Monday rolls around once again, and it's so nice outside it's a shame to be inside working. But there's a landmark DVD to be reviewed:
Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea doesn't seem to age, from its still-fresh special effects to its rather disturbing anti-colonial politics. James Mason's sublime Captain Nemo cruises the high seas, looking for criminal weapons of mass destruction to destroy. Only trouble is, he's himself a mad Terrorist. Kirk Douglas, Peter Lorre and a trained seal finish off a perfect picture.
Universal's Western surprise Destry Rides Again had audiences laughing out loud in 1939, and does exactly the same thing today, with James Stewart's gangly deputy winning over the heart of dance-hall girl Marlene Dietrich.This one's always been irresistable.
Fox extends its Studio Classics line with a classy soap set in Hong Kong, Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing. William Holden and Jennifer Jones crank up too much romantic heat to call this one silly: even though the glossy story tries to be foolish, the emotions are infectious.
Less glamorously catching is Universal's ersatz Spaghetti Western, Two Mules for Sister Sara, which is not about Mother Superior taking a trip to Florsheim's. Shirley MacLaine and Clint Eastwood don't mix well in a crass tale with crass details ... starting with incessant rape-the-nun jokes. But there's always the great Ennio Morricone score, and the Gabriel Figueroa photography.
Pushing on into Spring, the various collections of War films are coming up, and there's a surprising number of winners among them. And Savant can report that the upcoming Flight of the Phoenix looks good in enhanced 16:9, and is not pan-scanned as some announcements read.
Another last-minute hint for Western fans: TCM is showing a Savant favorite, the letterboxed Man of the West tonight. Thanks for reading, Glenn Erickson.
Posted by DVD Savant at May 12, 2003 11:15 AM