Savant's new reviews today are
Hello again. A reminder that Savant's Email has now officially migrated to the new address: [email protected]. The old AOL address is kaput - I just took one last look before letting it expire and saw a couple of dozen old emails that I never read. If something was important or still useful and you didn't hear back, please write again!
Other quick pre-holiday news: Turner Classic Movies is showing a special Doc on the great director Budd Boetticher on Wednesday the 21st, with his Seven Men from Now making its re-premiere as well. There's also a new disc release for that title, the first of the Boetticher/Randolph Scott/ Harry Joe Brown "Ranown" westerns of the 1950s. The DVD Talk review of that title is being covered by Savant pal Stuart Galbraith IV. His notice for Seven Men from Now is already up at this URL.
Another discus importantus sighting thanks to Savant correspondent Thomas Treasure: The Czech post-apocalpyse Science Fiction film End of August at the Hotel Ozone is being released in Region 1 by Facets video on January 31. Savant saw and reported on the film a couple of years back when it showed at The American Cinematheque with the terrific Czech space epic Ikarie XB-1; I hope the second title ends up as part of the same arrangement.
Savant hears from studios and DVD distributors only infrequently but got a lot of pleasant Email in response to the Savant 2005 Favored Disc Roundup. As Lina says, it's nice to know that one's hard work ain't been in vain for nothin'. Believe it or not, there are DVD executives that care, and spend considerable time scouring the web to study what is and isn't being well received.
Of the holiday movies, the only knockout so far has been the new King Kong, which is a magnificent movie experience with almost exclusively good word-of-mouth. I'm convinced it will hold and build in boxoffice as more people find out how terrific it is. Just saw In Her Shoes from a little earlier in the year; it's also a fine picture that was lost behind a stupid ad campaign. The Family Stone - not bad but not as perceptive or fresh as it thinks it is. Pride and Prejudice is very good, especially with supporting characters like Donald Sutherland. Kiera Knightley is fine but getting used to her smile takes a while. Will check in one more time before Christmas Day! Stay safe -- Glenn Erickson
Posted by DVD Savant at December 20, 2005 07:55 AM