This week we begin, where else, in 14th century Mongolia
DVDs for June 18 by Boo Allen
This week we begin, where else, in 14th century Mongolia:
The Horde (***1/2)
Not surprisingly, 14th century Mongolia looks like a bleak, untamed place in this compelling Russian/Mongolian drama filled with action, colorful characters, and court intrigue. The rise and fall of several of the great Khan family takes place against a backdrop of national conquest. Stuck in the middle of it all is a Russian Orthodox priest called on to cure Emperor Kahn’s mother of blindness. To his regret, but not to his surprise, he fails, resulting in various tortures and periods of cruel servitude. Director Andrei Proshkin then delivers third act surprises that send everyone in different, unexpected directions.
Not rated, 129 minutes. The DVD offers the film in English and in the original languages.
Hell’s House (**1/2), Of Human Bondage (***)
Kino Classics one-ups Warner Archive with these two early Bette Davis films re-mastered in High Definition. The two have been selected by the Library of Congress for preservation, with Davis’ own print for Hell’s House (1932, 71 minutes) going to the Library. In it, the 24 year-old Davis takes a minor role, playing the well intentioned girlfriend of a bootlegger (Pat O’Brien). Because a 14 year-old boy trusts him and works for him, the man stands by while the youth is arrested and then sent to reform school. There, director Howard Higgin delivers the socially-aware message of the day about the dangers of such institutions. Davis takes a major role in Of Human Bondage (1934, 83 minutes) as Mildred, a callous, gold-digging waitress who taunts, teases, and ultimately humiliates medical student Philip (Leslie Howard). The film, based on Somerset Maugham’s novel, treats Philip–who has the medical condition known as talipes (also known as clubfoot)–as one of the author’s favorite tropes, the idealized “outsider.” For her part, Davis unashamedly chews the scenery, resorting to an awkwardly artificial British accent. The disc also includes Michael House’s excellent 97 minute documentary on Maugham “Revealing Mr. Maugham,” featuring interviews with Armistead Maupin, Ronald Harwood, and others, including archival footage of Maugham.
Fred Won’t Move Out (***)
Writer-director Richard Ledes captures and conveys an uncomfortable sense of realism in this poignant story of a strong-willed man, Fred (Elliott Gould), aging and failing in his physical and mental capacities yet fighting to stay with his now demented-wife Susan (Judith Roberts) of many years. An excellent Fred Melamed and Stephanie Roth Haberle play the two offspring who travel to their family home in upstate New York in a futile attempt to put their mother in a facility and to bring Fred with them into New York City. Mfoniso Udofia plays the Ghanian care-taker who tries to be helpful without meddling.
Not rated, 75 minutes.
As Luck Would Have It (***)
This Spanish language film never tips its hand as to whether it is straight drama, biting satire, or if it is just pulling our collective legs. A depressed, unemployed man (Jose Mota) leaves yet another failed job interview and then has an accident at a museum construction site, leaving him lying on his back with a metal rod inserted into his head. His wife (Salma Hayek) frantically arrives on the scene and before long they are in the middle of a media bidding war.
Not rated, 98 minutes.
Knife Fight (***)
Political junkies will enjoy this fast moving socio-drama-light-comedy about political operative Paul Turner (a convincing Rob Lowe), who promotes his candidates even while they commit egregious acts. He eventually confronts the decision as to whether to continue his advocacy when several candidates, a Kentucky Governor (Eric McCormack) and a California senator (David Harbour), misbehave shamefully. But the news has not yet been made public. When confronted with a decent human (Carrie-Anne Moss) who might actually make a difference as an office holder, Turner hesitates because she has virtually no chance of winning against well financed candidates. The film touches on several sleazy campaign practices and shows enough dirt to cast even further gloom on our electoral process.
Rated R, 95 minutes.
Charlie Zone (***)
This gritty Canadian thriller features Glen Gould as a college graduate and former professional boxer who falls in over his head with a ruthless Montreal gang. After taking a brutal beating in a street fight, he agrees to abduct a run-away young woman (Amanda Crew) from a drug house for her parents and for a handsome payout. But once he has her, his problems escalate, resulting in several additional beatings, an attempted murder on him, and a triple cross. He ends up back at his grand-father’s home on the native Indian reservation where he grew up. Good performances, unforeseen twists, and adequate atmospherics make this a neo-noir sleeper.
Rated R, 103 minutes.
The Amazing Adventures of the Living Corpse
This animated feature is not kids, but instead is based on the underground Comic of Ken Haeser and Buz Hasson. It’s the latest twist on the zombie phenomenon, featuring John Romero, the Living Corpse, a soulful zombie who wears his heart on his sleeve. But alas, despite his soft side, when he, like all zombies, grows hungry, he must find something, or someone, to eat.
Rated R, 88 minutes.
Justin Bieber: Always Believing
This documentary on the Biebster features interviews with Usher, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Sean Kingston and others, all commenting on the popular singer. Director Thomas Gibson also attempts to flesh out some of Bieber’s life story, however brief that is.
Not rated, 70 minutes.
And, finally, from this week’s TV offerings:
Call the Midwife—season two
This excellent B.B.C. series based on Jennifer Worth’s memoirs returns in its sophomore season featuring more dramas, and horrors, found in London’s East End during the 1950s. A group of dedicated midwives tend to the poor, perpetually pregnant wives of the area, each facing dangers and, in some, hostile home situations. Jenny Lee (Jessica Raine) finds rewards and struggles while living with the other midwives and the nuns at nearby Nonnatus House. With Jenny Agutter, Judy Parfitt. Vanessa Redgrave narrates. The season’s eight episodes come on two discs, two on Blu-ray, along with the Christmas Special. Also included are cast and crew interviews.
Not rated, 555 minutes.
Also on DVD: The Howling, Jack the Giant Slayer, Movie 43, Quartet.