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Home (Re) Viewing: ‘Zodiac’ tops the list
In a mixed bag of DVD picks this week, the standout choice by far among new releases is David Fincher’s latest film, even in a bare bones edition.
Zodiac: Fincher’s movie isn’t so much about the notorious killings of the late 60s/early 70s, but how obsession with the case can corrupt the soul, particularly that of Jake Gyllenhaal, who becomes obsessed with cracking the killer’s codes. Fincher tones down his visual stylistics, but maintains his usual mastery of tone and place to the point that this film feels like it was made in the 1970s, not that it merely takes place then. The director had to trim his movie for theatrical release, short shrifting some story points, so it’s disappointing this DVD issue doesn’t contain the longer cut, or any other extras. (The Panic Room model is being used here. Movie now, extras later). For now, however, this version is worth visiting or revisiting until we get the complete package. Full review GRADE: B+
From the catalog
Classic Musicals from The Dream Factory Vol. 2: This musical box set is worth the purchase for four fun titles: The underrated Judy Garland/Gene Kelly vehicle The Pirate; Words and Music, the last film to team Judy and Mickey Rooney; That’s Dancing, a clipfest that’s not nearly as good as the That’s Entertainment compilations but still fun, and especially Fred Astaire’s Royal Wedding, which is finally rescued from public domain purgatory. That’s the film where Astaire dances on the ceiling, and that scene alone makes the movie. Also contains The Belle of New York, That Midnight Kiss and The Toast of New Orleans.
Jean de Florette/Manon of the Spring: Two of the best French films of the 1980s get reissued in a two for one DVD, the way they really ought to be packaged. GRADE: A
The Monster Squad: One of those movies that’s not that great in and of itself, but seems fun mainly because you caught it when you were 10 or so. It’s the film Van Helsing wanted to be. GRADE: B
Also out today
The Host: This foreign monster flick is actually one of the best reviewed films of the year.
The Number 23: Wanna see Jim Carrey as a numbers-obsessed guy? Not many other people did either.
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer: Attracted some wildly divergent reviews, but director Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) hasn’t been uninteresting yet.
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