New year, new releases! Welcome back to Let's Get Physical, where I urge you to actually own your movies and TV shows instead of relying on streaming services where the earliest film is from 1973 (seriously Netlfix?)
This month is a pretty big one and with only 4 release days its pretty chock full of great 4Ks and Blu-rays.
This one's an interesting case. From all accounts, this is a worthy upgrade for those seeking a better copy of David Fincher's Se7en (it astoundingly funny that a movie this good does the ole number-as-a-letter marketing trick), but there are a few quirks in the mix. Fincher is known perfectionist and he has gone ahead an done some AI tweaking on the film. While I abhor lazy AI, it seems like Fincher was very meticulous with its use, perhaps a bit too meticulous. There are reports of strange, almost unneeded changes being made to the film which for a preservationist like myself feels not good. This feels closer to the Sam Raimi use of re-doing a film than Geroge Lucas, but I'm not a fan of either. I'm interested in seeing just how strange these additions are
Rumours - January 21
I missed this when it was in theaters, so I'm eagerly anticipating seeing Guy Maddin's closest forray into a.... normal movie? Not really, but with a cast full of recognizable actors and co-directors Evan Johnson and Galen Johnson likely helping ease the more outlandish of Maddin's visions, Rumours feels like a perfect addition to my physical media library.
Kill Bill Vol 1 4K, Kill Bill Vol 2 4K, and Jackie Brown 4k - January 21
These are simply must haves for any film fan. I know Tarantino's brand of stealing smart/sampling of other creators work feels a little off to many a movie watcher, but I maintain that his lifts are more often than not transformative at best and obvious homages at worst. The Kill Bill movies are truly indebted to kung-fu movies of yesteryear and it shows. Jackie Brown on the other hand is way more subtle with its influences, letting the core of who Tarantino is as a director shine. What results is a mature, measured, and satisfying film. The elegant base of Elmore Leonard's Rum Punch also helps keep the story focused and entertaining. It's honestly my favorite Tarantino film. Links above go to the regular editions, but Lionsgate does have some incredible steelbooks for each one of the available as well, so you have options!
Let's Get Lost is a documentary on the life of jazz great Chet Baker, a personal favorite of mine. January 7
Another Tarantino release?! Here's hoping this 4K of Inglourious Basterds is better than the not so special edition that is currently on the market January 14
Is Reindeer Games a good movie? No. But boy is it ridiculous enough to enjoy! January 21
The darker of the two John Cusack and Stephen Frears collaborations,The Grifters is an incredible film full of uncomfortable toxicity that will keep you glued to your seat January 21
Tarsem Singh has made some visually beautiful films and The Cell is no exception. Sure aspects of it have been butchered by the studio, but it's still a worthy 4K for your collection! January 21
Terror Vision is consistently releasing incredible movies and this double feature of Yellow Dragon's Village/Visitors sounds like a doozy! January 28