), Buck's frantic wife Blanche (Estelle Parsons), and their faithful accomplice C.W. Moss (the inimitable Michael J. Pollard). Bonnie and Clyde is an unforgettable classic that has lost none of its power since the 1967 release.

Disc Features:

• TV Special: "Love and Death: The True Story of Bonnie & Clyde" (SD, 43 minutes) - Things kick off in somewhat bland fashion with this 1992 History Channel documentary, which really doesn't touch upon the movie much at all. Rather, it's a talking-heads piece with various historians, authors and long-removed relatives to the real Bonnie & Clyde. It provides a good bit of background on the pair (some of which departs significantly from what's in the film), but the pace is rather slow.
  
• Documentary: "Revolution! The Making of Bonnie & Clyde' (SD, 61 minutes) - Clocking in at over an hour, the three-part "Revolution!" goes a long way towards making up for the absence of an audio commentary. All of the principals we want to hear from are here, including fresh interviews with director Arthur Penn, screenwriter Robert Benton, creative consultant (aka script doctor) Robert Towne, filmmaker Curtis Hanson, stars Faye Dunaway, Gene Hackman, Michael J. Pollard and Estelle Parsons, and even star/producer Warren Beatty (who in the past has been reticent to take part in DVD extras). There is a noticeable lack of any on-set footage and a limited number of still images, but rather than overload us with film clips Warner focuses on the interviews, which are well cut and informative -- everything from conception to casting to production to release is covered. "Revolution!" is a meat and potatoes doc in terms of form, but it definitely delivers the goods.
  
• Deleted Scenes (SD, 13 minutes) - There are only two scenes here, and both without any usable production sound (optional subtitles are provided). But for a film that has been as dissected as 'Bonnie & Clyde' over the years, they are a real find. Also included here are some "Wardrobe Tests with Warren Beatty," which run 8 minutes.
  
• Theatrical Trailers (SD) - A teaser and full theatrical trailer are included, both in 480p/VC-1 video and Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono.
  
• Collectible Booklet - Finally, 'Bonnie & Clyde' earns an additional note of distinction for being the first of Warner's new line of "Book" special edition high-def releases. Instead of the usual blue keepcase, the disc comes housed in a matted book-like cover, which opens up to reveal 24 full-color pages containing production notes, cast bios, rare photographs, and excerpts from the original theatrical press kit. Although I think the casing itself could be a bit more sturdy (handle this one with care), I did quite like the booklet, which adds a classy, collectible touch. I think Warner is onto something here, and look forward to their future "book" releases.
  

Steep (Blu-ray)

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment / 2007 / 92 Minutes / Rated PG
Street Date: March 25, 2008

Genres: Documentary

Starring: Glen Plake, Andrew McLean
Director: Mark Obenhaus

Plot Synopsis: Warning: You're about to experience the most breath taking, exhilarating and inspirational ride of your life. The world's best skiers go beyond their dreams to conquer the steepest runs ever faced. From the sheer cliffs of Grand Teton, to the treachery of Chamonix France, to the untouched Alaskan peaks of Valdez, these extremers sacrifice their lives for a thrill but what a thrill it is. Fantastically beautiful images of the most magnificent peaks on the globe along with devastating avalanches and fatal spills only serve to push them harder. But you're about to discover -- not everyone who goes up the mountain -- returns.

Disc Features:

• Audio Commentary - The track features director Mark Obenhaus and skiers Ingrid Backstrom and Andrew McClean. I can't say I was all that excited to listen to it, but in some ways it is better than the film. The group is lighter and looser, and they talk at greater length about some of the intense hardships of the sport (which feel glossed over in the movie), as well as share personal stories of life on the mountain. There's still a slightly lethargic pace to the proceedings so I can't say this is a must-listen track, but fans of Backstrom and McClean in particular should enjoy it.
  
• Featurette: "Shooting Steep " (SD, 17 minutes) - Rather than a typical making-of, this is really an animated still montage with commentary by Obenhaus. He narrates various images of the crew setting up shots etc., and details the various cameras used during the production. This will mainly appeal to tech-heads.
  
• Featurette: "Q&A with Director Mark Obenhaus, and Skiers Ingrid Backstrom and Andrew McClean " (SD, 13 minutes) - The same trio from the commentary re-appear, and there is much redundancy. Shot on simple DV, they field questions from an audience at one of the film's AFI screenings, and we learn nothing new here.
  
• Still Montage (SD, 19 minutes) - A nice (if overly long) collection of production and behind-the-scenes stills. Each of the main skiers in the film is introduced, and it's all accompanied by lite-electro underscore. As some of these images whiz by pretty fast, it's unfortunate that there are no manual controls provided.
  
• Interview with Doug Coombs (SD, 7 minutes) - My pick for best extra on the disc. This is a simple, straightforward interview with the late Coombs, but given his passing before the release of 'Steep,' there is a poignancy here lacking from the main feature.
  
• Theatrical Trailers (HD) - Wrapping things up are full high-def trailers.

Naked Beneath the Water (Blu-ray)

Phoenix Entertainment Group / 2006 / 88 Minutes / Rated R
Street Date: March 25, 2008

Genres: Horror

Starring: Richard Teran, Bonnie Steiger, Sean Cain
Director: Sean Cain

Plot Synopsis: when a mysterious phone call directs him to the top rated reality show, Public Enemy Number One. It's a nasty piece of work where contestants tape their murders and battle it out to be the top killer for that year.

When Pelle realizes the brutal chainsaw murder was filmed in his brother's apartment he goes there to see if the footage is real. Little does he know he's stepped into a vicious contest of famous past Public Enemies and those who will take their place.

Disc Features:
• Director's commentary
• Behind the Scenes "The Big Explosion" doc
• Theatrical trailer
• Bloopers
• Alternate ending (Easter Egg)

HD Exclusive Content:
• Deleted and extended scenes
• Interview

Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Opus Arte / 1999 / 94 Minutes / Unrated
Street Date: March 25, 2008

Genres: Music

Starring: Patricia Barker, Paul Gibson, Seth Belliston
Plot Synopsis: Choreographed by an artistic genius, George Balanchine, Shakespeare’s comedy of magic and love’s delusions set to the music of Felix Mendelssohn is a guaranteed audience pleaser. The Pacific Northwest Ballet displays all the vitality, brilliance and versatility of its wonderful dancers in this award–winning production of Balanchine’s first original full-length ballet. Titania: Patricia Barker Oberon: Paul Gibson Puck: Seth Belliston Helena: Lisa Apple Hermia: Julie Tobiason Lysander: Ross Yearsley Demetrius: Jeffrey Stanton Bottom: Timothy Lynch Pacific Northwest Ballet BBC Concert Orchestra Leader: Cynthia Fleming Conductor: Stewart Kershaw

Disc Features:
• Cast Gallery