Release Dates Jul 24 2008 @ 01:36 pm
DVD Releases for July 22nd, 2008
So, this is a bit tardy. But since there was only one significant new release this week, and since I was on a business trip, I wasn’t too worried. You people will take what I give you and you will like it. You will LIKE it, I say. But… wow. This week is dead, dead, dead.
21 - 
I remember reading “Bringing Down the House,” the book that 21 is based on, nearly four years ago and thinking, “This would make an awesome movie.” Well they got one half of that right, but it wasn’t the ‘awesome’ half. What bugs me the most about this is that the original MIT Blackjack team was entirely Asian. As in not white. Or Caucasian. Or in desperate need of sunblock. And last time I checked, the closest Jim Sturgess and Kate Bosworth could come to ‘Asian’ was being called ‘off white,’ but then that’s not saying much, is it? Perhaps an enjoyable enough pop fantasy, but not a winner in the “Reasonably Accurate Adaptation” department.
on Jul 24 2008 @ 1:45 pm 1. Cinexcellence said …
There were also a few Criterions added this week as well (Dreyer’s Vempyr / High & Low)
on Jul 24 2008 @ 2:05 pm 2. Fox said …
This is timely b/c I just rented this last night and watched it. I can’t say I share you and Luke’s endorsement of it, but I am curious about one thing - and since I didn’t listen to the commentary before taking it back, maybe you guys can help.
The OPENING SHOT…
It starts in the sky above Cambridge and descends upon the bridge that Jim Sturges is riding his bike on. Slowly it swings around to his right (hanging over the bridge) then swings in front of him and tracks him from that angle.
Now… it’s meant to look like one fluid shot, but damn if that wouldn’t have been near impossible to pull off. Was there a nifty cut to green screen somewhere in there? Cuz I couldn’t find it. To be honest, it’s kinda freaking me out right now!!
on Jul 24 2008 @ 2:42 pm 3. Evan Derrick said …
Cine, yeah, I’ve thought about starting up a separate column for the ‘Classic’ DVD releases each week, like the Criterion ones you mention. Hey Phillip, feel like tackling that each week? You’d be the perfect choice to profile all the DVDs that the serious cinephiles care about.
And Fox, did you read what I wrote above?
Luke mildly endorsed it, but I didn’t (although, to be fair, I haven’t actually seen it…but I read enough to gauge what my reaction would). As to the opening shot, is there anywhere to watch it online? I’d like to take a gander at it and see what the fuss is all about.
on Jul 24 2008 @ 3:30 pm 4. Fox said …
Oopsie… I read Luke’s review and then just saw your star rating and then made an ass-out-of-me… I shouldn’t assume that you guys are 100% BFF!
However, Coosa Creek Rick DID tell me that you guys have paper cups and string running from your bedroom windows.
on Jul 24 2008 @ 3:32 pm 5. Evan Derrick said …
Ok Fox, I found the clip you were talking about, which you can watch here.
You’re right, it is an incredible shot. It’s hard to tell on YouTube (what with the quality and all), but I’m pretty sure they make the transition when the bus passes behind Sturgess on the bike. The bus is probably a digital creation, and they use it to help cover the switch between the two shots. The first shot is obviously from a helicopter, and the second shot may or may not actually be on the bridge. It’s possible the second shot of Sturgess is entirely green screened, but it doesn’t have to be. They could have easily set up a follow car with a jib on the bridge to do the tracking shot. If you watch when the bus passes Sturgess, you can see that his movements on the bike are easy to mimic. It wouldn’t be hard to take two shots - one that ends on him on the bike and one that begins there - and match them up, since the movement is nearly identical.
But, regardless, it’s still a fantastic shot.
on Jul 24 2008 @ 3:51 pm 6. Fox said …
I think you nailed it. The only time where I could see (or feel) a bump was when the bus/traffic merged into view. STILL… it’s pretty flawlessly done. I’m impressed.
Excellent break down Evan.
on Jul 24 2008 @ 5:30 pm 7. Coosa Creek Rick said …
I did NOT say they were string and paper cups … they’re those little toy walkie-talkies that take a 9 volt battery apiece and reach about 20 feet.
And I’d like to see a round up of Criterions myself … just indulged and bought their Vampyr which I will absorb with relish (and maybe a little mayo) over the weekend.
on Jul 25 2008 @ 5:27 am 8. Thadd Harrington said …
Y’know what bugged me about this movie? Everytime the main character says, “I’m from Boston” I wanted to scream, “No! You’re not! You are most obviously from the Midwest!”
on Jul 25 2008 @ 7:04 am 9. Phillip Johnston said …
Rick, I bought Vampyr last night too and what an absolutely gorgeous box set it is at that. I’ve never seen the film and can’t wait to spend some time with Dreyer this evening.
But man-oh-man … those Criterion’s are pricey.
on Jul 25 2008 @ 7:10 am 10. Phillip Johnston said …
Oh … and yes, Evan. I’d be happy to do a column like that. Perhaps I’ll strike up one after work this evening.
on Jul 25 2008 @ 8:25 am 11. Rick Olson said …
Yeah, they cost a little bit all right … I keep an eye on DVD Planet and Amazon. I got “Vampyr” at Amazon for a pre-order price (30% below list) and because I belong to their prime program, shipping was “free” for two-day. Not as bad.
I put together an overview of my favorite classic and art-house releases over at my site if you’re interested.
on Jul 25 2008 @ 8:27 am 12. Coosa Creek Mambo » Some Recent Notable DVDs said …
[…] My friends over at MovieZeal write about DVD releases once a week, but they don’t include classics. So as a public […]
on Jul 25 2008 @ 8:40 am 13. Evan Derrick said …
For your information, Rick, we have sweet cell phones and instant messaging to stay in touch. We retired the plastic walkie talkies, like, weeks ago.
And Phillip, Mr. Olson is beating you to the punch on that cinema classics column.
on Jul 25 2008 @ 9:53 am 14. Lady Luck said …
As a member of the original MIT Blackjack Team in 1980 and a player and investor through the 1990’s, I want to clear up a misconception that’s been going around the Internet. The MIT Blackjack Team was not composed primarily of Asians. The composition of the Team over the years included somewhere between 15%-20% Asians. It is true that Ben Mezrich wrote his original story based on his interviews with one of the players, Jeff Ma (played by Jim Sturgess), who was Asian.
on Jul 25 2008 @ 10:16 am 15. Daniel said …
21 was a bust.
LadyLuck, I appreciate that, if it’s true, because I called them out in my review as well.
Either way, the truthiness of the casting isn’t what made 21 a bad movie. It was just poorly made, and if I were you I would be annoyed that such an awesome story ended up like this.
on Jul 25 2008 @ 10:19 am 16. Luke Harrington said …
Hey, we have a celebrity in our midst.
I’m curious, Lady Luck: What did you think of 21, aside from the race thing?
Welcome to MZ!
on Jul 25 2008 @ 10:54 am 17. Evan Derrick said …
Count me curious as well, Miss Luck.
on Jul 25 2008 @ 11:57 am 18. Fox said …
Were you guys expecting Sturgess to say “How ’bout them apples?” when he hits on Bosworth at the bar?
on Jul 26 2008 @ 10:36 am 19. K. Bowen said …
As I said in the other thread, I thought 21 was entertaining fluff. Much better than what I expected walking in. Which is why it became a pretty decent hit.