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Blu-ray Review “A Streetcar Named Desire: The Original Restored Version”

Directed by: Elia Kazan
Starring: Marlon Brando, Vivien Leigh, Kim Hunter, Karl Malden
MPAA Rating: PG
Distributed by: Warner Brothers
Release Date: April 10, 2012
Running Time: 122 minutes

Restored Version: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Who hasn’t seen the cinematic masterpiece called “A Streetcar Named Desire”. Thanks to Warner Bros for bringing us this wonderful celebration of the 60th anniversary and including the Original Restored Version. Due to the 1951 Legion of Decency censorship, there was three minutes of previously unseen footage including the sexual tension between Blanche DuBois (Vivien Leigh) and Stanley Kowalski (Marlon Brando). Watching this film always leaves me yelling “Hey, Stellaaaaaa!” the rest of the day. This is a wonderful release and is highly recommended for all fans of the film to experience this amazing film on Blu-ray.

This is the first time that this classic is making its way onto Blu-ray with a really stunning restoration. It looks wonderful in its digitally remastered 1080p transfer in its original aspect ratio: 1.37:1. The audio track included is an DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track, which preserves the original charm. I really enjoyed the fact that this book was released as a Digibook. It comes with a 40-page book format with behind-the-scenes photography, production notes and biographies. I really love these edition, instead of a boring empty case.

The special features are a bit disappointing for the Blu-ray debut. This is not due to content but since the extras are presented in standard definition and not high definition. There is a commentary track featuring producer Laurent Bouzereau with comments from co- star Karl Malden and historians Rudy Behlmer and Jeff Young. This is highly recommended, Laurent Bouzereau knows so much about film and is fantastic to listen to. There is a great documentary, which runs about 75 minutes, “Elia Kazan: A Director’s Journey”. It is narrated by Eli Wallach and looks into Kazan’s career in depth. “A Streetcar on Broadway” focuses on the original Broadway version. “A Streetcar in Hollywood” features Kazan’s chatting about the film’s road from the stage to the screen. “Censorship and Desire” is a big topic with this film and focuses on its dealings during time of release with Rudy Behlmer. “North and the Music of the South” is a focus piece on composer Alex North. “An Actor Named Brando” is short feature on the legendary actor. “Marlon Brando Screen Test” is a really amazing rare behind the scenes look. There Outtakes that run about 15 minutes and also Audio Outtakes, which run about 17 minutes. Lastly there are a bunch of trailers including original 1951 Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox 1958 Reissue and United Artists 1970 Reissue.

Synopsis: “A Streetcar Named Desire: the Original Restored Version” is the film moviegoers would have seen in 1951 had not Legion of Decency censorship occurred at the last minute. Making its Blu-ray debut, stunningly restored and digitally remastered to brilliant 1080p clarity, this classic is presented in a collectible, premium 40-page Blu-ray book format, with behind-the-scenes photography, production notes, biographies and more! Elia Kazan masterfully directs Tennessee Williams? masterpiece starring Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Karl Malden and Kim Hunter. Nominated for an unprecedented 12 Academy Awards,® including Best Picture, and winner of 4,* its contributions to film continue to be celebrated, holding its place on the AFI’s list of Top 100 Films.

In celebration of the 60th Anniversary, “A Streetcar Named Desire” will debut on Blu-ray Book on April 10th, 2012.
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CD Review “Once- The New Musical: Original Cast Recording”

Once: The New Musical
Original Cast Recording
Release Date: March 13, 2012
Label: Masterworks Broadway
Tracks: 13
Running Time: 45 minutes

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The Academy Award-winning film, “Once” is one of my favorite films. The music in the film is so amazing and in fact, I have had the soundtrack on my iPhone since the film was originally released. When I heard that the film was being brought to Broadway, I was both nervous and extremely happy. Well let me tell you I was extremely satisfied with this cast recording and it only makes me want to see this play more now. Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová from The Swell Season are two of my favorite artists, even with their solo albums. I am not sure how this is possible but they took one of my favorites albums ever and ACTUALLY made it better.

“When Your Mind’s Made Up” and “Falling Slowing (Reprise)” are honestly breathtaking songs on this album. Steve Kazee and Cristin Milioti plus backed by the rest of the cast in parts are simply show stopping! I get chills listening to it every time and I can put these on repeat for hours, as can the whole album. The only issue I have with the album is that I am not truly fond of the two new songs, “Abandoned in Bandon” and Czech folk song “Ej Pada Pada Rosicka”. In fact I have the album on my iPhone and have taken off those songs. I also wanted to make a note about the track “The Moon”, which is performed by Will Connolly is also a treasure. I was originally taken back since it wasn’t performed by Steve but, holy crap!, I really dig it. Great chance they took and a wonderful payoff. Overall this album will be guaranteed to make my top albums of 2012 and I look forward to seeing this show.

Let me tell you Steve Kazee and Cristin Milioti are absolutely perfect on the recording. Glen Hansard’s vocal range is hard to match and Steve really nails it and improves certain areas as well. One thing I noticed from the moment this album started is that I felt like it was recording live from the stage not in a recording studio. I felt that due to that it makes you feel like you are there on stage with them. I definitely feel that this process enhances the Martin Lowe’s amazing orchestrations and really showcases the live stage production. I recommend this highly to all fans of The Swell Season and Broadway fans a like, been sure to buy this album. Also make sure you get a chance to experience this show live on stage, if it is anything like the album it is sure to be absolutely amazing.

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DVD Review “The Centurions: The Original Miniseries”

Distributed by: Warner Archive
Run Time: 110 minutes
Episodes: 4

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I have to admit I grew up in the 80’s and I am real sucker for 80’s cartoons. This is the first time that the “The Centurions” have made their way onto DVD. The remastering looks fantastic and definitely notable…Great job Warner Archive. Every laser shoot to every explosion looks cleaned up and of course the classic “will return/back to” clips are included as well. If you are a fan of this original series then this will be a no-brainer purchase for sure.

The episodes included in the this mini-series consists of “The Sky Is On Fire”, “Battle Beneath The Sea”, “An Alien Affair”, “Found: One Lost World” and “Sand Doom”. Like most 80’s cartoon, this one consists of the first five episodes of the series, aired back in 1986. This series was short-lived only consisting of 65 episodes. Thanks to Warner Archive Collection, this mini-series is now available exclusively through Warner’s online store. Now we just want the rest of the series Warner Archive…keep ’em coming!!

Synopsis:
In the near future Doc Terror, and his cyborg companion, Hacker, unleash their forces to conquer Earth! Only one force can stop this evil: a handful of brave men. In specially created exoframes, they can be transported anywhere to fuse with incredible assault weapon systems, beamed down from the space station Skyvault, becoming man and machine, Power Xtreme! Max Ray, brilliant Sea Operations commander. Jake Rockwell, rugged Land Operations specialist. Ace McCloud, daring Air Operations expert. Whatever the challenge, they are ready—the Centurions!” Debuting as a 5 part mini-series, and enjoying contributions from three of the greatest action artists of the 20th Century – Doug Wildey, Gil Kane, and Jack Kirby – The Centurions promised to pack a punch – and it delivered! Get ready for mad machine action as 3 masters of land, sea, and air do battle with a mad inventor for the fate of a planet.

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DVD Review “Robotech: The Complete Original Series”

Director: Robert V. Barron
Starring: Jean-Claude Ballard
Number of discs: 17
Rated: Unrated
Studio: A&E Entertainment
DVD Release Date: October 18, 2011
Run Time: 2028 minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out 5 stars

Original started in 1985, “Robotech” definitely has the 80’s anime feel. It was never one of my favorites but who can turn down an 85-episode space opera. Even though it is a bit confusion and repetitive throughout the series, this sci-fi series is one of the first-ever animes to import in the US. It contains the remastered versions from the three “Robotech Wars: The Macross Saga, The Robotech Masters and the New Generation” newly titled as “The First-Third Robotech War”. The real star of this set is the disc of special features. There are hours of additional footage that really makes this worth the purchase. If you are fan of Japanese anime, epsecially 80’s then this is the purchase for you this Holiday season.

“The First Robotech War” starts the series in 1999 when a gigantic spaceship crashes on Earth. The world tries to unlock the secrets of this technology, known as Robotech. They get a lot more then they expect when the alien Zentraedi attack and the war begins. This remastered version of “The Macross Saga” contains 36 episodes of the series. It starts off slow but once it gets started towards the end is where the fun begins. “The Second Robotech War” aka “Masters Saga” picks up 15 years following the annihilation of the Earth, the human survivors are try to rebuild their planet, only to be faced with a new threat. This second chapter of the “Robotech” saga includes 24 episodes from the series. “The Third Robotech War” aka “New Generation” take off when the alien Invid have conquered Earth under the Regis. Their greatest hope for saving Earth lies with the return of Admiral Hunter’s Expeditionary Force. This thrilling conclusion of the saga includes the last 25 episodes in the series.

There are a bunch of new special features that are new to DVD, including “The Making of Robotech Documentary”, new Music Videos for “Robotech”, an overview of Robotech, alternate versions of select Robotech episodes, there is also new supplementals from the “Robotech: The Movie. Also includes is the original pilot for Macross and lastly there is promotional reel of Robotech launch in China. These features alone are worth the purchase for sure, but there are still MANY more left. If you are fan of deleted scenes, there are over 2.5 hours (if you can make sense of them). “Robotech: The Sentinels” includes the first 3 episodes were then spliced together into one movie along with promotional video. Not really needed unless you want to watch the first three episode in one shot. There is the original part 1 of the pilot for “Mospeada”. There are original opening and closing animations, always a favorite of mine. The promotional reel to Galaxy of the Stars – Harmony gold and presentation reels for toy commercial and videogame are also included. These is pretty cool to check out, especially due to the age of the series and its impact on the industry. International clips for all three Robotech Wars are also including. Lastly there are many stills containing character bios, model sheets, pre-production art, comic book covers, and merchandise galleries and much more.

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Interview with Tha Original Gata™ Monique Dupree

Monique Dupree has been in over 60 films including “American Gangster”, “Life Support”, “The Replacements”, “Satan Hates You” and “Bikini Bloodbath Christmas”. She also worked as a comicbook model as well for “Gingerstein: Rise of the Undead. Dupree also known as “Tha Original Gata™ and is the lead singer of a band named Negro Childe. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Monique about her career and her upcoming films.

Mike Gencarelli: Have you always been a fan of the horror genre?
Monique Dupree: Yes I have. I wasn’t allowed to watch horror growing up. So I would sneak and watch anyway. I think part of the allure of it all started out being that I wasn’t allowed to watch. Then when I able to watch, it just stuck with me. I love everything about the horror genre, from old school horror, to slashers and everything in between.

MG: I read that you have done five films while pregnant, tell us about this?
MD: Well honestly, bills still have to be paid even when you’re with child, lol. I was blessed to have people that still wanted to work with me while I was pregnant. I had one film that I did while pregnant when I was running through the woods in red lingerie. THAT, was interesting.

MG: Do you have favorite role that you have played?
MD: Yes, my favorite role to date is Oria from “Shadowhunters 2: Oria” (which is not out yet). It took a long time for me to prepare for that role and my character was a snake demon, so she had no dialogue. She had to speak through body movements and emotion of the eyes and such.

MG: What has been your most difficult production to work on?
MD: I would have to say the above as well (“Shadowhunters 2: Oria”). One of the things I love about it so much was that the character was so difficult for me. I was also on set for a month which was pretty tough to handle especially being away from my children so long.

MG: Tell us about your work as a comic book model?
MD: Well, I’ve done quite afew things to date, but my most satisfying has been playing Edie Van Horn in “Gingerstein: Rise of the Undead”. I read comics, so to be a comic book model is a dream come true. I also LOVE working with the fabulous Dennis Willman. His artwork is INSANE.

MG: Tell us about some of your upcoming projects?
MD: I’m working on the upcoming film “Girl Scout Cookies”, “Alien Vengeance 3-D”, “Wade” and a TV show called “The Bronx Flavor” are just a few.

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Hallmark Channel Original Film “The Santa Incident” Dashes Onto DVD

UNLOCK THE MAGIC OF THE SEASON

THE SANTA INCIDENT

Ione Skye And Greg Germann Star In Hallmark Channel Original Film Dashing Onto DVD November 1 Just In Time For The Holidays From RHI Entertainment And Vivendi Entertainment

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – The fate of Christmas is in the hands of two secret service agents, two children and a trio of elves when the all-new Holiday film The Santa Incident arrives on DVD November 1 from RHI Entertainment and Vivendi Entertainment. Starring Ione Skye (Fever Pitch, Say Anything) and Greg Germann (“Ally McBeal,” Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby), the fun-filled family adventure is a Hallmark Channel original film and originally premiered as part of the channel’s “Countdown to Christmas” programming.

When Santa’s sleigh is mistaken for a UFO, he is marooned in a small town. Luckily rescued by two children, he tries to prepare for Christmas while stranded far from the North Pole. Desperate to make sure Christmas isn’t ruined this year, Santa must find a way to take flight by Christmas Eve. Just in time for the holidays, The Santa Incident provides fun wholesome entertainment the entire family can enjoy together. The DOVE approved DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $14.93.

Synopsis:

After his sleigh is shot down while flying through restricted military airspace, an earthbound Santa is sought for questioning by a pair of overzealous Homeland Security agents. The fate of Christmas is now in the hands of the disbelieving by-the-book duo, unless their faith in Santa can be restored by two children and a trio of elves who have arrived from up North to help out a friend in need.

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