Savant's new reviews today are
Ah, Savant's back with something to review ... the clutter of cellophane on the floor, those ridiculous security stickers peeled off and fresh discuses, diskii, duskoo - video in the player.
It's three hits and a miss this week with the unseen item being the big surprise. ROXIE HART is a solid entertainment from beginning to end and proof positive that older movies are bolder and smarter than new ones. SHERMAN'S MARCH is a droll delight that anyone adrift in romantic straits will appreciate. THE LAST OF SHEILA is a hard-to-see puzzle picture in perfect shape. Only HALF A SIXPENCE is less than half a movie - its appeal escaped me completely.
Coming up quick should be BLAZE, THE LITTLE PRINCE, THE MOLLY MAGUIRES and LA HABANERA ; I also have a few on the way from the far-flung future of May - DESK SET, CIRCLE OF DECEIT, DOWN TO EARTH, THE 300 SPARTANS and PRINCE VALIANT. HICKEY AND BOGGS is a no-show; I figure the distributor may have discovered the problem with its ownership.
Hoped for but not yet spotted are Sweeney Todd, Jack the Giant Killer, I Could Go On Singing, Helter Skelter, Helen of Troy, Frankenstein Must be Destroyed and Fast Company. I'm somewhat more certain of getting Criterion's raft of exceptional treasures - The Tin Drum, Stray Dog, Smiles of a Summer Night, The Testament of Dr. Mabuse and The Leopard. They'll get my attention as soon as they come in the door. It's a really dense pack of genre favorites hitting the racks this spring, pictures that Savant loves - and I'll try to spin as many as possible.
Lots of fixes and addendums to reviews this week from helpful correspondents - thanks to the readers who have better info to share on subjects like Fritz Lang and Robert Wise. If the C.I.A. ran this way, there'd be no troub - Watch it, Glenn. Thanks for all the help, GE
Posted by DVD Savant at April 18, 2004 01:06 PM