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Film & TV on DVD - John Doe News & Reviews

Greetings Film Fiends and welcome to John Doe's Film Blog. 30 years of dedicated celluloid obsession has meant that I have seen a few films. Drawing attention to some of the lesser discussed gems that I love. Cult classics, obscure curios and quality genre pictures. This blogs purpose is to translate some of my passion for these films and with luck, inspire you the reader to go check em out.

Fantasy/Adventure Thriller - Film & TV on DVD

Dracula (1992) - Trailer Included

November 6th 2009 00:01

dracula, dvd, bluray, bram stoker, francis ford coppolla

Bram Stoker's Dracula - Available on BlurRay DVD

Director: Francis Ford Coppolla
Writer: James V Hart
Starring: Gary Oldman, Anthony Hopkins, Bill Campbell, Richard E Grant, Sadie Frost, Tom Waits, Monica Bellucci, Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves

Since first appearing in Bram Stoker’s 1897 epistolary novel the character of Count Dracula has undoubtedly become the most iconic of all vampires. Serving as the template for blood sucker folklore there have been a plethora of films featuring the gothic character, none capturing the essence of the source told through character diary entries, letters and telegrams. Then Director Francis Ford Coppolla (Apocalypse Now, The Conversation, the Godfather) turned his creative eye to the material.

Capturing the mood and narrative tone, while not compulsively loyal this is as close to the original author’s intentions as a big screen adaptation has ever come. It is a grandiose vision, smothered in the dense atmosphere of obsessive romance and morose desperation.

Introduced as a mortal, in 1462 Vlad the Impaler earns a reputation as a merciless warrior fighting in the name of god, intent on destruction he savages the Turkish Armies on the battlefield. Returning victorious he discover that misinformation of his death has caused his beloved wife to commit suicide. In an unhinged rage, Vlad vows to the all mighty that dark vengeance shall be his from beyond the grave.

Arising as the immortal Count Dracul, (Gary Oldman) now he must feed and a furious terror is unleashed that lasts for centuries to come. Then in the 1890’s he discovers his beauty Elisbeta has been reincarnated as an English lass named Mina (Winona Ryder). The physical resemblance is unmistakable and soon the Count must cross the Atlantic to reclaim what was always his possession.

Not while I'm eating!

John Doe Says:

Coppolla’s skill as a filmmaker seems to waiver depending on inspiration (Jack), but here he is obviously so enamored with the material that an undeniable passion lets his expressive juices saturate the screen. The theatrics of shadow pantomime rise to an operatic crescendo, working in unison with bold colors, flamboyant costumes by Eiko Ishioka (Mishima: A Life in 4 Chapters)and Wojciech Kilar’s (The Ninth Gate) brazen score. The tragic themes merge to conclude in an experience resembling a frenzied dream, the nightmare that may or may not have been real.

Hypnotic in its ethereal execution that sucks on the marrow of the silent era classic Nosferatau, the cinematography by Scosese regular Michael Ballhaus (Goodfellas, Last Temptation of Christ, Gangs of New York) is the personification of cinema as art. Every frame deserves to be paused printed, framed and hung on a wall. The use of shadow and light is done with such precision that criticism of the film is neutered by its majesty. Even the potentially terminal miscasting of Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder can be forgiven when this staggering camera work is escalated by astonishing production design and Gary Oldman’s incendiary central performance.

dracula, gary oldman, francis ford coppolla

Tongue, blood, razor, sure I can do something with it says Oldman

As the fanged Romanian Prince Oldman (Romeo is Bleeding, State of Grace, Leon: the Professional) commands every frame with a seething intensity that oozes menace. Trampling all past incarnations (yep even Christopher Lee and Bela Legosi), with his slithering line delivery and otherworldly physicality.

As mentioned the films major flaw is that of Keanu Reeves (My Own private Idaho, Rivers Edge) trying to play a British intellect. According to Coppolla “he needed a young, hot star that would connect with the girls.” Reeves’ is stiff and forced as the hapless, doomed fiancé of Dracula’s betrothed and never looks comfortable in his costume nor the characters skin.

Also lacking what the gravitas of her part demands, Winona Ryder (Heathers, A Scanner Darkly)fails to convince as the eternal beauty Elisbetha/Mina. Hers is a doe eyed, innocent presence that fails to evolve beyond naïve. This counter acts the necessary chemistry to fuse with Gary Oldman’s dominant force of nature.

Throughout his uneven career Anthony Hopkins (Titus, Magic, Bobby) has had a tendency to chew scenery, but the part of Van Helsing demands the trait.

Acknowledging the films shortcomings it is still an immersive work that contains spectacle and nuanced moments that fang their way into the subconscious.

John Doe was lucky enough to revisit the film on BluRay disc recently and the enhanced sound and picture made for a higher quality screening than was ever seen in cinemas. A fabulous test of the technology that encouraged him to go through all the informative extra features on the disc including, deleted scenes, commentaries and several making-of- features.

Dracula on Blu Ray comes to jdmfilmreviews.com courtesy of Sony Pictures.
For more Sony BluRay DVD’s please visit the official site@ www.sonypictures.comor www.experiencebluray.co.uk/.

The Original Trailer for Bram Stoker's Dracula

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The Naked Prey (1966) - First 10 minutes Included

October 6th 2009 00:00

The Rise or Fall of a Civilized Man?

naked prey, criterion DVD, cornel wilde, adventure films, action movies, cinema classics, africa, jungle

The Naked Prey - Criterion DVD available in the U.S.

Director: Cornel Wilde
Writer: Don peters and Clint Johnston
Starring; Cornel Wilde, gert Van Den Bergh, Ken Gampu, Bella Randles, Morrison Gampu

Considered one of the original American mountain men, “John Colter ’s Escape” from a tribe of territorial Blackfeet Indians in Montana 1908 is the true life inspiration for this savage adventure film. Transferring the production from the western wilderness to the jungles of Africa because of logistical costs, this is a savage pursuit through a brutal landscape.

naked prey, criterion DVD, cornel wilde, adventure films, action movies, cinema classics, africa, jungle, poster

Poster for The Naked Prey

As a child, Actor / Director / Olympian Cornel Wilde had been deeply affected by the 1933 classic The Most Dangerous Game and it served as another influence for The Naked Prey. Baring a resemblance to Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto, the film is more Lord of the Flies than it is Tarzan. Elements of Hearts of Darkness are never far from view.

A group of Ivory poachers on a hunting expedition are confronted by natives. Leading the group is Man #2 , (Kurt Van den Burg) an arrogant alcoholic who disrespects the customs of the tribe despite a warning from his more seasoned companion (Cornel Wilde).

Captured a short time later the group are all inventively tortured and killed except for “the Man”. Stripped naked and unarmed, a tribal warrior shoots an arrow to serve as a head start and then signals that the hunt has begun.

Start the engine Jacque..Little Indiana Jones humour there folks

John Doe says:

The Naked Prey is intensely realized through an unflinching lens. Immediately paced this survival story is a leanly executed chunk of meat, with all hindering fat eliminated. The minimalist script has little to no dialogue beyond the opening minutes. The cinematic medium is the teller of this yarn and it is up to the raw, brazen images to lure us into its primal lair.

We watch a civilized man reduced to the essential primordial imperatives. Unfaltering obedience to the genetic command that demands we stay alive. Fight or flee, the simplest of psychological programming dictating action.

An urgent tone of authentic danger looms, but never does the film slip into exploitation. Once you accept that a white man is able to outlast the indigenous inhabitants even for 5 minutes there is much to savour and digest within this economic concept.

Jungle drums drive the soundtrack with the same assured power as the unforgiving predatory truth of existence that’s shown through the stark cinematography and inserts hungry location shots of wildlife as punctuation.

“The man” feeds off the land pushing body and mind beyond the thresholds of pain and endurance. On camera “The man” gnaws a freshly slaughtered snake immediately after skinning it, forming a forced symbiosis with environment. Murder and law are dismissed. The morality of killing becomes a ‘him or me” spear driven combat scenario.

There is a respect for the tribal hunters who track “the man”. Embodying the full compliment of emotions beyond nobility, mourning and rage these are not typical transparent caricatures of “ignorant evil” that inhabited other Hollywood productions of the era.

Cornel Wilde (Beach Red, No Blade of Grass) was in his 50’s when he Directed The Naked Prey. Already a 20 year acting veteran whose Olympic level fencing skills saw him rise as a swashbuckling hero (At Swords Point)and also make his mark in the noir genre (Leave her to Heaven, The Big Combo). While on set he was struck with exhaustion from the demands of shooting and because of it his physical performance is all the more convincing. Even with his illness and age Cornel is still a fit figure against the adversarial backdrop.

This is a film that John Doe’s Dad would talk about and one that he could never find in Australia. Seeing it for the first time care of the Criterion DVD made for a superb, uncut experience. Living up to expectation, it has instantly become a personal favourite, if it is action and escapism you seek then this can be touted as a benchmark.

Criterion Collection DVD available in the US only

The Opening 10 minutes of The Naked Prey

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Posted By: JohnDoe - Category: Action, Fantasy/Adventure, Thriller

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The Name of the Rose (1986) - Footage Included

May 21st 2008 00:01

Deity Sanctioned Power Corrupts the Kindest Beauty

DVD Available in Australia

Director:Jean-Jacques Annaud
Starring:Sean Connery, Christian Slater, Ron Perlman, F Murray Abraham, William Hickey

“Laughter kills fear, and without fear there can be no faith because without fear of the Devil, there is no more need of God.” – Jorge De Burgos

Der Name Der Rose, is a French/Italian production based on the novel by Umberto Eco. It’s a murder mystery set within the confines of a 13th century monastery that contemplates the eternal riddle of religions essential theology of absolute faith. The quest for knowledge means every answer will invariably lead to a question, there is no absolute wisdom. If the only truth can be found in god’s words, does this mean that evil thrives in the open mind?

The Monastery has much to tell

The Monks of this isolated abbey have shed their individualism, painfully devoted in their overwhelming conviction to the gospel. When untimely death strikes one of the order the Anti Christ is the preordained conspirator.
William of Baskerville - "The only evidence I see of the antichrist here is everyones desire to see him at work."

Against the grain, William of Baskerville (Sean Connery) and his young acolyte Adso of Melk (Christian Slater) arrive to this sanctuary of intense worship. Just in time to witness and investigate the aftermath of the suspected murder.
Adso of Melk - "Having reached the end of my poor sinner's life, my hair now white, I prepare to leave on this parchment my testimony as to the wondrous and terrible events that I witnessed in my youth, towards the end of the year of our Lord 1327. May God grant me the wisdom and grace to be the faithful chronicler of the happenings that took place in a remote abbey in the dark north of Italy. An abbey whose name it seems, even now, pious and prudent to omit."

A voracious thinker, William eagerly contemplates the clues with his eyes and ears. The puzzle is afoot and irresistible to his mind. This is a studied man with astute Sherlock Holmes like deductive abilities
William of Baskerville - "My dear Adso, we must not allow ourselves to be influenced by irrational rumors of the Antichrist, hmm? Let us instead exercise our brains and try to solve this tantalizing conundrum."

The innocent, coming of age Adso serves as our narrator, standing humble in the haloed walls with curiosity about its committed occupants. The eyes of youth are shocked by the absolute poverty that lies just outside the brick and mortar compound.
William of Baskerville - "Have you ever known a place where God WOULD have felt at home?"

So it is in this medieval age that the secret peccadilloes and sins of inhabitants will be prodded by an aging sleuth while temptations of the flesh and fear of the unexplained will test the uninitiated to life.
William of Baskerville - "We are very fortunate to have such snowy ground here. It is often the parchment on which the criminal unwittingly writes his autograph. Now, what do you read from these footprints here?"

name of the rose sean connery christain slater

Light and dark. Dark and light.

John Doe says:
A moody, velvet brimstone atmosphere carefully shuffles the corridors. The tale of intrigue thickens with excitement and suspense. Every face challenging conformity within a place of insatiable servitude to the lord, The Name of the Rose is about many things.

It’s about intellectual, spiritual and physical awakening, about sacrifice and the responsibility of wisdom and faith. It’s also much more, depending on how deep you want to gaze into its tapestry of eloquent scripting and enlightening shadowed corridors cinematography.

Director Jean-Jacques Annaud (The Bear, Enemy at the Gates, Two Brothers) is all class, he manages an ethereal majesty that permeates from this historically minded mix of truth and fiction. Impressively incorporating sprinkles of comedy, shrouded in unspoken danger while achieving moments of horror within a thriller that stays steady at all times.

The sound design skilfully uses silence to its advantage and adds to placing the audience within the solemn location. The scenes in the labyrinth library are brilliantly staged and best of all engage the emotions as well as mind.

The screenplay is a deft concoction that combines elements of the traditional who-dunit motif with serious history about the dreaded dark ages. Straying from the source in certain places there is no denying the tone and questions raised are inline with the original author’s intent.

Many of the cast playing monks in the film were cast because of their, how can I put it delicately, ugliness. Each face is unique and scorches on the psyche making it easy to tell whose who, even in full garb.

It’s hard to believe but at this stage in his career Sean Connery (The Hill, The Offence, From Russia With Love) was not considered a bankable star and so maybe had something to prove with this role. Regardless, his performance is noticeably impressive showing cracks of vulnerability and even fear while maintain the stoic charisma he seems to achieve effortlessly. Though buying the former James Bond to a vow of celibacy takes time to accept.

Christian Slater (Heathers, Pump Up The Volume, Very Bad Things, True Romance) was just 15 when he broke his big screen cherry in this film with a nude scene. Sure his mother was casting Director but his talent is what makes his part completely convincing. Few of the Jack Nicholson facial ticks come into play and his wide eyed amazement and confusion at the world has a genuine allure.

Ron Perlman (City of Lost Children) as the symbolically deformed Salvatore breaks the heart despite the external appearances.

I'll give you Hellboy!

William Hickey (Prizzi's Honor, Mikey and Nickey) as the aging friend of Connery’s character is poignant and frightening in equal measure.

F Murray Abraham (Amadeus) delivers the wrath we expect as a deluded Inquisitor whose corrupt power is a frenzy of tainted morality.

After not seeing this film for a good 15 years John Doe was blown away by how much power hides inside the exciting plot. What was remembered as a damn good yarn, is now something much more important. Sure it’s still exhilarating and thoughtful, but the provocative answers the film seeks to ponder just feel more important now.

The Name of the Rose - A compilation of memorable bytes that may spoil surprises for those who have not seen it.