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Python
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
"Anaconda", er, I mean "Python" seems to be a film that Fox either got the home video rights for or didn't deem worthy of a theatrical release, or both. It's actually all not quite as bad as it sounds - fans of cheesy horror might actually find it rather entertaining. Although the problem is, I actually doubt anyone will actually find this the least bit scary. Funny, maybe. Scary, no.
The story is "Anaconda" moved from the jungle to a small town. A plane crashes, the snake gets loose and starts picking off one dopey character after another. There's even the appearance of Jenny McCarthy, that former MTV star who went on to a small movie career and an even smaller sitcom career(wasn't "Jenny" on for about 3 episodes?). This has to be her worst performance - but it's a pretty short one. Unfortunately, Casper Van Dien(awful in every role) has a bigger part.
Anyways, there really isn't much of anything to talk about in terms of "Python"'s plot. The special effects are often hilariously bad, whether it be the snake itself or otherwise. The script and performances are terrible, but knowingly so - certainly not taking themselves seriously. Even famed horror actor Robert Englund shows up as the snake's creator (I'm not giving away anything that the back of the box doesn't).
This could have been bad, or entertainingly terrible; thankfully, the filmmakers seemed to know that they weren't exactly making high art, and the film almost works because no one seems to be taking it seriously in the least.
The DVD
VIDEO: Amazingly, "Python" is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and it looks better than most major movies from other studios. Much of it even looks more impressive than some other Fox releases I've seen. Anyways, Fox has done a wonderful job with the picture quality; sharpness and detail are excellent, and there's even a nice depth to the image. Colors are also bold and clean, looking especially pleasing during some of the outdoor scenes that present some deep greens in the surrounding trees.
There's a few little instances of pixelation, but these are so brief as to hardly be noticable. Print flaws are also very minor, with only a speckle or two throughout the movie visible. Shimmering and other problems are also not apparent. This is great work by Fox, who shows that they can do great work for a cheesy sci-fi, straight-to-video effort.
SOUND: The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio isn't particularly remarkable in any way. Surround use is occasional, but there were instances of action where the surrounds could have become more involved. The music sounds a bit flat at times, but is otherwise fine. Dialogue is clear and easily heard, as well. Nothing particularly lively, but for a low-budget movie it's certainly acceptable.
MENUS:: The main menu offers some slight animation and music, but nothing too remarkable.
EXTRAS:
Commentary: Although the box doesn't indicate this, there is a commentary from director Richard Clabaugh and the visual effects and animation supervisors. They seem like a very fun group of people who knew what they were getting into and freely admit what they did wrong and could have done a little bit better had they had a bigger budget. There's an impressive amount of information offered, more than you could ever think could come out of a movie like this one. The movie was shot in a very quick 18 days, and we find out more about the obstacles that the production had to overcome, and what was cut out of the movie.
Outtakes: Is it an outtake reel...or a music video? This is a couple minutes of occasionally funny outtakes cut rapidly and with music blasting behind it.
Trailers: Teaser & Trailer for "Python" & trailers for "The Abyss", "Ravenous" and "Lake Placid".
Also: Still gallery on Pythons, Cast & Crew bios.
Final Thoughts: "Python" is pretty terrible any which way you look at it, but at least it seems to be made in the spirit of fun. If you're looking for a few cheap laughs and cheesy horror is your cup of tea, you might want to rent "Python". The DVD though, is pretty overpriced at $34.99.
"Anaconda", er, I mean "Python" seems to be a film that Fox either got the home video rights for or didn't deem worthy of a theatrical release, or both. It's actually all not quite as bad as it sounds - fans of cheesy horror might actually find it rather entertaining. Although the problem is, I actually doubt anyone will actually find this the least bit scary. Funny, maybe. Scary, no.
The story is "Anaconda" moved from the jungle to a small town. A plane crashes, the snake gets loose and starts picking off one dopey character after another. There's even the appearance of Jenny McCarthy, that former MTV star who went on to a small movie career and an even smaller sitcom career(wasn't "Jenny" on for about 3 episodes?). This has to be her worst performance - but it's a pretty short one. Unfortunately, Casper Van Dien(awful in every role) has a bigger part.
Anyways, there really isn't much of anything to talk about in terms of "Python"'s plot. The special effects are often hilariously bad, whether it be the snake itself or otherwise. The script and performances are terrible, but knowingly so - certainly not taking themselves seriously. Even famed horror actor Robert Englund shows up as the snake's creator (I'm not giving away anything that the back of the box doesn't).
This could have been bad, or entertainingly terrible; thankfully, the filmmakers seemed to know that they weren't exactly making high art, and the film almost works because no one seems to be taking it seriously in the least.
The DVD
VIDEO: Amazingly, "Python" is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and it looks better than most major movies from other studios. Much of it even looks more impressive than some other Fox releases I've seen. Anyways, Fox has done a wonderful job with the picture quality; sharpness and detail are excellent, and there's even a nice depth to the image. Colors are also bold and clean, looking especially pleasing during some of the outdoor scenes that present some deep greens in the surrounding trees.
There's a few little instances of pixelation, but these are so brief as to hardly be noticable. Print flaws are also very minor, with only a speckle or two throughout the movie visible. Shimmering and other problems are also not apparent. This is great work by Fox, who shows that they can do great work for a cheesy sci-fi, straight-to-video effort.
SOUND: The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio isn't particularly remarkable in any way. Surround use is occasional, but there were instances of action where the surrounds could have become more involved. The music sounds a bit flat at times, but is otherwise fine. Dialogue is clear and easily heard, as well. Nothing particularly lively, but for a low-budget movie it's certainly acceptable.
MENUS:: The main menu offers some slight animation and music, but nothing too remarkable.
EXTRAS:
Commentary: Although the box doesn't indicate this, there is a commentary from director Richard Clabaugh and the visual effects and animation supervisors. They seem like a very fun group of people who knew what they were getting into and freely admit what they did wrong and could have done a little bit better had they had a bigger budget. There's an impressive amount of information offered, more than you could ever think could come out of a movie like this one. The movie was shot in a very quick 18 days, and we find out more about the obstacles that the production had to overcome, and what was cut out of the movie.
Outtakes: Is it an outtake reel...or a music video? This is a couple minutes of occasionally funny outtakes cut rapidly and with music blasting behind it.
Trailers: Teaser & Trailer for "Python" & trailers for "The Abyss", "Ravenous" and "Lake Placid".
Also: Still gallery on Pythons, Cast & Crew bios.
Final Thoughts: "Python" is pretty terrible any which way you look at it, but at least it seems to be made in the spirit of fun. If you're looking for a few cheap laughs and cheesy horror is your cup of tea, you might want to rent "Python". The DVD though, is pretty overpriced at $34.99.
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